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Rep. David Schweikert: Fool Me Once, Fool Me Twice

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2012
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) released the following statement Monday after President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2013 Budget request which calls for unprecedented levels of spending and debt increases and tax hikes:

“President Obama’s fourth go-around at a budget is not much better than his previous attempts. This document is terrible for jobs and a raw deal for America’s seniors. Further, it is laden with the same tax-and-spend gimmicks that drove us to our $15 trillion debt and counting.

“This budget breaks the president’s promise to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term and actually increases it in the next few years. If enacted, the president’s budget would add $8 trillion to the debt over the next 11 years.

“I sincerely wish the President would put new batteries in his calculator and realize that increased spending and stimulus will not lower our debt and deficit, nor will a faulty and mathematically unrealistic ‘Buffett Rule.’

“It is hard to read this budget and believe the President is taking his fiscal duty seriously.”

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Federal Budget, Federal Government, Press Release, Spending, Taxation Tagged With: ,

David Schweikert: Entire Base of Grassroots Support Schweikert

February 13, 2012 By 12 Comments

To All Interested Parties:

Congressman Ben Quayle has decided to move Congressional districts and primary fellow-Republican David Schweikert in his distirct, AZ-06.

  • Quayle’s home isn’t in AZ-06, it’s in AZ-09
  • Quayle’s campaign office isn’t in AZ-06, it’s in AZ-09
  • Quayle’s Congressional office isn’t in AZ-06, it’s in AZ-09

As this primary challenge gains attention, the choice for Arizona conservatives is clear. They support the Republican who lives in AZ-06 and who has served that very same community for 30+ years.

Since Ben Quayle’s announcement to “carpetbag” into Schweikert’s district, Arizonans have responded in backlash. This week the Schweikert campaign rolled out several prominant endorsements.

  • Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery
  • Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio
  • Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring
  • Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane
  • State Senator Michele Reagan
  • State Representative Michele Ugenti
  • State Representative John Kavanagh

David’s campaign office opened this morning with a record-breaking volume of volunteer participation. In 2010, Schweikert’s ground operation was widely noted as being a model for campaigns across the country.

It is clear that David has the entire base of grassroots support in AZ-06 behind him.

Included is a polling memo for your interest. Please feel welcome to circulate. Of particular note are the favorable ballot numbers at the very bottom of the memo. Arizona primary voters who “like” both David and Ben choose David 56% – 31%. Even more impressive is the informed ballot of Arizona primary voters who have an “opinion” of David and Ben, either “favorable or unfavorable” choose David 57% – 31%.

 

PS: When you hear reports about the Schweikert/Quayle primary, please help us keep the facts straight, and if you need information or have a question, please don’t ever hesitate to ask!

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Political Science, Polls, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Ben Quayle: Facts for Our Supporters

February 13, 2012 By 24 Comments

“This should be a substantive race with a tone that honors our party, our nation and the voters of the 6th District.” – Ben Quayle 

That was the hope. It didn’t take long…in fact, it took less than 24 hours for our challenger to go negative. If that wasn’t enough, a few hours later he followed that up in a move that shows desperation by blasting a blatantly false email around to Arizonans to try to distort the facts about the new Congressional District 6.

We would like to help our supporters by providing you with the facts. We ask you to help us spread this information so that your family, friends, and neighbors are all armed with the truth.

Fact #1: CD 6 consists of nearly 70% of Ben’s current constituents. 

Nearly 70% of CD 6 is currently represented by Congressman Quayle. 

Fact #2: CD 9′s current Congressman is David Schweikert by nearly 3.5 to 1. 

Numbers are tricky to spin. For every 1 person in CD 9 that is represented by Congressman Quayle, 3.5 people have Congressman Schweikert as their representative. There is a vast majority of constituents in CD 9 who are currently being represented by Congressman Schweikert and are familiar with him.

Ben needs your help.

We need your voice to set the record straight and silence the nonsense. Americans are tired of mud slinging political maneuvers. Together we can keep the discussion factual and focused on the issues that matter.

Please visit our website to learn more about Ben’s campaign and receive updates on how to stay involved! 

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Political Science, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Schweikert for Congress Announces Lane Endorsement

February 8, 2012 By 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2012
CONTACT: Chris Baker

Another CD6 Leader Endorses Schweikert 

(Scottsdale) Schweikert for Congress Campaign announced today that Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane has endorsed Congressman David Schweikert for reelection in Congressional District 6.

Mayor Lane’s endorsement is another in a line of leaders in CD6 who have endorsed David Schweikert’s reelection.

