Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week led House colleagues in passage of legislation which would provide veteran’s benefits to armed service members who voluntarily separated from the military due to sole survivor status.

“It’s truly honorable when several members of the same family are willing to go fight for our country abroad,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “These brave men and women shouldn’t be punished for having to return home in the unfortunate case where they’re the sole survivor of their family.  This bill would give these troops the same benefits as everyone else.”

Under current law, members of the military who involuntarily separate from the military are provided a variety of Federal benefits. However, individuals who voluntarily separate from the military under sole survivorship do not qualify for these benefits. Sole survivors are defined as a member of the Armed Forces who is the only surviving child in a family in which the mother or father, or one or more siblings died or were severely injured while in service through no fault of their own.

The Hubbard Act of 2008 ensures that if a member of the Armed Services receives a sole survivorship discharge they will not have to repay any unearned portion of any bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefits. Additionally, the legislation provides these veterans’ with access to health care as well as ensures they have access to any other benefits, including housing loan benefits and education and training benefits.

The Hubbard Act is named for Jason Hubbard, an Army veteran of the Iraq War and a sole survivor who lost his two brothers in Iraq. Jason and Nathan Hubbard joined the Army six months after their brother Jared was killed by a road side bomb in Iraq in November 2004. Last August, Nathan Hubbard was killed in a helicopter crash south of Kirkuk, Iraq, while Jason Hubbard looked on from an accompanying aircraft. Jason Hubbard voluntarily separated from the military under the sole survivorship policy, but was denied veteran’s benefits and was asked to repay his enlistment bonus. The Secretary of the Army intervened on his behalf to ensure he had access to his health care and did not have to repay his bonus.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg recently contacted House Democrat Leaders demanding they include funding for secure rural schools in any upcoming supplemental spending package.

“The Secure Rural Schools Act is critical for Montana’s rural communities,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “It provides vital funding for local schools and transportation projects throughout Montana at a time when rural communities are already stretched thin.”

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, signed into law in 2000, provides an alternative source of funding to counties that were once dependent on timber sales from federal lands. At the time the law was passed, it was estimated to provide assistance to 700 counties in 39 states.

“Now is not the time for Congress to abandon our rural communities,” said Rehberg.  “I’m going to keep fighting to prevent that from happening.”

Letter:

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi                The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Speaker of the House                           House Democratic Majority Leader
H-232, The Capitol                              H-107, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515                        Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable David Obey
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
2314 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C.  20515

Dear Madam Speaker, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Chairman Obey:

We write to you today, as many of us have in the past, to emphasize our strong support for including in any upcoming supplemental spending package that can be signed into law one year of emergency funding for the Secure Rural Schools and County Self-Determination Act (county payments program).  Your support last year assisted approximately 4,400 schools in over 600 rural counties across America and helped provide essential emergency services in these counties where as much as 80 percent of the land base is federally owned and thus off the local tax rolls. We strongly encourage your support once again this year.

While a division on the House Floor among advocates for reauthorizing the county payments program for an additional four years resulted from the leadership’s decision last month to take up a controversial version of HR 3058 under suspension of the rules, we want to make sure that you know our differences over how to pay for the renewal of the program should in no way be interpreted as a lack of mutual support for the goal of reauthorizing and funding the program, or as a lack of support for the one-year extension of emergency funding in a new supplemental that can be signed into law.

We know many of our colleagues on your side of the aisle have written you, as we are, to urge your support of this much-needed additional year of emergency funding.  We hope you will support us in this bipartisan effort to provide critical assistance to thousands of local schools and community services in over 600 of our rural counties across America.  Your support of our and other colleagues’ request will reinstate the federal government’s commitment to rural forested counties across our nation.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today supported legislation which would increase access to college education grants for Montana students.

“At a time when the pocketbook of the American family is stretched thin, finding ways to make college more affordable can provide a huge boost,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee.  “That’s exactly what the bill that passed the House today would do.”

