Take Back 19

Proof Positive: John Hall's Stimulus Still a Failure as Unemployment Skyrockets to 10.2 Percent

2009-11-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

Will Democrats Forge Ahead with Government Takeover Agenda Even at the Expense of the Economy?

Washington- With unemployment at 10.2% for the first time since 1983, it’s painstakingly clear that Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s anti-jobs crusade – backed by big-spending Democrat John Hall – is driving the economy into the ground. Unfortunately for Americans, there’s no sign that Democrats are ready to put a stop to their agenda of job-killing takeovers and government growth. After wasting $1 trillion of taxpayer money, Hall's stimulus has failed to produce the results that Washington Democrats promised. While the economy suffers and taxpayers feel the pinch, Pelosi and her Democrat comrades will attempt to ram yet another piece of their tax-hiking, job-killing agenda through congress tomorrow in the form of a massive government healthcare takeover. During these difficult times, it’s clear that the Democrats’ crusade for bigger government and higher taxes is standing in the way of economic recovery.

Thanks to his eagerness to spend billions of taxpayer dollars towards frivolous expenditures and stimulating the growth of the federal government, New York taxpayers will look to hold John Hall accountable for his role in this jobless recovery.

“The unemployment rate has surpassed 10 percent for the first time since 1983. Nearly 16 million people can't find jobs and employers cut a net total of 190,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department says.” (Jim Abrams, “Jobless Rate Tops 10 Pct. For First Time Since '83,” Associated Press, 11/06/09)

Democrats promised that 90 percent of stimulus jobs would come from the private sector. Instead, their government spending spree has given small businesses less than one percent of the stimulus funds, once again ignoring the engine of economic recovery.

“Although President Obama initially said that 90 percent of the jobs created by the stimulus program would be in the private sector, the data suggests that well over half of the jobs claimed so far have been in the public sector.” (Michael Cooper and Ron Nixon, “Reports Show Conflicting Number of Jobs Attributed to Stimulus Money,” The New York Times, 11/5/09)

"American small businesses need more than speeches from President Obama. Every day he`s been in office, government small business contracts have been diverted to Fortune 500 firms. He`s given small businesses less than one percent of the stimulus funds. That`s the real Obama plan for small business,’ ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said.’” (“Obama's First Year Short Changes Small Businesses, According to the American Small Business League,” Reuters, 11/05/09)

“Each and every lost job lost serves as a reminder to New York families that John Hall's support for Nancy Pelosi’s anti-job agenda has led this nation down the road to a jobless recovery,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “After imposing a National Energy Tax, $1 trillion failed stimulus, and attempting to shove a tax-hiking healthcare takeover through Congress, it’s clear that Democrats are eager to push ahead with their reckless agenda no matter what the cost to the country’s struggling economy. With Hall and his Democrat colleagues claiming that the failed 'stimulus' bill has saved or created a million jobs, today's report confirms what we have suspected for some time: Washington Democrats are living in a fantasy world.”

Time for Hall to Take a Stance: Pelosi Unveils Trillion-Dollar Healthcare Bill

2009-10-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

Where Does John Hall Stand on Healthcare Takeover’s Higher Costs, Increased Taxes, and Cuts to Medicare?

Washington- After months of horse trading and party infighting, Democrats have finally introduced their government healthcare takeover bill. Now that they’ve gotten around to putting something on the table, it’s time for John Hall to make his position on this final product known: Will he stand up against higher taxes, fewer jobs and sweeping cuts to Medicare? Or will Hall side with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of his friends in Washington to support his party’s reckless march toward government-run healthcare?

Contrary to Democrat leaders’ claims that their bill for government-run healthcare is more palatable to the ‘moderate’ wing of the Democrat party, one senior liberal stated otherwise:

“But there were signs Tuesday that at least some prominent advocates of a left-leaning reform package were ready to deal in the interest of moving a bill. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), who has introduced a measure to create a single-payer universal health care system every Congress since he was elected, pressed a closed-door huddle of House Democrats on the urgency of swift action...‘I want single payer, but I’m smart enough to know what we have here is progress.’” (Tory Newmyer, “House Leaders Ready to Unveil Moderate-Favored Plan,” Roll Call, 10/28/09)

Without question, the Democrats’ bill reeks of government-run healthcare. Priced at a whopping $1 trillion, it forces companies to comply with stringent regulations and imposes drastic fines for noncompliance.

“The final product in the House, reflecting many of President Barack Obama's priorities, includes new requirements for employers to offer insurance to their workers or face penalties, fines on Americans who don't purchase coverage and subsidies to help lower-income people do so. Insurance companies would face new prohibitions against charging much more to older people or denying coverage to people with health conditions…The price tag, topping $1 trillion over 10 years…” (Erica Werner, “House Democrats to unveil health bill with government-run insurance, hefty sign-up requirement,” Associated Press, 10/27/2009)

“Now that the Democrats’ takeover of healthcare has been revealed, John Hall owes New Yorkers an answer: Will he side with them or his friends in Washington?” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “John Hall's support for a massive healthcare takeover would be nothing more than a spineless attempt to appease his party bosses and line his own campaign coffers while New York families are stuck with the price tag for a bill that raises taxes, kills jobs, and slashes Medicare. With the bill finally public, Hall can either take a stand for New York taxpayers or turn her back on them in an attempt to gain favor with his Washington party bosses.”

