Congressional Mailbag

Statement

Each month I receive thousands of emails, phone calls and letters on a variety of topics. I wanted to share a few questions that I recently received.

What is the status of repealing President Obama's health care law?

In January (make sure it was January), I voted to repeal ObamaCare. While Democrats who control the Senate have refused to approve the House-passed repeal bill, work continues by Republicans on alternative ways to stop implementation of the law. I have voted to repeal the law's 1099 mandate on small businesses and I have written a bill to repeal the portion of the law that restricts doctor-owned hospitals like Wenatchee Valley Medical Center. I am committed to repealing and defunding this trillion dollar government takeover of health care in its entirety -- and working on common sense solutions that will actually lower the cost of health care and increase choices.

What are you doing to cut spending and balance the budget?

When times get tough American families tighten their belts -- they don't spend even more. Yet, that's exactly what the government did with the bailouts, stimulus spending and the health care law. It's time for the government to stop spending money it doesn't have, reverse course and have an honest conversation about both the budget crisis and the spending cuts and entitlement reforms needed to solve the problem. In the first three months of the new Congress, I have voted to cut the congressional operating budget, to stop the earmark system, to repeal ObamaCare, to return spending to pre-bailout, pre-stimulus levels, to end taxpayer funding for Presidential campaigns, and to begin shutting down the TARP bailout. More work is necessary, but these steps are a start.

What can be done to address rising gas prices?

Similar to the summer of 2008, today's escalating gasoline prices are affecting the way American families' budget and the way small businesses operate across the country. Our government should take steps to address rising prices by developing our own American energy resources. In my role as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee I am focused on new legislation to increase energy production offshore and on federal lands. These areas hold vast energy resources, and must be a part of the solution.

I appreciate the fact that so many people who I represent in Congress take the time to share their views with me.

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