Dear Friend,

The NBA finals Game 4 is tonight and I’m hoping the Cavs can head back to the West Coast with the series tied up.  Before watching the game, take a moment to read below about a few of the events that occurred in Washington this week.

Washington Wrap-Up

This Week:  I was pleased to see my bill to reform the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) pass the U.S. House of Representatives.  Click here to learn more about this reform and about the program.  In addition to health care, the House also focused on relieving the American people of regulatory burdens, our environment, and national security.  Below are two of the bills that passed the House - with my support - that may be of interest to you:

• H.Con.Res.89:  I am a proud cosponsor of this bill which expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to American families by dramatically increasing energy costs and the price of goods in the United States.  A carbon tax is any tax that would directly apply to carbon dioxide, potentially other greenhouse gas emissions, and/or the inputs the lead to these emissions such as fossil fuels.
• H.Con.Res.112: This bill expresses the sense of Congress that a new tax on oil would be damaging to the American economy and Congress’ belief that the government should take into consideration the impacts that such tax would place on our economy and consumers.  In February of this year, President Obama released his plan to levy a $10 per barrel tax on oil. Since then, the price on a barrel of oil has increased from $30 to $50, so adding an addition $10 tax would double the price of oil in less than a year.

In summary, these two bills let it be known that these proposals are dead on arrival to Congress.

Next Week:  We will continue to look at solutions to reform our budget process, and focus on nation’s defense funding.

Wounded Warrior

Glad to welcome Aaron Locker to our team and have him join my staff in Wadsworth this week. An Army combat veteran, Aaron is part of the “Wounded Warrior Program” that helps post-9/11 veterans get employment in the U.S. House.  Along with Bryan Bowman in the Wadsworth office, he’ll be working to help make sure veterans in Ohio get the benefits they've earned through years of service.  If you or a loved one needs help with the VA or any other federal agency, call my office in Ohio at 330-334-0040.

 

Case Western Reserve University

President Barbara Snyder was in town this week for the university's annual alumni event. It was great to meet with her and her colleagues to discuss legislative issues prior to the main event in the middle of the week.  Ohio is home to great universities and it is an honor to represent them here in Washington.

Ron Klein (partner at Holland & Knight), Jennifer Ruggles (executive director), President Snyder, Julie Rehm (VP), and Bruce Loessin (Senior VP).

At the event, I had the chance to address the alums – go Spartans!

Budget Hearing

The House Budget Committee held a hearing to continue our efforts in examining how to fix our broken budget process. As a business owner for nearly three decades and a mayor who was required to balance a budget just like hard working American families, I understand the importance of passing a fiscally responsible budget.  However, that is only part of the equation. I also know when you set a budget you need to abide by it.  Families and businesses are held accountable to following the budget they set for themselves; Washington should not be any different. That is why during this hearing I discussed my bill, the Budget Enforcement Awareness Resolution (BEAR), to hold Congress accountable to the federal budget.  

Read more about BEAR here.

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Greg Harris

Ohio is proud to be home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  This week, its’ President, Greg Harris, was in the nation’s capital.

As always, read my Weekly Column here.

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at renacci.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-3876, Wadsworth office: (330) 334-0040, or Parma office: (440) 882-6779. I also encourage you to subscribe to my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages to get updates on my work in Washington and the 16th District.

Have a great weekend,