Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today contacted Kip Hawley, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), requesting a change to current guidelines which prevent gun owners from transporting large caliber ammunition, used for big game hunting, on an airplane.  Rehberg urged adoption of the less-restrictive guidelines used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Traveling to an exotic location to hunt cape buffalo or brown bear is often the trip of a lifetime for many American hunters,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Imagine the shock many big game hunters experience when they reach the airport check-in counter and are told they can’t bring the ammo they need for their dream trip.  The differing guidelines between the FAA and TSA are confusing and unnecessary, and it’s time TSA adopts rules that take into account the Second Amendment rights of every gun owner.”

Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines allow a passenger to check baggage containing a limited amount of small arms ammunition, up to 19.1 mm for rifle and pistol cartridges and any size shotgun shells.  This rule allows for hunters and shooters to transport a wide variety of ammunition, including large caliber ammunition utilized in the taking of large, dangerous game animals. 

Unfortunately, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a more restrictive position that bans ammunition larger than .50 caliber for rifles and pistols and 8 gauge shotgun shells.  This rule effectively limits the transport of many large caliber cartridges.

Today, Rehberg sent a letter urging TSA officials to adopt FAA guidelines in order to simplify the process for travelers and protect the rights of sportsmen across the country.

“TSA’s current regulation unnecessarily limits the legitimate use of large caliber firearms by preventing citizens from transporting the ammunition on airplanes,” said Rehberg in the letter.  “I respectfully request that TSA adopt the prudent FAA guidelines regarding the transport of small arms ammunition.” 

Letter:

Mr. Kip Hawley

Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 22202-4220

Dear Mr. Hawley:

I write today to call your attention to a discrepancy in the federal regulations governing the transportation of ammunition on airline flights.  These regulations negatively impact gun owners, sportsmen, and firearms manufacturers in my home state of Montana.

Each year, thousands of American sportsmen purchase large caliber rifles for big game hunting and recreational shooting.  Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines allow for a passenger to carry a limited amount of large caliber ammunition in checked baggage. 

These guidelines state that ammunition up to 19.1 mm for rifle and pistol cartridges, and any size shotgun shells may be checked for personal use.  However, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines ban ammunition larger than .50 caliber for rifles and pistols, and eight-gauge for shotgun shells.  This arbitrary TSA regulation effectively limits the transport of many large caliber cartridges utilized in the hunting of large, dangerous game animals. 

Banned ammunitions include (but are not limited to) the .577 and .600 Nitro Express, .585 Nyati, and the 700 AHR, currently manufactured by American Hunting Rifles of Corvallis, Montana.  Ammunition larger than .50 caliber has been in use for more than a century, including the banned Nitro Express cartridges which were developed in 1880 and 1903. 

TSA’s current regulation unnecessarily limits the legitimate use of large caliber firearms by preventing citizens from transporting the ammunition on airplanes.  I respectfully request that TSA adopt the prudent FAA guidelines regarding the transport of small arms ammunition.  Montana’s sportsmen and firearms manufacturers thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg

Member of Congress

HELENA, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today was awarded the Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in recognition of his support of American manufacturers and their employees.

“In these tough economic times, it’s critical Congress does everything possible to promote economic development and to help local businesses grow,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “As Montana’s lone representative, I’m fighting for policies that will provide a boost to our state’s manufacturers.  I’m honored to be receiving this award.”

The award is given annually to members of Congress in recognition of their voting record on key legislative proposals.  Rehberg, who was presented the award at a ceremony in Helena, received a 90% approval for his voting record in the 110^th Congress.

“No one can argue with Congressman Rehberg’s record of accomplishment for Montana’s manufacturers,” said Webb Brown, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, “He has always supported bills that help the private sector create good-paying jobs and allow businesses to expand.”

“This award recognizes the support that Congressman Rehberg gives to NAM’s pro-growth, pro-manufacturing, and pro-workers’ policy agenda,” said Haley Beaudry of Columbia Falls Aluminum Company.

# # #

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement in response to President-elect Obama’s nomination of Colorado Senator Ken Salazar for Secretary of Interior.

“It’s always helpful to have an extra set of boots under the negotiating table when it comes to discussing our natural resources. Senator Salazar’s experience representing a western state provides him with an understanding of the critical role public lands play in Montana’s heritage and economy, and that experience will be a valuable asset to the next Presidential Administration. I’ll look forward to working with him on issues that impact rural America.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement in response to President-elect Obama’s nomination of former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture.

“I’ve always believed it’s important we have folks who’ve kicked a cow patty once or twice leading our nation’s ag policy.  So, it’s encouraging to see President-elect Obama nominated former Iowa Governor Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture.  As the largest industry in our state, Montana’s farmers and ranchers need an advocate for their needs in the next Administration, and Governor Vilsack’s background gives him the necessary experience to understand important issues like mandatory Country of Origin Labeling and disaster assistance.  However, whether it’s working with Governor Vilsack, or someone else, I’ll continue to make standing up for Montana my first priority.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today praised House and Senate passage of a provision he authored that will provide much needed relief to Montana’s senior citizens.  Language taken from Rehberg’s proposed Retiree Relief Act allows retirees to keep money in their retirement accounts that the current law required them to withdraw at the end of each year.

“Earlier this month I put pressure on House leadership to pass some much-needed economic relief for Montana’s seniors,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “With the falling stock market, the retirement withdrawal requirements would have forced our senior citizens to suffer unprecedented losses through no fault of their own.   The House and Senate took a step in the right direction when they adopted a provision I’ve worked on the past couple of months.  With the limited amount of time available before this session of Congress ends, this was a good start to providing assistance to our state’s retirees.”

