Press Releases
THE FIGHT FOR ENERGYTHE FIGHT FOR ENERGY: THOSE WHO "PROTECT" THE ENVIRONMENT VS. THOSE WHO DEPEND ON IT. It is a great honor to represent the scenic stretch of Tennessee from Clarksville to Nashville, to Memphis. Anchored by Tennessee’s great metropolitan centers, the heart of my district is the rural engine of Tennessee’s economy and home to the men and women who work the land every day. These are the true environmentalists and conservationists, those for whom clean air and clean water isn’t an abstract notion, but the vital force that keeps the corn, cotton and soybeans growing. They are among the hardest hit by escalating energy prices. Contrast them with the other “environmentalists”. These are the latte’ sipping earth-first-istas who believe corn is more appropriately poured into a gas tank than into corn meal muffins. Their environmental experience is a drive through the Napa Valley. “Pay more, drive less” is an option for them because they don’t have to depend on hauling goods to market to make their living. After all those spinning classes, they think nothing of a brisk bike ride to the office. My constituents and I live a very different lifestyle. While the trial lawyers and green peacers sip proseca and chat politely about the fate of the ridge crested woodchuck; my constituents pile their kids into the mini-van and head to church, summer camp, swimming lessons, and baseball practice. They don’t want the liberal elites to make it more expensive to dream big dreams and turn those dreams into reality. For my constituents, pay more and drive less isn’t an option. Perhaps the family budget in rural Tennessee can’t absorb the spike in gas prices as easily as the family budget in San Francisco. There isn’t a commuter train that connects Waynesboro to Clifton, nor is there a subway system to whisk passengers from one end of Memphis to the other. What my constituents need is innovation for short term, mid-range, and long term American energy solutions. They need credit for energy efficiency and conservation where they can achieve it; a clear path to American self sufficiency in the long run; and a menu of reasonable, workable energy solutions as soon as possible. The answer they get from Washington however is “no”. No to the new nuclear power needed to charge electric vehicles; no to the new clean coal technologies that enable coal to liquid fuels that that would help America become energy independent and burn cleaner than petroleum; and no to tapping the untouched oil resources right here in the United States. They hear plenty about wind, solar, and biomass, but until they can drive their crops to market in a solar powered semi or start their tractors with bio-fuel that functions in extreme temperatures, they need more immediate solutions. Maybe it is time for those that are a roadblock to action on the energy issue to let us know what they are for. Are they for higher prices? Are they for driving less and paying more? Do they want to see us on bicycles and walking the five miles to the office? What we do know is that they stand as the lone roadblock to reasonable American energy solutions.
Sen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Bob Corker Endorse Rep. Marsha BlackburnSen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Bob Corker Endorse Rep. Marsha Blackburn United States Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker today announced their endorsement of Congressman Marsha Blackburn for re-election to Congress in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. “I enjoy working with Marsha, who has become an effective member of Congress. I was glad to make a contribution last year in support of her re-election,” Alexander said. Also citing her effectiveness, Sen. Corker said, “Congressman Marsha Blackburn has been an effective representative for the 7th District. Since being sworn in, I have enjoyed working with her on a number of issues and look forward to continue serving with her and focusing on ways to strengthen our state and our country.” Rep. Blackburn is honored and humbled to have the support of the state’s distinguished Senators. “Sen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Bob Corker represent Tennessee well and are true statesmen. I look forward to continuing to work with them in Congress to lower taxes, end wasteful spending, and defend our rights and family values,” Blackburn said. NRA Endorses BlackburnNational Rifle Association Endorses U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn Fairfax, VA-The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn for re-election in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district