Groundbreaking Held For New Veterans Home In Bradley County

CLEVELAND -- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Courtney Rogers and Ed Harries, executive director of the Tennessee State Veterans’ Home Board, were joined by federal, state and local partners Wednesday as they broke ground on the new Bradley County Tennessee State Veterans’ Home in Cleveland.

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, State Senator Mike Bell, State Senator Todd Gardenhire, State Rep. Dan Howell, State Rep. Mark Hall, Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis, Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks, Many-Bears Grinder, former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, staff from the Bradley County Veteran Services Office and community members participated in the groundbreaking celebration. 

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On District Tour, DesJarlais visits Lincoln County High School

FAYETTEVILLE -- U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, who represents Tennessee’s 4th District in Congress, was in Fayetteville recently, visiting with community leaders during a luncheon hosted by American Development Corp. and with education officials at Lincoln County High School as he toured the district.

Accompanying the congressman was Fayetteville daughter Amy Young Dennis, who runs DesJarlais’ district office in Winchester.

The congressman’s visit here came on the heels of joining officials at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced the center’s new role in leading the Artemis Human Landing System Program for its return to the Moon by 2024.

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BRADLEY COUNTY VETERANS HOME GROUND-BREAKING AN "HISTORIC MOMENT" SAYS ATTENDEE REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS

CLEVELAND --  Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., calling it an “historic moment” in Cleveland, Bradley County, spoke at the ground-breaking of the new Bradley County Tennessee State Veterans Home today. The modern facility, scheduled for completion in approximately two years, has been sixteen years in the making. It will house more than 100 veterans in need of long-term care.

    In his speech to a large crowd, Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), credited the hard work of many Tennesseans, who donated time, money and land to the project. His congressional office worked with the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C., to raise the profile of the project and gain federal financing.  State and local sources raised $17 million of the total $47 million required to complete construction.

    “We’re fulfilling our obligation to those who fought and sacrificed to allow the rest of us to live in freedom in the Greatest Nation on Earth. This veterans home is a powerful symbol of the progress our state and country can make, when we unite as one,” said Rep. DesJarlais.

    He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and strong supporter of laws to reform VA health care and other services. In addition to his work for the Bradley County Tennessee State Veterans Home, Rep. DesJarlais has voted for a number bills to reduce veterans’ wait times at VA facilities, increase access to private care, promote in-home care, reduce opioid abuse, and to create economic opportunities for more veterans.

    The Congressman is also working to ensure active-duty troops have the resources they need to protect the United States.

    The Volunteer State has a relatively high percentage of Armed Services personnel and veterans, he explained. “The Volunteer State has always heeded the call, when our fellow citizens have needed assistance,” said Rep. DesJarlais. “Our state is home to some of the most advanced military research and testing facilities, and it will soon be home to a state-of-the-art veterans facility. I couldn’t be more proud to represent the people of Tennessee’s Fourth District in Congress.”

    This week, Rep. DesJarlais has visited Tennessee cattle and horse farms, manufacturing centers, and health care providers, as part of his district tour.  

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NASA MARSHALL TO LEAD ARTEMIS PROGRAM’S HUMAN LUNAR LANDER DEVELOPMENT

HUNTSVILLE -- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was joined Friday by U.S. Representatives Mo Brooks and Robert Aderholt of Alabama and Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to announce the center’s new role leading the agency’s Human Landing System Program for its return to the Moon by 2024. 

    Bridenstine discussed the announcement in front of the 149-foot-tall Space Launch System (SLS) rocket liquid hydrogen tank structural test article currently being tested. 

    “We greatly appreciate the support shown here today by our representatives in Congress for NASA’s Artemis program and America’s return to the Moon, where we will prepare for our greatest feat for humankind – putting astronauts on Mars,” Bridenstine said. “We focus on a ‘One NASA’ integrated approach that uses the technical capabilities of many centers. Marshall has the right combination of expertise and experience to accomplish this critical piece of the mission.”

    “The Tennessee Valley, including Huntsville and stretching across Middle Tennessee, is a dynamic, exciting region, home to thousands of men and women – working at both public and private institutions – who are leading the United States into the next age of space exploration,” said DesJarlais. “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am thrilled to visit one of our country’s premier facilities, near Arnold Air Force Base and others, developing the latest spaceflight technology. NASA’s Artemis program will help our country to create another American Century. We can be proud of our achievements, especially here at the Marshall Space Flight Center.” 

