The Senate Tea Party Caucus

In July 2010, in response & in support of the Tea Party movement, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann formed the House Tea Party Caucus.  Bachmann stated the House Tea Party Caucus was created not to be the voice of the Tea Party movement but more of an outlet for Tea Party groups to voice their concerns at the House level. 

At the time, while Bachmann has been a great supporter of the movement, many Tea Party coordinators & members had mixed feelings and many concerns on having an 'official' House Tea Party Caucus and the effects - good & bad - it may have on the movement. (Read here & here).

This past Thursday Senator Rand Paul & Senator Jim DeMint held the first Senate Tea Party Caucus...

Only four U.S. senators attended the Senate Tea Party Caucus' first meeting, with at least three new senators who won under the populist banner staying away.

"I sprang from the Tea Party and have great respect for what it represents," Sen. Ronald H. Johnson, R-Wis., one of the movement's stars, said in a statement.

But he will not join the caucus because he fears it could be divisive, he said. Instead, he said he will seek to bring Tea Party ideas under the broader Republican umbrella.

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., also declined to join the caucus, whose Thursday meeting was organized by freshmen Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Jim DeMint, R-S.C., as a venue for promoting Tea Party ideals.

They were joined by freshman Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. (UPI)

Defending Senator Marco Rubio's decision not to join the Caucus and, without casting any doubt on Senator Paul or DeMint's intentions or die-hard support of the Tea Party movement, some Tea Party coordinators are concerned about the outside influences behind the Senate Tea Party Caucus...

"Sen. Rubio has been sincere and faithful to the tea party values of fiscal responsibility, constitutional limited government, and free markets," writes Everett Wilkinson, head of the South Florida Tea Party. "Neither Rubio nor any other elected official should feel compelled by the grassroots tea party to join any 'Tea Party Caucus.' The tea party movement is comprised of grassroots, leaderless, bottom up, and decentralized organizations that operate opposite to DC business." More... 

We want to think, and have every reason to believe, Senator Paul & Senator DeMint, can and will resist any agenda-driven forces. If there are two people in D.C. that really appear to understand and respect the power of the Tea Party movement -  it would be Senator Rand Paul & Senator Jim DeMint.

Considering what has been accomplished by the informal "We the People" Caucus built over the last two years by Tea Party, 9.12 & Liberty-minded groups across the U.S., the question moving forward should be -- Do we really need a Tea Party Caucus in the House or Senate? 

Please share your thoughts and concerns below or email them to us at clevelandteaparty@gmail.com. From email's received so far the sentiment has been evenly mixed from strongly support to strongly oppose and the majority of them being cautiously optimistic.  You input is needed and will be greatly appreciated.

Jordan, Garrett and DeMint Unveil the Spending Reduction Act

Jordan, Garrett and DeMint
Unveil the Spending Reduction Act

Outline $2.5 trillion in spending cuts to help resolve growing debt crisis

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman of the RSC Budget and Spending Task Force, and Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), Chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, unveiled the Spending Reduction Act, which begins to address the rapidly growing national debt by making substantial spending cuts immediately and throughout the next decade.

“The national debt has grown from $8.6 trillion four years ago to more than $14 trillion today,” said Jordan.  “This mountain of debt, nearly the size of our entire economy, threatens to create a whole new financial crisis.  Every day we refuse to change course and instill some fiscal responsibility, the problem grows even larger.  Unless Washington acts soon to cut spending, massive tax hikes, economic stagnation, and national bankruptcy will rob our children of the opportunity to reach for the American Dream.”

“The Spending Reduction Act gives us a $2.5 trillion head start in the race to preserve the fiscal stability of the United States,” said Garrett.  “This bill represents the first step in the process, not the last.  To achieve long-term fiscal stability, we must finish the race by making the tough decisions Congress has put off for far too long.  Only after we tear down barriers to job creation and make reforms to our entitlement programs can we truly resolve our debt crisis.”

