Illinois Republicans Voting Against Pork-Filled, Wasteful Spending

January 16, 2013 | Filed Under Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger, Budget, Congress, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Peter Roskam, Randy Hultgren, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

We do a lot of carping on blogs and in the media about what our Representatives in Congress do, of course. But once in a while we should praise them when they get together and do something right.

Today we offer a bit of positive reinforcement for our GOP delegation in D.C. for voting against the Sandy Relief package.

No, we aren’t crowing that they’ve voted to deprive victims of Hurricane Sandy of much needed relief funds. No, what we are praising them for is for refusing to vote for a bill that is stuffed with nothing but wasteful, pork spending.

Unfortunately, the bill wasn’t just for Sandy relief. It was also stuffed with billions for FBI agent salaries, road projects in states unaffected by Sandy, cash for upgrades to the money-losing Amtrak rail lines, and other wasteful spending.
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What Happened at the Illinois GOP Convention? Mostly Status Quo, But…

June 10, 2012 | Filed Under Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger, Bobby Schilling, Congress, Conservatives, Dan Patlak, Dan Rutherford, Democracy, Democrats/Leftists, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Joe Walsh, Judy Baar-Topinka, Liberals, Mitt Romney, Pat Brady, Peter Roskam, Politicians Illinois, President, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, SB600, Senate, State Central Committee, Steve Rauschenberger, Tom Cross, United Republican Fund, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois Republican Party held its 2012 Party Convention this weekend. On the docket was addressing some asked for rules changes and picking a slate of delegates to the GOP national convention to nominate Mitt Romney to carry the Party’s banner in the upcoming presidential election. My ultimate analysis is that this was a status quo convention, but signs show that the status quo might not be too long for this world.

Two things first, here. One, I have to state up front that I intended to be a delegate from my district at the Illinois GOP convention. I registered as such and was accepted by my man Tim Schneider of the Hanover Republicans, but forces outside of politics (in other words, real life) prevented me from participating to the fullest extent. Regardless, I wanted to let you know of my intentions upfront so that you can see that I am not just a disinterested bystander in this deal.

Two, if you want a blow-by-blow account of the many great speeches, see Cal Skinner’s report at McHenry County Blog. I will mention a few things, but won’t do the speech-by-speech analysis. Skinner covered that very well so I don’t feel the need to cover that ground again.

Rep. Aaron Schock plies the crowd after his address

Now, The single most controversial issue that was on the docket was the decision to initiate direct elections. For instance, there are many Republicans who want to change how the members of the State Central Committee are selected. Currently they are appointed by the committeemen but many voices in the party want to change that. They want these party leaders to stand for election (like the Democrats do, incidentally) instead of being appointed by the votes of the committeemen. This issue has been in debate throughout the state for several years already and I’ve covered that debate many times. (Check my out old coverage of SB600 using the search feature)

I am told that several attempts were made by various committeemen to get this issue its due during Friday’s Committee meetings. The issue failed in committee on Friday, but a spirited debate continued that afternoon, anyway. Ultimately, John Parrot of Congressional District 15 attempted to get the direct elections issue brought to the convention floor on Saturday for discussion and a vote as a separate issue. Instead party leaders decided to allow a “yea” or “nay” vote on Saturday.
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CPAC Chicago, Part 4: Joe Walsh, Randy Hultgren, Straw Poll Results

June 10, 2012 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, Budget, Business, Capitalism, ChampionNews.net, Chicago, Chris Christie, Christianity, Communism, Congress, Conservatives, Democracy, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, Ethics, Foreign Policy, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Heritage Foundation, Herman Cain, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois Policy Institute, Islam, Islamofascism, Jihad, Jobs, Joe Walsh, Koran, Liberals, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Nanny State, Obamacare, Peter Roskam, President, Randy Hultgren, Redistricting, Regulation, Republicans, Rick Santorum, Senate, Socialism, Taxes, Terrorism, The Heartland Institute, The Heritage Foundation, Unions, United Republican Fund, War on Terror, Warner Todd Huston, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Finally, in part four we’ll hear from two solid Illinois Congressmen, the 8th District’s Joe Walsh and Randy Hultgren of the 14th. We’ll also hear the, perhaps not startling results of the straw poll, the most important question from which was who Romney should pick for his vice presidential candidate (hint, the top picks weren’t any of his one-time rivals for the nomination).

