Pete Sessions discusses his priorities for American prosperity and the 2010 election.
Newsroom
June 28, 2010
May 18, 2010
POLITICO
By: Rep. Pete Sessions
May 17, 2010 05:03 AM EDT
Late on the night of March 21, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and President Barack Obama were celebrating the end of a nearly yearlong quest to pass a government takeover health care bill that the American people had already rejected.
While the champagne corks popped in the speaker’s office, the mood among rank-and-file Democrats was far more somber. Party leaders were rejoicing, but Democratic members, who’d had their arms twisted into voting for the bill, were more likely contemplating their next career move.
Starting last summer, Washington heard warnings from across America. From town halls to marches on the Capitol — not to mention in poll after poll — concerned citizens warned Democrats to back down from their reckless health care agenda.
Instead, the majority spent months negotiating backroom deals and devising underhanded legislative tricks as it attempted to sneak its agenda through Congress and deflect political heat from vulnerable members. While the legislation ultimately passed, however, there remains a target on every Democrat who voted for this government-run catastrophe.
Is the health care bill the lone horse that Republicans will ride to the majority in November?
Unfortunately for Democrats, the answer is no.
The speaker and her loyal followers have much more to answer for than the recent health care monstrosity. From the failed $1 trillion stimulus and job-killing national energy tax to nearly double-digit unemployment and record deficits, Democrats will be on the hook for plenty in November.
While Americans are hurting for jobs and looking for an end to our economic troubles, Democrats have been systematically forcing an agenda through Congress that is not only wildly unpopular with the American people, it also stands in the way of economic recovery.
Vulnerable Democrats, who hoped to avert blame by getting a permission slip from Speaker Pelosi to vote no, will not be able to walk free. Even alleged moderate and conservative Democrats paved the way for their party’s job-killing agenda by casting their first vote in the 111th Congress for Speaker Pelosi — enabling her to implement the agenda of a party and a president sinking in popularity by the day.
There is no avoiding the responsibility that every Democrat member of Congress shares for their party’s disastrous policies.
The health care bill will be the cornerstone of Republican efforts to remind voters that the Democrat majority has refused to take its foot off the gas pedal of more spending, bigger government and higher taxes.
Every major piece of legislation that Democrats pushed through this Congress continues to flat-line with the public, and the arrogant approach to health care struck a discordant note with the American people.
When her party attempted to recoil from the backlash to the first health care vote late last year, Pelosi attempted to abuse the rules of Congress to sneak the bill through.
When that effort fell flat, she called on her members to ignore the will of their constituents and cast a vote that will cost many their political future.
Despite the sales pitches and empty promises coming from the White House and Capitol Hill, it’s clear that the health care bill is a political liability for Washington Democrats. There is no escaping the fact that Democrats are racking up debt, raising taxes and slowing economic recovery with reckless partisanship.
Republicans will be working nonstop through November to hold Democrats accountable for their blatant disregard of the will of the people. Like the American people, we demand accountability and fiscal sanity in Washington.
Over the next six months, Republicans will continue offering responsible ideas for job creation, reminding voters what a Democrat majority means for the future of America.
April 12, 2010
March 8, 2010
“In the following list, House members are assigned separate scores for their roll-call votes on key economic, social and foreign-policy issues during 2009. The members are rated in each of the three issue categories on both liberal and conservative scales, with the scores on each scale given as percentiles. An economic score of 78 on the liberal scale, for example, means that the member was more liberal than 78 percent of his or her House colleagues on the key votes in the issue area during 2009.”
Click here for the 2009 Vote Ratings list.
-From the National Journal Magazine, 3/2/2010
February 9, 2010
[. . . ] Congress allocated nearly $10 billion to shore up Amtrak over the next five years, plus $1.3 billion in “stimulus” funding intended to make up for decades of deferred maintenance. Even these sizable amounts fall short of the rail giant’s claimed need for $20 billion to clear a backlog of essential projects.
Proudly wearing the conductor’s hat, Congress is having too much fun to worry about numbers. Legislators routinely reject the most common-sense of reforms, including an amendment by Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas Republican, that would have kept taxpayer dollars from footing the bill on Amtrak’s least profitable route. A real business subject to market pressures would not hesitate to optimize operations. Amtrak, on the other hand, demonstrates what happens when there is no incentive for efficiency. [. . . ] (Editorial Board, “Budget Buster Express,” Washington Times, 02/07/10)
Click here to view the full article.
