Culberson for Congress

Hutchison, Edwards, and Culberson Secure Millions in Additional Hurricane Ike Funding 6/12/09

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Hutchison, Edwards, and Culberson Secure Millions in Additional Hurricane Ike Funding 6/12/09

United States Congress News Release
June 12, 2009

Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), U.S. Representative Chet Edwards (D-TX), and U.S. Representative John Culberson (R-TX) announced that they have secured a provision in Fiscal Year 2009 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill which will allow the Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Ike to access millions in additional Debris Removal and Public Assistance reimbursements from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Prior to the inclusion of this provision, 100 % Debris Removal reimbursement ended on April 26, 2009, and Public Assistance funding was reimbursed at only a 75%/25% rate. The new provision does away with the April 26th deadline for 100% Debris Removal and increases the federal costshare for Public Assistance funding from FEMA to 90%.

“The damage inflicted by Hurricane Ike was done in only hours, but the reconstruction process will take months and years. This provision gives Gulf Coast communities affected by Ike time to rebuild and access to continued and improved federal funding,” said Sen. Hutchison. “Coming one day after we learned that Texas will receive $1.74 billion in disaster recovery funds from HUD, this is more great news for those Texans fighting to rebuild.”

“Families and businesses along the Texas Gulf Coast are still rebuilding their lives after the devastation of Hurricane Ike, so it is vital that this funding moves quickly toward those communities,” said Congressman Chet Edwards, a member of the conference committee who helped negotiate the final bill. “Those who lost their homes, businesses and their livelihoods, need all levels of government to continue to work together diligently to get back on their feet. I want to commend Sen. Hutchison and the Texas delegation for their hard work. Without their determined efforts, this would not have been possible.”

“Hurricane Ike was one of the most destructive storms to strike Texas and residents of District Seven are still recovering,” said Congressman Culberson. “This provision will assist in that recovery and help us rebuild stronger than ever.”

Immediately after the FEMA Disaster Declaration, Senator Hutchison convened “Team Texas,” which brought the Texas delegation members together in a bipartisan fashion to coordinate their efforts to secure federal funding for the recovery from Hurricane Ike before Congress adjourned for the election season.

Last November, Senators Hutchison and Cornyn secured a 180-day extension on the 100 % Debris Removal reimbursements (Category A), which covered all reimbursements from October 26, 2008 through April 26, 2009. Before this provision was secured, debris removal projects submitted after April 26 were only reimbursed at 75%. Today’s news will allow those projects, and any Hurricane Ike-related debris removal project, to receive the full 100% reimbursement going forward.

Prior to the inclusion of this provision, Public Assistance projects were reimbursed at a 75% federal/25% non-federal split. The State of Texas requires local communities to bear the non-federal percent entirely.

On June 10, Sen. Hutchison announced that Texas would receive $1.74 billion in CDBG disaster recovery funding. This funding came as part of the second allocation of funding from the $6.1 billion that she secured in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Emergency Supplemental. Of that $6.1 billion, more than $3 billion of that went to Texas communities and counties.