Congressman Joe Walsh

Rep. Joe Walsh gins up the crowd

Joe Walsh of the Illinois 8th District is the one Congressman that the left wants to eliminate more than any other Republican Congressman. This is because Joe has carved out from among his fellows an outsized voice for conservatism. He appears regularly on TV and radio to tout the conservative message. But he’s become a major target of Democrat redistricting and now faces a tough challenge to be reelected in his newly reconfigured 8th District. Me, I think he can easily beat the know-nothing candidate the Democrats have put up against him, but Joe is taking nothing for granted.

One thing is sure, though, Joe Walsh knows how to get a conservative audience in motion.
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CPAC Chicago, Part 3: Bobby Jindal, Peter Roskam, Michele Bachman

June 10, 2012 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, Budget, Business, Capitalism, ChampionNews.net, Chicago, Chris Christie, Christianity, Communism, Congress, Conservatives, Constitution, Democracy, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, Ethics, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Heritage Foundation, Herman Cain, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois Policy Institute, Islam, Islamofascism, Jihad, Joe Walsh, Koran, Liberals, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Nanny State, Obamacare, Peter Roskam, President, Randy Hultgren, Redistricting, Regulation, Republicans, Rick Santorum, Senate, Socialism, Taxes, Terrorism, The Heartland Institute, Unions, United Republican Fund, War on Terror, Warner Todd Huston, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

In part three of our series we’ll take a look at the speeches of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam, and Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. Bachmann’s speech was quite interesting for its singular focus on a particular jihad-supporting Muslim group that is operating in America today. Bachmann was vehement that Obama ban this group.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

Gov. Bobby Jindal on the main stage

Jindal is another favorite of the greater conservative movement. He has a very compelling story of immigrant parents that came to America to become part of this great nation to finally see their little son become the most powerful man in their adopted state. It’s the perfect American story, for sure.

Speaking of stories, Jindal has a lot of them especially where it concerns his involvement in the BP Oil spill from 2010. I’ve seen Jindal relate this tale several times and it is always a good one. His description of how the federal government was more interested in observing its silly OSHA than deal quickly with the emergency before them was telling and hilarious — though ultimately sad and infuriating. Since this is standard stump speech stuff of Jindal’s, though, I did not Tweet that segment.

Like the others Jindal started praising the Walker win in Wisconsin. One of his funniest lines was that all the news people were proclaiming that the vote would be so close that it would be a long night for Wisconsin as they tallied the votes. But reality proved that the whole thing was over in a matter of hours with Walker’s landslide. Instead of it being a long night for Wisconsin, Jindal joked that it was instead a “long night at Obama headquarters in Chicago!”
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CPAC Chicago, Part 2: Richard Mourdock, Chris Christie, Herman Cain

June 10, 2012 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Chris Christie, Communism, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Elections, Ethics, GOP, Government, Corruption, Heritage Foundation, Herman Cain, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois Policy Institute, Islam, Islamofascism, Jihad, Jobs, Joe Walsh, Koran, Liberals, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Peter Roskam, President, Randy Hultgren, Redistricting, Religion, Republicans, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Senate, Socialism, Taxes, Terrorism, The Heartland Institute, The Heritage Foundation, United Republican Fund, War on Terror, Warner Todd Huston | 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

In part two of my coverage of CPACs first Midwestern conference event, we will see some of the high spots of the floor speeches of Indiana Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie – always a crowd favorite – and the redoubtable Herman Cain. Cain also visited the media room and I have video of that below the fold.

