Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, asked Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Jim Nussle to scrap its plan to cut Montana’s mineral leasing funds.

“Mineral leasing funds provide a critical boost to Montana’s efforts to improve basic services like roads and schools,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Unfortunately, a provision to cut these funds was slipped into the final Appropriations bill that passed last year.  I’m strongly urging the Bush Administration to discontinue this practice before mineral-rich western states are impacted.”

Included within the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act was a provision reducing the States’ share of receipts from mineral leasing activities on federal lands.  Specifically, this provision, called “net receipt sharing,” would require the federal government to deduct two percent from the states’ share to pay for the administration of the Minerals Leasing Program.  A similar policy in place from 1991 to 2000 cost states nearly $250 million in lost revenue. Montana stands to lose approximately $764,000 under the plan.

“It is unconscionable that the Department of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget would propose to take money from states used to pay for important priorities, including educational improvements, to pay for program administration,” said Rehberg and 15 other members in a letter.  “This provision does not serve the taxpayers who fund the government nor does it serve the states that encourage energy production to happen within their borders.”

Letter:

The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne                                  The Honorable Jim Nussle
Secretary                                                                    Director
United States Department of the Interior                        Office of Management and Budget
1849 C Street, NW                                                      725 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240                                                Washington, DC 20503

Dear Secretary Kempthorne and Director Nussle,

We are writing to urge you to avoid the inclusion of “net receipt sharing” as part of the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of the Interior.  The proposal would reduce the States’ share of receipts from mineral leasing activities on public lands by two percent annually.  Previous budget documents have suggested that this reduction is necessary to defray administrative costs at the Department.

We strongly disagree with this assertion and oppose the Department taking money that is rightfully owed to our states in order to pay for more federal bureaucracy.  It is unconscionable that the Department of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget would propose to take money from States used to pay for important priorities, including educational improvements, to pay for program administration.  This provision does not serve the taxpayers who fund the government nor does it serve the states that encourage energy production to happen within their borders.

Similar policy, implemented in 1991 and initially repealed in 2000, led to the loss of nearly $250 million in States’ revenues.  The inclusion of this proposal in the fiscal year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161) will once again allow for this harmful provision to have a negative impact on States.

We strongly opposed the inclusion of this provision in the fiscal year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.  We do not believe the measure received thorough consideration and believe that if it had received such consideration, it would have been removed.  We hope the Department of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget will recognize the problematic nature of this provision and will avoid including the proposal in the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2009.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced that House Republican leaders, citing the need to have members in key positions who are serious about addressing soaring energy prices and a lack of domestic production, appointed him to a position on the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.

“The President’s State of the Union made it clear that domestic energy production remains one of the top issues in our country,” said Rehberg.  “And securing clean drinking water is a top priority in rural Montana.  This seat will allow me to work closely on federal programs associated with promoting clean coal energy development, funding our state’s regional water projects, and much more. I’m glad I’ll be able to have a direct impact in these key areas.”

The Subcommittee on Energy and Water oversees spending for the Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“Having a seat at the table on this powerful subcommittee places Montana at the center of the some of the biggest issues at hand and I’m ready to get to work,” said Rehberg.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week sponsored legislation which would give young producers, faced with increasing land prices, a leg-up when starting in production agriculture by providing tax exemptions to current producers for selling their acreage to young farmers and ranchers.

“The next generation of farmers and ranchers face a tough task in trying to compete with high land prices,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “In many parts of the country, availability of land is one of the biggest challenges preventing young producers from starting or expanding their operations.  This bill would encourage landowners to keep land in ag production and ensure a strong ag economy for the future.”

The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act would provide:

·        A 100% exemption from capital gains taxes for those who sell their farm or ranch to a qualified beginning producer.  This full exemption helps level the playing field for younger producers, who must often compete against large, established producers, as well as developers who can afford to offer higher prices for land.
·        A 50% exemption for those who sell their farm or ranch to any producer who keeps the acres in agricultural production.  This provision helps ensure adequate agricultural production at a time when landowners are pressured to sell their land for purposes other than agriculture.
·        A 25% exemption for anyone selling a farm or ranch, regardless to whom they sell or for what purpose.  This provision gives land-owning farmers and ranchers parity with home owners, who were granted substantial capital gains tax relief in 1997 for the sale of their homes.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week helped lead the effort to get members of Congress to sign onto an amicus brief in a case raising the question of whether the District of Columbia’s gun ban violates the Second Amendment to the Constitution.  The brief will be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller.

