Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following testimony of U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar before a Senate committee today.  Last week, Rehberg asked the Secretary for details pertaining to a leaked memo that lays out plans to use the Antiquities Act to carve out 13 million acres of national monuments in 11 western states including Montana.  That information has not yet been provided.  Rehberg also introduced H.R. 4754, which requires congressional approval of new National Monument designations in Montana, similar to a provision already in place for Wyoming.

“Public input is certainly important, but it’s not enough if that input is ignored or comes after a policy has been written or implemented.  When it comes to executive action, we’ve already seen this Administration shoot first and ask questions later, and now that the sights are on millions of acres in Montana, the responsible action is to reassert congressional oversight, just like Wyoming has already done.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following the President’s unveiling of a proposal to bridge the gap between the current House and Senate health care bills. The introduction of the bill comes just three days before he is scheduled to meet with Republican Leaders to hear their ideas, ostensibly to incorporate them into his proposal.

“Montanans aren’t fooled by the fresh coat of paint. This bill is still the same lemon that was soundly rejected by the vast majority of Montanans I heard from last year at 36 public listening sessions across the state. The American people want real health care reform and they deserve an open, bipartisan process that’s done in the light of day. Today’s theatrics are more of the same; a bill crafted in secret behind closed doors and without public input or scrutiny.

“There are better alternatives to lower the cost of health care and increase access, and the President will hear many of those ideas at a bipartisan summit this Thursday. Instead of introducing his proposals three days early, I encourage the President to come to the table with an open mind to find a workable solution that prioritizes the American people.”

Schedules Stops in Billings, Laurel, Livingston & Bozeman

BILLINGS, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, will be talking jobs in four Montana cities over the next two days. On Wednesday, February 17 he will be in Billings and Laurel, and on Thursday, February 18 he will visit Livingston and Bozeman. At each stop, he will be meeting with local businesses and organizations to discuss the creation of new jobs.

“It’s been more than a year since the ‘so-called’ stimulus was signed into law, and unemployment remains the most pressing barrier to economic recovery,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, who supported a true stimulus that was timely, targeted, temporary and transparent. “Montanans understand that jobs don’t come from Washington, D.C. They come from the hard work of small businesses, which is why it’s so important for elected officials to put boots on the ground and learn directly from the horse’s mouth exactly what will stimulate job growth.”

Rehberg’s tour will include:

Wednesday, February 17

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Montana Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award ceremony at Wyo-Ben, Inc. (Billings)
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Tour of the Northern Hotel Project (Billings)
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Visit Beartooth Harley (Billings)
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Tour Cenex Refinery (Laurel)

Thursday, February 18

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Tour of Printing for Less (Livingston)
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Visit Mystery Ranch (Bozeman)
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Visit the Bozeman Job Service and Workforce Center (Bozeman)

For press inquiries, please contact Tom Schultz:
tom.schultz@mail.house.gov, (406) 543-9550

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined all House Republicans and 34 House Democrats in opposing a statutory increase in the federal debt limit. Despite bipartisan opposition, a majority in the House voted to increase the debt limit to $14,294,000,000,000.

“This is the record fifth time the Congress has increased the credit limit on our national credit card since 2008. This reckless action is a down payment by Congress which is trying to spend our way to prosperity. But their policies have only made things worse, costing jobs and delaying recovery. Rhetoric won’t cut the deficit. It’s long past time for true spending reform in Washington. Let’s start by auditing the Fed and balancing the budget.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today posted a list of verbal and written comments he heard from Montanans during the 22 public meetings he held regarding Sen. Jon Tester’s Wilderness bill. The comments are posted in the “Transparency Center” portion of Rehberg’s congressional website. Last week, Rehberg promised to take this action in a letter to Senator Tester and asked the Senator to join him in doing so in order to maximize transparency in the legislative process.

“I heard from hundreds of Montanans, each with their own ideas and opinions,” said Rehberg, “While ideas will vary in merit, each deserves to at least be heard and considered in a public forum. That’s what I’m trying to do – put them all in the bucket and see which ones end up floating.”