Indiana Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock

Richard Mourdock is the current Indiana State treasurer but he also just defeated long-time incumbent Senator Richard Lugar for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate from Indiana. He’ll face the Democrat come November. Mourdock has been widely touted as the insurgent Tea Party candidate that beat Lugar, the old line, establishment man.

“No one expected a lowly state treasurer could take out a 36-year Senator! But we DID,” Mourdock said triumphantly.

Mourdock also noted that Senator Chuck Schumer of New York has called him the “Hoosier headache.” Mourdock was rather proud of that appellation.
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CPAC Chicago, Wisconsin Praised, Obama Razed — Part One: Rick Santorum, Ron Johnson

June 10, 2012 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Chris Christie, Christianity, Communism, Congress, Democracy, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, Foreign Policy, GOP, Government, Corruption, Health, Herman Cain, House of Representatives, Illinois, Islam, Islamofascism, Jihad, Jobs, Joe Walsh, Koran, Liberals, Marco Rubio, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Obamacare, Peter Roskam, Politicians, President, Randy Hultgren, Redistricting, Regulation, Republicans, Rick Santorum, Rights, Senate, Socialism, Taxes, Terrorism, Unions, War on Terror, Warner Todd Huston, Wisconsin | 6 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, Friday evening, June 8, 2012, we marked the end of the first CPAC event held in Chicago and what a great event it was. The triumph in Wisconsin was on everyone’s mind but so was Obama’s dismal record. Not just dismal, but according to several speakers, even dangerous. The economy and the election of Romney were focal points but so was foreign policy this day. One theme, though, was constant: Obama has to go.

Because of other things going on and the several press availability sessions, I didn’t catch every speaker in the main hall, but I did hear the speeches of (in this order) former Senator Rick Santorum, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, Indiana Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Illinois Representative Peter Roskam, Minnesota Representative Michelle Bachmann, and Illinois Representatives Joe Walsh and Randy Hultgren. I also heard and recorded the press availability sessions of Herman Caine, Peter Roskam, and Michelle Bachmann and I caught most of Kansas Representative Tim Huelskamp’s.

Other notables whose speeches I missed were Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Heritage Foundation President Ed Feulner, and Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.

The event was a great success with well over 2,000 participants, all seats filled for the most part during the speeches and some great groups like the United Republican Fund, the Illinois Policy Institute, the Heartland Institute, Champion News, and others hosting and participating.

I’ll say a few words about the speakers I did see in the order I saw them and I’ll do this in a few installments so that this won’t be one long, overly taxing post. Now, as each of these speakers appeared before us I live Tweeted their comments, so the following quotes are pulled from my Twitter feed.

But before I do that, each speaker was quite enthusiastic over the win of Governor Scott Walker who defeated an effort by the far left and their union overlords to recall him in Wisconsin. Each speaker praised Walker and crowed about the left’s loss in there. I won’t regurgitate the Wisconsin hunk of each speaker as they were pretty much all the same; exuberant. The essential point was that we are all cheeseheads now.

Rick Santorum

Rick Santorum on the main stage

Former Pennsylvania Senator and recent GOP Presidential candidate Rick Santorum gave one of his well-crafted, typically workman-like speeches. One of Santorum’s early points was that America is at a “tipping point” and we’d better be there to tip it in the right direction.
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Too Many Republican Congressmen Giving Unions Free Tax Dollars

May 29, 2012 | Filed Under Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger, Anti-Americanism, Bobby Schilling, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Crony Capitalism, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Joe Walsh, Liberals, Pensions, Peter Roskam, PLA, Randy Hultgren, Regulation, Robert Dold, Taxes, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

For such a blue state, Illinois has some rather good Republicans in Congress, but on one issue many of them consistently fail. That is in their unfortunate support for Big Labor. The issue of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) is a perfect example of this penchant to support issues dear to the hearts of Big Labor.

