Bipartisan Collection Of Lawmakers Demand Long-Lasting Support For Israel

By Alexa Gitler-Talk Radio News Service

A group of bipartisan Congressmen said Wednesday that they defended Israel’s right to protect its citizens against terrorist threats and denounced calls for the UN to conduct an external investigation into the May 31 incident involving the Gaza blockade.

“Support for Israel in this Congress and in this nation, is bipartisan, and we are here simply to speak with one voice to support Israel’s right to protect themselves as a sovereign democratic nation,” said Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY).

Engel, joined by Congressmen Ted Poe (R-TX), Minority Whip Eric Cantor (VA), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Mike Pence (R-IN) and Pete King (R-NY), came to a consensus regarding America's involvement with Israel. The biparitsan group said that, collectively, the United States should stand with Israel and vigorously fight against the U.N. and their bias treatment towards Israel.

“We are here not only to urge this administration to veto any such resolution [from the UN directed towards Israel] but to stand up and speak up in opposition to such right now,” Cantor said.

Poe announced that a letter he co-authored with Representative Gary Peters (D-MI) was signed by 126 bipartisan Congressmen, including Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) and Minority Leader John Boehner (OH), and is being sent to President Barack Obama today.

“The U.S. must continue to stand by Israel and continue to use U.S. influence and, if necessary, veto power to prevent any biased or one-sided resolutions from passing [in the UN],” said Poe.

“The United States needs to do everything in its power to stand by our most reliable ally on the planet, the only democracy in a very dangerous part in the world,” Berkley said. "Stand as one with the state of Israel, that’s where our destiny lies, that' where we should be and that’s where we need to be."

GOP Congressmen Object To Obamacare

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service

Republican Congressmen had harsh words for President Obama's heightened call for health care reform on Monday. Reps. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Charles Boustany (R- La.) said the GOP will "vigorously oppose" a government takeover of health care, and called the Democrats' health care proposal a "disaster" and the "wrong prescription" for America.

"Let me just say, I know that the administration continues to focus on a deadline of passing this legislation before we adjourn for the August recess," Pence said. "But the President needs to come off it."

Both Congressmen emphasized that Republicans want health care reform, but called Obama's proposal "disastrous for the American people." Pence and Boustany highlighted several areas of contention, including the cost of the bill, both in dollars and jobs.

"The President needs to stop using fear tactics and get it right," Boustany said. "It doesn't go nearly far enough in controlling costs, and the growth of costs in health care," he added.

Pence asserted reform needs to be well thought out and should "take longer than a week," adding that several Democrats have issues with the bill as well. Boustany said most Blue Dog Democrats do not like the bill, claiming "there is a lot of disgruntlement among the other side."

The Obama administration has claimed in recent weeks that Republicans have nothing to fear. However, the August deadline will be increasingly harder to meet as more and more lawmakers start to raise questions about the legislation.

House Republicans Demand Energy and Health Care Alternatives

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service
Leading House Republicans warned that the Democrats health care agenda harms all Americans because it sacrifices millions of jobs while at the same time creating billions of dollars in tax hikes.

“The 852 pages of the Democrat health care plan,” Boehner said during a press conference Wednesday, “is a complete government takeover of our health care system, which is going to lead to higher taxes, rationing, and lower quality in our healthcare system.”

Health care is not the only concern of the Republicans. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) introduced the American Energy Act, an alternative to a cap-and-trade national energy tax, arguing “the president himself said that utility rates would quote ‘necessarily skyrocket’ . . . as utility rates rose that those would be passed along to consumers.”

At this point, House Republicans believe they are well positioned, claiming that the Democrats do not have enough votes to pass either their health care or energy agendas. Boehner said House Republicans are “encouraged” that their Senate colleagues are standing-up to this “bizarre notion” of a government run health care system.

This is just a bad bill

"I cannot support this bill", said Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN)

Today Mr. Pence held a GOP conference pertaining to the federal stimulus bill. Accompanying Pence was Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX). Pence expressed his gratitude to President Obama for attending yesterday's town hall meeting in his home state. Pence stated that there is a strong consensus to take time to get this stimulus bill right. Pence wants to increase tax credits in the bill which he believes will give relief to small business owners. He also made clear that Republican's are determined to continue to stand for the kind of stimulus that will create jobs. Mr. Pence stated that he knows of no Republican that would like to do nothing regarding the economic crisis. He expressed concern that the American people need a stimulus that will work, and that a massive government spending does not stimulate the economy. Mr. Pence suggested that the goal is not to have every Republican vote against it but rather to produce a bill that would indeed stimulate the economy. Mr. Pence also stated that he greatly appreciates the President's outreach to Republican leaders, however; bipartisanship means more then stopping by. Pence discussed that Republican's have been completely excluded in this legislation but there is room for compromise in respect to infrastructure funding and extensive unemployment insurance.

By Candyce Torres, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Mike Pence (R-Ind.): House Republicans are staying in this debate

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

"Republicans don't believe we can borrow and spend." said Chairman of the Republican Conference, Mike Pence (R-Ind.) in a pen and pad session held today. Pence addressed his feelings and concerns about the economic stimulus bill that was passed last week which had no support from Republicans. Pence said that there is a conflict of visions of how we should stimulate the economy coming from the Democrats and Republicans.

Joining Congressman Pence was Congressman Robert B. Aderholt (R-Ala.) who said that President Obama needs to talk with both Democratic House and Senate leaders because they are not being bipartisan with Republicans on this bill. "Having a fair bite of the apple is completely fair. I would criticize a Republican in the same matter." he said.

Pence said he is concerned about where some of the money is going saying that some things are unnecessary. He pointed out the 200 million dollars for the removal of fish passage barriers and other examples but says that they have Americans asking what that has to do with stimulating the economy. "House Republicans are staying in this debate." he said. Pence went on to say that "Bipartisan starts with listening." Pence stated that the bill was a partisan bill and that the Democrats completely ignored President Obama's hope for compromise and cooperation.

Pence and Aderholt both talked about their trust and admiration for President Obama. They were impressed for President Obama's appearance at a session held last week with House Republicans. Pence said he respected that President Obama was there listening and answering questions. "He is genuine and refreshingly respectful to people who differ with him." said Pence.