Hall's Failed Stimulus Sends Deficit to New All-Time High

2009-10-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

Federal Deficit Reaches $1.42 Trillion Thanks to Hall's Washington Spending Spree

Washington- John Hall's vote for his party’s trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ has failed to yield promised results as the nation’s economy continues to tumble, but it does appear that his Washington spending spree has finally helped produced something: the largest deficit in the country’s history. While Americans are still waiting to see any real recovery coming from Hall's reckless policies, they can pass the time by watching the hole in the federal budget grow larger and larger:

“The federal budget deficit has surged to an all-time high of $1.42 trillion as the recession caused tax revenues to plunge while the government was spending massive amounts to stabilize the financial system and jump-start the economy.”

“Government spending last year jumped to $3.52 trillion, up 18.2 percent over 2008, the biggest percentage increase since a 23.4 percent jump in 1975, another year in which the country was struggling with a painful recession. The $700 billion financial bailout fund and increased spending and tax relief from the $787 billion economic stimulus program that Obama pushed through Congress in February drove the 2009 increase.”

“Failure to curb runaway deficits could trigger a financial train wreck that would push interest rates and inflation higher, and send the dollar crashing if foreigners suddenly started dumping their holdings of Treasury securities.” (Martin Crutsinger, “Federal Deficit Hits All-Time High at $1.42 Trillion,” Associated Press, 10/17/09)

“At this point it’s clear that John Hall is buying into his party’s spending addiction at the expense of economic recovery and financial solvency for future generations,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “If Hall can’t figure out how to stop spending the country into further debt in the name of failed ‘recovery’ policies, New York voters will find someone who can.”

As the deficit continues to climb to new highs, the country has reached a turning point. It’s time for John Hall to either start cleaning up after his failed policies or cleaning out his desk in Washington.

John Hall's Stimulus Isn’t Stimulating New York’s Economy

2009-10-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

New York Spends $59,970,000 of Taxpayer Dollars to Produce an Unimpressive 656 Jobs

Washington- With 15.1 million people out of work and a national unemployment rate of 9.8%, it’s painfully obvious that John Hall and his fellow Democrat colleagues’ failed stimulus has fallen short of the promises they once made. New York state officials report that $59,970,000 has been spent over the course of eight months, only producing a meager 656 jobs, paling in comparison to the 188,000 jobs lost in the past year alone.

These staggering numbers only leave New York families to wonder: Where are the jobs that Democrats once promised?

President Obama promised to create or save 600,000 jobs by the end of the summer:

“He also repeated an earlier promise to create or save 600,000 jobs by the end of the summer. Neither the acceleration nor the jobs goal are new. Both represent a White House repackaging of promises and projects to blunt criticism that the effects haven't been worth the historic price tag. And the job estimate is so murky, it can never be verified.” (Brett Blackledge and Matt Apuzzo, “Obama's Stimulus Promise: More Than 600,000 Jobs,” The Associate Press, 6/08/2009)

However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment declined by 263,000 in September and job losses averaged 307,000 per month from May through September. Despite the numbers stacked against the stimulus, Democrats refuse to admit their failures:

“Vice President Joe Biden delivered a rousing review of the government’s economic stimulus plan in a conversation with the nation’s governors. ‘In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well,’ he said. ‘Thank you, thank you.’” (Elizabeth Williamson, “Biden on Stimulus: ‘Never Thought It Would Work This Well’,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/24/2009)

“After giving a free pass to spend an astronomical $59,970,000 of New York taxpayer money with little to show for it, John Hall's failed stimulus has led to nothing more than a jobless recovery,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Despite numerous promises from Congressional Democrats, there are still 15.1 million Americans out of work. After wasting taxpayer dollars to produce an unimpressive 656 jobs in New York, middle-class families are still asking one thing: Where are the jobs?”

John Hall and his Democrat colleagues’ failed promises have driven an already-struggling economy further into the ground, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Will he wake up? Or will New York voters have to force him to do so next November?

(Source: www.recovery.gov)

John Hall: Corruption? What Corruption?

2009-10-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hall Blocks Measure Asking Tax-Cheating Dem Chairman to Step Down

Washington- With corruption running rampant through the ranks of the Democrat party as unemployment and deficits continue to rise, John Hall looked the other way today when he sided with Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel, a powerful New York political boss who has a long history of playing fast and loose with the law. Despite Rangel’s well-documented penchant for cheating on his taxes, failing to disclose income, and breaking House rules, Hall sided with his corrupt colleague when he voted to block consideration of a resolution on the House floor requiring Rangel to step down from his powerful committee chairmanship until the House Ethics Committee completes its seemingly endless investigation into Rangel’s dirty deeds (House Roll Call 759).

The vote came as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continuously refuses to ask her crooked wingman to step down from his post:

“Why is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refusing a growing chorus of calls to drop the hammer on ethics-challenged Charlie Rangel?”

“Because, at the moment, doing nothing creates a lot less trouble for Pelosi than doing anything, current and former House aides tell POLITICO.”

