FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2012
CONTACT: Zach Howell

WASHINGTON (DC) Congressman Ben Quayle released the following statement Tuesday following President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight we saw two things this President is known for: soaring rhetoric and scant substance.

“The President repeatedly stated the worthy goal of creating an economy that is ‘built to last’. Unfortunately, the Obama-economy is built to fail. You can’t build a strong economy on the shaky foundations of massive debt, failing entitlement programs and an uncertain regulatory climate. Just as he has so often in the past, the President failed to outline policies to deal with those big problems.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2012
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Washington, D.C. –Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) made the following statement today on day 1,000 since the Senate has passed a budget:

“It has been 1000 days since Harry Reid’s Senate has passed a budget. This translates to the Senate neglecting its legal duty to the American people for almost three years.

“How this Senate and Administration can continue to talk about jobs and reigning in government spending with a straight face is beyond me.

“The House has passed a budget, not to mention nearly 30 jobs bills, only to see them die in the black hole of Harry Reid’s Senate.

“During tough financial times, American families and small businesses tighten their belts, live within their means, and create a budget. Why can’t Washington do the same?

“I implore my Senate colleagues and the President to join the House in demonstrating that we are serious about creating jobs and curing the spending binge in Washington.”

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Right when we should be CUTTING spending (not just the rate of increase, but ACTUAL spending) and lowering taxes, certain elements of the RNC and “think tanks” are angling not just to keep existing spending and taxes going but ADD an entirely NEW federal tax for us to pay.

What the heck is going on, aren’t we in the midst of a teaparty?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2012
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today illustrated the size and scope of the growing national debt.

For a $2 fee and by placing a minimum order of either $8 or $10, some residents in the greater Washington, D.C. area could enjoy home delivery from fast food giant Burger King. It was announced over the weekend that Burger King has been testing home delivery for its menu items from four of its locations in the D.C. suburbs.

The U.S. is so broke that even adding the $2 delivery fee and based on a minimum purchase of $10, our $15.2 trillion federal debt could pay for $1.3 billion at-home Burger King deliveries.

“The level our debt has reached is a real Whopper,” said Flake.

Along with Senators McCain and Rubio, Congressman Flake introduced H.R. 634, the Debt Buy-Down Act, which allows taxpayers to designate up to 10 percent of their federal income tax liability to reduce the national debt. The bill then requires Congress to reduce federal spending by that amount. More information on the Debt Buy-Down Act can be found here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2012
CONTACT: Zach Howell

WASHINGTON (DC) Congressman Ben Quayle released the following statement Thursday regarding President Obama’s request for yet another $1.2 trillion increase to the debt ceiling:

“The President’s decision to seek yet another $1.2 trillion increase to the debt limit reinforces the unfortunate trend of raising the debt ceiling while taking no action to rein in spending.

“Because of President Obama’s lack of leadership, our national debt has surpassed the size of the American economy. House Republicans have passed numerous bills that will start to get our spending under control only to be blocked by the Democrat controlled Senate and the President. It’s time for the President and Senate Democrats to join Republicans in Congress in making substantive spending cuts and meaningful reforms to our entitlement programs.”

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“Governor Brewer’s State of the State address today lays the foundation for what should be an outstanding legislative session. The hard work done the last three years by the Governor and Legislature to straighten out our state’s finances has put Arizona back on the right track.

The Governor is right to promise no extension of the temporary one-cent sales tax increase. We also stand with Governor Brewer in her commitment to lower taxes and reduce regulation.

The Governor will have strong support in the legislature as we continue to fight the Federal Government’s overreach. We must stand for what is right in Arizona and not emulate Washington, D.C.

We are prepared for a productive, efficient Centennial Legislative session, and look forward to working with Governor Brewer to put the interests of our citizens first.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2012

PHOENIX, AZ –U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01) released the following statement today following the announcement of the Obama Administration’s decision to withdraw approximately 1 million acres of federal land in northern Arizona from uranium mining:

“Today’s actions show that the administration continues to count on the distortion of truths and the outright denial of facts, to push their big government agenda. President Obama and Secretary Salazar are showing a clear indifference to the separation of powers and instead of leading our nation are being more divisive than ever. 

