Culberson for Congress RSS Feed

Republican Leader Boehner Pushes Rep. Culberson’s ‘Read the Bill’ Reform

Jennifer Naedler — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Discharge Petition to force a floor vote on bipartisan three-day public review legislation has garnered 182 signatures – including five rank-and-file Democrats – 36 short of the 218 needed to secure a vote on the floor.

WASHINGTON, D.C.– On the day Gallup reported that the American people’s confidence in Congress has fallen to a record low, House Republicans launched a renewed push to highlight and enact “read the bill” reforms demanded by the American people. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has posted on America Speaking Outan idea originally authored by Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) to prohibit the House from considering any bill that has not been publicly available via the Internet for three days.

           “One of the reasons why Americans have such little confidence in Congress is because of the practice of rushing massive, expensive bills to a vote without giving lawmakers or the American people time to read them,”Boehner said. “This is the people’s House: ‘read the bill’ should not be just an afterthought – it should be the first and only thought.”

           “Read the bill” reform is the first plank of the transparency initiativeHouse Republicans released last fall. In September, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) filed a discharge petitionto force a floor vote on bipartisan three-day public review legislation authored by Reps. John Culberson (R-TX) and Brian Baird (D-WA). To date, the petition has garnered 182 signatures – including five rank-and-file Democrats – 36 short of the 218 needed to secure a vote on the floor. Leader Boehner, a co-sponsor of the Culberson-Baird measure, has pledged that Republicans would implement “read the bill” reform should they earn back the majority.

           “Everywhere I go, taxpayers want to know why they don’t give Congress and the public enough time to read and understand these enormously costly bills,” Rep. Walden said. “This is a no-brainer. It’s time to let the sun shine in and change how the House operates.”

           “At a time when record high spending bills are passing the House, this resolution would give Members of Congress and the American public a chance to read legislation before a vote,” Culberson said. “This resolution will enhance public participation in our democracy and help restore the public trust in government by raising the level of transparency, order, and discourse.”

           NOTE: Americans are fed up with Congress passing bills no one has read. Speaker Pelosi and Democratic leaders have rushed hugely consequential and expensive legislation through the House without giving the American people time to review the measures. Here are just five high-profile examples:

Trillion-Dollar ‘Stimulus.’ In one of the most infamous displays of brazen partisanship, Democratic leaders posted the text of their ‘stimulus’ bill in the dark of night well past midnight only to turn around and force members to vote on it less than 12 hours after it was made public.
‘Cap-and-Trade’ National Energy Tax. House Democrats passed a national energy tax bill loaded with special-interest giveaways no one had discovered because a 300-page, never-before-seen amendment to their already massive 1,200-page bill was unveiled at 3am the day of the vote.
$500 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill. When trying to beat a path out of Washington last December, Democratic leaders rushed a 2,500-page, half trillion omnibus spending bill to the floor with less than 24 hours notice and just an hour of debate.
DISCLOSE Act. At the last minute, Democratic leaders produced a new 46-page manager’s amendment to their 84-page campaign bill that was chock full of backroom deals and carve outs for special interest groups.
SCHIP. The Democrats brought their flawed State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill – which shortchanged low-income children and expanded coverage to illegal immigrants and adults – to the House floor for a vote less than 24 hours after it had been unveiled.

22-Jul-10 4:00 PM

Boehner, Walden, Culberson Renew Push for 'Read The Bill' Reform

Jennifer Naedler — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Boehner, Walden, Culberson Renew Push for 'Read The Bill' Reform

Posting All Bills Online Three Days in Advance is GOP Leader's First Idea on America Speaking Out

Contact: Michael Steel, Kevin Smith, 202-225-4000

WASHINGTON, July 22 /Standard Newswire/ -- On the day Gallup reported that the American people's confidence in Congress has fallen to a record low, House Republicans launched a renewed push to highlight and enact "read the bill" reforms demanded by the American people. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has posted on America Speaking Out an idea that Republicans have been promoting to prohibit the House from considering any bill that has not been publicly available via the Internet for three days. This is the first idea Leader Boehner has posted on America Speaking Out, which was launched by House Republicans in May to engage the American people in building a more responsive government and a better country.

