It's amazing that a perception still exists that pretty much ANY Congressional Republican is anything other than completely beholden to the far right base - and won't pass up an opportunity to pander with votes in favor or more pollution, a bigger ability to rig the system and impose heartless regulation over people's private medical decisions -unless someone can profit off of it.
Much like the rest of their party, Lance, LoBiondo and Frelinghuysen relish at the fake persona they have created for themselves (see Bush, George W.) while fooling the "swing" constituents with meaningless votes. The three bills - the "TRAIN" Act, which would indefinitely delay the clean-up of toxic power plant pollution; H.R. 2681, which prevents clean air standards that lower mercury and other toxic air pollution from cement plants; and H.R. 2250, which would prevent standards to reduce toxic pollution from industrial incinerators and boilers at power plants.
If one is going to position themselves as "reasonable about" or "sympathetic to" or "in favor of" making it harder to die from harmful toxins in our air, then bills like this should be no brainers to support. All three of these Representatives have at least attempted to demonstrate an interest in the very things they just voted against. If there was any issue that these three would get "a pass" on from the extreme right wing for their vote, it would be this one. The problem is that all three of them face uncertainty either in their bid for reelection or the prospect of losing their seat as a result of redistricting and therefore have to pander to the unreasonable and militant wing of their party.
Environment New Jersey has called them out on this, and you can too if you click on their ad here at Blue Jersey. Their press release is here too.
And don't even expect a Republican's definition of "moderate" to be anything close to what "moderate" actually is.
The President rightly pointed out today that the House Republicans are jeopardizing Social Security checks, disability checks, and veterans benefits:
"I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it"
Stopping checks or defaulting on debts would be a complete disaster, whether we're talking about the consequences to individuals or the consequences on the national macro-economy.
Setting recent arrivals Jon Runyan and Leonard Lance aside, every New Jersey Republican and Democrat have voted to raise the debt ceiling multiple times (PDF), each voting yes when their party was in the majority and no when it wasn't. These long-term Republicans -- Frank LoBiondo, Chris Smith, Scott Garrett, Rodney Frelinghuysen -- are in perfectly safe seats and it's time for them to step up for the good of the country. After all, they already approved the budget so they have authorized every dollar of spending, knowing that it required borrowing. It's been pure political showmanship until now, but reality is intruding. They need to vote -- with some Democrats of good faith -- to raise the debt ceiling without continuing to take the country hostage.
The Republican deficit reduction plan does not even win majority support, but when voters learn almost anything about it, they turn sharply and intensely against it. They have particularly grave concerns about the plan to end Medicare and slash Medicaid spending, pushing seniors into the private insurance market and costing them thousands of dollars more in out-of-pocket expenses.
Today, every New Jersey Republican voted for the plan: Frank LoBiondo, Scott Garrett, Jon Runyan, Chris Smith, Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Leonard Lance all have now tried to end Medicare.
House Republicans huddled late Monday and, according to a GOP aide, gave the speaker an ovation when he informed them that he was advising the House Administration Committee to begin preparing for a possible shutdown. That process includes alerting lawmakers and senior staff about which employees would not report to work if no agreement is reached.
Jon Runyan, Frank LoBiondo, and the others have direct responsibility for what is going to happen. Whatever measured official statements are made, they are actually applauding and cheering when the cameras are turned off. Every reporter should include it in their accounts.
(And oh yes, the pathetic Democrats who failed to pass the budget last year are the ones who gave them this opportunity.)
Bob Menendez: Banking (chairs the Housing, Transportation, and Community Development subcommittee); Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; Foreign Relations (chairs the International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection subcommittee)
Frank Lautenberg: Appropriations (chairs the Homeland Security subcommittee); Commerce, Science and Transportation (chairs the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security subcommittee); and Environment and Public Works (chairs the Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health, Chair subcommittee)
If LGBT rights matter to you, you might wanna check out this website to see how your Congressman stacks up in the fight for gay rights.