“I am very pleased to have Mayor Lane’s endorsement for my reelection,” said Congressman David Schweikert. “Mayor Lane’s leadership in Scottsdale has been fantastic. I am proud to have his support.”

Mayor Lane’s endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements by Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, and former State Senator Jim Waring.

“There is no question that Congressman Schweikert is the right choice in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District,” said Mayor Lane.

“Congressman Schweikert’s leadership and long-time ties to our community have served us well in Congress, and I am confident that he will continue to be our strongest advocate. I encourage all of my fellow District 6 voters to join me in supporting David.”

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Endorsements, Press Release Tagged With: , , ,

Rep. David Schweikert Endorses Salmon for Congress

February 2, 2012 By 15 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2012
CONTACT: Adam Deguire

Arizona Congressman calls Salmon a “principled conservative” in video message 

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman and candidate for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District Matt Salmon today announced the endorsement of Arizona Congressman David Schweikert. Congressman Schweikert, known as one of the Republican Party’s rising conservatives, endorsed Salmon in a video message released today.

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Congressman Schweikert stated, “Our nation is facing so many challenges and we need our most experienced and principled leaders in Congress to help get America back on the right track. I chose to endorse Matt Salmon for Arizona’s East Valley congressional seat because Matt has been a trusted conservative leader as a state senator and Congressman before, and I know he’ll be that same trusted leader when he returns to Washington. I’m proud to join his growing team of supporters.”

Former Congressman Matt Salmon stated, “Arizonans are fortunate to have David Schweikert in Congress and I am honored to have his support for my campaign. David is a true statesman who always puts the interest of his constituents first. I’m excited to return to Congress and serve alongside leaders like David so we can restore fiscal responsibility and accountability in Washington.”

About Representative David Schweikert
David Schweikert has been a lifelong advocate for Arizona. He was raised in Scottsdale and attended Arizona State University where he earned a BA degree in finance and real estate as well as his MBA.

David is serving his first term in the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona’s 5th district. He serves on the Financial Services Committee.

Prior to being elected to the 112th Congress, David served as Treasurer of Maricopa County in 2004. As Treasurer of one of the largest counties in the United States, David was responsible for protecting billions of taxpayer dollars and earning over $300 million in investment income while never showing a deficit despite a tough economic environment.

David first became a public servant in 1991, when he was elected to serve in the Arizona State House representing his hometown, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. David and his wife Joyce reside in Fountain Hills with their famous Wheaten Terrier, Charlie, and two cats. Together they run a real estate business.

About Matt Salmon
Matt Salmon was first elected to the United States Congress in 1994 and served until 2000, honoring his term limit pledge. A proud conservative, Salmon was rated in the top five among all 535 members of the House and Senate by Citizen’s Against Government Waste for all six years he was in office. He is a lifetime member of the NRA with an A+ rating and also earned a 100% rating by the National Right to Life. He was also the proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s “Top National Elected Official” award.

Matt Salmon has received the endorsements from Arizona Congressman Trent Franks, former Arizona Congressman John Shadegg, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Mayor Scott Smith (Mesa), Mayor Jay Tibshraeny (Chandler), Mayor Hugh Hallman (Tempe), Mayor John Insalaco (Apache Junction), Mayor Gail Barney (Queen Creek), Arizona State Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs (LD22), State Senator John McComish (LD20), former State Senator Chuck Gray, and State Representatives Eddie Farnsworth (LD22), Jeff Dial (LD20), and Bob Robson (LD20). Salmon has also been endorsed by South Dakota Senator John Thune, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey and Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-49).

 

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Endorsements, Press Release Tagged With: , , ,

Rep. David Schweikert: 1000 Days Later

January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Federal Budget, Federal Government, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Rep. David Schweikert Statement on the Retirement of Rep. Giffords

January 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2012
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) made the following statement Sunday after his colleague Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced she is stepping down from Congress:

“From the day she was first elected to the Arizona State Senate, to her three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Gabby Giffords has been a great advocate for our state.

“As she announces her resignation from Congress, I want to join with Arizonans in thanking her for her years of service and applaud her for always putting Arizona first.

“It has been a pleasure to get to know Gabby, Mark, and her staff and to serve alongside her.

“Joyce and I wish Gabby and Mark all the best wherever life takes them.”

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Federal Government, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Representative David Schweikert: Why I Am Pro-Life

January 22, 2012 By 3 Comments

A true story on the anniversary of Roe v Wade

The year was 1962, and in Southern California, a pregnant teenager was facing a difficult decision. As a young, unwed girl, Mary Lynn Sheridan wasn’t sure she was ready for a child.

