My Letter to Congress: H.R.539 We the People Act

I am writing as your constituent in the 7th Congressional district of Colorado. I oppose H.R.539 - We the People Act, and am tracking it using OpenCongress.org, the free public resource website for government transparency and accountability.

Sincerely,
Melanie Dorhout

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Dear Friend:

Thank you for your e-mail message. Keeping in touch with Coloradans is important to me. Due to the high volume of messages my office receives on a daily basis, I ask for your patience as I work with my staff to respond to your concerns.

I want to hear your thoughts on the issues that are important to you. The best ideas come from people in Colorado, not from politicians in Washington. That?s why it?s so important for me to hear your thoughts on how we can build a better future for Colorado and our country, together.

While we work to respond to your request, I invite you to read blog updates http://bennet.senate.gov/about/updates/, check out the latest news from your region of Colorado http://bennet.senate.gov/, and subscribe to an e-mail newsletter that will provide you with regular updates on my work on behalf of Colorado http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/. If you want to know more about issues and specific bills before the Senate, please visit our issue pages. If you?re having trouble with a federal agency, visit the constituent services section http://bennet.senate.gov/services/. Scheduling requests may be e-mailed to scheduler@bennet.senate.gov or sent by fax to 202-228-4083.

Thank you for contacting me.

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January 6, 2012







Dear Melanie,



Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 958, the We the People Act. I
appreciate hearing from you on such an important issue because it
enables me to better represent the beliefs and values of our district.



I understand your concerns that courts should not be allowed to
legislate from the bench. As you may know, H.R. 958 would prohibit the
U.S. Supreme Court and each federal court from making decisions on any
claim, or relying on previous judicial decisions involving: (1) state
or local laws, regulations, or policies concerning the free exercise or
establishment of religion; (2) the right of privacy, including issues
of sexual practices, orientation, or reproduction; or (3) the right to
marry without regard to sex or sexual orientation where based upon
equal protection of the laws. In addition, the bill protects the
traditional definition of marriage. Currently, the bill is under
review by the House Committee on the Judiciary, of which I am not a
member. Rest assured I will monitor the progress of the bill during
the 112th Congress, and will keep your view in mind.



I encourage you to continue to contact me about the issues that are
important to you. Please visit our website www.perlmutter.house.gov
where you can also sign up for my
electronic newsletter and receive periodic updates on my activities as
your Representative in Washington.





Sincerely,

g>
Ed Perlmutter
Member of Congress


Please do not reply to this email as this is an unattended mailbox. To
contact me, please click here
and let me
know your thoughts on how I can better represent your beliefs and
values in our nation's Capitol.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16

I want to take this opportunity to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the day of remembrance dedicated to his civil rights legacy and national day of volunteerism in our communities. This year Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 16, and I encourage everyone to get involved in the many activities and opportunities to volunteer in our communities.

Dr. King led by example to make America a more inclusive and tolerant nation. By volunteering our time and energy in our neighborhoods, we can lead by example to strengthen our communities and make America a better place for our children. If you are looking for opportunities to serve please visit www.serve.gov . This website can help link you with organizations looking for volunteers, and if you represent a community volunteer group you can also use this website by listing your group or project as needing volunteers.


Telephone Town Hall Sign-Up

I hope you can participate in my upcoming Telephone Town Hall on Thursday, January 19. A Telephone Town Hall is an open forum for you to ask questions about issues important to you.

This Telephone Town Hall will be a "State of the District" where we will discuss what's going on in the 7th Congressional District and in Congress impacting the hard working people in our community. I will be answering questions focused on job growth, economic development, energy, updates on legislation and more.

Please sign up by 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 18. To sign up, simply go to my website's Telephone Town Hall Registration page and enter your name, email address, zip code, and telephone number. On January 19, you will receive a call from me asking you to join our Telephone Town Hall at approximately 7 pm.


Upcoming Events

Government in the Grocery

This is a program where I go to grocery stores throughout the district to talk one-on-one with constituents. I look forward to meeting with you to talk about whatever is on your mind. Government in the Grocery is about being available to listen to you in a less formal setting. This kind of access is essential to the fabric of our democracy. Please note that due to time constraints, constituents will be given priority and individuals and groups may be limited to approximately 5 minute intervals.