"One of the reasons why Americans have such little confidence in Congress is because of the practice of rushing massive, expensive bills to a vote without giving lawmakers or the American people time to read them," Boehner said. "This is the people's House: 'read the bill' should not be just an afterthought -- it should be the first and only thought."

"Read the bill" reform is the first plank of the transparency initiative House Republicans released last fall. In September, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) filed a discharge petition to force a floor vote on bipartisan three-day public review legislation authored by Reps. John Culberson (R-TX) and Brian Baird (D-WA). To date, the petition has garnered 182 signatures -- including five rank-and-file Democrats -- 36 short of the 218 needed to secure a vote on the floor. Leader Boehner, a co-sponsor of the Culberson-Baird measure, has pledged that Republicans would implement "read the bill" reform should they earn back the majority.

"Everywhere I go, taxpayers want to know why they don't give Congress and the public enough time to read and understand these enormously costly bills," Rep. Walden said. "This is a no-brainer. It's time to let the sun shine in and change how the House operates."

"At a time when record high spending bills are passing the House, this resolution would give Members of Congress and the American public a chance to read legislation before a vote," Rep. Culberson said. "This resolution will enhance public participation in our democracy and help restore the public trust in government by raising the level of transparency, order, and discourse."

NOTE: Americans are fed up with Congress passing bills no one has read. Speaker Pelosi and Democratic leaders have rushed hugely consequential and expensive legislation through the House without giving the American people time to review the measures. Here are just five high-profile examples:

Trillion-Dollar 'Stimulus.' In one of the most infamous displays of brazen partisanship, Democratic leaders posted the text of their 'stimulus' bill in the dark of night well past midnight only to turn around and force members to vote on it less than 12 hours after it was made public.
'Cap-and-Trade' National Energy Tax. House Democrats passed a national energy tax bill loaded with special-interest giveaways no one had discovered because a 300-page, never-before-seen amendment to their already massive 1,200-page bill was unveiled at 3am the day of the vote.
$500 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill. When trying to beat a path out of Washington last December, Democratic leaders rushed a 2,500-page, half-trillion dollar omnibus spending bill to the floor with less than 24 hours notice and just an hour of debate.
DISCLOSE Act. At the last minute, Democratic leaders produced a new 46-page manager's amendment to their 84-page campaign bill that was chock full of backroom deals and carve outs for special interest groups.
SCHIP. The Democrats brought their flawed State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill -- which shortchanged low-income children and expanded coverage to illegal immigrants and adults -- to the House floor for a vote less than 24 hours after it had been unveiled.

link to article

22-Jul-10 4:00 PM

House Lawmakers Applaud Senate NASA Authorization Bill’s Inclusion of Heavy Lift Architecture

Jennifer Naedler — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Compromise proposal for the future of American access to space gains traction in the Senate.

Reps. Gene Green (TX-29), Frank Wolf (VA-10), and John Culberson (TX-07) today expressed strong support for the Senate NASA authorization bill’s inclusion of funding for a NASA-owned heavy lift vehicle capable of traveling to the moon, Mars and beyond.

The President’s budget proposal released on February 1 cancelled the Constellation program and instead proposed funding for space transportation solely in up-and-coming private companies. Congress strongly rejected this, citing concerns of terminating a program in which taxpayers had made a $9 billion investment and relying on companies without proven capabilities. In the following months, Members of Congress worked with industry experts and with NASA and the Obama Administration to reach a compromise: Immediately develop a heavy lift vehicle and continue funding for the Orion, the deep space crew capsule.

The catalyst for compromise came in the form of a bipartisan letter signed by more than 60 House Members and led by Rep. Green, Rep. Wolf, Rep. Ruppersberger and Rep. Culberson. The letter called on President Obama to support the immediate development of a heavy lift architecture – as opposed to waiting until 2015 – allowing the United States to continue the elite astronaut corps, preserve an irreplaceable workforce, protect the defense industrial base, and ensure that the U.S. will travel beyond low-Earth orbit within the decade.

Today the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed a bill that authorizes the immediate development of a heavy lift vehicle. The new direction for NASA’s human space flight program will utilize the engineering and technology advancements accomplished through Constellation and keep the United States at the forefront of space exploration. Now, the House Science and Technology Committee must act quickly to ensure NASA immediately develops a heavy lift vehicle and continues investment in the Orion.

