Capitol Connection Newsletter

Press Release

No Agreement Reached on Year-End FY 2011 Funding; Government Shutdown Looms
Congressman Miller firmly believes that Washington must learn to live within its means and tighten its budget, just as millions of American families must do. Earlier this year, he supported a measure to fund federal government operations through the end of the fiscal year while making substantial spending cuts to address our nation's debt crisis. The Senate subsequently rejected that common-sense measure and has failed to pass an alternative funding bill. Unless further action is taken the government will shut down at midnight tonight, placing our nation's military service members and their families in a precarious position. To ensure that our troops will receive pay for their service and keep the government running, the House passed legislation that provides year-end funding for the Department of Defense, slashes $12 billion from current government spending levels, and funds the government for an additional week to allow negotiators more time to reach a longer-term funding agreement. Unfortunately, to date the Senate has not taken up this responsible measure which President Obama has threatened to veto. As the negotiations move forward, Congressman Miller will continue to work with his colleagues to provide funding for our troops, reign in out-of-control federal spending, and keep the government open. To address concerns constituents may have about the impact of a government shutdown on federal services, the Congressman has compiled this extensive document of frequently asked questions. As always, constituents with questions regarding federal agencies are encouraged to contact the Brea District Office at (714) 257-1142.

House Approves Resolution to Overturn FCC's Internet Regulation Rules
The advent of the Internet has led to advancements that were unimaginable even a decade ago. It is vitally imported to ensure the continued investment in new technologies and infrastructure to benefit consumers through a free and open Internet. Recently however the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken steps to regulate the Internet for the first time. In December 2010, the Commission imposed so-called "network neutrality" regulations that effectively limits service providers from managing the distribution of Internet content. The FCC has admitted that it has not conducted any market analysis of these rules, meaning it has no idea how they will hinder job creation or investments in new technologies and broadband access. On Thursday, the House passed a resolution of disapproval that would block the FCC from implementing these troubling regulations and prevent the commission from passing similar rules. As a co-sponsor of the disapproval resolution, Congressman Miller will continue to work with his colleagues to stop the FCC's unprecedented move to regulate the Internet.

House Votes to Prevent the EPA from Regulating Carbon Dioxide
As gas prices have skyrocketed in recent months the Administration has done nothing to provide relief to American taxpayers and families while encouraging regulatory actions that will further increase energy costs. Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency's overreaching regulations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses went into effect. These regulations pose a tremendous threat to the nation's fragile economic recovery by increasing the cost of energy for consumers and companies, hindering job creation and economic growth. To preserve American jobs and our competitiveness in the global economy, the House passed legislation this week to prohibit the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases to address climate change under the Clean Air Act. As the economy struggles to recover, Congressman Miller believes the last thing the EPA should do is impose harmful regulations that will further strain the pocketbooks of Americans.

Repeal of Obamacare Tax Reporting Nightmare Expected to be Signed by President
This week, the Senate joined the House in voting to repeal the dreaded 1099 reporting requirement enacted under last year's health care overhaul. The requirement, which was enacted into law as part of Obamacare, would force all business owners to submit separate 1099 tax forms for each business-to-business transaction that exceeds $600 in a given year. Nearly 40 million businesses would have been negatively impacted, as employers would have to divert resources from expanding their companies and creating jobs to filling out new tax forms to comply with this overly burdensome reporting requirement. As a co-sponsor of the legislation to repeal the expanded 1099 reporting requirement, Congressman Miller is pleased that his colleagues in the Senate have voted to eliminate this onerous mandate and looks forward to President Obama quickly signing it into law and bringing this tax reporting nightmare to an end.

IRS Offers Tax Preparation Assistance
For 2011, the Internal Revenue Service has moved the traditional tax filing day to Monday, April 18th due to a holiday in the District of Columbia. The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging individuals to file taxes through Free File, an encrypted Internet tax program. For qualifying individuals, free tax preparation is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and the Armed Forces Tax Council. To locate the most convenient location for you or for additional information contact the IRS at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-1040, or Congressman Miller's Brea Office at (714) 257-1142.

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