BIlly Long co-sponsors vote of no confidence in Attorney General Holder

Seventh District Congressman Billy Long is one of 75 co-sponsors of a resolution of no-confidence in Attorney General Eric Holder:

The resolution explains that the Obama administration and the Department of Justice, “through Attorney General Holder’s office, initially provided false information to Congress,” “retaliated” against whistle-blowers who provided Congress with information, “has redacted key information and has been intransigent, obstructionist and obdurate.”


The “no confidence” resolution is a largely symbolic measure but is nonetheless a more official move than statements from members calling for Holder’s resignation. It includes a breakdown of everything those in favor of the “no confidence” resolution allege Holder to have done to earn it. A floor vote isn’t likely to happen any time soon, unless Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor — or another member of leadership — gets on board soon.

Hartzler: Funding for national security must be protected

Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler continues to maintain that budgets cuts must not touch the military. The following news released was issued from her office:

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) is fighting to protect our national security in the face of defense cuts. She is co-sponsoring the Down Payment to Protect National Security Act, legislation to prevent the devastating cuts to America’s military that could come about as a result of the so-called super committee to reach agreement on slashing the deficit.


“This bill is aimed at ensuring our men and women in uniform have the resources and equipment they need to keep us safe,” said Hartzler. “It also ensures ‘providing for the common defense’ remains a priority for our country. I believe we need to rein in the federal government’s runaway spending, but don’t believe we should balance our budget on the backs of our men and women in uniform.”

“This defense fix is absolutely necessary,” continued Hartzler. “The United States Constitution makes it clear that the primary obligation of Congress is to provide for the defense our country. Defense spending has already been cut dramatically and we must stop further cuts from taking place. This ‘defense fix’ should allow us to allocate the funding that is necessary to protect us from would-be aggressors.”

“National defense is a non-partisan matter,” added Hartzler. “President Obama’s own Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, has cautioned against further cuts to our military and has even warned additional cuts to national defense would be devastating. I agree completely with the Secretary of Defense. Our national security must not be put at risk.”

GAO Report: Improvements made in Arlington National Cemetery management

The misplacement of remains at Arlington National Cemetery has been a big scandal, investigated by, among others, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. A General Accountability Office (GAO) report issued today, said there have been improvements in the management of the cemetery since the problems were brought to light. Highlights of the report are printed below:

The Army has taken positive steps to address management deficiencies at Arlington and has implemented improvements across a range of areas. However, GAO identified opportunities to build upon these improvements. Specifically, GAO found that ANCP: (1) has invested in information-technology improvements and has begun projects to further enhance capabilities, but is not yet basing its investments on an enterprise architecture, or modernization blueprint, that could help ensure the planned investments will meet the organization’s needs; (2) has taken steps to improve its workforce planning, but its plans were based on an incomplete understanding of ANCP’s requirements and outdated business processes that have since been revised, with the result that ANCP lacks an updated and validated workforce structure; (3) is in the initial stages of developing a program for assessing and improving cemetery operations, but until ANCP completes this program, it may be limited in its ability to evaluate and improve aspects of cemetery performance; and (4) has improved its coordination with other Army organizations, but is experiencing challenges coordinating with some operational partners due in part to a lack of written agreements. Finally, because ANCP officials have focused on addressing the immediate crisis at Arlington, they have not yet developed a strategic plan aimed at prioritizing and achieving long-term goals. Without a strategic plan, ANCP’s actions may not be well coordinated and its resources may be used ineffectively.