“‘The speaker is totally behind him, and she told him that the last few times they have spoken,’ the person added.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath to Drop Hammer on Rangel,” Politico, 9/5/09)

"In this time of great economic uncertainty and mounting deficits, what kind of message are John Hall and his liberal party leadership sending when they openly endorse an individual who can't even manage his own personal finances?" said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Hall faced a clear choice today: stand with his friends in Washington or stand with the voters and taxpayers who have to shoulder the burden of his party’s corruption problem. Hall's decision to back his Washington political boss is a clear sign that it’s time for both him and Congressman Rangel to make way for someone who thinks that Washington politicians should be held to the same standards as the rest of us.”

For full text of the resolution, click here.

Background:

Rangel’s Ethics Issues Have Been Mounting for Months: “Representative Charles B. Rangel has earned more than $75,000 in rental income from a villa he has owned in the Dominican Republic since 1988, but never reported it on his federal or state tax returns, according to a lawyer for the congressman and documents from the resort. Mr. Rangel’s three-bedroom villa at the Punta Cana Resort and Club in the Dominican Republic. Mr. Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the federal tax code, bought the beachfront villa at the Punta Cana Yacht Club and has received twice-yearly payments from the resort, which rents the property for $500 or more per night.” (David Kocieniewski, “Rangel Failed to Report $75,000 in Income,” New York Times, 9/5/08)

“An oil-drilling company whose chief executive pledged $1 million last year to a school to be named for Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Harlem) reportedly benefited from a tax loophole he helped preserve.” (“Congressman Charles Rangel Linked to Tax Loophole for Oil Executive,” Associated Press, 11/25/08)

“Already embroiled in an ethics probe now entering its tenth month, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, received more bad news Wednesday night as the House ethics committee announced it would look into Caribbean trips taken by the veteran lawmaker and four other Democrats.” (Josh Bresnahan, “Ten Months In, New Twist in Rangel Ethics Inquiry,” Politico, 6/25/09)

“House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel , already beset by a series of ethics investigations, has disclosed hundreds of thousands of dollars in previously unreported assets. Among the new items on Rangel’s amended 2007 financial disclosure report were an account at the Congressional Federal Credit Union worth at least $250,000, land in southern New Jersey and stock in PepsiCo and fast food conglomerate Yum! Brands. None of those investments appeared on the original report, which was filled out by hand and filed in May 2008.” (Richard Rubin and Alex Knott, “Rangel’s Wealth Jumps After Disclosure,” CQ Politics, 8/25/09)

“Representative Charles B. Rangel failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and assets on his financial disclosure forms for 2002 through 2006, including tens of thousands of dollars in rental income from a Harlem brownstone he sold in 2004, according to records filed this month with the clerk of the House of Representatives.” (David Kocieniewski, “Rangel Failed to Disclose More Income and Assets, Forms Show,” New York Times, 8/28/09)

“Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, has failed to pay taxes on two plots of land he has in New Jersey, records show. Rangel's ownership of the small, undeveloped properties came to light on Tuesday only after he drastically amended at least six years of financial-disclosure forms he had filed annually with the House clerk as required by law. The corrected filings as much as doubled the amount of personal wealth Rangel has claimed going back years and revealed at least $780,000 in previously unreported assets. The Harlem Democrat concealed somewhere between $38,902 and $116,800 in 2007 income, according to the revised filings. Among the assets he failed to list was a checking account containing somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000. Also undisclosed for years were two lots he owns in Glassboro, NJ, about 100 miles from the city. Rangel is delinquent on his taxes on that property, according to the Gloucester County Clerk's office.” (Charles Hurt and Perry R. Chiamonte, “Tax Chief Charlie a Tax ‘Cheat’ Too,” New York Post, 9/13/09)

Meanwhile, Calls For Rangel to Resign Have Come from Far and Wide: “Want to understand why 2009 has witnessed the eruption of Tea Party and Town Hall protests of unprecedented intensity? Look no further than Rep. Charles Rangel, the New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that writes tax law for the rest of us... It's not like he's got nowhere to go. There's always that little rental villa he owns at the Punta Canta Yacht Club in the Dominican Republic. He forgot to report $75,000 in income he derived from that asset but I am betting it's looking a lot more attractive to him as a retirement spot these days.” (“Stop Embarrassing Us, Mr. Rangel. Resign.” Washington Times Editorial, 8/28/09)

“This recommendation does not come easily, considering the New York Democrat’s four decades of service in Congress. But Mr. Rangel himself has felt obliged to request three separate House ethics inquiries of his behavior. While denying serious improprieties, Mr. Rangel concedes that he has not lived up to the “higher standard” expected of members of Congress... Committee posts are not bestowed by voters. They are partisan privileges granted by leaders in Congress, and Ms. Pelosi must not cut slack for an ally. If Mr. Rangel refuses a temporary hiatus from his chairmanship, Ms. Pelosi should remove him permanently.” (“Chairman Rangel,” New York Times Editorial, 9/14/09)

“The man who is in charge of writing the nation’s tax laws doesn’t pay his federal income or local property taxes. He has such a poor grasp of his own finances that he neglects to list half his assets on a disclosure form intended to keep members of Congress accountable and honest. ‘House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has shown no interest in removing Rangel from his post. Why should she? We can already hear the defense of the next tax deadbeat called into court. If Charlie Rangel doesn’t have to pay his taxes, why should I?’” (Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein, “The Case Against Charlie Rangel,” New York Post, 9/4/09)

John Hall's Stimulus Still Not Working, Unemployment Hits 9.8%

2009-10-02T13:50:00.001-07:00

September Unemployment Reaches New Heights as New York Families Wonder “Where Are the Jobs?”