I am in NJ's 3rd Congressional district where freshman Congressman John Adler turns in an impressive score of 92%. Looks like Adler gets an A in this class.
Doug Herbert, the Army vet and attorney who is challenging 8-term incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen in NJ-11,
Among Herbert's endorsements are NJ State Building & Construction Trades Council, NJEA, and Sparta Unites for Our Schools, which points out that Herbert would have supported the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which Frelinghuysen voted against, that is now returning 3,900 teachers to New Jersey's classrooms - including 4 teachers whose jobs returned to Sparta, a school librarian, and teachers in art, music and gym. This is Herbert's first ad, now running on local cable. It deals with jobs, too, but from a different angle.
Yesterday, Sunday, October 17th a debate was finally held. The Debate was held at WMTR Studio in Morristown. The people debating were Douglas Herbert, eight-term incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Libertarian Jim Gawron. What were they debating you might ask, they were debating on issues facing America and the people in the 11th district. One of the opening comments in the debate was said by Doug Herbert, he said: "The people of this district deserve a representative who is going to go down to Washington and fight on their behalf." Frelinghuysen commented back by attacking Washington incumbents and Nancy Pelosi, in response, Doug said, "I would like to remind the Congressman that he is running against Jim and I. This election is about Rodney Frelinghuysen and his failed record." Frelinghuysen just attacked Washington incumbents...he is an EIGHT-TERM incumbent in Washington.
The 'Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act' was brought up next, which Frelinghuysen voted against, but put 3,900 teachers back in their jobs in New Jersey. Frelinghuysen said "I support Governor Christie's education reforms, and thought it unwise to pass this bill before they're complete." Doug opposed this by responding, "I support that bill, education is a long-term investment in our country, if we do not invest in education we will fall behind countries like China."
A caller then called in about 'Contract with America', which among other things promised 12 year term limits which Frelinghuysen ran on in 1994. Frelinghuysen said, "I did not sign term limits." Doug fought back saying, "I support the 12 year term limits, because we need to stop the political elitism in Washington- Congressmen who go down to Washington just for themselves and their own political interests." Which is exactly was Frelinghuysen is and has been doing.
Next, a small-business woman called in from Parsippany asking the Congressman why he voted against the 'Small Business Lending Fund'. Frelinghuysen said, "In my opinion people aren't going to make the right type of investments." Doug said, "Small businesses are struggling, the Small Business Administration has said that 75 percent of new job creation is going to come from small businesses. This is exactly the type of bill we need to get America working again."
In his closing statements, Doug said: "The way we take America back is by taking Washington back from incumbents like Rodney Frelinghuysen on November 2nd."
This debate was clearly a winning performance by Douglas Herbert. If you live in the 11th district please remember to go place a vote for him on November 2nd.
Douglas Herbert, candidate for the 11th Congressional District, currently held by Rodney Frelinghuysen; spoke outside a closed storefront in downtown Morristown on Wednesday. He confronted the urgent need to help struggling small businesses in the 11th district. Doug stated: "small businesses are the engine of our economic growth. They account for 75% of new job creation...Nothing should be more non-partisan than helping small businesses grow and putting Americans back to work."
Recently current congressman, Rodney Frelinghuysen voted against the 'Small Business Lending Fund Act.' Doug spoke about this saying, "Rodney talks about how he supports small business and how he wants to help put people back to work. However, when he has a chance to act, a chance to actually help small business, Rodney Frelinghuysen votes against their interests."
Doug created three approaches in order to help small businesses gain access to the resources necessary to grow. These three approaches are as follows:
1. I will fight to provide payroll tax credits for small businesses that hire and rehire Americans currently unemployed. Many small business owners that I have spoken to have told me that they would put this credit back into their business and into hiring new employees.