Link to Article

14-Jun-09 1:00 PM

NASA states going ballistic over cash cuts

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

NASA states going ballistic over cash cuts

By Walter Alarkon
Posted: 06/10/09 08:18 PM [ET]
A bipartisan group of Texas and Florida lawmakers is pressuring House appropriators to restore hundreds of millions of dollars for space travel, warning that cutting NASA’s budget next year could hurt the economy and national security. House members from the two states that house NASA’s major space centers met Wednesday to discuss ways to restore the funding, while Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) blasted the proposed reductions as “destructive.” The issue has brought together about a dozen lawmakers — including some, such as Reps. John Culberson (R-Texas) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who are typically on the opposite sides of most political debates on Capitol Hill. Yet they all have a vested interest in seeing the nation’s manned space programs continue at full speed. “Having people in space is how we have come so far and have really been able to dominate space,” Hutchison said. Hutchison said U.S. manned space travel has improved national security, led to scientific breakthroughs that have helped the economy and improved relations with other countries, whose own space programs have worked with NASA. The spending bill in the House that sets NASA funding proposes an $18.2 billion budget for the space agency. That would be 2 percent larger than the fiscal 2009 NASA budget, but it is 3 percent less than what President Obama had requested for fiscal 2010. House appropriators left out a total of $650.6 million that NASA requested. The largest chunk of that money is $566.5 million for space exploration. Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over NASA that proposed the cuts, said appropriators want to see the results of a study, due in August, on manned space travel before they provide the money the Obama administration wants. The space shuttle is scheduled for retirement next year, and the next manned space vehicles, known as the Ares and Orion, won’t be ready until 2015. Mollohan wants to give the administration a chance to look at the independent report, which could “clarify and identify the position where NASA should go,” said Mollohan’s spokesman, David Herring. The spending bill with the NASA budget was approved by the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, and the panel’s chairman, Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), has scheduled the bill to be considered by the full House on Tuesday and Wednesday. NASA advocates in the House said the money could be restored in an amendment when the bill hits the House floor. Culberson and Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) said they’re confident the money will be restored. “We’ve been talking with the Appropriations Committee,” Olson said. “There are some good developments for when we come on the floor next week.” The spending bill has yet to be taken up by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), chairwoman of the subcommittee that will mark up the bill, said last month that she was concerned lawmakers wouldn’t see the results of the independent review before senators consider the agency’s funding. “This review is timely and necessary,” she said during a hearing on NASA’s budget. “There will be a five-year gap between shuttle retirement and initial operation of Orion and Ares.” A group of about a dozen House members who oppose the reductions met Wednesday with NASA contractors who help build the agency’s vehicles. The group included Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.), Jackson Lee, Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Olson and Culberson, according to participants. “NASA’s a bipartisan issue, which is one of the frustrations with the [Appropriations] Committee,” Olson said. “I haven’t found anyone who is opposed to NASA.” Olson’s district includes parts of Houston and the Johnson Space Center. One of his predecessors, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), was a strong supporter of the agency, fighting fellow Republicans who sought to trim its budget and getting the Johnson Space Center gerrymandered into his district in 2003. But Olson dismissed suggestions that Democrats now in control of the House were looking to hurt him or other GOP members. “It isn’t just aimed at one particular senator,” he said. “It hurts all across the board — areas represented by Republicans, areas represented by Democrats. The lawmakers looking to restore the money said that the funding for space travel can’t wait until the results of the study because NASA, its workers and contractors are making decisions on their future now. Scientists, whose programs would be squeezed by the tight budget, could leave for other jobs, said Posey, a NASA inspector on Apollo space missions. Their departure would hurt NASA’s attempts to stay ahead of other nations’ space programs, he said. “Space is the only thing our country is undeniably, universally and unequivocally the respected leader in throughout the world,” Posey said. “It’s a matter of economic and military national security.”

Link to article

11-Jun-09 5:00 PM

Doctors’ Group Opposes Public Insurance Plan

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

June 11, 2009
Doctors’ Group Opposes Public Insurance Plan
By Robert Pear
New York Times

WASHINGTON — As the health care debate heats up, the American Medical Association is letting Congress know that it will oppose creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan, which President Obama and many other Democrats see as an essential element of legislation to remake the health care system.

The opposition, which comes as Mr. Obama prepares to address the powerful doctors’ group on Monday in Chicago, could be a major hurdle for advocates of a public insurance plan. The A.M.A., with about 250,000 members, is America’s largest physician organization.

While committed to the goal of affordable health insurance for all, the association had said in a general statement of principles that health services should be “provided through private markets, as they are currently.” It is now reacting, for the first time, to specific legislative proposals being drafted by Congress.

In the presidential campaign last year and in a letter to Congress last week, Mr. Obama called for a new “public health insurance option,” which he said would compete with private insurers and keep them honest.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said Wednesday that she supported that goal. “A bill will not come out of the House without a public option,” she said Wednesday on MSNBC.

But in comments submitted to the Senate Finance Committee, the American Medical Association said: “The A.M.A. does not believe that creating a public health insurance option for non-disabled individuals under age 65 is the best way to expand health insurance coverage and lower costs. The introduction of a new public plan threatens to restrict patient choice by driving out private insurers, which currently provide coverage for nearly 70 percent of Americans.”

If private insurers are pushed out of the market, the group said, “the corresponding surge in public plan participation would likely lead to an explosion of costs that would need to be absorbed by taxpayers.”

While not the political behemoth it once was, the association probably has more influence than any other group in the health care industry. Lawmakers seek its opinion and support whenever possible. It has repeatedly persuaded Congress to cancel or postpone cuts in Medicare payments to doctors, though it has not secured a “permanent fix.”

If the doctors are too aggressive in fighting the public plan, they risk alienating Democrats whose support they need for legislation to increase their Medicare fees.

