Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: The Latest Keystone XL Delay – “Politics At Its Worst”


On Monday we “celebrated” Tax Freedom Day, which means the average American worked every day up until April 21st in order to pay their taxes.President Ronald Reagan hits the nail on the head when he stated, “The American people are not undertaxed, the government in Washington is overfed.” A third of your year shouldn’t belong to the government, and I will continue working in the House to reduce the tax burden on middle class Americans.

Other issues we continue to address in Washington include the need for good jobs and energy independence; however, the president’s most recent delay of the Keystone XL pipeline cost us both.  This delay drew sharp criticism nationwide, including from Labor Union General President Terry O’Sullivan, calling the delay “politics at its worst.” The editorial board of the Washington Post also voiced criticism, writing “At this point, there is little doubt about the big picture. After two thorough environmental analyses, State Department experts determined that the pipeline’s impact probably would be minimal, even on climate change-inducing carbon dioxide emissions…The president should end this national psychodrama now, bow to reason, approve the pipeline and go do something more productive for the climate.”

Even those the president usually relies on as allies are urging him to approve the project— a clear sign that we are far beyond an appropriate time to act. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have voted for commonsense, all-of-the-above energy policies to promote economic growth and national security. Rest assured that I will continue to fight for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Obamacare continues to be in the news and even Democrats are warning that the worst of Obamacare is yet to come, especially when the delayed mandates begin to go into effect. There is also news this week confirming what we have known for some time now – the  “Affordable” Care Act is too costly for many to actually afford. The New York Times reported this week, “A common thread running through stories of the unenrolled is cost. Many people either do not qualify for federal subsidies or believe that the assistance is not enough to make insurance affordable…a New York Times/CBS News poll of uninsured people in December found that of those who did not plan to get coverage, half said that cost was the main reason.”

In addition to the issues we are addressing in Washington, in this newsletter you will find information about the latest happenings in the district—including the announcement of our Second District Congressional Art Competition winner, Ashley Meyer.

Thank you for staying informed and for sharing this information with your friends.  Please contact my office if there is any way we can assist you.

Congratulations to the NC2 Winner of the Congressional Art Competition

Congratulations to Ashley Meyer of Overhills High School – the 2014 NC Second District winner of the Congressional Art Competition! Ashley won for her pencil drawing, “Falling” (pictured above). Thank you to all of the talented high school students who submitted their work.

Defend and Reform: Reforming Veterans Affairs

On Wednesday, North Carolina’s chapter of Concerned Veterans for America brought local and national experts together in Raleigh. While together, the discussion centered around ways to hold the VA accountable, as well as methods to attain and provide better service for our nation’s veterans.  A member of my office, who assists veterans working with the VA, attended the event.

Click here for information about H.R. 4031, the “Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014,” which I am cosponsoring. This legislation is one step to providing more accountability and improving the quality of service our veterans deserve. Visit this page of my website for more information about some of the work I am doing to assist veterans.

Introductory remarks from Concerned Veterans for America CEO Pete Hegseth.

A packed room to listen to the panel composed of CEO Peter Hegseth, the Director of NC Division of Veterans Affairs Ilario Pantano, CVA Senior VA Advisor Darin Selnick, and Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Senator Richard Burr.

In the News

Hoteliers lose sleep over looming deactivation of Pope Field’s 440th Airlift Wing
Fayetteville Observer
Opposition to the proposal to eliminate the 440th Airlift Wing continues to grow louder. In addition to the formation of the Save the 440th Airlift Wing Coalition, comprising municipal officials and the Fayetteville Regional Chamber, legislators have expressed their displeasure. North Carolina U.S. Reps. Renee Ellmers, David Price, Richard Hudson and Mike McIntyre submitted an appropriations request to a Congressional committee to block the use of defense dollars to shutter the wing.

Training continues as cut looms for Fort Bragg’s 440th AW
NBC 17 WNCN
State and local lawmakers and business leaders have spoken up to protest the proposed inactivation. U.S. Representatives Renee Ellmers (NC-02), David Price (NC-04), and Mike McIntyre (NC-07) and Richard Hudson (NC-08) have written a letter of concern to U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey. The Fayetteville Regional Chamber, the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County have petitioned Congress to rethink the budget proposal that would inactivate the 440th.

Congresswoman Ellmers visits Fort Bragg FCU
Carolinas Credit Union League
Congress began its two-week Easter recess on Monday, a break that provided an opportunity for Congresswoman Renee Ellmers to visit Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union in Fayetteville, N.C. “In-district meetings at local credit unions are a great way to educate members of Congress on the work credit unions are doing,” shared CCUL SVP of Association Services Dan Schline, who attended Wednesday’s meeting with Ellmers.

Snapshot from the District

Photo above: the flag at my district office in Dunn on a windy spring day.