US Rep Bass Statement on Passage of Payroll Tax Cut Extension

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement this morning after the House of Representatives passed bipartisan compromise legislation to extend the payroll tax cut through the end of 2012.  The legislation also extends and reforms unemployment benefits and prevents a 27.4 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates by freezing rates at their current level through the end of this year.

Bass said:

“This legislation prevents a tax increase on hardworking taxpayers and ensures seniors will still be able to see their doctors by preventing a massive cut in physician reimbursement rates.  It also extends unemployment benefits for the millions of Americans who are struggling to find work in this tough economy.  We can now continue our focus on making it easier for the private sector to grow and create jobs and get our economy moving again in the right direction.

“I’m also pleased that the legislation includes provisions that I strongly support to expand broadband technology, create jobs and grow the economy, and create a nationwide network for public safety by auctioning spectrum.  This will help us meet the growing demand for mobile data and encourage innovation in technology and broadband services.

“I hope the Senate will consider and pass this legislation without delay so we can give families and businesses the certainty they need and prevent a tax increase from taking effect at the end of this month.”

http://bass.house.gov

US Rep Bass Statement on Passage of PIONEERS Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement this evening after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3408, the Protecting Investment in Oil Shale, the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security (PIONEERS) Act.  The legislation would partially fund the transportation reauthorization bill by opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and other areas to exploration and drilling.

Bass said:

“While I support finding solutions to increase our domestic energy supply and achieve energy security in our nation, opening protected, unique, and pristine environmental areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the wrong way to do it.  I support domestic energy production as well as the development of alternative sources of energy, but it should be done in a safe, environmentally-responsible manner.  As I’ve said before, opening ANWR to drilling as a means to pay for the transportation bill is neither reasonable nor realistic.”

Last week, Bass spearheaded a letter, signed by five of his Republican colleagues, to House Leadership urging them to remove the ANWR funding provisions from the transportation reauthorization bill.

http://bass.house.gov

US Rep Bass Statement on Release of President Obama's Budget

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement today after President Obama released his budget plan for Fiscal Year 2013, which includes $47 trillion in government spending over the next decade and $1.9 trillion in new taxes.

Bass said:

“President Obama has once again put forth a budget that spends too much, taxes too much, and fails to address the long-term fiscal challenges facing our country.  After three years of failed economic policies that have only grown our national debt and deficits, we have yet another presidential budget that will continue the uncertainty that is stalling our economic recovery and hurting the ability of businesses to hire.  The facts do not lie: under President Obama’s watch, the national debt has increased by $6.4 trillion.  We are now at a point where our national debt surpasses the total size of the economy and threatens our children’s and grandchildren’s futures.  Now is the time for real leadership, not gimmicks and an unwillingness to offer solutions. 

“The American people expect a responsible budget blueprint for our nation that cuts spending, reforms our tax code to make it simpler and fairer, stops borrowing trillions of dollars to pay for failed economic policies like the stimulus, and addresses the need to strengthen and preserve programs that protect the health and retirement security of seniors now and in the future. 

“Sadly, the President’s budget fails to accomplish these goals.  And the Senate Leadership has indicated it won’t even bother to do its job and produce a budget of its own this year.  The people of New Hampshire, and indeed the nation, deserve better.  I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we have a budget that contains real solutions to help our economy grow and secure a future of opportunity for our children and grandchildren.”

http://bass.house.gov

Bass to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Berlin 2/11/12 11am

Bass to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Berlin

Saturday, February 11, 11:00 a.m.

BERLIN, NH – On Saturday, February 11, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m., Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) will host a town hall meeting for constituents with special guest Mayor Paul Grenier at Berlin City Hall.  Constituents with questions, comments, or those in need of assistance on a federal matter are welcome to attend.

RECAP:

Congressman Charles F. Bass

Host Town Hall Meeting with special guest Mayor Paul Grenier

Berlin City Hall

168 Main Street

Berlin, NH

Saturday, February 11, 2012

11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

http://bass.house.gov

NHDP - New TV Ad Can’t Change Bass’ s Votes to Dismantle Medicare, Explode Deficits

$368k in Big Corporate TV Ads Trying to Bail out Bass

CONCORD, NH - Yesterday, the US Chamber of Commerce released a $368,000 New Hampshire TV ad that attempts to bail out Congressman Bass by covering up his vote to dismantle Medicare last year and his repeated votes to explode the national debt over the past two decades in Washington, DC.  The Chamber will spend more on the ads - over $368,000 - than Bass raised during the last six months.

"With an approval rating of just 30%, its is clear that big corporations are trying to bail out Congressman Bass with this expensive TV ad, but no amount of TV ads can cover up his votes to dismantle Medicare and explode the national debt over his 13 years in Washington," said Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 

"The fact is, Bass voted for the hugely controversial Paul Ryan budget last year that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turn it into a private voucher system, and after his many votes for corporate tax subsidies and loopholes, the national debt has more than doubled on his watch," continued Kirstein.

FACTS

MEDICARE:

Bass has consistently voted to cut Medicare[2] and last year voted for the Paul Ryan budget[3] that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher system for private insurance.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING:

In July of 2011 Bass voted against a bill that would have reduced the federal deficit by $2.2 trillion and curbed excessive government spending[4]. 

While Bass has been in Congress, the national debt nearly doubled and he has consistently voted to extend subsidies for the multibillion dollar oil industry[5].

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[1] The Granite State Poll, University of New Hampshire, 2/8/12

[2] HRS653, Vote #4, 2/01/06. S1932, Vote #670, 12/19/05. HCR 84, Vote #166, 6/05/97. HR 2496, Vote #812, 11/17/95. HR 2491,Vote #743, 10/26/95.

[3] H CON RES 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11

[4] HR 2693, Vote #682, 7/30/11

[5] HR 6, Vote #445 , 7/28/05 (Bass vote for Bush Energy bill with $85 billion in energy company subsidies, primarily oil and gas).

As of January 31, 1995, the month Bass was first sworn into office, the total Public Debt Outstanding was $4.815 trillion.  Exact number in millions $4,815,827. [Public Debt Historic Data, publicdebt.treas.gov, accessed 9/18/10] As of December 31, 2006, when he left office after being voted out,  the total Public Debt Outstanding was $8.680 trillion.  Exact number in millions $8,680,224. [Public Debt Historic Data, publicdebt.treas.gov, accessed 9/18/10]