Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, was recognized for promoting “the principles of liberty and the strength of the Constitution,” by the American Conservative Union (ACU), the nation’s oldest and largest conservative grassroots organization.  Rehberg was named an “ACU Conservative” with an 84% percent rating in 2008 based on 25 votes covering taxes, wasteful government spending, cultural issues, defense, and foreign policy.  Rehberg has a 90% lifetime rating with the ACU.

“This award recognizes my core belief that government cannot solve problems alone, and that government is most effective when it empowers individuals with freedom and opportunity,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “It’s these ideals, along with input from Montanans, that shape my voting record.”

The American Conservative Union was founded in 1964 as a grassroots organization promoting traditional values, a market economy, a strong national defense, and the doctrines of the Constitution.  The ACU has published an annual rating of Congress since 1971 based on 25 votes each in the House and Senate.  Key issues in the second session of the 110th Congress included the financial industry bailouts, stimulus spending, energy policy, illegal immigration, and 2nd Amendment rights.  Rehberg is the only member of the Montana delegation to vote against every bailout and the $1 trillion so-called stimulus package.

“Congressman Rehberg received the ACU Ratings Award for 2008 for his support of conservative principles on a wide range of issues,” said ACU Chairman David A. Keene.  “Congressman Rehberg’s lifetime rating of “90” over 8 years of service reflects a consistent devotion to conservative principles of government.  Denny is a member of Congress that grass roots conservatives in Montana and across the country can look to for leadership.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement in honor of Memorial Day, 2009.

“This Memorial Day, we honor the Americans whose sacrifices form the bedrock of our nation.  We thank them and all the loved ones in their lives who also paid a high price for the defense of freedom.  No monument can fully capture the breadth of their sacrifice and no ceremony can truly express our gratitude.  Yet, to honor those whose actions define honor itself is a worthwhile endeavor.

“I encourage all Americans to join me in reverence to this sacrifice by making a renewed commitment to our nation, to protecting our liberty, and to defending justice in our neighborhoods, communities and towns.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced he introduced legislation to promote the development of infrastructure that will make domestically produced ethanol a viable alternative to oil imported from countries like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.  The E-85 Investment Act increases the available tax credit for refueling stations that offer fuel that is at least 85 percent ethanol.

“Every year as gas prices go up, we’re reminded of our dangerous addiction to foreign oil,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.  “We’ve got more than enough energy right in our own back yard to end this cycle, but we need to develop the infrastructure to do it.  This legislation creates an incentive for petroleum marketers to build much-needed facilities for E-85 fuel. This, in turn, gives the consumer more choices to fit their needs.”

Gas prices in Montana have increased by more than 25 cents in some places in the last month as Montanans hit the road for summer travel.  Ethanol can be produced in great quantities domestically, increasing fuel supplies and keeping prices low.

One of the biggest hurdles for the widespread implementation of ethanol is the lack of infrastructure including fueling stations.  The E-85 Investment Act increases the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property tax credit to 75 percent, increasing the incentive for the creation of additional pumps.

“For two years, I drove thousands of miles throughout Montana in a Flex Fuel vehicle that could burn ethanol,” said Rehberg.  “In all that time, I almost never had the opportunity to use ethanol because there just weren’t enough filling stations that gave me the option.  We need to fix that so we can make America energy independent.”

Currently, Montana has 545 public gas stations, and only four E-85 filling stations.  Of those, only two are open to the public.  E-85 stations are located at:

• Malmstrom AFB
• Helena - The EZ Stop
• West Yellowstone – Yellowstone National Park at Gateway Community
• West Yellowstone – Econo-Mart Phillips 66

Legislation provides for Veteran, Women and Native American Entrepreneurship

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined colleagues in bipartisan support of the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act, which reauthorizes the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) entrepreneurial development programs, and creates a new small business assistance program for veterans and Native Americans.

