CL: Lawmakers push for more drilling permits

WASHINGTON — The administration's "slow-walking'' of drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico is costing thousands of jobs and crippling the Gulf region's economy, Gulf Coast officials told Congress Wednesday.

"We continue to feel the burden of regulatory uncertainty, which has led to the freezing of investment and expenditures and consequently a drag on our economy,'' Scott Angelle, secretary of Louisiana's Department of Natural Resources, told members of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Wednesday's hearing focused on the impact of last year's moratorium on deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf Coast lawmakers and officials from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama say, even though the temporary ban was lifted late last year, federal officials have been slow to issue permits. They say that's created a "de facto'' ban on drilling in deep and shallow waters.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the committee, vowed Wednesday to introduce legislation later this month that would speed the permit process and reverse the administration's plan to ban offshore drilling outside the Gulf of Mexico.

"The Obama administration seems unmoved by thousands of lost jobs, rapidly rising gasoline prices and the threat these high prices pose to our economy,'' Hastings said.

Later Wednesday, Gulf Coast lawmakers, including Republican members from Mississippi, warned again that the administration's inaction in issuing new drilling permits will decimate the region's economy.

Fourth District Rep. Steve Palazzo said last year's moratorium has cost the region as many as 12,000 jobs and has made residents in the Gulf feel "powerless.''

"We just keep getting hit on every front,'' Palazzo said. '"Please, we need these jobs.''

Third District Rep. Gregg Harper also urged the administration to issue more permits and expand energy production in the Gulf.

"Instead of slowing the approval process for new offshore drilling permits, the president should be promoting increased domestic energy production from oil, renewables, natural gas, clean coal technology and nuclear power - ultimately leading to an energy-independent America,'' Harper said in a statement.

Read More

Congressman Harper denounces administrations move to tap fuel reserves.

Congressman Gregg Harper (center)

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R–Miss.), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement after the White House hinted at tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR):

“The White House would be ill-advised to reach into our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves. While the escalating price of oil creates hardship and threatens economic recovery, there can be no denial that the President’s energy policies are short-sighted and restrict the advancement of domestic oil production. The same President who is proposing to release government owned petroleum stocks, which are held for national emergencies, has essentially halted offshore drilling by investor owned companies in the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of slowing the approval process for new offshore drilling permits, the President should be promoting increased domestic energy production from oil, renewables, natural gas, clean coal technology and nuclear power – ultimately leading to an energy independent America. Expanding our supply of domestic energy would lower costs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil from nations like Libya and create American jobs. This misstep by the White House is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s failure to enact an effective energy policy.”

Breaking: Gill to run for Ag Commish

The Flora Harvester has learned that Joel Gill, Mayor of Pickens and two time opponent of Congressman Gregg Harper has filed to run for the job of Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner. Despite living outside of District Three, the Democrat twice ran and lost to Harper before winning the Mayor's office in Pickens.

This brings to four the number of people running for the open post of Ag Commissioner. Current Commissioner Lester Spell has announced he will not seek re-election. Others in the race include State Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Representative Dannie Reed, and Max Phillips.

WWII hero Earl Derrington, the POW's friend, awarded the Bronze Star in ceremony

Tuesday February 1, Congressman Gregg Harper awarded the Bronze Star to WWII veteran Earl Derrington of Jackson. The 86-year old Derrington was a prisoner of war in Germany. Upon his return home to Jackson and recovery from wounds received, he began working for all American POW's everywhere. Mr. Derrington with the help of state legislators passed one of the first POW bills in the country through the Mississippi Legislature, and eventually helped do the same for the rest of the country.

You can read the Clarion Ledger coverage of the ceremony HERE.

Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett



VA Congressional Assistant Larry Wert, introduces Congressman Gregg Harper.
Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett 



Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Congressman Harper presents Mr. Derrington with the Combat Infantry Badge. The award was a replacement for one Derrington lost in 1945 while recovering from combat wounds.
Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Congressman Gregg Harper pins the Bronze Star on Earl Derrington.
Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Harper and Derrington speak immediately following the ceremony.
Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Congressman Gregg Harper looks on as Earl Derrington is interviewed by the media following the ceremony.
Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Photo by: B. Keith Plunkett

Harper to award WWII veteran Bronze Star Medal in ceremony today.