“Our nation stands on the edge of a fiscal cliff and we face a stark choice: go over the edge into bankruptcy and declining freedom or choose to make the hard decisions today to save our country for our children and grandchildren," said Senator DeMint. "I'm proud to stand with Congressmen Jordan and Garrett against the wave of wasteful Washington spending. The Spending Reduction Act begins the difficult task of shrinking the federal bureaucracy that threatens our future prosperity. Congress must take the steps now to balance the budget, pay off our debt, and preserve freedom for future generations.”

Compared to current projections, the Spending Reduction Act would save taxpayers $2.5 trillion through 2021.  It starts by keeping House Republicans’ pledge to take current spending back to 2008 levels and repeal unspent funds from the failed “stimulus.”  

At the beginning of the next fiscal year on October 1, 2011, spending is further reduced to 2006 levels and frozen there for the next decade.  To help achieve these savings, the bill shrinks the size and cost of the civilian federal workforce and specifically targets over 100 budget items and spending reforms.

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Senator Rob Portman's First Legislation Focused On Ohio Jobs

Press Release

of

Senator Portman

Senator Portman's First Legislation 

Focused On Ohio Jobs

Legislation Would Create Over One Million New Jobs

and Repeal Key Anti-Job Aspects of Democrat Healthcare Law

Monday, January 24, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) announced the introduction of his first piece of legislation, the Job Creation Act of 2011.  The Job Creation Act of 2011 would provide needed tax and regulatory relief to the private sector to help create new jobs and provide greater certainty for our economy at a time when it is badly needed.

“Over the past two years, I have traveled to every one of Ohio’s 88 counties and visited over 100 factories, farms and other businesses to get input on how to bring jobs back to Ohio.  I received a lot of good ideas from small business owners, workers, and economic development groups.  The result was the Portman Plan for Jobs and this legislation, the Job Creation Act of 2011,” said Senator Portman.

“We need to focus on pro-growth policies, like those included in the Job Creation Act, in order to create an environment that fosters job growth and gets Americans back to work.  If passed, this legislation will create over 1.4 million jobs, provide nearly $240 billion in tax relief, reduce the deficit by $85 billion and eliminate some of the most burdensome mandates on job creators,” continued Portman.

Over the past two years, Washington has been making it harder, not easier, for companies of all sizes to create jobs.  The Job Creation Act of 2011 is a significant step in the other direction which will immediately help companies grow, create jobs and invest in the future.  Economists estimate the payroll tax section of the Job Creation Act alone would create more than 1.4 million jobs.  The legislation would provide nearly $240 billion in tax relief to foster hiring and investment while reducing the deficit by $85 billion and ending job destroying mandates on job creators.

“The Job Creation Act of 2011 is a robust first step towards a pro-job atmosphere here in Washington, and I will continue to remain laser focused on fixing Ohio’s economy and creating an environment conducive to job growth,” stated Portman.

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Support the Economic Freedom Act

Below is the Press Release from Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4) and his proposed Economic Freedom Act.  Please contact Ohio's members of Congress and ask them to support Congressman Jim Jordan's "Economic Freedom Act".  Contact information is listed below.

From Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4) --

Economic Recovery Through Private Sector Growth

The American economy lost over 7 million jobs, and the American people are more than 4 trillion dollars deeper in debt today because the tax-and-spenders in Washington, D.C. failed to heed President Reagan’s words:

“Government is not the solution to our problem.
Government is the problem.”

The multi-trillion dollar government stimulus programs and taxpayer-funded bailouts have failed. A growing private sector economy is the only “stimulus program” that will create the jobs needed to restore America’s economic strength.

Congressman Jordan and Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) have introduced H.R. 5029, the Economic Freedom Act, a plan to unleash the power of America’s private sector economy.

The Economic Freedom Act would terminate the TARP and repeal the remaining stimulus, replacing them with a real stimulus plan to create jobs by:

           Reducing The Payroll Tax by Half for 2010 Providing immediate stimulus by increasing workers’ paychecks and improving the bottom line for employers.