and urges its members to vote for Rep. Blackburn. Chris Cox, NRA-PVF Chairman, stated, “Marsha Blackburn has a perfect pro-gun voting record in Congress and is a great friend to Tennessee gun owners and hunters. She is a true pro-Second Amendment Member of Congress and NRA-PVF is proud to endorse Representative Blackburn in the August 7th primary and in the November 4th general election.” During her tenure in Congress, U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn has been a steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment. She has co-sponsored NRA legislative efforts to bring much-needed reforms to the BATFE, restore self-defense rights to residents of the District of Columbia and supported the historic congressional amicus brief in favor of the Second Amendment that was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller. Congresswoman Blackburn also co-sponsored the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, the Emergency Powers Act and the Protecting the Second Amendment and Hunting Rights on Federal Lands Act. Her unwavering defense of the Second Amendment has earned her an “A” rating with NRA-PVF. Rep. Marsha Blackburn responded, “I am honored to continue to have the confidence of the National Rifle Association and look forward to continuing the fight to preserve Americans’ Second Amendment rights.” “Representative Blackburn is a dedicated defender of freedom,” concluded Cox. “Her history of fighting for and protecting the Second Amendment for all law-abiding Americans has earned her the trust of Tennessee's gun owners and NRA's endorsement.” Chris Cox, a Tennessee native, also serves as Executive Director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Actions (NRA-ILA). About the NRA-PVF:
FORMER SEN. MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST ENDORSES REP. BLACKBURNFORMER SEN. MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST ENDORSES REP. BLACKBURN Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., today announced his endorsement of Congressman Marsha Blackburn for re-election to Congress in Tennessee ’s 7th District, citing her leadership and conservative record. “Congressman Blackburn has provided strong leadership for the 7th District. She works tirelessly on behalf of her constituents, always demonstrating a deep devotion to conservative values,” Frist said. “Having worked closely with her to represent our state, I know she carries tremendous experience and the respect of her colleagues. I’ve supported her for many years and look forward to doing so again.” A two-term U.S. senator twice unanimously elected Majority Leader by his colleagues, Sen. Frist has served the people of Tennessee with integrity and excellence. “I’m honored to have the support and confidence of Senator Frist,” Blackburn said. “He is a true conservative who knows first hand what it takes to stand up for Tennessee values in Congress. I look forward to continuing that fight to lower taxes, eliminate government waste, ensure a strong national defense, and strengthen family values.” BLACKBURN LEADS CHARGE AGAINST HIGH GAS PRICESWashington, May 21 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) stood with her Republican colleagues today as they proposed real action to immediately reduce the staggering price of gasoline. On a day when gas prices across Tennessee’s 7th district reached historic highs, Blackburn set forth a series of solutions that could bring that price down. Congressman Blackburn explained the Republican plan for lower gas prices on C-Span’s Washington Journal this morning before joining her colleagues for a Capitol Hill Press Conference.
RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP IS FOUR SIMPLE STEPS AWAYMemphis, Jun 4 - As I write this, it costs more to put gas in our cars than ever before. In a single month, the price at the pump in Memphis went up 30 cents, and it has risen more than 75 cents a gallon over the past year. It costs busy mothers in West Tennessee about $220 to fill up the minivan each month. That is $86 more than it cost in January 2007, when Democrats took control of Congress. NEW PERSPECTIVE ON IMMIGRATION REFORMWashington, Jun 5 - Reprinted from RealClearPolitics: http://blackburn.emanager.house.gov/emanager/Pages/Documents/DocumentAdd.aspx This tragic case highlights a new role that local law enforcement is playing, one for which they are poorly resourced or equipped. At a time when illegal immigration has turned every community into a border town, local law enforcement has become the nation's real border fence. We must recognize that they are playing this role by necessity, if