Weekly Clips from November 25, 2010 through December 9, 2010
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and U.S. Sen. Max Baucus
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester
Senate overwhelmingly passes Food Safety Bill with Tester’s amendment
November 30: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: “Today’s vote is a huge victory for all family farmers, growers and food processors, but more importantly, it’s a win for anyone who consumes food. This bill as amended strengthens our food safety while protecting the jobs and livelihoods of folks who put good food on our tables. Now it’s time to get this bill across the finish line and get it signed into law.” More…
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Baucus, Tester, Schweitzer hold Air Force accountable on MANG mission change
November 30: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester along with Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer pressed the Air Force this week for answers on the proposed change from an F-15 to a C-27J flying mission for the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) station in Great Falls. Baucus, Tester and Schweitzer sent a letter to the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force yesterday thanking the Air Force for the new C-27J mission, but expressing concerns over potential job losses and unnecessary spending as a result of transferring the current F-15 mission. Baucus and Tester hosted the Central Montana Defense Alliance in Washington for a meeting with Director of the Air National Guard, General Harry Wyatt, and express those same concerns today.
“The Air Force needs to understand that for Montana, MANG is not just a military mission. MANG is part of the Great Falls community. MANG provides jobs and supports families,” Baucus said. “The new C-27J mission is a strong flying mission. But, each and every job on Gore Hill is important to Montana, and the Air Force leadership in D.C. needs to explain why millions of tax dollars should be spent moving the F-15s to California. That’s why we brought General Wyatt face-to-face with a room full of Montanans who care deeply about this issue today to show him we need a solution that will secure jobs for Great Falls.”
“I appreciate General Wyatt coming in to talk with us, because we’ve got some serious concerns,” Tester said. “We were able to have a frank conversation about the critical role MANG plays in keeping our country safe. I look forward to continuing to talk and make sure any decision made is the right one for MANG, and for Montana taxpayers.” More…
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Baucus, Tester announce palladium coin bill clears Senate
November 30: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today applauded the passage of the American Eagle Palladium Bullion Coin Act, which requires the government to examine the possibility of minting a palladium coin. Such a coin would be composed of palladium from the Stillwater Mine in Montana—the only palladium mine in the U.S.—and would boost Montana’s economy and create good-paying mining jobs in the Treasure State.
“The passage of this coin legislation is great news for the folks at the Stillwater Mine and great news for Montana,” Baucus said. “A palladium coin made right here at home would help create good-paying jobs under the Big Sky and add another boost to our economy.”
“Thanks to Stillwater Mine and many folks who work there, palladium is a valuable part of Montana’s economy,” Tester said. “Passing this bill is a smart step toward boosting Montana jobs and strengthening the demand for palladium in the years ahead.” More…
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Tester statement on Debt Commission report
December 1: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: “It’s easy for some politicians to blow hot air about the national debt after years of running up the nation’s credit card without offering any solutions, or a willingness to make tough decisions. What’s difficult is achieving real results.
“As Chairmen Simpson and Bowles have said, this report has accomplished a first step: kick-starting an adult conversation on how to really tackle the national debt. I appreciate their hard work, and I’ll be taking a close look at this report. All ideas need to be on the table if we’re going to have a serious debate over how to rein in our national debt. And it’s time to have that debate.” More…
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Four Democrats to Remember
Senate Conservatives Fund: U.S. Senator Jim DeMint: December 2: The United States Senate defeated an important proposal Tuesday that would have banned pork barrel earmark spending for both Republicans and Democrats over the next two years. The vote was 39 in favor and 56 opposed.
The vote Tuesday was noteworthy not just because of the number of senators who supported it, but also because of the vulnerable Democrats who opposed it. In fact, four Democrats voted against the earmark ban who are up in 2012 and who are from states President Obama lost in 2008.
Jon Tester (D-Montana), Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska), Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia).
