Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House Republicans in declaring a unilateral moratorium on earmarks, including tax and tariff-related earmarks for fiscal year 2011.  This moratorium comes in the wake of a year that saw record spending, record deficits and record expansions of government.

“Earmarks have become the symbol for all the abuse and waste in Washington.  While every aspect of my own earmark process has been open and transparent at unprecedented levels, many of my colleagues weren’t as open.  That’s why I have joined in this effort to enact some spending reform.  This earmark moratorium won’t balance the budget by itself, however it is an important first step and demonstrates to the American people that we are serious about bringing true fiscal reform to Washington.

“Like the Montanans I’ve heard from, I’m upset about the dramatic increases in the budget and downright furious about all the new spending.  From taxpayer-funded bailouts for Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, Bear Stearns, AIG, Banks and the auto industry totaling more than $1 trillion, to a $1 trillion so-called stimulus that only stimulated bigger government, to a $1.2 trillion government takeover of health care, this Congress can’t spend money it doesn’t have fast enough.  I’m proud to be the only member of Montana’s delegation who voted against all of these big spending plans and in favor of true fiscal responsibility.  Montanans are rightfully upset about these dramatic increases in spending, which is why I am an original cosponsor of a Constitutional Amendment to require the Federal Government to balance the budget.”

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.