August 2008

In March, Rep. Sam Johnson (TX-3) endorsed Senator John McCain for President.  Rep. Johnson was a POW in Vietnam for nearly seven years.  This is truly a powerful video.

Congressman Davis “received a warm welcome in Grayson Tuesday morning as he presented the city with more than $138,000 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.”  Davis stated that “these grants will help make our communities safer” and that it is important federal funding that “helps fire departments obtain essential equipment, vehicles and protective gear.”  To read the entire Ashland Daily Independent story about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant received by Grayson click here.

Congressman Davis visited St. Elizabeth Medical Center to attend the kickoff event for the new e-Prescribing initiative implemented by HealthBridge.  KyPost.com called HealthBridge “one of the nation’s most innovative and successful electronic health information networks.”  To read the entire KYPost.com story click here.

Congressman Geoff Davis, along with Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY), was able to secure $1.4 million for coal-to-liquids research at the University of Kentucky.  According to the Lexington Herald- Leader, this grant will help advance the development of a synthetic fuels industry in the state.  In a news conference, Congressman Davis stated that the United States needs to enact a “comprehensive energy strategy that will explore our domestic resources, develop alternative fuels and invest heavily in future fuel technology.”  This grant will fund construction of a mini-refinery that will help with a series of chemical reactions that “create synthetic oil and fuel from coal, natural gas or animal and plant matter.”

Jon Birger of CNNMoney.com has an article discussing how Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and the Democrats are distorting the oil drilling debate.  Birger claims that Democrats are not thinking about the long term energy independence of America.  The Democrats are using a “bizarre new litmus test: instant gratification” to argue against securing our energy future by exploring off shore and ending the moratorium on oil shale production in the West.  To read more about the Democrat “fuzzy logic” click here.

For the third year in a row, the average Medicare premium will be lower than expected.  Medicare beneficiaries will pay on average “$28 per month for their Part D prescription drug plans next year, according to an announcement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).”  “The lower-than-projected premiums stand as further evidence that Medicare Part D, enacted by the Republican-controlled Congress in 2003 after a bitterly partisan fight with Democrats, has been a success.”  In 2003 when President Bush signed the program into law, the projected cost of premiums in 2009 was $44.

Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) delivered the House Republicans’ weekly radio address this week.  In the address Rep. Capito called out the Democrats for “ducking” their obligations and going on vacation instead of “creat[ing] an energy policy.“   The Republicans are focusing on an “all-of-the-above energy policy.”   The Democrats are letting liberal groups like the Sierra Club, who favor high gas prices, write our energy policy.  To read more about the Republicans’ refusal to leave the Capitol until Congress is called back into session, click on the Associated Press article here. 

In an attempt to show Speaker Nancy Pelosi how high gas prices are effecting people in Kentucky’s 4^th District, Congressman Davis has asked for people to send him their gas receipts and a short story explaining how gas prices are effecting their lives. 

Congressman Davis stated, “I am deeply disappointed that the Democratic-led Congress has chosen to leave Washington for five weeks, without addressing the energy crisis, while families throughout the Commonwealth are struggling to make ends meet.  Now more than ever, we need to band together and create a viable solution to this energy crisis that is causing so much harm to schools, businesses and families in Kentucky and across the nation. “

Congressman Davis will deliver all the receipts and stories to Nancy Pelosi’s office.  Please send all receipts and stories to Congressman Geoff Davis, 277 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017. 

Kentucky’s 4^th Congressional District has been the recipient of over a half million dollars in various grants this week.  Congressman Geoff Davis stated that these funds will help “provide enhanced safety for our law enforcement officers and citizens” and will “educate our youth about the dangers of drug abuse” these grants will “help improve the quality of life in Kentucky.”  To read more about the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants and the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Free Communities Program click here and here.

The Democrats in the House voted to go on a five week vacation.  They voted to leave Washington without voting on bipartisan energy legislation that would help lower the price of gasoline.  House Republicans stood together and voted against adjournment because of the dire need for comprehensive energy legislation.  The House Democrats left and literally turned out the lights on the Republicans, sending Capitol Hill Policemen into the House Chamber to escort people out.  Several House Republicans held demonstrations in the House calling for an up or down vote on an energy plan.  Their effort is growing, and we need your help.  Please take the time to sign the petition that demands Nancy Pelosi call the House of Representatives back into session.  To sign the “Call Congress Back, Madam Speaker!” petition please click here

House Democrats embarked on a five week vacation today.   As they left the House Chamber they turned off the lights and the microphones.  This did not stop House Republicans.

The House Republicans have asked the Democrats to work for the next few days and vote on bipartisan legislation that would help lower the price of gas.  The Democrats decided they would rather go on vacation.  Republicans stayed in the House Chamber today discussing and debating the energy crisis.  House Democrats were furious with one aide calling House Republicans “morons” and kicked reporters out of an interview area.  Reporters retreated to the House balcony where they listened and talked to Republican House members.  The Democrats sent the Capitol Police to the balcony to remove the press. 

The House Democrats have now turned out the lights, turned off the microphones and called the cops on the Republicans for discussing ways to solve high gas prices. 

As a nation, the current energy crisis requires a strategic plan for energy security.  We must work on new solutions to our energy needs that promote increased efficiency and conservation.  However, as a representative of the people I have a responsibility to work on solutions that will address both the short and the long-term needs of my constituents.  The current price of gas is wreaking havoc on families, businesses and governments alike.  This problem is principally a result of demand exceeding supply.  Therefore the only near-term solution available is to increase the available supply of energy by using America’s resources.