Congressman Denny Rehberg

BILLINGS, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, was praised this week for his efforts in Missoula to create jobs and advance the local and statewide economy through foreign trade efforts. He also heard concerns from the Montana Food Bank Network, which has seen increased demand amid economic struggles around the state.

“While the consequences of the economic struggles in Missoula are easy to see, it’s encouraging to know that there are hard working people eager to role up their sleeves and fight to create the markets that will create the jobs that will pull us out of this hole,” said Rehberg. “In Missoula, I saw both sides of that coin, and I’ll always fight to do whatever I can to help.”

“Denny’s long-standing support and promotion of international trade is key for Montana’s continued economic success,” said Webb Brown, the President and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce. “We will continue to work with him on Taking Montana to the World. Montana has a terrific opportunity to improve our economy by aggressively pursuing international trade. Functions like this trade luncheon can show Montana business the way.”

“At a time when the economy is hurting, people really start to seek out the critical needs of their communities,” said Peggy Grimes, the Executive Director of the Montana Food Bank Network. “We’ve seen a 61 percent increase in visits to emergency food programs in the last year alone, but the community has really circled the wagons, and the generosity of Montanans has been amazing. Denny’s visit meant a lot to all of us. I really think we had a productive visit, both to discuss pending federal legislation and to demonstrate the expansion to our facility that he was so instrumental in supporting. Denny was able to see the exciting work we’re doing here in Missoula and across Montana first hand.”

Offers further insight into public concerns with healthcare

BILLINGS, MT - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius following her visit to Montana to discuss the health care legislation that was signed into law earlier this year. Polls at the time of passage indicated that Montanans strongly opposed the measure, and recent reports indicate that time has not improved the bill’s popularity. Rehberg has sponsored legislation to repeal the bill.

“I wish the authors of Obamacare had taken the time to listen to Montanans before they passed it instead of after, but I’m glad that they’re finally willing to hear what the folks I’ve been hearing from for years have to say,” said Rehberg, a member of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. “Americans still need health care reform that addresses costs and access, and unfortunately, the bill that passed addresses neither for rural states like Montana. At this point, the easiest solution is to start from scratch.”

Rehberg, who was the only member of Montana’s delegation to hold open, public meetings in Montana as the health care reform law was drafted and passed, cited the public sentiment he heard at those meetings as the justification for his vote. That negative public sentiment was also reflected in statewide polls, that indicated strong opposition to the bill.

“Unfortunately, the unpopularity of Obamacare is only a symptom of the serious deficiencies in the bill itself,” said Rehberg. “Far from fixing the problems we face, this job-killing bill makes things worse by hamstringing the economy and targeting small businesses for increased regulation and expenses.”

Letter:

Dear Secretary Sebelius,

Thank you for taking the time to visit Big Sky Country and discuss the health care needs of rural Montana. While it certainly would have been preferable for you to discuss the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) with Montanans before it was actually passed into law, I’m pleased you got a chance to talk to folks in a couple of communities.

As I’m sure you heard during your visit, quality health care is particularly challenging in a state like Montana where less than one million people are spread over 147,000 square miles. Having held 72 open and public listening sessions in Montana this Congressional term alone, I would like to share with you some of the rural health concerns I’ve heard from around the state.

As with most of the country, Montana’s economy is driven by small businesses which provide more than 98 percent of the jobs in our state. I have heard from a wide variety of small business owners who have expressed concern about the new obligations contained in the PPACA. Whether it’s the mandate to offer health insurance, new taxes on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs), increased insurance premiums, or the requirement that all vendors are responsible for additional IRS paperwork for purchases of $600 or greater, many businesses have stopped hiring or are being forced to reduce their workforce to comply with these new obligations. In short, these burdensome obligations impact job creation.

I have also heard from many of Montana’s seniors and their doctors with concerns about Medicare. Not only does the PPACA cut $575 billion from Medicare, the new law does nothing to deal with the most pressing issue facing Medicare today – the need for a permanent fix to the reimbursement rate cuts for doctors providing service to Medicare patients. Many doctors have told me that if these cuts go into effect they will no longer be able to afford to offer services to their Medicare patients. In a state where some patients must travel for hours to reach their doctor, it may be impossible to find an alternative provider.