H.R. 4137 extends the Higher Education Act, which authorizes the federal government’s student aid programs, through 2013.  Specifically, the bill increases Pell grants to $8,000 per student and includes a provision that allows the child of a member of the Armed Forces who died in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, to receive the maximum Pell Grant.

The Federal Pell Grant program is the single largest source of grant aid for postsecondary education attendance funded by the federal government.   More than16,564 students in the Montana University system receive Pell Grants.

“Increasing the maximum grant award will ensure more Montana students have access to a good education,” said Rehberg.  “I’m going to continue to work to make that happen.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today voted against a Motion to Adjourn the House of Representatives and reiterated his insistence that House Leadership postpone the August Recess until they have allowed an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act, a comprehensive “all-of-the-above bill” that he cosponsored to address increasing gas prices.

“I was elected to do the work of the people of Montana, and they’re demanding action to fix high energy prices,” said Rehberg, a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee.  “I requested during the debate in New Orleans that Congress postpone its month long recess until we’d passed meaningful energy legislation.  My Democratic colleagues stated their intention to wait until a new President took office in January of 2009.  They need to know what anyone who has bought a gallon of gas in the last two years already understands: The time for action is now.”

Rehberg’s plan for energy independence is available on his website at http://www.house.gov/rehberg/energyindependence/.  The plan calls for an all-of-the-above energy policy that combines traditional fossil fuels, improved conservation, development of alternatives and research into new technologies.  The comprehensive American Energy Act, introduced in the House of Representatives last week, includes all of these measures.

“High gas prices aren’t taking a break, and neither should Congress,” said Rehberg.  “That’s why I’m going to keep fighting for a vote on energy solutions.  If that means Congress has a shorter recess period, so be it.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sponsored legislation to extend healthcare to all veterans who were subject to Agent Orange.

“The brave men and women who served in Vietnam deserve good, quality healthcare,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has fought every effort to expand this healthcare to those who supported the war efforts from air and sea.  This bill would correct that misguided policy.”

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires Vietnam veterans to prove “foot on land” in order to qualify for medical care for Agent Orange related illnesses. This requirement excludes three major classes of personnel who were potentially exposed to Agent Orange: swift boat veterans who operated in inland waterways, but were not stationed on land; personnel who served aboard offshore vessels which handled, or stored Agent Orange; and finally, airman who flew in Vietnamese airspace.

The Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008 would clarify federal law so that every service member awarded the Vietnam Service medal, or who otherwise deployed to land, sea or air, in the Republic of Vietnam is fully covered by the comprehensive Agent Orange laws Congress passed in 1991. As a result, the bill would ensure the VA processes Vietnam War veterans’ claims for service-connected conditions that scientists have conclusively linked to toxic exposures during the Vietnam War.

“We can’t cut corners when it comes to veteran’s health,” said Rehberg.  “It’s the federal government that put these troops in the wrong place at the wrong time and it’s our job to fix it.”

Rehberg is a lead sponsor of similar legislation to provide healthcare to victims of the Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) Project.  Project SHAD, was conducted between 1963 and 1973 by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.  During these projects, a number of weapons containing chemical and biological agents such as VX nerve gas, Sarin Nerve Gas and E. Coli were tested on unknowing military personnel.

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WASHINGTON, D.C – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today led his House colleagues in passage of legislation to shore up an $8 million shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund, ensuring adequate funding for Montana highway repairs.

“Montana’s harsh weather can take a massive toll on the quality and safety of the state’s highways,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “That’s why we must ensure there’s enough federal funding to keep these roads maintained.  This bill would fix a huge shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund’s budget.”

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is used to finance the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. It’s funded by tax revenues from taxes on fuels and truck-related taxes on truck tires, sales of trucks and trailers, and heavy vehicle use.  Currently, because of increasing gas prices, Americans are purchasing less fuel, creating a budgetary shortfall in the HTF.  If not restored, these shortfalls would result in a 34% cut in funding for Montana, a decrease of $98.5 million in 2009, and could potentially result in the loss of approximately 3,428 jobs.