Congressman Gregg Harper speaks with Mississippi officials
at the State of the State address in Jackson.

A World War II veteran who was wounded and taken prisoner during the famous Battle of the Bulge will receive the Bronze Star Medal on Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, a Mississippi Republican, will present the medal to Clarence Earl Derrington Jr., a retired U.S. Army corporal, during a 1:30 p.m. ceremony at Mississippi's War Memorial Building.

Harper called the medal in a news release a testament to Derrington's "courage and selflessness."

Derrington was 20 when he was wounded and captured. He spent 260 days as a prisoner in Stalag 69.

Harper Floor Speech: 'Affordable Care Act' is Politics Above Economics (Video)

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R–Miss.), a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, made the following statement today on the House floor in support of legislation to repeal the “Affordable Care Act:”

“The so-called ‘Affordable Care Act’ is nothing short of politics above economics.

"This penalizing law is loaded with excessive constraints and oppressive federal mandates on states. As Medicaid rolls rise, state revenues continue to fall, and this law only increases the challenges that Governors face in their attempts to balance their budgets.

“Instead of granting state executives the authority to tailor their Medicaid programs to their states’ diverse populations, the ‘Affordable Care Act’ implements a one-size-fits-all Maintenance of Effort provision which restricts states from changing their Medicaid programs.

“Republicans want to provide states with the flexibility they need to manage their health programs. This is simply one example of why I am committed to repealing this carelessly crafted health care law and replacing it with reforms centered on decreasing costs and protecting our middle-class jobs.”

Barbour's Last State of the State in Pictures

BY: B. Keith Plunkett

Prognosticators, Politico's and Pundits have already begun to break down Governor Haley Barbour's final State of the State Address given last night. You can check out Majority in Mississippi to view a transcript of the Guv's speech. Follow this LINK to see the transcript of the Democrat response. And, you can view the entire MPB coverage of the event HERE.

I won't attempt to add another layer to those who have started breaking it all down to tell you what you thought you heard. Instead I'll offer a few visual aids.

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Enjoy.



Congressman Gregg Harper arrived on the House Floor
early to talk to Lawmakers.



Speaker Billy McCoy brings the House to order.



Lt. Governor Phil Bryant and President Pro-Tempore Billy
Hewes welcome First Lady Marsha Barbour.




















Speaker McCoy welcomes Governor Barbour to the floor of
the House.

















The Governor received a warm welcom from the joint session of the
Mississippi State Legislature.



Lt. Governor Bryant, a gubernatorial hopeful, and Senator Billy
Hewes who is looking to replace him as head of the Senate.

Barbour was at times sentimental about his time in the Governor's Mansion.

  

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus sat on their hands for much of the
Governor's speech. But, rose in agreement when Barbour called for a
plan to build a Civil Rights Museum in Jackson.



Senator Giles Ward, Representative Scott Bounds and other
legislator's listen intently to the Governor's speech.

 

Madison Representative Rita Martinson



Monsanto corn breeding facility up and running in Flora.



Mayor Les Childress, Ag Commissioner Lester Spell, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Congressman Gregg Harper, and Representative Phillip Gunn were on hand to welcome the new Monsanto facility to Flora.

 Elected officials from across the state joined Flora in welcoming Monsanto to the Flora Industrial Park on Tuesday January 11. The $2.4 million facility further boosts the company’s investment in the South and is a reflection of Monsanto’s commitment to continue delivering new high-performing products to southern farmers.

Flora Mayor Leslie Childress welcomes officials
from across Madison County and Mississippi to Flora.

The 26,000-square-foot corn breeding station will employ approximately 10 full-time and up to 50 seasonal workers. Corn production in the southern region has been growing in the last several years, and the new site’s research focus will be on using the latest breeding techniques to develop higher-yielding corn hybrids with greater resistance to disease and other environmental stresses, specifically adapted to the region.

The site will complement Monsanto’s global breeding program and become part of a network of more than 50 corn breeding locations around the world. Southern farmers also will benefit from the genetic diversity of Monsanto’s global germplasm pool.

