OC Political

This came over the wire from Congressman Gary Miller’s office yesterday…

June 29, 2012

Congressman Miller Criticizes Supreme Court Ruling on the President’s Health Care Law

On Thursday, the Supreme Court announced that it has upheld the so-called Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Congressman Miller is deeply disappointed by the Court’s misguided ruling. The Court upheld the law’s requirement forcing Americans to purchase government-approved insurance under Congress’ taxing authority – despite the Obama Administration’s insistence during consideration of the bill that it was not a tax. The Congressman continues to believe that the individual mandate is a breach of individual liberty, and that health care decisions are best left in the hands of patients and their families – not government bureaucrats.

Unless the law is repealed, Americans will be forced to purchase government-approved insurance that they may not want or need. The law’s draconian employer penalties give businesses an incentive to drop their employees’ health coverage, violating the President’s promise that those who like their current coverage could keep it, and limit hiring at a time of continued high unemployment. And despite promises that the health care overhaul will bring down health care costs, studies have shown that health care spending will continue to rise for both patients and the federal government.

Instead of burdensome mandates, taxes, and regulations that will not bring down health care costs, the Congressman believes we need common-sense, free-market reforms that will increase access to affordable health care and put patients in charge of their health care. This includes expanding insurance portability, offering tax breaks to allow Americans to purchase health insurance of their choosing, allowing the sale of health insurance across state lines, and promoting association health plans that will help small businesses band together to provide insurance to their employees at an affordable price.

By keeping intact this unworkable and costly law, the Court’s ruling is bad news for patients and for American taxpayers. Congressman Miller will continue to work in Congress to repeal this law so we can start over and reform our health care system to ensure that it preserves the doctor-patient relationship, reins in spiraling health care costs, and expands access to quality care for more Americans.

House Votes to Hold Attorney General In Contempt of Congress

On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to hold U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for refusing to turn over documents essential to the congressional investigation into the Justice Department’s Fast and Furious operation. The botched Justice Department operation allowed Mexican drug cartels to obtain thousands of weapons, and is linked to the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. For months, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has requested the Justice Department submit documents pertaining to what the Department and the Attorney General’s office knew about the operation. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration – which has prided itself on increasing government transparency – has declared that it will not turn over these documents, citing “executive privilege.” While Congressman Miller believes it is unfortunate that this measure had to be taken, he supported the contempt resolution because it is essential that Congress find out the truth in order to give the family of Agent Terry and taxpayers the answers they deserve and to hold this Administration accountable for its actions.

Congressman Miller Votes to Reduce Federal Spending in the FY 2013 T-HUD Appropriations Bill

This week, the House approved funding for the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other related programs and agencies for Fiscal Year 2013. The bill provides $51.6 billion in discretionary spending, nearly $4 billion less than the current funding level. While it is far from perfect, the appropriations measure strives to balance the need to reduce federal spending while ensuring that essential funding is available for our nation’s key transportation and housing programs. Specifically the bill provides nearly $39.1 billion for the federal highway program, the same level as this year. The bill leaves this funding subject to change pending the enactment into law of a new multi-year highway program authorization bill. As for housing programs, the bill provides $44.6 billion for HUD, a decrease of $3.8 billion from last year. This includes $26.3 billion for public housing, including $75 million for veterans housing. The FY 2013 appropriations measure also allocates $3.3 billion for community development block grants. As the appropriations process moves forward, Congressman Miller will continue to get our nation’s spending under control while making essential investments to address our country’s infrastructure and housing needs.

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