Unions love PLAs because the rule forces government construction projects to be conducted under union rules, to pay union pay scales to workers as well as pension payments to the union plans, and requires all work to be controlled by union bosses even if the companies hired to do the work are non-union. With PLAs unions feel they have the best of both worlds because they can still benefit from free government money even when they aren’t hired to do the work. In short, PLAs are a sop to unions.

The main problem with PLAs is that they drive up the costs of government building contracts from word go. This costs us all money and in this era when we need to be cutting back the skyrocketing costs of government adding rules that drive up costs before the first foundation is dug is madness. Worse it is unfair to the largest number of construction companies that aren’t union members as they are forced as a condition of getting the work to pay unions thousands out of their pockets even as they’ll never benefit from union pensions or other programs.

Sadly, too many Illinois Republican Congressmen have been consistently in favor of allowing unions this free government handout. It is probably not a huge surprise that even Republicans in deep blue Illinois might end up bowing to the needs of greedy Big Labor initiatives. But it is not a healthy support regardless.
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Freedom Works Picks Walsh Over Hultgren for 14th District Primary

November 12, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Congress, Conservatives, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Joe Walsh, Randy Hultgren, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Denver, Colorado- Max Pappas, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Freedom Works, has announced that the FW candidate evaluation committee has chosen to support Congressman Joe Walsh in the upcoming 14th District GOP primary.

Pappas appeared at Blogcon 2011 as a member of a discussion panel focused on the suitability of the various 2012 primary candidates when the discussion turned to the Illinois 14th District.

Pappas said that in a survey of 80 votes, Joe Walsh only voted badly on one. “Walsh is with us 99.9% of the time. Hultgren only 60%,” Pappas said.

The only vote that Freedom Works disagreed with Walsh on was his vote favorable to Big Labor. Walsh voted against a right-to-work measure making that the only strike against his record.

Going solely on voting record, then, Freedom Works is supporting Joe Walsh for the 14th District primary.
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Is Rep. Walsh Supporter’s Facebook Page ‘Cyber Bullying’ of Rep. Hultgren?

October 27, 2011 | Filed Under Congress, Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Joe Walsh, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

One of the Daily Herald’s bloggers is wondering if the attack page against Congressman Randy Hultgren put on Facebook by a Rep. Walsh supporter qualifies as “cyberbullying.” It is an absurd charge, but the page in question is an interesting page of which to take note.

For those unaware, because of Democrat’s having redisticted Illinois and because the state lost a congressman because we lost residents in the last census, Rep. Joe Walsh (currently elected to the 8th District) announced that he will run against Rep. Randy Hultgren (currently of the 14th District). Instead or running again in the newly reconfigured 8th District, Walsh is challenging Hultgren in the 14th District.

Walsh feels he has to do this because his District was turned from a moderately GOp District to a leans Democrat District and because a lot of his constituents were switched over to the 14th district. This out come, where it is Republican against Republican, is precisely what the Democrats wanted. And boy are they getting it.
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Hultgren Statement on September Illinois Jobs Report

October 21, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, GOP, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding the September unemployment report released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“Today’s report that unemployment has increased to 10 percent is a clear sign that the state’s private sector has lost faith in the tax-and-spend policies espoused by leaders in both Washington, DC, and Springfield,” said Hultgren. “At the state level, I encourage leaders to work quickly to address the ever-growing pension crisis, the budget deficit, and late payments to state contractors.

“In Washington, I urge Harry Reid and the Senate to pass their first budget in more than 900 days and for them to act on the more than a dozen pro-growth, pro-job bills that have been passed by the House. We must restore the confidence of the private sector so small businesses will begin to grow and hire once again. ”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Hultgren Out-Raises Walsh in 3rd Quarter, Receives Major Endorsement

October 19, 2011 | Filed Under Campaign Finance, Congress, Elections, GOP, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced that he out-raised U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (IL-8) during the 3rd quarter fundraising period and that he has received the endorsement of a local
Pro-Life group.

