Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following his vote against the Wall Street Bailout Bill in the House.

“Instead of addressing the root cause of the collapse of America’s banking system, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, this disastrous bill saddles taxpayers with permanent bank bailouts and further perpetuates the idea that some industries are “too big to fail.”  Far from solving the financial crisis, this bill creates a huge new government bureaucracy and will lead to decreased credit availability for Montana’s small businesses.  It takes a special sort of delusion to think the solution to government problems is more government.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following the Congressional vote not to add a requirement to the Wall Street Reform Bill to audit the Federal Reserve (consistent with H.R. 1207, Dr. Ron Paul’s Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 which has more than enough cosponsors to pass in stand-alone vote).

“The hypocrisy of condemning Wall Street for a financial shell game while engaging in an even larger shell game within the Fed is beyond the pale.  While Speaker Pelosi is more than willing to stretch the Constitution to give the federal government the authority to control, bailout or even seize private companies, she won’t allow a clean up-or-down vote to push back the curtains at the Federal Reserve.  The consequences of not shining the light on the Fed is too great to ignore.”

The Federal Reserve Transparency Act has 320 cosponsors, including Rehberg.  The idea to submit this legislation as a Motion to Recommit was originally posted on the America Speaking Out website where Americans can submit their own ideas, and vote on the ideas submitted by others.  The website is located at http://www.americaspeakingout.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House Republican colleagues in unveiling America Speaking Out.  By providing an online forum for Montanans to voice their opinions in setting priorities for a national agenda, this initiative mirrors the public input that Rehberg has solicited at 44 public listening sessions and through online social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

“Montanans are sick and tired of the vote-first-ask-questions-later approach to lawmaking that Speaker Pelosi has adopted.  It’s a recipe for bad laws, and worse, it’s a sign of an unresponsive government that serves its own interests before the interests of the people.  That’s why I hosted 44 public listening sessions.  That’s why I asked for 30 days to come back to Montana and listen before any vote on a health care bill.  That’s why, on a daily basis, I interact with thousands of Montanans on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  It’s time Washington, D.C. listens to the people.  We want to know what you think.  And that’s what America Speaking Out is all about.”

America Speaking Out is the first legislative website of its kind.  Using modern online tools, it empowers users to submit their own ideas or weigh in on the ideas of others.  It creates a one-of-a-kind pipeline to Washington, D.C. that will help make Congress look a lot more like Montana.  Montanans can access America Speaking Out online at http://www.americaspeakingout.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has posted online 383 previously unreleased pages from the Department of Interior regarding ongoing plans to declare millions of acres as National Monuments.  Using email and social media, he asked Montanans to review the materials and report anything of interest that they found. 

“Transparency in government is the first principle of rule by the people,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Western Caucus.  “While some have gone to great lengths to keep these documents secret, and others have suggested there was no reason to see them, I think we ought to let Montanans see for themselves what their government is doing.  It’s not going to be easy to sneak this one past almost a million Montanans.”

Although Rehberg posted the new pages – mostly emails – on his website, the DOI continues to withhold at least 2,016 pages, including the missing pages of the internal memo that was discovered earlier this year.  Rehberg has cosponsored a resolution that would compel all of these missing pages to be released.  He has also sponsored legislation that would require congressional approval of new National Monument designations in Montana.

“These documents clearly reveal that other DOI agencies including the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Reclamation have been involved,” said Rehberg in his email to Montanans.  “Powerful environmental interest groups have also been invited to the table.  The more we learn, the more urgent it becomes to pass legislation preventing a repeat of the gross abuse of power we saw in the waning days of the Clinton Administration.  I will do everything in my power to prevent the federalization of Montana land.”

The documents can be downloaded online from here: http://rehberg.house.gov/uploads/DeptofInterior.zip

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has been recognized for promoting “the principles of liberty and the strength of the Constitution,” by the American Conservative Union (ACU), the nation’s oldest and largest conservative grassroots organization.  Rehberg was named an “ACU Conservative” with a 92% percent rating in 2009 based on 25 votes covering government bailouts, wasteful spending, taxes, and health care reform.  Rehberg has a 90% lifetime rating with the ACU.