The group has historically had a strong lobbying operation, supplemented by generous campaign donations. Since the 2000 election cycle, its political action committee has contributed $9.8 million to Congressional candidates, according to data from the Federal Election Commission and the Center for Responsive Politics. Republicans got more than Democrats in the four election cycles before 2008, when 56 percent went to Democrats.

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said that in his address to the group next week, Mr. Obama would “outline the case for health care reform and make clear why we can’t afford to wait another year, or another administration, to bring down costs that are crushing families, businesses and government.”

Mr. Gibbs did not say whether Mr. Obama would discuss a public insurance plan, the most contentious issue in the debate.

The A.M.A., an umbrella group for 180 medical societies, does not speak for all doctors. One group, Physicians for a National Health Program, supports a single-payer system of insurance, in which a single public agency would pay for health services, but most care would still be delivered by private doctors and hospitals. In recent years, some doctors have become so fed up with the administrative hassles of private insurance that they are looking for alternatives.

Until now, stakeholders in the health care industry have generally muted their criticism of Democratic proposals. But as details of the legislation have emerged, the criticism has become more pointed.

America’s Health Insurance Plans, a lobby for insurers, said Tuesday that the government plan proposed by some Senate Democrats could “dismantle employer-based coverage and significantly increase costs for those who remain in private coverage.”

Under a proposal favored by many Democrats, doctors who take Medicare patients would also have to participate in the new public plan. Democrats say that requirement is needed to make sure the public plan can go into business right away with a large network of doctors.

The medical association said it “cannot support any plan design that mandates physician participation.” For one thing, it said, “many physicians and providers may not have the capability to accept the influx of new patients that could result from such a mandate.”

“In addition,” the A.M.A. said, “federal programs traditionally have never required physician or other provider participation, but rather such participation has been on a voluntary basis.”

In an interview, Dr. Nancy H. Nielsen, president of the American Medical Association, said she was delighted by Mr. Obama’s plan to address the doctors.

“Health care reform is as important to us as it is to him,” Dr. Nielsen said. “We will be engaged in discussions in a constructive way. But we absolutely oppose government control of health care decisions or mandatory physician participation in any insurance plan.”

Mr. Obama’s trip recalls a speech to the A.M.A. in Chicago on June 13, 1993, by Hillary Rodham Clinton. She proposed “a new bargain” in which the White House would limit malpractice lawsuits and free doctors from onerous rules if doctors supported her effort to overhaul the health care system.

The association agrees with Mr. Obama on some points. It says that individuals and families who can afford coverage should be required to obtain it.

Like Mr. Obama, the association wants Congress to cut payments to private Medicare Advantage plans. The White House says Medicare pays the private plans 14 percent more than it would cost the government to care for the same people in traditional Medicare.

Ron Nixon contributed reporting.

11-Jun-09 5:00 PM

A Fiscal Flop

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday in Las Vegas, President Obama marked the 100 days since his Stimulus Bill was singed into law. Over a million Americans losing their jobs and billions in new spending and new debt is no record to highlight. Since February 17^th, 2009, the day the president signed the Stimulus Bill into law, we have seen:

1,597,000 jobs lost and unemployment numbers at their highest levels in two decades.
The president spend billions of your tax dollars.
Our nation accrue $511.9 billion in new debt.
OMB and CBO revise the FY2009 Deficit projection to $1.84 trillion.
The president propose over $600 billion in new taxes – the largest tax increase in American history.

In my opinion, the president’s Stimulus Bill has been a fiscal flop. President Obama should stop throwing parties and fundraisers out in Las Vegas and start discussing the urgent financial crisis that threatens our fiscal and economic stability. Our government is currently borrowing about 50 cents for every dollar we spend. Medicare is already paying out more in benefits than it collects and Social Security is expected to do the same in less than five years. The total unfunded liabilities for the United States are $57.6 trillion, which exceeds the net worth of America. Paying off this liability would require every American to write a check to the Treasury Department for $188,000.

I believe it is time to let Americans keep more of what they earn and for the government to spend less, which is why I supported a budget alternative that would do just that. I have also opposed these massive spending increases, voting against $1.6 trillion in new spending this year and against $2.3 trillion under the Bush Administration. It is time to start trusting and empowering individual Americans instead of the federal government. By taking these steps, our economy will see the growth and prosperity that have defined America for generations.