Rep. Gene Green:

“Ensuring that our nation remains at the forefront of human space exploration is a top priority of mine. I believe that this compromise is an important step toward maintaining America’s preeminence in science and technology, especially space exploration.”

Rep. Frank Wolf:

“I was pleased to see the Senate embrace our compromise proposal, which ensures continued American leadership in space. Last month, 62 members of the House representing 18 states sent a strong message to the president urging his support for this compromise. I am pleased that the Senate sent a similar message today.”

Rep. John Culberson:

“I could not be more pleased to see that the Senate answered our call to protect the taxpayers’ investment and ensure that the United States remains the leader in human space exploration. This was a team effort, and I want to thank Reps. Wolf, Green, and Olson as well as my other colleagues who have worked tirelessly to protect NASA’s human space flight program.”

15-Jul-10 5:00 PM

Statement on New Drilling Moratorium

Jennifer Naedler — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The American people need to know what caused this disaster and what should be done to prevent another spill. But we should respond in a thoughtful and deliberate way that protects jobs while enhancing safety.

I am deeply disappointed that the Obama Administration has issued a new offshore drilling moratorium. These moratoria directly reflect this administration's underlying agenda, which is punishing our domestic oil and gas industry.

The American people need to know what caused this disaster and what should be done to prevent another spill. But we should respond in a thoughtful and deliberate way that protects jobs while enhancing safety. The administration’s approach is ham-handed, poorly written, and punitive to the honest, hardworking people who have been put in limbo by the prohibition on oil and gas exploration.

The most troubling aspect of the moratorium is it's devastating effect on jobs and the economy. The previous moratorium was struck down in federal court for being “arbitrary and capricious," and the only logical conclusion is that the president and the Interior Secretary are willing to sacrifice jobs and ignore the courts to advance their agenda. I will continue pushing legislation that overturns this moratorium.

13-Jul-10 10:00 AM

Legislative Update: Recently Offered Amendments

Jennifer Naedler — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT

This week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, Justice and Technology met to vote on legislation that would fund the related federal agencies for FY2011. As a member of this subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over NASA and the Department of Justice, I offered the following amendments during the meeting:

An amendment to require a report from the Attorney General on the participation and costs of “Operation Streamline”– a successful border enforcement program that has dramatically reduced crime and illegal immigration along parts of our southern border.The amendment also asks the Department to report on potential costs of expanding the program to every judicial district along the U.S. – Mexico border.

This amendment passed on a voice vote.

An amendment to prohibit funds for space partnerships with China.The President’s recently announced national space policy calls for greater international cooperation in space. While I support cooperation, we must be cautious when it comes to China, who’s space program is run wholly by its military. My concern is that the President’s policy creates the possibility of the United States and American companies contracting with the Chinese military.

This amendment was defeated on a 4-9 party line vote.

An amendment to prohibit the administering of “Miranda Rights” to “enemy belligerents”in the custody of the Department of Defense or intelligence agency officials. It is appalling to me that our soldiers and law enforcement officials are required to grant Constitutional rights to foreign combatants who seek to kill Americans.

This amendment was defeated on a 4-9 party line vote.

An amendment to prohibit funds for the Department of Justice to participate in legal challenges to the recently passed immigration law in Arizona.The federal government has failed to secure our southern border. Rather than spend time and resources suing Arizona, we should focus on securing the border and fixing our broken immigration system.

This amendment was defeated on a 5-8 vote, with one Democrat supporting the amendment.

In addition to these amendments, I voted in favor of amendments offered by my Republican colleagues that would have saved billions of taxpayer dollars by freezing spending and prohibiting trial lawyers from engaging in certain class action lawsuits. Unfortunately, these amendments were also defeated on party line votes.

As Congress moves through the appropriations process, I will continue fighting for fiscal and Constitutional conservatism.

1-Jul-10 5:00 PM

A Failure to Govern

Jennifer Naedler — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:00:00 GMT

For the first time since the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was signed into law, the House of Representatives will not pass an annual budget resolution. As families across the nation are cutting their budgets and foreign governments are reducing spending, the liberal majority in Congress must find the cure for its addiction to spending. The United States is facing trillion-dollar deficits over the next decade and a national debt surpassing $13 trillion, which makes their refusal to produce a formal spending plan to address budget deficits nothing less than a failure to govern.