As the representative of a large portion of the Grand Canyon National Park, the preservation of this natural treasure is very important to me. I would not want any activity to be done that would threaten that vital aspect of our economy or the aesthetic beauty of the canyon that’s why the original buffer was put into place. 

In is important we realize that the rhetoric surrounding this issue focuses on facts, not scare tactics. The Administration’s land withdrawal is unnecessary to protect the Grand Canyon. The park currently has a land buffer. No uranium mine can exist within the park’s boundaries, or the park buffer. It is simply false and misleading to assert that if the land in the strip is not withdrawn, uranium mining will take place “in” the canyon or “in the park.”

I strongly believe cautious development with strong oversight under federal statue strikes the careful balance between economic activity and environmental protection and thus oppose the proposed arbitrary withdrawal.” 

In the 1980’s, former Arizona Congressman Morris Udall, now-Senator John McCain, and other Congressional leaders negotiated a compromise with the uranium mining industry, native Americans, environmentalists, livestock and other stakeholder groups which formed the basis for designating Arizona’s first wilderness areas as buffer zones around the Grand Canyon National Park. The withdrawal area being considered by the Department of Interior was specifically identified for uranium mining and was opened up for economic activity as part of that negotiated agreement.

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Promises of reduced spending swept dozens of self-proclaimed conservatives into power during the 2010 congressional elections. What did they do? They gave President Obama the power to lift the federal debt limit, twice failed to move a Balanced Budget Amendment proposal out of the House and promised spending cuts that look increasingly illusory.

As history increasingly shows, Washington’s limitless ability to incur debt is one of the greatest errors in our Constitution. Fortunately, there is no reason to wait for Congress to propose what Thomas Jefferson called the “Missing Amendment.”

Federalist No. 43, written by James Madison, emphasizes that Article V of the U.S. Constitution empowers “State governments to originate the amendment of errors.” This means state legislatures can compel Congress to call a convention for proposing constitutional amendments when 34 of them pass “applications” requesting one.

Not surprisingly, states and citizens are increasingly recognizing that Article V was designed to tackle the problem of the federal debt.

Last session, two states — Louisiana and North Dakota — passed National Debt Relief Amendment (NDRA) applications. They request an Article V convention to require any increase in the federal debt to be approved by a majority of state legislatures. Legislators in 20 states, including Arizona State Senator Linda Gray, will sponsor the NDRA this year.

Moving the federal debt debate to state legislatures would enable states and ordinary citizens to exert far more influence than they currently have. And the logistics of complying with this amendment would require the federal government to prepare budgets, debt financing proposals, and fiscal contingency plans months in advance.

The National Debt Relief Amendment would decentralize power, establish transparency and encourage basic fiscal responsibility. But no one should hold their breath waiting for Congress to propose it. The only realistic option is to impose it from the outside, and Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives us this power.

Nick Dranias holds the Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan Chair for Constitutional Government and is director of the Joseph and Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: Article V research resources

New York Times: Obama Waits Before Asking for Increase in Debt Limit

RestoringFreedom.org: The National Debt Relief Amendment

By Congressman Jeff Flake

Some would say it’s Grinch-like that members of Congress cannot send any mail pieces from their offices wishing constituents a “Merry Christmas.” But read a little deeper into this issue, and chances are you’ll be siding with the bah-humbug crowd.

Members of Congress can, of course, extend any holiday wishes they desire on a personal basis: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Kwanzaa or even, with a nod to George Costanza, Happy Festivus. Members of Congress just can’t use taxpayer dollars to send these season’s greetings if extending such greetings “is the primary purpose of the communication.”

This is a good thing. Do you really need to pay for Congressman X’s awkward family photo featuring a dozen grandchildren and the family dog in matching sweaters with the U.S. Capitol photoshopped into the background?

While we’re on the subject of taxpayer-funded salutations, you may be interested to know that Congress is moving beyond the standard campaign-esque glossy mailers. Elected officials have begun touting their feats of strength on the right-hand column of your Facebook page and Google searches—and you’re paying for it!