Monsanto currently has 3 technology research sites in Mississippi – Scott, Leland, and Winterville – focused on delivering cotton and soy varieties and traits to meet the needs of southern farmers.

The announcement comes two years after the town lost out to a site in Kansas to be the new location for a Department of Homeland Security Bio lab. Flora's Industrial Park currently has only one tenant, Primos Hunting Calls, locating there in May of 2002.

Harper: "Our Path To A Balanced Budget Begins Today, And It Begins With This Vote"

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) speaks in support of a bill to reduce Members of Congress' operating budget by five percent. Harper: "As lawmakers, we must lead by example. For this past Congress - my first term - my congressional office has come in under budget, voluntarily returning approximately 10 percent of the Members' Representational Allowance."

Mississippi Delegation in U.S. House landing plum committee assignments

Most of the 22 House Republican freshmen-to-be selected to sit on much-coveted, A-list committees won their races with Tea Party backing.

The House Republican Steering Committee last week added the incoming members to the rosters of four powerful committees: Appropriations, Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Financial Services.

Speaker-to-be John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his fellow GOP leaders and representatives on the House Steering Committee ensured that members of the largest GOP freshmen class in 70 years were given spots on influential panels.

Nearly half of the new GOP spots on the House Appropriations Committee were given to incoming members.

The Steering Committee tapped four Tea Party-backed representatives-elect to serve on the powerful spending panel.

GOP Rep.-elect Alan Nunnelee (Miss.) was one of nearly a dozen candidates officially endorsed by former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. GOP Reps.-elect Steve Womack (Ark.) and Kevin Yoder (Kan.) were both endorsed by Freedom Works – the interest group closely tied to the Tea Party movement. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.), elected in a special election in June 2010 and who won in the fall's regular election, will also serve on the spending panel and is an outspoken proponent for fiscal restraint.

Republicans pledged that they would make significant cuts in spending over the next two years. The GOP Conference for the 112th Congress voted to ban earmark spending last month.

Just under half of the new GOP spots on the Energy and Commerce Committee will go to incoming lawmakers.

Reps.-elect Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) and Charlie Bass (R-N.H.) were chosen to sit on the panel that will face a heavy workload in the next Congress as incoming Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) attempts to revamp the new healthcare law and conduct oversight of the EPA.

Bass served in the House from 1995-2007. He won back the seat he held in November.

GOP lawmakers Brian Bilbray (Calif.), Bill Cassidy (La.), Brett Guthrie (Ky.), Gregg Harper (Miss.), Conference Vice-Chairwoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (Wash.), Pete Olson (Texas) and GOP Leadership Chairman Greg Walden (Ore.) were also added to the Energy panel.

The House Financial Services Committee, led by incoming Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), will get the largest portion of the incoming freshmen.

Ten of the twelve new GOP spots on the committee went to incoming freshmen. GOP Reps-elect Quico Canseco (Texas), Bob Dold (Ill.), Sean Duffy (Wis.), Michael Grimm (N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), Bill Huizenga (Mich.), Robert Hurt (Va.), Steve Stivers (Ohio), Steve Pearce (N.M.) and Michael Fitzpatrick (Pa.) were selected to sit on the panel with jurisdiction over federal monetary policy and the banking system. Pearce and Fitzpatrick served in the House in prior years.

The GOP Steering Committee will meet this week to decide the committee assignments for the rest of the House panels. They have yet to determine the ratio of Republicans to Democrats on the committees.

Read More

Lawmakers celebrate decision to place training mission at Key Field Air Guard Station in Meridian

New Aircraft, Personnel Help Ensure Future for Meridian Military Facility

WASHINGTON, D. C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, with Congressman Gregg Harper, today celebrated the U.S. Air Force decision to locate a new formal training unit at Key Field Air National Guard Base at Meridian.

The Mississippi lawmakers, as well as Governor Haley Barbour and Meridian Mayor Cheri M. Barry, were informed early Wednesday that Key Field had been selected as the Air Force’s “preferred alternative” to host a C-27J formal training unit (FTU) mission.

The decision will bring two additional C-27J aircraft to Meridian, increasing the planned total to six. An estimated 37 full-time employees and 85 trainees annually will be associated with the FTU, bringing the total personnel associated with the C-27J platform to 142 by 2015 when the mission is fully operational.