Alternatively, Republicans have offered a budget resolution that cuts spending and achieves a budget surplus within 10 years. Speaker Pelosi and Budget Committee Chairman Spratt have refused to allow debate on this proposal, let alone bring it up for a vote.

Congressional Budget Office data show that increased spending levels have played a major role in producing record deficits. I voted against $2.3 trillion of spending under the Bush Administration and have voted against nearly $7 trillion since President Obama took office. As a dedicated fiscal conservative, I will continue working to put our country on a path of fiscal responsibility. We cannot continue to mortgage this country’s future by accumulating debt and passing the bill to our children and grandchildren.

22-Jun-10 4:00 PM

Rep. Culberson to Obama: Lift Ban on Offshore Drilling

Jennifer Naedler — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:00:00 GMT

“This shortsighted moratorium is harmful to America and our fragile economy, and it will mire domestic energy production in a confusing and ineffective bureaucracy. I implore you to lift the moratorium and allow responsible drilling off of our coasts to continue.”

Yesterday, Congressman John Culberson (R-TX-07) sent the following letter to President Obama:

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I write to express my strong opposition to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. I am concerned that the decision to impose the moratorium is based more on emotion than fact. The Deepwater Horizon incident was a terrible human tragedy with devastating environmental consequences, but it must be viewed in the proper historical context as a statistical anomaly. The government’s own records show that since 1985, more than 7 billion barrels of oil have been produced in federal offshore waters with less than 0.001 percent spilled – a 99.999% record for clean operations. That 35-year record of safety should not be ignored in the haste to respond to public discord.

Analysis from the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association shows the moratorium would put as many as 1,400 jobs per platform at risk, and lost wages could reach $10 million per month per platform and up to $330 million per month for all 33 platforms. Our economy is struggling mightily, and this drilling halt will adversely impact small businesses down the entire supply chain. The effect will extend far past the oil industry and be most damaging in the Gulf region, where a range of businesses from restaurants and cleaners to hardware stores and garages depend on a robust offshore industry. The Gulf Coast is already suffering from the emotional and physical trauma of the Deepwater Horizon incident, and this moratorium will only add financial trauma to their plight.

According to the Minerals Management Service, 80 percent of the U.S. supply of oil developed offshore comes from deepwater drilling. That amount is projected to rise dramatically in the coming decades, and any moratorium on domestic production will only increase our dependence on foreign nations that are often hostile to America’s interests. Adding to the volatility is the fact that transporting oil is extremely dangerous and poses a much more serious threat to our environment than drilling in U.S. waters.

Further complicating matters is the current confusion over the Interior Department’s freeze in approving any shallow water drilling permits. While I understand the Department has stated that such permits may go forward as soon as operators can demonstrate adoption of enhanced safety standards, the industry requires further clarification from the administration as to exactly what those standards will be. Companies will then need additional time to understand the changes and deploy new standards and technology to meet the requirements. I fear the delay equates to a de-facto moratorium on shallow water drilling, only adding to the economic uncertainty and instability in the Gulf region. These companies, their workers, and all Americans who depend on the energy they produce need swift action from the department to get back to work.

I strongly encourage you not to punish the entire oil and gas industry because of any mistakes that were made on Deepwater Horizon. This shortsighted moratorium is harmful to America and our fragile economy, and it will mire domestic energy production in a confusing and ineffective bureaucracy. I implore you to lift the moratorium and allow responsible drilling off of our coasts to continue.

Sincerely,

John Culberson
Member of Congress

9-Jun-10 10:00 AM

Drilling Moratorium is a Shortsighted Response

Jennifer Naedler — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:00:00 GMT

The oil spill in the Gulf is a tragedy in every sense of the word. The images coming from the Gulf are distressing, and the deaths of 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon rig are heartbreaking. However, it is very important to remember that this accident is an anomaly. The human error and/or failure of the rig’s state-of-the-art equipment require a complete explanation, and the cleanup operation deserves our full support. Still, we cannot afford to further harm our nation’s economy by halting our offshore drilling, which is why I am calling on President Obama to lift his recently imposed six month moratorium on deepwater drilling and asked that he refrain from imposing a moratorium on shallow water drilling.