These senators are nice folks but they have ignored the will of the American people and they must be replaced with principled conservatives in 2012. That’s where the Senate Conservatives Fund comes in and it’s where you can help. We’ve already begun the process of building campaigns against these other liberals in the Senate who are driving our nation deeper and deeper into debt. But we can’t do it alone. More…
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Banning earmarks gives Obama administration control of decisions
December 2: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: Just this week, the bipartisan Debt Commission released a number of recommendations for cutting our national debt. Even though I may not support every idea the commission put forward, I do support their “package deal” approach to making the tough choices we need to make, including reforming our tax code and entitlement programs.
One of the commission’s suggestions is to cut the one-third-of-one-percent of our budget dedicated to congressionally directed appropriations. If that proposed cut remains part of a larger package deal that comes before the Senate, I will consider it.
Because a real commitment to cutting our debt, cutting spending and creating jobs means putting all options on the table—not just political stunts.
We ought to look at money we send overseas. We ought to look at the billions we’re shelling out to private war contractors—who earn more than our own troops—with no accountability. We ought to look at why we entered two wars in the past decade without paying for them. And we ought to take a hard look at all the bipartisan ideas put forth by the various commissions examining real ways to address our deficit, spending cuts, changes to entitlement programs and tax reform. And I will.
But simply banning smart, transparent appropriations will cost Montana jobs. It will hurt Montana’s water systems and highways. It will give all decisions about our federal funding to the Obama Administration. And it won’t save us any money. That’s not good government, and it’s not good for Montana. More…
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Tester: New Shiloh Road means more jobs, more business for Billings
December 3: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: “And, to those folks who’ve rejected investments in Billings’ physical infrastructure, or claimed the Recovery Act hasn’t created jobs or new opportunities—I challenge them to come drive this stretch of road, and see how business owners and families in Billings will benefit from the economic opportunities the new Shiloh Road has opened up.” More…
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Tester votes for estate tax exemption on working farms and ranches
December 4: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after his vote in support of an estate tax exemption for working farms and ranches, a permanent and predictable fix for the estate tax, and tax cuts for all Americans on the first $250,000 of their annual income:
“Today I voted to exempt working farm and ranch land from the estate tax and to cut taxes for all Americans on the first quarter million dollars they earn every year. Montanans need certainty, predictability and common sense when it comes to their taxes, not more politics.
“The election is over, and that means it’s time to put politics aside and work together to get our economy back on track. So it’s a shame that there are too many professional politicians in Washington looking out for their millionaire and billionaire friends.” More…
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Food safety bill has little local support
The Augusta Chronicle: Carole Hawkins: December 4: Locally the idea has support, though not everyone likes the bill as written.
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association initially endorsed the bill.
“Currently growers and processors operate under guidelines issued by the FDA,” said Charles Hall, the association’s executive director. “This would establish regulations, not guidelines, which everyone would have to follow.”
For example, the bill would give the FDA the power to order food recalls. Right now it can only recommend one. Also the bill would require food processors to create detailed food safety plans and gives the FDA more authority to conduct inspections.
Montana Sen. Jon Tester added an amendment to the bill that exempts farms selling less than $500,000 of product per year and shipping to customers less than 275 miles away. That was to protect small farmers who felt the added record-keeping would put them out of business.
Locally, the amendment drew opposition.
“This is not a big farm versus a small farm issue. It really boils down to consumers feeling confident in the food supply,” Hall said. “It means there will be food in the supply chain that is not required to follow these regulations. It’s not science-based or risk-based.”
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association withdrew support for the bill after the amendment was added. More…
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Tester pushes BPA to sign long-term power contract with Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.
December 6: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: Senator Jon Tester today pushed the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to sign a long-term agreement to supply power to Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, a move Tester pointed to as a first step in restoring the jobs lost in the plant’s shutdown last year.
Citing the potential for as many as 350 good-paying jobs, Tester urged BPA Administrator Stephen J. Wright to quickly bring “negotiations to a successful close.”
