Jeff Landry for Louisiana

Landry Returns $160k, Requests Boehner to Pay Down Debt

mmule — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:42:35 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – Leading an effort of conservative freshmen members of Congress this morning, Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) requested that Speaker John Boehner direct $1.435 million of unused office funds to immediately pay down the national debt.

“My colleagues and I voted against the disastrous Washington debt deal and the failure Super Committee. And my colleagues, members of the freshman class, have been stewards of the taxpayers’ money when it comes to office spending; so much so, that today we are returning nearly $1.5 million to protect the taxpayers,” said Landry. “But instead of just doing what Washington politicians would do – issue a press release, pat themselves on the back, and tell their constituents how great they are – today, we are calling on the Speaker to immediately use these funds to pay down our national debt.”

Landry, whose office is returning $160,000 or over 11% of his office budget, cited the need for Washington politicians to stand with the American people not above them. “While American families and small businesses have been struggling – cutting family budgets and making tough business decisions – the Washington politicians in Congress have continued to feed their addiction to spending. Enough is enough; Congress is not above the American people. We serve in the people’s seats, and the people deserve better than Washington politicians saddling them with mountains of debt,” said Landry.

In a letter to Speaker Boehner, Landry and seven of his conservative colleagues said: “As freshmen, we came to Congress promising to reduce red tape and eliminate Washington accounting gimmicks – ideals we know you share. We believe immediately transferring our unused MRA funding to debt relief demonstrates that we continue to focus on these principles and represents a stark contrast to President Obama’s continued efforts to increase federal spending.”

Congressman Raúl Labrador (R, ID-01) is hopeful Landry’s leading efforts will convince other Members of Congress to follow suit. “With a mounting national debt exceeding $15.3 trillion and a troubled financial outlook ahead, we must remain committed to not only saying something, but also doing something. Because we are honored to serve our constituents in the U.S. Congress, we are called to lead by example. It is my hope that many more of my colleagues will join us in our efforts to pay down our national debt and restore the American Dream for generations to come.”

Joining Landry in today’s request were Congressmen Jeff Duncan (R, SC-03), Tim Huelskamp (R, KS-01), Raúl Labrador (R, ID-01), Mick Mulvaney (R, SC-05), Steve Southerland (R, FL-02), Joe Walsh (R, IL-08) and Kevin Yoder (R, KS-03).

For a copy of the Landry letter to Boehner, one may go to http://landry.house.gov/sites/landry.house.gov/files/documents/MRA%20Debt%20Letter.pdf.

Tea Party of Louisiana Drafts JEFF LANDRY to run for Congressional Reelection Seat

mmule — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:45:39 +0000

BATON ROUGE – The Tea Party of Louisiana (TPoL) drafts Congressman Jeff Landry to run for reelection and pledges its support for Jeff to once again be the Congressman from the 3^rd District of Louisiana.

TPoL spokesman Bob Reid stated, “We feel that Jeff Landry offers the best opportunity to voice our opposition to the status quo in Washington, and that he is clearly the best advocate for reducing the size of government, reviving our economy, and restoring the power to We the People. We have drafted Jeff because he will continue to represent the best interests of Louisiana not the self-appointed “ruling class” in Washington. Jeff does not engage in Washington gimmicks like the politicians who recently voted to disapprove of the current debt increase after they voted to give the President the authority to raise it in August. Rather, Jeff stands up for fiscal responsibility and always fights for our future generations, without worrying about the next election.”

Reid went on to say, “Jeff Landry speaks for us on many issues like fighting to repeal ‘Obamacare,’ reducing the size of government, fighting deficits & wasteful spending, ending bailouts & stimulus plans, opposing ‘Cap & Trade’ type legislation & taxes, getting the government off the backs of small business, and out of the lives of everyday citizens. We need more Americans & Congressmen like Jeff Landry to step up and help restore America to its Constitutional roots in our joint efforts to help bring about a Government governed by the people.”

“Our country is at a very critical point in time. Pivotal decisions will be made by the next Congress that could change the course of our nation’s history and this election may be one of the most important our country has ever held. Jeff Landry has clearly demonstrated he is the people’s choice and we need him to represent us in Washington,” Reid concluded.

TPoL is a non-profit, non-partisan group with members all across the state. TPoL is dedicated to working to restore constitutionally based, limited government at the federal, state and local levels.

Landry, Who Opposed the Debt Deal, Refuses to Participate in Washington Gimmick

mmule — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:01:53 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) issued the following statement after voting present to H.J. Res. 98, a resolution of disapproval to the debt limit increase:

“Once again, Washington politicians are failing to take responsibility for their actions instead of working for real solutions to our debt crisis. When the Washington politicians voted for the DC deal in August that raised the debt ceiling, they did nothing to cure Washington’s addiction to spending. And today’s vote is nothing more than a smokescreen to help Americans forget the Washington politicians’ vote for the disastrous debt deal and Super Committee. The Washington politicians know good and well even if the Senate miraculously agreed to the resolution, Congress doesn’t have enough votes to override a Presidential veto – meaning the debt will automatically increase by $1.2 trillion. If the Washington politicians really wanted to block the debt increase, they would have joined me in August and voted against the Budget Control Act. It’s a shame Washington politicians are spending today playing CYA – more concerned about a press release than the next generation. I refuse to partake in these Washington games that only serve as political cover for politicians worried about their next election. I am committed to real solutions not the status quo in Washington that has led us to this irresponsible level of debt.”

