Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today served as the Ranking Member in a Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing to address Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention.

“We must hold agencies accountable for improper payments, and we must identify, pursue and prosecute those who would defraud the American taxpayer,” said Rehberg in his opening statement.  “I’m glad to see that the Administration is taking this seriously.  It would be my hope that the savings that are recovered are used to shore up the Medicare trust funds and not immediately spent on something else.”

In his statement, Rehberg also cited an OMB study that estimated $10.8 billion in improper payments by Medicare in 2007 and a Washington Post story that reported $47 billion in improper payments last year.

Testifying were:

William Corr
Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Dan Levinson
Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services

Gary Grindler
Acting Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice

Julie Rivera
Special Agent, Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined every other Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee in sending a letter to House Speaker Pelosi and Appropriations Chairman Obey indicating that they would not support the Defense Appropriations bill if it was used as a vehicle to increase the federal debt limit.

“Using troop funding to pass politically unpopular measures in a time of war is nothing short of legislative extortion and it needs to stop,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “A line needs to be drawn, and a message sent: you don’t support the troops by holding the resources they need hostage to legislation that can’t pass on its own merit.  The majority promised to clean up Washington, and they can start by introducing a clean defense funding bill.”

Although a final Defense Appropriations Bill has not been formally introduced, reports have surfaced indicating that a massive increase in the statutory debt limit is going to be attached.  This isn’t the first time House Democrats have used military funding to pass other parts of their agenda.  In October, controversial hate-crime legislation was attached to the House version of the Defense Authorization Bill.

Rehberg has cosponsored legislation that would require all increases in the Statutory Debt Limit to be considered as a stand-alone measure, and to pass by a 2/3 supermajority.

Federal debt is capped by a statutory limit set by Congress.  The limit, which is ordinarily increased as a part of the Federal Budget Resolution, was recently increased to $11.315 trillion by TARP and then again to $12.104 trillion in the so-called Stimulus that passed in February.  Another increase to as much as $13.2 trillion is expected to be added to the Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2010.

“My support for our brave men and women serving in harms way overseas is a matter of record,” said Rehberg.  “In fact, it’s that support that compels me to stop some members of Congress from treating soldiers like a bargaining chips.”

Letter:

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Obey,

We are writing today to express our extreme concern over the potential composition of a Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill package, and the process by which you intend to bring the bill to the House floor.

Recent reports indicate that you are considering attaching costly and controversial non-defense legislative items like an increase in the debt limit to the Defense Appropriations bill. We object to this maneuver, and we will oppose a Defense Appropriations package that includes such provisions.

Let us be very clear: House Republican members of the Appropriations Committee will not support passage of the Defense Appropriations measure if it is used as a vehicle to raise the debt limit.

Our troops have been aggressively fighting to protect American interests overseas and our security here at home. Their exemplary service has accomplished much in ensuring the safety of all Americans and stopping terrorist threats around the globe. Now, especially with a heightened effort beginning in Afghanistan, we must honor the service of our troops by providing them with the support they need to accomplish the mission.

Our men and women in uniform deserve this support without strings and caveats, and without being used as bargaining chips to accomplish other unrelated legislative priorities.

It has been four months since the House passed its version of the Defense Appropriations bill, and two months since the Senate did the same. However, this critically important piece of legislation has languished in legislative purgatory, being held hostage to indecision and partisan maneuvering. There is no valid reason why a clean Defense Appropriations bill could not have already been approved and signed into law, giving our troops a much needed infusion of resources, as well as the knowledge that they have the support of their Congressional leaders.

Congress should move immediately to pass a clean Defense Appropriations bill as prompt action on this legislation is vital to the well-being of our troops and our national security. However, while time is of the essence, we will not support a process that circumvents basic legislative responsibilities in order for the Democrat majority to force through controversial and costly legislative items.

It is time to pass a clean Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that we all can be proud to support. Our troops deserve no less as we bring this challenging year to a close.

Sincerely,

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement after he joined members of both parties in voting against the massive $446.8 billion “Multi-Bus” Appropriations Act, which included six different appropriations bills: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Commerce, Justice, Science, Financial Services – District of Columbia, Labor, Health, and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and State and Foreign Operations.

