Healthcare reform is dividing the membership of the AARP more than any other issue ever has. Despite expending vast resources, the AARP has not been able to unite its own membership, Nancy LeaMond, the executive vice president of the organization’s social impact group, told reporters on Wednesday. AARP’s membership is roughly divided between Democrats, Republicans and independents,… Read more

Some of the headlines in recent days are not worthy of belief. No, I'm not referring to the headlines that Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, however odd that many seem to many (including, it seems, Obama himself). I'm referring to the headlines earlier in the week to the effect that the health care bill sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus will cut the federal… Read more

Exchange at the October 8, 2009 Ways and Means Subcommittee Hearing on the Effectiveness of Democrats’ 2009 Stimulus Law QUESTION: Rep. John Linder (R-GA), on the effectiveness of Democrats’ 2009 stimulus law:              "How’s it working so far ?” ANSWER: Lawrence Mishel, Economic Policy Institute (a Democrat-invited witness): “I think it’s working amazingly well. We are… Read more

Washington, DC – Following today’s announcement by the Congressional Budget Office that substantive medical liability lawsuit reform would reduce health care spending and reduce the deficit by $54 billion over the next 10 years, Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) issued the following statement: “Republicans have said from day one that lawsuit reform must be included in any… Read more

The table below compares the White House's February 2009 projection of the number of jobs that would be created by the 2009 stimulus law (through the end of 2010) with the actual change in state payroll employment through August 2009 (the latest state-by-state figures currently available).  As this table shows, the only place in America solidly on track to meet the Administration’s job… Read more

Webster’s dictionary defines a safety net as “something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty.” That’s a broad definition, and safety nets come in many forms. Even in these enormously difficult times, 90 percent of Americans count their job as their real safety net, along with family, home, and savings. Those safety nets supply their current income and their confidence… Read more

Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Representatives Charles Boustany (R-LA), David Dreier (R-CA), Wally Herger (R-CA) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) commented on the "Buy American" obligations in the stimulus, which appear to be having a clogging, rather than priming, effect on U.S. economic recovery: “In this economy, where every job matters, it’s essential… Read more

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Committee Republicans today reacted sharply to a letter from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius regarding the recent gag order issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which prohibits Medicare plans from sharing accurate and constitutionally protected information about proposed Medicare cuts with seniors. “In suppressing all… Read more

As Ways and Means Republicans have noted, the health plans Congressional Democrats are proposing have already failed at the state level. The results of these misguided policies have been significantly higher premiums, higher health care costs and reduced access to care. Below is a Wall Street Journal opinion piece further illustrating the problems with nationalizing these failed state… Read more

Since September 11th, American military, diplomatic, and intelligence personnel have seen extended and recurring deployments in support of contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  These brave Americans have answered the call and at the drop of a hat gone off to defend this great nation in a most consequential time.  This House, and the American people, are extremely grateful for… Read more