Four days after the House voted to raise the debt ceiling, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) lowered the United States’ long-term credit rating.

Under the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), Congress authorized the President to request two separate increases in the debt limit. The first installment of $900 billion was requested in August, $400 billion of which went into effect immediately and the final $500 billion of which was enacted following Congress’ failure to pass a resolution of disapproval in September. The House approved the resolution of disapproval while the Senate did not, thereby allowing the entire $900 billion increase to go forward. Last week, the President requested the second and final increase in the debt limit available under the BCA—an increase of $1.2 trillion.

Landry Introduces Bill to Fight Obama Recess Appointees

mmule — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:00:03 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – In light of President Obama’s blatant disregard for the Constitution, Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) – who has led the House efforts to block Obama from making recess appointments – introduced legislation today to stop the exploitation of the recess appointments process.

H.R. 3770 – the Executive Appointments Reform Act (EARA) – prevents regulations from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from becoming final until the Director has been confirmed by the Senate and precludes the National Labor Relations Board from having a quorum until its members are confirmed by the Senate. Additionally, EARA closes loopholes in existing law that allow the President to thwart the will of the Senate by strategically waiting until a recess to make a controversial appointment.

“As a tireless supporter of the Constitution, I believe the Recess Appointments Clause serves a very important purpose; however, it’s clear the Founding Fathers included the clause to provide the continuity of government not as a way to circumvent the ‘Advice and Consent of the Senate.’ So as we wait for the Court to declare Obama’s appointments as unconstitutional, it is important Congress take steps now to end this gross Executive overreach and prevent similar power grabs from happening again,” said Landry.

Already the EARA has received the support of 22 Congressmen and multiple organizations demanding that the President respect the Constitution.

“Congressman Landry’s leadership on protecting the U.S. Constitution’s balance of power is important and courageous. Congress has a responsibility to cut the funding for Obama’s extra-constitutional appointees as well as those who are appointed outside the normal advice and consent process. It is just logical that illegally appointed members of the National Labor Relations Board should not be counted toward a quorum,” said Bill Wilson, President of Americans for Limited Government.

Landry hopes the outpouring of support will translate into swift passage: “From Obamacare to Dodd-Frank to these ‘recess’ appointments, the President has ignored the Constitution and defied the will of the American people. I hope my colleagues recognize the importance of my legislation and work to quickly pass Executive Appointments Reform Act.”

Obama Violates Constitution, Landry Fights Back

mmule — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:51 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – In total disregard of the Constitution and after the Democrat-controlled Senate voted down Richard Cordray’s nomination, the President has recess appointed Mr. Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03), who has led the House efforts to block President Obama from making recess appointments, is fighting back.

“The Constitution is clear: the President can appoint officials ‘with the Advice and Consent of the Senate.’ Since the Senate has advised the President against making Cordray’s nomination and has not given its consent on his appointment and with the House meeting just yesterday to keep Congress in session, the President’s appointment of Cordray can only be considered an abuse of the recess appointment process,” declared Landry. “I will not stand for this violation of our Constitution and will be introducing legislation to prevent Cordray’s appointment from going forward until the court rejects his appointment on its unconstitutionality.”

Landry – who has organized pro forma sessions in the House since June and who offered and passed an amendment defunding the salaries of recess appointees at the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Land Management – finds it no coincidence that the President’s appointment was to the CFPB.

“A Dodd-Frank created government agency, the CFPB will have almost unlimited power to regulate almost all financial transactions and its director will not answer to Congress or even the President – giving him more power than any other Obama Czar. Given the President’s desire to control every facet of American’s lives, I am not surprised he would violate the Constitution to make an appointment to this big government institution” said Landry.

For more information on Landry’s efforts to prevent President Obama from making recess appointments, you may go to http://landry.house.gov/press-release/landry-presides-over-house-blocks-recess-appointments.

For more information on Landry’s amendment defunding the salaries of Presidential appointees made without the advice and consent of the Senate, you may go to http://landry.house.gov/press-release/no-pay-recess-appointees-landry-amendment-adopted.

Landry Statement on Payroll Tax Extension

mmule — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:52:18 +0000

NEW IBERIA, LA – Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) issued the following statement regarding the two-month extension of the payroll tax holiday:

“Once again, Washington politicians have taken the easy way out – kicking the can down the road instead of addressing our problems head on, providing long-term certainty, and putting our country back on a path to prosperity. Just like August when Washington politicians voted to raise the debt ceiling, today’s announcement highlights the lack of fortitude from career politicians.