“While Montanans work to make ends meet, any effort to stimulate job growth must take into account that small businesses and entrepreneurs are the engine of job creation, not government,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “This legislation empowers real economic opportunity and permanent growth that will strengthen our economy, create jobs and lay the foundation for the future.”

The legislation includes funding for education centers as well as special programs for Veterans, Women and Native Americans.

Veterans Business Center Program: These centers, funded by federal grants, provide veterans and their surviving spouses with entrepreneurial training and counseling.  Funding is also provided for capital grants, procurement assessment grants, and grants tailored to service-disabled veterans.  The legislation provides $10 million in Fiscal Year 2011 and $12 million in Fiscal Year 2012.

Women’s Business Centers Program: These centers provide women with management and technical assistance, comprehensive training and counseling for entrepreneurial activity.  Efforts are targeted toward women in economically depressed areas around the state and country.  This legislation authorizes $20 million in Fiscal Year 2010 and $22 million in Fiscal Year 2011.

Enhancing Native American Entrepreneurship: These centers assist Native Americans to start and expand small businesses.  The legislation authorizes $7 million in each of Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 for grants of up to $300,000 for SBDCs in States with populations made up of over 1 percent Indian tribe members.

“We need to get this bill signed into law quickly and efficiently,” said Rehberg.  “I am hopeful the Senate will move fast on it so entrepreneurs in Montana can have access to the assistance they need to help get the engines of economic recovery going.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today rolled out an innovative new program called “Montana Battle Buddies.”  The program acts as a supplement to existing support structures for the families of soldiers deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Montana Battle Buddies connects businesses and organizations with military families in their community to help with everyday tasks like mowing the lawn, keeping up the house, babysitting or even help with tax preparation.

“While we honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform this Memorial Day, we should not forget the sacrifices made by their families,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “When a soldier is deployed overseas, their spouse must wrestle with the day-to-day tasks without them.  Montana Battle Buddies taps into the support of communities by giving businesses and organizations a chance to chip in and help ease that burden.”

The idea to create the Montana Battle Buddies program was first conceived by Jessica Flint, Rehberg’s Western Montana Field Representative and the wife of a soldier deployed in Afghanistan and Dustin Frost, Rehberg’s State Director and a member of the Montana National Guard.  Flint will connect the organizations that offer help with the families that ask for it through the website located at http://www.montanabattlebuddies.com.

“My husband is from Montana but he deployed to Afghanistan with the Nevada National Guard, leaving me without the Montana connections to military families I would have if he deployed from here,” said Flint who is expecting her second child this week.  “While I’ve been blessed by the help from friends, family and of course Denny, not everyone in my situation has those support networks.  Denny asked me to find a way to fill that gap when it exists and Montana Battle Buddies was born.”

Montana Battle Buddies uniquely harnesses the social power of the internet to connect people in need with people willing to help.  Rehberg promotes the program and its website through traditional media outlets as well as email, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

“Montanans are some of the most generous people in the world,” said Rehberg.  “All we’re doing here is giving them a venue to show their appreciation for the families of our military while they put their lives on the line for our freedom.  I hope we get a great response, and I encourage folks to participate.”

Montana Battle Buddies Website: http://www.montanabattlebuddies.com
YouTube Video about Montana Battle Buddies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlDXX9Pt63E

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $3,859,673 in aviation funding to seven Montana communities and the State Aeronautics Division.

“Investments in Montana’s air transportation infrastructure benefit the economy with immediate construction jobs, as well as improve long-term tourism and business opportunities,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “I visit each of Montana’s 56 counties every congressional term, so I see first-hand how air transportation is an increasingly vital part of our communities.  This funding will help support airport improvement projects across the state.”

The DOT will distribute the grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The grants will be used for runway and guidance system improvements, construction, snow removal equipment purchases, transportation studies, and perimeter fencing installation.