“Joe Walsh’s support is clearly eroding as marked by his worst fundraising quarter of the year,” said Andrew Flach, campaign spokesperson. “It’s also no coincidence that we were able to out-raise Mr. Walsh in the same quarter that he announced his intentions to run against Congressman Hultgren.”

According to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission, Hultgren reported raising $186,945 during the months of July, August, and September, compared to only $156,099 for Walsh.

Also over the weekend, Hultgren was endorsed over Walsh by The Right to Life McHenry County Pro-Life Victory PAC. In a press release issued on Friday, the group stated, “Randy Hultgren should not have to face opposition in the primary from U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh. We continue in our efforts to encourage Joe to run as the pro-life candidate in the 8th Congressional District.”

“We are very proud and honored to receive the endorsement of The Right to Life McHenry County Pro-Life Victory PAC,” said Flach. “Congressman Hultgren has been and will continue to be a leader and a tireless fighter for the sanctity of human life.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

GOP to Illinois State Leaders: There Will Be No Federal Pension Bailout‏

October 18, 2011 | Filed Under Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger, Bobby Schilling, Budget, Business, Congress, Democrats/Leftists, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Joe Walsh, Liberals, Mark Kirk, Peter Roskam, President, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Robert Dold, Stimulus, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

This morning, Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (IL-06), 8 House GOP Committee Chairs, and the entire Illinois GOP Delegation sent a letter to Illinois’ legislative leaders and Gov. Quinn in advance of next week’s Veto Session. Gov. Quinn wrote in his FY 2012 Budget earlier this year that his Administration was considering “seeking a federal guarantee of the debt” for Illinois’ $85 billion unfunded pension liability.

They write, “we urge you to seize the opportunity to appropriately reform the State’s public pension systems to address their massive unfunded liabilities,” but “we can say with clarity: there will be no legislative bailouts from the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Roskam was joined by the Illinois GOP congressional delegation and Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, Education & Workforce Chairman John Kline, Energy & Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus, Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa and Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp.
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The Hultgren Huddle – October 16, 2011‏

October 18, 2011 | Filed Under Congress, Elections, GOP, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

I’m back in Illinois after another busy, but also productive, week working on your behalf in Washington, DC.

The biggest news out of the Capitol this week is that, after a long delay, Congress finally ratified three Free Trade Agreements. These FTAs, with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, promise to open valuable new markets for American manufacturers and farmers. They will also help create jobs in Illinois and across the country.

In Illinois alone, exports support almost 146,000 jobs, with 26,000 of those in our 14th District. Free trade is also hugely beneficial to our farmers: in 2010, the state’s agricultural exports were estimated at $5.8 billion, supporting almost 49,000 jobs statewide. To learn more about these FTAs, and what local stakeholders have to say about them, read my statement applauding their passage.
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Hultgren Statement in Response to President Obama’s Refusal to Acknowledge House GOP Jobs Plan

October 16, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, GOP, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) issued the following statement today in response to President Obama’s claim that he has yet to see the House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators.

“I was surprised by the President’s claim tonight that he has not seen a jobs plan from House Republicans; clearly, he hasn’t been paying attention. Long before the President introduced his American Jobs Act – which members of its own party are keeping at arm’s length – we unveiled our Plan for America’s Job Creators.

“Unlike the President’s proposal – which is far too much of failed ‘stimulus’ recipe of more spending and higher taxes – we’re focused on cutting red tape to unleash the potential of America’s private sector, and that’s been our focus since Day One.

“If the President is serious about getting Americans back to work, he should refrain from taking baseless, juvenile potshots and instead work with Senator Harry Reid to get the dozen pro-growth, pro-jobs bills we’ve passed through the Senate.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Hultgren Applauds House Passage Of Free Trade Agreements

October 14, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Conservatives, Free Trade, GOP, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight applauded the passage of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, by the House of Representatives. Hultgren voted for the three FTAs.

