TCGOP

Joe Chow files for Congressional District 6

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact                                                                                                                                           December 7, 2011
(972) 342-2932
media@chowforcongress.com

A PROVEN LEADER HAS EMERGED IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6

FORMER ADDISON MAYOR JOE CHOW FILES HIS CANDIDACY FOR U.S. CONGRESS

Waxahachie, TX – December 7, 2011 – Joe Chow filed his candidacy for U.S. Congressional District 6 on Wednesday.  The successful businessman and former Mayor of Addison brings to the table a record of cutting taxes, fiscal responsibility, and proven conservative leadership.

“I have had the honor of serving the people of Addison, Texas as Mayor, and it would be a great honor for me to serve the people of Congressional District 6,” said Chow. “District 6 is in need of a new leader who will fight for conservative values and who will take integrity and fiscal discipline to Washington.”

When asked about his reasons for running for Congress, Joe expressed a sense of urgency. “The policies of the Obama Administration have taken our nation in the wrong direction for nearly three years,” stated Chow. “Obama’s economic policies have been detrimental to economic liberty, and he has brought intrusive government into the lives of Americans on an unprecedented scale. In 2012, we must restore conservative leadership to the White House and elect dedicated conservatives to Congress who understand the proper role of government.”

These are difficult times, and Joe knows it. “Everyone tells me the same thing: A 9.1% unemployment rate is not acceptable. A sky-rocketing debt is not acceptable. Obamacare is not acceptable. Our illegal immigration policy is not acceptable. And most people want term limits. I stand by our Constitution, our right to bear arms, our sovereignty as a nation, states’ rights, and freedom of the individual.”

For over 25 years, Chow has been a successful small business owner.  He immigrated to the United States from Taiwan at age 23 and earned his MBA in 1980 before becoming a restaurant manager and eventually the owner of the May Dragon restaurant in 1986.

“I know what it means to operate within a budget, and I know what it takes to make hard choices,” said Chow. “As Mayor, I cut taxes twice and led Addison through the recession with a 40% rainy day fund.”

The recent redistricting process has dramatically altered political districts in North Texas. District 6 is now 70 percent new and contains most of Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Cockrell Hill, Mansfield, and South Irving, as well as all of Ellis and Navarro Counties. The district has lost Arlington, southern Fort Worth, as well as all of the area south of Navarro County.

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Interim Congressional Map

Interim Congressional Map

Interim Congressional map for the 2012 Primary Election were released this afternoon.  The interim Congressional maps were drawn by a panel of Federal Judges in San Antonio.

Under the map all Tarrant County Congressional Districts were radically redrawn. The new HD 33 was drawn by the Court as a democrat district.

CD 12 currently held by Congresswoman Kay Granger, has been pushed into the southern portion of the county and into Arlington.

CD 6 currently held by Congressman Joe Barton will have a smaller footprint in Tarrant County, with only a small portion of Arlington and Mansfield.   The city of Arlington will now be split among 3 Congressional districts.

The changes to the CD 23  in south Texas,  puts incumbent Hispanic Republican U.S. Rep  Francisco “Quico” Canseco at risk of losing his seat.

Judge Smith issued a stongly worded dissent  which begins on page 14.   Judge Smith acusses  the Judges in the majority  of “producing a runaway plan than imposes an extreme redistriciting scheme”.

The court will now accept comments on its proposed maps until noon on Friday before issuing a final version of the maps before candidates begin filing on Monday, Nov. 28th.

The Interim congressional map for the entire state can be found at  http://gis1.tlc.state.tx.us under ‘Exhibits for Davis v. Perry.’

Cornyn Amendment to End ‘Fast and Furious’ Passes with Unanimous, Bipartisan Support

Cornyn Amendment to end “fast and Furious” passes

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former state Attorney General, today issued this statement after his amendment to bar taxpayer funds from being used by the Justice Department to conduct gun-walking programs similar to “Fast and Furious” passed with unanimous, bipartisan support in the Senate:

“Today’s bipartisan effort is just the first step towards ensuring that such a foolish operation can never be repeated by our own law enforcement. The onus is now on Attorney General Holder to hear not just today’s bipartisan call for answers, but the American people’s demands that Washington be held accountable.”

Sen. Cornyn has previously sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder demanding answers following other press reports of alleged Texas-based gun-walking programs similar to the “Fast and Furious” operation currently being investigated by Congressional lawmakers.

Below is the full text of Sen. Cornyn’s amendment:

No funds made available under this Act shall be used to allow the knowing transfer of firearms to agents of drug cartels where law enforcement personnel of the United States do not continuously monitor or control such firearms at all times.

Debt bill passes House

Debt  bill passes House  269-161 late this afternoon. The outcome of the vote was not certain.  Many members withheld their vote until the final minutes.

Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Gifford cast her first vote since a near fatal shooting 7 months ago. .

Despite being one of the lead negotiators in the deal, Politico is reporting that Vice President Joe Biden said tea party Republicans “acted like terrorists” in the fight over raising the nation’s debt limit.