How would she tell her family? If she was going to keep the baby, how would she care for it?

She drove with two friends to an abortion clinic over the Mexican border.

However, while on the drive to the clinic, Mary Lynn had a change of heart. The young mother decided against the plan, and sometime later gave birth to a healthy baby boy at an unwed mother’s home in Los Angeles. She gave the baby up for adoption. Six weeks later, a wonderful couple brought him home and into a loving family.

Thirty-six years later, that boy, through an accident, found the contact information for his birth mother. After a family discussion, he sent a handwritten note to Mary Lynn Sheridan. After 10 days, he received a joyful call from Mary Lynn, and through the tears, she managed to ask how he was doing and if he was healthy.

She told him about the hope and pain she felt every year on his birthday and that she prayed for him daily.

I was that adopted boy and Mary Lynn Sheridan is my birth mother.

I am Congressman David Schweikert, and I am here because of a young woman’s commitment to life in spite of overwhelming difficulties.

People often ask me why I am pro-life. I tell them my story and about the wonderful love I experienced from not only my adopted mother, but my birth mother as well. If anyone has a compelling reason to support life, it would be me.

Ronald Reagan made a great observation when he said, “Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.”

My life hung in the balance on a car ride to an abortion clinic 49 years ago. I take very seriously my responsibility to defend the lives of those unborn children who may be in the same situation as I was. My fight is for those unborn and innocent babies who cannot yet defend themselves.

I am a firm believer that life begins at conception.

Any attempt to take a human life in the womb is morally unconscionable. Just like our Founding Fathers did, we must acknowledge that every American, born and unborn, has the God-given right to liberty, the pursuit of happiness and, most importantly, life.

I always have and always will support the interests of organizations that provide encouragement and resources to women with crisis pregnancies. I believe this is a very necessary contribution we must make.

However, I will never support a “medical procedure” that is administered with the intent of purposefully terminating a life. It is time we end a medical practice that not only takes the lives of innocent children, but scars the women who go through it.

As someone who was fortunate to have a mother who chose adoption over abortion, I will always be pro-life. Mary Lynn Sheridan summoned the courage to bring me into this world, and I will always honor her and the choice she made by defending the sanctity of life.

David Schweikert represents Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.

Filed Under: Elected Officials, Guest Opinion, Sanctity of Life Tagged With:

Rep. David Schweikert Remembers Tucson Shooting Tragedy

January 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2012
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) made the following statement in remembrance of the one year anniversary of the Tucson tragedy:

“A year ago today, an assault on our democracy and those participating in it, left our Arizona community with deep wounds. 

“But Arizonans have turned our sense of grief into a sense of resolve. We will continue the work of our democracy, moving forward with the memory of those we lost and gratitude for those who are still with us. 

“Joyce and I are grateful for the progress Rep. Giffords has made thus far. Though still with heavy hearts, we join hands in continued prayers for healing for the families of those we lost and we urge all Arizonans and Americans to do the same.” 

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Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Culture, Elected Officials, Press Release Tagged With: , , ,

Rep. David Schweikert Welcomes Silicon Valley Bank to Arizona

January 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 4, 2012
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Congressman David Schweikert welcomed Silicon Valley Bank to Arizona yesterday at a press conference announcing their expansion. Silicon Valley Bank will bring hundreds of well-paying, financial sector jobs to the state over the next few years, including a new branch in Tempe:

“I am thrilled that Silicon Valley Bank is coming to Arizona. Their decision to expand here is reflective of our high quality workforce and the fact that our state is a great place to live and create jobs,” said Rep. Schweikert.

“Arizona is open for business, and Silicon Valley Bank is exactly the type of business we desperately want here.”

NOTE: To view pictures of this event, click here.

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Jobs/Labor, Press Release, Small Business, State Economy Tagged With:

Rep. Schweikert Office to Collect Toys for Hospital Pediatric Unit

December 14, 2011 By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2011
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Congressman David Schweikert and his staff are now collecting toys for Scottsdale Healthcare Shea’s Pediatric Unit. The toys will be given as Christmas gifts to children who are hospitalized.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate new, unwrapped toys to stock the toy closet for Christmas.

WHERE: Drop off all donations at Rep. Schweikert’s Scottsdale office:

10603 North Hayden Rd, Suite 108
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

WHEN: Donations are due to Rep. Schweikert’s office by Monday, December 19th at 4:00 p.m. MT.

SUGGESTED DONATIONS: Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Polly Pocket, Spiderman, Sponge Bob, Transformers and other items
Balls
Board games
Puzzles (24-48 piece)
Activity/art kits
Coloring books
Matchbox cars
Remote control cars
Barbie and other dolls
Dress up clothes
Light up toys for infants
For teens: footballs, bath/shower gel, electronic handheld games, makeup, etc.