    Informed by years of expertise in propulsion systems integration and technology development, engineers at Marshall will work with American companies to rapidly develop, integrate, and demonstrate a human lunar landing system that can launch to the Gateway, pick up astronauts and ferry them between the Gateway and the surface of the Moon. 

    “Marshall Space Flight Center is the birthplace of America’s space program. It was Marshall scientists and engineers who designed, built, tested, and helped launch the giant Saturn V rocket that carried astronauts on the Apollo missions to the Moon,” Brooks said. “Marshall has unique capabilities and expertise not found at other NASA centers. I’m pleased NASA has chosen Marshall to spearhead a key component of America’s return to the Moon and usher in the Artemis era. Thanks to Administrator Bridenstine for travelling here to share the great news in person.”

    “Marshall Space Flight Center, and North Alabama, have played a key role in every American human mission to space since the days of Mercury 7. I am proud that Marshall has been selected to be the lead for the landers program,” said Aderholt. “I am also very proud that Marshall has designed and built the rocket system, the Space Launch System, which will make missions to the Moon and Mars possible. We look forward to working with our industry partners and our NASA partners from around the country."

    NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, which manages major NASA human spaceflight programs including the Gateway, Orion, Commercial Crew and International Space Station, will oversee all aspects related to preparing the landers and astronauts to work together. Johnson also will manage all Artemis missions, beginning with Artemis 1, the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems.

    The trip to Marshall came the day after Bridenstine visited NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where he viewed progress on the SLS core stage that will power NASA’s Artemis 1 lunar mission. With the start of testing in June on the liquid hydrogen tank article, and the recent arrival of the liquid oxygen tank at Marshall, which manages the SLS Program, NASA is more than halfway through SLS structural testing. 

    NASA recently issued a draft solicitation and requested comments from American companies interested in providing an integrated human landing system – a precursor to the final solicitation targeted for release in the coming months. The agency’s human lunar exploration plans are based on a two-phase approach: the first is focused on speed – landing on the Moon within five years, while the second will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028. The agency will use what we learn on the Moon to prepare for the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.

For more on NASA’s Artemis program, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis

BIG-SPENDING BUDGET DEAL A LOST OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE DEFICITS AND DEBT, SAYS REP. DESJARLAIS, VOTES “NO” IN CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, D.C. –   Today, Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a House Freedom Caucus member, rejected the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, voting against the bill in the House of Representatives. He issued the following statement:

“The federal government’s first responsibility is national defense. The bill continues our country’s rebuilding of the military under President Trump, but like past agreements to lift budget caps, which successfully reduced federal spending levels, it incorporates the misguided notion that discretionary domestic spending must also rise. Since fiscal conservatives forced caps on reckless spending, Congress has found clever ways to avoid the restrictions. In similar fashion, this deal grows deficits and debt. In this strong economy, because of tax cuts, now is the time to create a surplus and return more income to the American taxpayer. Cutting spending, and reforming wasteful government programs, would continue our economic progress. Deficits and debt are the biggest threat.”

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REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS: FAR-LEFT JEOPARDIZES NATIONAL SECURITY WITH POLITICIZED NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Democrat infighting nearly prevented passage of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House of Representatives today.

    The annual defense policy bill, which for 58 years has passed with bipartisan support, instead passed on a party-line vote, surviving only because of concessions to far-left socialists, insisting on the elimination of programs critical to defending the United States from Russia, China, Iran and other adversaries, said Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D.

    A member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Rep. DesJarlais is a strong supporter of improved border security and nuclear technology. He voted against the bill, which would undermine both, he said. “The Senate, as the House usually does, passed this year’s defense authorization by a wide bipartisan margin. In past years, when Republicans held the majority, we’ve offered Democrats abundant opportunities to voice concerns and add amendments. However, with Nancy Pelosi in charge, our colleagues across the aisle have behaved differently, shutting us out of the process.

    “As a result, Congress’ first responsibility, protecting national security, has become another partisan exercise, a product of bitter animosity towards the President, which reverses the progress we’ve made to rebuild the military after years of neglect.”

    Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04) is a member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, as well as the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities. In an address to Congress this week, he pointed out provisions in this year’s NDAA that would prevent the deployment of low-yield nuclear weapons to counter Russian technology; force the U.S. to abide by outdated nuclear treaties our adversaries ignore; prohibit military support at the southern border; and release terrorists from Guantanamo Bay military prison.

    The Congressman offered amendments to fix such problems in the legislation. “Amazingly, Democrat leaders rejected these measures, because they would likely pass with bipartisan support, displaying the kind of cynical partisanship that has prevented good legislation from passing the House this term,” said Rep. DesJarlais, who joined HASC Ranking Member Mac Thornberry and every Republican House member in voting no.

     “I’m disappointed we lost an opportunity to work together, and I could not support this NDAA.”

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HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBER REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES AGAINST WEAK DEFENSE BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Tennessee Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, early today voted against the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, citing major flaws in the Democrat-produced legislation. Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), who has steered nuclear security and other improvements in past authorizations, issued the following statement:

“This legislation would reverse the gains we have made to rebuild the U.S. military after years of neglect. It cuts nuclear and missile defense, hindering modernization programs to secure our country against advanced adversaries, and cuts defense overall, because of some misguided notion that our country’s strength is the source of all the world’s problems. No, the United States is a force for good, our allies are depending on us, and weakness invites aggression, as we saw during the prior administration, when China, Russia, Iran and ISIS expanded their influence across the globe.

“Provisions preventing the military from protecting our southern border reflect the same ‘Blame America First’ mentality.  The United States is defined by our borders, and we have a military to defend them, not just faraway places. The President’s authority to declare an emergency is clear, and so is the crisis at the border, which we must address immediately, but members of the majority seem to believe their open-borders agenda is more important than our country’s sovereignty and security. I support a strong defense that includes strong borders.”

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REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS: AMNESTY BILL FAILS TO ADDRESS BORDER SECURITY, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, FUELS CURRENT CRISIS

WASHINGTON, D.C. –   Legislation granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens passed the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives today. Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., voted against the bill, the American Dream and Promise Act, releasing the following the statement:

“Already this week, the House passed a disaster aid bill without a single dime to alleviate the disaster at the border. Today, Nancy Pelosi and her caucus passed a bill providing amnesty and a path to citizenship, as well as Medicaid, food stamps, and other welfare benefits, to millions of illegal aliens, but no resources to prevent more than a hundred thousand from crossing the southern border every month. It would encourage legal aliens to break the law, to receive the same preferential treatment, and reward repeat criminals, including gang members.   

“Bad laws like this are fueling the border crisis, reaching far into the U.S. Fortunately, despite misleading media coverage, Americans are beginning to understand the problem and effective solutions. We need to build a wall and end legal loopholes drawing enormous migrant caravans. Open borders are destructive.”

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RSC FIGHTS SOCIALIST AGENDA IN CONGRESS,

CHAIRMAN INTRODUCES RESPONSE RESOLUTION TO GREEN NEW DEAL

WASHINGTON – Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson (LA-04) introduced a resolution to expose the Socialist policies of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal and to prove that fully implementing the proposal is clearly impossible.

    The chairman’s resolution highlights the exorbitant costs of the plan, the harm it would actually cause the environment, the exponential increase in energy costs that would be required of all U.S. households and businesses, and the Green New Deal’s attempts to impose socialized medicine, public funds for those “unwilling” to work and big government provisions like “free” college for all.

    The chairman’s resolution has more than 50 original cosponsors.

CHAIRMAN JOHNSON RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“When we began the 116th Congress, most Americans had no idea how far to the radical left the new Democrat majority would attempt to push the country. The ‘Green New Deal’ may be the most outrageous set of proposals ever presented in the U.S. Congress, and we have an obligation to expose this dangerous agenda for what it is and what it would mean for every American. Turning to full government control would erode our most fundamental freedoms, devastate our nation’s economy and cause serious hardships for every person in this country. Conservatives simply will not allow that to happen.”

REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS (TN-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Although almost all of them will tell you they support the Green New Deal, a plan to socialize America’s economy, no Senate Democrat voted for it when Mitch McConnell gave them the chance, and Democrats have so far refused to advance legislation in the House, where they’re in charge for the time being. Their reluctance to embrace their own bad ideas is the perfect illustration of what would happen in reality. Political insiders and cronies would be exempt, while working Americans would bear the brunt of devastating taxes and regulation. Domestic energy, manufacturing jobs, economic growth and optimism are finally returning because of tax cuts and lighter regulation. We cannot allow an extreme, far-left agenda to destroy the progress this country is making.”