The Senate will consider the Debt bill Tuesday at 11 am Texas time.  Senator Lee (R-UT) stated on Sunday he may filibuster the measure.

How they voted on the Debt bill

Roll Call 690

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Senator Reid’s S. 627 fails

^{Senator Reid’s S. 627 fails in the US Senate 50-49}

July 31, 2011 12:30 pm

Senator Reid’s S. 627 fails to get the 60 votes needed for Cloture.  Under Senate rules, Cloture requires 60 votes. Cloture ends debate on a bill and allows it to be voted on.  Senator Reid voted against his own bill. He voted against the bill so that he can ask the Senate to reconsider the vote later. He did not vote against his bill because he opposes it.

The failed vote was expected. On Saturday 43 Republican Senators advised Senator Reid that would vote against Cloture.  Several Democrats joined them in voting no.

At present both political parties are caucusing. Negotiations are ongoing.  The Senate could take further action later today.

It is possible that S 627 will be amended, and be reconsidered later today.  The Senate is in recess, subject to a call of the Senate if an agreement is reached. The House has adjoured for the day. The House is scheduled to meet again Monday morning.

We will post updates as they occur here.

Grouped
By Vote Position on  Senator Reid’s S. 627 Cloture vote

White House Debt Plan

White House Debt Plan does not exist according to the White House web site.

Republicans in the House have passed two bills to solve the debt crisis. The Democrat controlled Senate voted against letting both bills even come to the floor for a vote.

The Senate:

• Has not passed a budget in nearly 900 days
• Rejected the House-passed 2012 budget by 40–57

The Senate will reconvene Saturday at noon Texas time to consider Senator Reid’s bill.  The Reid bill includes gimmicks that includes   $3.8 trillion in revenue — or tax increases.  A vote is not expected until midnight Saturday.

What you can do:

• Call the White House
• Call Senator Reid

Tell them that Americans want real solutions to the debt crisis, not tax increases.  We need real spending cuts and a balanced budget.

President Barack Obama (Democrat)
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
E-Mail: comments@whitehouse.gov
Web page:

Senator Harry Reid
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
Fax: 202-224-7327
Webpage

Rep. Barton’s statement on Budget Control Act

July 29, 2011

House vote puts Nation on road to Balanced Budget

Rep. Barton vows to “continue to push for spending cuts and structural reforms.”

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Joe Barton (R-Arlington/Ennis) released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved the Budget Control Act on Friday evening.

“Republicans in the House have once again taken the lead to end the debt crisis and begin the process of putting our nation back on firm financial footing.

“I opposed the original Boehner Bill (Budget Control Act). It did NOT reduce federal spending enough in the short term, it did NOT have a strong enough enforcement mechanism, and it did NOT address the issue of a constitutional balanced budget amendment.

“I expressed my opposition to Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and backed it up with solutions offering constructive amendments and alternatives to the plan.

“The Speaker and other members of the House Republican leadership listened to my concerns. The revised Boehner Bill includes my suggestion to require a “Super Majority” (60 percent) vote in the House and the Senate to override spending caps and an automatic sequester. This adds real teeth to the bill and creates a substantial obstacle to increasing spending and taxes that didn’t previously exist.

“It also includes a requirement to pass a balanced budget amendment and send it to the states before allowing additional debt ceiling increases. It does not include additional short term spending cuts, but the spending caps over the next 10 years will reduce spending by almost a trillion dollars.

“So I have changed from a ‘no’ vote to a ‘yes’ vote. But this bill doesn’t end the budget battle; I will continue to push for spending cuts and structural reforms that will get us to a balanced budget as soon as possible.”

Sean Brown
Communications Director
Congressman Joe Barton (TX-06)
(202) 225-2002

Granger Statement on Passage of Budget Control Act

GRANGER STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET CONTROL ACT

Friday July 29, 2011

Washington, DC– Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) issued the following statement after the House passed the Budget Control Act:

“I voted tonight to cut spending now and raise the debt ceiling. Conservatives had two options: Vote for a plan that cuts more than $900 billion from the federal budget – with another opportunity to cut even more six months from now – or vote “no” and support Senator Harry Reid and President Obama. That was the choice.

“Some claimed that voting against the Budget Control Act and defeating it would have somehow resulted in Congress being able to pass a more conservative bill. With the Senate and the White House controlled by Democrats, that notion is simply out of touch with reality. We already passed a more conservative bill last week – the Cut, Cap and Balance Act. In a perfect world, that bill would have been signed into law. But this is not a perfect world. That bill was immediately killed in the Senate by Harry Reid and Senate Democrats.

“Ronald Reagan raised the debt limit 17 times during his two terms in office. Each time, the increase covered only a limited period of time, forcing Congress to reassess spending priorities immediately and try to correct the country’s fiscal path. President Obama wants to raise the debt limit enough to get him through the 2012 election. It’s not hard to figure out that he doesn’t want to deal with this issue in an election year. His timetable is driven by pure politics.