not by choice, and resource them appropriately. The cop on the beat has a new threat in the form of criminal aliens. That threat can be easily and justifiably deported if correctly identified. The problem is that most local law enforcement officers, the men and women who find themselves on the front line of the immigration problem, don't have the resources or are actually banned from enforcing the country's existing immigration laws. Jamiel Shaw's gang-land style execution, after all, provides a shocking example of what happens when police officers don't have the right tools in their arsenal. And too often, local rules and regulations leave law enforcement officials fighting with one hand tied behind their backs in the struggle to protect their communities. LA's sanctuary policy, known as Special Order 40, is just one illustration. The local rule prohibits law enforcement officials from asking any questions about a detainee's immigration status. In cities that implement similar ordinances, law enforcement officials have no flexibility to ask questions even if they possess concrete evidence suggesting violation of our nation's immigration laws. The political leaders in these communities instead take a "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" approach to working with the federal government on illegal immigration. Concerned citizens and police officers across the nation are pushing back. Tired of a slow and steady denigration of public safety in their communities and a dramatic spike in immigrant-related gang violence, citizens are demanding their legislators repeal sanctuary policies similar to Special Order 40. The community has proposed "Jamiel's Law" which would place an immediate immigration hold on a criminal until the Feds pick him up. "Jamiel's Law" corrects in LA what has become a problem in sanctuary cities across the nation, but that is not the end of the story. In nearly ever American city small and large, citizens and law enforcement officials agree that Washington is not doing an effective job of enforcing immigration law, or answering the call from police officers when help is needed. This is where Congress must step in to fill the breach. The CLEAR act, under consideration by the House, will prevent "catch and release" policies responsible for Jamiel Shaw's murder by providing law enforcement access to information on immigration violations. Officers currently lack that information unless they have a specific agreement in place with the Department of Homeland Security. As a result, they have no way to cross-check detained, arrested, or currently incarcerated bad-guys' criminal background with an immigration database. That gap in information sharing led to a violent criminal and illegal immigrant's release onto the streets of Los Angeles, where he gunned down Jamiel Shaw the very next day. This is not another call for a wholesale, and possibly unrealistic, roundup of all illegal aliens. Rather it is a commonsense approach, giving cops the ability to protect our communities by kicking proven violent offenders out. One county in Tennessee has a relationship with DHS that allows them to identify criminal aliens in county jails. As a result of this relationship, 3,000 aliens were handed over to the federal government and deported last year. By working together at the city, state and federal level, we can prevent senseless crime that afflicts communities around the country. Jamiel's family and citizens in LA have shown us the will in our communities is there. Washington just needs to replace political hand wringing with a little common sense. BLACKBURN VOTES AGAINST MORE WASTEFUL SPENDINGWashington, May 14 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) cast her vote against a farm bill that adds hundreds of billions to the federal deficit, gives tax breaks and earmarks to special interests, and failed to reform agricultural subsidies.
BLACKBURN SEES THROUGH DEMOCRAT TAX HIKE / TAX EQUITY "BAIT AND SWITCH"Washington, May 21 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) today announced that she will vote against a Democrat bill that offers a weak extension of tax equity along with a massive tax hike and yet more egregious earmarks. The single year of sales tax deductibility included in the Democrat bill is immediately overcome by a permanent $55 billion dollar tax increase in the very same “extender” legislation. Representative Blackburn, who led the fight in 2003 to secure income tax equity for Tennessee in the form of sales tax deductibility, will vote for the Republican motion to force real sales tax deductibility, free from earmarks and tax increases.