Since members seeking to pay for these Internet advertisements with taxpayer-funded office budgets are required to file such advertisements with the House Franking Office, my staff and I examined a few of them. What we found may surprise you—or, given Congress’s 9% approval rating, perhaps not.

“Congressman X is Fighting the Madness,” screams one Facebook ad, “Fighting Plans to End Medicare, Government Shutdown, Giveaways to Big Oil.” “Rep. X is working to lower gas prices by increasing American energy production. Find out more and like my page today!” says another. “Congressman X is Committed to Creating Jobs, Driving Down Spending and Shrinking the Size of the Federal Government.” Well, apparently not all spending.

Each click on these ads costs taxpayers additional money, as each click-through drives up a member’s ad bill.

Members of Congress can also use taxpayer funds to make sure their name pops up when someone does a Google search. As a general example, clicking on the member’s name that was primed to pop up with a Google search for the phrase “raising debt ceiling” would cost taxpayers approximately $4.70 per click. Ouch.

Then there are the political hijinks that members of Congress can play using taxpayer dollars. A member trying to lure conservation voters can use taxpayer funds to buy ads on conservation-themed websites. A member with an eye on a governor’s mansion can use taxpayer money to purchase ads that will pop up when a person in the member’s state searches for “governor” on Google.

So what do all of these ads cost taxpayers every year? The truth is, we don’t yet know. The current practice of the House is to shield the actual cost of these ads from public view. And this practice probably won’t change any time soon: Both parties engage in this ad buying, so both parties tend to look the other way when it comes to policing the practice.

Sitting members of Congress have abundant opportunities for earned media and press secretaries to ensure that our accomplishments, such as they are, are trumpeted far and wide. Social media have become a useful tool to promote ideas and policies, and many such media are free—or at least don’t cost the public anything. Why, then, should members be able to use taxpayer funds to purchase additional name ID for themselves?

Mr. Flake, a Republican, is a congressman from Arizona.

House Republicans have worked hard this year to prove to Americans that we recognize the extent of our fiscal crisis. With tremendous political risk, Republicans passed a budget crafted by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan that made tough, but necessary, decisions to corral out-of-control federal spending and bring about much-needed reforms to entitlement programs.

So after leading by example by embracing the Ryan budget, why are Republicans ending this year’s congressional session by passing another “now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t” temporary payroll-tax holiday? Because politics is dictating policy.

A year ago, Americans were told that a temporary reduction in payroll taxes would jump-start economic growth, improve the economy and put people back to work. This was misguided from the beginning. To begin with, temporary tax reductions don’t improve economic conditions. And make no mistake, this temporary reduction was always sold as a 12-month tax holiday. When short-term tax cuts expire, taxes go back up and the net result is effectively a non-stimulus. Don’t just take my word for it. Economic growth has been hovering between an anemic 1 and 2 percent.

How the payroll-tax holiday is “paid for” is another example in the art of congressional budgeting. Senate Democrats favored raising taxes on high-income earners as a spending offset. But they couldn’t get 60 votes in the Senate to pass it (thank goodness). House Republicans, on the other hand, opted for subterfuge, telling Americans that budget cuts will pay for a new payroll-tax holiday. Non-binding budget cuts that is, spread out over 10 years. That’s right, Congress is proposing to pay for one year’s worth of non-stimulative tax cuts with 10 years’ worth of budget cuts. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for budget cuts. But budget cuts that kick in years from now aren’t really budget cuts. We’ve been down that road before.

Because payroll taxes fund the Social Security Trust Fund, another short-term tax holiday exacerbates the insolvency of the fund. It is pretty remarkable to see Democrats, self-proclaimed protectors of Social Security, so forcefully embrace blowing a huge hole in the Trust Fund, and Republicans, fierce critics of deficit spending (at least rhetorically), so willing to resort to gimmicks to mask larger deficits.

More than anything, the economy needs serious tax and regulatory reform, reform that would result in a permanent reduction in marginal rates for all income earners brought about by removing credits, deductions, loopholes and tax expenditures (like that envisioned by the Simpson-Bowles Commission). Ideally, capital-gains taxes would be eliminated for everyone, but at a minimum, the tax rates cannot increase.