29-May-09 2:00 PM

Celebrating a Crisis

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Celebrating a Crisis

Yesterday in Las Vegas, President Obama celebrated 100 days since his Stimulus Bill was singed into law. Over a million Americans losing their jobs and billions in new spending and new debt is no reason to celebrate. Since February 17^th, 2009, the day the president signed the Stimulus Bill into law, we have seen:

1,597,000 jobs lost and unemployment numbers at their highest levels in two decades.
The president spend billions of your tax dollars.
Our nation accrue $511.9 billion in new debt.
OMB and CBO revise the FY2009 Deficit projection to $1.84 trillion.
The president propose over $600 billion in new taxes – the largest tax increase in American history.

The Stimulus Bill has been a fiscal flop and is nothing to celebrate. President Obama should stop throwing parties and fundraisers out in Las Vegas and start discussing the urgent financial crisis that threatens our fiscal and economic stability. Our government is currently borrowing about 50 cents for every dollar we spend. Medicare is already paying out more in benefits than it collects and Social Security is expected to do the same in less than five years. The total unfunded liabilities for the United States are $57.6 trillion, which exceeds the net worth of America. Paying off this liability would require every American to write a check to the Treasury Department for $188,000.

28-May-09 12:00 PM

The Light Switch Tax

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The Light Switch Tax

President Barack Obama and liberals in Congress support federal regulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Proponents of CO₂ regulation claim that taxing polluters is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions, but the staggering costs of a cap and trade program will stifle our domestic energy and manufacturing sectors and result in major rate increases for consumers. The cap and trade plan should really be called “the light switch tax,” because if this bill becomes law, you will pay a tax every time you flip your light switch.

Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Edward Markey (D-MA) recently introduced the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act of 2009, which would create a cap and trade program requiring CO₂ emissions to be reduced 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. The bill would set up a cap and trade system that sets a limit (or cap) on total CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and establish a yet to be defined carbon allowance on each utility or company. Details such as cap levels and which companies are subject to allowances are still being finalized by Democrats, but the outcome looks grim for consumers.

Since fossil fuels supply 85% of US energy demand, taxing one of the most vital and productive sectors of our economy will only prolong and deepen the current recession. The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis' study of the Lieberman–Warner cap and trade bill (a bill rejected by the Senate last year) found that the legislation would result in total GDP losses of nearly $5 trillion and job losses of 400,000 - 800,000 per year. The ACES Act is more restrictive and would cause even greater economic damage. The cost to Texas ratepayers alone could reach $20 billion in added electricity costs, which is an increase of over $600 per year in utility bills, according to a study commissioned by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that under a cap and trade program, companies would ultimately pass these costs along to their customers in the form of higher rates. CBO notes, “Regardless of how the allowances were distributed, most of the cost of meeting a cap on CO₂ emissions would be borne by consumers who would face persistently higher prices for products such as electricity and gasoline.”

The reason for these dramatic cost increases is simple: The technology to comply with the steep renewable requirements in this bill does not exist today. The Waxman-Markey bill requires that 20 percent of electricity production comes from renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) by 2020. Today Americans get less than 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources and the technological advancements, transmission capability, and commercial availability needed to meet these lofty standards are years, even decades away.

Economists estimate that consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of our economy. While our economy is struggling to recover from recession, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on American consumers, which is why I am a co-sponsor of the American Energy Innovation Act. This fiscally responsible approach encourages innovation by investing in renewable energy technology, promotes conservation by providing incentives for reducing energy demand, and increases production of American energy by utilizing available resources and streamlining burdensome regulations. These steps will make America energy self-sufficient and improve our environment in the process.

20-May-09 3:00 PM

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR TEXANS

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

In the past 25 years, the US 290 Corridor has experienced considerable growth. Population has increased by 57% and road usage has skyrocketed by 95%. State road capacity, however, only grew by 8%. Over the next 25 years, the population in the corridor is expected to increase by an additional 64% and road usage is expected to increase 214%. The chronically congested 290 Corridor is facing serious problems.

Given these staggering numbers, today I am requesting $267 million for the US 290 Corridor to relieve congestion and improve the quality of life for Texans. With $227 million designated for the US 290 Corridor Expansion Project and $40 million for the Hempstead Commuter Rail, Texans can look forward to more time at home with their families and less time on the road.

In addition to reduced travel time, these funds will create over 50,000 jobs, attract new businesses to Houston, ensure that the air we breathe is cleaner, and expand a vital hurricane evacuation route.