“This is one of the most important Second Amendment cases of our lifetime,” said Rehberg, a House Appropriations Committee member, and a member of the Second Amendment Caucus.  “The court’s decision in this matter will directly impact how our Constitutional right to bear arms will be viewed in the future.  As Montana’s Congressman, I believe it’s my responsibility to weigh-in on this important case and stand up for Montana’s gun owners.”

The 30-page amicus brief traces instances where Congress has explicitly affirmed that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms, as opposed to a collective right, which is the position of gun control advocates.  The 30-page brief concludes the Supreme Court should uphold the March, 2007 appellate court decision which overturned a lower court’s ruling that said the Second Amendment does not apply to individual citizens. The amicus brief has more than 125 congressional signatures in the House.

“From hunting to protecting our families and property, the right to keep and bear arms is a part of America’s heritage,” Rehberg said. “I’m helping to lead the charge on the brief and will continue the fight to defend our Second Amendment rights.”

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has agreed to open a new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Havre, serving 2800 veterans in counties along the Hi-Line.

“Immediate access to quality health care is critical for the thousands of Montana veterans living in north-central Montana,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “The new clinic in Havre is a positive step in providing better access and will greatly benefit our service men and women, as well as the Havre community.”

A Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) improves access to primary and specialty care for veterans in rural areas.  They are located in areas that will greatly reduce drive times for veterans receiving health care.  Services include comprehensive primary care, routine and urgent care procedures, and health promotion and education.  Montana currently has eleven veterans’ outpatient clinics, two Vet Centers, and the regional healthcare facility at Fort Harrison in Helena.  The state’s veterans’ healthcare system annually performs over 250,000 visits for more than 30,000 Montana veterans.

“A VA clinic in Havre will access a new part of Montana’s Hi-Line that has always fallen between other VA clinics and caused veterans to travel,” said Joe Underkofler, Director, VA Montana Healthcare System.“

The new CBOC in Havre will be available to serve approximately 2800 veterans living in the Blaine, Chouteau, Liberty, and Hill county area.  The clinic, which is expected to be up and running by mid-summer, will provide veterans services on a contract basis with local health care providers.

“Making sure the federal government honors its commitment to our veterans is one of my top priorities,” said Rehberg.  “As I talk to vets across the state, they are generally pleased with the quality of care, and that’s a credit to the local health care professionals and the state VA staff.  But, obtaining better access is a frequent concern, and the new clinic in Havre will be an important addition to Montana’s veterans’ healthcare system,” he said.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, recently sponsored legislation allowing employers to require employees to speak English while engaged in work activities.

“The English language is one of the common denominators that unites our diverse nation,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “So, it’s only fitting U.S. employers should be able to require their employees to speak it.  In turn, this protects employers from frivolous lawsuits and ensures a safer workplace for American businesses. I’m proud to support this bill.”

The Common Sense English Act amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act giving freedom to employers to establish “English in the Workplace” policies. This legislation is in response to over 200 lawsuits in the past 2 years challenging the legality of English only in the workplace rules.

“Immigrants wanting to be a part of America’s workforce should be willing to engage in the basic act of learning English,” said Rehberg.  “This bill gives employers the ability to insist they do so.”

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing $3,687,369 to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet home energy costs.

“As energy costs continue to sky rocket, America faces an increasing need for low-income energy assistance,” said Rehberg.  “As a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve fought hard to provide funding for this critical program. Today’s announcement is good news for Montana families confronting the rising cost of living and I applaud HHS’ decision to provide these funds.”

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with heating assistance for the winter months ahead.  LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home cooling, heating and insulation in summer and winter months. Every year, more than five million low-income households across the country receive assistance under LIHEAP.

The new LIHEAP funds will increase payments to the roughly 19,000 households receiving benefits from an average of $381 to an average of $536. A portion of the funds will also be used to weatherize an additional 140 Montana homes.