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June 18, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) today introduced legislation expressing Israel’s right to defend itself from an imminent nuclear or military attack, reaffirming the United States’ bond with Israel, and condemning the government of Iran for its support of terrorist organizations and its hateful rhetoric toward Israel. The legislation, H.Res. 557, expands on an amendment Sessions sponsored to the Foreign Relations Reauthorization Act, which was adopted to the bill last week.
“I have great concern with recent remarks regarding international relations made by the Obama Administration,” Sessions stated. “As President Obama works toward a diplomatic resolution with Iran and North Korea, these countries grow more sophisticated in their nuclear technologies and delivery capabilities.”
In recent weeks, both Iran and North Korea have performed tests of their missile and nuclear capabilities—threatening stability and peace in the Middle East and around the world. These inflammatory actions create grave potential danger to the United States, Israel, and our allies. The serious risks posed by these rogue regimes and their rapidly advancing missile technologies must be confronted, and the United States government must stand with Israel and against the deplorable actions of terrorist states.
“Creating real safeguards to the threats posed by Iran, North Korea and other terrorist organizations must be our top priority, not only for the defense of the United States but also for Israel and our allies across the world. I believe protection from these foreseeable as well as intangible risks is essential to the security of Americans and all citizens around the globe,” Sessions said.
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Contact: Emily Davis
202.701.8822
PeteSessions10@gmail.com
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June 11, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) today called for an end to the intimidation tactics and unilateralism Congressional Democrats are reportedly using to rush through unprecedented government-control of health care.
“I am deeply concerned about the Democrat Majority’s attempts to silence the concerns of physicians and health care representatives as they hastily craft the most sweeping health care overhaul in our nation’s history,” said Sessions.
Last month, Roll Call reported that the Majority has made clear that representatives of patients and physicians “who want to be involved in health care reform going forward need to keep their complaints to themselves.” (Anna Palmer, “K Street Told to Hold Fire on Health Care,” Roll Call, 05/20/09)
Additionally, Roll Call reported today that Congressional Democrats have warned health care representatives that their clients meeting with Republicans about heath care will be viewed as public opposition: “‘They said, “Republican are having this meeting and you need to let all of your clients know if they have someone there, that will be viewed as a hostile act,”’ said a Democratic lobbyist who attended the meeting” with Majority representatives. (David Drucker, Anna Palmer, Kate Ackley, “Baucus Aides Warn K Street,” Roll Call, 06/11/09)
“America’s health care delivery system is at a crossroad, and Washington is now the focal point for its reform,” stated Sessions. “Unfortunately, Democrats are resorting to bullying to advance their radical plan towards socialized medicine, showing little regard for the opinions of patients, physicians, health care representatives, or Minority Members of Congress.”
Democrats’ unilateralism stands in stark contrast to President Obama’s claim: “[M]y hope is that working in a bipartisan fashion we are going to be able to get a health care reform bill on my desk before the end of the year…” (President Obama, Town hall Meeting, Arnold, MO, 04/29/09).
“The 100 million Americans represented by Republican Members of Congress deserve a voice in the future of their personal health care options. I call on Congressional Democrats to end their dictatorial and partisan behavior and work with patients, physicians, health care representatives and Members of Congress from all backgrounds to produce health care reform that is affordable, portable, and above all, patient-centered,” Sessions concluded.
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Contact: Emily Davis
202.701.8822
PeteSessions10@gmail.com
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June 1, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) has received a top award from the American Conservative Union (ACU) for his conservative voting record in the 2nd Session of the 110th Congress.
Named an “ACU Conservative,” Sessions received a 92 percent conservative score as part of ACU’s 2008 Rating of Congress based on 25 key conservative votes in three categories: economic/budget matters, social/cultural issues, and defense policy. During his tenure in Congress, Sessions has received an overall conservative rating of 97.17 percent from ACU.
“For nearly half a century, the American Conservative Union has been the gold standard for conservative advocacy, and I am honored to once again receive an award from them,” said Sessions. “Especially in an era of massive spending, prevailing liberal ideology, and one-party rule in Washington, I believe that conservative principles are vital to ensuring the continued fiscal, moral, and security strength of our nation.”