Members of the Houston Community agree this request is an absolute necessity:

Ed Emmett - Harris County Judge: “Commuter rail is a necessary part of solving the congestion problems in the 290/Hempstead corridor. I appreciate Congressman Culberson’s leadership in addressing this priority for Harris County residents.”

Reginald Lillie - Chairman of the Board of Directors, Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce: “I want to offer my very strong support for Congressman Culberson’s request in the highway reauthorization bill for $267 million for the reconstruction of Hwy 290 and the $ 40 million for commuter rail along Hwy 290 also. These two projects are critically important to the mobility and economic development of Cy-Fair/ NW Houston, Waller and Prairie View communities. This is proof of his commitment and willingness to use every means within his Congressional capacity to bring relief of a major mobility burden and the possibility of expanded economic development to the residents and businesses of these communities.”

Barbara Thomason – President, Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce: “This is an extremely important corridor for northwest Harris County and one that has grown increasingly glutted in recent years from traffic resulting from the sheer growth of neighborhoods and business expansions. Without the influx of funding that could bring commuter rail and highway improvements to this corridor, we will quickly see the deterioration of this corridor. We see this as a critical, narrow window of time in which to act. We must be as proactive as possible so that our sprawling communities can have the infrastructure they need to maintain their economic health.”

18-May-09 3:00 PM

Bill would give South Texas schools windfall in grant funding

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Bill would give South Texas schools windfall in grant funding

By Gary Martin - Express-News

WASHINGTON — A $6.4 billion bill to modernize schools and make them more energy efficient includes roughly $606 million in grants for Texas districts, said House lawmakers who voted for the measure Thursday.

San Antonio area school districts would receive grants totaling about $42 million to improve classrooms and upgrade buildings, while Rio Grande Valley schools would get more than $26 million and Laredo schools, $13 million.

“Schools in South Texas are hundreds of billions of dollars short of the funding needed to bring them up to good condition,” said Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes.

Hinojosa, a member of the House Education Committee, said the funds would provide “safe, healthy, clean schools that will prepare our students for the 21st Century.”

The bill, which passed on a 275-155 vote, now goes to the Senate where no companion legislation has been filed.

San Antonio's Northside Independent School District has a list of projects ready for the funding that includes replacing roofs and heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, district spokesman Pascual Gonzalez said.

“We can certainly put that kind of funding to very good use,” Gonzalez said.

South Texas would also benefit by the creation of local jobs, said U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio, and Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.

The money would have to be used by 2015 on environmentally friendly projects. Cuellar tucked an amendment into the bill that would allow school districts to use the funds to rebuild and repair schools after a natural disaster.

The bill already includes $600 million over six years in separate funds to be used by public schools that were damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, filed the bill to improve school infrastructure and create jobs in a slumping economy.

Republicans opposed the measure. Rep. Howard McKeon, R-Calif., said it would “nationalize and regulate school construction, usurping local control of education.”

In House floor debate, Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, predicted the funding would create a “giant sucking sound” from the U.S. Treasury.

Teachers unions and education groups, as well as school districts, applauded the federal funding.

The North East Independent School District in San Antonio has already launched an initiative to make schools energy efficient. The district plans to open San Antonio's first entirely green school in 2010, said spokeswoman Deb Caldwell.

She said the district is building an elementary school to meet the standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a system of rating green buildings.

“Any money from either the federal government of the state would allow us to go back to schools that are already energy efficient and add some additional energy efficiency and then seek LEED certification for those schools,” Caldwell said.

Express-News Staff Writer Michelle De La Rosa contributed to this report in San Antonio.

Link to article

14-May-09 3:00 PM

WE COULDN’T AFFORD THE FIRST 100 DAYS

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

100 days into his presidency, President Obama and the liberal Congress have spent more than $1.6 trillion. Their policies have created the highest spending levels since World War II and exploded our national debt to $11 trillion. This is just the first 100 days, we still have 1,362 left in President Obama’s first term.

To mark the president’s first 100 days in office, House Democrats rushed through a partisan budget that reflects President Obama’s priorities. I voted against this budget because it raises taxes, contains record deficits for the foreseeable future, and raises the national debt by $2 trillion this year alone. We are a nation in debt and cannot continue writing checks when our bank account is overdrawn. American families do not budget this way and neither should the federal government.