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/brochure.html.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the nomination of fifteen Montana students for appointments to America’s service academies for 2008.  Although some students may already be in various stages of the acceptance process, a congressional nomination is necessary for students to be admitted to one of the five service academies.

“Montanans should take pride in knowing these young men and women are willing to work so hard to better themselves and serve our state and nation,” said Rehberg. “They truly represent some of our best and brightest and I feel good knowing that they are tomorrow’s leaders.”

Rehberg appoints and works with a volunteer Academy Review Board consisting of military and civilian personnel to ensure that Montana students are afforded the maximum opportunity to receive one of the highly sought after nominations. Each candidate for nomination is interviewed by the Board and scored according to academic performance, as well as their leadership and community involvement.

Students may receive multiple nominations based on their academy preferences, while others may have already received a letter of acceptance to an academy.  There are five U.S. Service Academies: Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT; Merchant Marines Academy, Kings Point, NY; Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; and U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY.

Following is a list of those candidates who have received nominations:

Kathryn Barry, Billings — Navy
Marty Bouma, Choteau — Merchant Marines, Navy, West Point
Daniel Castro, Belgrade — Air Force, West Point
James Cole, Bozeman — West Point
Abel Dallas, Helena — Air Force
Josh Drapes, Missoula — Air Force
Auriele Fain, Billings — Air Force, Merchant Marines, West Pint
Lauren Kuennen, Whitefish — Merchant Marines, Navy, West Point
Erika Martin, Billings — Air Force, Navy
Cort Rogers, Whitefish — Air Force
Titus Shoulderbalde, Billings — Air Force, Merchant Marines, Navy, West Point,
Kelsey Smith, Bigfork — Air Force, Merchant Marines, Navy
Austin Troth, Bozeman — Air Force
Patrick Tucker, Missoula — Navy
Benjamin Wideman, Whitehall, — Navy, West Point

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the U.S. Air Force is considering the Montana Air National Guard (MANG), based out of the Great Falls International Airport, as a possible site for new F-35 or F-22 jet fighters.

“MANG plays a critical role in our nation’s defense,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Today’s news is a great recognition of the MANG’s hard work.”

This week the Air Force released their Weapons System Roadmap, a long-term plan for providing Air Force capabilities America requires to meet future threats to national security, and outlines next-generation weapon systems and potential installations in the continental US, Hawaii, Alaska and US territories where those systems might be based.  MANG is currently in the process of transitioning to a new fleet of eighteen F-15s.

“It’s very important that MANG is being considered for this new fleet,” said Great Falls attorney Warren Wenz, a member of Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley’s Executive Action Group.  “This is a direction MANG needs to be heading and it’s a job I know they’re capable of handling.”

“This announcement is a commitment from the Air Force to look at the viability of basing the next generation of fighters in Great Falls,” said Rehberg.  “While it’s a good first step, a lot of work remains to be done and I’ll continue to do everything I can to help bring new opportunities to MANG and the Great Falls community.”

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the addition of two new members to his staff to serve constituents in western Montana.  Maren Olsen, from Chinook, and Jessica Anderson, from Missoula, will be based out of Rehberg’s Missoula District Office.

“Western Montana is a fast-growing, diverse part of the state, and keeping up with its changing needs is critical,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “My field representatives develop important relationships with the people of Montana, and help me better serve our state in Congress.”

Olsen is a 1999 graduate of Chinook High School, with a degree in Business Tourism from the University of Montana-Western.  She is currently in the Masters of Education Program at MSU-Billings.  Olsen is the daughter of Don and Marian Olsen, now living in Boulder.

Anderson graduated from Missoula Big Sky High School in 2002, and then earned a degree in Communication Studies from the University of Montana-Missoula, in 2007.  She is the daughter of Steve Anderson, of Trout Creek, and Jean Jenkins, from Missoula.

Their duties as field representatives will involve frequent travel to 14 counties in western Montana, keeping in touch with the needs of the public by attending meetings, corresponding with local and state officials, and staying involved with a variety of issues affecting western Montana.

“I’m pleased to welcome Maren and Jessica to our team, and encourage all the people of Montana to contact my offices to share their thoughts and concerns,” said Rehberg, who also has state district offices in Billings, Great Falls, and Helena.

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