Rehberg has laid out a number of these comments as examples of what he’d like to see changed in the underlying legislation. One proposal, addressing an overriding concern heard in 22 listening sessions, is the notion of a wilderness ‘phase-in’ that would time the creation of new wilderness to the active management of other lands. This solution would alleviate the concern that as soon as the bill becomes law, the wilderness designations are immediate, while there is no assurance that stewardship components would not be infinitely delayed by litigation.

Rehberg, who relayed multiple suggestions in real-time to the public and the press during the course of his listening tour, has gathered a wide array of additional ideas for changes to the legislation including boundary line concerns from farmers and ranchers, preservation of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and maintaining the ability to accurately inventory natural resources like molybdenum.

“There’s no silver bullet here,” warned Rehberg. “There are a lot of very good ideas that should each be considered on their own merit. While I appreciate the buy-in from the partnerships that helped draft the bill, this legislation affects all Montanans who deserve the right to be heard. In addition to some other fixes, an incremental phase-in would help ensure logging isn’t bogged down by lawsuits after new wilderness areas are designated.”

Comments can be found online at http://rehberg.house.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman Denny Rehberg issued the following statement on the President’s 2010 State of the Union Address to a Joint Session of Congress.

“ America must look forward not backward, but we also must remember the lessons of the past.  Last year, we saw reckless deficit spending with no tangible benefit to the taxpayers.  While unemployment reached double digits, government spending increased 66% - in a single year.  Clearly, we can’t spend our way into prosperity.

“Last year, I called for ‘bipartisan restraint.’  We must balance the budget by cutting spending, not raising taxes.  Without Congressional action, Americans will face the largest tax increase in our history.  It will further harm our economy and cost real jobs.  There’s never a good time to raise taxes, but I can’t think of a worse time than now.

“It’s time for Congress to abandon its pursuit of job-killing policies.  Whether it’s cap and tax legislation or a government takeover of health care we can’t continue to saddle small businesses with the burden of special interest priorities.  It’s time for a real economic stimulus that empowers small businesses and families.

“Finally, we must not turn our back to the real threat of terrorism.  Recent events have demonstrated the need to increase our national vigilance in order to protect our lives and our way of life.”

Rehberg, Capito, Altmire, Holden, Salazar and Shimkus Lead Effort to Provide Voice for Coal in House

WASHINGTON – As energy issues remain at the forefront of the national political debate, a coalition of coal-state members of Congress announced today that they have teamed-up to form the Congressional Coal Caucus. 

Calling coal “America’s most abundant and affordable energy resource,” the bipartisan group of congressmen and women note that coal provides nearly 50% of America’s energy supply and generates more than 130,000 coal-mining jobs.  They’ve pledged to use their new caucus to provide a voice for coal communities in Congress.

“Coal is a critical component to our nation’s energy future,” said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.  “Whether it’s on a cap-and-trade bill or on clean coal technology, this caucus will give coal-states a forum to highlight their priorities and present a unified voice.  I’m proud to join my colleagues in forming this caucus and I look forward to our work together.”

“As a Congress, it is vitally important that we continue to support the development of clean coal technologies,” Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., said. “I am proud to help launch this caucus, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help enact policies that will maximize America’s coal resources.”

Members joining Altmire and Capito in forming the coal caucus include Reps. Tim Holden (D-PA), Denny Rehberg (R-MT), John Salazar (D-CO) and John Shimkus (R-IL).  Together the new coalition will promote awareness of American coal along with the new technologies currently on the horizon that can help make coal use cleaner and safer.

The six initial caucus members are also circulating a Dear Colleague inviting other members of Congress to join them.  

“The Coal Caucus gives coal states like Pennsylvania a strong voice in Congress to encourage the use of coal as an affordable, reliable and increasingly clean source of energy,” said Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa.  “I am proud to be a part of this effort to promote economically and environmentally sound mining, reclamation and consumption practices including clean coal technologies on Capitol Hill.”

