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The House Members return today for legislative session. Democrat leadership has announced that they plan to bypass a bicameral conference committee to merge both the House and Senate health care bills, and have opted to instead “ping-pong” the Senate bill. Under this strategy, the House will take up the Senate bill and amend it, then send it back to the Senate for final approval. Republicans, including Congressman Conaway, are outraged that the Democrat leadership has chosen to exclude Republican Members in the negotiations and conduct such talks behind closed door. This is a disservice to the American people and certainly conflicts with President Obama and Democrat promises for fairness and transparency.

Major issues must still be resolved between the House and Senate, including: 1) Illegal immigrants’ ability to purchase coverage in the exchange; 2) Federal funding of abortion; 3) The government-run option vs. the federally overseen “Multi-State Plan”/ exchange; 4) Financing the expansion of coverage through a surtax on the “wealthy” and small businesses vs. a union opposed tax on “Cadillac plans” and the Medicare payroll increase for the “wealthy”; and 5) Independent Medicare Advisory Board (IMAB), also known as “MedPAC on Steroids”.

Congressman Conaway stands with the American people in fighting against a government takeover of health care and for reforms that will cut down on the cost of care, allow for individual choice, and maintain quality of care. Sarah Beatty- Senior Legislative Assistant on Healthcare

Hi, my name is Meghan Mayer and I am from Midland, TX. I am currently in my final year at Baylor University where I am majoring in Business Marketing and Management. I have been working in Congressman Conaway’s office since the first week of September and I can’t believe my semester is already up.

I came into this internship not knowing what to expect, and being a business major, I felt unprepared to work in a political office. From the first day I started working, the staff has been patient, helpful, and an absolute joy to work with. Throughout my internship, I have gotten the chance to work closely with each member of the staff, and with their help, I have learned a great deal about everything that goes into the legislative process. This experience as a whole has made a big impact on my life. . In my mind, going to Washington on my own and working with all the different offices and personnel, has prepared me to graduate with confidence. Meghan Mayer-Intern in the Washington DC office

Mike discusses the last bit of work in Congress and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

 End of Year [4:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mike discusses legislation this week that would expand government control of the financial service industry rather than reform.

 

 financialservice12-11-09 [4:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week the House faces a busy schedule to address several looming deadlines. On Thursday the House will begin consideration of Rep. Barney Frank’s Make Bailouts Permanent bill, a bill that seeks to overhaul the financial service sector with new government regulations and mandates. Also on the floor this week is an extension of several expiring tax breaks such as the production tax credits and the possible consideration of the omnibus appropriation package.

This week Mike is urging Secretary Geithner, President Obama and Speaker Pelosi to allow the unused and returned money from the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP) to be put towards paying down the deficit. Recently, Bank of America and several larger banks are repaying the funds from TARP. Mike wants to ensure this borrowed money is not recycled and that TARP is formally ended. President Obama is proposing that the unused and returned funds go towards another stimulus. Austin Weatherford- Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Mike Conaway

My name is Keith Patrick. I am an Agriculture Education graduate student at Texas Tech University and I have served as an intern for Congressman Mike Conaway since August. I’ve lived all over Texas and have traveled our country fairly extensively and even left its shores on occasion; and I can safely say that there is no place else like Washington, D.C. Yes I’m a little older and more experienced than many interns, but I have experienced this city for the first time like everyone else, with utter awe and amazement. I have admittedly choked up on a nighttime visit to the Lincoln Memorial, been awestruck by my first look at the Capitol and marveled during my first walk of the National Mall. I’ve made the rounds of the museums and seen the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, pieces of the World Trade Center, Audie Murphy’s uniform, Lincoln’s Hat, John Glenn’s spacesuit, and Teddy Roosevelt’s chaps…all a 10 minute walk from my temporary home. I was there to see Senator Ted Kennedy’s funeral procession stop at the steps of the Senate for prayer. I have met Senators and Congressmen and women, and chitchatted with them over drinks and bbq. I’ve been inside the White House and walked its gardens. I’ve attended hearings and receptions with cabinet members and generals, and moved aside for the President’s motorcade to speed by. I even met Buzz Aldrin. But I have gained more than lifelong memories and great facebook pictures here. The things I’ve done in, around, and for the office have been where the real rewards were found. Read the rest of this entry »

Mike discusses his support of the President’s plan to send more troops to Afghanistan and his vote in favor of a permanent repeal of the death tax.

 

 DeathTax [4:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week the House Democrats are voting to reinstate the Estate Tax at 45% with a $3.5 million exclusion amount. Democrats propose that this will provide a permanent fix to the estate tax, but the tax is not adjusted for inflation and does not adjust the alternative valuation for farmland or the deduction for family-owned businesses.

Congressman Conaway will offer two amendments today to adjust the exclusion amount to inflation and increase the alternative valuation for farmland to $1.85 million (adjusted to inflation) and $2 million for family owned businesses. It is doubtful that Speaker Pelosi will allow these permanent fixes to the floor, but we hope to gain some support from moderate Democrats on the proposal. Austin Weatherford- Legislative Assistant on tax policy to Rep. Mike Conaway

Mike discusses Medicare payments for Drs.

 

 Thanksgiving [2:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today, the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture, held a hearing to review broadband funding enacted by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Subcommittee heard testimony from officials representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration with $7.2 billion to expand access to broadband services in the United States. The 2008 Farm Bill reauthorized the USDA broadband loan program and improved the criteria used by USDA to select broadband projects for loans, loan and grant combinations, and grants. Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX-11), the Ranking Subcommittee Member on the Committee, made this statement following today’s hearing:

“The stimulus funding provided a great opportunity to bring broadband to the unserved rural communities in America. Broadband has the potential to generate American jobs in rural America – not overseas. To achieve that goal, access must be affordable and accessible to people living in rural America. It was my hope that this hearing would work to resolve some of the problems in the program, including defining remote versus rural areas and increasing participation in the program for the next Notice of Available Funds (NOAF). Read the rest of this entry »