Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has utilized social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to solicit public input on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s brand new 1,990-page health care bill, which was first unveiled to the public yesterday morning.  Hours after the public announcement of the bill – which, ironically, was not open to the public – Rehberg posted the full text of the legislation in the “Transparency Center” of his Congressional website (http://rehberg.house.gov).

“Every Montanan has the right to know what is in this legislation,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.  “Unfortunately, the bill has doubled in size since August and when every one of the 400,000 words matters, it takes time to digest.  At this point, I don’t think anyone can honestly say they completely understand this bill, but the more eyes the better.  The internet lets me deputize Montanans to dig into the specifics of this legislation.”

In late July, another health care bill was passed through Committee.  That bill was 1,017 pages long, and the subject of sixteen Rehberg listening sessions held around the state and attended by thousands of Montanans during August.  The new bill is nearly twice as long, and a vote may be called as early as next week.  Rehberg has asked for time to hold a similar series of listening sessions in Montana, but his request has been ignored by House leaders.  He scheduled an emergency town hall in his hometown of Billings for Saturday.

“In the absence of time to meet folks face-to-face, the internet can be a virtual town hall,” said Rehberg.  “I can interact with Montanans online, and together we can decide if this bill is good for our state and our nation.”

Rehberg’s Twitter account can be read at: http://twitter.com/dennyrehberg
His Facebook profile is at: http://www.facebook.com/denny.rehberg.mt

Here are some of the messages that Rehberg sent today:

Health Care Bill 1,990 Pages.  400,000 words.  $1 Trillion CBO Score.  That’s $2.5 million PER WORD! http://tinyurl.com/ykhjjh7

Who actually believes that this $1,000,000,000,000 bill won’t add “a thin dime” to our deficit? http://tinyurl.com/ykhjjh7

Don’t forget 13-page companion bill that will cost over $200 billion. It was introduced separately to hide cost. http://tinyurl.com/ykhjjh7

Page 111 establishes new board of fed bureaucrats to dictate the health plans that all individuals must buy http://tinyurl.com/ykhjjh7

BILLINGS, MT. - Montana’s Congressman Denny Rehberg helped arrange White House tours for 80 Montanans during a particularly busy month of tour requests. White House tours are only available through a congressional office, and Rehberg’s office normally receives approximately 20 requests a month.

“Some of the most important work I do is for constituent services,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “From helping Montanans sort out difficulties with a federal agency, assisting veterans get the honors and benefits they deserve, to arranging tours of the White House and other historic sites, it’s a privilege to be able to help the people of Montana in any way I can.”

In one week this month, 47 Montanans toured the White House through appointments arranged by Rehberg. The White House normally requests that tours be arranged six months in advance, but often, people are unaware of that requirement when making travel plans. Rehberg’s staff can sometimes facilitate constituent requests on a shorter notice through a diligent process of monitoring openings and cancelations.

Rehberg also regularly arranges Washington D.C. tours for the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and the monuments. Although those tours are not required to go through a congressional office, Rehberg offers to arrange them as a public service to Montanans and their families.

“Just like Montana’s a great place to live, Washington, D.C. is a great place to visit,” Rehberg said. “So much history has happened in these buildings, and Montanans can really get a sense of the grandeur of our nation first-hand by visiting the capital. I recommend a trip to Washington, D.C., and am thrilled to hear the accounts of those visits by Montanans.”

All tours can be arranged online through Rehberg’s website at http://rehberg.house.gov/.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following the introduction of H.R. 3962, Speaker Pelosi’s new Health Care Bill. The 1,990-page bill was introduced this morning, and Rehberg posted it on his website, inviting Montanans to join him in reading it.

“At my sixteen town hall meetings this August, thousands of Montanans voiced their opinions about health care reform. Time and time again, I heard from Montanans that they stand with me in opposition to a government-run public option and government-forced insurance. While there is a need for health care reform that will increase access and affordability of coverage to those who want it, Montanans have the right to be heard, not only on what’s in the bill, but also what’s missing. This morning, House Democrats unveiled a brand new $900 billion health-care plan that’s almost 1,000 pages longer than the last one. In the coming days, I look forward to invaluable input from Montanans on this 2,000-page bill.”
Rehberg’s health care transparency website, and his pledge not to vote for any bill he hasn’t read can be found here.

WASHINTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced funding in the final Department of Interior Appropriations Bill which will now go to President Obama for his signature. Rehberg is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“With the vast expanses of federally controlled land in Montana, these funds are a necessary and significant part of preserving our state’s heritage,” said Rehberg. “Montanans want to protect our state for our children and grandchildren. That’s why I worked across party lines with Montana’s Senators and President Obama to find common ground to secure funding for these projects.”

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Rehberg has worked over the last year to include these projects in the final bill. The final bill lists his name as a sponsor for each of these projects, which were carefully scrutinized by Rehberg and his staff and supported by folks all across Montana. Unfortunately, the same care was not applied to the rest of the bill which was written by the House majority. Consequently, Rehberg voted against the final legislation because it included reckless and unsustainable spending increases that he simply could not support. Rehberg’s vote was part of an effort to return the bill to the Appropriations Committee in order to reduce the overall levels of spending to an amount he could support.

The projects Rehberg secured are listed below:

City of Bozeman Main Street Historical District Restoration - $150,000
“We greatly appreciate Representative Rehberg’s work on this. The historic buildings on three sides of the explosion were significantly damaged in the explosion, but not destroyed. I know those owners are struggling to come up with the resources to save those historic sites, which will benefit the community by restoring jobs.” - Chris Kukulski, City Manager , Bozeman

Bozeman’s historic downtown has served as its center of economic activity since the city was first established. The historic core is a hub for retail, dining, banking, and professional services.

On March 5, 2009, a natural gas line explosion in Bozeman’s historic downtown. The explosion and subsequent fire destroyed four historic buildings, and significantly damaged three others. All buildings were in the Bozeman Main Street Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Plant Biotechnology Research With MSU - $1 million

“We are delighted to be working with an institution as fine as Montana State University and we applaud Congressman Rehberg’s vital efforts for important university research that will benefit the agriculture economy in Montana. Denny is a true champion of research funding and all it can do for agriculture, energy security and a cleaner healthier environment.” - Dorin Schumacher, President of the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research (CPBR)

CPBR funds university research and technology transfer for environmentally friendly industries. Working with the Montana State University, it will improve existing technology and develop new ones ranging from “green” chemicals and industrial manufacturing processes to environmental remediation. This, in turn, helps build agricultural and environmentally friendly industries and develop a workforce of the future that will reduce greenhouse gases and create new, high-paying “green” jobs in Montana and throughout the nation.

CPBR supports research that private companies tend to avoid as a result of high-risks and long-term outlays.

Water Research Foundation, Based in Missoula - $1.7 million

“We’re particularly appreciative of Congressman Rehberg for his responsible and responsive efforts to fund this project. This funding will be leveraged five times over by private contributions, and the real beneficiaries of the Water Research Foundation’s efforts are the rural areas and small utilities that are so prominent in Montana. They need the research and data the most, and can least afford to do it on their own.” - Arvid ‘Butch’ Hiller, Vice President and General Manager of Mountain Water Company in Missoula

The Water Research Foundation, based in Missoula, helps local water companies and districts supply safe, affordable drinking water to consumers nation-wide. Its work focuses on applied research for cost effective technologies to enhance drinking water technologies. It’s the largest drinking water research foundation in the world, and has sponsored research world-wide to make drinking water clean, affordable and available to the public.

Em-Kayan County Water & Sewer Infrastructure Improvement – $290,600

“We want to thank Congressman Rehberg for his hard work on this important project. This funding will replace the leaking pipes and antiquated control system. We’re suffering a lot of leakage problems, which causes contamination risks for the people of Em-Kayan, and this funding will help us modernize our systems.” - Gene Tracy President of the Em-Kayan Sewer Water District and President of the Homeowners Association

The Em-Kayan community water system, which consists of three springs, two wells, five steel storage tanks and a water distribution system including fire hydrants, was constructed in the 1960’s. Although it has been expanded several times to meet increases in demand, it now requires improvements that are beyond the financial capabilities of the District alone.

These funds will help with the installation of a new PVC water main to prevent water system contamination and better conserve Montana’s resources, the installation of 62 water meters to improve accounting and conservation, 5 new hydrants to meet fire safety requirements, and installation of a new control system to replace the existing maintenance intensive system.