BOB GUNN: 'OILMAN' NOT A DIRTY WORDEditor’s note: Times Record News Correspondent Ted Buss recently completed a book on Wichita Falls geologist Robert Gunn. This commentary/perspective is based on interviews and materials Buss gathered for that project. Ted Buss/For the Times Record News For the past 35 years Bob Gunn has met with presidents, members of Congress and statesmen, allegedly accustomed to logic and reason. Among them were men like Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. His best work on behalf of the petroleum industry came during the Jimmy Carter Administration and events leading to the Camp David Accord in 1979. He was persuaded by a powerful American Jewish Council into developing an extensive study defining the oil and gas reserves and energy potential within the U.S. It was an important piece of work that would give Israel comfort in knowing that America had sufficient resources to assist its ally in any military emergency. He was virtually assured that his study would earn him the opportunity to be part of a “blue ribbon” team that would sit with President Carter and others to seriously discuss America’s energy future. Many good and qualified geologists came before and have come after him, but Carter’s assessment of Robert D. “Bob” Gunn in 1979 continues to plague an entire industry. The denial to allow one of the country’s brightest geological minds to serve as a voice of reason on behalf of the nation was because, as Carter put it: Mr. Gunn represented “dirty oil.” It mattered little to Carter or anyone else in Washington that Gunn was a serious student of the petroleum industry. Not only that, Carter and the boys had no way of knowing Gunn has forever been an advocate of earth science, political fairness, environmentalism, national security, and has maintained a duty to repay huge chunks of humankind dues to his city and state. Gunn is a nationally noted petroleum geologist of more than 60 years and past president of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). However, he and countless others like him have forever been ruled guilty by association. Ignorant sins of the past, coupled with grotesque films like “Giant,” “Dallas,” and most recently Daniel Day-Lewis’ psychotic portrayal in “There Will Be Blood,” have kept the image of greed and environmental disobedience alive. “What some did to our country in the 1930s and ‘40s is a disgrace,” Gunn said during a recent talk. “You can fly over parts of the nation and see remains of salt water spills, and it is enough to make you sick. But that kind of person, in our industry, no longer exists.” Education, growth in technology and a few sensible environmental regulations have made the petroleum industry not even a shadow of its former self. “The kind of oilman we had in the 1930s and ‘40s couldn’t begin to make it today,” said Alex Mills, president of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. “Many years ago (inactive) wells were plugged with tree stumps. They didn’t have the knowledge or the technology to know any other way. “Today we have two regulatory commissions in Texas to tell us where we can protect the fresh water from the salt and other contamination,” he continued. “This is highly regulated, as it should be. “In addition, our industry spends $20 million a year of its own money to plug wells where we can’t find the owners — wells that were drilled as far back as the 1920s and ‘30s. There is no other industry I know of that spends $20 million a year for such (environmental) diligence.” Today, with gasoline prices at $4 a gallon and crude oil threatening the $200 per barrel mark, “We are no closer to understanding the problem (politically) than we’ve ever been,” Gunn said. “We’ve seen everything from windfall profits taxes to severe caps on the number of days we were allowed to produce. “We’ve seen President Reagan bring the Soviet Union to its knees economically by getting Saudi Arabia to dramatically increase production,” he added. “Oil was the Soviet Union’s chief export, and it ruined them. However, it devastated our domestic industry, too. When the price of crude dropped to $8 a barrel, it cost our industry 400,000 jobs.” Gunn and Wichita Falls Congressman Beau Boulter met with Reagan to consider solutions, but by then the damage was done, and the environmental movement had Washington and major media giants in its hip pocket. It could do no wrong. “Environmental groups said ‘no’ to everything back then and it’s still that way today,” Mills said. “Meanwhile, we continue to ignore vast sources of energy we could produce in our own country, and imports remain at 60 percent. But we are beginning to see that more and more Americans are becoming disenchanted with what many now call extreme environmentalism.” One member of Congress, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., has often pushed for a much-needed debate on the nation’s energy crisis. She begins by saying Congress owns a share of the blame. And in a national television interview, Blackburn said, “Over the last 30 years, we have had environmental extremists driving the energy policy of this country, saying no to everything. Both Republicans and Democrats have been guilty of bowing to environmental demands since the 1970s.” As far back as the late 1970s during his peak years of involvement with the AAPG, Gunn was quoted in papers like The Dallas Morning News, Tulsa World, Houston Chronicle, Times Record News and others as estimating that the U.S. — on- and off-shore — held more