Uncovered: Democrats Seek to Use Stimulus to Kick Start Government-Run Health Care

Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement regarding the inclusion of 1.1 billion dollars for Comparative Effectiveness Research in the Democrats’ misnamed “stimulus” package. The provision provides the cornerstone for a national government-run health care system.

“Congressional Democrats are seeking to use an economic crisis to advance their goal of a massive federal health care bureaucracy,” said Chairman Price. “There should be no confusion: Comparative Effectiveness Research funding is the first step to creating a national bureaucratic health care system. Producing a uniform standard for national health care means health care decisions will be made by the government, not doctors and patients. We must fight for patient-centered care and ensure that those most affected by health care decisions continue to be allowed to make them.”

Next week the House of Representatives will consider the Democrat so-called “stimulus” bill that will, among other provisions, establish a Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER). This new health board will establish a permanent government rationing organization prescribing care in place of doctors and patients. The draft report language accompanying the appropriations health portion of the bill clearly lays out the Democrats’ plan for their new CER board:

“By knowing what works best and presenting this information more broadly to patients and healthcare professionals, those items, procedures, and interventions that are most effective to prevent, control, and treat health conditions will be utilized, while those that are found to be less effective and in some cases, more expensive, will no longer be prescribed.”

Learn more here.

Isakson Votes No on Treasury Nominee

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today released the following statement regarding Timothy Geithner’s confirmation to head the Treasury Department. Geithner was confirmed by a vote of 60 to 34. Isakson voted against confirming Geithner.

“Timothy Geithner is a talented and able man. However, that fact does not outweigh the fact that Mr. Geithner failed to pay payroll taxes on two years income at the IMF, even after the IRS audited his returns for the two succeeding years and discovered his failure to pay. It was only days before his nomination that he came forward to pay the other two years. That was more than a mistake for someone nominated to oversee the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. I cannot support his nomination.”

Statement from Governor Sonny Perdue Following Inauguration of President Barack Obama

Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement following today’s inauguration of President Barack Obama:

“Today’s inauguration of President Obama marks yet another peaceful transition of power in our nation’s great history. Mary and I were honored to attend today’s ceremony and our prayers are with President and Mrs. Obama as they take on this awesome responsibility. Georgia looks forward to continuing to work closely with the incoming administration as we address our softening economy and the impact it is having on our citizens. I also want to thank President Bush for his service to our country and for his support and friendship during his time in the White House.”

Chambliss Statement on the Inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today released the following statement following the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

"Today's inauguration is a historic occasion and milestone that honors our new President and measures the progress we have made as a nation. President Barack Obama and his administration will face many challenges both foreign and domestic as he outlined in his address today. I have great respect for him and I look forward to working with him in a bipartisan way, as offered in his remarks.

"I know that all Georgians and all Americans, join me in praying for President Obama and his family on this day and in the future for a safe and successful presidency.”

Sign the Petition to Say NO to the "Fairness Doctrine"

With the election of Barack Obama for President of the United States, and the Democrats controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing to re-install the "Fairness Doctrine", a policy enforced by the FCC that called for issues to be debated in an equitable manner.

However, this policy is being reintroduced by Democrats to stifle conservative talk radio shows, like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and others.

By signing this petition, you are pledging your support for conservative talk radio. Please engage family, friends and colleagues to sign this as well and tell Congress NO to the "Un"Fairness Doctrine.

We plan to have 1,000,000 signatories on this petition and send it to House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President-elect Barack Obama.

The link is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoToFairnessDoctrine/

Isakson Pushes Labor Nominee to Oppose Eliminating Workers’ Rights to Secret Ballot in Choosing Whether to Unionize

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today questioned why President-elect Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Labor supports legislation to strip workers of their right to a secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize, but previously insisted on a secret ballot for workers during negotiations with management on flex time.

The nominee, U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis of California, voted for legislation to strip workers of the secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize in 2007, but pushed legislation in the California Legislature in the late 1990s in which she insisted that workers have the secret ballot when negotiating with management on flex time and overtime pay.

“You insisted that there be a vote by all employees and that it be by secret ballot. Why would we want to change the law of the United States now with regard to how unions are organized and eliminate the secret ballot?” Isakson said to Solis during her hearing this morning in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Solis responded to Isakson this morning that she was not prepared to make a statement about her position on the secret ballot at this time.

Isakson strongly opposes the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, also known as Card Check, which would eliminate the rights of workers to participate in a secret-ballot election in order to certify the creation of a union. The legislation would force employees to make a public declaration of their preference by allowing union organizers to bypass elections if a majority of employees sign cards authorizing a union.

The legislation passed the U.S. House in 2007 and is expected to be brought forth by Democratic leaders for a vote in the Senate this year.
Isakson believes the current system, which allows employees to use a secret ballot in choosing whether they want a union to become their exclusive representative in the workplace, has worked well because it neither advocates nor discourages unionization.
Isakson blamed declining union membership as the motive behind the legislation, which did not receive committee consideration. Union membership among private sector employees is at its lowest level in decades.

Isakson also used the nomination hearing for Solis to stress the importance of writing regulations that both protect workers and allow businesses to operate efficiently.

“In my four years on this committee as the Republican leader on the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, I have worked with Senators Murray, Kennedy, Enzi and others to try and strike this delicate balance,” Isakson said. “We have a strong record of working together on critical issues to American workers such as mine safety reform, banning asbestos, and pension protection.”
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Westmoreland Appointed to GOP Whip Team

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) appointed three-term Rep. Lynn Westmoreland to the Republican whip team this week after Westmoreland was sworn in to the 111th Congress.

“It’s an honor to serve the Republican Conference in this capacity, and it gives me a seat and a greater voice at the leadership table as I work to represent and promote Georgia in the House,” Westmoreland said. “House Republicans are going through a rebuilding stage after losing significant ground over the past two election cycles. The Democrats have a huge majority and that limits our ability to stop liberal excesses in their tracks. We nevertheless have a duty to our constituents and to the nation to hold the Democrats and President Obama accountable for their actions. Our country faces extraordinary difficulties today. Republicans at times will provide a helping hand to the Democrats, but we’ll also work at times in an oversight role and other times as opponents to bad policy.”

As a deputy whip, Westmoreland will serve as an aide and adviser to Cantor. Members of the whip encourage rank-and-file members to support the leadership position on certain votes and also relay members’ opinions and concerns to the conference’s leaders.

Cantor praised Westmoreland’s addition to the whip team.

“This week begins our march toward a stronger future for America based on revitalized, common-sense ideals,” said Cantor. “I’m pleased that Congressman Westmoreland has joined the Republican Whip Team, the team that will act as the cornerstone of House Republican efforts to preserve, protect and create a better tomorrow for working families. This team is comprised of top leaders that will advance a positive vision for the future of our country, a vision based on accountability, transparency and action. I look forward to getting to work alongside Lynn."

Westmoreland has also taken on new responsibilities at the National Republican Congressional Committee, the political arm of the House Republicans. Westmoreland will serve as one of five vice chairs of the NRCC. He will oversee congressional redistricting efforts in the various states, which will redraw districts for the 2012 election cycle.

The congressman will maintain his committee assignments on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business.

“As the only Georgian on the transportation committee, this assignment is crucial to the state this year,” Westmoreland said. “We’re due for a major transportation bill this Congress and I’ll serve as the point person for all the Georgia projects. Congestion and infrastructure improvements are pressing needs in Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District, and I’m going to continue work on that those matters over the next two years.”
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