Additionally, I have heard concerns about the cost of the new high risk pool program. We discussed this when you testified before the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this year. While I agree that changes are necessary to address the health insurance needs of those with pre-existing conditions, current estimates indicate this temporary program is going to cost up to three times the original estimate of $5 billion. It’s unclear how you intend to pay for this shortfall. Furthermore, because this estimate was so inaccurate I have serious concerns as to the accuracy of the cost estimates of permanent programs.

Many of my constituents are also opposed to the individual mandate to purchase health insurance. As you know, a recent ballot initiative in Missouri found that 71 percent of voters opposed the individual mandate. While no such equivalent survey has been conducted in Montana, it only takes one open, public listening session to realize that folks here share this concern.

Thank you again for visiting Montana. I hope you’ll keep the thoughts of Montanans in mind as we continue to address the problems facing America’s health care system.

BILLINGS, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement following the release of 14 additional pages pertaining to the Department of Interior’s clandestine plans to declare millions of acres in Montana to be National Monuments. The missing pages may complete the “NOT FOR RELEASE” memo that originally outlined plans to utilize the Antiquities Act for the Presidential designation of National Monuments across the west, including Montana. Pages 15-21 of the memo were leaked earlier this year. The Department of Interior has acknowledged that it continues to withhold more than 2,000 pages of related documents.

“While I’m glad the Department of Interior has finally released these pages, I can certainly understand why they wanted to keep them a secret. A single sentence acknowledging the benefit of public input won’t appease Montanans when the rest of the document lays out plans to circumvent that input if it doesn’t fall in line with the pre-constructed plans of unelected Washington bureaucrats. The new pages make a disturbing case for bypassing Congress with a unilateral Presidential designation of National Monuments. This was the worst-case scenario, and it’s no longer hypothetical.”

In March, Rehberg joined his colleagues on the House Western Caucus in sending a letter with four questions. So far, only the first has been answered. These questions are below:

1. All pages of the “Internal Draft” document of which we obtained only pages 15 to 21 …

2. With regard to the “brainstorming” sessions you publicly mentioned, we would like a copy of any documents distributed at or in preparation for the meetings, a list of all participants or invitees, any notes taken at the meeting (s), and any memoranda, work product or follow up documents from the meeting(s). All records, electronic or otherwise, of meetings or discussions with private groups, individuals or other persons or entities that are not employees of the Department of the Interior where potential National Monument designations were discussed. We request all notes, agendas, memoranda or documents from those meetings.

3. All documents related to the Secretary’s initiative to compile a list of potential National Monument designations since July 1, 2009, including, but not limited to, maps.

4. Any communication with any person or entity outside of the Department of the Interior related to the Secretary’s initiative since July 1, 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced he will seek to remove the gray wolf from consideration under the Endangered Species Act. Rehberg will support legislation asking Congress to amend the 1973 act “to prohibit treatment of the Gray Wolf as an endangered species or threatened species.” The move comes in response to a recent court ruling effectively reinstating endangered status for the wolf.

“It’s become clear the courts and the environmental extremists have abandoned the principle of sound science when determining the status of the gray wolf,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Western Caucus. “Years of research, dedicated efforts by land owners and local officials, and the expert opinions of on-the-ground wildlife managers have been given a back seat to profit-motivated environmental groups. We need to call attention to this abuse and solve an issue that should have been put to rest years ago.”

When Congress returns to Washington, Rehberg will cosponsor H.R. 6028, a measure introduced by Texas Representative Chet Edwards that will amend the original Endangered Species Act to prohibit gray wolves from being listed as an endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) first issued the decision to delist the wolf in 2008, after the species had met revised recovery goals of 30 breeding pairs and 300 wolves for eight consecutive years. Wildlife biologists estimate there are 1,700 wolves in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, eastern Oregon and Washington. Wolves were first placed on the endangered species list in 1974.

“The evidence of a recovery for the gray wolf is as plain as day, yet Montana stock-growers and wildlife managers have their hands tied when it comes to managing the predator,” said Rehberg, who in February urged the White House to adhere to an FWS opinion that the wolf be delisted in Montana and Idaho. “Stock losses and big game depredation caused by an uncontrolled wolf population are a real concern in Montana, and the state’s responsible management plan needs to be put in place.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called members back to Washington to vote on yet another multi-billion bailout.