The government’s most recent data show that between 1985 and 2001, more than 7 billion barrels of oil have been produced in federal offshore waters with less than 0.001% spilled – a 99.999% record for clean operations. Over 35,000 oil and gas wells have been drilled in American waters without a single major blowout. This superb record of cleanliness and safety must be remembered throughout this debate. Our offshore energy industry follows the world’s strictest standards for human safety and environmental protection. Halting offshore drilling only makes us more dependent on potentially hostile nations with lax or sub-par safety and environmental standards for our energy needs. Rather than eliminating environmental risks, we would simply be exporting them, along with thousands of American jobs.

The fact that this tragedy struck while our country is mired in a deep economic recession only reinforces the need to act with proper restraint. Already, local economies are feeling the devastating effects of the oil spill. Shutting down deepwater drilling at this time would do nothing but kill jobs and slow our economic recovery. The Louisiana Department of Economic Development estimates that over 20,000 jobs could be lost if this moratorium remains in place for an extended period.

I am sending a letter to President Obama outlining these concerns and asking him to lift the moratorium. Destabilizing our economy and endangering our nation’s energy security is no way for the President to respond to public criticism about his handling of the situation.

4-Jun-10 4:00 PM

Majority Makers event with Cong. Hal Rogers

Jennifer Naedler — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:04:17 GMT

June 2010

Dear Neighbor,

Since you have been one of my most loyal supporters, and because I have no major party opposition this year, I want to encourage you to help elect a constitutional conservative majority to the U.S. House this November.

My friend and colleague, Congressman Hal Rogers from Kentucky, will become the Republican Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the near future, and he needs our help in this election. Hal is a true conservative who understands how vital it is for America that we win the majority and fire Nancy Pelosi. If we fall short, the Obama/Pelosi regime will accelerate their reckless spending and America will become the next Greece. We cannot allow that to happen. We must do everything in our power to elect a rock-ribbed conservative majority to the House and put the brakes on Obama and Pelosi.

I am bringing Hal Rogers to Houston on June 21^st for the second in a series of Majority Maker events. Please reach as deeply as you can to help re-elect Hal. The America we know is being dismantled and bankrupted before our eyes. We must put America back on track to a balanced budget and restore the limits on the federal government so wisely designed into our Constitution.

Thank you for your generous help to me over the years and for your devoted friendship. I look forward to seeing you on June 21^st.

Sincerely,

John Culberson

Member of Congress

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4-Jun-10 3:04 PM

America, Speak Out!

Jennifer Naedler — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:00:00 GMT

This liberal Congress has turned a deaf ear to the people that they were sent to Washington to represent. As American families across the country cut spending and pay off debt, this Congress is passing massive new entitlement programs and piling up record levels of debt. Americans are rightfully asking the question “why won’t Washington listen?”

With that in mind, I am excited to join my Republican colleagues today to introduce America Speaking Out, a project designed to engage with the American people in a meaningful, new way. Based on the principle that the best ideas are rarely found in Washington, House Republicans are asking Americans for their input in crafting a new agenda. It will be a public forum, where all Americans can propose ideas, debate, and cast votes on them.

As a conservative, I am committed to the core ideals of limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual freedom, states’ rights, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. I measure every piece of legislation that crosses my desk against these principles. I also believe that one of the hallmarks of our democracy is a free and open exchange of ideas, so I encourage everyone to visit AmericaSpeakingOut.com and join the debate.

25-May-10 3:00 PM

Houston Congressional Delegation to Join with Houston Mayor to Voice Support for Constellation Program

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Reps. Gene Green, Pete Olson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Kevin Brady, John Culberson, Al Green, Mike McCaul, and Ted Poe will join with Houston Mayor Annise Parker to hold a press conference on their coordinated and bipartisan effort to save the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Constellation program. The Constellation Program was introduced by NASA in 2004 for testing and deploying new technologies, systems, flight operations and techniques to serve future space exploration. The Administration’s proposed budget cuts the Constellation program jeopardizing America’s leading role in human space exploration. Additionally, approximately 7,000 local jobs and 31,000 national jobs will be directly and indirectly affected by the proposed cut. WHO: Mayor Annise Parker Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) Rep. John...