Washington- With September unemployment numbers now out in the open, one thing is for sure: unemployment isn’t getting any better at 9.8%. Despite continued promises by John Hall and his Democrat comrades, the national unemployment rate continues to climb. This is clear indication that Nancy Pelosi’s failed ‘stimulus plan,’ which Hall supported, is nothing but a ploy for Democrats to force their tax and spend policies through Congress and onto the American people.

“Employers cut more jobs than forecast last month and the unemployment rate rose to a 26-year high, calling into question the sustainability of the economic recovery.

“The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, the highest since 1983, from 9.7 percent in August, the Labor Department said today in Washington. Payrolls fell by 263,000, following a revised 201,000 decline the prior month that was more/less than previously reported.” (Bob Willis, “U.S. Employers Cut More Jobs Than Forecast; Unemployment Rises,” Bloomberg, 10/2/09)

“After touting Nancy Pelosi’s failed economic policies, John Hall has led New York families into a jobless disarray and heaps of debt,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Given Hall's ongoing support for his party’s reckless spending agenda, it is painfully clear he is unable to provide the quality leadership New York families want. Rather than making independent decisions, Hall has become accustomed to serving as Nancy Pelosi’s yes-man. At this point it’s clear that New York families deserve better.”

With each new report indicating the Democrats’ stimulus plan as a failure, it’s unconscionable that Democrats continue to claim it’s working.

“Vice President Joe Biden delivered a rousing review of the government’s economic stimulus plan in a conversation with the nation’s governors. ‘In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well,’ he said. ‘Thank you, thank you.’” (Elizabeth Williamson, Biden on Stimulus: ‘Never Thought It Would Work This Well,’ The Wall Street Journal, 9/24/2009)

New York families have a message for John Hall and Vice President Biden: Your policy is a failure.

We Elected A Blackberry To Congress?

2009-09-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of the Gathering of Eagles:

We’ve all heard about the Teleprompter (TOTUS) but in New York we have elected a Blackberry to Congress!

Watch as Congressman John Hall (D-NY19) reads most of his responses from his device!

One would almost think it was controlling him… or is it?

More than 750 constituents turned out at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY.

Stephen T (who took the videos above) wrote:

I got there fairly early around 6pm, the first 10 rows were already occupied by Hall supporters with ‘Thank You’ signs. Early on there was what I believe an organizer for the Hall supporters going around with a clipboard of ideas for questions etc.

One thing I noticed is that the Town of Bedford official in charge of choosing questions from the stage mentioned that he couldn’t see far because of the lighting, how convenient. Much of the Hall supporters were robotic and had little passion, some appeared to want to drag out time with long readings, Hall was good at milking the clock with drolling stories and reading from the smart-phone.

I would say the crowd may have been at least 60-70% against Hall/Obamacare but vocally 95%. The Hall supports early on were trying to ’shh,shh’ the crowd but they imo lost the will and it was no longer their meeting.

More here:

Meanwhile irate constituents were complaining about the remote locations and short notice of the two Town Halls that Congressman Hall deigned to have.

Media report with video and pictures is here.

Congressman John Hall makes Lou Dobbs' Hall of Shame

2009-08-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

John Hall’s Idea of Fiscal Responsibility: White House Ratchets Up Deficit Projection by $2 Trillion

2009-08-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Yet Another Hit Delivered to Democrats’ Big-Spending Agenda

Washington- John Hall will surely be backpedaling today as yet another vote for his party’s ongoing government spending spree has come back to bite him. Hall, who voted in favor of his party’s egregious and bloated federal budget, is now on the hook for an additional $2 trillion as the White House attempts to quietly ratchet up its deficit projections in the midst of a slow August news cycle.

“As was reported last week, the Obama administration announced today that it has revised its 10-year cumulative budget deficit projection to around $9.051 trillion, up from its February projection of $7.1 trillion.

“Administration officials said Monday that these numbers put their projection in line with the Congressional Budget Office’s June projection. These out-year deficits are about 4 percent of GDP, which the administration says is ‘higher than desirable.’” (Karen Travers, “White House: Budget Deficit Will Be $2 Trillion Higher than Projected,” ABC News, 8/25/09)

Was this what Hall had in mind just a few short months ago when he cast his vote in favor of yet another one of President Obama’s and Speaker Pelosi’s runaway spending plans? After Hall supported the Democrats’ budget in April, he boldly bragged that he had helped strengthen a struggling economy:

“Today, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) joined a majority of the House of Representatives in approving a vision for America's long-term economic success and fiscal responsibility by passing President Obama's budget blueprint. With smart, growth-targeted investments in health care, education, and clean, renewable energy sources, this blueprint will build upon the economic incentives of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to ensure the nation's economic revival, while also managing to cut the federal deficit by more than half by 2013.” (Press Release, 4/2/09)

“Did John Hall recklessly misjudge the economy to the tune of two trillion dollars of deficit or was he simply duped by his party bosses into voting for a budget that they couldn’t pay for?” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Two trillion might not seem like much to someone as out-of-touch as John Hall, but the New York families who will be stuck paying down that deficit would probably prefer to disagree. Hall owes an explanation to the folks back home as to why he put a nine trillion dollar deficit on the backs of their children and grandchildren.”