The fact is we could not afford the first 100 days of President Obama’s reckless spending and we certainly can’t afford more of the same. I believe it is time to start letting Americans keep more of what they earn and for the government to spend less. By taking these steps, our economy will experience the growth and prosperity that have defined America for generations.

29-Apr-09 3:00 PM

Congressman Culberson on Hardball

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:30:48 GMT

Dear Friend:

The liberal majority in Congress has spent more money in less time than any other Congress in history. President Obama’s budget contains the largest tax increase in American history and creates more debt than our nation accrued from George Washington through George W. Bush. Last week, I stood with thousands of fellow Texans and taxpayers at a Tea Party in downtown Houston and demanded no new taxes, no new debt and let Texans run Texas.

The President and the liberal leadership in Congress have placed us on a path towards bankruptcy. We cannot tax, spend, and borrow our way out of this recession. As your Congressman, I have fought excessive spending by voting against $2.3 trillion in spending under President Bush and $1.3 trillion under President Obama.

I will continue to speak out and vote against these massive spending bills. To view my interview on Hardball with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, please CLICK HERE

Sincerely,
John Culberson

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23-Apr-09 3:30 PM

72 HOUR RULE

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Record high spending bills are passing the House without a chance for Members of Congress and the American public to read the legislation. It is time to stop voting blind. Yesterday Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) and I introduced H.Res. 554, a resolution requiring the House of Representatives to make bills and conference reports available online for 72 hours before they are considered by the House. This resolution will enhance public participation in our democracy and help restore the public trust in government by raising the level of openness, order and discourse.

Today the nonpartisan, nonprofit Sunlight Foundation praised this resolution. Ellen Miller, executive director and co-founder of the Sunlight Foundation said, “We commend Reps. Baird and Culberson for demonstrating such strong support for increasing legislative transparency in the House. By making the core activity of the House—the consideration of legislation—more transparent, this rules change would strengthen the public's trust in the institution, improve legislation and trim wasteful spending. When legislation is not available for lawmaker or public review, we end up with special amendments like the Stimulus Bill’s last-minute loophole that allowed AIG executives to receive retroactive bonuses at the American taxpayers’ expense. If Congress and citizens alike had 72 hours to read the Stimulus Bill online, someone would have noticed the AIG provision and fixed it before it became law.”

PAYING FOR BORROWED MONEY WITH BORROWED MONEY

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:45:00 GMT

In a little less than five months, President Obama and the liberal leadership in Congress have spent more than $1.6 trillion. Their policies have created the highest spending levels since World War II and exploded our national debt to $11 trillion. Today President Obama’s director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) updated his projections and is now anticipating a $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009, up from $1.2 trillion earlier this year. The CBO director also noted that the U.S. government is now borrowing 50 cents for every dollar it spends. I voted against these wasteful spending programs, just as I did under the Bush administration, because common sense tells us that you don’t pay for borrowed money with borrowed money. We are a nation in debt and cannot continue writing checks when our bank account is overdrawn. American families do not budget this way and neither should the federal government. As a fiscal conservative, I strenuously opposed these epic and unprecedented...

STOP SPENDING OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

STOP SPENDING OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE

At a time when American families are trimming their budgets, House Democrats have decided that it is time to increase the federal government’s. Today, House Democrats increased taxes, increased spending, increased our national debt and increased the size of the federal government.

I voted against this budget because it increases taxes by $574 billion over the next five years. The last president to raise taxes during a recession was Herbert Hoover and he led us straight into the Great Depression. I believe that we should be cutting American’s taxes, not increasing them during these difficult economic times.

The Democrat budget contains historic spending equal to 27.6% of GDP - the highest spending levels since World War II. American families are cutting back on their spending and I believe the federal government should do the same.

This budget will increase our national debt to historic highs - over $17 trillion in five years. This is debt that our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay back.

I believe it is time to stop spending our children’s future. It is time to start trusting and empowering individual Americans instead of the federal government. It is time to let Americans keep more of what they earn and for the government to spend less. I believe that by taking these steps, our economy will experience the growth and prosperity that have defined America for generations.

CONGRESSIONAL CEOs

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

CONGRESSIONAL CEOs
Earlier this year, the Democrats passed a $787 billion “stimulus” bill that allowed 165 million of our tax dollars to be paid in bonuses for the same AIG employees who steered the company into insolvency. I voted against this bill because it was crafted in secret, rushed to the floor, and Members of Congress and the American public were not even given time to read it.