“This recession has hammered the Flathead Valley with double-digit unemployment and job losses in core industries,” Tester wrote in a letter to Wright. “Reopening the CFAC plant could create as many as 350 good-paying jobs in the Flathead Valley. I urge you to work swiftly and flexibly to ensure that a power contract is signed with Glencore to bring these jobs back to the Treasure State.” More…
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Tester backs bill to cut government waste, save taxpayer money
December 7: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Tester: Tester pointed to the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act, which is estimated to potentially save millions of taxpayer dollars every year, as a next step in confronting the national debt.
“As we attempt a grown-up conversation about real ways to cut spending and tackle the national debt, we can find some common ground by taking aim at the low-hanging fruit of inefficiency in government,” Tester said. “Making sure taxpayers are getting the most bang for their buck is a darn good step toward reining in our deficits.”More…
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U.S. Sen. Max Baucus
Baucus Fights to Repeal 1099 Reporting Requirements
November 29: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they deserve to be heard,” Baucus said. “Small business owners need to spend their time growing their businesses and creating good-paying jobs – not filling out paperwork. I call on my colleagues to stand with small businesses and repeal this requirement, and I will continue fighting to make that happen.” More…
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Health Roundup: Senate greenlights food-safety bill, fails on 1099
The Hill: Julian Pecquet: November 29: The Senate Monday evening failed for the second time to repeal a tax reporting requirement of the healthcare reform law that both parties agree should be scrapped. Monday’s failed votes were on two amendments to food-safety legislation.
The 1099 provision requires businesses to file tax forms for business purchases of more than $600 a year. The Senate considered two amendments to repeal the provision — the first, from Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), would have offset the cost with unspent and unobligated federal dollars, to be identified by the Office of Management and Budget. It failed 61 to 35 because a two-thirds majority was needed for passage.
The second amendment, from Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), was not paid for and would have added $19 billion to the deficit. It failed 44 to 53. More…
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Gazette opinion: Medicare requires fixing again before Christmas
Billings Gazette: November 30: Medicare is getting another Band-Aid this week to stave off a dramatic cut in doctor payment rates, a cut that is supposed to be automatic under a 1997 cost-control law.
However, Congress has repeatedly overridden the law for years, ballooning the federal budget deficit and paying doctors so they will keep seeing the 46 million Americans covered by Medicare.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who chairs the Senate committee that oversees Medicare, and the committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, proposed a 31-day patch that will prevent the physician rates from falling 23 percent on Wednesday. To win Senate approval before Thanksgiving, Baucus and Grassley found offsets within the Medicare budget to pay for the one-month extension.
The House approved the 31-day extension on Monday, so President Barack Obama can sign the law maintaining physician rates through the end of this month. More…
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Baucus Bill to Finalize Cobell Settlement, Crow Water Compact to Become Law
November 30: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus applauded passage in the House of Representatives today of his legislation to finalize a settlement in the Cobell v. Salazar class action lawsuit. Baucus’ plan to settle the decades-old lawsuit involving the mismanagement of more than 300,000 American Indians’ trust accounts is now set to become law after unanimous passage by the Senate earlier this month. Baucus’ bill also includes U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s bill to ratify the Crow water rights compact.
“The passage of this bill will finally provide a long-overdue conclusion for hundreds of thousands of folks in Indian Country who have waited too long for justice. I want to thank Elouise Cobell for her tireless effort and advocacy in the name of so many others who could not fight for themselves,” Baucus said. “Still the fight is far from over. This settlement serves as a reminder that we have a trust obligation to American Indians and we have a responsibility to keep fighting for good paying-jobs and education in Indian Country.” More…
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Baucus Fights to Continue Funding Vital Montana Projects, Jobs
November 30: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: Montana’s Senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus applauded the Senate’s vote today to shoot down a ban on so-called “earmarks” that would obstruct important funding for Montana. Baucus voted against the measure today, along with 55 other Senators, including eight Republicans, and vowed to continue fighting to fund transportation, education and infrastructure projects that bring jobs to Montana.
