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Understanding the true federal budget numbers is a difficult process, but is needed. The Congressional Budget Office works to provide the most accurate long term budget. Mike supports accrual federal budgeting accounting. Accrual accounting includes all promises made to the current budget. More accurate budgeting will allow policymakers to recognize the problems with the federal [...]

This week, the House will vote on a continuing resolution to cap 2006 funding levels for the remaining FY 2007. Last year, the 109th Congress approved funding for two of 11 appropriations bills and passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal agencies at FY 2006 levels until February. A continuing resolution is an agreement [...]

‘State of Union’ views clash, competing war plans tested Bob Campbell-Staff Writer Midland Reporter-Telegram 01/25/2007 Washington was a partisan hubbub Wednesday in the wake of President Bush’s State of the Union address with a hodgepodge of proposals on the war in Iraq, health insurance, immigration reform, energy development, the minimum wage and other concerns. Visiting [...]

Last night, the President gave his annual State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress. We continue to face serious challenges, but we have much to be thankful for as well. Our economy has continued to grow and job creation is at an all-time high. President Bush’s promise to cut the deficit in half by 2009 has been met two years ahead of schedule; further proof that the Republican tax relief program is working.

President Bush’s agenda includes a variety of bold energy policy reforms, one of which addresses America’s need for energy independence. I support the President’s “Twenty in Ten” goal to reduce U.S. gasoline usage by twenty percent in the next ten years. I am excited to look for ways to develop strategies to reach the stated goal.

The House agenda is light this week, following the completion of the Democrats’ “100 Hour” agenda in under 50 hours. The House plans to pass legislation that would revoke pension benefits to Members of Congress who are convicted of a certain felony. Tomorrow night, the President will make his second to last State of the [...]

Mike discusses the problems of H.R. 6 and how it could endanger current gas prices.

 An Unfair Attack on the Oil and Natural Gas Industry [5:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Watch Mike discuss the President’s new plan for Iraq with Heather Wilson (NM) on MSNBC.

On the Agenda this week the House will be considering H.R. 5 and H.R. 6. H.R. 5 lowers the interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students only. H.R. 5 would gradually reduce the interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans to 3.4 percent, leaving unsubsidized loans unchanged. On Thursday the House considers H.R. 6. [...]

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on H.R. 2: The Fair Minimum Wage Act 2007. H.R. 2 would raise the minimum wage by $2.10 over 2 years without helping ease the burden this would have on our small businesses. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and employ a large percentage of [...]

Mike discusses the increase to the minimum wage, negotiating prescription drug costs for Medicare, and increasing funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

 Minimum Wage, Prescription Drugs, Embryonic Stem Cell Research [4:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download