“I voted with Montanans who believe that government isn’t the solution to all our problems and that government is most effective when it empowers individuals with freedom and opportunity,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Liberty Caucus.  “It’s these ideals, shaped by the input from Montanans at 44 listening sessions that shape my voting record.”

The American Conservative Union was founded in 1964 as a grassroots organization promoting traditional values, a market economy, a strong national defense, and the doctrines of the Constitution.  The ACU has published an annual rating of Congress since 1971 based on 25 votes each in the House and Senate.  Key issues in the first session of the 111th Congress included the financial industry bailouts, stimulus spending, energy policy, federal abortion funding, and health care reform.  Rehberg is the only member of the Montana delegation to vote against every bailout and the $1 trillion so-called stimulus package.

“This award is a reflection of Representative Denny Rehberg’s consistent support of conservative principles on a wide range of issues of concern to grass roots conservatives in 2009,” said David A. Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union.  “At a challenging time when the fundamental principles on which the American system of government are being challenged, Representative Denny Rehberg stands with those who are trying to preserve those principles.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has cosponsored a resolution that would compel the Department of Interior to release information related to a planned misuse of the Antiquities Act to designate 13 million acres of land in 11 different Western states, including Montana, as National Monuments.  The original plans were uncovered when an internal memo was leaked.  Rehberg joined fellow members of the House Western Caucus in sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar demanding the full memo and related documents.

“While Montanans would love to take Secretary Salazar’s word that his agency isn’t considering using the Antiquities Act to circumvent public opposition, I would feel more comfortable if the Interior Department didn’t actively hide the facts,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Western Caucus.  “It’s time we let the sunlight in and see what’s been going on behind closed doors.”

The Antiquities Act authorized the President to designate objects or areas of historic or scientific interest as National Monuments on lands owned or controlled by the United States.  An internal Department of Interior document recently revealed the Administration is considering using this law to create as many as 14 new National Monument designations in the West.

Specifically, the leaked portion of the memo identified 2.5 million acres of land in Montana – some presumably owned by private citizens – to be set aside as a National Monument.  The memo also calls for the buy-out of 80,000 acres of private in-holdings within the Missouri Breaks National Monument and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, in addition to the acquisition of 39,000 acres of state-administered in-holdings in the same area.

Despite a letter requesting the missing parts of the original memo, the Interior Department has decided to keep them secret.  H. Res. 1254 would require the Department to remit all relating documents to the House of Representatives within two weeks.  House rules provide that the Democrat Majority on the Committee has 14 legislative days to report the Resolution of Inquiry or it can be brought to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote as a Privileged Resolution.

“This Administration claims to be the most open and transparent in history,” said Rehberg.  “It’s really a shame that we’re forced to use legislation to get answers to simple questions regarding public documents.”

Rehberg has also introduced legislation that would require congressional approval of new National Monument designations in Montana.  This requirement isn’t unprecedented; the current law prohibits the extension or establishment of any National Monument in Wyoming without the express authorization of Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined colleagues in passing legislation to prevent an automatic pay rise in Fiscal Year 2011.  He is an original sponsor of this measure.

“With a job-killing agenda and record-setting deficits the majority of members in Congress frankly don’t deserve a pay raise.  This is about more than tightening our belts – it’s about the fact that our bosses – the American people – expect us to practice what we preach.”

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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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today cosponsored House Resolution 847 which expresses the Sense of the House of Representatives that any conference report, or other health care reform negotiations, should be conducted under the watchful eye of the American people.

“Transparency is an essential part of any government that derives its authority from the consent of the people,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. “It’s when the legislation is the most controversial that this transparency is the most important, and yet, it is this controversy that has prompted some of my colleagues to shut the public out of the process completely.”

Rehberg, who also signed a pledge not to vote for any health care bill that hasn’t been online for at least 72 hours and that he hasn’t personally read, joined colleagues last week in asking the President and Congressional Leaders to fulfill campaign-trail promises and televise health care negotiations on C-SPAN.

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,