Currently, an investor over the age of 70 ½ must make a withdrawal from his or her retirement account based on the size of the account and the investor’s age. An individual who fails to withdraw the required minimum distribution (RMD) is heavily penalized by the IRS, which taxes the amount not withdrawn at 50 percent.  “This rule was intended to prevent investors from using retirement accounts as a tax shelter,” said Rehberg.  “But in these economic times, penalizing seniors is simply ridiculous.”

Recently, Rehberg introduced The Retiree Relief Act which would waive any penalties for not taking the RMD in 2008 and 2009.  Additionally, the bill would allow seniors that have already taken their RMD for 2008 to re-contribute those amounts to their savings accounts without penalty.  The portion of Rehberg’s bill waiving penalties for 2009 withdrawals was included in The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, which passed both the House and Senate last week.  The 2008 withdrawals were ignored. 

According to Rehberg, suspending the mandatory withdrawal will allow retirees to keep the money in their account if they choose, and possibly recover some of their losses. “Seniors have spent years saving for their retirement and forcing them to take out artificially large amounts now, when the market is in upheaval, could be devastating in later years,” he noted.

“The provision approved last week will be a huge boost for seniors in the future,” said Rehberg. “However, we’ve still got some heavy-lifting to do to give them the relief they need for their 2008 accounts.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Glacier Park International Airport a $1,890,000 grant to upgrade the airport’s facilities.

“So much of the economy around Glacier Park depends on tourism,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Tourists, local businesses and Montana families all benefit from having the best possible facilities available. These funds are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the Glacier Park airport.”

The grant will be used to rehabilitate the runway in order to extend its pavement life. “This will increase the longevity of the runway structure, which will keep it safe for the flying public in the future,” said Cindi Martin, Director of the Glacier Park International Airport.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Dillon Airport a $228,730 grant to upgrade the airport’s facilities.

“Dillon Airport provides the surrounding community with valuable access to quick, efficient travel,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Montana families and tourists need to know they are safe when they fly. We all share the benefits from having the best possible facilities. These funds are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the Dillon Airport.”

This grant will be used to rehabilitate the runway in order to extend pavement life as well as to improve the runway’s lighting system.

“We are very appreciative of Congressman Rehberg’s help,” said Tom Rice, Chairman of the Beaverhead County Commission. “Like a lot of rural areas, there’s no way we could do this on our own, so the availability of this money to work toward an airport project is super.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today lauded a decision by James Peake, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to reimburse burial fees for several Montana families who delayed the burial of their loved ones in anticipation of the opening of the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery. The decision came in response to a letter Rehberg sent Secretary Peake earlier this week on behalf of the affected families.

“The new veterans cemetery in Montana has been a great addition to our state,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Unfortunately, due to a delay in the cemetery’s opening, many families who waited to bury their loved ones in the new cemetery were being forced to pay a burial fee. I’m glad to see Secretary Peake was willing to work with me to help these families out.”

The VA imposes a two-year window during which families can bury their loved ones and qualify for reimbursement of the burial fees. If the burial does not take place within that two-year time frame, families are required to pay burial fees out-of-pocket. Several Montana families waited for the Western Montana Veterans Cemetery to be completed and, as a result, faced the financial burden of paying the burial fees.

Below is Rehberg’s letter:

December 10, 2008

The Honorable James B. Peake

Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC  20420

Dear Secretary Peake:

I would like to congratulate the Department of Veterans Affairs on the recent opening of the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery.  The cemetery opened its doors on October 6, 2008, and fifty-five veterans have been laid to rest on the grounds.

This cemetery is very important to the community and represents the only veterans burial ground in western Montana.  The project began more than seven years ago, but has been fraught with multiple delays.  For example, a disagreement between the Department of Veteran Affairs and the State of Montana led to a delay lasting more than a year.

Many families, innocent victims of the delay and unaware of the Department regulations, chose to wait for the opening of the cemetery, holding the ashes of their loved ones until the project was completed.  As a result, these families were unable to bury their family members at the cemetery within the two year window imposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  By missing this deadline, these families are ineligible for reimbursement of the $300 plot allowance fee.  I am requesting that the timeline limitation be waived for the impacted families and they be reimbursed the cost.

While our nation continues to fight two wars abroad, this waiver is a show of good faith for those who wore the uniform of this great country.

Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do for Montana.

Sincerely

Denny Rehberg

Member of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $113,658 grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve operations and safety.

“Montana’s firefighters provide a courageous and vital service to our communities,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Congressional Fire Caucus. “It’s essential that they have the best possible equipment and training for any situation.”

DHS’ Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards one-year grants directly to fire departments in order for them to receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs and buy equipment and response vehicles.

“Our fire departments work hard to protect Montanans,” said Rehberg. “These grants ensure we are providing the necessary resources to local firefighters.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today issued the following statement in response to the House vote on a bailout of the automotive companies.

“Once again, the President and House Democrats have brought forward a massive bailout plan which falls short of providing adequate protections for taxpayers. As a result, my offices are again being flooded with calls from folks in Montana with one request, ‘VOTE NO.’

While it’s obvious we need to get some sort of economic relief passed quickly, any assistance for the big three auto companies must be more than a multi-billion dollar short-term loan.

For example, we must include firm benchmarks and tight timelines regarding how these companies restructure. These companies must be willing to take cost-saving measures internally before they’re given one dime of taxpayer funds.

Additionally, it’s essential we work with these companies to explore every option to expedite the hurdles they will face during restructuring. This must be done without political pressure that will only exacerbate the current financial situation facing the auto industry.

I’m hopeful we can go back to the drawing board and develop a plan that works not only for Detroit, but Montanans as well.”