I am disappointed by Washington’s latest failure because since the debate on this has started – I have fought hard to extend the payroll tax holiday for a year, to extend the unemployment insurance for a year, and to extend Medicare reimbursements to doctors for two years. And I am disappointed the President and Senate Democrats have turned our workers, seniors, and doctors into political pawns for class warfare.

Perhaps the American people’s approval rating of Congress is too high since Washington is filled with career politicians more concerned about their next election than the next generation. Even though Washington politicians have failed our hard-working families today, I stay resolved to continue fighting for American families and businesses and to put people over politics.”

Landry Votes Against Wasteful Washington Spending

mmule — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:35 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) issued the following statement after he voted against H.R. 2055 – the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012:

“With our country borrowing 42 cents on every dollar, we need real change to the way Congress spends our money. While H.R. 2055 may meet Washington’s standards for spending cuts, it certainly doesn’t meet America’s demand for a smaller, more efficient, and more accountable government. I came to Congress committed to reining in out-of-control government spending because Washington borrows too much, spends too much, and wastes too much of what it spends. Because today’s 1200-page bill contains too few spending cuts and does not make the commitment necessary to return fiscal sanity to Washington, I voted against this $915 billion legislation. And I will continue to work hard to place our country back on sound financial footing.”

Vitter, Landry Urge Corps to Complete SW Louisiana Coastal Study

mmule — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:38:02 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R, LA) and U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) sent a letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials urging them to complete the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Hurricane Protection and Restoration study by the 2012 hurricane season.

“Following Hurricane Rita, Congress authorized a feasibility study to determine how best to protect the parishes of Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion. Six years and millions in taxpayer dollars later, the Corps still hasn’t completed the study, and actually terminated the project,” Vitter said. “We’re supporting the state officials who want to continue the study and determine how best to protect the region by working together with the Corps to complete it.”

Vitter and Landry are having a conference call today with Corps officials to discuss the status of the study.

“As all people of South Louisiana are threatened by hurricanes, all people in South Louisiana deserve hurricane protection,” Landry said. “I hope yesterday’s letter and today’s call will make the Corps realize that they must protect our entire coast.”

To view a copy of Vitter and Landry’s signed letter, you may go to http://landry.house.gov/sites/landry.house.gov/files/documents/Vitter%20Landry%20Letter%20to%20Corps%20re%20%20SWLA%20Study.pdf.

Landry: Protect Our Liberties

mmule — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:31:07 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – Amid a lively debate in the U.S. Capitol on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) introduced legislation today that would protect Americans from being detained indefinitely without trial. Landry’s bill would replace language found in Sections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA with the protections that our Founders enshrined.

“The Founding Fathers granted Congress specific duties; and as a representative of the people, it is my duty to pass laws that protect the Constitutional rights of all American citizens,” said Landry. “Toward this end, any statute that could possibly be interpreted to allow a President to detain American citizens without charge or trial is incredibly alarming and should be cautiously scrutinized.”Landry, who served in the Army National Guard for 11 years, said it is critical Congress protect our freedoms. “I have introduced this legislation to guarantee our citizens their most basic rights under the Constitution. I hope my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and chamber will join my call for liberty.”

The bill is officially H.R. 3676. The bill’s text may be found at http://landry.house.gov/sites/landry.house.gov/files/documents/HR%203676.pdf.

Landry engaged U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman in a colloquy yesterday, guaranteeing the legislative intent of the NDAA did not aim to indefinitely imprison American citizens. A video of the exchange may be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxbNguXY-A&feature=channel_video_title.

Landry Continues Fight to End Congressional Benefits

mmule — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:36:19 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – Working to end taxpayer-funded benefits to Members of Congress, U.S. Representative Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) has co-sponsored H.R. 3480 – the End Pensions in Congress (EPIC) Act. The EPIC Act would end the Congressional pension plan for recently elected and future Members of the House and Senate who have not yet qualified for pension benefits, and it would end the pension plan for Members of the House and Senate who have served for five or more years but do not opt in to continue the pension plan within 90 days.

“Career politicians in Washington have burdened the American people with a $15 trillion debt, yet they still expect us to pay for their benefits. Clearly, Washington politicians are out of touch with the American people,” said Landry. “So, I am proud to help end some of the madness today by co-sponsoring the EPIC Act and continuing to put the people of Louisiana over the excesses of Washington.”

Landry, who declined his Congressional health care and retirement in January, said Congress needs to end business as usual in Washington and focus on real solutions. “Congress must take every step possible to ensure our children and grandchildren aren’t drowned in a debt created by Washington’s addiction to spending. The EPIC Act is another great step toward achieving a smaller, more efficient government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Under current law, at the age of retirement, Members of Congress who serve for at least five years receive a pension. This pension provides them with an annual payment of 1.7% of their salary multiplied by the number of years they served in Congress. In 2009, the average annual pension for Congressional retirees under the current plan was $40,140.