Various Conservation Easements – $12 million

“We appreciate Congressman Rehberg’s support of these projects. Landowner demand for easements on the Rocky Mountain Front grew by 30,000 acres this year. These United States Fish & Wildlife Service easements support the viability of local ranches and communities in which they reside. The Blackfoot Bureau of Land Management project represents the largest remaining public portion of the larger Blackfoot Community Project, which, when complete, will conserve more than 100,000 acres in diverse public and private ownership and will help maintain a rural way of life for that community.” - Bebe Crouse, Director of Communications, The Montana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

“Thanks to Representative Rehberg, this critical funding will complete this project and preserve the Meeteetse Spires’ spectacular scenery, conserve important wildlife habitat and expand recreational access. We applaud Rep. Rehberg for his leadership and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the people – and wildlife – of Montana.” - Gates Watson, director of The Conservation Fund’s Montana Office

President Obama included requests for several Conservation Easements in his budget and Rehberg submitted them to the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. They included land acquisitions for Meeteetse Spires ($1.5 million), Blackfoot Challenge-Nora Gulch ($1 million), Rocky Mountain Front ($3.75 million), Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area ($4.5 million) and GYA-Cooke City Mining claims ($2 million).

Conservation easements are voluntarily conveyed, partial legal interests in land. Since the 1975 passage of The Montana Open-Space Land and Voluntary Conservation Easement Act over 300,000 acres have been protected with conservation easements. They comprise ecological, open space, recreational and historic areas and can include wildlife habitat, natural and undisturbed ecosystems, wildlife and scenic river corridors, threatened or endangered species, recreational resources, pro­ductive agricultural land, educational resources and historic sites or structures.

Each easement is different because each parcel of land is unique, and each easement is designed in consultation with the landowner. All land uses not specifically given up in the easement deed remain with the landowner.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following the failure of Bureau of Indian Affairs to formally recognize the Little Shell Tribe in Montana. In 1978, the Little Shell Tribe filed a Federal Recognition petition with the Department of Interior. Nine years ago, the state of Montana formally recognized the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Since that time, Rehberg has worked across the aisle with Montana’s Democrat Senators, introducing the bill in two Congresses, to push the federal designation through at the federal level.

“Although this decision is disappointing, it’s hardly surprising from a federal agency that’s procrastinated for more than 30 years. This decision makes it all the more important to pass my legislation which would circumvent this red-tape once and for all and secure the Little Shell the recognition they have in Montana for almost a decade.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, amid increased unemployment rates in Montana and across the country, has sponsored the Small Business Formation and Job Creation Act.

“These days, it seems like every bill is being sold as a jobs bill, but this one actually is,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “From the start, I’ve said that the key to new jobs in Montana is boosting small business, and this legislation will actually help create jobs instead of just paying lip-service to economic recovery.”

The Small Business Formation and Job Creation Act would raise the new business start-up deduction from $5,000 to $20,000 for the tax years 2009-2011. Businesses would be able to deduct expenses related to advertising, obtaining licenses, permits and fees, paying rent, hiring business and financial consultants and providing employee training. By freeing up additional capital for small businesses to grow and create new jobs, while encouraging entrepreneurs who may be waiting out the recession and start their business now, this legislation will stimulate economic growth by being timely, targeted, temporary and transparent.

“It’s encouraging to know that members of Congress like Denny Rehberg realize how costly starting a small business can be for entrepreneurs,” said Brad Close, NFIB Vice President, Federal Public Policy. “As the nation struggles with the economic downturn, small business owners, our nation’s job creators, stand ready and willing to lead the country to stronger economic times. Passing this legislation would help small business owners to do just that.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today introduced legislation to encourage retirement savings even during difficult economic times. The Securing Tomorrow by Saving Today Act, introduced during National Save for Retirement Week which runs October 19 – 25, addresses several complimentary approaches to personal retirement savings.

“During National Save for Retirement Week, we are reminded that economic recovery comes from the hard work of the American people and that reinvestment will come from empowering individuals to save and invest for the future,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “At a time when Americans are struggling to meet their immediate financial obligations, putting money aside for the future can seem impossible. Yet, failure to save today will lead to an insecure financial future.”

