Billy Long on vote to repeal Obamacare: I kept my promise to my constituents

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Congressman Billy Long (MO-07) issued the following statement today regarding his vote on the budget resolution that would pave the way to repeal Obamacare:

“I made a promise to my constituents that I would repeal and replace this disastrous health care law and today I took one of the first steps to follow through on that promise,” said Rep. Long.“With premiums rising, Obamacare continues to let the American people down. It’s unacceptable and the American people deserve better. I look forward to supporting legislation that is patient-centered, allows for more choices and is at a much lower cost.”

The budget resolution includes reconciliation instructions that will authorize four committees to begin drafting repeal legislation that can pass with a simple majority in both the House and Senate.

The two House committees provided with reconciliation instructions are the Energy and Commerce Committee, which Congressman Long is a member of, and the Ways and Means Committee. The Senate committees include the Finance Committee and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. All four committees must present legislation to their respective Budget Committee in the coming weeks.

Las Vegas authorities investigate clown sighting

Las Vegas authorities are trying to calm residents after a report of yet another clown sighting.over the weekend.

"It's not like the other sightings," a highly placed source in the Las Vegas Police Department told the Turner Report. "Usually we have calls from parents whose children have spotted men dressed like clowns

"In this case, it appears that it was a clown dressed as a man at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel."

"Were the children scared?" I asked

"No, that was something else that was different. Not only did this guy not approach any children, but he had some well dressed people giving him $2,500."

"That sounds a bit unusual."

"Not at all," my source said "People throw away money in Las Vegas all the time."

"So it really wasn't that scary?"

"We thought it was for a while. We had reports of horrible screaming going on?"

"Horrible screaming?"

"That's what we thought initially, but it was just Celine Dion singing. No wonder the Titanic sunk."

"Did you do anything about the clown?'

"We talked to him. Told him to get his act together. I'm not sure he understood though."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"I told him to make sure he stayed out of trouble and he said he would."

"Sounds to me like he understood what you were saying."

"He said, 'You'll never catch me near a town hall meeting."

"Wait a minute," I said. "I think I know that clown."

Billy Long: We must stop IRS from trying to silence free speech

In his latest newsletter, Seventh District Congressman Billy Long writes about his Taxpayer Transparency Act and criticizes the Internal Revenue Service for trying to silence some political beliefs.

I am happy to report my Taxpayer Transparency Act was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives.

Every day, federal agencies spend money advertising various programs without mentioning where the funding for these programs or their ads comes from.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously said, “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” I agree with that sentiment and that is why I authored the Taxpayer Transparency Act. The legislation is about shining a light on how taxpayer dollars are spent by requiring Executive Branch agencies to disclose that these advertisements are paid for at taxpayer expense.

Simply, the Taxpayer Transparency Act extends similar requirements already imposed on the House and Senate to the Executive Branch. As members of Congress we should all support an open and honest government, and this legislation does that by requiring Executive Branch agencies to be transparent with spending taxpayer dollars to promote federal programs.


Protecting Free Speech

All Americans had a right to be angry when we learned the IRS was being used as a weapon to silence the political beliefs of certain groups of Americans.

The IRS’s gross misconduct raises disturbing questions about the professionalism and neutrality of bureaucrats who are supposed to enforce the law in a fair, even-handed manner. Evidently there was a concerted effort by IRS agents to delay, deny and harass conservative political groups seeking 501(c) (4) tax exempt status under the tax code. This kind of unequal treatment goes against the very heart of our nation’s laws and our society’s sense of justice. All Americans, no matter what their personal circumstances or ideological beliefs, should be equal before the law.

Last November the IRS issued proposed rules to restrict free speech of 501 (c) (4) organizations, but other tax-exempt groups like labor unions would be not subject to the same the rules. The proposed rules would not allow 501 (c) (4) organizations to engage in voter registration, get-out-the-vote activities, or hold candidate forums without endangering their tax exempt status. The proposed rules would not impact 501 (c) (3) groups.

On February 26th the House voted to rein in the IRS when we passed the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 (H.R. 3865). This legislation prevents the proposed IRS regulations on 501 (c) (4) organizations from taking effect for one year to allow for the House to complete its IRS targeting investigation in an effort to stop the administration for targeting groups because of their beliefs.

Billy Long: My bill holds federal agencies accountable for their spending

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Today (Wednesday) the U.S. House unanimously passed U.S. Rep. Billy Long’sTaxpayer Transparency Act (H.R. 3308) sending it to the Senate for consideration.

“I am pleased to see the House pass the Taxpayer Transparency Act in an effort to hold federal agencies accountable for their spending. My bill simply extends similar requirements already imposed on the House and Senate to the Executive Branch. I am hopeful the Senate will follow the House’s lead and pass this legislation in the name of good government and transparency,” Long said.

The Taxpayer Transparency Act requires Executive Branch agencies to disclose that advertisements are paid for at taxpayer expense.

By law, the U.S. House of Representatives is already required to include a disclosure statement on similar types of communication such as newsletters and franked mail, while the U.S. Senate is required to do the same by self-imposed rules.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Video- Billy Long speaks on House floor about Taxpayer Transparency Act

Contributors buy $40,000 in meals for Billy Long in 2013

When it comes to food stamps, our Seventh District Congressman is all for cutting them. It's more dope-smoking freeloaders taking advantage of the hard-working American taxpayer. Billy Long is fed up.

When it comes to Obamacare, our Congressman is all in favor of eliminating it. If God wanted the poor to have health insurance, He wouldn't have given them pre-existing conditions; He would have given them money. Billy Long is fed up.

When it comes to the minimum wage, he is against increasing it. If people making ininimum wage want to make more money, they can take second jobs and stop spending money on frivolous things like rent and utilities. Billy Long is fed up.