“Tonight’s votes are long-overdue victories for manufacturers and farmers in Illinois and across the country,” said Hultgren. “By passing these Free Trade Agreements, we have secured American exporters new markets for their goods, enabling them to expand and hire here at home. Already, exports have an enormous impact in the 14th District, supporting almost 26,000 jobs. The benefits to our agricultural sector will also be substantial – last year alone, Illinois’s agricultural exports were an estimated $5.8 billion, supporting almost 49,000 jobs statewide. I hope the Senate acts promptly on these FTAs and sends them to President Obama as soon as possible.”

“Congressional passage of the Free Trade Agreements with Panama, Columbia and South Korea is long overdue. Eliminating trade barriers and boosting U.S. export trade is key to furthering the nation’s economic recovery. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce supports passage of the Free Trade Agreements because we know that facilitating the expansion of international trade is critical to the state’s economic future. We thank Congressman Hultgren for his leadership on this issue.” – Doug Whitley, President and CEO, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

“Trade is important to Illinois and American agriculture, and passage of the FTA’s is a big step in the right direction for agriculture and the entire economy. These agreements will open new markets to Illinois’ agricultural exports, leading to job creation and economic expansion; that is critically important in these tough economic times. The Illinois Farm Bureau thanks Congressman Hultgren for his support of these agreements.” – Philip Nelson, President, Illinois Farm Bureau

Illinois employers supporting the FTAs include Boeing, Caterpillar, Kraft Foods and Navistar.

http://hultgren.house.gov/

The Hultgren Huddle – October 7, 2011‏

October 12, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

This week marked the 888th day since the Senate has passed a budget. To mark this occasion, I joined 35 other freshman members of Congress to tell the do-nothing Senate that, “Enough is enough, do your job – pass a budget.”

Not only have they failed to pass a budget for 888 days, spending recklessly the whole time, they have also failed to vote on any of the dozen pro-growth, pro-jobs bills the House has passed with bipartisan support. It’s time for Harry Reid and Dick Durbin to get serious, pass a budget, and pass our bills that will get Washington bureaucrats off the backs of America’s small business owners and let them hire and expand.

However, I did receive some good news this week: President Obama, at long last, has formally submitted to Congress free trade agreements with the nations of Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
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Hultgren Statement on September Jobs Report

October 10, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding the September unemployment report released by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“With this disappointing report the unemployment rate has been at or above 8 percent for 32 straight months, a level that President Obama said unemployment would never reach if the ‘stimulus’ was approved,” said Hultgren. “Even more discouraging is that only two out of the last 30 months have seen unemployment below 9 percent. This is a clear failure of the Administration’s deficit-spending, tax-hiking policies.

“I’ve heard over and over again from our small business owners that uncertainty, the threat of higher taxes, and more ‘stimulus’ proposals are not going to restore the confidence they need to start hiring and expanding again. To restore that confidence, House Republicans are focused on a pro-jobs agenda to eliminate onerous government regulations, cut government spending, and remove the threat of higher taxes. We invite President Obama and the do-nothing Senate to join us as we work to turn our economy around and get Americans working again.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Hultgren To Senate: Pass Bipartisan Bill Easing Regulatory Burdens On Agricultural Community

October 7, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Congress, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Regulation, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Ill. 14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement calling on the Senate to take up H.R. 872, The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, which the House passed with bipartisan support on March 31.

“I am beyond disappointed by the inaction of the do-nothing Senate. Their refusal to consider the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, a commonsense, bipartisan bill, is threatening our agricultural community with a new avalanche of red tape as soon as the end of this month.

“I recently joined nineteen of my colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership, urging them to quickly consider H.R. 872 or similar legislation, and reminding them of the impending regulatory consequences. If they fail to act by the end of this month, the Environmental Protection Agency will hit farmers, ranchers and others who use safe, registered pesticides in the regular course of their business with burdensome new rules.