“In Montana, we say there are only two seasons, winter and construction,” said Rehberg.  “And the lack of funding in the Highway Trust Fund will have a devastating affect on both.  I’m hopeful we can take further steps to correct the problem quickly.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined his House colleagues at a press conference to promote the recently introduced American Energy Act.

“With the pocketbooks of Montana families taking a hit from $4 per gallon gasoline, Congress needs to start passing policies that will increase domestic energy production,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Subcommittee.  “For years, I’ve been advocating a comprehensive approach that promotes the use of fossil fuels, alternative sources, energy conservation, and new technology development.  And today, my colleagues and I introduced a bill that embodies this plan.”

The American Energy Act would help reduce prices at the pump by providing an ‘All of the Above’ solution to America’s energy crisis.  Much like Rehberg’s plan, the legislation would focus on increasing the supply of American-made energy in environmentally sound ways, improving energy conservation and efficiency, and promoting renewable and alternative energy technology.

“To solve our nation’s energy problem, we need to explore both short- and long-term solutions right here in America,” said Rehberg.  “It’s time we kick start domestic energy production.”

Below is a quick description of key areas of the American Energy Act:

To increase the supply of American-made energy in environmentally sound ways, the legislation will:

·       Open our deep water ocean resources, which will provide an additional three million barrels of oil per day, as well as 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
·       Open the Arctic coastal plain, which will provide an additional one million barrels of oil per day;
·       Allow development of our nation’s shale oil resources, which could provide an additional 2.5 million barrels of oil per day; and
·       Increase the supply of gas at the pump by cutting bureaucratic red tape that essentially blocks construction of new refineries.

To improve energy conservation and efficiency, the legislation will:

·       Provide tax incentives for businesses and families that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles;
·       Provide a monetary prize for developing the first economically feasible, super-fuel-efficient vehicle reaching 100 miles-per-gallon; and
·       Provide tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency.

To promote renewable and alternative energy technologies, the legislation will:

·       Spur the development of alternative fuels through government contracting by repealing the “Section 526” prohibition on government purchasing of alternative energy and promoting coal-to-liquids technology;
·       Establish a renewable energy trust fund using revenues generated by exploration in the deep ocean and on the Arctic coastal plain;
·       Permanently extend the tax credit for alternative energy production, including wind, solar and hydrogen; and
·       Eliminate barriers to the expansion of emission-free nuclear power production.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg will debate his comprehensive plan for energy independence at Tulane University in New Orleans next Monday, July 28, 2008 at 10 am MDT.  Rehberg is one of four Republicans who will face off against four Democrats in the third of a series of Congressional Debates.

“Montanans are facing record prices at the pump and higher prices on everything from utilities to food,” said Rehberg, a member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.  “In our state, we have a great opportunity to be a big part of the short- and long-term energy solution.  I look forward to discussing my comprehensive plan to lower gas prices.”  Rehberg’s plan is available on his website: www.house.gov/rehberg/energyindependence/

Also debating in New Orleans are Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Jay Inslee (D-Wa.), Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) and Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).  The 90-minute debate, which will be carried live on XM Radio, live-streamed at www.NextGenWeb.org and shown at a later date on C-SPAN, is part of a four-debate lineup sponsored jointly by the Congressional Institute and The Democratic Leadership Council.  The debates are intended to foster practical discussions of important policy challenges outside of the political influence of Washington, D.C.

“Increasing our use of American-made energy is one of the most important topics of this generation,” said Rehberg whose four-part plan includes traditional fossil fuels, energy conservation, alternative fuels and investment in technology development.  “I’ll fight to make sure that the resources Montana brings to the table figure prominently in the debate.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today contacted Mark Rey, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, expressing concerns over the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) appraisal of fees for private cabins on Forest Service land.