Rehberg’s legislation includes several, simple policies to encourage Americans to save, both through traditional savings accounts as well as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and employee-sponsored retirement plans. It is aimed at helping individuals, families, those approaching retirement and seniors who are already using these savings methods or who need encouragement to save more during these tough times.

The provisions fall into the following three themes: 1) Traditional savings accounts; 2) IRAs and their contribution limits; 3) Addressing minimum distributions from retirement accounts for seniors. Specifically, the legislation would do the following:

• Exclude up to $500 (twice that amount for married couples) of interest income from gross income annually.
• Permanently increase the IRA contribution limit from $5,000 per year to $16,500 (the current employer-sponsored plan limit).
• Temporarily double the contribution limit to employee-IRAs and employer-sponsored plans from $16,500 to $33,000.
• Temporarily increase the catch-up contribution cap for employee-IRAs and employer-sponsored plans to $10,000.
• Temporarily suspend requirements for minimum distributions from tax-deferred retirement plans. This provision mirrors legislation Rehberg introduced last Congress that permitted seniors to forgo their required minimum distribution from their IRAs, 401k accounts, or annuities. Currently if a senior does not take their required minimum disbursement (RMD) after age 70 ½, they are heavily penalized. Although Congress has temporarily suspended RMDs for the year 2009; this bill would extend that suspension through 2012 to allow further time for the market to stabilize.

BILLINGS, MT. – Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg’s regular constituent outreach program, known as Traveling Office Hours, will have three of his Montana staff members covering a total of more than 1,800 miles this week.

“Montana is aptly named Big Sky Country, with vast landscapes and diverse geography,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “As Montana’s Congressman, it’s crucial that I know the thoughts and concerns of my constituents – from every corner of the state – and my Traveling Office Hours program is one way to help them connect with me.”

Rehberg’s six field representatives conduct approximately 10 to 15 Traveling Office Hours throughout the state on a monthly basis. This week, Rehberg field representatives conducted office hours in the following locations: Plains, Ronan, Polson, Havre, Malta, Glasgow, Scobey, Plentywood and Wolf Point.

“I have four district offices in Montana, and my door is always open, but, as a life-long Montanan, I understand that it’s not always easy to get around in this state,” said Rehberg, who regularly drives hundreds of miles each weekend to personally meet with constituents, local government officials, and industry representatives. “I rely on input from Montanans when making decisions in Washington. I’ll continue to do whatever it takes to make sure folks have a way to communicate with my office, no matter the distance.”

Rehberg’s four district offices are located in Billings, Helena, Great Falls, and Missoula.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a letter to House leaders urging them to extend the home buyer tax credit. He has also cosponsored the Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2009.

“While there are a great number of things we can do to spur economic recovery, few can match the impact of a strong housing market,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The benefits of the homebuyer tax credit can be seen throughout Montana and the country. If we want true economic recovery, let’s extend what works and eliminate what doesn’t.”

According to recent analysis, one out of three homebuyers have taken advantage of the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit in the last several months, helping fuel a steady gain in homebuilder and realtor sentiment since January. However, the pending November 30 deadline for the credit has already caused a builder slowdown for projects that could not be completed in time to be eligible.

“Over the last 3 months, 100% of my contracts have been for first time home buyers using the tax credit,” said Chip Pigman, Homebuilder from Hamilton. “Congressman Rehberg’s effort to expand this tax credit will make a huge difference in our community and will help me keep my crew employed.”

The Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would extend the credit for a year. In addition, it would increase the credit to 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence, up to $15,000 while making it available to all home buyers.

“We are ecstatic that Congressman Rehberg is leading the way - not only to continue, but to expand the tax credit,” said Dustin Stewart, Executive Director Montana Building Industry Association. “If nothing else, his leadership has given Montana small business owners the optimism to keep fighting through the recession. This will make a real difference in the lives of many Montanans The first time home buyer tax credit has been the saving grace for dozens and dozens of Montana builders.”

“The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has helped many communities in Montana avoid what would otherwise be a significant downturn in the housing sector of our local economies,” said Glenn Oppel, Government Affairs Director for the Montana Association of Realtors. “The tax credit is providing much needed economic stimulus, and the added benefit of community stability, that comes with increased homeownership.”

