The call came from Nixa Republican House member Kevin Elmer.
The southwest Missouri legislator said that Kinder's behavior in which he admitted to attending a club with scantily clad women was not in keeping with Republican values.
"It is the type of behavior that does not speak well for what it is that we stand for," Elmer said.
"It does not bode well for what it is our party stands for and the integrity of the people that we want to represent our state and community.
Elmer is the second Republican from southwest Missouri to abandon Kinder's campaign. Earlier a major contributor was reported to have asked for return of his contributions to Kinder.
Elmer said he had talked with other Republicans before announcing his position. He said none sought to discourage him and that he expected other Republicans to join his call for Kinder to step aside.
There was no immediate response from Kinder's spokespersons.
Showing posts with label Republicans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Republicans. Show all posts
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Letter to the Editor -- Government by the Rich, For the Rich
Letter to the Editor:
Republicans’ huge cuts to social safety net programs like food stamps and Medicaid serve those Americans that would otherwise be forced to go without these basic needs. Republicans plan to transfer Medicare into a system that subsidizes purchases of private insurance plans. How nice for the private insurance industry! The last I heard, the richest 3% of Americans pay no income taxes, thanks to legislation dating back to George Bush’s presidency.
It is obvious that those serving at the national level are paid generously for their dedication and hard work conducting the affairs of the nation. However, if programs must be cut, and if legislators truly care about the “underprivileged,” it is clear that those who receive such generous benefits (example – Senators and Representatives) would and should be willing to legislate cuts to their personal benefits before punishing the poor and elderly, many of whom have no other resource for food and health care. Oh! And here’s an idea – how about those richest one-third of Americans pitching in their fair share of taxes!?!!
Shirley Yurkonis
Savannah, MO
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Ron Paul Exploring 2012 Presidential Run
Ron Paul is exploring a presidential bid in 2012. The libertarian candidate, who is running as a Republican, intrigued a lot of people on both sides of the spectrum with his combination of small government politics and anti-war stances as well as his call to end the War on Drugs. The problem with him was that he could not complete the sale. For Paul to do better, he must close the deal.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Republican Weekly Radio Address by Congressman Tom Price -- "Spending binge has got to stop."
“Hello, I’m Congressman Tom Price and I have the privilege of working for the people of Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the House Policy Committee, I’m a member of the House Budget Committee.
“And by now you’ve probably heard a lot of talk coming out of Washington about a so-called budget battle. We’ve even got some Democrats who run Washington threatening to shut down the government instead of listening to the American people and cutting spending. Right now, our focus should be creating jobs and getting our economy moving again.
“After all, the President promised that this would be the year that he got serious about the deficits and the debt hurting our economy. Instead, he started out by asking Congress to raise the debt limit, without any commitment to cutting spending at the same time. In his State of the Union address, he called for more ineffective ‘stimulus’ spending. And this week he submitted a budget for the next fiscal year that destroys jobs by spending too much, and borrowing too much, and taxing too much.
“Listen to economists, listen to the folks who create jobs in this country, and you’ll hear that we need to end Washington’s spending binge to reduce uncertainty, to boost confidence, and to encourage private investment in our economy. To help create a better environment for job creation in America, the spending binge has got to stop. Now with the support of Republican governors and our reform-minded colleagues in the Senate, the new House majority is working hard toward that goal.
“That’s why the House spent this past week working on a bill to cut discretionary spending by $100 billion over the last seven months of the current fiscal year. We’re not only living up to our Pledge to America, we’re exceeding it. And more cuts and more reforms are on the way.
“Now as part of our focus on job growth, committees in the House are combing through job-crushing government regulations, and conducting rigorous oversight of how the government spends the people’s time and your money. We’ll soon begin work on legislation to cut wasteful mandatory spending.
“In the spring, under the leadership of our Budget Chairman, Paul Ryan, we’ll put forth a budget for the next fiscal year that confronts the fiscal challenges facing our nation instead of ducking them. It’ll offer ideas for real entitlement reform so we can have a conversation with the American people about the challenges we face and the need to chart a new path to prosperity.
“Now as a doctor and as a parent, I find it astounding that the President has submitted a budget that ignores the recommendations of his own fiscal commission and it punts on all of the tough choices – including entitlement reform. Instead, he’s expanded entitlements through ObamaCare – a government takeover that will destroy 800,000 jobs, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, and will accelerate our path to fiscal ruin.