What: Government in the Grocery
When: Saturday, January 21st from 10:00 am to Noon
Where: Safeway - 12680 West 64th Ave, Arvada CO 80004

I want to stay in touch with you and keep you informed on what my office and I are doing for our community. Please check our website regularly for information about upcoming events and updates on important legislation. Below is a short list of future events my office is hosting in January.

January
1/19 | 7:00 to 8:00 pm | Telephone Town Hall
1/21 | 10:00 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Safeway | 12680 W. 64th Ave
1/30 | 5:30 to 7:00 pm | Town Hall with Rep. Polis | Thornton City Council Chambers

February
2/11 | 10:00 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Aurora
2/18 | 10:00 am to Noon | Tuition Fair | Pomona High School
2/25 | 10:00 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Wheat Ridge


Constituent Success Story: Linda and Derek Lee

My office is here to help the hard working people of the 7th Congressional District cut through some of the red tape when dealing with a government agency. If you are having an issue with a federal agency, please call my office. My staff and I will always do our best to help. I'm proud my office was able to help Linda and Derek Lee get their appropriate Medicare benefits.

1) NREL's Economic Impact in Colorado
2) State of the Union
3) Important Events

NREL For Colorado

Organizations and businesses in the 7th Congressional District are doing great things for Colorado, the nation and the rest of the world. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's premier research laboratory for renewable energy, and its scientists work closely with private businesses and public universities to develop and bring to market new products to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and transform the way we power our country.

NREL is also advancing Colorado's economy. Based on a recent study by the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business, which objectively measured the economic benefits of NREL showed that research, construction and support work led to a total economic impact of more than $831 million in fiscal year 2011. Additionally, in 2011, NREL directly and indirectly impacted more than 6,200 jobs.

My number one priority is to get people back to work here in the 7th District and our state, it’s the best thing we can do to move forward toward economic stability. This study reinforces the direct impact NREL has in building good paying, private sector jobs here in our community. Promoting renewable energy is good for jobs and our economic and national security.


State of the Union Address


This week I had the honor of attending the President's State of the Union Address. While American businesses added over three million new jobs the past 22 months, there is still work to do. We need to continue building good jobs here in Colorado and our country and not outsourcing them overseas. We need to continue rebuilding confidence in our economy, and we need to be able to plan for our lives, our businesses and our future.

Specifically, I support the President's plan for our new energy future utilizing our traditional energy and natural gas resources while at the same time pushing forward on investing in private partnerships to develop alternative energy sources which have created thousands of American jobs. These partnerships and work are already happening in Colorado's 7th CD at places like NREL, GE, Vestas and our research universities. It will lead the way in transforming how we power our nation, create new jobs of the future, and enhance our economic stability and national security. Through innovation, education and collaboration, Democrats and Republicans in Congress must work together in a bipartisan way, like we often do in Colorado, to move toward an economy built to last.



Upcoming Events

Joint Town Hall with Rep. Polis

I am holding a joint town hall with Rep. Jared Polis on Monday, Jan. 30 to gauge your thoughts on issues important you. The discussion will focus on how to reignite the American dream, and how Congress can work together with businesses and communities to build opportunity and address challenges they are facing. For more information and to rsvp, click here.

What: Joint Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Jared Polis

When: Monday, January 30 from 5:30 to 7 pm

Where: Thornton City Council Chambers | 9500 Civic Center Dr, Thornton, CO 80229 | MAP IT!


I want to stay in touch with you and keep you informed on what my office and I are doing for our community. Please check my Schedule of Events regularly for information about upcoming events and updates on important legislation. Below is a short list of future events my office is hosting in February and March.

February
2/11 | 10:00 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Aurora
2/18 | 10:00 am to Noon | Tuition Fair | Pomona High School
2/25 | 10:00 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Wheat Ridge

March
3/12 | 10 am to Noon | Career Fair | TBD
3/13 | 7:00 to 8:00 pm | Telephone Town Hall | Sign Up Here to Participate
3/17 | 10 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Lakewood
3/31 | 10 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Arvada

The following events were posted in yesterday's newsletter and need to be clarified. As always, scheduled events can change due to alterations in the legislative calendar so please periodically check the Schedule of Events page on my website for the latest information. If you have any questions or clarifications contact my District Office at: (303) - 274-7944.