REP. RALPH ABRAHAM (LA-05) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal is a socialist’s wish list of absurd proposals rooted in fantasy and funded by raising your taxes. It deserves to be defeated.”

REP. TONY BALDERSON (OH-12) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Simply put, the Green New Deal is unfeasible. We need to work to find real solutions, not a farce like the Green New Deal that doesn’t fix the problems it tries to tackle, and instead harms Americans in the process.”

REP. BRADLEY BYRNE (AL-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Despite running on kitchen table issues and moderate policy reforms, the new Democrats have swarmed to the left and embraced a radical socialism that would empower the government, not the people. Americans see through the Green New Deal and other Democrat proposals that foolishly promise the world if we would only give up some of our liberties and embrace radical environmental socialism. These policies must be exposed and rejected.”

REP. ANDY BIGGS (AZ-05) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“There is nothing green about the Green New Deal; instead, it should be called the ‘Green Socialist Manifesto.’ The Green New Deal is an attempt by the radical left to convert America’s booming economy – where people have choice and freedom – into government coercion at every level of our lives. I thank Chairman Johnson for leading this resolution and for highlighting the importance of free market capitalism and private property rights.”

REP. JOHN CARTER (TX-31) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Not only is the Democrats’ Green New Deal an unreasonable pipedream, it also saddles the American people with a $93 trillion price tag. People deserve to know where their representatives stand on this proposal that will greatly expand the federal government’s role in their lives.”

REP. MICHAEL CLOUD (TX-27) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“In order to face the environmental challenges that the future may bring, we need a thriving economy. The Green New Deal would cost trillions of taxpayer dollars and potentially devastate our economy. Simply put, it is not a good deal for the American people. Instead of socialist policies, we in Congress should look to states like Texas, where American companies are mindful of environmental impact while at the same time providing jobs for workers and families. We can and must advance protections to our environment while continuing to boost our economy.”  

REP. JEFF DUNCAN (SC-03) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal is a dangerous agenda that would have the government dictate every moment of our lives through a massive takeover of sectors of the economy. It’s a socialist Trojan Horse, chock-full of programs that would cost $93 trillion and surely bankrupt our country. It’s one disastrous leap towards limiting the freedom of the American people, and I’m glad the Republican Study Committee has been committed to exposing the truth of the Green New Deal.” 

REP. RON ESTES (KS-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The $93 trillion Green New Deal would be a massive government takeover of how we eat, travel and live. It would also bankrupt our country and decimate jobs in two of the largest industries in Kansas: agriculture and aviation. We need innovation and a thriving economy to protect our environment and climate, not government control and crushing tax increases. I support this resolution to highlight just how radical the Green New Deal really is.”

REP. CHUCK FLEISCHMANN (TN-03) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The American economy is thriving under conservative, pro-growth policies, but would become crippled under big government, socialist proposals. That is why I cosponsored legislation led by my colleague, Chairman Johnson, to rebuke the socialist agenda masquerading as policy, also known as the Green New Deal. The goal of the Green New Deal, zero-emission energy production in 10 years, is not feasible. The Green New Deal would send American jobs overseas, threaten private property rights, and pass the onus of a $93 trillion price tag to the American taxpayers. In the midst of record-low unemployment and unprecedented economic growth, the last thing our nation needs is to erode this progress through a Green New Disaster.”

REP. BILL FLORES (TX-17) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The United States has become the world’s largest energy producer, and is already leading the world in carbon reduction, thanks to the principles of innovation, conservation and adaptation. When the Green New Deal was introduced, it was hailed as a ‘major watershed moment’ to fix climate change. In reality, it is a package of unrealistic, job-killing, far-left policies that even Speaker Pelosi will not bring up for a vote. Hardworking American families must know the true cost of these socialist programs, many unrelated to climate change, and the damage these programs will inflict on our economic opportunity and national security.”