“This issue demands presidential leadership – something that the President so far just seems unwilling to offer.
“Now if we can find an upside, it’s that the President admitted that his budget fails to address our fiscal crisis. You see, some Members of Congress still won’t even acknowledge that there’s a crisis. One in particular, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said not too long ago, and I quote, “Social Security is fine.” But you know it’s not fine. This year, for the first time, it will pay out more money than it takes in.
“And, with the wave of Baby Boomers starting to retire, there’s no way that we can protect programs like Social Security for the future and get our debt under control unless we begin to honestly address entitlements. Now for the President, leadership requires telling friends like Harry Reid the truth, even if it’s politically difficult.
“Now, our reforms will focus both on saving these programs for current and future generations of Americans and on getting our debt under control and our economy growing. By taking critical steps forward now, we can fulfill the mission of health and retirement security for all Americans without making changes for those in or near retirement.
“The new Republican majority will lead even as the Democrats who run Washington ignore their responsibilities.
“And if Senator Reid and President Obama change their minds, we’ll be ready to work with them. In the meantime, Republicans are focused on listening to the people, confronting our nation’s challenges, and helping our economy get back to creating jobs.
“Thanks for listening.”
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Republican Weekly Radio Address -- "Are you better off or worse off under new healthcare law?"
The weekly Republican radio address delivered by Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming:
“I’m John Barrasso, a doctor and a United States Senator for Wyoming.
“I’m pleased to talk with you today from my hometown of Casper.
“Across our country, Americans remain shocked and saddened by the recent violence in Arizona.
“As we return to work in Washington, our hearts go out to Congresswoman Giffords, the other victims and their families.
“They remain in our thoughts and in our prayers.
“Earlier this week, the newly elected House of Representatives immediately kept its promise to you, the American people. It did so by voting to repeal the President’s health care spending law.
“Now it’s the Senate’s turn.
“The President’s party has wasted millions of your taxpayer dollars trying to persuade you to support this law.
“Well, in spite of the mailings and the misleading television ads, they have failed.
“A recent poll showed that a majority of Americans still want this law repealed.
“And the reasons are clear.
“Ask yourself – are you better off or worse off now that the healthcare law has been on the books for almost a year?
“Has the cost of your own health insurance gone down?
“Remember the President promised that the law would significantly reduce your costs.
“If you get health insurance through your job, are you confident that you can keep it?
“We’ve already heard how the new law forces many employers to choose between keeping workers and paying for insurance coverage.
“How about the availability of your care?
“As most Americans know, coverage does not equal good care.
“According to the government's own experts, it could get a lot harder for many Americans to find a doctor or a hospital to go to.
“Now, for seniors, the reason is because the law cuts 500 billion dollars from Medicare - not to save Medicare, but to start a whole new Washington program.
“And seniors are not the only Americans targeted by the President’s new law.
“Small-business owners now have to file burdensome tax forms for basic business expenses such as phone and Internet service, shipping costs, office supplies.
“This absurd provision only increases the costs of owning and operating a small business.
“Each and every day, more people pay the price of Obamacare’s mountain of mandates.
“As I travel across the country, I continue to hear from Americans who want Washington to take its hands off of their health care.
“Interestingly, the only way to get out of this law, is to have friends in high places – like in the President’s own administration.
“While the Administration is forcing most Americans to accept the new law, over one and a half million Americans now get a free pass.
“These people have been given special Washington waivers.
“Many of these waivers have gone to labor unions who supported the law in the first place, but now don’t want to live under it.
“Well, if you don’t have a lawyer or a lobbyist connected to this Administration, you’re out of luck.
“This isn’t fair and it’s not the American way.
“As a doctor, I have taken care of families for over a quarter of a century.
“I know that this law is bad for patients, it’s bad for providers – the nurses and the doctors who care for those patients – and it’s bad for taxpayers.
“As a doctor, I’m disturbed that the law will require more IRS agents to investigate you. To make sure you actually buy insurance – but it fails to deal in any meaningful way with the shortage of nurses and doctors to actually take care of you.
“Your health care decisions should be decided in your doctor’s office – not a Washington office.
“Nothing should come between you and your doctor.
“Not a government bureaucrat.
“Not an insurance company bureaucrat. Nothing.
“Republicans will fight to repeal this job-destroying law and replace it with patient centered reforms.
“Reforms like making it legal for Americans to buy health insurance from companies in other states.
“Ending junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of everyone’s care.
“And restoring Americans’ freedom over their own health care decisions.
