Paul Broun RSS Articles

Broun Applauds Passage of Keystone Pipeline Bill

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10), an original cosponsor of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the legislation by 241 to 175 votes.

Broun said, “The debate about the Keystone Pipeline has gone on for way too long – let’s get this bill signed into law, let’s break ground, and let’s put thousands of Americans back to work. The Senate and the Obama Administration must do their part in helping House Republicans secure an energy-independent future by acting immediately on this critical piece of legislation.”

Broun on Obamacare Repeal: It’s May, and It’s About Time

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10), a cosponsor of H.R. 45, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s legislation to repeal Obamacare, today released the following statement after the House passed the bill 229 to 195 votes:

“Today marks the third time that the Republican-led House has voted to fully repeal Obamacare since it was passed in 2010,” said Rep. Broun. “While I applaud action finally being taken for the first time in the 113^th Congress, this should have been our number one priority on the first day of the new session. The 113^th Congress began in January. It’s May – and it’s about time

“Every day premiums are going up. Every day a new part of this deplorable healthcare law goes into effect. Every day patients are finding that they can no longer afford their healthcare plans due to this law’s onerous new regulations. So I ask my colleagues, why are we not acting – every day – to protect Americans from this attack on their freedom?

“We’re starting to see the wheels truly fall off of Obamacare. We now know that it will cost double what the President originally promised, that you can’t keep your plan if you like it, and that CMS can’t scrape up the money to implement state-based exchanges. Even some of the original authors of Obamacare, like Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, have admitted that this bill is ‘a huge train wreck.’

“We must continue to keep up the pressure on the Senate, the Administration, and the President to rip this healthcare nightmare out by the roots, and start over with healthcare reform that makes sense. We need to pass my Patient OPTION Act, which I am currently re-drafting, as a way to make healthcare cheaper for everyone, provide coverage for all Americans, and save Medicare from going broke.”

Broun to Host Grants & Small Business Expo in Walton County

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) will host a Grants and Small Business Expo at the Walton County Courthouse (lower level) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21^st. This event will provide individuals who are seeking grant funding and business loans the opportunity to talk with government representatives about the application process and their programs.

“My hope is that the benefits of this expo reach as many individuals and organizations as possible,” said Broun. “Whether you own a small business or are a representative for a nonprofit or municipality, you will have the chance to speak with state and federal representatives and gain valuable information on grant and loan procurement.”

Grants.gov will provide a webinar presentation. In addition, the following agencies will be in attendance to answer questions:

Appalachian Regional Commission
U.S. Department of Education
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Office of Small Business Development Centers
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Small Business Administration

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Georgia Department of Community Affairs Housing Finance Division
Georgia Student Finance Commission
Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center
The Foundation Center

The Grants and Small Business Expo will be held at the Walton County Courthouse on the lower level, located at 303 S. Hammond Drive in Monroe. This event is free and open to the public; registration is not required. For more information, constituents may contact Congressman Broun’s Grants Coordinator Beth Blalock at Beth.Blalock@mail.house.gov .

WHAT: 2013 Grants and Small Business Expo

WHO: 10^th District Residents Seeking Funding for Applicable Projects

WHEN: Tuesday, May 21st from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Walton County Courthouse (lower level)

303 S. Hammond Dr.

Monroe, GA 30655

Henry County Student to Represent 10th District in 2013 Congressional Art Competition

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On Saturday, April 27, 2013, U.S. Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) unveiled the winning entry for the 2013 Congressional Art Competition. During a district ceremony at Georgia Square Mall, Congressman Broun announced that Sierra Manesh, a student at Union Grove High School, won 1^st Place with her piece, entitled Mexican Blanket. Sierra received a gift card to a mall store, an invitation to attend a national reception, and two airline tickets to Washington, D.C. Her artwork will be on display for one year in the Cannon Tunnel that leads to the U.S. Capitol, and she is eligible to receive a collegiate art scholarship.

Congressman Broun with Sierra Manesh, pictured in front of the winning entries from the 10^th Congressional District.

Additionally, Congressman Broun announced that Hannah Middlebrook from Union Grove High School won 2^nd Place, Laura Foxworth from Union Grove High School won 3^rd Place, and Maleah Monn from Union Grove High School won Honorable Mention. Art graduate students from the University of Georgia judged the entries.

“I’m extremely proud of all the students who contributed to this year’s Congressional Art Competition, especially Sierra Manesh,” said Broun. “She is a talented young artist, and I am excited to have her artwork represent the 10^th District among the nation’s best in the U.S. Capitol.”

Seventy-three high school students from the 10^th Congressional District participated in the 2013 Congressional Art Competition. Click HERE to view photos from Saturday’s ceremony.

Broun Honors Tenth District Veteran

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On Monday, April 22, 2013, U.S. Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) presented Mr. Marion Snider with the following military medals: The Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Honorable Service Lapel Button for WWII and Marksman Badge w/ Rifle Bar. Mr. Snider misplaced his medals after returning from deployment and Dr. Broun and his caseworkers were able to replace them.

“It was a tremendous honor to present these medals to Mr. Snider, and my staff and I were very glad to assist with replacing them,” said Congressman Broun. “It was the least we could do for such a decorated war hero. Mr. Snider truly exemplifies the principles of sacrifice, duty, and humility that so many of our soldiers serve our country with today.”

Broun: Need to Repeal Obamacare, Not Fix It

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) today released the following statement after announcing he will vote against H.R. 1549, a bill to transfer approximately $4 billion in funds from one portion of Obamacare to another in an effort to move thousands of additional people with pre-existing conditions onto federal healthcare rolls, despite the existence of similar programs in 35 states.