March Schedule of Events

3/17 | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Government in the Grocery | Lakewood
3/19 | 9:00 am to Noon | Career Fair | Jefferson County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall
3/20 | 7:00 to 8:00 pm | Telephone Town Hall | Sign Up Here to Participate
3/31 | 10:00 am to Noon | Government in the Grocery | Arvada

Employing Veterans

Our veterans return to civilian life with the skills, training and education we need in the private
and public sector to build and fill the jobs of the future. Our veterans put their lives on the line
day in and day out to serve our country and fight for our freedom. It is our obligation to ensure
they have access to the best resources available when they return home to help them transition
from military to civilian life.

Last week President Obama announced new details of a Veterans Jobs Corps initiative which
will help put veterans back to work on a range of projects that leverage skills developed in the
military.

The program includes $166 million for the 2012 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
Hiring Grant funds and another $320 million for the 2012 Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. These grants will give preference to communities who
hire and recruit post-9/11 veterans as police officers and firefighters. Also, the plan includes a
Veterans Job Corps conservation program to rebuild America and put 20,000 veterans to work.
The conservation program will allow veterans to help restore America's great outdoors and
maintain the nation's federal, state, local and tribal lands through trail, road, bridge, levee, and
recreation facilities rehabilitation.

Demolition and construction at the new VA Medical Center in Aurora is well underway

The plan offers entrepreneurship training opportunities for veterans provided by the Small
Business Administration as part of the Transition Assistance Program to aid them in the next step
of their lives.

I encourage all veterans to take advantage of these tools and resources, and I urge all employers
to give consideration to returning military members when hiring a new position.

Healing the Housing Market

We know the government can't fix the housing market on its own, but responsible homeowners
shouldn't have to wait for the market to crash or get behind on payments before they are eligible
for relief, especially when there are tools at hand to help now.

The President proposed a refinancing plan to help responsible borrowers save an average
of $3,000 per year. This plan provides borrowers, who are current on their payments, an
opportunity to refinance their homes at the current, historically low interest rates. Current and
future homeowners will find it easier to cut through the red tape and save hundreds of dollars a
month.

The plan includes a Homeowner Bill of Rights to ensure borrowers and lenders play by the
same rules. These standards give borrowers access to simple mortgage disclosure forms, full
disclosure of fees and penalties, and protection for families whose homes are inappropriately
foreclosed. The Homeowner Bill of Rights provides assistance for at-risk homeowners such as
early intervention for borrowers who demonstrate hardship or fall delinquent, better customer
service and continuity of contact, and the requirement for lenders to give ample time before
starting the foreclosure process.

Upcoming Events

Government in the Grocery

This is a program where I go to grocery stores throughout the district to talk one-on-one with
constituents. I look forward to meeting with you to talk about whatever is on your mind.
Government in the Grocery is about being available to listen to you in a less formal setting. This
kind of access is essential to the fabric of our democracy.

Please note that due to time constraints, constituents will be given priority and individuals and
groups may be limited to approximately 5-minute intervals. Also, please show up at the start of
the event to ensure you will be able to speak with Ed. These events are sometimes full after the
first hour.

What: Government in the Grocery

When: Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 10 am to Noon

Where: Sprouts Farmer's Market | 1150 S. Ironton St, Aurora, CO 80012 | MAP IT!

Tuition Fair and Scholarship Panel

Have questions about student loans, scholarship opportunities, and all the ways to pay for
college? Then make sure to attend Congressman Perlmutter's and Congressman Polis' Tuition
Fair and Scholarship Panel in conjunction with College In Colorado on February 18. There
will be representatives and resources from many colleges and organizations including: US
Department of Education, Colorado State University Global Network, University of Denver and
many more. For questions and to RSVP please call the office at (303) 274-7944.

What: Tuition Fair and Scholarship Panel

When: Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 10 am to Noon

Where: Pomona High School Cafeteria | 8101 W. Pomona Dr, Arvada, CO 80005 | MAP IT!

Free Tax Help

Tax season is approaching, and the Senior Resource Center (SRC) in Wheat Ridge is offering free tax help for taxpayers who can't afford professional assistance. The SRC is partnering with the IRS to provide free tax help to fill out federal and state income tax forms as well as the Earned Income Tax Credit and rebate forms.

To reserve your appointment, call the VITA Tax Assistance line at (303) 235-6921 Monday through Friday. For more information or to volunteer please call (303) 238-8151 or visit www.SRCAging.org.