When added to the $410 billion Omnibus Appropriations Bill that passed less than a year ago, non-defense, non-veterans discretionary spending has increased by more than 85% over the last two fiscal years.

“Although we’ve been working on these bills since March, the majority has been so busy devising new ways to spend taxpayers’ money that it couldn’t get its normal work done.  The result was a 1,088-page spending bill that was so wasteful that even 28 Democrats couldn’t stomach voting for it.  After the Omnibus and the Multi-bus, the American people are shouting ‘Stop the Bus!’  It’s time to pull the emergency brake on this spending.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, recognized the city of Hamilton as community officials broke ground on improvements to the wastewater treatment facility.

“I am committed to ensuring that Montana’s communities have access to a clean and healthy water supply,” said Rehberg, a member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.  “This project will have a direct, positive impact on the public health of Hamilton’s residents, and I’m proud to support it.”

Hamilton is upgrading its aging treatment facility to increase capacity and allow homes within the area using on-site disposal systems to connect to the municipal system, reducing the threat of groundwater contamination.  Other improvements will help reduce the use of potable water at the treatment facility.  The project is expected to be completed by July 2010.

“It’s critical that Montana’s communities have the necessary resources to improve their wastewater facilities,” said Rehberg in a letter read at the ceremony.  “I thank the City of Hamilton and its funding partners for working to provide cleaner, healthier water for future generations.”  Rehberg helped secure $500,000 for the project through the State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) program contained in the
2009 Interior Appropriations bill.

LETTER:

Dear Friends:

It’s a privilege to extend my encouragement as you break ground on improvements to Hamilton’s wastewater treatment facility.  I appreciate all your hard work and dedication as you move forward with this exciting project.

It’s critical that Montana’s communities have the necessary resources to improve their wastewater facilities.  That’s why I helped secure $500,000 for this project in the State and Tribal Assistance Grant
(STAG) program, which was included in the 2009 Interior Appropriations bill.  These funds will help update the current system, and I thank the City of Hamilton and its funding partners for working to provide cleaner, healthier water for future generations.

As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, I remain committed to ensuring that Montana’s communities have access to a clean and healthy water supply.  This project will have a direct, positive impact on the public health of Hamilton’s residents, and I’m proud to support it.

I’m excited to be a part of this groundbreaking, and I look forward to congratulating you upon the completion of this project.  Again, thank you, and please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House colleagues from both parties today in passing a five-year Fire Grants Reauthorization Act.  Rehberg has consistently used his influential position on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure these important programs receive adequate resources.

“While all Montanans need firefighters’ services, there are a lot of communities that just can’t afford to run a fire department locally,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “This critical source of funding can help all of Montana’s fire departments save lives and safely protect our communities.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program comes from the Department of Homeland Security and is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). AFG grants are designed to assist local fire departments and emergency medical organizations with operational expenses, personnel training, and safety equipment and vehicles purchases. Montana has received $44.46 million in AFG grants since 2001.

In Montana the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant Program provides direct funding to fire departments and volunteer organizations to help improve emergency responses and increase the number of trained, “front-line” firefighters.  Since 2005, when SAFER began, Montana has been awarded $5.88 million in SAFER funding.

Chief Rich Cowger, Chairperson of the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association and Chief of Columbus Fire and Rescue, stressed that these fire grants provide essential funding to local fire departments particularly during lean times.

“Due to the downturn in the economy, local budgets can’t keep up with our equipment and staffing needs,” he said.  “These grants are a lifesaver for our local fire departments and they keep our communities and our firefighters safe.  I can’t thank Representative Rehberg enough for supporting these programs and helping Montana’s firefighters.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced that his office is soliciting applications for federal authorizations of funding to be included in the Water Resources Development Act bill.  He is urging interested parties to submit projects by November 30, 2009 via the “Transparency” tab of his official website at http://rehberg.house.gov/.
 
“The size and scope of a lot of Montana’s water projects make them virtually impossible to fund exclusively at a local, state or tribal level,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Committee.  “A project that’s been included in the Water Resources Development Act will have a leg up when it comes to securing the necessary federal funding.”

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is a biennial legislative process dedicated to authorizing Army Corps of Engineers activities and establishing policies for Corps civil works activities, such as cost-share activities.   Authorizations in WRDA usually fall under four general categories: studies, projects, modifications to existing authorizations, and programmatic authorizations.

