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Economy & Small Business

July 13, 2015
Weekly Columns

Before Republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives more than four and a half years ago, lawmakers already knew that Americans desired change. But unlike the “change” that President Obama promised throughout his campaign and then strong-armed through a closed-door, Democrat-led Congress, Americans wanted to see a government that reined in regulatory excess, controlled government spending and demanded greater transparency and accountability. The Republican members of the House understood that then, and we still understand and fight for that now.

Issues:Economy & Small Business

July 2, 2015
News Stories

Roll Call - Marc N. Casper, Chris Hansen and Mark S. Wrighton

If you had a treasure map, why wouldn’t you follow it?

In essence, this is the opportunity we have before us with the map of the human genome. The Human Genome Project cracked our life code and provides a massive treasure trove of information that we have only just begun to explore.

Issues:Economy & Small Business

June 28, 2015
News Stories

The Hill - Tim Devaney

Congressional Republicans are using the power of the purse to do battle against a series of controversial labor regulations from the Obama administration.

They say the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) gave a gift to labor unions by issuing what they call an “ambush election” rule that speeds up the process for organizing in the workplace.

Issues:Economy & Small Business

June 24, 2015
News Stories

The Hill - By Rebecca Shabad

The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday advanced a $153 billion bill funding the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education and Labor for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

It marks the first time in six years the full committee advanced a funding measure for those departments, which would receive $3.7 billion less than current funding levels and $14.6 billion less than President Obama’s request for fiscal 2016.

Appropriators advanced the bill in a 30-21 vote after a nearly seven-hour markup.

Issues:Economy & Small Business

June 24, 2015
Washington, D.C. – The House Appropriations Committee today approved the draft fiscal year 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill on a vote of 30-21. The legislation includes funding for programs within the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and other related agencies.

June 21, 2015
News Stories

Norman Transcript - Staff

The House Labor Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole recently proposed a $300 million increase for Alzheimer’s research, as requested by Alzheimer’s Association advocates. This is a significant milestone toward reaching the levels deemed necessary by scientists to realize the goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease — to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s by 2025.

Issues:Economy & Small BusinessHealthcare

June 17, 2015
News Stories

Politico - Brian Mahoney

An appropriations subcommittee shot down a bid by Rep. Rosa DeLauro to increase funding for programs in the Labor HHS bill to the levels requested by President Barack Obama in his 2016 budget.

The amendment would have funded by nearly $11 billion child care programs, Pell grants, job training and other defunded programs, DeLauro said. “And yet even with those increases, we are only halfway back to restoring the Labor HHS bill to its fiscal year 2010 funding level,” DeLauro said.

Issues:Economy & Small Business

June 16, 2015
Washington, D.C. – The House Appropriations Committee today released the draft fiscal year 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation includes funding for programs within the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and other related agencies.

April 30, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. Con Res. 11, the FY16 Budget Resolution Conference Report. This agreement balances the budget in 10 years, repeals Obamacare to lead the way for patient-centered reforms and provides funding to maintain a strong national defense. Passage of the legislation in both chambers will mark the first time since 2009 that Congress has agreed upon a budget.

April 6, 2015
Weekly Columns

Each year when it comes time for filing income taxes, hardworking Americans are forced to navigate what has become a needlessly complicated process. Because of the headaches associated with gathering or finding the necessary filing documents, navigating the tricky instructions and wondering still if you covered all your bases, it’s no wonder that many rely on paid professionals to comply or end up requesting an extension.

Issues:Economy & Small Business