REP. BOB GIBBS (OH-07) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“I would never have thought American policymakers would be extolling the virtues of socialism, yet here we are. Like the socialists of history’s failed states, the proponents of the Green New Deal want to wield the power of government to control nearly every aspect of our economy, whether it is related to the climate or not. The Green New Deal ignores human nature and the value of the individual in a free economic system. The United States has led the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions since 2000. It wasn’t done through heavy-handed government mandates or international treaties. It was driven by the innovation of new technologies. The provisions of the Green New Deal expose the root of the socialist agenda: that government is superior to the individual. Conservatives cannot allow that idea to be cemented in our culture.”

REP. PAUL GOSAR (AZ-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Let’s call the Green New Deal what it is — a socialist manifesto masquerading as a pro-environment proposal that seeks to fundamentally transform America. Included in the Green New Deal is a job guarantee, a housing guarantee, a healthcare guarantee and an education guarantee. We all want to protect the environment, but this expensive, soviet style takeover of our entire economy goes too far. I applaud Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson for his leadership and thank him for introducing a bill that spells out the costs and dangers associated with this flawed proposal estimated to cost hard-working families $650,000 per household in the first 10 years alone.”

REP. MARK GREEN (TN-07) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“If passed, the Green New Deal would cause Americans’ electricity bills to skyrocket -- up to 286% more per month. For some families, utilities and gas already take up 22% of their budget. 23% of Americans keep their home at a temperature unsafe or unhealthy to lower energy costs, and 19% of families had one of their members become sick as a result. Not to mention that the price tag of this legislation is $93 trillion dollars. Divided equally, that’s $600k per household. Even if the top 1% paid that entire tab (they can’t – not even close), most American couldn’t afford their electricity bills. We need more serious thinking in Congress.”

REP. JODY HICE (GA-10) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“There are two competing approaches in addressing our country’s challenges when it comes to climate change. In one approach, as designed by the Green New Deal, the federal government asserts control over most of our economy, passing along massive costs and bureaucratic inefficiencies to everyday Americans. In the other, our robust system of free enterprise rises to the challenge, tapping into our deep well of independence, ingenuity, and creativity. This is the approach that built our Nation and made us a land of opportunity for all, which stands in stark contrast to the failed socialist policies that have plagued other countries throughout history. I stand firmly behind the power of free enterprise, and I encourage a vote to let the American people know where their Members of Congress stand on such a radical policy.”

REP. CLAY HIGGINS (LA-03) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal would destroy American jobs and economic prosperity. It’s a socialist takeover of American society, and the underlying proposals have no basis in reality. Democrats are calling for total government regulation of the economy, elimination of the oil and gas industry, and restrictions on agricultural production. Those policies would cripple our economy and wipe out millions of American jobs. The Green New Deal is a dangerous plan, and it’s reflective of the Democratic Party’s shift toward socialism.”

REP. DOUG LAMALFA (CA-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal is the latest, most dangerous attempt to impose radical socialist ideology on the American people. It’s an affront to the very principles upon which our great nation was founded upon and has flourished under. It’s a $93 trillion fantasy that no serious legislator would ever propose or consider. It would devastate our economy, handcuff American innovation, and destroy jobs in every state in America. We should be focusing on legislation that is actually grounded in reality and solves problems instead of this colossal waste of time.”

REP. DEBBIE LESKO (AZ-08) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The notorious Green New Deal will change nearly every aspect of Americans' lives at an exorbitant cost estimated at $93 trillion. The American people deserve to know if their representatives stand with this far-left, socialist proposal that will devastate our economy and burden our children and grandchildren. That is why I am standing in strong opposition to the radical Green New Deal and cosponsoring Rep. Johnson's resolution that exposes the truth about what the Green New Deal really is."

REP. ROGER MARSHALL (KS-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Rather than setting realistic goals to reduce carbon emissions and incentivize clean energy development, the Democrat’s ‘Green New Deal’ is nothing more than a rebranding of Socialistic control of every aspect of American life under the guise of ‘environmental responsibility.’ This socialist proposal that Democrats are championing claims to create economic prosperity for all, but in reality, this ‘deal’ would stick hardworking families with a dramatic increase in taxes, burdens, and government involvement in everyday life.”

REP. PAUL MITCHELL (MI-10) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal is an unrealistic and unworkable proposal that stands in stark opposition to the economic freedom and pro-growth policies that have enabled the United States to thrive. It would impose an immense burden on taxpayers and would lead to significant job loss due to its massive overhaul or elimination of entire sectors of the economy. We can and must advance protections for our environment but pursuing increased government control over nearly every aspect of our lives is an absolute nonstarter. I stand with my colleagues in strong and adamant opposition to the Green New Deal.”

