Congressman Harper Re-elected by peers to GOP Steering Committee

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper today was re-elected to the Republican Steering Committee as the sophomore class representative. This select party committee, comprised of the Republican leadership and region and class elected representatives, is responsible for choosing committee chairmen and assigning committee seats to all Republican Members of the House of Representatives.

“I’m so honored to serve again on the Republican Steering Committee and I want to thank my classmates for instilling their trust in me to be a voice for the sophomore class,” said Harper. “I am eager to work with Republican leaders to advance our jobs agenda that focuses on reducing runaway federal spending and reforming Congress.”

As Republicans enter the majority, this committee position will allow Harper to advocate for his classmates with regard to their desired committee assignments for the 112th Congress and Mississippi’s two new Republican congressmen-elect.

“Mississippians have chosen two rising stars to join the Republican majority,” Harper added. “I am working closely with Representatives-elect Alan Nunnelee and Steven Palazzo to help them gain seats on committees that will benefit both their district and our state.”

The Republican Steering Committee will settle committee rosters when the 112th Congress convenes in January, although committee chairmen may be selected later this month or in December.

Harper currently serves as the only freshman on the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics). In addition, he serves on the Budget and Judiciary Committees.

Madison County woman charged in insurance fraud

A Madison County woman is behind bars today facing charges she committed insurance fraud, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.

Johnnetta White, 23, of Camden, was arrested by the Madison County Sheriff's Office today following an investigation by the Mississippi Attorney General's Public Integrity Division/Insurance Fraud Unit.

White was indicted in Madison County on a single count of Insurance Fraud after she allegedly filed a fraudulent automobile insurance claim.

White was under house arrest at the time of the offense for a 2009 conviction in Madison County for embezzlement.

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House Republicans Elect Leadership Team for the 112th Congress

The Members-elect of the House Republican Conference met today to select leaders for the 112th Congress.

The results of those elections are as follows:
• Speaker of the House: John A. Boehner of Ohio
• Republican Leader: Eric Cantor of Virginia
• Republican Whip: Kevin McCarthy of California
• Republican Conference Chairman: Jeb Hensarling of Texas
• National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman: Pete Sessions of Texas
• Republican Policy Committee Chairman: Tom Price of Georgia
• Republican Conference Vice-Chair: Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington
• Republican Conference Secretary: John Carter of Texas
• Freshman Elected Leadership Representative: Kristi Noem of South Dakota
• Freshman Elected Leadership Representative: Tim Scott of South Carolina

Nobody wants a fruitcake.

Laforge: Earmark Moratorium will have NO impact on the federal budget.

BY: Bill Laforge

Yesterday the Senate Republican conference agreed on a two-year moratorium on earmarks. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell reluctantly changed his position of supporting earmarks, went along with the party’s conservative wing, and embraced the idea of a moratorium, thus ensuring the endorsement of the Republican caucus, and avoiding a bitter and devisive intra-party battle. This is all in reaction to the election and to voter interests in the government, especially the Congress, doing everything possible to reduce spending and get the financial house in order. Congressional Republican leaders feel it is necessary to restore trust in government by the American people.

However, in reality, it is a mere symbolic gesture…a political reaction and a “feel-good” outcome for politicians who believe that they must listen to the American people and do their will on this issue. It will have NO impact on the federal budget. Earmarks are not “new” money. They only direct where the money will be spent. Essentially, they are directives from Congress on how taxpayers’ dollars should be spent, rather than allowing executive branch agencies to make all the decisions. The same amount of dollars will still be on the table and will be spent. The sad difference now is that Congress is abdicating its constitutional responsibility and privilege regarding the power of the purse, and turning over all the decisions to the executive branch. To me, this is very short-sighted. But it is an issue rife with demagoguery and political messaging. Politicians are falling all over themselves trying to outdo their rivals on this issue, so you will note that an unlikely coalition involving the President and congressional Republicans is having a field day with this issue. For many, perception has become reality, and it appears that the moratorium is real, at least for now.

The Senate action by Republicans comes on the heels of similar action by House Republicans earlier this year. It remains to be seen how congressional Democrats in both houses will respond and what they will do next. It is possible that all or some Democrats, and possibly even some Republicans, will continue to request earmarks. Politically I would envision Republicans making any Democratic earmarks a big issue during the next campaign. Hell hath no fury like a reformed earmarker! Only time will tell.

Bill LaForge is an attorney, Washington, D.C. office managing shareholder and Government Relations Practice Group leader with Winstead PC. A Cleveland, Mississippi native, Laforge was chief counsel of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and culminated his government career as Chief Legislative Counsel and Chief of Staff to United States Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi.

Tea Party Fuels Born-Again Earmark Opponents

Tuesday's Republican vote on imposing an earmark moratorium was a direct response to the rising influence of Tea Party conservatives in the Senate. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), the de facto leader of the Tea Party Senate caucus, said "the significance of this policy victory cannot be overstated" in an e-mail to supporters.


But a close look at Tuesday's voice vote to impose a non-binding moratorium on earmarks not only showcases the Tea Party's clout in the Senate this year, but its significant influence in GOP primary politics in 2012 and beyond.

Several Republican senators who are up for re-election in 2012 and who have previously sought millions in earmarks reversed course on Tuesday to vote for the measure -- a move for some that was undoubtedly intended to shore up their right flank in 2012. And even newly elected moderate Republican senators, like Illinois' Mark Kirk and New Hampshire's Kelly Ayotte, backed the measure, an indication that the politics of opposing earmarks is now viewed in the GOP as a clear political winner.

"Part of a politician's DNA is to talk out of both sides of their mouths," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, an organization that opposes earmarks. "So it's not surprising that they have put their fingers into the political wind and sensed it has changed directions on earmarks."

Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker (R) is another surprising supporter of the moratorium. A veteran appropriator, Wicker requested $384 million worth of earmarks in 2010, in a state that's relied on federal funds for its military bases and shipyards, among other projects. But he's up for re-election in 2012, and his support of the moratorium is probably with a primary challenger in mind.


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