Unfortunately for New York families, it looks like they’ll be stuck paying down John Hall’s reckless budget vote for a long time to come.

Hall Owes an Explanation: Six Months After ‘Stimulus,’ Americans Still Asking, ‘Where Are the Jobs?’

2009-08-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

Budget-Busting Disaster Still Hasn’t Yielded Results

Washington- Today marks the six month anniversary of the signing of the Democrats’ $787 billion economic stimulus, and New York’s hard-working taxpayers are still wondering when they will see any positive effects on the economy – and still waiting for an explanation from John Hall about his vote to pile a mountain of new debt on their backs with no results to show for it.

“Despite all the spin coming from the White House and Capitol Hill, New York families know that the last six months of John Hall’s stimulus swindle have amounted to little more than a monumental waste of money,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “John Hall and his Democrat friends embraced a ‘Washington knows best’ mentality that put nearly a trillion taxpayer dollars in the hands of bureaucrats and politicians. Six months after he handed over their hard-earned tax dollars to his buddies in Washington, New York families are still wondering: Where are the jobs?”

According to a new poll, Americans have lost confidence in the big-spending agenda that Hall and his allies in Washington continue to force through:

“Six months after President Obama launched a $787 billion plan to right the nation's economy, a majority of Americans think the avalanche of new federal aid has cost too much and done too little to end the recession.

“A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found 57% of adults say the stimulus package is having no impact on the economy or making it worse. Even more —60% — doubt that the stimulus plan will help the economy in the years ahead, and only 18% say it has done anything to help improve their personal situation.” (Brad Heath, “Poll: 57% Don’t See Stimulus Working,” USA Today, 8/17/09)

After declaring that he was “not satisfied” with a pattern of slowed spending in June, President Obama set an ambitious goal to speed the Recovery Act’s pace. The pace of stimulus spending, however, has dropped severely in recent weeks, despite Obama’s demands to speed it up:

“Taxpayer groups say the numbers show spending decisions are random and prove that the $787 billion stimulus program has had no effect on the economy…. Spending as of Aug. 7, the 172nd day since Mr. Obama signed the bill, stood at $200 billion obligated. To meet the goal of $225 billion, the government will have to spend nearly $1 billion each day over the next four weeks -- or nearly double the pace of the past four weeks.” (Stephen Dinan, “Pace of stimulus spending plummets,” The Washington Times, 08/14/2009)

In January, the White House warned the American people that without the passage of the so-called stimulus package, unemployment would reach over 9 percent. Then, President Obama promised Americans that unemployment would slow and peak at less than 8 percent if the stimulus passed. Now, six months after the stimulus was signed into law, America faces a $1.6 trillion deficit and 9.4 percent unemployment. (Source: Department of Labor)

With no real progress to show since January, John Hall and his fellow Democrats owe New York families an explanation. After mortgaging the country’s future with a trillion dollars in new debt, will he finally take responsibility for a runaway spending spree that has failed to yield results?

Pelosi Says Town Halls “Very Healthy,” Listening is “Essential”

2009-08-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Speaker Reverses Herself and Sends Democrats into Full Retreat Mode, Just Two Days After Interview from Martha’s Vineyard is Aired

Washington- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can’t seem to get her position straight when it comes to town hall meetings with constituents. Just a few days ago, Pelosi declared war on voters by calling town hall attendees ‘un-American’ in a widely-read piece in USA Today. But in a newly-released video, Pelosi praised the town hall process as “healthy,” “wholesome,” and “essential to any success” that Democrats might have with their healthcare agenda:

Click to Watch: http://www.plumtv.com/videos/nancy-pelosi-speaker-of-the-house-of-representatives/index.html

PELOSI: During the break, [members] go home and are invigorated by the ideas and the issues brought forth by their constituents, so that’s very healthy. I think it will only serve to advance the cause of healthcare reform, which we will pass in the Congress…What’s important about the break is that it gives you a chance to your constituents, and the outside mobilization is really essential to any success we can have with our inside maneuvering in Washington, D.C. It’s the most wholesome part of what we do. Our job titles and our job descriptions are one and the same: Representative. So we listen to our constituents, we have to inform them of what is happening in Washington, listen to their comments on that, and come back enriched by that dialogue.

