Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up

Press Release

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Fighting for Fiscal Discipline

Over my objection, on June 5 the House passed a record $3.041 trillion budget containing massive new tax increases and spending measures. This budget contains the largest tax increase in American history - a $683 billion tax increase.

The average Michigan taxpayer would pay over $3,000 more per year under the budget plan. $3,000! That's more than just giving up a family trip or new television. That kind of money will seriously affect every middle class family in south-central Michigan.

The majority in this Congress is spending money recklessly and is raising taxes to pay for it. So, if you're a fan of higher taxes, their budget proposal is really something special. But if you're an American taxpayer struggling to pay for gas, food, health care and college tuition, this budget is a disaster. If you're an American worker, these job killing tax increases will not help you find work, put food on your table, fill your car up with gas or pay for your child's college tuition.

I opposed this pork-filled, bloated budget and will continue to work on a budget that encourages job creation, spends taxpayer dollars in a responsible manner and is balanced. Families in Michigan cannot afford tax increases right now.

Opposing Tax Increases on American Gas and Oil Production
Instead of coming up with common sense solutions to lower gas prices, the majority in Congress has instead voted to increase taxes and regulations and to sue OPEC. This is not a plan to lower gas prices.

This week the House voted to place a punitive tax on American oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, a measure I opposed. Taxing energy produced in America will not result in lower prices at the pump. With gas prices sky-rocketing over $4 throughout south-central Michigan, I am working hard to increase the supply of American produced energy to bring down prices at the pump. The No Excuses Energy Bill, a bill I strongly support, would open up more American land for environmentally sound drilling and encourage the construction of new nuclear power plants and refineries. We need to get serious on increasing American energy production right away.

Working for Health Care Reform
This week Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi introduced a Senate companion to the health care bill I introduced last month. Our legislation would improve the access to quality, affordable health care for Americans while empowering them to take more control over their health care decisions.

The Making Health Care More Affordable Act provides health insurance options that are portable, meaning consumers could take their insurance with them if they move or change jobs. Paying for health care is one of the biggest challenges American families face today, and Senator Wicker and I are committed to giving more Americans access to affordable health insurance.

Our current health care system is broken, and I hear from too many Michigan families who can't afford the kind of coverage they need or are without insurance. We need major health care reform that is patient-centered and expands coverage. Individuals rarely have the ability to choose their own health care, and we need to put patients and families, not Washington, D.C. bureaucrats, in charge of health care decisions. More information about our bill is available at http://walberg.house.gov/blog/?p=204.

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