“While Montana’s economy continues to hemorrhage jobs and our families struggle to pay their bills, Speaker Pelosi summoned Congress back to Washington to force a vote on yet another bailout for her home state of California, a state that has been unwilling to make the tough fiscal decisions necessary to balance its budget. Montana has a balanced budget, so it’s beyond insulting to be forced to pay off California’s debts. But that’s exactly what Speaker Pelosi is asking taxpayers to do. Montana’s families know that you shouldn’t balance the checkbook with a credit card. If your checking account is overdrawn, the painful reality is you’ve got to spend less. There is no justification for what Nancy Pelosi is doing to taxpayers.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement in response to a federal court ruling that effectively places wolves back on the endangered species list. The decision also cancels the scheduled wolf hunts in Montana and Idaho by prohibiting state management of wolf populations.

“I’ve long said decisions regarding the endangered species list should be based on sound science. I’m disappointed that after years of monitoring and research, and hundreds of millions of federal dollars spent, there are still people in this country who refuse to acknowledge the fact that gray wolves are a recovered species and ready for responsible state management. Land-owners, stock-growers, biologists, conservationists, and public officials at the state and federal level have all worked diligently to get to this point.

“It’s high time for the billion-dollar environmental extremist industry to start listening to local experts and stop assuming all knowledge about wildlife issues resides outside of Montana. State wildlife managers have legitimate concerns over depleting elk and deer populations and our livestock industry is faced with ever increasing wolf encroachment. Montana has developed a responsible wolf management plan and it should have been given a chance to succeed.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House colleagues from both parties in supporting passage of a resolution honoring the service of America’s air traffic controllers. The resolution is notable in Montana for its specific mention of a Montana air traffic incident.

“Montanans can feel safe in the air because of the quality, professionalism, and dedication of our outstanding air traffic controllers,” said Congressman Rehberg, a member of the House General Aviation Caucus. “Their services have helped open Montana to trade, commerce and tourism, all of which are essential to the growth of our economy.”

The resolution contains specific mention of a March 29, 2009 incident in Butte, Montana, in which air traffic controller Troy Decker at the Salt Lake Center facility guided a Piper Aztec aircraft with engine trouble to a safe landing, providing detailed weather reports for several possible landing options.

“Nearly 1.5 million people commercially flew in and out of Montana in 2009,” said Rehberg. “These passengers, in addition to the countless general aviators who use Montana’s airspace for transportation and recreation, are fundamental to Montana’s modern economy. It’s our job to ensure these folks are provided with the safest, most reliable and professional air traffic control network in the world.”

“We are deeply honored by this resolution and thank Congressman Rehberg and each of the co-sponsors for their support of air traffic controllers, aviation safety and the National Airspace System” said Todd Knowles, Montana State Legislative Representative, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). “Air traffic controllers are proud of the work that we do in ensuring the safety of every aircraft, and our mission is to provide a high level of safety, skill, dedication and professionalism in our jobs. We will continue to do all we can to make today’s system safe and efficient while working to bring new technologies and procedures on board safely and effectively.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has cosponsored legislation to cut all non-defense/homeland security/veterans affairs spending by five cents for every dollar in fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Rehberg has offered several solutions for spending reform in Congress.

“If the State of Montana can save a nickel for every dollar it spends, there’s absolutely no reason the federal government shouldn’t be able to do the same,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The record deficits are adding to a record debt that is bogging down economic recovery and destroying jobs. Montanans have tightened their belts, and it’s way past time for Congress to follow their lead.”

Rehberg has been leading by example among his colleagues in the House. This legislation is only the most recent example of him putting taxpayer money where his mouth is. Earlier this year, he decided to forgo earmarks and sponsored legislation to apply the money saved back to the national debt. He has also offered amendments in all of his Appropriations Subcommittees to freeze spending levels and has sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to require a balanced budget.

When Democrats took over control of Congress in 2006, the federal budget was well on its way back to the surpluses prior to 9/11. Since the majority changed, however, the federal deficit has quadrupled and the debt has ballooned to $13 trillion – more than $40,000 for every man, woman and child in America.

H.R. 5542, which Rehberg cosponsored, mandates a five percent across-the-board reduction in federal spending that isn’t going toward defense, homeland security or veterans affairs. That cut is roughly equivalent to one made by the state of Montana earlier this year in order to balance the budget.