National Consumer Protection Week

You protect your family, pets, home, and your car, but what about protecting yourself? I encourage all Coloradans to take full advantage of the National Consumer Protection Week to learn about how to defend against identity theft, fraud and how to make better-informed purchasing decisions.

If you have specific questions about how to be a better consumer, USA.gov is hosting a live Consumer Protection Q&A on March 6 from 2 to 3 pm on their Twitter feed (@USAgov) and Facebook page (Facebook.com/USAgov). The live Q&A is a chance for consumers to understand fraudulent practices and how to report them, and will provide tips on how to educate your family about the potential risks of inappropriate texting and posting online.

For more information on the National Consumer Protection Week or to host an event in your community, please visit the National Consumer Protection website by clicking here.


Upcoming Events

Government in the Grocery

This is a program where I go to grocery stores throughout the district to talk one-on-one with constituents. I look forward to meeting with you to talk about whatever is on your mind. Government in the Grocery is about being available to listen to you in a less formal setting. This kind of access is essential to the fabric of our democracy.

Please note that due to time constraints, constituents will be given priority and individuals and groups may be limited to approximately 5-minute intervals. Also, please show up at the start of the event to ensure you will be able to speak with Congressman Perlmutter. These events are sometimes full after the first hour.

When: Saturday, February 25 from 10 am to Noon

Where: Safeway | 3900 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 | MAP IT!

March
3/17 | Government in the Grocery | 1:30 to 3:30 pm | Safeway in Lakewood | MAP IT!
3/19 | Career Fair and Workshop | 9 am to Noon | Click Here to RSVP | MAP IT!
3/20 | Telephone Town Hall | 7 to 8 pm | Click Here to Sign Up

*District events are subject to change due to alterations in the voting schedule. Please contact my office prior to an event to confirm or check this page regularly for potential scheduling changes.*


Area Students and Parents Get Help With College Resources

I want to thank everyone who attended and participated in our Tuition Fair and Scholarship Panel last Saturday, February 18. The fair was a great success, and there were more high school students and parents than ever before. Education is key to innovation and building the jobs of the future, and helping students and their families with access to achieving higher education is one of my top priorities. By going to college, our kids will move us forward toward a more stable and secure economy and nation.

I know those who attended got great advice and are now more prepared for financing higher education. For those who found a great scholarship, a new idea on how to finance for college, or were just there to learn, I would love to hear from you. Please write me an email about what you learned and how this fair helped you and your family.

I will be posting more information and resources about tuition assistance on my website. Please call my office or check back regularly for updated information.

If you have any further questions about the tuition fair or the services provided by my office, please don't hesitate to give us a call at (303) 274-7944. I am happy to be of service.

USDA Seeking Grant Applications to Grow Jobs in Rural Areas

Since President Obama took office, his Administration is taking steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and support the economic stability of rural communities. His Administration is calling on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to open their doors to grant and loan applicants for rural businesses.

The USDA is providing funding for economic development in rural areas through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. This program provides loans and grants for rural businesses to create jobs and improve services. The USDA plans to award $79 million in loans and $10 million in grants to eligible recipients. Funding for this program supports $1 million loans for individual projects and up to $300,000 for individual grants.

Colorado applicants can submit their applications to the nearest Rural Development Office. To find the nearest office, please visit the USDA's Rural Development Office website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/COContacts.html. Deadlines for applications are the last business day of every month through September 30, 2012.

For more information on grant opportunities, visit my Grants Requests page.
Naming of the New Eastern Colorado VA Medical Center


"I've never been so happy to see a hole in the ground," said Ed when he saw the construction on the new VA Medical Center


Construction at the new VA Medical Center in Aurora is finally underway. On February 29, the whole Colorado Congressional Delegation sent a letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki proposing a process to naming the new medical facility. In the letter, the delegation called for a committee chaired by the president of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado (UVC) with committee members including representatives from other veterans' service organizations, elected officials, the Colorado National Guard, and other organizations and individuals involved in the establishment of the new medical facility.

To ensure an open and fair process, the delegation listed a set of criteria for evaluating the name of the new medical center. The naming should be based upon:
• Leadership and character;
• Combat experience;
• Military decorations;
• Civic engagements;
• Efforts to improve the lives of veterans; and
• Other criteria demonstrating the applicant's worthiness
To read more about this proposed process, please click here.
Women's History Month

Every March is National Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the rich history and contributions of women in our country. Today, more women than ever are serving in leadership roles in local, state and national government, they sit at the helm of many of the country’s most successful companies. We have come a long way in securing equal rights for women, but as we know there is still work to do.