2. I will fight to expand government guaranteed loan programs and credit lines to small businesses. As a small-business owner myself, I know that access to capital is a primary concern for many small business owners now. We cannot sit back and allow small businesses to suffocate while Congressmen like Frelinghuysen approve billions of dollars in big bank bailouts. Bills like the one last week [Small Business Lending Fund Act] are crucial to ensuring business can survive this recession.
3. Lastly, it is time we have a Congressman in the 11th district who will support innovation and high-tech job creation. Through investments in research and a tax credit so that business can innovate, I will work to bring new, high-tech jobs to the 11th district. I will not accept the status-quo; there are real steps we can take to create new high-paying and secure jobs here.
Doug also said: "Now is not a time to play politics with people's lives. I would have voted to allow small businesses to rehire and reinvest. By putting money in the hands of those who will use it, we can and will create an economic recovery one dollar at a time."
Here is a candidate that wants to represent the people in the 11th district, not special and political interests. At the end of his speech, Doug stated: "Small-businesses drive our economy, and I will make sure that their interests and the 11th District's interests are represented in Congress."
If you would like to learn more, volunteer, or donate to the campaign please visit douglasherbert.org
IF you live in the 11th district please remember to go place your vote for Douglas Herbert on November 2nd.
All New Jersey's congressional delegation - incumbents of both parties - should have at least one debate with their challengers before election time. Some of the incumbents have been resisting, but in the interest of transparency, voters should have the chance to see the candidates face each other and get grilled. Some of those logjams eased in the last couple days:
NJ-7: Ed Potosnak (D) & Leonard Lance (R) - More than a month ago young hard-charger Ed Potosnak challenged first-term incumbent Leonard Lance to 5 debates; one in each county, one for TV. Weeks later, Lance said he'd debate but without saying when, where or how often. This week, Potosnak decided to make it easy. He set up 6 debate events, all-set.
Given how close we are to the end, it's a small breakthrough that Lance finally talked personally by phone today with Potosnak. Lance's campaign has generally avoided reaching out; preferring to insist only via media that he's willing to meet. This is the dance of Fall, the will-they? two-step; the candidate in the cushier position dipping backwards, and twirling away. Lance had that same complaint two years ago against Linda Stender. So he of all people should make himself available for head-to-head matchups. Lance has had a lifetime in public office and has the built-in advantage of incumbency. He's in the catbird seat, and with a couple years of Congress under his belt, he should be leaping at the chance to meet up with Potosnak. Continuing to say you're for debates but not confirming any strains credulity, and NJ-7 voters deserve better. No more delaying, no running out the clock. Potosnak's done all the homework already. Or want another metaphor? It's shovel-ready.
NJ-11: Douglas Herbert (D) & Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) - Army vet Herbert has been challenging the incumbent to debate for 50 days, even provoking him by holding a press event outside GOP HQ in Morristown. Herbert go a little farther than Potosnak did in getting the incumbent nailed down, but then Frelinghuysen may be feeling a little more secure. The NJ-11 debates will be Oct. 17 at WMTR Studios in Morristown, the second in Hackettstown at WRNJ. (both 11am). h/t Kelsey17
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls Number: (646) 652-2773.
Tonight we'll learn all about Douglas Herbert's bid to unseat Rodney Frelinghuysen in NJ-11. In the meantime, even if you live outside NJ's 11th Congressional district, you can join Douglas Herbert's FaceBook group and help spread the word. Or, check out his website.
You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes.
On Friday I held a press conference in Sparta New Jersey on the Education crisis facing our schools.
We cannot continue to ignore the needs of the students and teachers of this state. We have to make real steps towards ensuring that the future of our children is being fought for by our Congressional Representatives.
My opponent has thus far refused to debate me. Its because he and his career politician colleagues dont have solutions for the struggles of real people. I am going to continue to fight for these issues that matter to hardworking Americans.
Sincerely,
Douglas Herbert
New Jersey Eleventh
Please feel free to read an article from the NJ Herald on the event.
