Sunday, January 24, 2010

Got an email from my Congressman, who was happy to tell me that NONE OF THIS MESS is HIS FAULT.. And he is introducing the EXPENSE ACT to save USa...


The Hill Report
A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Pete Sessions
Week of January 18 – January 22, 2010


As unemployment continues to rise in 2010, the American people are still asking, “Where are the jobs?”

Today, the Texas Workforce Commission reported that Texas’ unemployment rate rose from 8.0 to 8.3 percent in December 2009. While the unemployment rate in Texas continues to be well below the nation’s 10 percent unemployment rate, the effect of Congressional Democrats’ job-killing policies has significantly impacted the lives of Texans and our economy.

As another indication of the failure of the so-called “stimulus” plan, the Department of Labor announced this week that approximately 12 million Americans are claiming Unemployment Insurance benefits – an increase of roughly 4 million Americans since the “stimulus” was passed last February. Clearly, the promises of job creation have yet to be fulfilled, and it is time for Congress to redirect its focus to common-sense reforms that actually create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce our nation’s record deficit.

At a time when Congress needs to create incentives for American businesses to reinvest in their companies, current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expensing regulations prohibit companies from most effectively handling their investments. These arbitrary regulations reduce their ability to invest in their company, buy new equipment, and hire new workers.

As a result, I have reintroduced the EXPENSE Act (EXpensing Property Expands our Nation's Strong Economy). By allowing companies to circumvent these obsolete IRS regulations and handle their expenses in a way that best suits their company’s business plans, this legislation will spur overall economic and job growth by creating incentives for American enterprise to reinvest in their businesses, new equipment, and people to run that equipment. America needs more jobs and the EXPENSE Act guarantees them.

I encourage President Obama and Speaker Pelosi to start listening to the American people and to work with Republicans in Congress to implement common-sense, pro-growth economic policies such as the EXPENSE Act. The top priorities of Congress should be reducing the deficit, cutting spending, lowering taxes, and eliminating excessive mandates to help create an environment for American businesses to grow, invest and hire more workers.

Boy Scouts of America Celebrates 100th Anniversary
2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. As an Eagle Scout with four generations of Boy Scouts in my family, I value the Boy Scouts’ significant contribution to the American culture in shaping the values, citizenship and skills of millions of young men. The values of scouting have instilled in me a sense of duty to God, country, and self and I am honored to join in celebrating the Boy Scouts’ 100th anniversary.

As you may remember, I have worked in Congress to secure two items of recognition for the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary. In 2008, I introduced the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 5872), which passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Bush. As a result, the Treasury will mint 350,000 one-dollar silver coins this year to commemorate 100 years of scouting (reportedly for sale beginning on March 23rd; additional details TBA). The surcharge on this coin represents a $7 million donation to Boy Scouts in hard-to-serve areas. I have also led congressional efforts for the past two years to secure a U.S. postage stamp honoring 100 years of scouting. The U.S. Postal Service and the Boys Scouts of America unveiled the U.S. postage stamp entitled “Celebrate Scouting” in November of last year, and will go on sale at the Jamboree this July. I am confident that these two tokens will help raise awareness of the many benefits of Scouting.

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