“Thanks to the vote in the House of Representatives, we are now one step closer to victory in the fight for a health care policy that puts Americans first – not Washington.
“Our job won’t be done until we repeal and replace this bad law.
“Thanks for listening.”
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
MCCASKILL CRITICIZES COLLEAGUES FOR BLOCKING NOMINEES UNDER CLOAK OF SECRECY
Frustrated with the secrecy that surrounds the way the Senate does business, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill took to the Senate floor to demand her colleagues make public their objections to non-controversial nominations on the floor. Despite requirements passed in sweeping ethics reform legislation in 2007 to force transparency when senators try to put secret “holds” on bills and nominations, senators continue to file anonymous objections. Around 80 nominees are currently being blocked without explanation.
“If you have an objection to a nominee, you should tell the public you have that objection, and, frankly, you owe the public an explanation why,” McCaskill said. “We're here working for them. We're doing the people's business here. We're not doing some back room deal. We're doing the people's business.”
Watch video of McCaskill’s floor speech here.
The secrecy allows members to indefinitely block the Senate confirmation of government appointees without being held accountable or having to explain their concerns to the public. These nominees are non-controversial and were passed out of committee without opposition.
Following her speech, McCaskill proceeded to ask for agreement to vote on many of the nominees in question. She called up 17 nominees for a vote and Republicans objected repeatedly. McCaskill plans to return to the floor throughout the week to ask for a vote on the remaining 59 nominees who are being held in secret.
The list of nominees called up for a vote by McCaskill is below.
- Stuart Gordon Nash, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Without objection, the nomination was confirmed.
- Warren F. Miller, Jr, of New Mexico, to be Director of the office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy.
Republicans objected.
- Julie A. Reiskin, of Colorado, to be Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation.
Republicans objected.
- Gloria Valencia-Weber, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation.
Republicans objected.
- Benjamin B. Tucker, of New York, to be Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Republicans objected.
- John H. Laub, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the National Institute of Justice.
Republicans objected.
- Anthony R. Coscia, of New Jersey, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Republicans objected.
- Albert DiClemente, of Delaware, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Republicans objected.
- Mark R. Rosekind, of California, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Republicans objected.
- P. David, Lopez, of Arizona, to be General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Republicans objected.
- Victoria A. Lipnic, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Republicans objected.
- Jill Long Thompson, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Farm Credit Administration Board.
Republicans objected.
- Eric L. Hirschhorn, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration.
Republicans objected.
- Steven L. Jacques, of Kansas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Republicans objected.
- Jim R. Esque, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Republicans objected.
- Michael W. Punk, of Montana, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative.
Republicans objected.
- Islam A. Siddiqui, of Virginia, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Republicans objected.
“If you have an objection to a nominee, you should tell the public you have that objection, and, frankly, you owe the public an explanation why,” McCaskill said. “We're here working for them. We're doing the people's business here. We're not doing some back room deal. We're doing the people's business.”
Watch video of McCaskill’s floor speech here.
The secrecy allows members to indefinitely block the Senate confirmation of government appointees without being held accountable or having to explain their concerns to the public. These nominees are non-controversial and were passed out of committee without opposition.
Following her speech, McCaskill proceeded to ask for agreement to vote on many of the nominees in question. She called up 17 nominees for a vote and Republicans objected repeatedly. McCaskill plans to return to the floor throughout the week to ask for a vote on the remaining 59 nominees who are being held in secret.
The list of nominees called up for a vote by McCaskill is below.
- Stuart Gordon Nash, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Without objection, the nomination was confirmed.
- Warren F. Miller, Jr, of New Mexico, to be Director of the office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy.
Republicans objected.
- Julie A. Reiskin, of Colorado, to be Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation.
Republicans objected.
- Gloria Valencia-Weber, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation.
Republicans objected.
- Benjamin B. Tucker, of New York, to be Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Republicans objected.
- John H. Laub, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the National Institute of Justice.
Republicans objected.
- Anthony R. Coscia, of New Jersey, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Republicans objected.
- Albert DiClemente, of Delaware, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Republicans objected.
- Mark R. Rosekind, of California, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Republicans objected.
- P. David, Lopez, of Arizona, to be General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Republicans objected.
- Victoria A. Lipnic, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Republicans objected.
- Jill Long Thompson, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Farm Credit Administration Board.
Republicans objected.
- Eric L. Hirschhorn, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration.