The theme of this year's Women’s History Month is Women’s Education-Women’s Empowerment. As the father of three daughters, I know how important it is for girls and young women to have access to affordable higher education. The struggle for educational opportunity was not easy and was fought by generations of American Women.

Women will continue to grow as a proportion of the population and making sure they can get a quality education is not only the moral thing to do, it is imperative to America’s future. I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure women, and all Americans can easily access affordable ways to continue their education.
Upcoming Events

I want to keep you informed on what my office is doing to help the hardworking people of the 7th District. Below is a list of upcoming events I am hosting. If you have any questions about these events, please feel free to contact my office. Please note these dates and times are subject to change, so please check the Schedule of Events page on my website or call my office prior to an event to confirm.

March
3/15 | Standing Out at a Career Fair - Live Facebook Chat | Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Congressman Ed Perlmutter Facebook Page - RSVP Today
3/17 | Government in the Grocery | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Safeway, Lakewood | MAP
3/19 | Career Fair and Workshop | 9 am to Noon | Jefferson County Fairgrounds | MAP
3/20 | Telephone Town Hall | 7 pm to 8 pm | Click Here to Sign Up
3/31 | Government in the Grocery | 10 am to Noon | Arvada | MAP

April
4/11 | Government in the Grocery | 5 pm to 7 pm | Lakewood | MAP
4/14 | Colorado Academy Information Day | 1 pm to 4 pm | Aurora Central High School | MAP
4/28 | Congressional Art Competition | Click Here for More Information

Searching for a Job? -- Come to our Career Fair on March 19, 2012

One of my biggest priorities as your representative is to help ensure people in the 7th Congressional District have good, stable jobs to go to. If you or someone you know is looking for a job, or to change careers, my office is hosting a Career Fair on March 19. This is our eighth career fair matching employers hiring now with job seekers.

Employers from Home Depot, Safeway, Comcast, Denver Water, Lockheed Martin and many more will be on hand to visit with you and accept your resume. Click here for a full list of employers from our previous career fairs.

For information on other upcoming events, please check my Schedule of Events page regularly or call my office at (303) 274-7944. To RSVP for the Career Fair, please click here.

What: Career Fair and Workshop
When: Monday, March 19 from 9 am to Noon
Where: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall | 15200 W. 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401 | MAP IT!


"Standing Out at a Career Fair" Live Facebook Chat

Come prepared to Congressman Perlmutter's Career Fair. Get key advice from Career Specialists on maximizing resources and networking opportunities available at the fair. Ask questions and get answers LIVE!

Please SHARE this event or RSVP by visiting my Facebook Events page.

When: Thursday, March 15 from Noon to 12:30 pm
Where: Congressman Perlmutter's Facebook Page


Mark Your Calendar for My Next Town Hall!

Tuesday, March 27, 7-8pm
Telephone Town Hall and Facebook LIVE Stream Event

Every quarter, I enjoy discussing the issues facing our community and our nation with residents from across the district on my Telephone Town Hall meetings - and this time we'll be LIVE on Facebook!

You can sign up to receive the call for the Telephone Town Hall or join the Facebook LIVE stream. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Click here to receive my next newsletter with tips for savings at the gas pump.

April 25, 2012

Congressional Art Competition - "An Artistic Discovery"

This Saturday, April 28, I am hosting the 7th Congressional District Art Competition Reception at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's Rotunda. The Congressional Art Competition is a great way to showcase the talent of students right here in our district.

We received artwork from over 100 students from high schools throughout the 7th District, and the caliber of art this year is outstanding. Along with representatives from RMCAD, I will present awards to participating students, and the winner of this year's competition will be displayed for one year with other winners from throughout the nation in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol.

The reception is from 1 to 3 pm this Saturday, and the artwork will stay on display through Friday, May 4. I hope you will attend this reception and support the creativity, innovation and spirit of our high school students.

What: 7th Congressional District Congressional Arts Competition Exhibition

When: Saturday, April 28, 2012
1-3 p.m.