As Pelosi continues her two-faced campaign for and against town hall meetings, it seems that only one message is actually reaching her caucus. Unfortunately for constituents across the country who are concerned about Pelosi’s healthcare takeover, rank-and-file Democrats are regularly refusing to “come back enriched” by any sort of dialogue with the people they claim to represent:

“Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, is also steering clear of town-hall-style meetings. He stumped for reform with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer at a Poughkeepsie hospital on Monday and plans to continue the push this month in various ways, none of which involve the type of gatherings that have proved perilous for fellow Democrats.” (Chris Mckenna, “Local reps say no health-care forums planned,” Times Herald-Record, 08/08/09)

“Rep. Tim Bishop (D., N.Y.) stopped holding town-hall meetings after a June event.” (Janet Adamy and Naftali Bendavid, “Lawmakers Rethink Town Halls”, The Wall Street Journal, 8/08/2009)

“Representative Alan Grayson's spokesperson told FOX 35 that his boss will not host a traditional town hall meeting because he wants to keep things ‘civilized.’” (Holly Bristow, “Health care war,” WOFL-TV, 8/10/09)

“Meanwhile, you can smell the fear under the Capitol dome. From College Station to Cleburne, District 17 constituents of Rep. Chet Edwards are waiting for a health care town hall. They should not hold their collective breath. His Washington office told me Tuesday that they don’t have one on the calendar. He knows the crowd that would surely flood such an event could jeopardize his precarious grip on the district for Democrats.” (Mark Davis, Fight Obamacare hard, but smart, Dallas Morning News, 08/04/09)

“All hail Nancy Pelosi, the queen of contradictions,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “As she praises the August recess as a way to connect with the public and resurrect her dying healthcare takeover she demonizes Americans for exercising their first amendment rights and has clearly sent a message to loyal rank-and-file members to turn a deaf ear on their constituents. Unfortunately for Pelosi and her party, they can’t have it both ways. While Pelosi and her fellow Democrats might try to shy from the spotlight now, they are only further ensuring that they will be hearing from shunned voters on election day.”

Will John Hall Continue to Side with Nancy Pelosi on Gitmo?

2009-08-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Key Democrat Chairman Opposes Shipping Prisoners to U.S. While Hall Stays Silent

Washington- Although John Hall sided with Nancy Pelosi earlier this summer and voted to pave the way to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States, a key Democrat has spoken out against a plan touted by the Obama administration and leading members of his own party. Now the question remains: Where does John Hall stand?

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) implored the Obama administration to reconsider moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to a federal prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas:

“A senior Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday warned against sending detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Fort Leavenworth prison in Kansas, saying it could endanger U.S. relations with Muslim countries.

“It was also another thorn in President Barack Obama’s effort to quickly close the controversial U.S. prison in Cuba.”

“Skelton is the first senior Democrat to raise issues with moving the Guantanamo detainees to Kansas, but follows a news conference last week in which Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback and Republican Representative Jerry Moran blasted suggestions of moving the detainees there.” (Jeremy Pelofsky, “Democrat opposes sending Guantanamo detainees to Leavenworth,” Reuters, 8/10/09)

“John Hall has a track record of disregarding the concerns of New York families and American citizens who hold serious reservations about closing a valuable detention center and sending terrorists to the United States,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “As leading voices on both sides of the aisle continue to speak out against the Democrats’ plan to import terrorists to the United States, will John Hall finally heed their advice or will he continue to side with Nancy Pelosi’s dangerous agenda?”

With recent polling showing that Americans have little interest in moving terrorists into their own back yards, John Hall finds himself on the hot seat. Will he continue to ignore the dangers of bringing Gitmo prisoners to the United States, or will Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco values finally take a back seat to the concerns of New York families?

As Democrat Leaders Attack Concerned Citizens, Hall Chooses To Ignore Them

2009-08-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Goes to Bat For Party Bosses While Leaving Constituents Out in The Cold

Washington- While healthcare continues to take center stage and Democrats make headlines for verbally assaulting constituents, John Hall has chosen to remain absent from it all. Despite Hall’s strong support for his party’s massive takeover of healthcare, town halls are noticeably absent from his August schedule. But apparently Hall has plenty of time for staged photo-ops with Democrat Leader Steny Hoyer to pump some steam into Democrats’ deflating healthcare agenda:

“It’s unfortunate for Hudson Valley families that their Congressman has time on his schedule to go to bat for his party bosses, but can’t find time for them,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “John Hall has chosen the easy way out. Rather than taking the time to meet with constituents and hear their concerns regarding the future of their healthcare coverage, Hall would rather plot a sales pitch for his party’s increasingly unpopular government takeover. Hall’s constituents deserve to be heard, but he seems to have little interest in listening to their concerns.“

Hall’s own spokespeople admit to the lack of dialogue between the Congressman and his constituents:

“‘It's a concern for me that a constructive dialogue won't be allowed to take place,’ said his spokeswoman, Meaghan Smith. ‘He wants to hear people's opinions, but he wants to make sure people are informed.’” (Chris Mckenna, “Local reps say no health-care forums planned,” Times Herald-Record, 08/08/09)

Rather than standing up for Steny Hoyer, it’s time for John Hall to stand up for New Yorkers. If New York families are lucky, perhaps Hall could find some time in his busy schedule for his constituents this August.

Will John Hall Vote to ‘Destroy Medicare?’