ANCP has a process to verify burial locations when requested to do so by a family. GAO collected records for 1,194 cases that ANCP concluded did not have burial discrepancies and drew a generalizable sample of 60 cases to evaluate ANCP’s implementation of its burial verification process. GAO’s review found that ANCP implemented this process, and did not find documentation discrepancies pertaining to burial locations. GAO found documentation discrepancies for two cases pertaining to decedents’ personal information and could not determine from the records how these discrepancies were addressed. In cases where a burial error occurred, ANCP’s Executive Director or Chief of Staff contacted the affected families. ANCP’s Executive Director—in consultation with cemetery officials and affected families—made decisions on a case-by-case basis about the assistance provided to each family. Confirmed errors were fixed by the cemetery based on the next-of-kin’s wishes. ANCP has not developed written guidance that identifies the factors ANCP’s Executive Director considers when assisting families in these instances. Written guidance can improve families’ and policymakers’ visibility into ANCP’s decision making in these circumstances.

A transfer of jurisdiction for the Army’s two national cemeteries to VA is feasible, but GAO identified several factors that may affect the advisability of making this change, such as potential costs and benefits, transition challenges, and the effect on Arlington’s unique characteristics. In addition, given the improvements the Army has made and continues to make at Arlington, it may be premature to transfer jurisdiction for these cemeteries to VA if other changes can achieve similar results or improve operations. For example, GAO identified opportunities where enhanced collaboration between the Army and VA may improve operations with less disruption. However, the Army and VA have not established a formal mechanism for collaborating and therefore could miss opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cemetery operations.

Why GAO Did This Study

Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington) contains the remains of more than 330,000 military service members, family members, and others. In June 2010, the Army Inspector General identified problems at the cemetery, including deficiencies in management, burial errors, and a failure to notify next of kin of errors. In response, the Secretary of the Army assigned new leadership for the cemetery and issued guidance to address deficiencies. The Executive Director, Army National Cemeteries Program (ANCP), is responsible for overseeing operations at Arlington. In response to Public Law 111-339, GAO assessed (1) the Army’s efforts to address identified management deficiencies, (2) the Army’s process for providing information and assistance to families regarding efforts to detect and correct burial errors, and (3) factors affecting the feasibility and advisability of transferring jurisdiction for the Army’s national cemeteries to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). GAO analyzed Army guidance, records, plans, and other documentation and interviewed knowledgeable Army and VA officials, among other steps.

Extreme Makeover canceled after Joplin edition airs

The 200th episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the one in which seven Joplin homes are built following the May 22 tornado, will be the final show in the series, which has been canceled. The show is scheduled to air  7 to 9 p.m. Friday, January 13.

The network provided the description for the Joplin program:

 In October 2011, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” traveled to tornado-ravaged Joplin, Missouri, to celebrate its 200th episode in historic fashion. The show surprised an unprecedented 7 families with the door knock that changes lives, and the “EM:HE” design team and a volunteer “army” of 13,000 people, along with the builders, will create 7 beautiful homes in just 7 days. In addition, they refurbished a local park, created a new playground and a poignant memorial site to those volunteers who came to the aid of others during and after the tornado. Celebrities who got involved with this episode include LA Laker Kobe Bryant, Kansas City Chiefs’ Matt Cassel and Clark Hunt, as well as “Good Morning America’s” Sam Champion.

Stouffer: They'll have to pry my cell phone from cold, dead hands

In his latest report, Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, takes issue with the federal government's right to interfere with a driver's right to conduct a cell phone conversation or to send text messages while writing.

Stouffer's argument is that decisions like this should be left to the states, but as he notes the state has failed to protect its citizens by enacting its own laws. Nearly everytime I see a near accident these days, one or both drivers are talking on the cell phone.

Stouffer takes the argument to ridiculous levels late in his report, but how can anyone seriously consider a ban against texting and cell phone usage while driving to be a bad thing?

Apparently, Bill Stouffer will defend to your death the right to talk on your cellphone while driving.

It seems, every time you turn around these days, the federal government issues another edict. Bureaucrats and politicians seem to be in a constant search for opportunities to transfer common sense from the people to the government, including parenting, safety and even our health. Meanwhile, our freedoms are eroding day by day.