“The only standard I use to evaluate legislation is: Is it right for Montana? This bill would take away support our state relies on and cost Montana jobs at a time when we need jobs more than ever. I was proud to stand up for Montana and vote against this bill to deny our state the support it needs. I will continue fighting for transportation, education and infrastructure projects in Montana and the good-paying jobs that come with them,” Baucus said.
Baucus outlined his opposition to the proposal in a letter to U.S. Congressman Denny Rehberg last week. Baucus sent the letter below in response to Rehberg’s November 18, 2010 letter asking the Senator to support the D.C. party leadership’s moratorium on earmarks. More…
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Baucus Statement on His Role in Bipartisan Meetings on Extending Middle-Class Tax Cuts
December 1: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: Montana’s Senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus issued the following statement today on his role in bipartisan meetings with members of Congress and the Administration to determine a path forward for extending middle-class tax cuts.
“The best way to jumpstart our economy is to let hard-working families keep more of their hard-earned money. I am eager to work together with my colleagues to roll up our sleeves and get this done.
I will use the same standard when looking at ways to extend the tax cuts I always use when examining legislation: doing what is right for Montana. Montana’s middle-class families need permanent tax relief and they need it now. Extending tax cuts for working families is something everyone in Congress can agree on and that’s why we need to move forward with extending these tax cuts now.
At the same time, we also need to extend job-creating tax cuts for small businesses so Montana employers grow and hire new workers. And we’ve got to come up with a solution on the estate tax that will give folks the certainty they need and make sure family ranches and farms can stay in the family.” More…
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Baucus-Tester Letter to Salazar on Wolves
December 2: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: We write today regarding the current situation with Gray Wolf management in the Northern Rockies. As you know, the governors of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have presented wolf management plans to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The plans put forth by Montana and Idaho have been approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service, while the plan from Wyoming has not. We applaud you for taking the recommendation we offered in our August 19th letter by using Judge Molloy’s August 5th decision as a catalyst to engage the relevant parties. Specifically, we commend you for your leadership by discussing this issue with the governors of the three states earlier this week. Your continued leadership is needed to ensure that we can return wolf management to the three states. More…
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Baucus Opposes Debt Commission Cuts that Discriminate Against Montana, Rural States
December 2: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: “The Deficit Commission recommendations would cut pensions for military members, lower Social Security payments, raise the retirement age and limit Medicare benefits. Cuts like that hit rural America the hardest because we proudly have more veterans and seniors than most other states.
“The Deficit Commission recommendations would raise taxes on gas by 15 cents a gallon, which would hurt folks in rural states like Montana where we often have to travel long distances in the course of one day. The recommendations would cut $10 billion from farm programs Montana depends on and raise electricity rates in rural areas. And they would redirect Montana coal tax dollars used for cleanup on abandoned mine land to states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
“At the same time, the Commission recommendations do not take any aggressive steps to crack down on corporations that hide their money overseas to avoid paying their taxes.
“I have studied the Deficit Commission recommendations at length – and I can tell you they are wrong for Montana and wrong for rural communities across the country. Reducing our federal deficit is imperative, but we cannot cut the deficit at the expense of veterans, seniors, ranchers, farmers and hard-working families. Instead, we need to look for common-sense ways to help businesses create jobs and grow our economy. These recommendations are wrong for our state, they are wrong for our country, and I simply can’t support them,” Baucus said. More…
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Baucus Introduces Bill to Permanently Cut Taxes for Middle-Class Families, Extend Job-Creating Tax Cuts for Businesses, Workers
December 2: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: “This bill permanently extends tax cuts for Montana families, because the best way to grow our economy and reduce the deficit is to let working families keep more of their hard-earned money. It also gives folks certainty on the estate tax with relief that will make sure family ranches and farms can stay in the family. This bill extends tax credits for businesses to invest in research and development to help them grow and hire new workers. And, this bill invests in Montana’s future with tax credits to encourage energy development.