Today, House Democrats brought the “Executive Compensation Bill” to the floor in an attempt to correct their past mistake. This legislation gives the Treasury Secretary and Congress the power to define what level of compensation amounts to “unreasonable” or “excessive.” I voted against this bill because I believe the government has done enough harm already. Secretary Geithner and Members of Congress should quit their day jobs if they are interested in becoming CEOs of public companies. Given their track record, I doubt they would be hired.

Today I questioned whether the House Democrats had read the stimulus bill and asked why they did not afford the American people more time to read the largest spending bill in our nation’s history. To view the video, please click on the screen below.

Culberson says No to the largest spending bill in history

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Today I voted against the largest spending bill in the history of the United States Congress. This bill violated House rules, was crafted in secret by unelected Democrat staff, and gave the American people only 15 hours to read nearly 1,500 pages. All so Speaker Pelosi could make her trip to Italy.

This bill is also full of pet projects and wasteful spending. How does $300 million for golf carts help stimulate the economy? Economists from around the country have said this bill will do nothing to stimulate the economy and it's easy to see why.

In just 18 legislative days, this Congress has spent over $1.1 trillion dollars and vastly expanded the federal government. For the rest of the 111th Congress, I will continue fighting to protect the American economy and your hard earned tax dollars from the free-spending Democrat majority.

Congressman Culberson Continues Fight To Save Imprisoned Border Agents

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Congressman Culberson Continues Fight To Save Imprisoned Border Agents

Congressman Culberson, along with Congressmen Ted Poe, Dana Rohrabacher, William Delahunt, and Ed Royce, held a press conference this morning to continue to shed light on the case of Texas Border Agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. They, along with five other Members of Congress, have sent a letter to U.S. Pardon Attorney Ronald Rogers, asking again for the commutation of the agents.

Ramos and Compean are currently serving 11 and 12 year prison sentences, respectively, for shooting and wounding a self -admitted illegal alien drug smuggler. Both men have already spent almost two years in solitary confinement. They have lost their jobs and their imprisonment has caused tremendous hardship upon their families.

They were arrested and charged with multiple crimes in connection to the February 2005 shooting of Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, who was caught with over 700 pounds of marijuana on the Texas-Mexico border. The agents did not report the incident to their superiors and were charged with deprivation of civil rights and tampering with an official.

Months after the original charges were made against Ramos and Compean, the Prosecution then drastically increased the charges by imposing an indictment under 18 U.S.C. 924 (c) which carries with it a mandatory ten year imprisonment sentence. Prosecutor Johnny Sutton based his case heavily on the testimony of Aldrete-Davila, who was later caught with another load of drugs after the conclusion of the trial.

Congressman Culberson has actively sought to commute the undue sentences of Ramos and Compean. Thus far, eighty one, bi-partisan Members of Congress have joined him and signed onto H.Con.Res 267 in support of commutation. This morning’s press conference highlighted the injustices of the case and publicly called upon Pardon Attorney Rodgers to grant commutation.

Congressman Culberson Demands Accountability

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Dear Friend: Americans need to know the truth behind this financial crisis, and taxpayers should not bear the burden of failing financial institutions with no accountability or consequences. On Friday, I sent a letter to Attorney General Mukasey with thirty-one of my colleagues demanding a thorough investigation into the financial institutions and individuals suspected of criminal acts that led to this financial turmoil. I also support establishing a commission on the financial crisis to study the causes of the credit crunch and enact prudent regulatory reforms to restore accountability to our financial system. I have also signed a letter to Director James Lockhart demanding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac open their books to the American people. These two government-sponsored enterprises benefited from implied taxpayer backing for decades, and they contributed to the crisis in our financial markets with fraudulent accounting methods and misleading financial practices. In 2005, I voted...

Good News on Completing the Katy Freeway

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends: I am very pleased to report that on Tuesday, October 28, we will celebrate the completion of the Katy Freeway reconstruction! The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) will open the managed lanes to HOV users beginning 5 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29. The early completion of this monumental venture is a testament to resourceful leadership, seamless cooperation between local, state and federal government and innovative funding. I am proud to be part of this model project, which brings much-needed mobility to the congested Katy Freeway and proves that letting Texans run Texas is always the best solution. In a true team effort I worked together with TxDOT and the Harris County Commissioners' Court to develop a cost-effective plan to pay for these essential improvements. I secured the federal permit allowing I-10 to be the nation's first Interstate highway combined with locally operated...