America’s corporate-tax rate, currently the second-highest in the world, should immediately be reduced to 25 percent. Permanent reforms like these would unleash a torrent of economic activity and move the economy and unemployment rate in positive directions. Another round of a nickel-and-dime “now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t” tax holiday is misguided.

Jeff Flake is the U.S. representative for Congressional District 6, which includes parts of Mesa and Chandler and all of Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2011
CONTACT: Apryl Marie Fogel

Calls Bill a “Crap Sandwich” 

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01) voted to support the Fiscal Year 2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2055). This bill averts a government shutdown while decreasing federal spending from over $6 billion from fiscal year 2011 funding. This legislation means the total annual discretionary funding for fiscal year 2012 is $95 billion less than last year’s budget – a victory for conservatives.

“I have consistently said throughout my time in Washington that the American people deserve more from their government. This bill is a crap sandwich! You definitely do not want to bite into it, you cannot stand the taste, but you know you have to eat it. I hoped that this bill would include far more cuts, greater reforms, and more regulatory relief. I’m disappointed that it does not! Let me be the first to admit, this legislation is far from perfect! It does however inch us forward towards our ultimate goal of restoring fiscal sanity. 

It is important to remember that conservatives control just one-half of one-third of the federal government. We are a vocal and influential minority. Tough decisions have to be made and included in this bill are key provisions to strengthen our national defense and border security. In addition, it defunds several portions of Obamacare and supports important forest health initiatives.” 

H.R. 2055 makes important cuts while ensuring our service members abroad and the brave national guard and border patrol here at home have the resources they need to protect our country. Additionally, it provides badly needed transparency and conditions on foreign aid, will provide the resources necessary for wildfire suppressions and prevention, and facilitates increased economic development on public lands, like grazing.

Congressman Paul A. Gosar, DDS hails from Flagstaff, Arizona and is serving his first term in Congress as the Representative from rural Arizona’s First Congressional District. As a health care provider and small business owner, Gosar is focused on bringing jobs back to the district, reforming health care, reining in government spending, and ensuring that the American people are involved in the solution making process.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky

Spending Levels Simply Too High

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today voted against H.R. 2055, the Conference Report for the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012.

“Aside from spending levels being simply too high, this is a 1,200-page bill that we’re voting on only a few hours after it was finalized. We’ll be discovering for months to come what’s actually in it,” said Flake. “This is unacceptable. We promised to do better.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2011
CONTACT: Katie Martin

Phoenix, Arizona – Congressman Flake voted Tuesday to increase taxes by an average of $1000 a year for all American working families and voted against a new oil pipeline project that would create more than 20,000 new jobs. The Congressman voted against H.R. 3630, which will extend the payroll tax holiday and allow for the Keystone XL Pipeline to be constructed.

“Congressman Flake has been in Washington so long that he doesn’t understand Arizonans need lower, not higher taxes and America needs jobs,” said Wil Cardon, candidate for U.S. Senate. “Career politicians like Congressman Flake just don’t get it.

“The Congressman’s vote to deny working Arizonans more take home pay will continue to hurt working families in this bad economy. Additionally, Congressman Flake’s vote against creating 20,000 new jobs is unconscionable. But what can you expect from a politician who has never spent a day in the private sector, nor ever created a single job.

“In the Senate, I will fight every day to grow our economy by cutting taxes, reducing spending and promoting pro-growth policies that help businesses create jobs. That’s why I am running for the U.S. Senate.”

Last week, Cardon called for comprehensive pro-growth tax reform to fix the country’s dire economic situation and create a stable environment for job creators.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky

Broken Entitlement System Must be Reformed Before Reducing Dedicated Revenue Sources

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today voted against H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax relief and Jobs Creation Act of 2011.

“Simply put, we can’t keep passing one-year extensions and promising to pay for them over 10 years,” said Flake. “We’re unable to compel future Congresses to carry out any budgetary measures put in place now, so there’s nothing to ensure that this extension is paid for in the future.”

“We all concede that our entitlement system is broken. If we don’t have the courage to reform entitlement programs, we shouldn’t be siphoning off their dedicated revenue.”

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