“America needs an all-of-the-above energy plan that increases domestic supplies, lowers costs and makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy,” said Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.  “While many in Washington may think that energy comes from the wall outlet, Montanans have been in the energy production business long enough to understand the vital role coal plays in our country and our economy.  As a caucus, we’ll focus on developing cleaner and more efficient ways to use America’s vast stores of coal, and by doing so, help create good-paying jobs and affordable energy for American families.”

“Coal is a vital resource in Colorado and throughout the nation, and will continue to play a role in helping meet our nation’s energy needs.  Coal provides jobs in my district and nearly all of our energy is derived from coal.  I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Coal Caucus,” said Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo.   

 “With the current debates over energy policy as well as the environment, it is more important than ever that coal interests be represented in Congress,” said Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill.  “We can move much faster toward energy independence by taking advantage of the enormous supply of coal that exists in my district and elsewhere in the nation. To ignore an abundant source of low-cost energy in our own country is absurd.”

WASHIGNTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week met with Representative Jason C. Yuan, the Taiwanese ambassador to the United States, to discuss the export of American beef to Taiwan.  Earlier this month, Taiwan placed restrictions on the importation of American beef despite years of extensive negotiations, which had resulted in the opening of the market to American beef in 2009.

“I asked Representative Yuan why Taiwan has erected new trade barriers for U.S. beef, despite the fact the World Organization for Animal Health and millions of satisfied global consumers know that Montana beef is safe,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.  “While these new restrictions eliminate only a small percentage of our exports, Taiwanese leaders must understand that for our ag community, profits are measured in pennies, and the smallest hit can have major economic ramifications.”

The Taiwanese ceased all beef trade with the U.S. in 2005 after a second cow was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.  After three years of negotiations, the U.S. and Taiwan signed a new science-based beef trade protocol last October allowing for the importation of beef from cattle under thirty months of age provided that specific tissues were removed.  The Protocol also requires Taiwan and the United States to begin talks six-months hence regarding the further expansion of beef trade to include cattle over thirty months of age. 

Earlier this month, the Taiwanese parliament amended their Food Sanitation Act to ban the importation of offal, ground beef and other assorted beef parts from countries that have had a confirmed case of BSE in the last ten years.  This decision was in direct conflict with the Protocol signed in October, and has caused consternation among lawmakers and cattle producers who rightly see beef trade as an essential component of U.S.-Taiwanese trade relations.

“Montana Farm Bureau appreciates Congressman Rehberg working on trade issues related to beef exports,” Said Nancy Schlepp, the National Affairs Director for the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.  “The Taiwanese have always been great trading partners and we look forward to expanding our beef trade with them.  We provide a safe, quality product that all Montanans and Americans are proud to eat and to export, we hope that Taiwan understands our sincerity to work on this important issue.”

“Montana’s beef is the best in the world,” said Rehberg.  “To try and lock it out of a market on the basis of junk science and misinformation is not acceptable.  I am glad that Representative Yuan took the time to meet with me and discuss this critical issue, but I will continue to impress upon the Taiwanese government how important beef is to the American market and to our future trade relationship.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a response to Senator Jon Tester (MT) regarding his request for a meeting to discuss his wilderness bill. Senator Tester sent a letter to Rehberg late last week asking the Congressman to meet him in his Senate office in Washington, DC to discuss the issue. Rehberg recently completed 22 public meetings in Montana on the subject of Senator Tester’s wilderness bill.

“While it’s clear that some fortunate interest groups have been very involved in writing this bill from the beginning, my goal is to include all Montanans who are impacted by this legislation,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus. “Each of my twenty-two meetings has been open to the public. I certainly don’t see a reason why a meeting with Senator Tester should be any different.” Rehberg asked Senator Tester to meet with him in Montana, rather than in his Washington, D.C. office, and that the meeting be open to the public and the press.