Where: Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Rotunda
1600 Pierce Street
Lakewood, CO 80214

Update on Medicare Savings

On Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services stated Medicare is set to save $200 billion by 2016. The short-term money saving measures implemented by the Obama Administration come from ending excessive payments to private insurers who provide Medicare Advantage plans, establishing new anti-fraud measures, and changing payment policies to show improvements in productivity.

The Affordable Care Act is currently making strides to keep Medicare affordable and sustainable, while at the same time providing more health care options to beneficiaries than ever before. Over the last year, 32.5 million Medicare recipients took advantage of preventative benefits at no cost. These preventative benefits include wellness visits and cholesterol tests. The act also closed the prescription "donut hole" coverage gap and saved seniors and people with disabilities an average of $635 on prescription drugs in 2010 and 2011.

Due to the Affordable Care Act's investment in fighting Medicare fraud, anti-fraud efforts recovered $4.1 billion in 2011. These anti-fraud measures are expected to save Medicare $7.8 billion by 2016.

I support the President's goals to ensure Medicare's sustainability and accessibility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

If you are having issues with Medicare payments or receiving benefits, please contact my office.

Perlmutter Staff Volunteering for Habitat For Humanity

On Thursday, April 12, my staff had the opportunity to spend a day with Habitat for Humanity building a house in Golden. My staff and I are always looking for ways to be involved with our community and give back to the hard working people of the 7th District.

Constituent Success Story: Mark

My office is here to help the hard working people of the 7th Congressional District cut through some of the red tape when dealing with a government agency. If you are having an issue with a federal agency, please call my office. My staff and I will always do our best to help. I'm proud my office was able to help Mark receive his certificate of discharge for his service to the Navy after multiple requests over two months with no response. These discharge papers are required to apply for a VA home loan. My staff wrote letters and made phone calls to the National Personnel Records Center, and within five days Mark finally received his discharge papers. Now, Mark and his wife are one step closer to buying their home and my office is continuing to work with them through the VA loan process.

Quote: I received my certificate of discharge quickly thanks to Congressman Perlmutter and his staff. Thanks for the assistance and quick response.

This week, I crossed the aisle and voted with a bipartisan majority to boost jobs and manufacturing in America. The long-term reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (HR 2072) by the full House will provide U.S. businesses the resources they need to keep American manufacturers competitive in a global market.

Manufacturing in the United States grew by nearly 500,000 new jobs in the past 26 months and approximately 139,000 just this year. This is the strongest 26 month growth period since 1995. Another statistic shows these manufacturing companies increased production by 13% over this same 26 month period, a 6% annual growth rate which hasn't been seen since the 1990s. Even better, the annual growth rate is projected to be 7% this year.

The private sector is making a big comeback too. This year alone, the U.S. economy created more than 820,000 private sector jobs adding to the 4.25 million new jobs during the past 26 months. Businesses are bouncing back with investments up 18% since 2009, which shows confidence in our economic recovery.

The U.S. is now a major attraction for manufacturing plants with 50% of big companies with revenues over $10 billion planning on or actively considering moving their manufacturing back to the U.S. from China. If we make it in America, we will make it in America.


Teacher Appreciation Week


We all have teachers who pushed us, counseled us, or took a friend or family member under their wing to help shape our lives in a positive way. This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week and is a time to honor and recognize the contributions teachers make in our lives. My wife and sister are public school teachers, and all three of my daughters and I attended Jefferson County Public Schools, and I want to encourage everyone to thank the thousands of hard working teachers across the 7th Congressional District and think about how we can support their efforts.

Click here to read more.

Constituent Success Story: JoAnn

"Thank you Congressman Perlmutter for running such an organized and professional office. Your staff is so congenial and caring for seniors, as you are. Your staff went above and beyond the call of duty to get my money back from Social Security. I will be eternally grateful." -- JoAnn

My office is here to help the hard working people of the 7th Congressional District cut through some of the red tape when dealing with a government agency. If you are having an issue with a federal agency, please call my office. My staff and I will always do our best to help. Recently, my office was able to help JoAnn retrieve back payments from Social Security. JoAnn lives in Lakewood, and she was having a hard time getting Social Security to rectify an error they made in distributing her benefits. After several calls to Social Security, she turned to my office for help. My staff was able to speak to the Social Security Administration on JoAnn's behalf and resolve her issue. JoAnn received her back payments for her benefits and is now in full pay status again.