than 100 billion barrels of oil. And, he added, “We have the capability to retrieve it without damaging the environment.” That was 1979. Nobody listened then. Nobody is listening now. The seriousness of the problem won’t easily go away. Other countries are exploring for more while the U.S. does little. And even our own Department of Energy estimates there are more than 112 billion barrels of technically retrievable oil in the U.S. Meanwhile, the DOE says global demand for oil and gas will increase by more than 45 percent by 2030 compared by today’s needs. However, politicians continue to look at the greed factor — especially within “Big Oil.” “Many of those companies do make a lot of money,” Mills said. “When has success through hard work been a problem? We never see the work that goes into recovering initial investments, and just how much these companies put back into exploration. I recently saw where Chevron spent $20 billion last year alone in exploring new sources of energy.” It should be noted here that big oil companies produce very little in the U.S. The majority of America’s oil and gas needs come from independent companies. “You don’t become an oilman overnight,” Mills said. “It takes years of education; years of working in the trenches learning the business. And it takes years to develop prospects, which don’t always work out.” The federal government, meanwhile, reaps billions in energy taxes for doing nothing. Now the Democratic Congress aims to repeal $17 billion in tax breaks from the oil companies, plus adding a new windfall tax. How does this help solve the crisis we face today? And are there short and long-term fixes? “The short term, say over a couple of years, is tough,” Mills said. “Conservation is a key. Being more sensitive to how much we drive, and investing in better fuel economy cars will help ease demand. Lower thermostats. Turn off lights. Ride bikes and walk when you can. “The (long term) solution in my opinion is when you have high prices, you need more supply,” he continued. “Where is that supply going to come from? Wind isn’t the answer. It may help a little, but it won’t generate enough electricity to serve a nation. “Solar is good, but it’s not the answer. Biomass (corn) has already proven to be a disaster. It has contributed to higher food prices because more corn and less wheat and soybeans are being planted. “Coal could do it,” he continued, “but if you earnestly believe that fossil fuels create global warming, coal sure isn’t the answer. Nuclear is a solution, but everyone is afraid of the word ‘nuclear.’ “So where does that leave you? Crude oil and natural gas. Crude oil on the transportation side, and natural gas on the electricity side. “But you know what?” he smiled. “It won’t happen. Congress and none of our three presidential candidates have a clue. We can save both our nation and the Caribou, but the environmentalist and our political leaders won’t have it.” Gunn agrees, but his dogged makeup won’t allow him to stop trying. “Several weeks ago I was in Dallas for a few days, and I met a nice couple from Washington, D.C.,” he said. “I got to know the lady reasonably well, and I happened to make some derogatory remarks about Hillary Clinton, and she wanted to know why I would say such things.” Gunn proceeded to tell her about how he took exception to the way Clinton was putting the blame on oil companies for the energy crisis. Gunn told her that he understood why she did it. He explained it was designed for the unthinking people — the masses who were going to vote. “I told her it was irresponsible of Clinton,” he said. “She knows better, but I told her that I didn’t believe she (Clinton) has the knowledge of how to solve the energy problems we face.” The woman told Gunn that she and Hillary were actually close friends, and that she often advises her on campaign strategy. In fact, the woman told Gunn, that Clinton asked her to keep her ear to the ground while she was in Texas in a way of possibly assisting the oil and gas business. “She asked me what Mrs. Clinton could do to solve the energy crisis,” Gunn said. “I told her, ‘I don’t think she can because it would take extremely strong leadership in overcoming the environmental movement.’ I’m not sure Clinton, or the other two presidential candidates have the courage to do what needs to be done. “It is actually very simple,” he continued. “The production of more energy here at home would drive the price of gasoline down. Everyone is looking for someone to blame for high gasoline prices. I don’t believe you should look any further than Congress for not having the courage to allow our country to pursue our own resources. “We need to be looking at all sources of energy, but many of those will take time,” he told his friend. “Meanwhile oil and gas represent the bridge, and we have sufficient resources in this country to reduce our imports from 60 to 20 percent in the next 10 or 12 years. “She asked me how,” he said. “I told her that first you open up ANWR and the outer continental shelf for exploration, all the way from Canada to North Carolina. Second, you open up (off-shores areas of) Florida, California and Washington and ANWR. You do these with reasonable lease terms for companies to explore under certain economic scenarios because it is going to be terribly expensive.” Gunn said almost the exact things 35 years ago. And what was the political response? “They just patted me on the head and said, ‘Good boy. Great information. Thank you so much.’ And they did nothing.”
