Daily Record: Frelinghuysen: Repeal is no “stunt”
January 21, 2011
January 21, 2011
Frelinghuysen: Repeal is no “stunt’
By RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN
Since the beginning of the debate over the future of America’s health care system, Daily Record editorial page editor Fred Snowflack has always supported efforts by President Obama and the last Congress to have Washington take control of America’s health care, at the expense of a system that I believe is patient-centered and provides health care choices, not government-imposed mandates.
Now Snowflack is calling last week’s House vote on repealing Obamacare “a political stunt” and wonders “why should the House even bother?”
I will tell you why the repeal effort, only just beginning, is important.
With the national debt approaching $14 trillion, the November elections sent a strong message that the American people want Congress to live within its means and cut spending. Passage of the 3,000-page Obamacare bill last year was a perfect example of Washington’s out-of-control attitude toward “the people’s money.” Obamacare’s backers claim that the new health law would actually reduce the federal deficit. However, everyone recognizes that you can’t provide coverage for another 34 million Americans, maintain the quality of their care and save the government money!
No, the deficit reduction claim is based on flawed economic assumptions, double-counting and other dubious budgetary gimmickry. For example, only in Washington can you count 10 years of anticipated revenues to offset six years of new spending.
Here’s a simple fact: if Obamacare is fully implemented it will not cut the deficit. The law will actually add at least $700 billion to the deficit in its first 10 years. But while the impact on our public debt is important, so too is the profound effect the Obamacare law is already having on my constituents’ right to make their personal healthcare choices for themselves and their families.
The new law has given the Washington bureaucracy extraordinary power to control the health care decisions of all Americans:
Forcing us to buy health insurance that Washington politicians deem to be acceptable.
Potentially fining us for refusing to do so, which I believe to be a violation of our
Constitution.
Determining our choice of doctors, hospitals and homecare.
Deciding which medicines we can take and which medical procedures will be available to our families.
This law is creating more than 150 new boards, bureaus, committees, commissions, offices, pilot programs, working groups and agencies which will issue tens of thousands of pages of onerous regulations that will change health care forever — and not for the better.
It is important to remember that over 90-percent of all Americans have health coverage for themselves and their families. Why did the last Congress insist on a virtual government takeover to benefit the other 10-percent?
That’s why I support repeal, coupled with major changes that assist those who do not have coverage without harming the care of hundreds of millions of Americans who do.
I know from recent interactions that New Jersey doctors are changing their practices because this law discourages their ability to work as a single practitioner or in a group practice and are signing up to be salaried hospital employees. Many doctors are contemplating retirement in the face of more paperwork, more red-tape and more risks to their license to practice.
The new law also does nothing to solve, or even diminish, the wave of junk medical lawsuits that force doctors, medical professionals and hospitals to practice defensive medicine. Also missing from the law is any effort to promote medical education in America. Where will we get the next generation of young doctors and nurses? You cannot insure 34 million people and simultaneously cut medical education.
At the same time, under the new law, doctors and hospitals will face reduced Medicare reimbursements, more onerous Medicare rules and regulations and even less incentive to treat senior citizens.
In addition, current Medicaid enrollees are already having trouble finding doctors who will see them because of low reimbursement rates. This new law proposes to add another 18-million patients and make the situation worse.
Our hospitals are reeling. Passage of the new health law has accelerated the layoff of hundreds of employees in hospitals in my congressional district. When $500 billion in Medicare cuts take hold, how are these institutions going to maintain their current quality of care?
That’s why the Senate should join the House and take the first steps towards replacing this deeply flawed law, piece by piece, with reforms that will bring down costs and expand health care accessibility.
A “political stunt?”
Tell that to the small businessmen and women who are being crushed by the new law’s heavy-handed 1099 IRS reporting requirements and penalties. Tell that to families who will be buried under $529 billion in new tax hikes. Tell that to anyone concerned about protecting the rights of those who have healthcare today and will need it tomorrow.
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, represents the 11th District in the House of Representatives.
The Item of Milburn-Short Hills Endorses Frelinghuysen
October 29, 2010
The following comes from an article listing the papers endorsements in all races. To see the full article click here please
“And as for Congressional candidates, we confess we are at sea in this climate of tea parties and other zaniness where the angriest candidates garner the most attention. We do feel that in the event of a upheaval in congress with new members of every stripe, it may be a good thing to have established representatives who sit on committees of importance representing us, so we endorse Rodney Frelinghysen of the 11th District and Donald Payne of the 10th District.”