2009-08-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Dem Lawmaker Says Healthcare Takeover Devastating for Medicare; Will Hall Follow Suit or Turn His Back on New York Seniors?

Washington- As Democrat leaders use the August recess to resuscitate their failing healthcare agenda, John Hall has a choice to make when he gets back to Washington: he can side with New York seniors or he can side with his party bosses by casting a vote for a government healthcare takeover that, in the words of one Democrat lawmaker, will ‘destroy medicare.’ Given Hall's history of choosing Nancy Pelosi’s priorities over his district’s, New York seniors have reason to be concerned. Hopefully for Hall's constituents, he will heed the words of fellow Democrat Eric Massa:

“Rep. Eric Massa said Tuesday he opposes the health care reform bill being considered by the House of Representatives because he's concerned it will ruin Medicare or that it could force tens of millions of Americans to buy supplemental insurance they don't need.

“‘I will not vote for something that I perceive will destroy Medicare,’ Massa, a Democrat from Corning, said in an afternoon meeting with the editorial board of the Star-Gazette.” (Roger Neumann, “Health Plan Would Hurt Medicare, Massa Says,” Elmira Star-Gazette, 8/5/09)

“New York seniors can only hope that John Hall will take a hint from fellow Democrats who are lining up to oppose Nancy Pelosi’s disastrous healthcare agenda,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Unfortunately, Hall's history of marching in lock-step with his party leaders does not bode well for those seniors that actually want to keep the healthcare plans that they have. With millions of Americans concerned about losing their current coverage, John Hall seems poised to once again turn his back on the people he claims to represent in order to deliver a vote for Nancy Pelosi and the rest of his party bosses.”

As Hall's constituents and his Democrat comrades alike voice their disapproval of Nancy Pelosi’s healthcare agenda, will Hall finally make the right call? New York seniors are still waiting for an answer.

Fact Check: John Hall Called Out By Local Law Enforcement In The Hudson Valley

2009-07-29T12:54:00.001-07:00

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Angered By False Claims From Congressman’s Office

Washington - Congressman John Hall is in hot water with local law enforcement in the Hudson Valley after his office issued a press release containing statistics that the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says are inaccurate.

According to the Putnam County News & Recorder, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office is criticizing the two-term lawmaker's erroneous claim that the Sheriff’s office contacted Immigrations & Customs Enforcement just twice in the past year to verify the status of illegal immigrants.

The article states that:

“Captain William McNamara of the Putnam Sheriff's Department disputed the congressman's claims. Capt. McNamara said, "under the protocols established between ICE and the Putnam Sheriff's Department, ICE personnel are contacted in Castle Point at the agency's Detention and Removal Office and not the ICE Enforcement Support Center in Vermont. The Dutchess County office is the action force that works with local law enforcement to detain and remove illegal aliens."

According to the Department spokesman, in the past three years, the Putnam Sheriff's Department reported 558 illegal immigrants who entered the Putnam Correctional Facility on state or local criminal charges. The contacts to ICE resulted in the lodging of 215 detainer warrants, as well as the turnover of 156 detainees to ICE custody. "In the past nine months, the Sheriff's Department contacted ICE to report 150 illegal aliens—not two," the spokesman said. "By any objective standard, no local law enforcement official in New York State has worked more diligently than Sheriff Smith at reporting and detaining criminal illegal aliens as well as forging a model of cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.” (Eric Gross, "Sheriff: Hall Got It Wrong", Putnam County News & Recorder, 7/28/09)

“John Hall has gone on the record to misrepresent the dedicated men and women of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office who are working hard to keep communities in the Hudson Valley safe and secure,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Coming from an elected official who supported a trillion-dollar stimulus without reading the bill, it’s no surprise that Hall can’t even scrutinize what’s being sent from his own office.”

John Hall Squares Off against Local Businesses

2009-07-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

Prominent Business Groups Speak Up as Hall's Party Attempts to Force Government Healthcare Takeover

Washington- With businesses and business groups across the country speaking out against the Democrats’ government healthcare takeover, John Hall is once again squarely at odds with job creators in his New York congressional district. As the devastating economic impact of the Democrats’ bill becomes clearer, opposition continues to mount against the latest piece of the majority party’s anti-jobs agenda.

The Business Council of New York State joined 39 national business organizations as well as groups across the country to pen a letter telling Democrats in Congress that their push toward government-run healthcare would have devastating consequences:

“The creation of a new government-run insurance plan is a step in the wrong direction. Employers currently suffer a significant cost-shift from existing public programs, and the program described in House legislation would significantly increase costs for every American who purchases private insurance.” (Letter from National and Local Business Associations to Members of Congress, 7/24/09)

“As if it wasn’t obvious that John Hall's anti-jobs agenda is squarely at odds with businesses and families in New York, he and his party are now facing off against the engines of economic recovery,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “New York families know the dangers of a healthcare bill that could kill millions of jobs, but John Hall seems more concerned with pushing his party’s government healthcare takeover at all costs.”

Text of the letter can be found here.