“I am convinced that the qualities represented in Key Field, the Mississippi Air National Guard and the people of Meridian were instrumental in leading the Defense Department to this decision. This new training mission is a solid indication that Key Field will be a long-term asset to the Air National Guard and the U.S Air Force as Mississippi continues to contribute to our nation’s security,” Cochran said.

“The Air Force’s decision to base this training mission at Key Field is another strong reminder of the importance of Meridian to our military,” said Wicker. “Mississippi’s long history of supporting our Armed Forces proudly continues through the MC-12 and C-27J operations.”

“Gaining the C-27J training mission is a tribute to the men and women of Key Field and their ability to adapt and succeed at any task or mission they are given,” said Harper. “Key Field was evaluated alongside several impressive bases during the Air Force’s site survey process, and I am confident that the base’s past successes and the friendly nature of the people of Meridian influenced the Department of Defense’s decision.”

“Gaining this additional mission has been a long-standing goal for the state,” Governor Barbour said. “Having the C-27J training mission at Key Field is important to Mississippi, as the state continues to play a crucial role in our national defense.”

“We are thrilled that the 186th Air Refueling Wing has been selected as the location for the Air National Guard’s C-27J Flying Training Unit. The city of Meridian is truly grateful for the diligent effort of Senator Cochran, Senator Wicker and Congressman Harper that went into this project,” Mayor Barry said.

In being named the preferred alternative site, Key Field edged out five other sites considered for the tactical transport aircraft training mission, which involves preparing pilots, loadmasters and maintenance crews for C-27J operations. The decision will be finalized pending an environmental impact analysis.

The decision to land the C-27J training mission at Key Field will build on the number of those aircraft located in Meridian. The training mission will add two C-27J aircraft at Key Field, where the Air Force had already decided to base four other C-27Js starting in early FY2012. The Air Force indicated that the two additional C-27J aircraft will be transferred in the third quarter of FY2014, with initial operational capability achieved in late 2014. The new FTU would be fully operational by the third quarter of FY2015.

The Air Force based its decision on criteria that considered airspace, facilities and infrastructure, as well as mission and training requirements.

The Key Field Air National Guard Station is currently home to the 186th Air Refueling Wing. In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, the Department of Defense decided that by 2012, it would move the 186th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135R aircraft to Wisconsin, Tennessee and Maine, leaving Key Field without a clear mission. This decision changes that, giving Meridian responsibility for a crucial mission well into the future.

The C-27J is a twin turbo-prop engine aircraft that provides short take-off and landing capabilities that are best suited for the transport of cargo among intra-theater locales.

CHARLIE MITCHELL: Voters haven’t ‘changed their minds’ about anything

Mitchell

Middle America wants better performance by the federal government and Middle America has given the Republican Party center stage.

Three Mississippians – returning U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper of District 3 along with newly elected Rep. Alan Nunnelee of District 1 and Rep. Steven Palazzo of District 4 – are in the thick of it.

There’s been a shallow but consistent media chorus since midterm elections. The story line has been, “Why did Americans turn against Obama?” and “Why did voters change their minds?”

Bogus questions, both of them. Voters didn’t turn against Obama. And voters certainly have not changed their minds.

Let’s define Middle America as the voters who swing elections. They dwell between the extremes of liberalism and conservatism. Two years ago, Middle America embraced Barack Obama’s rising star and accepted his pledge to be a president for all the people – one who would focus on the economy and bring federal spending under control. (He really did make those pledges.) Middle America also responded to his promise to bring rationality, equity and cost controls to the delivery of health care and to resolve immigration issues, among many other things. Yes, Obama was a “liberal,” but he was solution-oriented. That resonated.

Obama’s rival for the White House, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called his opponent “naïve,” but Americans not only backed the far more charismatic candidate, they also provided President Obama with clear Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress. Media folk called this a big victory for liberalism. Wrong. It was a big endorsement of problem-solving.

In the two years since, Middle America has not undergone a giant shift in its collective ideology. Only the most simplistic talk show hosts would suggest that has happened. Lefties are still lefties. Righties are still righties. What Middle America wants is solutions.