BLACKBURN CALLS ON FCC TO ABANDON PLANS FOR AGGRESSIVE RE-REGULATIONBlackburn Calls On FCC to Abandon Plans for Aggressive Re-regulation Apr 16, 2008 - Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today released a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin signed by more than one hundred and twenty of her bi-partisan colleagues. The letter expresses concern over the FCC’s “localism” proceeding, which would represent a “radical re-regulation of our nation’s broadcast system.” APPROPRIATIONS DEADLINE TO PASS WITH NO BLACKBURN EARMARKSAppropriations Deadline to Pass With No Blackburn Earmarks Mar 18, 2008 - The House Appropriations Committee has designated March 19th as the deadline for Members of Congress to hand in their earmark requests for the FY 2009 Budget. Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), a solutions oriented legislator and original co-sponsor of earmark reform resolutions, will not be submitting any requests this year. Commenting on her decision, Rep. Blackburn said: BLACKBURN TO WAYS AND MEANS LEADERS: MAKE SALES TAX DEDUCTIBILITY PERMANENTBlackburn to Ways and Means Leaders: Make Sales Tax Deductibility Permanent Apr 18, 2008 - Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who successfully restored sales tax deductibility for Tennessee in 2003, led her bi-partisan colleagues from Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming in calling on House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel and Ranking Member Jim McCrery to make sales tax deductibility permanent.
BLACKBURN STATEMENT ON STEM CELL RESEARCHBlackburn Statement On Stem Cell Research BLACKBURN ON THE PROTECT AMERICA ACTBlackburn on The Protect America Act
No Partisan Interest Before American Security Washington, Mar 14 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) attended a late night "secret session" of the House here tonight. The session, which gave members an opportunity to openly discuss top-secret intelligence gathering regulations, left Congressman Blackburn convinced that Congress must act immediately to permanently restore Protect America Act provisions; giving the intelligence community the tools and flexibility they need to protect Americans from future terrorist attack. Blackburn urges her colleagues to embrace the bipartisan legislation that the Senate approved nearly a month ago, rather than the law currently before the House, and send it to the President for his signature. Congressman Blackburn plans to speak on the matter today during the House debate on the issue. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Speaker, the legislation before the House today is nothing short of an abdication of the Liberal Majority's responsibility to protect the American people. Yesterday's Investor's Business Daily editorial sums the bill up nicely: a "FISA Fix For Lawyers". I could not say it better myself. After all, this bill is nothing short of an earmark for the trial bar; and it reveals the brazen partisan interest of this Democrat Majority. Rather than accept bipartisan legislation adopted by the Senate and endorsed by our nation's national security experts, the liberal elite of this House instead brings forward a $72,440,904 thank you note to their trial attorney contributors. Why $72,440,904 you ask? That is the amount that trial attorneys have contributed to Democrat candidates in the 2008 election cycle. But might it be only a down payment for the potential liability interest that trial attorneys will win if the Majority has its way and the House adopts this earmark bill? This begs the question: at what cost? A real-world example will help reveal the answer: Last year, three American soldiers were kidnapped in Iraq. Operating under the old FISA rules, it took over nine hours for the intelligence community to get permission to intercept communications that might help rescuers. The communications, mind you, were between foreign terrorists in a foreign country. Under the Senate-approved FISA bill, that time would be far shorter. In this context, wasted hours can cost lives. Two of the soldiers I mentioned above are still missing, the third was later found dead. This is the same outdated language our intelligence community is functioning under RIGHT NOW, and would still be in place if the Democrats have their way today. Is this the appropriate way to address electronics surveillance in the 21st Century, when terrorists use American-made wireless technology to target and kill American citizens? I think not. Mr. Speaker, our wireless surveillance laws must reflect the technological reality of 2008, not 1978. We now use satellite phones, not rotary phones; text messages, not telegrams. This bill fails to recognize reality, and in turn