The letter is below:

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Boehner,

We write to you today in bipartisan agreement that the homebuyer tax credit should be extended. The federal government has pursued many avenues to ensure our economy can recover from the worst recession of our lives. Few efforts, however, have been as successful as the incentive given to first-time homebuyers.

Since the tax credit was expanded in February, we have seen house sales rise and glimpses of price stabilization. From April through July, we saw three straight months of rising prices of single family homes. The number of home sales rose 11 percent from May to June, the largest gain in eight years. In September, conservative economist Mark Zandi predicted the tax credit will contribute to 400,000 home sales and the Campbell Institute released a study concluding the tax credit contributed to 357,000 home sales between February and September of this year.

While these are positive signs for the housing market, the reality is that it remains extremely fragile. Home prices still remain 15 percent lower than a year ago and first-time homebuyers continue to make up a third of all buyers. At a time when billions are being offered to troubled financial institutions and mortgage rates remain borrower friendly, nothing is restoring confidence in the market like the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Yet, with an average closing time of three months, many potential homebuyers are nearly out of time to use the credit – and an extension is needed for the credit to maximize its impact for both homebuyers and our housing market.

While many of us have our own ideas of how to improve or expand the homebuyer tax credit, we can all agree that action is urgently needed on the credit before it expires at the end of November. As the House leadership prioritizes legislative action on provisions that will expire this year, we ask that you give full consideration to the homebuyer tax credit. We look forward to working with you to stabilize our nation’s housing market and strengthen our economy.

Sincerely,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, along with several House colleagues, contacted Defense Secretary Gates urging him to maintain Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), which serve as a crucial nuclear deterrent. Malmstrom Air Force Base, near Great Falls, MT, services 150 of these missiles.

“While Great Falls and the state of Montana are the most directly affected by ill-advised ICBM reductions, the fact is, it’s the security of the entire nation that’s at stake,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Malmstrom plays a vital role in our national defense and makes crucial contributions to the community, and I will continue working to make sure it remains a key player on each of these fronts.”

In addition to fighting to maintain the existing ICBM mission, Rehberg has continually fought to secure new missions for Malmstrom. Recently, he urged consideration for the Air Force Global Strike Command to be headquartered at Malmstrom to streamline all nuclear assets into one major command and elevate its priority. He is also working toward having an electronic medical records system stationed at Malmstrom.

“On behalf of the Central Montana Defense Alliance, I would like to thank Congressman Rehberg for his continued efforts to keep our nation secure and our economy prosperous,” said David Weissman, Chairman of the Central Montana Defense Alliance. “The idea of a nuclear free world truly is euphoric. Reality sets in when one realizes that there are more nuclear capable states, and possibly individuals, now then ever before. Theses ICBM missiles have served us well and continue to keep our allies that we protect under the nuclear umbrella out of the nuclear business. To lose our missiles would create a devastating domino effect on our economy. The military here in the Great Falls area of Montana represents roughly 47% of our economy.”

The letter is below:

Dear Secretary Gates:

We write today regarding the ongoing arms control negotiations with Russia to determine new levels of deployed strategic nuclear weapons. As you work toward your stated goal of further reducing our nuclear forces, we strongly urge you to retain the current land-based strategic nuclear deterrent level of 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

Our robust ICBM force is the most stabilizing in our nuclear arsenal. As nuclear force levels decrease, this stabilizing effect becomes even more profound. Efforts must be put forth to maintain both a stabilizing triad and our ability to respond to a future uncertain world. The 450 Minuteman ICBM force creates a widely dispersed single warhead target that adds significant stability in a crisis. America’s ICBMs guarantee stability by requiring any nation that attempts a first-strike to exhaust its inventory by having to successfully destroy 450 separate targets. Every Minuteman missile will be needed if a first-strike is to remain an unthinkable option for America’s enemies.

While the U.S. and Russia maneuver toward lower numbers, other hostile powers, including those which might proliferate to dangerous non-state actors, are going nuclear. It is important to remember that the United States extends a nuclear umbrella which protects thirty friends and allies from proliferating threats. Our friends will be watching closely, to see how deep the U.S. drawdown will be. America’s extended deterrent must remain credible.

Maintaining a safe margin of nuclear weapons – a credible deterrent – will be critical as these discussions move forward. We appreciate your consideration of these critical national security issues as negotiations continue.

Sincerely,