Administrator Bolden: What is the future of the manned space program?

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Tomorrow morning, Congressmen Frank Wolf (R-VA), John Culberson (R-TX), Pete Olson (R-TX), Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) will host a press conference calling on Administrator Bolden to explain how he plans to save the manned space program. In light of the many questions surrounding the president's budget request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Exploration Program, CongressmanFrank Wolf, Ranking Member on the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee on Appropriations and Congressmen John Culberson, Pete Olson, Rob Bishop and Michael McCaul will call on NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to appoint a team of NASA experts to review how exploration spacecraft and launch vehicle development and testing may be maintained within the proposed budget request to ensure uninterrupted, independent U.S. human space flight access to the International Space Station and beyond. The team should report back within 30 days in order to provide the...

ANOTHER BAILOUT BAIT AND SWITCH

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has announced plans to extend the $700 billion TARP program through next October. The bailout program has strayed wildly from its original purpose of providing short-term support and stability for the financial system. TARP was intended to address a crisis in our financial markets, and it was understood that American taxpayers would be repaid once the immediate crisis subsided.

I have pushed Secretary Geithner to unwind this program immediately and to dedicate all repaid funds to reducing the federal government’s record deficit. As recently as September, Secretary Geithner assured me that repaid TARP funds would be used for deficit reduction. Now the Obama Administration and the liberal leadership in Congress want to use TARP funds to pay for additional stimulus spending, while saddling us with more growth-stifling debt.

The United States currently faces an urgent fiscal crisis, and if we do not stop spending money, we risk moving further down an unrecoverable path. As a dedicated fiscal conservative, I will continue pressing to use TARP funds to pay down the $12.1 trillion national debt. I have signed a letter addressed to Speaker Pelosi urging her to use the TARP funds to pay down the debt instead of a revolving slush fund to promote the liberal agenda. The Republican alternative to the bill would simply end TARP and require that TARP funds go towards debt reduction.

House conservatives believe that the best way to stimulate the economy is to cut taxes and spending drastically. 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.

AMERICANS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Today the nonpartisan, nonprofit Sunlight Foundation honored Congressman Culberson and Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) with the “Sunlight on the Hill Award” for their efforts to post legislation online at least 72 hours prior to a vote. The Sunlight Foundation also delivered the signatures of tens of thousands of Americans who support the resolution, H.Res.554, coauthored by Congressmen Culberson and Baird.

Ellen Miller, executive director and co-founder of the Sunlight Foundation praised the Congressmen saying “Congressmen Baird and Culberson are transparency trailblazers who are setting the standard for legislative transparency in the 21st century— recognizing that legislation is not truly public unless it is online. The Sunlight Foundation commends Congressmen Baird and Culberson for their leadership in introducing and promoting the passage of H. Res. 554, which would require the House to post all legislation online for at least 72 hours before debate. This resolution has bipartisan support in the House, but even more significantly, has received the endorsement of tens of thousands of Americans who have signed Sunlight’s petition at http://ReadTheBill.org, showing broad public support for this transparency measure.”

Congressman Culberson thanked the Sunlight Foundation for their support and their commitment to transparency. Congressman Culberson said, “These signatures are further evidence that the American people demand transparency from their elected officials. H.Res.544 will enhance public participation in our democracy and help restore the public trust in government by raising the level of openness, order and discourse. I will continue urging the Speaker to hold a vote on this important resolution.”

Taxpayers to pay for U.S. Trial and Detention of Terrorists

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Today the House voted to approve the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report which allows Guantanamo detainees and other captured terrorists to be transferred onto U.S. soil for trial and detention – all at U.S. taxpayers’ expense. Previously the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to oppose this provision. House Republicans offered a motion to prevent the transfer of these terrorists to the U.S., but the Democrat majority defeated it. Terrorists who kill innocent people and do not abide by international law should not be housed on U.S. soil and granted the same rights as American citizens. Our soldiers should be capturing and killing America’s sworn enemies on the battlefield, not reading Miranda Rights and collecting evidence for the terrorists to use in our courts. House Democrats support the idea of bringing terrorists onto U.S. soil as a way to honor the Constitution. I think bringing terrorists to the U.S. and affording them constitutional protections does...