This time, “big government cometh” in the form of telling you what you can and cannot do while driving in your own vehicle.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now calling for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, primarily tractor-trailers. This move comes after a fatal accident in Missouri that started when a man driving a pickup truck ran into slow traffic in a construction zone. Authorities say he had sent 11 text messages in just as many minutes, right before the wreck happened. As soon as he ran into traffic, his truck was then rear ended by two school buses. Government cannot seem to pass laws quickly enough. What he was doing was already illegal, as he was under the age of 21.

In addition — before anyone in the Missouri General Assembly could have a say in this matter — the edict has come down from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to ban truck and bus drivers from using cell phones. Even hands-free devices are included in the ban. This move went largely unnoticed when it was announced in late November.

While I am not ignoring the tragedy that occurred on that August morning, I am questioning the federal government’s constant move to dictate every aspect of our lives.

When Missouri lawmakers passed a ban on texting while driving for folks 21 and under two years ago, it came with a great deal of discussion. Since then, repeated efforts have been made to ban texting while driving for everybody; they have failed every time.

If texting and using a cell phone while driving is so dangerous, why not include law enforcement in the ban? Why not ban folks from changing radio stations while driving? Or, maybe no sound should be allowed in a vehicle while driving? Where does this stop? Why does the federal government think it is necessary to creep into everybody’s lives in every way imaginable? There are a lot of us who have had more than enough, and will fight to end the ridiculousness coming out of Washington, D.C., on what seems to be a daily basis now. I will continue to fight for our state’s right to govern its own citizens.

Allen Barbre works out with Seahawks' first string

Allen Barbre, who has been on the inactive list for the last two games with the Seattle Seahawks, may see some playing time this week.

He worked out with the first team offensive line today while another player recovered from an injury, according to the Tacoma News-Tribune.

Barbre played for East Newton High School and Missouri Southern State University.

Lant, Reiboldt to seek second terms in House

(Joint news release from Bill Lant and Bill Reiboldt)

State Representatives Bill Lant and Bill Reiboldt announce their plans to run for re-election to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2012. Rep. Lant (Dist. 131) will be running for re-election in the newly drawn 159th District, and Rep. Reiboldt (Dist 130) will be running in the newly drawn 160th District. Both Rep. Lant and Rep. Reiboldt were elected to their first term in the Missouri House in 2010.


Rep. Lant states that it has been a privilege serving the people of the 131st District, and he is looking forward to meeting the needs of constituents in the 159th District. Lant will represent all of McDonald County and portions of southern Newton County.

Rep. Reiboldt states, "It has been an honor to serve the people of Newton and McDonald Counties. Though the boundaries of my current district have changed to include only Newton County, I will continue working diligently for my constituents."

Both Lant and Reiboldt have worked cooperatively during their time in the MIssouri House, and they site that as one of the reasons they believe their transition to the newly drawn districts will not be problematic. They state they will not only continue to work together in Jefferson City, but each will assist the other in his re-election efforts.

Crowell: End secrecy in drawing redistricting plans

(From Sen. Jason Crowell)

Sen. Jason Crowell, R – Cape Girardeau, has introduced a Senate Joint Resolution to change the way state Senate and House boundaries are drawn. If passed, the Joint Resolution would require all meetings of any Senate or House redistricting commission or judicial commission to be public and require the commissions to obey Missouri’s laws concerning open meetings and open records.


“The redistricting processes and drawing of Representative and Senate district lines are so fundamental to our democratic process that such activity should never occur in a secret,”Sen. Crowell said. “The legislation I filed today is designed to ensure that principle is protected.”

Every 10 years Missouri is constitutionally responsible to redraw the districts that represent Missourians in the General Assembly to make sure each legislative district has roughly the same number of people. To do this, the process begins with governor appointed bipartisan commissions. Having failed this year to come to an agreement, the Missouri Constitution requires the maps then be drawn by a six-member panel of Court of Appeals judges picked by the state Supreme Court.