Amount    Location    Purpose
$ 174,676 Plentywood    Runway Improvements, Building Construction
$ 126,155    Terry    Building Construction
$ 152,146    Havre    Runway Improvements
$ 1,562,970    Dillon    Runway & Guidance System Improvements
$ 1,467,707    Culbertson    Runway & Guidance System Improvements
$ 105,381    Eureka    Snow Removal Equipment, Approach Survey
$ 120,638    Columbus    Install Perimeter Fencing
$ 150,000    MT Aeronautics Division    Conduct State System Plan Study

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statements following the House’s passage of the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act in the House of Representatives.

“It’s time to stop punishing consumers for the deceptive and unfair practices of some major credit card providers.  Credit cards have been one of the most common consumer complaints my office receives from Montanans.  This bill looks out for their interests.  While folks have no problem paying interest and fees that are fairly assessed, the current system has not been fair.”

Included in the legislation by the U.S. Senate was a provision to restore Second Amendment Rights to federally controlled National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges.

“Americans shouldn’t lose their Constitutional rights when they visit a national park or wildlife refuge and I want to thank the Senate for adding this long overdue provision. But as Thomas Jefferson observed, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.  That’s why it’s vital Congress continues to stand up for the Second Amendment by opposing bills like H.R. 45 which would, among other things, create onerous federal requirements for gun ownership and establish a national database to track gun owners.”

Kalispell Woman Among 327 Surviving WASPs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has sponsored legislation to award the Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor the United States Congress can bestow.

“The Women Air Service Pilots deserve our recognition as patriots and trailblazers,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Today, women can serve in every branch of the United States Armed Forces, thanks in large part to the groundbreaking service of these pilots.”

Women Air Service Pilots were the first women in history to fly America’s military aircraft. They volunteered to serve their country at a time of great need, sometimes paying their own way through the Army Air Corps’ military flight training program. They flew more than 60 million miles in every type of aircraft on every type of mission except direct combat missions, and 38 of them lost their lives serving their country.

“It’s time for a grateful nation to honor the amazing women who in one swing struck a blow for both liberty and equality,” said Rehberg.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement urging the House of Representatives to abandon the so-called Cap and Trade National Energy Tax in favor of an all-of-the-above energy plan that will utilize all forms of domestic energy.  The House Energy and Commerce Committee today took steps toward passing a $645 billion tax on energy as a part of its climate change legislation.

“Montanans sit on a huge stockpile of energy, and we are ready and willing to meet a growing national demand.  Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats moved forward on plans to punish us for producing that same energy.  Cap and Trade is nothing more than a national energy tax that will cost the average household $3,100 a year, and unfairly target states like Montana where more than 60 percent of our energy comes from coal.  During these uncertain economic times, America does not need a massive new tax on energy.  What we want is an all-of-the-above energy plan that increases all kinds of domestic energy production, drives prices down and reduces reliance on foreign energy.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has introduced legislation that would restore the additional 2% of Oil and Natural Gas Tax Revenue taken by the Federal Government since 2007. The Restoring the West’s Fair Share Act would return tax revenue for oil and gas leases on federal lands to the state. In 2008, Montana lost $6.5 million in revenue as a result of this policy.

“While Montana was making tough choices to balance the budget, the Federal Government decided to pilfer our tax revenues to subsidize out-of-control government spending,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s just wrong to ask western states to foot a disproportionate amount of the bill, especially when the lion’s share of funding is going elsewhere.”

The FY08 Consolidated Appropriations Act reduced the share of tax revenues acquired from oil and gas leases by 2%. Western states like Montana are hit by this change particularly hard because of a disproportionately high amount of federal land. Montana alone features 7.9 million acres controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and 17.9 million acres controlled by the Forest Service, totaling more than 29% of the entire state.

The large amount of federal land already deprives the state of tax revenues by denying property tax collection. Further reducing state tax revenue from oil and natural gas production – which help fund education and roads – adds insult to injury.

“Montana runs a tight ship with a balanced budget,” said Rehberg. “It’s unacceptable for the federal government to raid our piggy bank to feed its big spending habit.