“If the Senate is serious about getting our economy moving, they should take the commonsense step of passing H.R. 872 to help create regulatory certainty for a critical sector of our economy.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Does Government Regulate Too Much?‏

September 30, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Democrats/Leftists, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, President, Randy Hultgren, Regulation, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill., 14th District)…

Recently, I spoke on the House floor about what regulatory uncertainty is doing to small business owners like Rock Katschnig, a farmer and resident of the 14th District.

Unfortunately, Rock’s situation isn’t unique – I’ve heard similar stories over and over again as I travel throughout the area.

That’s why this fall, I’m joining my colleagues to fight for a pro-growth environment where small businesses and job-creators can hire new workers and invest without fearing what Washington will do to them. Our efforts are focused on creating a reasonable, stable regulatory environment that gives our economy the confidence it needs to grow.
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Video: Speak Out And Support A Balanced Budget Amendment‏

September 26, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Constitution, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill., 14th District)…

A balanced budget amendment (BBA) to our Constitution is a permanent solution to our nation’s fiscal crisis to legally force future Congresses and Presidents to stop spending money they don’t have. Earlier this week I sat down to share my thoughts about a BBA and why it’s so important for the future of our country.

America Speaking Out (ASO), www.americaspeakingout.com, is an online community aimed at giving you a voice and the power to set the agenda in Congress. Through ASO, you can express your opinion about the BBA, which will be voted on in the House this fall.

I encourage you to visit www.americaspeakingout.com now to express your opinion about a BBA. It is through the support of the citizens like you that a BBA will become a reality – bringing much-needed certainty to the small business community, putting an end to the out-of-control spending, and restoring accountability to Congress.
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Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Remarks To UNGA

September 22, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Anti-Semitism, Democrats/Leftists, Foreign Countries, Illinois, Israel, Liberals, Palestinians, PCism, President, Randy Hultgren, Society/Culture, UN, Warner Todd Huston, Western Civilization | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill., 14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

“This week, the Palestinian Authority may attempt to have the United Nations vote on the question of Palestinian statehood; this is not only misguided, it is a stunning violation of the spirit of the Oslo Accords,” said Hultgren. “We find ourselves at this crossroads due to a failure of leadership on behalf of President Obama. Had the President been a more effective leader, he would have issued his veto threat at an earlier date, in time to influence and shape international opinion against any change in Palestine’s status at the UN.

“I had hoped that the President would use his speech before the General Assembly today to lay down a clear marker of his support for Israel. Instead, he once again chose the route of moral equivalence, falsely blaming Israel for the peace process’s lack of progress.

“I have always believed that our relationship with Israel is unique in world history, and critical to both countries. Those beliefs were reinforced when I had the opportunity to visit Israel and meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu in May. President Obama must stand up this week not only for Israel and the Israeli people, but also for a commitment to the peace process and the rule of law.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Rep. Walsh WILL Run Against Hultgren in the New 14th District

September 21, 2011 | Filed Under Congress, Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Joe Walsh, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

I spoke to Rep. Joe Walsh in Lake Villa, Illinois this past weekend and one of his first questions to me was about running against Hultgren in the new 14th District. Obviously the question was weighing heavily on him that weekend.

I told him it would be a tough fight but that I felt Joe had gone a long way to get his name recognition up in his first big year in D.C. Other than that, I had no advice on whether or not Joe could win there.

Well, now Congressman Walsh has made the final decision and will run against Republican Randy Hultgren in the new 14th District.
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Hultgren Huddle: Americans Speak Out‏

September 19, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Congress, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill., 14th District)…

“I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government; I mean an additional article taking from the Federal Government the power of borrowing.” –Thomas Jefferson, 1789

“Only a constitutional amendment will do the job. We’ve tried the carrot, and it failed. With the stick of a Balanced Budget Amendment, we can stop government squandering, overtaxing ways, and save our economy.” –Ronald Reagan, 1982
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Hultgren Co-Sponsors Resolution Honoring WWII POWs

September 18, 2011 | Filed Under Illinois, Military, Randy Hultgren, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill, 14th District)…

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced his support for a bipartisan resolution which commemorates the men and women who were taken as U.S. POWs in the Pacific during World War II.