America cannot afford to lose or retreat from Afghanistan

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Earlier this year, President Obama demonstrated a clear understanding of the war in Afghanistan and the security risk it poses to our country. In March, the president said “if the Afghan government falls to the Taliban -- or allows al Qaeda to go unchallenged -- that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they possibly can.” The president went on to lay out a strategy to deal with the “greatest threat to our people.”

Recent signals from the Obama White House appear to contradict the President’s remarks earlier this year. Vice President Biden has advocated scaling back forces in Afghanistan. Unless all the news accounts are wrong and the situation in Afghanistan is no longer the “greatest threat” to America, scaling back our troops is not the best course of action.

General Stanley McChrystal, the man President Obama hand-picked to run the war, was asked to provide a thorough review of the situation in Afghanistan. Gen. McChrystal has said he needs an additional 40,000 troops or the war could be lost, putting the United States in danger. We cannot afford to lose or retreat from Afghanistan. As the President Obama said in March, “We have a shared responsibility to act -- not because we seek to project power for its own sake, but because our own peace and security depends on it.”

Thank you for entrusting me to represent you in the United States Congress.

DEMOCRATS LEAVE DOOR OPEN FOR TERRORISTS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO U.S.

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Today during the conference committee meeting on the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, House Democrats left the door open for terrorists to be transferred to U.S. soil and took deliberate steps to convert our soldiers into international policemen.

By removing the Senate language to keep detainees out of the United States, the liberal leadership has cleared the way for terrorists to be tried in U.S. courts and housed in U.S. detention facilities all at U.S. taxpayers’ expense. House Democrats, lead by Rep. Price (D-NC) and Rep. Farr (D-CA) welcomed the idea of bringing terrorists onto U.S. soil to as a way to honor the Constitution.

I am outraged by the committee’s actions today. Terrorists who kill innocent people and do not abide by international law should not be housed on U.S. soil and granted the same rights as American citizens. And U.S. soldiers should be capturing and killing America’s sworn enemies on the battlefield, not reading Miranda Rights and collecting evidence for the terrorists to use in our courts.

STATEMENT ON LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:00:00 GMT

While the president has worked to assert control over the banking, auto, insurance, energy and health care industries, hardworking Americans continue to lose their jobs. Today, the Labor Department announced that hundreds of thousands more Americans are without employment. The president repeatedly claimed that he would “create or save jobs.” It is clear that his reckless spending and big government policies have failed.

Our nation is facing an 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. Doug Elmendorf, Director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has warned that, “under current law, the federal budget is on an unsustainable path …”

I believe it is time to let Americans keep more of what they earn and for the government to spend less. 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.

Culberson Calls for an Investigation into ACORN

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Yesterday Conservatives ensured that not another dime of your hard earned tax dollars is spent on the corrupt community organization ACORN. By a margin of 345-75, the House voted to cut off all federal funding to ACORN. In addition to the vote, I was able to gain assurance from Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, that he would hold hearings investigating the indisputable criminal activity we have seen broadcast in the media and on the internet. You can view the text of the letter here. This week marked the 222nd anniversary of the signing our nation’s Constitution. Great advances have been made over these 222 years, but sadly, the America our founding fathers envisioned is not the country we live in today. In a letter to Joseph Cabal, Thomas Jefferson said the way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the functions he is competent to. He went on to caution,...

Historic Government Spending

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This week, annual federal spending surpassed the $3 trillion mark for the first time in our nation’s history. In July, the U.S. government spent more money - $332 billion – than in any other month in history. The current deficit for the year stands at $1.27 trillion – three times last year’s record of $459 billion. The individual share of this year's deficit for every American is $4,100 - by fall that share will approach $6,000. The national debt currently stands at $11.7 trillion, or $38,000 for every American. Americans for Tax Reform estimates that the cost of government this year will consume 61.34 percent of national income. Working men and women spend 224 days out of the year just meeting costs imposed by the government - a full 26 days longer than last year. Our nation is facing an 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...

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...

Culberson for Congress Home Page

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

Meeting with 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.

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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