WRNJ Debate from 10/29/10
Below please find a link to the audio from today’s debate on WRNJ Radio.
http://www.wrnjradio.com/Audio/11TH%20CONG%20DIST%20FORUM.mp3
Courier News Endorses Frelinghuysen
Originally Published on October 28, 2010
U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen hasn’t much to worry about in his quest to be re-elected to a ninth term in the 11th District.
His constituency leans strongly Republican. He’s a “career politician” at a time when such longevity can earn incumbents more than a few demerits, but he also espouses much of the fiscal conservatism that resonates with many of the career-politician haters. And even in today’s climate, entrenched incumbents still are hard to beat.
His Democratic opponent, Chatham attorney Douglas Herbert, says Frelinghuysen’s past claims of moderation don’t apply anymore, that the congressman simply has stepped right in line behind the GOP mainsteam.
There may be some truth to that in looking at the recent voting record. But that also may be more a reflection of these hyperpartisan times and the massive, complex issues that Congress has been asked to address than any change in Frelinghuysen’s thinking. Frelinghuysen still exhibits a sharp grasp of a broad range of concerns and a healthy streak of independence.
There’s something else in his favor too, something that can benefit not only his district but the entire state. Frelinghuysen is poised to become not only the most powerful member of the state’s congressional delegation, but one of the most influential in the entire House. Frelinghuysen is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and stands to become chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water and the No. 2 Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense should the GOP gain control of the House, which many are anticipating.
Herbert is a competent challenger, a Democrat who appreciates the value of administration initiatives on health care and education while also focusing on specific tactics to assist small businesses and encourage job creation through tax credits and other measures.
But Frelinghuysen is our pick.
Daily Record Endorses Frelinghuysen
Originally Published on October 29, 2010.
Opportunity beckons for Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen.
Running in a Republican district in what is shaping up as a good Republican year, Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, is poised to win his ninth term Tuesday and advance a few notches up the seniority ladder. We refrained from endorsing Frelinghuysen in the last two elections — the 2010 primary and the 2008 general — but this time, we urge voters to support him over Democrat Doug Herbert of Chatham.
Our support comes with a challenge. We urge Frelinghuysen to use his seniority to exhibit leadership on key issues for the benefit of the 11th District and New Jersey.
In some areas, he has done so. Frelinghuysen has secured millions of dollars for New Jersey businesses and for such institutions as Picatinny Arsenal, which is critical to the region’s economic well-being. The congressman, a Vietnam War veteran, is a strong supporter of the military and a frequent visitor to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also has helps find money to clean up Superfund sites throughout the district, which includes all of Morris County, and small parts of Essex, Passaic, Somerset and Sussex counties.
On the other hand, Frelinghuysen has allowed the political concerns of the House Republican leadership to sometimes supersede what’s best for his district.
At a time when New Jersey school districts are raising property taxes because of decreased state aid and $400 million in lost federal money because of a botched grant application, Frelinghuyen opposed a $268 million federal grant to state
school districts, a measure supported by the Christie Administration. With unemployment more than 9 percent, the congressman voted against extending unemployment benefits for the long-time unemployed. There are many strugling families in Morris County. And while the congressman’s troop visits are laudatory, he has never questioned why we disingenuously invaded Iraq in the first place.
Frelinghuysen went to Washington in 1995 as a Republican moderate, as a man who would buck his party if it benefitted New Jersey. That’s the type of representative we challenge him to become once again.
Herbert, who is also a military veteran, criticizes the congressman on some of the issues we have raised here. On the campaign trail, Herbert is quick to label Frelinghuysen as a right-wing “extremist,” — something he repeated over and
over at a Wednesday night forum in Dover. That label in itself, however, doesn’t really convey anything.
We respect Herbert for working hard and mounting a serious campaign. It is never easy for a Democrat in Morris County. Frelinghuysen’s campaign fund exceeds $900,000; Herbert has less than $100,000. But the Democrat does not offer evidence that he would be a more effective voice than Frelinghuysen in Washington.
Voters should give Frelinghuysen another two years, but they should demand not only independence, but leadership on such issues as immigration reform, economic revitalization and extracting our troops from the war zone. It’s time for Frelinghuysen and other senior Republicans to show they have ideas on how to solve the nation’s problems. Simply being against the “Obama-Pelosi Agenda,” as Frelinghuysen says he is in an campaign advertisement is not enough — especially if Republicans win control of the House of Representatives.