The American Conservative Union is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization with a stated commitment to a market economy, the doctrine of original intent of the framers of the Constitution, traditional values, and a strong national defense.
“I am proud to share ACU’s core values, and I look forward to continuing my work of fighting for fiscal discipline and limited government in this fiscally irresponsible Congress,” Sessions concluded.
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Contact: Emily Davis
202.701.8822
PeteSessions10@gmail.com
May 7, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) introduced legislative text to require full transparency and accountability of tax dollars granted to the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN), which has been charged with at least 39 felony counts of voter fraud and illegal registration activities this week.
On Monday, the Attorney General of Nevada charged ACORN with 26 counts of voter registration fraud and 13 counts of paying for voter registration activities effecting the 2008 elections. Allegations include voter registrations with false information and multiple voter registrations of the same person. Additionally, today a District Attorney in Pennsylvania announced charges against ACORN workers for falsifying voter registration forms. Dozens of states are investigating ACORN for voter registration fraud; Nevada and Pennsylvania are the first two states to bring charges against the organization this year.
“As a liberal interest group disguised as an anti-poverty organization, ACORN has received billions of tax dollars for housing programs thanks to Congressional Democrats’ unwavering commitment to padding the pockets of left-wing special interest groups,” stated Sessions. “Now ACORN faces serious charges of fraud, taking their advocacy for their liberal social agenda beyond the bounds of the law.”
“American taxpayers deserve answers to how their hard-earned tax dollars are being used,” Sessions continued. “That is why I am committed to standing up for taxpayers, ensuring that irresponsible organizations such as ACORN are held accountable for their actions to the fullest extent of the law and that tax dollars are returned when improper use is found.”
As a proposed amendment to the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, Sessions’ transparency measure would ensure that ACORN and all organizations affiliated with ACORN submit a report on how they spend taxpayer dollars. If used beyond the scope of grant and federal funding guidelines, ACORN would be forced to repay the funds within 12 months and would be banned from receiving future grants or financial assistance under the Mortgage Reform bill.
Sessions’ amendment was voted down by a party-line vote in the House Rules Committee on Wednesday, May 6. Congressional Democrats’ cited the amendment as “too specific,” even though Congress subjects financial institutions receiving government funding to the same transparency standards outlined in Sessions’ amendment. In response, Sessions’ amendment was broadened to include all grant recipients—including ACORN—under the bill. The House approved this text today by voice vote as a Republican amendment to the bill.
“For far too long, congressional Democrats have forced greater government control and accountability in the private markets, while shielding their friends at ACORN from the same scrutiny,” said Sessions. “Especially at a time when millions of taxpayers are struggling to pay mortgages and make ends meet, I will continue to call on Democrats in Congress to prioritize good public policy over political favors to the organizations that helped elect them.”
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Contact: Emily Davis
202.701.8822
PeteSessions10@gmail.com
March 27, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) with the Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of pro-growth legislation during the second session of the 110th Congress.
“Last year in particular, Congress had to make some tough choices, and Representative Sessions clearly demonstrated his commitment to the economy and keeping America competitive in an ever-changing global market,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “The Chamber is proud to present Representative Sessions with the Spirit of Enterprise Award on behalf of businesses large and small.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce presents the Spirit of Enterprise Award annually to Members of Congress based upon their vote on key business issues. A listing of the 2008 key votes in the U.S. House of Representatives is available in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual How They Voted publication and online by accessing their website at http://www.uschamber.com/soe.
Sessions scored 100% for his voting record on the Chamber’s 2008 key votes, including votes on the statute of limitations for pay discrimination lawsuits, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, nuclear cooperation agreements, and legislation to lower tuition costs and streamline the financial aid process. Sessions has received the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce each year that he has served in Congress, acquiring a cumulative 94% ranking during his tenure.
“I thank the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for once again presenting the Spirit of Enterprise Award to me,” said Sessions. “I am pleased to join the Chamber in supporting pro-growth policies that will fuel job creation and aid much-needed economic growth.”
“By supporting market-based solutions and providing tax incentives for business investment, we can ensure that America gets back on track to economic recovery and lasting prosperity,” Sessions concluded.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.
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Contact: Emily Davis
202.701.8822
PeteSessions10@gmail.com