Republicans objected.
- Steven L. Jacques, of Kansas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Republicans objected.
- Jim R. Esque, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Republicans objected.
- Michael W. Punk, of Montana, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative.
Republicans objected.
- Islam A. Siddiqui, of Virginia, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Republicans objected.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
McCaskill: We Must Continue to Help Keep Food on the Table for Thousands of Missouri Families
During one of the worst economic recessions in decades, thousands of hard-working Missourians have lost their jobs at no fault of their own, but must continue to find ways to provide for their families. That’s why U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill yesterday voted to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA health insurance aid, lending a helping hand to many families struggling to make ends meet.
“We were able to pass a crucial emergency extension of programs that are helping keep food on the table for thousands of middle class Missouri families fighting to stay afloat during these tough economic times,” Senator McCaskill said. “For those who haven’t been able to find new employment during this recession, this help could mean the difference between barely making ends meet and foreclosure.”
After a series of objections from Senate Republicans, Democrats were successful in paving the way for a vote on an emergency extension through the end of May of the two programs. The programs expired at the end of March. The 60-day extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-38.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Opinion: Hulshof Opposed Economic Support for Worth County
Opinions are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheridan Express.
Hulshof Opposed Economic Support for
Worth County
by the Missouri Democratic Party
Asked what the top three priorities of a potential Hulshof administration would be in an interview following the first Gubernatorial debate, Congressman Kenny Hulshof responded, "jobs, jobs and jobs." But when he had the chance, Congressman Hulshof opposed economic packages that would have addressed the wholesale export of American jobs and instead gave priority with taxpayer money for wasteful pork projects like the Bridge to Nowhere, the Woodstock Museum and roughly 11,000 other earmarks.
In Congress, Hulshof voted against legislation supported by Congressional members Sam Graves and Jo Ann Emerson that would have provided support for expanding broadband Internet access, economic development strategies, infrastructure, and job skills training for 55 Missouri counties, including Worth County.
Watch the video contrasting Congressman Hulshof’s words and his deeds at www.CongressmanKenny.com.
"Congressman Hulshof says all of his top three priorities would be jobs. But in Washington, when he had the chance to do something to slow American jobs going to other countries, to help areas that had lost jobs to other countries or to help build the economy in the neediest areas of Missouri, he instead gave priority to wasteful pork projects like a Bridge to Nowhere and a Woodstock Museum," Zac Wright, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman, said. "Congressman Hulshof is right about one thing. It is about priorities. But looking at his record, you have to wonder if his priorities are the same as Missourians’."
In Congress, Hulshof opposed important jobs measures, to:
· slow the outsourcing to other countries of American manufacturing jobs,
· redevelop communities whose manufacturing sectors have suffered from the influences of international trade, and;
· develop economic initiatives for distressed Missouri counties, drawing criticism from fellow Missouri Republican Sam Graves.
Instead, Hulshof gave a higher priority to spending Missourians’ taxpayer money on 11,000 pork project earmarks, including:
· The $220 Million "Bridge to Nowhere" [Anchorage Daily News, 07/30/05; St. Petersburg Times, 04/01/07]
· The Woodstock Museum [House of Representatives Vote 561, 2007]
· The Maine Lobster Institute [House of Representatives Vote 735, 2007]
· Funding For "International Asparagus Competitiveness." [House of Representatives Vote 360, 2000]
· $500,000 To Renovate A Swimming Pool In Southern California. [House of Representatives Vote 277, 2006]
· $150,000 In Funding To Upgrade "An Italian Grocery Market" In New York City. [House of Representatives Vote 334, 2006]
· An Earmark To Fund The Recruitment Of Dairy Farmers To Northeast Iowa [House of Representatives Vote 190, 2006]
· A $129,000 Project That "Would Have Doubled Retail Space Available For A Gift Shop Selling Products…Such As Christmas Tree Ornaments, Handmade Soaps And Pottery." [House of Representatives Vote 593, 2007]
· Funds To Study The Andean Knotted-String Records
· Funds To Study The Prehistoric Bison Hunting In The Great Plains
· Funds To Study The "Sexual Politics Of Waste In Dakar, Senegal,"
· Funds To Study The Social Relationships And Sexual Habits Of Phayre’s Leaf Monkeys
· Funds To Study The Why Some People Are Superstitious [House of Representatives Vote 289, 2007]
BACKGROUND: THE HULSHOF RECORD
Kenny Hulshof, in 2004, voted against increasing funding for a program that attempts "to slow the flow of American jobs going oversees by investing…in programs, including worker training, for small- and medium-sized manufacturers."