Eliminating The Capital Gains Tax Encouraging the risk-taking and investment that is at the heart of the entrepreneurial spirit

Reducing the Corporate Tax Rate to 12.5% Improving America’s competitiveness in the global market and providing incentives for expansion and job creation

Permanently Eliminating the Death Tax Ensuring that small businesses and family farms, the engine of our economy, will continue creating jobs for future generations

Providing Immediate Business Expensing Encouraging long-term reinvestment in business, increasing competitiveness and creating jobs

Click here and listen to Congressman Jordan explain the EFA.

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Contact Info:

Below is the contact information for Ohio's members of the U.S. House.

Rep. Steve Chabot, OH-1
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-2216
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-3012
Email: https://chabot.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Rep. Jean Schmidt, OH-2
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-3164
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-1992
E-mail: http://www.house.gov/schmidt/contact.shtml

Rep. Mike Turner, OH-3
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-6465
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-6754
E-mail: http://turner.house.gov/Contact/

Rep. Bob Latta, OH-5
D.C. Office Phone: 1-800-541-6446 (OHIO)
D.C. Office Fax: 1-800-278-8203
E-mail: https://latta.house.gov/Contact/default.aspx

Rep. Bill Johnson, OH-6
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-5705
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-5907
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/charliewilson/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Steve Austria, OH-7
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-4324
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-1984
E-mail: http://austria.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=7&sectiontree=4,7

Rep. John Boehner, OH-8
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-0600
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-5117
E-mail: SpeakerBoehner@mail.house.gov

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, OH-9
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-4146
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-7711
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/kaptur/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, OH-10
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-5871
D.C. Office Fax; (202)225-5745
E-mail: http://kucinich.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm

Rep. Marcia Fudge, OH-11
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-7032
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-1339
Email: http://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=190&sectiontree=4,190

Rep. Patrick Tiberi, OH-12
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-5355
D.C. Office Fax: (202)226-4523
Email: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Rep. Betty Sutton, OH-13
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-3401
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-2266
E-mail: http://sutton.house.gov/about/emailform.cfm

Rep. Steven LaTourette, OH-14
D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-5731
D.C. Office Fax: (202) 225-3307
Email: http://latourette.house.gov/contact/contact-form.aspx

Rep. Steve Stivers, OH-15
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-2015
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3529
E-mail: https://stivers.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Rep. Jim Renacci, OH-16
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-3876
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3059
E-mail: https://renacci.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Rep. Tim Ryan, OH-17
D.C. Office Phone; (202)225-5261
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/timryan/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Bob Gibbs, OH-18
D.C. Office Phone: (202)225-6265
D.C. Office Fax: (202)225-3394
E-mail: https://gibbs.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

*** Please note: some members of the House are using the "Write your Representitive" U.S. House email program and refusing to accept emails/comments from people outside their District.  For residency verification a zip code and at times an address is requested.

If you live within the District and do not wish to use your own address or if you live outside the District and still want to comment, you can enter the zip code and/or address of the local District Office for the member you are trying to contact.

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn Introduces Health Care Choices Act

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) introduced a bill that will allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines...

Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) introduced the Health Care Choices Act today. She was joined by Rep. Fred Upton, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rep. Joe Pitts, Chairman for the Subcommittee on Health, and over sixty other co-sponsors.

The Health Care Choices Act replaces onerous Washington mandates with true competition for health coverage by permitting the sale of health insurance products across state lines. The Act will allow consumers to shop for health insurance just like they do for other insurance products- online, by mail, over the phone, or in consultation with an insurance agent in their hometown. It opens the consumer to greater insurance options than those offered in the state where they live.

"The health care law we repealed yesterday forces the cost of health insurance ever higher through Washington driven mandates. The Health Care Choices Act will drive down the cost of insurance through competition. Once we remove the artificial barriers created by state lines, insurance companies will be free to compete for your business; giving consumers the policies they want at a price they can afford." Mrs. Blackburn said.