Roxbury Register Endorses Frelinghuysen
October 25, 2010
“Vote for Frelinghuysen”
Originally Published Friday, October 22, 2010 12:00am
New Jersey ranks 50th in the nation in the federal aid it receives compared to the tax dollars it sends back to Washington.
One reason is the state’s wealth but another is the lack of seniority and clout in its U.S. Senate and House delegations.
One of the lone exceptions is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, one of the last New Jerseyans to serve as a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee chair, known as a “cardinal,” the last time the House of Representatives was controlled by the Republicans.
Most political experts expect the GOP to take back control of the House in the Nov. 2 election, which would put Frelinghuysen back in a key role to influence federal appropriations policy and priorities.
We don’t always agree with Frelinghuysen’s votes that are in reliable lockstep with the GOP but we like having him in a seat at the table where decisions are made especially in a Republican caucus that will be under increasing pressure from Tea Party activists.
Frelinghuysen’s commitment to open space preservation not only locally in the Great Swamp but on a broader basis such as when he won federal funding for the preservation of Sterling Forest on the New Jersey and New York border is valuable in a Republican caucus where such a prospective is relatively rare.
If the GOP does win control of the House, we also hope that Frelinghuysen will work closely with New Jersey’s Democratic U.S. Senators on projects to increase the mass transit funding that is so critical to the future of the suburban counties he represents.
Locally we also hope he will stay focused on the Passaic River seawall project designed to prevent the chronic flooding in Long Hill Township which has cost its businesses and taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.
We appreciate Democratic candidate Douglas Herbert’s active campaign and especially his appreciation of the need to adopt policies to boost small business, which creates most new jobs.
However, it is in the interest of voters not only in the 11th District but throughout New Jersey that we return Rodney Frelinghuysen to office.
Vote for Frelinghuysen on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Mount Olive Chronicle Endorses Frelinghuysen
“Vote for Frelinghuysen”
Originally Published Friday, October 22, 2010 12:00am
New Jersey ranks 50th in the nation in the federal aid it receives compared to the tax dollars it sends back to Washington.
One reason is the state’s wealth but another is the lack of seniority and clout in its U.S. Senate and House delegations.
One of the lone exceptions is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, one of the last New Jerseyans to serve as a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee chair, known as a “cardinal,” the last time the House of Representatives was controlled by the Republicans.
Most political experts expect the GOP to take back control of the House in the Nov. 2 election, which would put Frelinghuysen back in a key role to influence federal appropriations policy and priorities.
We don’t always agree with Frelinghuysen’s votes that are in reliable lockstep with the GOP but we like having him in a seat at the table where decisions are made especially in a Republican caucus that will be under increasing pressure from Tea Party activists.
Frelinghuysen’s commitment to open space preservation not only locally in the Great Swamp but on a broader basis such as when he won federal funding for the preservation of Sterling Forest on the New Jersey and New York border is valuable in a Republican caucus where such a prospective is relatively rare.
If the GOP does win control of the House, we also hope that Frelinghuysen will work closely with New Jersey’s Democratic U.S. Senators on projects to increase the mass transit funding that is so critical to the future of the suburban counties he represents. Locally we also hope he will stay focused on the Passaic River seawall project designed to prevent the chronic flooding in Long Hill Township which has cost its businesses and taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars. We appreciate Democratic candidate Douglas Herbert’s active campaign and especially his appreciation of the need to adopt policies to boost small business, which creates most new jobs. However, it is in the interest of voters not only in the 11th District but throughout New Jersey that we return Rodney Frelinghuysen to office.
Vote for Frelinghuysen.
Bernardsville News Endorses Frelinghuysen
“Vote for Frelinghuysen”
Originally Published Friday, October 22, 2010, 3:30am
New Jersey ranks 50th in the nation in the federal aid it receives compared to the tax dollars it sends back to Washington.
One reason is the state’s wealth but another is the lack of seniority and clout in its U.S. Senate and House delegations.
One of the lone exceptions is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, one of the last New Jerseyans to serve as a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee chair, known as a “cardinal,” the last time the House of Representatives was controlled by the Republicans.
Most political experts expect the GOP to take back control of the House in the Nov. 2 election, which would put Frelinghuysen back in a key role to influence federal appropriations policy and priorities. We don’t always agree with Frelinghuysen’s votes that are in reliable lockstep with the GOP but we like having him in a seat at the table where decisions are made especially in a Republican caucus that will be under increasing pressure from Tea Party activists.