*NOTE: Stuffed animals MUST be new with tags attached.*

Congressman Schweikert will visit Scottsdale Healthcare Shea’s Pediatric Unit to hand out toys at a Christmas celebration on Tuesday, December 20th.

BACKGROUND: Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center has the Northeast Valley’s only hospital with a dedicated pediatric unit, pediatric intensive care and pediatric ER. The 28-bed pediatric inpatient unit offers care for children ages infant through 18.

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Filed Under: Charity, Conservatives, Elected Officials, Holiday, Press Release Tagged With: ,

NFIB: Thanks to Congress for Keeping NLRB in Check

December 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

NFIB Key Votes Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act to protect small employer rights

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2011 — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released the following statement by Senior Vice President for Federal Public Policy Susan Eckerly regarding today’s vote on H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act. The legislation was proposed in response to the National Labor Relation Board’s (NLRB) recent proposal on “ambush” elections and its decision in Specialty Healthcare to allow micro-unions, and is strongly supported by the NFIB.

“The NLRB is at it again. In an attempt to circumvent Congress—after it prevented the passage of card check legislation—the NLRB proposed the ‘ambush election rule,’ condensing the time period in which employers and employees have to prepare for a union election, so undermining the rights of both. And in its latest effort to blunt employer rights, the Board ruled in favor of so-called micro-unions, allowing unions to organize mini-bargaining units throughout a business. Unfortunately, the NLRB fails to realize that its pro-union actions will only create more uncertainty for small-business owners at a time when the country needs them to be creating more jobs.

“Fortunately, Congress has responded. In passing this bill, the House has demonstrated its understanding and concern for the unique demands that the NLRB’s irresponsible actions would place on small business. It is always a challenge for small business owners to keep current with new regulations and labor laws, especially in the current economic environment. It is the responsibility of our lawmakers to ensure that our nation’s job-creators are given the tools they need to succeed—not overwhelmed with rules and prohibitions that suppress growth and hiring. With so many small-business owners identifying economic and political uncertainty as their primary concern, NFIB is pleased that with its vote today, Congress has taken steps to renew small-business confidence.”

NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy organization, representing 350,000 small businesses around the country.

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

Filed Under: Federal Government, Jobs/Labor, Legislation, Roll Call, Small Business Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Rep. Schweikert: Two types of people in Washington: Those who do math and those who don’t

November 22, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2011
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), member of the House Financial Services Committee, went on Fox News’ Happening Now to discuss the failure of the Supercommittee and what can be done next. Below is the video and excerpts from the interview:

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ON WHY CONGRESS CAN’T GET THINGS DONE

“If you spend a little time there, you start to realize Congress seems to breaking into camps, and the camps aren’t necessarily conservative or liberal. It’s those that do math and those that don’t. And I’m realizing right now a lot of our brothers and sisters on the other side of the aisle don’t own calculators.” 

ON THE NEED TO DEAL WITH ENTITLEMENTS AFTER SUPERCOMMITTEE FAILURE

“We are becoming a country that is, basically, a health insurer with a shrinking army. Medicare is consuming us as a people.” 

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“We can save Medicare. We can save these programs, but you have to do something that puts market forces into them. You have to understand, Democrats changed Medicare as you and I know it a couple years ago when they did the healthcare takeover law. It is going to look very different. It’s moving into a rationing model, but it still consumes every dollar of the federal government.”

ON THE LACK OF BIPARTISANSHIP

“Very simple. How do you have a spirit of bipartisanship if you’re going to have one side that won’t do real math? At the end of this decade, almost all federal spending is in the mandatory category. It consumes everything we are. Yet, when was the last time you saw a Democrat politician, someone on the Left, get up in front of their own constituents and tell them the truth and tell them that?”

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Filed Under: Media, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Rep. Schweikert Disappointed by Passage of Minibus Spending Bill

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 17, 2011
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), member of the House Financial Services Committee, made the following statement after the passage of H.R. 2112, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 or ‘minibus’:

“I found it necessary to vote against this appropriations bill because it leads us in the wrong direction.

“Earlier this year, I supported the House-passed budget that took significant steps toward fiscal discipline. I still support that budget. However, this measure violates the numbers in the House-passed budget by falling $24 billion short in savings originally promised.

“Secondly, cuts to discretionary spending can only take us so far. Until we address mandatory spending, these continuing resolutions are simply tinkering with the margins.