In speaking about the bill Chairman Upton said: “Competition is one of the most powerful market forces. It drives down cost while improving quality, and it creates a vast array of options to meet consumers’ individual needs. Yet rigid federal constraints prevent Americans from shopping for health insurance the way they shop for car insurance and consumer products, looking at the costs and benefits offered by providers from coast to coast. I’m pleased to cosponsor this bill to empower Americans, and I welcome this and all efforts to replace Obamacare with commonsense solutions designed to bring down costs, expand access to coverage, and protect the doctor-patient relationship.”

Judicial Watch files Suit Against Maryland Community College for giving In-State Tuition break to Illegal Immigrants

From Judicial Watch --

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that on Thursday, January 20, it filed a taxpayer lawsuit against the Board of Trustees of Maryland’s Montgomery College for unlawfully charging discounted “in county” tuition rates to students who graduate from Montgomery County public high schools, regardless of their place of residency or immigration status. The new lawsuit alleges Montgomery College’s tuition policy violates both Maryland and federal law and places a substantial financial burden on Montgomery County taxpayers who subsidize the cost of students attending the community college. Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit on behalf of Montgomery County taxpayers Michael Lee Philips, Patricia Fenati and David Drake in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County (Philips, et al. v. Board of Trustees of Montgomery College (V342882)).

According to Judicial Watch’s complaint:

Under federal law, unlawfully present aliens generally are ineligible for state or local public benefits, including post-secondary education benefits such as reduced tuition, unless a state has enacted a law affirmatively providing for such eligibility. The State of Maryland has never enacted a law affirmatively providing that unlawfully present aliens are eligible to receive reduced, in-county tuition at public institutions of higher education, including community colleges such as Montgomery College…

Pursuant to Maryland law, “Montgomery College is required to charge out-of-state tuition to any student who attends a community college in the State of Maryland and is not a resident of the State…”

Defendant Board's long-standing policy is causing substantial, pecuniary loss to taxpayers in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. By providing reduced, in-county tuition to all students who graduate from Montgomery County public high schools, regardless of their residence or status as unlawfully present aliens, Montgomery College is failing to collect revenue that, by state and federal law, it is required to collect.

By law, the tuition paid by a student who attends community college is determined by a student’s place of residence. Students who are residents of the county or counties supporting the community college they attend are charged an in-county rate. Students who are residents of the State of Maryland, but reside outside the county or counties supporting the community college they attend are charged an instate rate. Students who reside outside the State of Maryland are charged an out-of-state rate.

However, Montgomery College has a long-standing policy of providing graduates of Montgomery County public high schools, including illegal aliens who unlawfully reside in the United States, the lowest “in county” tuition rate regardless of their place of residence. Montgomery College described this policy in financial statements for Fiscal Years 2007, 2008 and 2009: "[T]he Montgomery College policy is applicable to all persons, equally, and includes all citizens as well as undocumented aliens…" The tuition policy was formally adopted by Montgomery College’s Board of Trustees on November 15, 2010.

Between 2006 and 2009, Montgomery College failed to collect $5,870,852 in tuition fees due to its policy of unlawfully allowing a discounted “in county” tuition rate to illegal aliens and other “out of state” students.

The policy has been questioned by the College’s own auditors. Maryland State Delegate Pat McDonough first alerted Judicial Watch to this issue last year, prompting Judicial Watch to conduct an independent investigation, which led to this taxpayer lawsuit.

“Montgomery College’s funneling of tax dollars to tuition benefits for illegal aliens is against the law. The policy is especially egregious in this age of government budget crises,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “Our taxpayer clients hope the court will put a stop to Montgomery College’s policy of providing illegal perks at taxpayer expense.”

Ohio Republican Congressional Delegation comments on House Repeal of Obama Care

H/T Weapons of Mass Discussion

Speaker John Boehner --

Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6) --



Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-16) --