Frelinghuysen’s commitment to open space preservation not only locally in the Great Swamp but on a broader basis such as when he won federal funding for the preservation of Sterling Forest on the New Jersey and New York border is valuable in a Republican caucus where such a prospective is relatively rare.
If the GOP does win control of the House, we also hope that Frelinghuysen will work closely with New Jersey’s Democratic U.S. Senators on projects to increase the mass transit funding that is so critical to the future of the suburban counties he represents.
Locally we also hope he will stay focused on the Passaic River seawall project designed to prevent the chronic flooding in Long Hill Township which has cost its businesses and taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.
We appreciate Democratic candidate Douglas Herbert’s active campaign and especially his appreciation of the need to adopt policies to boost small business, which creates most new jobs.
However, it is in the interest of voters not only in the 11th District but throughout New Jersey that we return Rodney Frelinghuysen to office.
Vote for Frelinghuysen.
Hanover Eagle Endorses Frelinghuysen
“Vote for Rodney Frelinghuysen”
Originally Published Friday, October 22, 2010 12:00am
New Jersey ranks 50th in the nation in the federal aid it receives compared to the tax dollars it sends back to Washington.
One reason is the state’s wealth but another is the lack of seniority and clout in its U.S. Senate and House delegations.
One of the lone exceptions is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, one of the last New Jerseyans to serve as a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee chair, known as a “cardinal,” the last time the House of Representatives was controlled by the Republicans.
Most political experts expect the GOP to take back control of the House in the Nov. 2 election, which would put Frelinghuysen back in a key role to influence federal appropriations policy and priorities.
We don’t always agree with Frelinghuysen’s votes that are in reliable lockstep with the GOP but we like having him in a seat at the table where decisions are made especially in a Republican caucus that will be under increasing pressure from Tea Party activists.
Frelinghuysen’s commitment to open space preservation not only locally in the Great Swamp but on a broader basis such as when he won federal funding for the preservation of Sterling Forest on the New Jersey and New York border is valuable in a Republican caucus where such a prospective is relatively rare.
If the GOP does win control of the House, we also hope that Frelinghuysen will work closely with New Jersey’s Democratic U.S. Senators on projects to increase the mass transit funding that is so critical to the future of the suburban counties he represents.
Locally we also hope he will stay focused on the Passaic River seawall project designed to prevent the chronic flooding in Long Hill Township which has cost its businesses and taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.
We appreciate Democratic candidate Douglas Herbert’s active campaign and especially his appreciation of the need to adopt policies to boost small business, which creates most new jobs.
However, it is in the interest of voters not only in the 11th District but throughout New Jersey that we return Rodney Frelinghuysen to office.
Vote for Frelinghuysen.
The Citizen of Morris County Endorses Frelinghuysen
“Vote for Rodney Frelinghuysen”
Originally Published on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 11:53pm
New Jersey ranks 50th in the nation in the federal aid it receives compared to the tax dollars it sends back to Washington.
One reason is the state’s wealth but another is the lack of seniority and clout in its U.S. Senate and House delegations.
One of the lone exceptions is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, one of the last New Jerseyans to serve as a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee chair, known as a “cardinal,” the last time the House of Representatives was controlled by the Republicans.
Most political experts expect the GOP to take back control of the House in the Nov. 2 election, which would put Frelinghuysen back in a key role to influence federal appropriations policy and priorities.
We don’t always agree with Frelinghuysen’s votes that are in reliable lockstep with the GOP but we like having him in a seat at the table where decisions are made especially in a Republican caucus that will be under increasing pressure from Tea Party activists. Frelinghuysen’s commitment to open space preservation not only locally in the Great Swamp but on a broader basis such as when he won federal funding for the preservation of Sterling Forest on the New Jersey and New York border is valuable in a Republican caucus where such a prospective is relatively rare.
If the GOP does win control of the House, we also hope that Frelinghuysen will work closely with New Jersey’s Democratic U.S. Senators on projects to increase the mass transit funding that is so critical to the future of the suburban counties he represents.
Locally we also hope he will stay focused on the Passaic River seawall project designed to prevent the chronic flooding in Long Hill Township which has cost its businesses and taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.
We appreciate Democratic candidate Douglas Herbert’s active campaign and especially his appreciation of the need to adopt policies to boost small business, which creates most new jobs.
However, it is in the interest of voters not only in the 11th District but throughout New Jersey that we return Rodney Frelinghuysen to office.
Vote for Frelinghuysen.