Culberson Releases 2nd Quarter Fundraising Numbers

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Culberson Releases 2nd Quarter Fundraising Numbers

Congressman John Culberson's campaign released his fundraising report totals for the second quarter of 2008 today, showing $400,000 raised for the quarter. His total fundraising for the cycle is $1.42 million, and his current cash on hand is $744,000. For the quarter, Congressman Culberson received contributions from 1137 individuals, 74 percent of whom live in District Seven and 98 percent in Texas, for a total of $293,000. That total also includes an impressive 836 individuals who gave under $200.

"I am humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support I've received from District Seven voters. My constituents approve of the work I'm doing to strengthen our economy while protecting taxpayers, and know that they can count on my record as a proven fiscal conservative. I'm spending the remainder of the cycle walking blocks, knocking on doors, and talking to District Seven voters every day." Congressman Culberson said.

Congressman John Culberson announces his strong opposition to $700 billion Wall Street bailout package.

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Culberson announces his strong opposition to $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. Congressman John Culberson released the following statement today voicing his strong opposition to the Paulson-Pelosi $700 billion Wall Street bailout. The $700 billion Paulson-Pelosi bailout forces Americans to choose between bankrupting our children or big Wall Street banks. The revised plan was just released a few hours ago, and while it contains some oversight, eliminates golden parachutes for bad actors, and creates an investment banking insurance program for the future, the bottom line requires me to oppose it. This bailout will saddle our children and grandchildren with at least $700 billion in new debt on top of the existing $9.8 trillion national debt. It will double the budget deficit overnight, and it will lead to additional bailouts as the multi-trillion dollar credit default pyramid scheme...

Quick Poll

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:41:03 GMT

Media Kit

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:22:34 GMT

John Culberson Contact Information - Please use the following contact information or fill out an online contact form:

Phone: (281) 304.0093
Fax: (281) 304.0269
Email: jennifer@culbersonforcongress.com

Endorsements & Awards

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:46:26 GMT

Congressman Culberson’s Endorsements and Awards 2007-2008 Americans for Legal Immigration PAC ~ Endorsed National Right to Life PAC ~ Endorsed NFIB’s SAFE Trust ~ Endorsed Texas Alliance for Life ~ Endorsed Texas Association of Realtors ~ Endorsed Texas Medical Association PAC ~ Endorsed Texas Home School Coalition PAC ~ Endorsed Texas Hospital Association (HOSPAC) ~ Endorsed U. S. Chamber of Commerce ~ Endorsed VFW Political Action Committee ~ Endorsed Young Conservatives of Texas ~ Endorsed Champion of Border Security ~ Awarded by the Southwestern Border Sheriff’s Coalition and Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition Family Research Council Action's ~ True Blue Award Friend of Numismatics~ awarded by the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild True Blue Award from Family Research Council and Focus on the Family Water Advocates Award

Biography

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:27:44 GMT

John Culberson is the third Congressman to represent the Seventh District of Texas. The Texas Legislature created District Seven in 1965, and George H. W. Bush was elected as the first Congressman in 1966. Bill Archer succeeded him in 1970, and John Culberson was elected in 2000. John Culberson is a native Houstonian and a lifelong resident of District Seven. He and his wife, Belinda, were married in 1989, and they have a twelve year old daughter. The Culbersons are members of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church. Congressman Culberson grew up in West University Place, where he attended West University Elementary School. He graduated from Lamar High School, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1981. After college, he worked with his father, Jim Culberson, at his political consulting and advertising agency helping dozens of local and state Republican candidates win their races. He earned...

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Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:22:40 GMT

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Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:09:02 GMT

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Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:08:21 GMT

Listening to constituents

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Voting Record

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:06:21 GMT

As your 7th District Congressman, John Culberson knows that it is crucial to keep you well-informed of the work and voting decisions he makes in Congress for you and your family.

View Congressman Culberson's voting record to follow his Congressional voting activities.

Also visit Congressman Culberson's Issues informational page to view his remarks on issues and current events that are most important to you.

Demographics

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:05:53 GMT

2000 Census Population Total State Population 20,851,820 Total Districts Required 32 Ideal District Population 651,619 Unassigned Population 0 Districts in Plan 32 Population ----- Deviation ----- Total Percent Plan Overall Range 1 0.00% Smallest District (1 651,619 1 0.00% Largest District (2 ) 651,620 1 0.00% Average (mean) 651,619 0 ...

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Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:05:20 GMT