robs our national security professionals of the tools, real-time access, and agility they need to protect American citizens. Our men and women in uniform have to get it right every time; the terrorists only need to get it right once. This legislation will make our job more difficult, all for a $72,440,904 bill of sale to a special interest group. That, Mr. Speaker, is unconscionable. Vote against this deplorable earmark for trial lawyers, and let's instead pass the Protect America Act. I yield back. BLACKBURN JOINS COLLEAGUES IN PREVENTING MORE RECKLESS SPENDING ON THE BACKS OF AMERICAN TROOPSWashington, May 15 - Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) joined her House Republican colleagues in proving that Democrats did not have consensus, even within their own caucus, for the spending and surrender bill on the floor. BLACKBURN NAMED TO ENERGY PANELIn The Face Of Highest-Ever Tennessee Gas Prices Blackburn Named To Energy Panel Washington, Mar 13, 2008 – Tennessee Families were reeling today as gasoline prices hit an average of $3.127 for a gallon of regular gas in Memphis and $3.168 in Nashville; the highest prices ever according to AAA. Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) was appointed to the Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. Between her subcommittee assignment, position on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and subcommittee oversight and investigations, Congressman Blackburn will be at the forefront of the most critical junctures of energy and environmental policy in the House. The Energy and Air Quality subcommittee will likely consider comprehensive legislation this fall that impacts every sector of the energy industry, the price at the pump, and development of energy resources to reduce reliance on foreign oil. Rep. Blackburn expanded on her thoughts on energy policy: "The country has got to focus on its short term, mid-range, and long term energy challenges. In the short term we must be smart about where we extract and acquire fossil fuels, with an eye toward keeping the price at the pump down. In the mid-range we need to make America energy independent by adopting a market-based approach to alternative fuels. In the long term we must lead the way in developing the next generation of energy sources." BLACKBURN: "THIS IS NOT OUR MONEY"Priorities in The Democrat Budget: Historic Tax Hike, $280 Billion In Earmarks, No Tax Relief For Tennessee BLACKBURN: "NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TAX TOO MUCH"
Blackburn On The Economy: "Now Is Not The Time To Tax Too Much So That Government Can Spend Too Much" Longer Term Pro-growth Policies Must Be Adopted Washington, Mar 7 - Economic indicators released today indicate that the economy lost 63,000 jobs in February, the largest loss in five years. The Federal Reserve also confirmed that Americans' equity in their homes fell below 50% for the first time since 1945. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) made the following remarks in response to the news: "Official economic indicators released today bear out what I hear from my constituents; Tennesseans have too much month left at the end of their money. The economic stimulus package passed last month may provide a short term boost, but to correct the economic trend, longer term pro-growth policies must be adopted. The budget Democrats unveiled yesterday will take this country in exactly the wrong direction. Now is not the time to tax too much so that government can spend too much." Letter from the CongressmanDear Friends, I am sure you are aware by now that I have a very serious opponent in the Republican Primary I am taking this challenge very seriously. My opponent knows that he can’t out-conservative I will not break my promise to represent each individual community and county in the 7th Lets be frank, there are those who do not want their Congressman to be a staunch conservative who is willing to challenge the Leadership on issues like spending, earmarks and the direction of the National Republican Party. I have always represented a stark contrast to “get along-go along” politics and the “good ole boy” network. I always knew I would be targeted. I just never thought it would be by another “Republican”. I need your help now! My re-election will be determined in the Primary in August.We are This is clearly the most serious challenge I have faced since being elected in 2002. You have I am proud to be the voice for our conservative values in Washington. Sincerely, Marsha BLACKBURN IMMIGRATION REFORMS INTRODUCED IN SENATEBlackburn Immigration Reforms Introduced In Senate Washington, Mar 5, 2008 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn's CLEAR Act will take a major step forward when a group of 10 Senators include the language, which has 135 bipartisan House co-sponsors and support from a wide coalition of grassroots and border security organizations, in a package of immigration reforms being introduced in the Senate today. The legislation would give local law enforcement the tools they need to identify and detain illegal aliens in the normal course of their duties. Blackburn's language will be adopted in Senators Chambliss and Isakson's Effective Immigration Enforcement Partnerships Act of 2008. Congressman Blackburn remarked on the latest development:
BLACKBURN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STOP YOUTH SMOKINGBlackburn Introduces Legislation To Stop Youth Smoking Washington, Feb 28, 2008 - Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today introduced legislation designed to prevent adolescent smoking. The "Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2008" strengthens existing work that local governments are doing to reduce minor access to tobacco products. Blackburn, who was joined by Reps Jean Schmidt (R-OH), John Shadegg (R-AZ), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Tom Feeney (R-FL), Howard Coble (R-NC), Mary Fallin (R-OK), Pete Sessions( R-TX), and Patrick McHenry (R-NC) in sponsoring her bill, made the following remarks about the legislation.
REP. BLACKBURN COMMENTS ON IMPACT OF SEVERE WEATHER IN TNRep. Blackburn Comments on Impact of Severe Weather in Tennessee FISCAL CONSERVATIVES SCORE HEALTHCARE AND TAX RELIEF FOR TENNESSEE FAMILIESBlackburn: Fiscal Conservatives Score Healthcare and Tax Relief Victories for Tennessee Families "After more than eleven months of broken promises, politically-motivated votes and brinksmanship by the Democrat Leadership, I am pleased that Congress was able to provide this critical relief for working Tennesseans." "Tennessee families can enjoy the holiday season with the full understanding that for the coming fiscal year, the long arm of the Internal Revenue Service's Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) will not extend any further. By stripping out tax increases insisted upon by the Democrat Leadership, House and Senate Republicans were able to pass clean legislation to prevent additional working class families from paying the AMT, which would have hit an additional 23 million American families in the coming year. " "At the same time, I am equally pleased that Congress finally took action to hold off a pending collapse of the SCHIP system by passing legislation that fully funds the program, provides physicians a .5% payment increase through Medicare, and critical Medicaid DSH payments for Tennessee hospitals until June 30, 2008." Blackburn blasted Democrat Leaders for returning home for the Holidays without extending the sales tax deductibility that is worth billions for Tennessee families each year. BLACKBURN JOINS USTR AMBASSADOR AT ANTI-PIRACY PRESS CONFERENCEBlackburn Joins USTR Ambassador Susan Schwab, Foreign Ambassadors at Anti-Piracy Press Conference Washington, Oct 23, 2007 - Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn today joined with fellow Members of Congress, United States Trade Representative Ambassador Susan Schwab, and Ambassadors from several countries on Capitol Hill today to announce the United States and some of its key trading partners will seek to negotiate an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). "The largest concentration of songwriters in America are in my district and the issue of intellectual property piracy has a significant impact to my constituents," Blackburn said. "Every time a song is illegally downloaded or swapped, its money out of their pockets. Considering that in 2005 alone nearly 20 billion songs were illegally downloaded, this is grand larceny amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars in stolen property. "It's great to see so many representatives from our trading partners joining us today, because while we are committed to taking a strong stand to protect our intellectual property, we cannot do it alone -- we need the willing participation of the international community." Participating countries will develop a framework to address three main areas by strengthening international cooperation, improving enforcement practices, and providing a strong legal framework for IPR enforcement. Trading partners engaged in discussions so far include Canada, the European Union (with its 27 Member States), Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, and Switzerland. BLACKBURN VOTES AGAINST GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTHCAREBlackburn Votes Against Government-Run Healthcare
"Everyone in Tennessee watched TennCare, Tennessee's attempt to institut |