So what that means is that Republicans – even without control of the White House or the Senate – must either deliver in the next two years or it will be their turn to decide who gets invited to farewell parties.

Within the party itself, there are divisions.

Harper, Nunnelee and Palazzo have aligned with the super-conservative core of the GOP.

Harper, from Pearl, went to Washington at the same time Obama did. Regarding the $787 billion stimulus bill, Harper had a great quote. When trying to get out of a hole, a good first step is to stop digging, he said in voting “no.” He was re-elected to a second term to deliver the same “stop spending” message. (Interestingly, Harper has been chastised for voting against new spending that would have benefitted Mississippi. Nothing like knocking a guy for doing what he said he’d do.)

Nunnelee, from Tupelo, managed Mississippi’s money as chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the state Senate. Although he and Palazzo don’t take office until January, Nunnelee is on the record with other incoming House Republicans to stop earmarks immediately. (For the record, Obama also pledged to review earmarks “line by line,” yet has signed off on hundreds.)

The way to make the people happy is to fix what’s broken and fixing what’s broken means crafting legislation that (1) Middle America understands and (2) in which Middle America has confidence.

It’s easier said than done, of course.

But folks need to stop saying voters changed. It’s just not true.

NEMS360

Steering panel loaded with John Boehner's allies

House Speaker-designate John Boehner has some close allies to help him potentially sway other members on a Republican panel set to pick leaders of key committees in the next Congress.

Several lawmakers close to the Ohio Republican reside on the 34-member House Republican steering committee – including Lynn Westmoreland (Ga.), who gave a speech backing Boehner to be House speaker, according to a list of steering committee members obtained by POLITICO.

Rep. Steve LaTourette is a fellow member of the Ohio delegation, while Reps. Doc Hastings (Wash.) and Tom Latham (Iowa) have long been close personal friends with Boehner as well.

Others well known to be close to Boehner on the Steering Committee include House Republican Conference Vice-Chair Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (Wash.), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (Texas), House GOP transition team leader Greg Walden (Ore.), Mike Rogers (Mich.), and Gregg Harper (Miss.).

Boehner’s choice in contested races to head the Energy and Commerce, Appropriations and other panels is automatically worth four votes, the most of any other committee member. The next expected House majority leader, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) gets two votes, while all other members get one vote each when considering each committee race, jurisdictional challenges and potential caucus rule changes.

Shimkus, Energy and Commerce ranking member Joe Barton (Texas), Fred Upton (Mich.) and Cliff Stearns (Fla.) will give roughly 10-minute presentations to the steering committee Tuesday to give their arguments to head the energy panel, followed by a question and answer period. The steering committee will convene at 1:30 p.m. in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

Read more: Politico

Bachmann Says NO to More Work

But, find a camera and she'll be there!

According to Politico, Ms. Bachmann was asked to be an appropriator next session and said thanks, but no thanks.


Ms. Bachmann presently sits on only ONE committee … the House Financial Services Committee … where she is a backbencher. Heck, even “rookie” legislators have more asssignments … Consider that Gregg Harper (R-MS) has just started his career in Congress this term and is assigned to four committees (Committee on the Budget, Committee on the Judiciary, Committee on House Administration, and Committee on Standards of Official Conduct). Or fellow freshman Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), who is assigned to the Judiciary; Natural Resources; Oversight & Government Reform Committees.

Ms. Bachmann is lazy. The Appropriations Committee is a demanding assignment … requiring long hours that can involve skillful diplomacy. It is a lot easier to let someone else do the work …

For all the TaxEnoughAlready folks who sent their hard-earned dollars to support Ms. Bachmann’s re-election should be asking for their monies back.

MNPoliticalRoundtable

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.

Harper meets with President of Taiwan in Taipei

President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday that his administration's cross-Taiwan Strait policy, including signing of an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between the two sides, has won recognition worldwide.

During a brief meeting with visiting American Congressman Gregg Harper (R-MS) and his wife at the Presidential Office, Ma said he feels pleased that the China policies implemented by his administration since he took office in May 2008 have gained the support of United States President Barack Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush.

In addition to serving to consolidate business and trade ties between China and Taiwan, Ma said the ECFA, which is something like a free trade agreement, has also helped ease tensions across the Taiwan Strait, formerly considered one of the world's flash points.