“Today, September 16, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, on which our nation honors the commitments and sacrifices made by our American prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action,” said Hultgren. “It is our moral obligation to honor the men and women who suffered grave injustices during World War II and with fewer than 500 surviving World War II POWs alive today, this resolution is a small, but significant, gesture to show these brave men and women that Congress has not forgotten about their experience and sacrifice.”

H.Res. 333 has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and currently has 28 cosponsors.

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Hultgren Accepting Military Academy Applications

September 17, 2011 | Filed Under Illinois, Military, Randy Hultgren, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill, 14th District)…

Geneva, IL – US Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced that he is now accepting applications for nomination from young men and women interested in attending one of the United States military academies for summer 2012 admission.

“As the school year begins, many students are thinking about what’s next,” said Hultgren. “My staff and I are eager to provide information and assist with nominations to the military academies.”

To be eligible for appointment, you must be a United States citizen; at least 17 and not more than 23 years of age on July 1, 2012; unmarried; not pregnant; have no dependents; good moral character; and a legal resident of the 14th Congressional District of Illinois. Average acceptable ACT scores are 24 in both math and English.
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Hultgren: America’s Chance to Speak Out for a Balanced Budget Amendment

September 16, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, Economy/Finances, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill, 14th District)…

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced the kick-off of the America Speaking Out (ASO) initiative for residents to express their opinion about a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution.

“I feel that the only permanent solution to our debt crisis is to enshrine it in the Constitution and legally force future Congresses and Presidents to stop spending money they don’t have,” said Hultgren. “Currently, 49 states abide by some form of a balanced budget requirement and national polls prove that the American people support a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution.”

As part of the debt ceiling increase in August, the House and Senate are required to vote on a BBA between October 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. If the BBA receives two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate, it will be sent to all 50 states for ratification.
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Kirk, Lipinski, Hultgren Call for Extension of Surface Transportation Legislation

September 13, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Illinois, Jobs, Mark Kirk, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Longer-term bipartisan bill could mobilize $100 billion in new public-private partnerships

Chicago, IL – In a show of bipartisan, bi-cameral unity United States Senator Mark Kirk, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3), and Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) joined representatives from the Illinois Road Builders Association, Operating Engineers Local 150 and other transportation advocates in calling for Congress to extend the expiring Surface Transportation Act. This legislation authorizes federal transportation projects across the nation, and allows the collection of revenues that fund infrastructure improvements. It was introduced in the House late Friday that would extend aviation programs through January and highway and transit programs through March. If Congress does not adopt this act by September 30th, federal reimbursement of highway and transit projects will stop, with $100 million in funding lost each day.

“Congress should quickly approve this extension legislation to avoid a shutdown of the Highway Trust Fund,” said Kirk. “We also support a longer-term solution by lifting federal barriers that could mobilize up to $100 billion for transportation private-public partnerships.”
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Hultgren Statement On the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks

September 11, 2011 | Filed Under 9/11, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement on the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who felt the tragic loss of a family member, friend or loved one in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,” said Hultgren. “Let us also remember the many heroes from that day, first responders, members of the military, and ordinary citizens who answered the call of duty without hesitation. I encourage all Americans to take a moment to reflect on that fateful day – remember where you were and the feelings that you experienced when you learned of the attacks and pledge to never take our safety, security, or freedom for granted.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

September 10, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Liberals, President, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so. Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.

While I also believe that tax reform is long overdue, I was disappointed to hear him resurrect his calls on increasing taxes. It is absolutely the wrong time to be raising taxes on Americans that Main Street often calls small business owners, entrepreneurs, or job creators.
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Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

September 9, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Liberals, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so,” said Hultgren. “Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

“I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.
Read more