“Going into this debate, conservatives said we would increase the debt ceiling only if we cut spending more than we increased the debt ceiling, we didn’t increase taxes, and the debt ceiling increase was short-term. The Budget Control Act meets those requirements.

“The legislation I voted for cuts spending more than it increases the debt ceiling, does not increase taxes, and forces Congress to vote on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. This bill will make sure that the President doesn’t receive a blank check to continue paying for his expensive programs and bailouts.

“Spending cuts will continue to be at the top of our agenda in Congress.

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New Congressional Districts

New Congressional Districts-Tarrant County

New Congressional Districts coming in January

New Congressional district lines may mean you may have a new member of Congress.  After the Census, lines must be adjusted to equalize the population in each district.

Texas has experienced huge population growth. One of the high growth areas is Tarrant County. This growth will result in  new Congressional Districts in Tarrant County.  One of theThe  Congressional Districts is CD 33. We will also gain a small part of CD 25.   In the new map, Tarrant County will have 6 Congressional Districts. The districts include CD 6, CD12, CD 24, CD 25, CD 26, CD 33.

The names of the current officeholders are

CD 6- Congressman Joe Barton (R)
CD 12- Congresswoman Kay Granger (R)
CD 24- Congressman Kenny Marchant (R)
CD 25- Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D)
CD 26- Congressman Michael Burgess (R)
CD 33- New Congressional seat  filled in 2012 election

These new Congressional Districts are being reviewed by the Courts. Once this review is complete, the lines are final.  The new lines do not take effect until January 2012.  Your current member of Congress will continue to represent you until then.

Not sure who represents you now?  You can find out by entering your address on the who represents me page.  You can also find your CD number on your voter registration card

Need to contact a Texas member of Congress?  Texas Congressional Contact list

Need to contact other officials representing Tarrant County?  Tarrant County Elected Officials list

Who will represent you in the new Congressional District?

• Find your Precinct number on your voter registration card
• Find your Precinct on spread sheet below, to find your CD number.
• If there are *** listed before your precinct number, your precinct will likely be split
• Call our office 817.595.0303 and we will be happy to help you

New Congressional District Precincts PLANC185_Tarrant (2)

Cornyn ask President to submit new budget

Senator John Cornyn

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator – Texas
For Immediate Release

 Cornyn and Budget Committee Republicans Ask President Obama to Submit a New Budget by May 15^thWASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), today joined his Republican colleagues on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee in a letter to President Obama asking that, in light of his Wednesday speech on deficit reduction, he submit a new, revised budget to Congress as part of the statutorily mandated Mid-Session Review.

 Text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. President:

As members of the Senate Budget Committee, we welcome your engagement in the budget debate. We listened to your April 13^th address and noted that its content represents an apparent shift from your FY 2012 budget. You said—and we agree—that “we have the obligation to prove we can afford our commitments.” Accordingly, we write to formally request that you submit a revised FY 2012 budget in a form that can be reviewed and analyzed by Members of Congress and estimated by the Congressional Budget Offic

The Administration’s Mid-Session Review, an annual report required by The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 [31 USC 1106], affords you a timely opportunity to present a revised FY 2012 budget to Congress. President Clinton set an example in 1995 when, during a contentious debate over budget deficits, he used his Mid-Session Review to submit a revised budget to Congress.

The statute mandates that the Mid-Session Review be transmitted to Congress no later than July 15^th, but given the importance of deficit reduction plans to the current debt limit debate, and warnings from Treasury Secretary Geithner that the federal government could reach the statutory debt ceiling in mid-May with only limited time to defer, we request that you transmit your Mid-Session Review to Congress no later than May 15, 2011. This would allow the Congressional Budget Office time to analyze your revised budget in time for Congress’ June work period.

There is precedent for early submissions of the Mid-Session Review. For three years in a row from 1999 to 2001, President Clinton submitted his Mid-Session Review well in advance of the July 15^th deadline (May 26, 1999, June 28, 2000 and June 26, 2001, respectively).

We believe a new budget submission is especially urgent in light of the warning from the co-chairmen of your own executive order fiscal commission who said that, absent swift and serious action the United States will experience “the most predictable economic crisis in its history.” Merely talking about the need to reduce the deficit and address entitlements, and asserting vague reforms and tax increases, are poor substitutes for the necessary detail and substance required for an informed debate.

The Budget and Accounting Act is clear—the President is not exempt from the requirement to submit a formal budget request and, in light of your April 13^th speech, the budget we have in hand today does not comport with your public statements about Administration policy. Therefore, we respectfully request that you submit a revised FY 2012 budget to Congress by May 15, 2011 so that the budget process may continue with the highest degree of transparency, accuracy and integrity.

 Sincerely,

Jeff Sessions, Ranking Member

Charles Grassley

Mike Enzi

Mike Crapo

John Ensign

John Cornyn

Lindsey Graham

John Thune

Ron Johnson

Pat Toomey

Rob Portman

Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Armed Services and Budget Committees.  He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.

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