Let's see. In the last 217 years, the Frelinghuysen family's sent 6 members to Congress. And Rodney Frelinghuysen's been representing NJ-11 for 15 years. He ought to be able to stand for a debate against a challenger not of his party. - promoted by Rosi
This afternoon, 1 pm to be exact; a group of people marched to the front the Republican Headquarters in Morristown for a press conference. These people weren't just democrats supporting Douglas Herbert for Congress, they were Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. They all had one thing on their minds...to call on Rodney Frelinghuysen to accept his debate challenge and to respond to invitations from the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, and Sparta United for Education.
With our current economic crisis on his mind Doug emphasized the stakes in this years election in November, could not be any greater. He is quoted saying: "I am here, today, to let my opponent know that the people of this District care about who represents them in Congress. They deserve a leader who will offer answers to their questions and who will represent their interests in Congress." "For their sake, I once again call on you to appear at a series of debates with me so that the people of our District will know where each of us stands on the issues facing them, our State and our Country."
Doug is the leader that will offer answers to our questions, as shown by answers to the debate opportunities; and he will represent OUR interests in Congress. NOT special and political interests.
Not only people involved in his campaign were at this press conference. Doug was also joined by his family, reporters from newspapers all over the 11th district, representatives from the Morris County Chapter of the NAACP, Sparta United by Education as well as Republican voters from the Eleventh District. Doug then reiterated his concerns and called out Frelinghuysen; "Representative Frelinghuysen, I stand in front of your campaign headquarters today united with people from all parties and groups. For their sake, I once again call on you to appear at a series of debates with me so that the people of our District will know where each of us stands on the issues facing them, our State and our Country."
The clear choice for congress in the 11th district is no other than Douglas Herbert; please remember to go place a vote for him on November 2nd.
To volunteer or donate to the campaign:
www.douglasherbert.org
(Morristown) - August 10, 2010 - Douglas Herbert condemned Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen's vote today against the 'Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act.' "Instead of helping to keep 138,000 hardworking teachers in their classrooms, Frelinghuysen voted them out of a job," said Doug.
"This type of legislation should not be about partisanship," Doug continued, "this legislation is about insuring that our schools are properly staffed to care for and to educate our children." Along with other long-term Washington incumbents like John Boehner, "Frelinghuysen's vote will increase class sizes and negatively impact the quality of education our kids receive. Without the financial support that this act provides for the states, teachers across the nation will be laid off and our children will suffer for it."
Doug stated after the vote, "I would have voted for New Jersey's and the nation's children. As a father of three, I know that it is vital that we keep our education system strong. My goal in Congress will be to insure that families across my District and across this nation have access to the best public education and healthcare available. This can be done in a fiscally responsible way that does not pass the bill on to future generations."
To learn more about Doug please visit: www.douglasherbert.org
via Fred Snowflack, and from NJ-11 Democrats, we find out what went down at Lenape Valley High School in Stanhope last week.
The congressman was having a town hall meeting. And "about five people" - that's "5" - showed up there with signs encouraging Frelinghuysen to debate his Democratic opponent, Doug Herbert.
They weren't making noise, weren't even holding the signs up so everybody could see them. But they were asked to leave. And they said no. So the police were called, and they and their signs were ejected. Mind you, a constituent hand-delivered an invitation to a debate her group - Sparta Unites for our Schools - is having. I can see how that would be unnerving.
Our interest here, however, has to do with the Washington custom of earmarks, the practice of lawmakers adding appropriations to budget bills for favored projects in their state or district. In total, earmarks often represent billions of dollars in federal spending. Earlier this year, Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Bergen, proposed a $15 million earmark for Insitech. That's a lot of money for a non-profit trying to attract firms to do business with the army. The earmark has not been approved yet, but the new federal budget does not start until Oct. 1.