On July 9, 2004, "the House passed a bill…that would attempt to slow the flow of American jobs going oversees by investing $110 million in programs, including worker training, for small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
The bill (HR 3598), passed by voice vote, would reauthorize the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, a nationwide network of more than 400 not-for-profit centers that provide manufacturers assistance such as worker training, advice on business practices and instruction on the use of information technology."
Congressman Hulshof voted against an amendment to more than double the authorization for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which has helped Missouri businesses, including Precision Aero Services, Inc. in Nevada, Mo.
Precision Aero Services, Inc. in Nevada, Mo., created 185 jobs with the help of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. [House of Representatives Vote 355, 2004, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership, http://blue.nist.gov/ss/F643247A9866C3D185256F8E0066AD80]
Kenny Hulshof, in 2007, voted against a bill to help 55 economically distressed counties in Missouri "with high poverty and unemployment rates." Congressman "Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it would help give rural parts of the country access to broadband Internet. This technology ‘should be available to everyone, no matter where they live, at a reasonable rate,’ he said." It also would help these counties with economic development strategies, infrastructure, and job skills training.
"The legislation would have authorized $1.25 billion for five regional economic development agencies. Modeled after the Appalachian Regional Commission and aimed at areas with high poverty and unemployment rates, the commissions would be charged with establishing economic development plans for their respective regions."
One of the five regional commissions would be the Delta Regional Commission, which would include "the counties Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscott, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Washington, Wayne, and Wright in the State of Missouri."
Another of the five regional commissions would be the Northern Great Plains Regional Commission, which would include "the counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, and Worth in the State of Missouri." [Text of H.R. 3246, Printed in the Congressional Record on 09/17/07]
Kenny Hulshof, on October 4, 2007, voted against H.R. 3246. He was one of 154 House members who voted with President George W. Bush against this bill to "set up five regional commissions across the country, all with paid staff to assess the economic needs and coordinate economic development strategies. It also would approve grants to states, local governments, nonprofit agencies and tribes for infrastructure, job skills training, tourism promotion and local assistance in areas such as health care." [House of Representatives Vote 946, 2007, and The News & Observer, 10/08/07]
"At least 40 percent of the funds would be used to develop transportation, telecommunications and basic public infrastructure.
The remaining money would be used for economic development activities that include job training, public services, conservation, tourism and renewable and alternative energy projects." [San Antonio Express-News, 10/05/07]
Congressman "Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it would help give rural parts of the country access to broadband Internet. This technology ‘should be available to everyone, no matter where they live, at a reasonable rate,’ he said." [Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 10/06/07]
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson voted with Graves to pass this bill. [House of Representatives Vote 946, 2007]
Hulshof Opposed Economic Support for
Worth County
by the Missouri Democratic Party
Asked what the top three priorities of a potential Hulshof administration would be in an interview following the first Gubernatorial debate, Congressman Kenny Hulshof responded, "jobs, jobs and jobs." But when he had the chance, Congressman Hulshof opposed economic packages that would have addressed the wholesale export of American jobs and instead gave priority with taxpayer money for wasteful pork projects like the Bridge to Nowhere, the Woodstock Museum and roughly 11,000 other earmarks.
In Congress, Hulshof voted against legislation supported by Congressional members Sam Graves and Jo Ann Emerson that would have provided support for expanding broadband Internet access, economic development strategies, infrastructure, and job skills training for 55 Missouri counties, including Worth County.
Watch the video contrasting Congressman Hulshof’s words and his deeds at www.CongressmanKenny.com.
"Congressman Hulshof says all of his top three priorities would be jobs. But in Washington, when he had the chance to do something to slow American jobs going to other countries, to help areas that had lost jobs to other countries or to help build the economy in the neediest areas of Missouri, he instead gave priority to wasteful pork projects like a Bridge to Nowhere and a Woodstock Museum," Zac Wright, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman, said. "Congressman Hulshof is right about one thing. It is about priorities. But looking at his record, you have to wonder if his priorities are the same as Missourians’."
In Congress, Hulshof opposed important jobs measures, to:
· slow the outsourcing to other countries of American manufacturing jobs,
· redevelop communities whose manufacturing sectors have suffered from the influences of international trade, and;
· develop economic initiatives for distressed Missouri counties, drawing criticism from fellow Missouri Republican Sam Graves.