When it comes to enjoying a fine meal and a good drink in the company of friends, Billy Long is totally in favor of it- as long as the meals and drinks are not on his tab. Billy Long is well fed.

Federal Election Commission filings show that during the 2013 calendar year, campaign contributors bought more than $40,000 worth of meals for Billy Long,including 34 meals totaling $7,490.07 during the last quarter.

Among the items cited in the latest report, which was filed Friday:

-$592.80- Prime Rib, Washington, D. C. October 11
-$699.97- Nicolas Ristorante, Springfield, December 19
-$635.70- Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D. C. October 17
-$222.45- Prime Rib, Washington, D. C. December 4
-$100.34- Jim's Steakhouse, Springfield, November 27
-$802.77- Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D. C. December 19
-$769.37- Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D. C.November 18
-$426.20- Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D. C. November 18
-$272.48- Oceanaire, Washington, D. C. October 16

To be fair, Long did cut down from the previous three months, when contributors paid for $15,650.14, including $4,476 on September 9 at the Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield.

While Long has mentioned several times how important it is for the U. S. to live within its budget and not to spend more than it takes in, the Long campaign did not do that during the last three months of 2013.

The latest disclosure report shows that he received $74,374.80 in contributions while spending $85,905.07.

Fortunately, he still has $586,457.03 in the bank.

Special interests, lobbyists make up bulk of Billy Long's fourth quarter contributions

Billy Long has yet to have a town hall meeting in the three years he has been Seventh District Congressman (and no, telephone town halls with carefully selected questioners do not count), but his door has been open to lobbyists, special interests, and, of course, their money.

Long's fourth quarter disclosure report, filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission showed that he received approximately $10,000 from within the Show-Me State, with more than $5,600 coming from outside the Seventh District, mostly from the St. Louis area.

Out of the approximately $4,400 from the Seventh District, $3,000 came from one source, Andrew Hunte, president of the Hunte Companies of Goodman.

Billy Long: We are working to unleash economic growth

In his latest newsletter, Seventh District Congressman Billy Long writes about some of the economic measures being worked on in the House.

My House colleagues and I are focused on providing solutions to unleash economic growth, rein in Washington, and let the American people get back to work.  I will continue to work to advance measures which allow the private sector to grow and create the jobs for hard working Americans. Sadly, too many of these bills languish on Harry Reid's desk.

Pure and simple, one of the most important ways for us to create jobs is by developing domestic energy production.  It is crucial to eliminate excessive regulations which are preventing the enormous possibility for growth in energy production.   Developing these new sources of energy will produce real wealth, jobs, and energy security for the American people.  The House has passed multiple bills to promote job creation in the energy industry, including:

Billy Long on State of the Union: We will not rubberstamp the Obama agenda

U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement on the president’s State of the Union address:

“The president and his administration like to say he has a pen and phone and is ready to act, but as a former constitutional law professor the president should understand there are three equal branches of government.

 If his proposals are worthwhile and will help the American people then he should be able to get Congress onboard. My colleagues and I will not rubberstamp an agenda that increases the reach of the government into our lives, increases spending and decreases liberty. 

We need a smaller, leaner government to help unleash the pent up economic growth that is vital to creating the jobs we need here at home.”

Steve Hunter shuts down campaign committee, gives money to White, Schaaf

For the first time since around the turn of the century, there is no Grass Roots for Hunter campaign committee.

The committee, which supported the political efforts of former Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, shut down in December. At the time of its termination, Hunter was listed as planning to run for statewide office in 2014, but that was just a formality to keep the committee open.

Hunter's last candidacy was for federal office when he ran for Seventh District Congress, a race which was eventually won by Billy Long. Hunter has also spent time as a lobbyist since he was term-limited out of the House of Representatives.

According to Missouri Ethics Commission documents, Hunter contributed $1,589.61 to Rep. Bill White, R-Joplin, and $1,589.62 to Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph.

2013 in Review: Campaign contributors pay $24,000 in meals for Billy Long over past six months

(From October 2013)

Billy Long's campaign slogan for 2014 could easily be "Well Fed Up."

According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, campaign contributors have footed the bill for more than $24,000 worth of meals for Long during the past six months, including $15,650.14 during the three months ended September 30.

The meals range from $4,476 September 9 at the Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield to $7.85 at Hebrews Coffee in Springfield on August 28.

2013 in Review: Billy Long spends more on two meals than he received in contributions

(From February 1, 2013)

"The time has come for Congress to get serious about tackling Washington’s addiction to spending."

The man who authored those words (or had an aide author them), Seventh District Congressman Billy Long spent far more than he took in during the last two months of 2013, according to his disclosure report filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission.

The documents indicate Long spent more on two meals, over $3,000 than the $2,000 he received in contributions during that time period.

The Long campaign paid for 11 meals in a 26-day period, according to the report, including $1,840.80 at Prime Rib in Washington. D. C. Dec. 6 and $1,186.76 Christmas Eve at Nicholas Ristorante in Springfield.

Billy Long: I wlll continue to fight for the unborn child

In his latest newsletter, Seventh District Congressman Billy Long explains his Adoption Promotion Act.

Each year, many innocent children are not given the gift of life.  In some of these cases, the mother feels that she has no other choice, because she cannot provide for the child.  That is why I have introduced the Adoption Promotion Act.

The Adoption Promotion Act requires that any taxpayer funded family planning services must also provide adoption counseling.  This will provide many women an option that they may not have considered before.

I am pro-life and believe life begins at the moment of conception.  I will still continue fighting for the rights of the unborn child.  This bill is a definite step in the right direction.  Adoption options will be much more accessible to expecting mothers who cannot provide for their child.  Many children will get a chance at life, love, and the opportunity for a promising future with a loving family.