Contact Congress
-
Sen. Rand Paul [R, KY] Vote on Passage of H.R.17: Not Voted Yet -
Sen. Mitch McConnell [R, KY] Vote on Passage of H.R.17: Not Voted Yet -
Rep. John Yarmuth [D, KY-3] Vote on Passage of H.R.17: Not Voted Yet
Sincerely,
Heather J. Ansert Ansert
OCTOBER 14, 2011
Panel Discussion on Government Assault on Private Property
This week, I hosted a hearing on, "PROPERTY WRONGS: A Discussion With the Victims of the U.S. Government's Assault on Private Property," to bring to light a few of many instances of overreach by federal agencies. In attendance were 10 witnesses who provided powerful testimonies of regulatory abuse and a dozen Members of Congress who delivered questions and comments.
Witnesses included Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars; Mike and Chantell Sackett of Idaho, whose current battle with the EPA is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court this winter; Victoria Pozsgai-Khoury of Pennsylvania, who was representing her father's continuing battle with EPA over erroneous wetland regulations; Peter Nimrod, chief engineer of the Mississippi Levee Board, currently suing EPA to allow for a pumping station in the Mississippi Delta region; and John and Judy Dollarhite of Missouri, rabbit breeders whose side business was shut down and fined exorbitantly by the USDA.
From meeting these witnesses and hearing their stories, it is my hope that no one else will have to go through this kind of abuse. I will seek justice for property owners, businesses, and families threatened by the overzealous bureaucrats at these federal agencies. You can read more about the panel discussion by clicking HERE.
Jobs Through Growth Act
Also this week, I unveiled, along with Senator McCain and 25 co-sponsors, an alternative jobs plan called the Jobs Through Growth Act. This proposal we have put forth will not only create millions of jobs, it will not add one penny to the federal debt.
The pillars of this plan include a balanced budget amendment, tax reform, regulatory reform, domestic energy job promotion and export promotion. Passage of this plan would unleash a decade of increased growth, and a new path forward for our struggling economy. You can read my entire statement and more on the jobs plan by clicking HERE.
Media Wrap-Up
This week I appeared on Fox Business' Lou Dobbs Tonight, Fox's America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer, and Hannity on Fox News. I also spoke with several Kentucky radio stations as well as those across the country.
You can find updates on what I'm doing in Washington by visiting my Senate website, www.paul.senate.gov and you can follow my official Twitter account HERE. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Don't forget to become a fan of my official Facebook page for other timely updates.
Warm Regards,
To unsubscribe from Rand's newsletter, please visit the unsubscribe page
October 21, 2011
No Child Left Behind
This week the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee gave its members merely 48 hours to read and discuss the 868-page No Child Left Behind/Elementary and Secondary Education Act Amendment bill. I immediately took action, urging deliberation and transparency in a Dear Colleague Letter.
I later delivered a floor speech calling for more time, transparency, and sunlight on the legislation. Click HERE or below to watch the video.
I spoke with educators, superintendents and principals across Kentucky this week, gauging their opinion on the lack of time we have had to read this bill. The overwhelming response was that those who are most affected by this legislation need more time to make sure this legislation works for them and improves the current law. During the HELP Committee's markup session we discussed ways forward and at my urging, scheduled a new hearing. I am hopeful of what this extra time for comment and transparency will accomplish. Read more about it HERE.
Secretary Timothy Geithner Testifies At Small Business Committee Hearing
This week Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testified before the Small Business Committee, of which I am a member. You can watch video of it by clicking HERE or below.
Amendment to Fix Pipeline Safety Bill
I proposed and the Senate passed an amendment to the Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011 to fix the bill and its pipeline testing requirements as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in a recent report on pipeline safety. After reading the safety report and meeting with industry executives, federal regulators and NTSB officials, I found a way to address the problems more thoroughly. My proposal passed unanimously and was accepted by both Republicans and Democrats. Read more about the issue by clicking HERE.