Ma told his visitors that he believes the peace-maker image that Taiwan has built will be conducive to its integration into the international community.

The president also took time to reiterate his aspirations for closer ties between Taiwan and the U.S., including Taiwan's acquisition of advanced F-16C/D jet fighters from the U.S., the signing of an extradition agreement between the two countries, and the U.S. waiving visas for visiting Taiwanese.

FT

Distrtict 3 Congressional Candidates make final push before Election Day (Video)

Volunteer Jim Nash is trying to figure out which people will be responsible for placing campaign signs around the area. He’s surrounded by boxes full of merchandise including bumper stickers, shirts, and posters.




Volunteer Thelma Kumar was placing Gill’s support signs all along Old Fannin Road in Flowood on Wednesday.

Congressman Harper only Mississippi Rep. to get perfect score from Center for Security Policy

Center issues Congressional Scorecard; Peace Through Strength Platform on national security

The Center for Security Policy released its ninth National Security Scorecard evaluating the performance of members of the 111th Congress on matters of great importance to the security interests of the United States. Congressman Gregg Harper was joined by 157 other Members of the House of Representatives and 32 Senators receiving a score of 100% qualifying them as "Champions of National Security".

In an effort to advance the debate on the nation's most vital national security issues, the Center also launched a pre-election campaign for midterm election candidates to embrace the "Peace Through Strength Platform," a ten-point program of national security priorities for America. The Center also premiered its new web ad on the Peace Through Strength Platform:




The Peace Through Strength Platform complements the 74-page National Security Scorecard as a way forward for candidates and elected officials. While the Scorecard looks back at decisive issues facing the last Congress, the Peace Through Strength Platform serves as guiding principles for the next Congress. To this end, the Center contacted candidates from both parties, including incumbents and challengers, to alert them to the score of each Member of Congress.

In assessing the record of the 111th Congress, the Center selected 12 roll call votes in the Senate and 8 roll call votes in the House of Representatives to show legislators' positions in key foreign, defense and intelligence matters of direct relevance to America's safety, sovereignty and freedoms. Roll call votes were selected on the basis of their utility in revealing substantive differences on significant security policy issues.

"The Center for Security Policy believes that the success of the American experiment fundamentally depends upon the quality of our representative government," Center President Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. said. "The public must be apprised of their representatives' legislative records."

Harper supports new COLA formula for Seniors, rejects pay raise for himself.

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper renewed his call for the passage of H.R. 5305, the “CPI for Seniors Act” following today’s announcement that Social Security beneficiaries will not receive an increase in payments for the second consecutive year. Harper is one of five original co-sponsors of this legislation.

“I am excited about working with Members of Congress to enact this important legislation that will have a positive impact on Mississippi’s seniors,” said Harper, a freshman Republican who represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District. “This formula would better measure seniors’ expenses, most of which are living on a fixed income and battling this economic downturn.”

The current index that is used by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). For the second year in a row, this index has not increased over the 2008 level, which is the last year seniors received a COLA increase.

The “CPI for Seniors Act” was introduced by Representative John Duncan Jr. of Tennessee and would establish a new Consumer Price Index for Seniors (CPI-S) so that annual Social Security COLAs can be more fairly determined. This legislation would direct the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to finally determine a new CPI-S formula for seniors that more accurately reflects the costs incurred by older Americans, specifically individuals in the United States who are 62 years of age or older.

Many seniors have complained that Members of Congress received a pay raise for 2010 and 2011 while their benefits remained the same. Although the Employment Cost Index (ECI) – the formula used for Congressional pay adjustments – calculated a total three percent increase for 2010 and 2011, Congress denied the additional pay with Harper voting for no increase in his pay in both years.

“With nearly one in 10 Mississippians out of a job and seniors being denied a COLA, it would be completely inappropriate and irrational for me to accept a pay raise,” added Harper. “Congress should not delay consideration of this legislation that will provide more precise payments to our senior citizens.”

H.R. 5305 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions on June 29, 2010.

Congressman Harper on The Morning Show WMOX-Meridian (Video)

Congressman Harper talks taxes, Obamacare and more.

www.ustream.tv/recorded/10175666