Here's where things get interesting. A spokesman for Rothman told the Daily Record last week that she didn't know anything about the earmark. InSitech's CEO said he couldn't talk about it, and spokesmen for Picatinny and Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, who normally proposes earmarks for the base, said they were unaware of it.
How fascinating that a proposed expenditure of $15 million in federal money is so easy to lose.
That's a lot of money for no one to know anything about. There has to be more to this story, because something doesn't add up. And how does Frelinghuysen have a significant amount of money earmarked for his district and he has no idea bout it? That's effective representation.
It's Fred Snowflack of the Daily Record v. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen. Snowflack saw this video posted on Frelinghuysen's website, featured where he talks about the number of uninsured:
That's right, if you break down the number of uninsured people by how they are characterized, they don't really count as not having insurance according to Frelinghuysen. Snowflack decided to pen an editorial taking Frelinghuysen to task. Here's how he started:
One way to diminish the magnitude of a problem is to pretend it doesn't exist. Republicans are doing that with healthcare, something that was plainly evident when Rodney P. Frelinghuysen talked to seniors last week at an assisted-living center in Morristown.
We'll continue below the fold as Snowlfack takes apart Frelinghuysen's argument and calls him out on his talking points.
As members of Congress headed home for break, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed out their version of the healthcare bill. They wanted to arm members of Congress with the facts, so they put out district by district breakdowns:
The Committee has prepared, for each member, a district-level analysis of the impact of the legislation. This analysis includes information on the impact of the legislation on small businesses, seniors in Medicare, health care providers, and the uninsured. It also includes an estimate of the impacts of the surtax that is used to pay for the legislation.
America's Affordable Health Choices Act would provide significant benefits in the 7th Congressional District of New Jersey: up to 18,200 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 8,100 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D; 800 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $30 million in uncompensated care each year; and 21,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.
You can see the benefits by district for each member of Congress:
You can see the full bill text and a summary put out by the committee as well. If you support this bill, your member of Congress needs to know about it. If you call, get your member of Congress to take the pledge. Our representatives are being inundated with phone calls and emails opposing healthcare. We need people who support the healthcare overhaul to start putting some action behind the talk, otherwise we'll be counting the time until the next chance to do something about healthcare.
Republicans like to talk about fiscal responsibility. They have been known on more than one occasion to use the public's fear of deficits as a rhetorical bludgeon. What works for rhetoric doesn't always work for policy. New Jersey's House Republicans refused to vote for pay-go legislation this week. Instead, opting to tow the party line:
For too many years, reckless budgetary policies put our nation at risk and contributed to the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Now, Congress has an opportunity to change the direction of our country's annual budgets by building strong statutory safeguards that limit the level of annual government spending.
The principle of "pay-as-you-go" is very smart and simple. Congress can only spend a dollar if it saves a dollar elsewhere. Setting reasonable spending guidelines will guarantee a bright future for generations of Americans. Currently, our national debt stands at an unprecedented level of $11.2 trillion. This amount will keep rising each year we have an annual deficit. To eliminate our deficits we must spend within our means.
Apparently, the principle of spending as you go only works for Adler's Republican colleagues when they are giving speeches on the rubber chicken circuit.
I went through the FEC filings to see how our House members are fairing with their fundraising efforts. First here are some observations
Congressman Adler raised the most money in the 2nd quarter with over $518K, followed by Congressman Pallone and then Garrett.
Congressman Pallone has the most Cash on Hand by far and away with over $3.7 million. He has twice as much as the next member, Congressman Rothman who is followed by Pascrell and then Lobiondo.
Congressman Adler raised the most form individuals at over $267K, followed by Pallone, Garrett and then Rothman.
Congressman Adler raised the most from PAC's at over 250K, followed by Pallone, Lance and Frelinghuysen.
The members of the NJ delegation that raised more from PAC's than individuals were Congressmen Andrews, Payne, LoBiondo, Frelinghuysen, Pallone and Lance.