Agreement on Hearings and Joint Investigation on Refugee Welfare
Earlier this week I reached an important agreement with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) that would be a step toward ensuring we are not supporting terrorists in our own backyards with our tax dollars. At my urging, an investigation will be launched into finding out how certain people, including the alleged terrorists apprehended in my hometown of Bowling Green earlier this year, were eligible for taxpayer-funded benefits. Read my full statement HERE.
In Kentucky
Next week, I will travel throughout the Commonwealth and meet with constituents. Be sure to check my official Facebook page or follow me on Twitter HERE for further details.
Media Wrap-Up
This week I appeared on CNBC'S Kudlow Report, Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano, Fox's Your World with Neil Cavuto, Fox Business' The Willis Report and Heritage's Rob Bluey. I also appeared on several Kentucky radio stations throughout the week including: WHAS with Mandy Connell, WVHU with Tom Roten, and WLAP with Leland Conway.
You can find updates on what I'm doing in Washington by visiting my Senate website, www.paul.senate.gov and you can follow my official Twitter account HERE. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Don't forget to become a fan of my official Facebook page for other timely updates.
Warm Regards,
To unsubscribe from Rand's newsletter, please visit the unsubscribe page
NOVEMBER 4, 2011
Amendment to Fix Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure
This week, the Senate voted on an amendment I introduced that would fund construction efforts on our nation's most high-priority infrastructure needs without adding to our national debt. To offset the cost of these projects, it would eliminate transportation enhancement funds used for beautification projects - such as movie theaters, squirrel sanctuaries, turtle tunnels and flower beds.
On Tuesday, I delivered a floor speech requesting members of both parties for their support to vote for this amendment. Click HERE or below to watch the video.
With nearly 25 percent of our nation's bridges deemed either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, we need to make their reconstruction a priority over errant beautification projects. The amendment was, however, not agreed to in the Senate. Click HERE to read my statement following the vote.
First Kentucky Tele-Townhall
This week I hosted my first Tele-Townhall and had the opportunity to update Kentuckians on my work in Washington D.C. regarding the No Child Left Behind/Elementary and Secondary Education Act Amendment (NCLB) bill. I spoke with numerous educators and parents throughout the state and was fortunate to hear their thoughts regarding NCLB.
At my request, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee will be hosting a hearing next week to hear the opinions and concerns of teachers, principals, school administrators, and parents regarding this bill. I look forward to taking your input.
Media Wrap-Up
This week I appeared on Fox Business' Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano and Fox's Power Play with Chris Stirewalt. I also appeared on several Kentucky radio stations throughout the week including: WVHU with Tom Roten, WHAS with Mandy Connell, WLAP with Leland Conway, Real Life Radio 1380AM with Mike Allen, and WKYX with Greg Dunker.
You can find updates on what I'm doing in Washington by visiting my Senate website, www.paul.senate.gov and you can follow my official Twitter account HERE. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Don't forget to become a fan of my official Facebook page for other timely updates.
Warm Regards,
To unsubscribe from Rand's newsletter, please visit the unsubscribe page
Note to Congressional staff & elected officials reading this: this letter was sent through Contact-Congress features on OpenCongress.org, a free public resource website, but in the future we seek to compel the U.S. Congress to adopt fully open technology for constituent communications. For more information how your office can better handle public feedback through an open API and open standards, contact us -- even today, there are significantly more efficient and responsive ways for our elected officials to receive email feedback than the status quo of individual webforms. For greater public accountability in government, we must make the process of writing one's members of Congress more accessible and empowering. Looking ahead, we will release more data from Contact-Congress letters and Congressional response rates back into the public commons. This will result in a new open data source on bills & issues people care about, as well as encourage best practices in constituent communications and make it possible to grade members of Congress on their responsiveness & citizen satisfaction.

My Letter to Congress: H.R.17 Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2009


Share this letter with your friends and followers!
Comment on this letter below