Broun said, “I am disappointed that the first vote the 113^th Congress took regarding healthcare did not call for the full repeal of Obamacare. This bill simply shifts dollars from one pot to another within Obamacare, which is not only wasteful and duplicative of state efforts, but also shows that the President’s healthcare law is not working. The writing is on the wall – Obamacare is too expensive for the federal government to follow through on all of the Administration’s promises to the American people. Funding has fallen short for providing coverage to the uninsured while the costs of healthcare for all Americans have skyrocketed.

“We don’t need to fix Obamacare, we need to repeal it. Then we can start from scratch with a bill such as my Patient OPTION Act. Under my proposal, we would be able to provide coverage to all Americans, including those with pre-existing conditions, through private sector initiatives such as allowing for unlimited contributions to health savings accounts, full deductibility of healthcare expenses, flexible association healthcare pools, and the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines. I urge my colleagues to join me in calling for real healthcare reform and a full repeal of Obamacare.”

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Broun Applauds Movement of Keystone Pipeline Bill

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10), an original cosponsor of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, today released the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance the legislation.

Broun said, “As an original cosponsor of this bill, I am encouraged by the big step forward that the Energy and Commerce Committee made today after they voted to give H.R. 3 the green light. This legislation would allow us to immediately start building the much-needed and long-awaited Keystone Pipeline – creating thousands of new jobs and moving our country closer to energy independence.

“I urge our leadership to bring H.R. 3 to the House floor for a vote as soon as possible, so that we can get construction underway and put Americans back to work.”

Congressman Broun was one of the original cosponsors to H.R. 3, which was introduced by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) on March 15, 2013.

Broun-Stockman Letter Urges Speaker to Reject Gun Control Measures

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today the offices of Congressmen Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) and Steve Stockman (TX-36) released the following statement after sending a letter to Speaker Boehner expressing strong opposition to all universal background checks. The letter was cosigned by 45 additional Republican Members of the House of Representatives.

“The Second Amendment is the stronghold of our Constitutionally-protected freedoms,” said Reps. Broun and Stockman. “As constitutional conservative Members of Congress, we have taken an oath to defend those rights from all infringements. However, the push for universal background checks takes the right to bear arms, which should be protected by the government, and transforms it into a privilege granted by the government. This is both unlawful and unacceptable.

“While our hearts go out to the victims of all violent gun crimes, we must not let the emotions of such tragedies dictate policy that will only affect law-abiding citizens. Therefore, we urge Speaker Boehner and our Republican leadership to soundly and publicly reject all efforts to breach our Second Amendment protected rights – starting first by standing up to universal background checks.”

Universal background check legislation is also opposed by the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, the National Association for Gun Rights, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and other national and state level pro-Second Amendment organizations.

The full text of the letter to Speaker Boehner is attached.

Broun-Stockman Letter

Broun Delivers Weekly Radio Address

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Delivering his weekly radio address, U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) today discussed tax day and recapped his recent district events. Click here to download audio of the following address:

“As April 15th approaches, one thing is on everyone’s mind – taxes. Last week, my office and UGA’s VITA program held a tax prep workshop in Athens. I thank Georgia United Credit Union and VITA for joining us on Friday, and commend them for their great effort in serving the Athens community and helping them with their taxes.

“Earlier last week, I had the opportunity to host a Veterans Forum at Georgia Military College. This event was chance for Veterans of District 10 to sit down with a representative from the VA to discuss the status of their claims. I am grateful to have been able to hear directly from local veterans, and am happy to help address the issues and concerns of those who so proudly serve this nation.

“Last week, I also got to meet and answer questions with some of the folks in Barrow County at our Town Hall meeting. I was glad to get their thoughts on subjects like healthcare and gun control, and hear from them about how I can best serve my constituents while in Washington.

“If you would like to be alerted to future events, sign up for updates through my website at broun.house.gov. I also encourage you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay in the loop about upcoming events. This is your U.S Congressman Doctor Paul Broun. I am here to serve you, please let me know how I can.”

Broun to Obama: ‘Is this budget some kind of joke?’

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. today sent out the following statement after President Obama released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2014:

“I have one question for the President about his budget: ‘Is this some kind of a joke?’ It’s unbelievable that whenever the President puts forth any sort of proposal, his mentality is simply to recycle ideas that have already been soundly rejected by the American people. Even worse than containing absolutely no new substance, his budget never balances – ever.

“What it does do, however, is levy $1.1 trillion in new taxes on the backs of every single person in this country. This comes as no surprise, as raising taxes has become the President’s answer for every dilemma we face as a nation. This new massive tax hike would be in addition to $1 trillion in Obamacare taxes and more than $600 billion in increased taxes passed as part of the ‘fisal cliff deal’ in January. As if the American people aren’t taxed enough right now.

“Moreover, it wouldn’t be an Obama budget without plans for vast amounts of new spending - $964 billion above current projected growth to be exact. The President proposes new spending on projects that already failed to create jobs or revenue under Stimulus Part I and Part II. This includes $50 billion on infrastructure, $40 billion for a high-speed rail, and billions more to bail out state and local governments.

“And as usual, the President’s budget leaves our most vulnerable – seniors and the unemployed – high and dry. His plan doesn’t make any significant policy reforms to save programs for our elderly. It doesn’t make any mention of building the Keystone Pipleline to create jobs. And it doesn’t repeal the medical device tax to provide assistance to millions of doctors and patients nationwide.

“Last year, not a single Member of the House or Senate supported the President’s budget. It is my hope that my colleagues and the American people send the same message to him again this year; that his policies don’t work and we’re ready for some fresh ideas.”