WRDA does not fund projects, but instead deems a project eligible for future funding.

Specifically, the following types of Corps projects can be authorized:

• Chief reports – projects have already gone through a full study, Corps has signed off and they’re ready to go
• Project modifications – projects that have had a timing or funding change
• Study level project – releases the Corps to do a study on the future project
• Major programmatic – large scale projects so include more than one state (for example a wetlands study in a large region, Missouri River studies)

Interested parties should complete the online application form.  Any questions should be directed to Mary Heller at mary.heller@mail.house.gov. The online form can be found at http://rehberg.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=83&sectiontree=2,9,83

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following transcript of a speech he delivered to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.  His remarks address recently released figures on the website recovery.gov which is being roundly criticized for claiming the so-called stimulus created jobs in non-existent Congressional Districts.

“When Congress passed the trillion dollar “so called” stimulus, the national unemployment rate was 7.6 percent.  Some politicians warned that without the stimulus unemployment could pass 8 percent.  This month, unemployment blew past 10 percent, and like you, I’m wondering where the jobs are.

In the infinite wisdom of government, $18 million was spent on a website to tracks jobs.  The just-released job figures for Montana are listed by Congressional District.  Montana, of course, has only one district.  Yet, the federal government spent $372 thousand to create one single job in Montana’s nonexistent 8th  Congressional  District.  Our imaginary 16th District did better with 32.5 jobs.  Only a bureaucrat would count half a job  in a district that does not exist.

The government spent a trillion dollars to save and create jobs, and the opposite has happened.  Millions more Americans have lost their jobs , and now, they want to fix health care like they fixed the economy.”

The site, which Rehberg has previously criticized for its $18 million price tag and biased perspective on stimulus spending listed jobs in several Montana Congressional Districts.  Montana has only one At-Large district.

The $18 million website lists stimulus money spent and jobs created in the following Montana Congressional Districts: 00, 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 14 and 16.  It also identifies money spent in the following districts without creating jobs: 6, 11, 30 and 87.

The Montana section of recovery.gov can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/yzvtmjk (The site was referenced on 11/17/09, and was amended after published reports of the glaring inaccuracy.)

BILLINGS, MT. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today nine rural schools in Montana will share a $404,587 grant to develop a distance learning consortium that will help improve the quality of rural education in Montana.

“Improving education opportunities in Montana is a priority of mine in Congress,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Rural Education Caucus. “Distance learning technology in Montana’s rural classrooms increases student access to a wide variety of world-wide learning opportunities, and provides the educator with a host of additional teaching tools.”

The funding is from the USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program, which provides equipment, software, and training resources for education and health care institutions in rural areas. The money will be used for a web-based interactive and streamed media consortium of nine rural schools. The schools are located in Colstrip, Glasgow, Harlem, Noxon, and Rocky Boy.

“These distance learning tools will help students see the world,” said Tracey Dean, distance learning coordinator at Noxon Public Schools. “The program will be used school-wide, not only helping students, but helping educators make teacher-to-teacher connections and learn from each other,” said Dean, who added the program will also be used as a community and adult education resource.

The $1.04 million distance learning system will require school district matching funds, and likely be operational by the start of next school year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is offering to assist Montana fire departments seeking to secure a portion of the $210 million made available from the Department of Homeland Security’s SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant Program. The program provides direct funding to fire departments and volunteer organizations to help improve emergency responses and increase the number of trained, “front-line” firefighters.

“The first few minutes of an emergency situation are the most critical, and an effective response can often mean the difference between life and death,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “This critical source of funding can help Montana’s fire departments save lives and safely protect our communities.”

The program application period begins November 16, and runs through December 18. Rehberg will have dedicated staff members available to assist with letters of support and answer questions. The link can be found here: http://firegrantsupport.com/safer/. Since 2005, Montana has been awarded more than $5.97 million in SAFER funding.

“I encourage every Montana fire department to apply for these funds, and I’m offering to lend a hand through the process in any way I can,” said Rehberg. “Montana’s firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities and our families. I will continue to whole-heartedly support them in Congress.”

Interested fire departments are urged to contact Rehberg’s Billings District Office for more information, 1-888-232-2626.

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.