In his letter, Rehberg also asked Senator Tester to join him in posting the individual comments Senator Tester heard from Montanans at his “open house” meetings on his website. “As Montana’s representatives to the U.S. Congress, we have the honorable distinction of setting for ourselves a higher standard of openness and transparency,” wrote Rehberg in his letter.

Finally, Rehberg noted that all of Senator Tester’s “open house” meetings took place after his bill had been written and introduced. Since Senator Tester’s most recent meeting was more than two months ago, Rehberg asked to see the most recent working draft of his wilderness bill that contained any changes resulting from the input he received at those meetings.

“I think Montanans would like to see how their ideas are being implemented in the bill,” said Rehberg. “Seeing what progress has already been made would certainly make our meeting more productive since we could avoid concerns that have already been addressed.”

Complete Letter Below:

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In early January, I held 21 public listening sessions and meetings, to hear what Montanans had to say about Senator Tester’s bill to designate more than 600,000 acres of new wilderness. Hundreds of Montanans attended, each with the opportunity to stand up to offer an opinion. Next weekend, I will finish my listening tour in Libby, although I will continue taking input by phone, letter, email, fax, Facebook or any way Montanans care to contact me.

You don’t need to spend too much time in Western Montana to see the need for good forest stewardship. While problems like fires and beetle infestations were around long before man settled among the trees, we now have the ability to manage these challenges to create healthier forests and build a stronger economy.

The hard part is finding a balance between stewardship and wilderness because too much of either can damage the health of both the forest and the economy. It’s also important that such a balance come from a broad consensus of stakeholders.

Over the years, various partnerships between people with similar interests have emerged. Senator Tester’s effort to bring many of these partnerships to the table to develop a collaborative piece of legislation is commendable.

The fruits of that collaboration were evident in the support I heard for Senator Tester’s bill at my public meetings. But I also discovered that many people with legitimate and important concerns about the bill were left out of the process entirely. These Montanans deserve to be heard, and it’s my job to listen to them.

That’s why my first step was a listening tour to field comments, suggestions and concerns about this legislation. And while the comments varied, one theme remained consistent — something needs to be done to move the process forward and end the deadlock facing our public lands, and any such legislation needs to be balanced.

And I listened.

I got a lot of input, and heard some very good ideas:

One idea is to create a graduated trigger for wilderness designation. Under current provisions in the bill, new wilderness would be created on day one, while the designated forest management areas risk perpetual limbo in an endless sea of legal appeals. Radio-man John Schuyler suggested an incremental approach. Each parcel of new wilderness would be created once a certain number of acres were opened to stewardship, or a certain number of jobs created.

A representative of the Montana Backcountry Horsemen expressed his strong support for Senator Tester’s bill, saying that it would afford many benefits to the ailing timber industry while improving fish and wildlife habitat.

A supporter of Senator Tester’s legislation argued that Montana was overdue for a wilderness designation since the last one was 26 years ago.

A representative of the Montana Woolgrowers Association asked that “hard release” language be added to the bill in order to end the management of de-facto wilderness in places like Montana’s seven Wilderness Study Areas.

Over the course of the meetings, it became evident to me that a collaborative effort does not necessarily yield a consensus. I could collaborate with my wife Jan to decide that the Rehberg family should watch The Sound of Music on movie night, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the family will think that’s a good idea. And while the fundamental idea may be sound, when making a decision that affects the whole family, the whole family ought to be involved.

Unfortunately, in this case, some industries like timber were invited to the table, while others were excluded. For example, our state motto is Oro y plata, an homage to our mining heritage. Yet the resource industry wasn’t included in the drafting of the legislation. Similarly, some members of the agricultural community found themselves on the outside looking in.

As I stated on my listening tour, this legislation is the first step, not the end of the process. The majority of Montanans agree there are places in our state that ought to be protected as wilderness, and areas that should be managed for healthier forests. I commend Senator Tester and his partnerships for their bill. Now that the product of their collaboration is public, the public must weigh in and consensus found. I look forward to reflecting on what I learned, reviewing the nuance of maps and legislation and finding a workable solution for 2010, 2020 and beyond.