Instead, Hulshof gave a higher priority to spending Missourians’ taxpayer money on 11,000 pork project earmarks, including:
· The $220 Million "Bridge to Nowhere" [Anchorage Daily News, 07/30/05; St. Petersburg Times, 04/01/07]
· The Woodstock Museum [House of Representatives Vote 561, 2007]
· The Maine Lobster Institute [House of Representatives Vote 735, 2007]
· Funding For "International Asparagus Competitiveness." [House of Representatives Vote 360, 2000]
· $500,000 To Renovate A Swimming Pool In Southern California. [House of Representatives Vote 277, 2006]
· $150,000 In Funding To Upgrade "An Italian Grocery Market" In New York City. [House of Representatives Vote 334, 2006]
· An Earmark To Fund The Recruitment Of Dairy Farmers To Northeast Iowa [House of Representatives Vote 190, 2006]
· A $129,000 Project That "Would Have Doubled Retail Space Available For A Gift Shop Selling Products…Such As Christmas Tree Ornaments, Handmade Soaps And Pottery." [House of Representatives Vote 593, 2007]
· Funds To Study The Andean Knotted-String Records
· Funds To Study The Prehistoric Bison Hunting In The Great Plains
· Funds To Study The "Sexual Politics Of Waste In Dakar, Senegal,"
· Funds To Study The Social Relationships And Sexual Habits Of Phayre’s Leaf Monkeys
· Funds To Study The Why Some People Are Superstitious [House of Representatives Vote 289, 2007]
BACKGROUND: THE HULSHOF RECORD
Kenny Hulshof, in 2004, voted against increasing funding for a program that attempts "to slow the flow of American jobs going oversees by investing…in programs, including worker training, for small- and medium-sized manufacturers."
On July 9, 2004, "the House passed a bill…that would attempt to slow the flow of American jobs going oversees by investing $110 million in programs, including worker training, for small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
The bill (HR 3598), passed by voice vote, would reauthorize the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, a nationwide network of more than 400 not-for-profit centers that provide manufacturers assistance such as worker training, advice on business practices and instruction on the use of information technology."
Congressman Hulshof voted against an amendment to more than double the authorization for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which has helped Missouri businesses, including Precision Aero Services, Inc. in Nevada, Mo.
Precision Aero Services, Inc. in Nevada, Mo., created 185 jobs with the help of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. [House of Representatives Vote 355, 2004, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership, http://blue.nist.gov/ss/F643247A9866C3D185256F8E0066AD80]
Kenny Hulshof, in 2007, voted against a bill to help 55 economically distressed counties in Missouri "with high poverty and unemployment rates." Congressman "Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it would help give rural parts of the country access to broadband Internet. This technology ‘should be available to everyone, no matter where they live, at a reasonable rate,’ he said." It also would help these counties with economic development strategies, infrastructure, and job skills training.
"The legislation would have authorized $1.25 billion for five regional economic development agencies. Modeled after the Appalachian Regional Commission and aimed at areas with high poverty and unemployment rates, the commissions would be charged with establishing economic development plans for their respective regions."
One of the five regional commissions would be the Delta Regional Commission, which would include "the counties Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscott, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Washington, Wayne, and Wright in the State of Missouri."
Another of the five regional commissions would be the Northern Great Plains Regional Commission, which would include "the counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, and Worth in the State of Missouri." [Text of H.R. 3246, Printed in the Congressional Record on 09/17/07]
Kenny Hulshof, on October 4, 2007, voted against H.R. 3246. He was one of 154 House members who voted with President George W. Bush against this bill to "set up five regional commissions across the country, all with paid staff to assess the economic needs and coordinate economic development strategies. It also would approve grants to states, local governments, nonprofit agencies and tribes for infrastructure, job skills training, tourism promotion and local assistance in areas such as health care." [House of Representatives Vote 946, 2007, and The News & Observer, 10/08/07]
"At least 40 percent of the funds would be used to develop transportation, telecommunications and basic public infrastructure.
The remaining money would be used for economic development activities that include job training, public services, conservation, tourism and renewable and alternative energy projects." [San Antonio Express-News, 10/05/07]
Congressman "Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it would help give rural parts of the country access to broadband Internet. This technology ‘should be available to everyone, no matter where they live, at a reasonable rate,’ he said." [Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 10/06/07]
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson voted with Graves to pass this bill. [House of Representatives Vote 946, 2007]
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