It was during the judicial panel’s work that the judge’s decided to proceed in drawing the maps behind closed doors without explanation for the way the new districts were drawn. The secrecy allowed judges to both avoid being held accountable for their map nor their rationale for drawing the new districts. Missourians were simply cheated their right to participate in and understand the process in which they would be represented in the General Assembly.

“Changing the makeup of a legislative district can have a dramatic effect on how Missourians voice is represented in the Missouri Senate and House,” said Sen. Crowell. “Judges should not be able to hide from citizens when making such important decisions.”

To make matters worse, after the judicial panel’s first map was released to significant public criticism, the panel again met without anyone knowing and made substantial changes a week later to parts of the Senate districts.

Steelman on payroll tax cut: Get 'er done

If the people who are advising Sarah Steelman in her U. S. Senate campaign really think that using the phrase "Get 'er done," shows that she is up to date and current, she might need to find some new advisors.

Sarah Steelman is calling on U.S. Senators to pass the payroll tax cut extension before they leave for Christmas and the Holiday break. Last night, the House of Representatives passed the extension with bipartisan support. Today or tomorrow the vote goes to the Senate.

"Most people who I hear from are wondering the same thing I am: if both Republicans and Democrats in Congress agree on extending the payroll tax cut, why don't they pass it? Here's why - because Washington has become so dysfunctional and misguided that even when they all agree that this tax cut offers real relief to American families in the midst of a serious recession, they want to attach other legislation to it so both sides can blame each other for its failure to pass. We have to change the way Washington works. If I was in the U.S. Senate, I would fight for a clean up or down vote on extending this tax cut."

Harry Reid, upon hearing of the bill's passage in the House, has deemed it "dead on arrival," as has Senator McCaskill, and President Obama has threatened to veto.

"President Obama and Senators McCaskill and Reid's lack of leadership is hurting American families. End this partisanship and put Americans first." Steelman said.

"This payroll tax cut extension is good for our economy and good for Americans and yet they refuse to sacrifice their own interests and put those of Americans' first," Steelman said. "The Senate has a perfect opportunity to put a bill in front of the President that will help families make ends meet by allowing them to keep more of their own dollars. It is inexcusable for Congress to leave Washington before the Christmas and Holiday break without extending the payroll tax cut."

Steelman summarized her message in three simple words with which Missourians are very familiar. "There's a saying out here in Missouri for this type of situation. 'Get 'er done.' It's that simple."

Billy Long: Do-nothing Democrats blocking Republican job creation plans

Seventh District Congressman Billy Long says the Democrats are blocking GOP job creation efforts. I can't remember hearing anything about any such efforts. Can someone refresh my memory?

Today (Tuesday) Congressman Billy Long voted to create jobs, protect Social Security, and protect workers from a crippling tax increase by voting for H.R. 3630 the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011. The bill protects workers from a tax increase in January but unlike the Senate Democrats bill, refuses to raid the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for it.

“Unlike the Senate Democrats plan, which called for massive tax hikes, this bill's spending is offset with cuts to wasteful spending elsewhere in the budget,” said Long. “It protects our economy by protecting workers, cutting taxes, and cutting spending. Once again, the House has done its job, now it is time for the Senate to do theirs.”

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 protects the Social Security trust fund by instead paying for the payroll tax withholding by freezing pay for government workers, including members of Congress, reforming programs that are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse, and reduces subsidies for the wealthy. The plan will also reform and fully pay for the Unemployment Insurance program.

Because jobs are a top priority for Congressman Long and House Republicans, this legislation also includes measures that will directly support private sector job creation, including the Keystone XL energy pipeline and blocking the Environmental Protection Agency’s job destroying boiler MACT regulation.

“Time and time again, President Obama and the Do-Nothing Senate Democrats have blocked Republican efforts for job creation,” said Long. “It is time for them to stop playing politics with our economy and support common-sense bills to help get people back to work by getting government out of the way. Americans can’t wait until the next election for the Senate and the President to act.”