E-Newsletters
The 111th Congress has adjourned for the last time, something known in legislative-speak as Adjournment Sine Die. In Latin it means "without another day." For many Americans, that news comes with a sigh of relief.
There is little doubt that in the past two years, Congress passed some far-reaching legislation, whatever you may think of its merits. We have talked about those pieces of legislation in this space throughout the past two years and my views are well-known.
As Christmas quickly approaches, I find myself thinking about events that happened 66 years ago this week. Fighting Nazis in Belgium, members of the 101st Airborne found themselves in perilous danger. Freezing, short on provisions and hopelessly out-gunned the 101st held on to achieve one of the seminal moments in World War II.
Earlier today, President Obama signed H.R. 4853, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, into law (more on the specifics below). I am pleased that Congress and the Administration were ultimately able to work in a bipartisan manner to protect the American people from the largest tax increase in history.
In the current lame duck session of Congress, there is still much work to be done. With just a few weeks to go until the New Year, Congress still has not acted to prevent the largest tax increase in American history.
As Washington dithers, Americans are left to wonder what their tax rates will be in 2011. However, if there is a silver lining in this debate, it's that both sides are now seriously talking about significant changes to the tax code.
This week I was selected by my colleagues to lead the Small Business Committee, one of 21 committees in the House of Representatives. This role will put me squarely in the fight to get our economy moving again.
As we turn the calendar to December, I am reminded that the sports season is in full swing. In the Sixth Congressional District, we have a pair of state football champions (Mound City and Penney High School in Hamilton), and a girl's cross-country champion (Kearney). Basketball season has begun and you can bet some of our teams will be cutting down the nets early next year.
While it may seem as though 2010 just began, New Years is rapidly approaching. For most, the beginning of a new year is a time for reflection with friends and family. It is also an opportunity to look forward to all of the possibilities the future holds. Unfortunately, this year as we wait for the ball to drop in the Big Apple we are also counting down to the largest tax increase in American history.
On December 31st, the current tax rates will revert to the old tax rates of 2001. For comparisons sake, here's what they currently are compared to what they will be:
This week, a bipartisan commission is scheduled to release its recommendations for balancing the budget by 2015. Congress should take a look at their recommendations and implement the best ideas.
The fact that a national commission is needed to curb spending is a sign of how far off track things are in Washington. Americans already elect a bipartisan commission every two years to make sure the budget is balanced - Congress. Republicans and Democrats have spent and spent, to the point where trillion dollar deficits are expected. It's not sustainable and it's not acceptable.
There are reminders everywhere in Missouri that fall is beginning to wind down. Deer season has begun in earnest. High school football playoffs are reaching their pinnacle. The harvest has mostly been reaped. As we prepare for another winter in Northwest Missouri, it is time to give thanks.
Today, my House Republican colleagues and I passed an historic ban on earmarks for the next Congress. The election earlier this month provided definitive proof that the American people are tired of the record levels of borrowing and spending in Washington, and they want Congress to change the way it spends the people's money.