By: U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman
July 15, 2010
Recently, the House considered legislation (HR 5297) that will create a $30 billion fund for the secretary of the treasury to use to make capital investments in smaller financial institutions. The investments are allegedly to encourage small-business lending. I ran a small business before coming to Congress, and I know that access to capital is important — especially during these tough times. But this legislation does not include any requirements that banks actually use the money to lend to small businesses. I opposed the bill because it puts the taxpayer under billions of dollars more of obligation and does not offer a guarantee that small businesses will benefit from the funding.
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By: Ross Kaminsky, Human Events
July 15, 2010
They’re baaaaack! The Democrats, in their persistent view that anything which possibly can be taxed should be, are again proposing federal legislation to impose sales taxes on interstate purchases made over the Internet.
The measure, H.R. 5660 sponsored by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D.-Mass.), has the Orwellian title of the “Main Street Fairness Act.” New-speak continues in the subtitle: “To promote simplification and fairness in the administration and collection of sales and use taxes; and for other purposes.” At least the last four words are accurate.
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By: Kristen Wyatt, The Associated Press
July 08, 2010
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — In his first public remarks since his widely condemned comments on Afghanistan, Republican Party chairman Michael Steele said Thursday he “ain’t goin’ anywhere” despite calls for his resignation.
Steele’s appearance before Colorado Republicans was his first since he came under fire last week from within the GOP for calling the nine-year-old conflict in Afghanistan a mistaken “war of Obama’s choosing.” The gaffe prompted criticism of Steele’s leadership, and some calls to resign.
“Every time something happens, people say, ‘Oh, you should step down. You should step down.’ The reality is, that’s not happening, so stop the noise on that,” Steele told about 100 volunteers and state GOP leaders.
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By: U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman
July 06, 2010
One of Congress’ fundamental responsibilities under the Constitution is budgeting. With large majorities in both houses of Congress, the only hurdle Democrat leaders have in developing and garnering support for the annual budget resolution is themselves.
Yet, this past week House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer officially announced during a speech that Congress will make no attempt to develop and pass a budget this year.
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By Michael Montgomery, Rare Earth Investing News
July 06, 2010
The desire for Rare Earth Elements for use in military equipment and emerging green technologies in the US has prompted Congressman Mike Coffman (R-Colorado), to introduce a bill aiming to create a domestic supply chain. The Rare Earths Supply-Chain Technology and Resources Transformation Act of 2010 (RESTART Act) seeks to establish federal assistance for the creation of mining operations, processing facilities and the creation of a stockpile for national defense.
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By: Anthony David, CriticalStrategicMetals.com
July 06, 2010
On March 17, Rep. Mike Coffman introduced the Rare Earths Supply-Chain Technology and Resources Transformation Act of 2010 (RESTART Act) that aims to reestablish a domestic rare earth supply chain in the US. Rare earth materials are being increasingly used for technological innovation in industry, weapons systems, and in renewable energy generation. The US, however, is completely dependent on imports and any disruption in the supply chain could rock the national security and employment boat.
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By: Abby Phillip, Politico
July 4th, 2010
Reps. John Boccieri (D-Ohio), Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) — all veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan – expressed some skepticism Sunday that conditions are improving in Afghanistan as Gen. David Patraeus has indicated.
Coffman said that Petraeus’s statement to Congress doesn’t match up with his assessment of how the U.S. is doing in Afghanistan.
“General Petraeus is trying to put a positive spin on it because he needs the support of Congress. He needs Congress to pass a war supplemental so they can continue with the operations,” Coffman said. “I think that there’s a gap between what Petraeus is saying and what is going on the ground.”
Chiming in, Hunter suggested hat Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s strategy on the ground was insufficient to deal with the insurgency.
“McChrystal didn’t kill enough bad guys, frankly,” Coffman said. “We didn’t go in hard and heavy like we did in Iraq in the Anbar Province and I think that came back to bite us. Because as soon as we moved out the enemy came right back in again.”
Congressman Mike Coffman will be a guest on the Mike Rosen Show, 850 KOA, Wednesday July 7, from 9:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m.! Tune in or listen to him live at www.850koa.com.
By Jeffrey Wolf & Adam Shrager, 9 News
DENVER – Dozens of the nation’s governors, including Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D-Colorado) called on Congress Wednesday to pass legislation extending Medicaid payments to the states that was initially part of the federal stimulus plan.
More than 30 states balanced their budgets under the assumption they would get access to the hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to each under the so-called federal match for Medicaid (FMAP) program. Many of the bipartisan group of governors gathered in Washington to make their case to Congressional leaders in person while Ritter and others offered their points via video conference.
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From PoliticalNews.me
July 04, 2010
(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) today released the following statement in response to Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment report out today showing that the U.S. economy lost 125,000 jobs in the month of June:
“Today’s announcement is the latest monthly reminder that the majority’s policies are out of touch with the American people and their stimulus spending spree hasn’t stimulated anything but their own interests. Our nation’s unemployment hovers at nearly 10 percent and everyone but Speaker Pelosi and the President seem to understand that the solution is not bailouts and reckless deficit spending. We need to cut spending and enact pro-growth economic policies that will give small businesses the certainty they need to grow. The President has been saying our economy is getting stronger by the day. I ask: where are the jobs?”
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