“When it comes to spending reform, I’ve led by personal example, sponsored legislation and offered amendments,” said Rehberg. “Unfortunately, this majority is more interested in talking about the deficit from previous years than in doing something about the deficit today. That’s got to change, and this bill embodies that.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today introduced the bipartisan Rural Community Flood Protection Act with Rep. David Wu (D-OR). This legislation would require the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a levee system evaluation and certification for both federally and non-federally authorized levees upon the request of a non-federal entity. The Corps of Engineers suspended its certifications after liability concerns following Hurricane Katrina, leaving several Montana communities to either come up with tens of thousands of dollars for private certifications or face expensive flood insurance requirements.

“Rural communities have always depended on the Corps of Engineers for the certification of their levees, and it’s wrong to pull the rug out from under them,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Levee Caucus. “It makes no sense to force thousands of tiny rural communities to secure certification on their own when the Corps can do it for much cheaper and with much more efficiency. This is about doing the right thing, both for rural families and for cost savings.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of digitally re-mapping various parts of the country, including parts of Montana. As a result, many levees need to be recertified to provide a set level of protection. Without this certification, FEMA’s new maps will show that no levee exists, requiring homeowners to purchase flood insurance and possibly prohibiting them from building on their property. Earlier this year, during a House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Rehberg questioned the Corps of Engineers about their unwillingness to resume certifications, and whether they were sufficiently authorized to certify levees.

This legislation would give the Corp of Engineers explicit authority to resume its certification of levees. It also includes a cost-sharing provision that lifts the burden of expense off of the local communities and property owners. The Corps would be directed to cap the non-federal cost-share requirements for certifications it provides.

“Giving the Corps of Engineers the authority to do these certifications is a big step,” said Sandy Mares, the Administrative Commissioner of the West Great Falls Flood Control and Drainage District. “The cost-sharing provisions of Denny’s bill are a life-preserver for the small rural levee districts in Montana, and we can’t thank him enough for his work.”

BILLINGS, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced an additional fifteen listening sessions in counties stretching from Sheridan County to Beaverhead County in early August. Rehberg’s America Speaking Out Listening Tour continues across the four corners of Montana, where he invites anyone who wants to come and takes all questions and comments. He will cover nearly 2,500 miles.

“Driving across Montana each weekend is one of the best parts of this job,” said Rehberg, who visits all 56 counties each Congress. “While a lot of my colleagues would rather spend their time in D.C., I need the face-to-face interaction with Montanans to represent them the way they deserve. There’s just no substitute for the unfiltered opinions you get at these listening sessions, which is why I have had so many. ”

Rehberg scheduled 15 listening sessions between July 31 and August 7:

Custer County Listening Session — Miles City
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 1 PM
Miles City Community College Room #317
2715 Dickinson Road

Wibaux County Listing Session — Wibaux
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 4 PM
Wibaux County Courtroom
203 South Wibaux

Daniels County Listening Session — Scobey
Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 1 PM
Museum Visitors Center
720 2nd Avenue West

Sheridan County Listening Session — Plentywood
Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Sheridan County Courthouse
100 West Laurel Avenue

Roosevelt County Listening Session — Wolf Point
Monday, August 2, 2010 at 10 AM
Senior Center Community Services Building
124 Custer Avenue

Richland County Listening Session — Sidney
Monday, August 2, 2010 at 2 PM
Community Services Building
1291 West Holly Street

Musselshell County Listening Session — Roundup
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 10 AM
Roundup Memorial Hospital, Conference Room
1201 3rd Street West

Judith Basin County Listening Session — Stanford
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 2 PM
County Courthouse
31 1st Avenue

Park County Listening Session — Livingston
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 10 AM
Park County Courthouse
414 East Challender Street

Gallatin County Listening Session — Bozeman
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 1 PM
Bozeman City Hall
121 North Rouse

Madison County Listening Session — Ennis
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 10 AM
Madison Rural Valley Fire Station, Fire Station 1
537 US HWY 287

Beaverhead County Listening Session — Dillon
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 2 PM
University of Montana — Western
710 South Atlantic

Jefferson County Listening Session — Boulder
Friday, August 6, 2010 at 10 AM
Jefferson County Courthouse
201 Centennial

Lewis and Clark County Listening Session — Helena
Friday, August 6, 2010 at 1 PM
Lewis and Clark Library
120 South Last Chance Gulch

Lincoln County Listening Session — Libby
Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 1 PM
Libby City Hall
952 East Spruce Street