CORNERSTONE APPLAUDS SENATOR'S AYOTTE'S VOTE ON SPENDING BILL

Bill included defunding of Planned Parenthood and decreased taxpayer funding to abortion providers

Manchester, NH - Today, Cornerstone Action applauded US Senator Kelly Ayotte for casting a "yes" vote in favor of the larger spending reduction plan passed by the US House.  While the Democratic plan offered in the Senate would have cut approximately $6 billion in governement spending, the Republican plan called for almost $61 billion in reductions - including cutting taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood and other funds that go to abortion providers in the way of "family planning" monies.  

Commenting on Senator Ayotte's vote was Cornerstone representative, Ellen Kolb:

"We commend Senator Ayotte for looking out for every taxpayer in the Granite State by voting 'yes' on the larger of the two spending reduction bills.  The Democratic majority in the Senate, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, are clearly tone-deaf in listening to the mandate delivered by the taxpayers last November.  In addition, we applaud Senator Ayotte in her efforts to ensure that no public money is being used to fund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.  As a strong and accomplished woman, we know that Senator Ayotte cares deeply about providing women with access to quality health care services, as well as ensuring that our tax dollars are spent wisely - to suggest otherwise is both absurd and irresponsible."  

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE), with revenues of $18 million in 2010, receives approximately $800,000 in federal and state funds from the State of New Hampshire.  According to their annual report, PPNNE currently spends approximately $4.3 million on activities such as marketing, fundraising, and overhead.

Planned Parenthood has also recently come under investigation after under cover videos revealed employees at various clinics assisting in the sex trafficking of minors.  Lila Rose, the young woman credited with the production of the videos (www.liveaction.org) will be in New Hampshire today as part of an SBA-List press conference at Congressman Frank Guinta's Office to thank him for his vote to defund Planned Parenthood.  

Cornerstone-Action is the legislative and issue advocacy arm of Cornerstone Policy Research.

Cornerstone Policy Research is a non-partisan, non-profit education and research organization dedicated to the preservation of strong families, limited government and free markets.

US Rep Guinta statement on just-passed 2-week stopgap spending bill and its $4+ billion in cuts

“It’s a positive step forward, but it’s a baby step.  We must cut even more.”

(Washington – March 1, 2011)    Rep. Frank Guinta (NH-01) released the following statement following today’s passage of H.J. Res. 44, extending the Continuing Resolution to fund the government through March 18, 2011 and cutting $4.01 billion in existing spending:

“This is another victory in the long campaign to restore fiscal sanity to Washington.  We in the House are acting responsibly, making the real-time spending cuts the people want.  We passed a Continuing Resolution ten days ago that contained $61 billion in cuts, only to watch Senate Democrats dig in their heels in opposition.  Today we won $4.01 billion in spending reductions.  It’s a positive step forward, but it’s a baby step.  We must cut even more.  I will keep fighting for meaningful spending cuts until Washington finally kicks the habit of irresponsible spending.”

US Rep. Frank Guinta won't vote for a stopgap spending bill without spending cuts

GUINTA STATEMENT ON A SHORT-TERM

CONTINUING RESOLUTION

“I won’t vote for a stopgap spending bill that doesn’t contain

meaningful cuts in federal spending.”

(Washington – February 28, 2011)    Rep. Frank Guinta (NH-01) released the following statement on a short-term Continuing Resolution.

Background:    On February 19^th, the House passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30^th.  It contained cuts in current spending totaling $61 billion.  Congressman Guinta voted for it.  That bill is now in the Senate, where its chances for passage are unfavorable.  Funding for government operations expire on Friday, March 4^th.

Statement:    “There is talk on Capitol Hill about a short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating for two weeks.  Let me say right now:  I won’t vote for a stopgap spending bill that doesn’t include meaningful cuts in federal spending.

“Let’s remember how we got in this mess.  House Democrats abdicated their responsibility last year by refusing to even write a federal budget for this fiscal year.  President Obama also surrendered fiscal leadership by submitting a budget proposal for the next fiscal year that only pays lip service to reining in spending, and which actually would increase spending by $8.7 trillion over the next decade.

“Republicans in the House acted responsibly and honored the people’s wishes by approving $61 billion in immediate spending cuts.  I don’t want a government shutdown, and my Republican colleagues don’t want that to happen, either.  But I cannot surrender the commitment I made to Granite Staters to bring spending under control, and to do it pronto.  The ball is in the Senate’s court, and I urge them to also heed the desire of the people they serve.  

“We can easily avoid depriving our citizens of the government services they rely on by passing a spending bill that shows we’re serious about stopping the government’s spending spree.  Doing anything less is an insult to the people who sent us here.

Bass Fights to Restore Funding for LIHEAP

WASHINGTON – During debate on the Continuing Resolution this week, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) fought to include an amendment that would make available $50 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency contingency fund.  Unfortunately, Bass’ amendment failed by a vote of 104-322 this morning. 

Originally, $590 million was appropriated for the LIHEAP emergency contingency fund, but the Continuing Resolution cuts $390 million from the fund.  The remaining $200 million in the contingency fund has already been allocated, leaving the fund at zero for the rest of the winter.

Bass said:

“With a month left of winter and New Hampshire families still struggling with high energy costs, we can’t afford to zero out emergency contingency funding for a vital program like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.  My amendment would have made available a modest amount in the emergency contingency fund so it would be available to help families that need it most.

“As we continue to debate how to fund our nation’s priorities, including programs like LIHEAP, we will have tough choices to make.  While I’m disappointed that my amendment did not pass, I will keep fighting for New Hampshire’s and our nation’s needs at a price we can afford.” 

LIHEAP provided vital assistance to over 47,000 New Hampshire households last year.

LIHEAP emergency contingency funds are made available at the discretion of the President to help meet additional home energy assistance needs arising from abnormal situations.

Bass to Offer Amendment to CR to Help Restore Emergency Funding for LIHEAP

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) will introduce an amendment to the Continuing Resolution this week to make available an additional $50 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency contingency fund.  Bass’ amendment is fully offset and is expected to be debated on the House floor today or tomorrow.

Bass said:

“New Hampshire families have been hit hard this year by high energy costs, and we still have a month left of winter.  The contingency fund helps provide access to emergency assistance during especially hard winters.  My amendment, which is fully offset, will add a modest amount to the contingency fund to help with home energy costs for the families that need it most.

“There are many priorities to fund, and Congress will have to make tough choices about spending.  I will continue working to ensure that we meet New Hampshire’s and our nation’s needs at a price we can afford.”

LIHEAP provided vital assistance to over 47,000 New Hampshire households last year.

Emergency contingency funds are made available at the discretion of the President to help meet additional home energy assistance needs arising from abnormal situations.