“We have a duty to be unwavering in our commitment to get Washington back on track and protect the taxpayer. I am disappointed that the House was unable to live up to its promise to the American people today.

“We must do better.”

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Federal Budget, Federal Government, Legislation, Press Release, Spending, Taxation Tagged With: ,

Rep. Schweikert: ‘It’s a spending problem, not a revenue problem’

November 15, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2011
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel

Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), member of the House Financial Services Committee, went on CNBC’s The Kudlow Report with Rep. Charlie Rangel to discuss entitlements and the latest coming out of the Supercommittee. Below is the video and excerpts from the interview:

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REP. SCHWEIKERT ON POSSIBILITY OF A SUPERCOMMITTEE DEAL 

“Unlike Charlie, who has been here four decades, I’ve been here 11 months. So maybe I am still pathologically optimistic. I did get to spend some time with Senator Toomey today. He’s grinding it out trying to, as he said, “talk to members of the committee and see if there is movement.” He has also made it clear this isn’t what he would do if he were dictator. But he gets what he gets. Many of us are hopeful we’ll get a package. I think if we don’t, we’ll see a true reaction in the markets out there.”

REP. SCHWEIKERT ON TAXES AND ENTITLEMENTS 

“Look, it’s going to break my heart if they don’t deal with the corporate tax code to make us competitive. One thing Congressman Rangel and I disagree on, is I believe if you look at the portion of our budget that is in entitlements, that is exploding in growth, it is consuming us as a people. Our government quickly is becoming a health insurer with a shrinking army. That’s the spending cuts. It is a spending problem. It is not a revenue problem.”

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Federal Budget, Federal Government, Government Reform, Spending, Taxation Tagged With: , ,

COINS Act Advocates Special Interest

November 4, 2011 By 13 Comments

On July 25, 2011, Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) introduced HR 2635, the COINS Act of 2011 to the House of Representatives. The bill proposes a switch from the dollar bill to the dollar coin, but unlike previous attempts to implement this change, the COINS Act mandates the removal of all dollar bills from circulation as well as the circulation of the Presidential dollar coin. Advocates of this act claim the switch from the dollar bill to the dollar coin would save the US $5.6 billion over thirty years…seems like a win-win situation right? Wrong.
Like most initiatives proposed in Congress, advocates of the COINS Act have alternative motives for passing this bill—the mining industry. The dollar coin’s strongest supporters, Schweikert, Senator Jon Kyl, and former Representative Jim Kolbe, also happen to represent the state of Arizona. Schwiekert’s constituency in Arizona is one of the nation’s most profitable mining states, producing over 65% of the nation’s total copper output and raking in over $9.2 billion direct and indirect funds for the state. The elements of the dollar coin, which is 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese and 2% nickel, are all mined and exported from the state of Arizona.

While these figures alone are no cause for concern, the variable prices of these metals are. The numbers put forth by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) surrounding the projected savings by the COINS Act neglect to mention how the price of the metals used to make them have increased substantially over the past ten years. The price of copper per pound hit a record high of $457 in February of this year, over a 700% increase from the price per pound in 2001, and the price continues to fluctuate but has yet to fall below $350 since January 2008. Comparatively, the price of zinc has risen by over 100% in the past ten years and nickel by over 250%.

The supporters of this bill are not looking to save American taxpayers money; they are looking to boost Arizona’s economy. This act proposes a change that would allegedly save taxpayers billions over the course of thirty years, but what has been left in the dark are the inconsistencies associated with the bill. Even without considering the costs of producing, transferring, distributing, storing and managing dollar coins, the GAO estimate shows the dollar coin would cost the government and taxpayer’s money in the first four years and would not break even for at least the next 10 years.

This bill is an obvious attempt to help the already thriving mining industry that provides Schweikert’s constituents with $2.6 billion in personal incomes, $6.15 billion in business sales and $468 million in state and local government income. By eliminating the dollar bill, Schweikert will bring a stimulus to his state at the expense of the federal government and American citizens. Thus far this bill has flown under the guise that it will help to bring the country out of debt when in reality it will do nothing but hurt the government, businesses and citizens for the next ten years. The dollar coin has been pushed before and has failed to catch on, and with good reason—they are inconvenient, expensive and an utter waste of Congress’s time.

 

Filed Under: Federal Government, Taxation Tagged With:

Rep. Schweikert discusses his ‘Regulation A’ bill on the House floor

November 3, 2011 By 2 Comments

Congressman David Schweikert discusses H.R. 1070, The Small Company Capital Formation Act, on the House floor shortly before it passed the House of Representatives.

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Legislation Tagged With: ,
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