REP. DAN NEWHOUSE (WA-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal refuses to acknowledge the success of existing renewable energy resources, like hydropower and nuclear. It also ignores the progress our nation is already making to reduce our carbon footprint. Instead, it proposes widespread detrimental ‘reforms’ to U.S. industries that ignore our country’s free market principles, threatening jobs and innovation. I am proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this resolution to declare – once and for all – that Congress will not allow the United States to become a socialist country or succumb to misguided, socialist agendas like the Green New Deal.”

REP. DENVER RIGGLEMAN (VA-05) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“I am proud to co-sign Chairman Johnson’s Green New Deal response resolution.  The American people deserve to know where their representatives stand on this extreme and unreasonable environmental plan. It spends trillions of dollars on ‘planting trees’ and ‘eliminating air travel.’ This bill will make clear my opposition to the Green New Deal.”

REP. PHIL ROE (TN-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“I strongly support commonsense reforms that will leave our children and grandchildren a healthier planet. I’ve worked as Mayor of Johnson City, TN on solutions that improve the environment, save taxpayers money and help create jobs. Unfortunately, the Green New Deal isn’t about helping the environment – it is a rejection of capitalism and a true embrace of socialism. The so-called ‘Green Dream’ guarantees everyone a job regardless of willingness to work, forces people into labor unions, and requires us to rebuild perfectly sound buildings and infrastructure. I am proud to be a cosponsor of Chairman Johnson’s resolution to rebuke these nonsensical socialist ideas.”

REPUBLICAN WHIP STEVE SCALISE (LA-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal is openly hostile to the American way of life. There must be a thorough accounting of the costs and dangers hidden in this radical legislation. Democrat proponents make plenty of empty promises, but will only deliver widespread unemployment, shockingly high consumer costs, and complete government dependence. We cannot allow this to become America’s future. Rep. Mike Johnson is right to oppose the Green New Deal and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of his resolution.”

REP. CHRIS STEWART (UT-02) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“The Green New Deal is an attempt to restructure our form of government, not an environmental plan. We all know we can’t afford it. We all know it won’t solve any problems. The only thing the Green New Deal would accomplish would be a shift toward socialism. Focusing on government funded health care, housing and higher education without a plan to pay for any of it proves that this idea is a fantasy. Pretending it is about protecting the environment is dishonest. If you buy the line that the Green New Deal will cure the world and make us all happier, I have some prime oceanfront property in Utah’s 2nd district I would like to sell you.” 

Original cosponsors include Representatives Ralph Abraham (LA-05), Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Brian Babin (TX-36), James Baird (IN-04), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Jim Banks (IN-03), Andy Barr (KY-06), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Ted Budd (NC-13), Bradley Byrne (AL-01), John Carter (TX-31), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Michael Conaway (TX-11), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Ron Estes (KS-04), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Bill Flores (TX-17), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Mark Green (TN-07), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Jody Hice (GA-10), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Trent Kelly (MS-01), David Kustoff (TN-08), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Roger Marshall (KS-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Paul Mitchell (MI-10), Alexander Mooney (WV-02), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Pete Olson (TX-22), Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Denver Riggleman (VA-05), Phil Roe (TN-01), David Rouzer (NC-07), Steve Scalise (LA-01), Gregory Steube (FL-17), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Mark Walker (NC-06), Steven Watkins (KS-02), Randy Weber (TX-18), Ron Wright (TX-06) and Ted Yoho (FL-03).

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT DESJARLAIS SUPPORTS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION PLAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., issued the following statement supporting President Trump’s plan to solve the border crisis and reform U.S. immigration laws, which the President presented at the White House today:

“The President’s plan is a well-thought-out, sensible one that would end the chaos at the border and across the United States, because of weak border security, bad laws and judicial decisions. As opposed to the random lottery we have right now, we need a merit-based immigration system that attracts high-skilled workers who will not displace American citizens or become a public burden, and to close legal loopholes incentivizing dangerous illegal immigration, including migrant caravans overwhelming our facilities. The status quo is unacceptable. There is a crisis. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress know exactly what our country must do to fix it.”

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