“Private cabin owners have a long heritage on Montana’s public lands,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “We must take every step to keep the fees affordable and the cabins accessible.  This was the intent of the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act and it’s time USDA begins following the law.”

The Cabin User Fee Fairness Act, passed in 2000, directed the USFS to create a fair appraisal process for determining cabin fees.  Unfortunately, USFS has ignored many of the factors that play a critical role in determining the appraisal value, such as the limited ownership rights held by cabin owners who do not own the land where their cabins are situated, who do not have year-round use of the site, and who cannot limit public access to their lots.

“The Cabin User Fee Fairness Act was intended to keep families in their cabins by ensuring that fees remained reasonable, through a fair appraisal process,” said Rehberg and several House colleagues in the letter.  “We request immediate action by the U.S. Forest Service to adhere to this congressional intent.  This action is necessary to alleviate the negative impacts faced by forest cabin owners across the country and prevent the removal of countless private stewards from our public lands.”

LETTER:

Mark Rey
Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Mark Rey:

We write to express our concerns with U.S. Forest Service appraisals of fees for private cabins on Forest Service land.  The Cabin User Fee Fairness Act (CUFFA) passed in 2000 was meant to create a fair appraisal process for cabin owners, but we do not believe that the implementation of CUFFA complies with the intent of the Act.  It is our understanding that Senator Craig, who was the original sponsor of this legislation, sent a similar letter to your agency to clarify Congressional intent of the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act, and we join him in requesting a revision of the U.S. Forest Service appraisal process to reflect the true intent of the law.

We respectfully request your attention to adverse impacts suffered by special use permit holders due to inflated appraisal values. The Forest Service’s exclusion of some property attributes from consideration in appraisals has caused cabin lot appraisals to be higher than the market values of such properties should be.

The many regulations and restrictions on U.S. Forest Service cabins should be included in calculation of user fees. Current appraisal protocol does not adequately consider the myriad of restrictions placed on cabin owners that depress market value of cabin lots.  The process also does not consider the limited ownership rights held by cabin owners, who do not own the land where their cabins are situated, do not have year-round use of the site, and cannot limit public access to their lots.  Restrictions of this type should be considered in each property’s appraised value prior to calculating the appropriate fee.

The Recreation Residence Program was created to encourage private stewardship on our public lands.  These family cabins have provided multiple generations with a stake in the health of our forests, and their owners are important partners for our public agencies.  With the recent significant increases of some special use cabin permit fees, several of these owners have indicated that they can no longer afford to keep their cabins.  We are concerned that responsible cabin owners with multi-generational ties to their respective areas may simply be replaced by wealthier, vacation home buyers better able to afford high costs.

The Cabin User Fee Fairness Act was intended to keep families in their cabins by ensuring that fees remained reasonable, through a fair appraisal process.  We request immediate action by the U.S. Forest Service to adhere to this congressional intent.  Your agency must update its appraisal protocol for special use cabin permits.  This action is necessary to alleviate the negative impacts faced by forest cabin owners across the country and prevent the removal of countless private stewards from our public lands.

Sincerely

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the launch of his new website promoting solutions for lowering gas prices and providing resources on how to curb energy consumption.

“Montanans are feeling the impacts of high gas prices,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.  “And folks across the state want to know that their elected officials have listened to their concerns and are working on solutions.  This new website provides a description of my plan for increasing domestic energy production and gives Montanans some valuable, common sense ways to get the most out of every dollar spent at the pump”

Rehberg’s website includes a description of his comprehensive four-part plan for energy independence, legislation he’s working on in Congress to help address the price at the pump, audio and video of Rehberg discussing energy, and links to fuel economy tips, regional gas prices, etc.

“Four dollars for a gallon gasoline is simply unacceptable,” said Rehberg.  “Especially when we’ve got an abundance of energy resources available right here in our state.  Montanans are demanding we take advantage of opportunities to achieve energy independence.  This website offers them a new tool to find out what can be done.”

To view Rehberg’s new website, please go to www.house.gov/rehberg/energyindependence/.

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