“When families and businesses know what to expect from our tax system, they can plan, they can spend and they can grow. This bill cuts taxes and provides certainty to Montana families, workers and employers, giving them confidence to help our state prosper,” Baucus said.
Baucus’ bill, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2010, would permanently cut tax rates for families making up to $250,000 and individuals making up to $200,000 a year. According to the IRS, less than two percent of all Montanans, married or single, earn more than $200,000 per year. Baucus’ bill would also extend the Making Work Pay tax credit, which gives all working Montanans a $400 tax cut in their paycheck through 2011. More…
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Baucus Floor Statement on Bill to Extend Middle-Class Tax Cuts
December 3: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: Our amendment says that we should not devote scarce resources to a larger tax cut for those at the very top.
Our amendment says that we would be better off devoting those scarce resources to new tax incentives to promote investment and create new jobs. Or we would be better off devoting those scarce resources to reducing the Federal budget deficit and debt.
Those are the choices that we need to make.
Our amendment says: Let’s make the middle-class tax cuts permanent.
And our amendment says: Let’s not allow tax cuts for middle-class Americans to be held hostage to tax cuts for those who make the very most.
There is not an endless supply of money. We have to make choices. More…
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Baucus Statement on Shiloh Road Dedication
December 3: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: “Today’s real success in Billings is about what happens when people truly work together toward a common goal. The Shiloh Road project highlights a true public and private partnership and I applaud this winning combination of citizens and government at all levels. Much of Shiloh Road was paid for with federal dollars. As a result, Montanans were put to work in good-paying construction jobs. New homes and businesses were built nearby and the Shiloh Crossing shopping center opened, offering even more jobs and potential for new business.” More…
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Baucus Deeply Disappointed with Announcement on Korea Trade Deal, Commits to Keep Fighting For Montana Ranchers
December 3: Newsroom: U.S. Senator Baucus: “I am deeply disappointed that today’s deal fails to address Korea’s significant barriers to American beef exports, which President Obama identified this June as one of the critical outstanding issues that must be resolved before moving this free trade agreement forward,” said Baucus. “I am deeply committed to righting this wrong and will work with the Administration in the period ahead to ensure that Montana’s ranchers and farmers are not left behind. I will reserve judgment on the free trade agreement until then.” More…
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Senate bill would extend renewable energy programs
AP: Bloomberg BusinessWeek: A key Senate Democrat is trying to get two programs aimed at boosting solar, wind and other renewable energy extended through the end of next year.
Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, included the extensions as part of larger tax legislation he introduced Thursday.
The bill would extend a cash grant program for production of renewable energy. The program was created by the economic stimulus law and is set to expire at the end of this month.
Renewable energy producers have been pushing hard for the extension, calling it key to the industry’s growth and job creation.
The legislation would also provide an additional $2.5 billion for the advanced manufacturing tax credit, a stimulus program for clean energy manufacturing projects. More…
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Bipartisan group of senators urges progress on U.S.-China trade talks
The Hill: Vicki Needham: December 6: A bipartisan group of 32 senators on Monday urged Chinese officials to resolve outstanding bilateral trade issues during planned meetings next week between the U.S. and China.
Led by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), and the panel’s ranking member, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the senators sent a letter to Wang Qishan, vice premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, highlighting several issues, including China’s “inadequate” protection of U.S. intellectual property rights, concerns about China’s currency undervaluation, policies that discriminate in favor of domestic Chinese innovation and unscientific restrictions on imports of U.S. beef.
“The United States and China cannot just talk about hurdles in our trade relationship, we need to overcome them,” Baucus said.
“It is time for China to make progress on these issues so our two countries can continue to build a strong, mature economic relationship.”
December’s joint trade talks could provide an opportunity for China to stop talking about these challenges to our economic relationship and start addressing them, Baucus said. More…