John Hall Green-Lights Massive Tax Hikes

2009-07-22T17:03:00.003-07:00

New York Dem Endorses Job-Killing Agenda with Support of Paygo Sham

Washington- John Hall handed Nancy Pelosi and his Democrat leaders a free pass to tax New York businesses and families to the hilt today. By voting for the Democrats’ so-called Paygo bill, Hall gave the go-ahead for his party leaders to spend all the taxpayer money they want – and virtually ensured that they would have to raise taxes to do so.

Though Democrats have tried to sell their Paygo sham as a step toward fiscal responsibility, the ugly truth is that the bill is a free pass to spend taxpayers’ money and stick them with the bill:

“[T]he President is trying to give Democrats in Congress political cover for the health-care blowout and tax-increase votes that he knows are coming… The other goal of this new paygo campaign is to make it easier to raise taxes in 2011, and impossible to cut taxes for years after that.” (“The ‘Paygo’ Coverup,” Wall Street Journal, 6/12/09)

“John Hall likes to play the ‘fiscal responsibility’ game, but the dirty truth is that he just gave his party leaders a blank check signed by New York taxpayers,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “As Hall and his Democrat friends attempt to push an agenda that is bankrupting the middle class, the last thing New York families want to see is a free pass for Nancy Pelosi to squeeze as much money out of them as she pleases.”

Background:

Senate Dems and policy experts think the House Paygo plan is empty: “House Democrats’ pay-as-you-go bill does not impress its Senate counterparts or various budget experts, who argue the legislation isn't as strong as the rules now in place… [S]enior Democrats in the upper chamber aren't eager to take up the legislation, arguing that it will do little to rein in deficits.” (Walter Alarkon, “House Dems Not Winning Over Critics with Pay-As-You-Go Legislation,” The Hill, 7/21/09)

Democrats are using Paygo as a building block for their tax-hiking, big-government agenda: “Paygo also can be used to justify all kinds of new taxes — from a Euro-style value-added tax to cap-and-trade levies. Since entitlements — the fastest-growing part of the budget — are excluded from Paygo, it won't stop the inexorable growth of government. It won't even slow it down much.” (“The President’s Paygo Schtick,” Investor’s Business Daily, 6/10/09)

Even liberal allies see through the Paygo sham: “‘Concerned that a slew of early PAYGO waivers would undermine the law's long-term effectiveness, Robert Greenstein, executive director of the liberal-oriented Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, told the [House Budget] committee: ‘It makes no sense to put in place a pay-as-you-go rule that says these extensions must be paid for when everyone knows they will not be.’” (David Dickson, “White House Pushes Pay-As-You-Go Bill,” Washington Times, 6/26/09)

Did John Hall Flip Flop On Healthcare?

2009-07-22T17:03:00.001-07:00

Nancy Pelosi Now Claims She Has the Votes to Pass a Government Takeover of the Health Care System, Is John Hall One of Her Silent Co-Conspirators?

Washington- After expressing serious concern over a government takeover of the health care industry, has John Hall suddenly changed his position? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) is suddenly claiming she has the votes. Pelosi stated today:

“I have no doubt we have the votes on the floor of the House to pass this legislation,” she said. She added that she wants to squeeze more cost savings out of the system before setting a surtax on wealthier Americans’ incomes. (Bloomberg, “Pelosi Says She Has Votes to Pass Health Care Overhaul in House,” 7/22/09)

“If John Hall is intent on changing his mind and voting for Nancy Pelosi’s government takeover of health care, then he will have to live with the political baggage that comes with it,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Not only will this massive expansion of government have devastating consequences on small businesses, it will do nothing to lower healthcare costs for middle-class families while running up an already massive deficit.”

With the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stating that the Democrats’ government-run health care bill will increase costs, run up the deficit and raise taxes, John Hall’s constituents can only hope that he isn’t planning on supporting such a disastrous policy. Just recently Hall offered staunch criticism of socialized health care:

“Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, Dutchess County, has reservations about the tax component. ‘This is a bill that is still in a state of flux,’ Hall said, noting that he's working to make sure small businesses are not harmed.” (Brian Tumulty, “Health Plan Tax Meets Resistance,” Democrat And Chronicle, 7/20/09)

As many as 42 Democrats have already expressed deep concerns with Pelosi’s health care takeover. What exactly has changed for Democrats to radically reverse their positions on the issue? It certainly isn’t due to any major changes in the legislation. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill does not address the rising costs of care, and it is not paid for as President Obama and the Democratic leadership promised it would be.

"According to CBO's and JCT's assessment, enacting H.R. 3200 would result in a net increase in the federal budget deficit of $239 billion over the 2010-2019 period. That estimate reflects a projects 10-years cost of the bill's insurance coverage provisions of $1,042 billion ... It is important to note that the figures presented here do not represent a complete cost estimate ... They do no include certain costs that the government would incur to administer the proposed changes and the impact of the bill's provisions on other federal programs." (Congressional Budget Office, "Preliminary Analysis Of H.R. 3200, The America's Affordable Health Choices Act," Letter To Congressman Charles B. Rangel, 7/17/09)

As the health care debate continues, the focus should remain on Hall. Will he keep his word and vote no on socialized health care or will he fold to the pressure of his party bosses?

John Hall Willing to Sweep Pelosi Problem Under the Rug

2009-05-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

Hall Blocks Inquiry into Pelosi’s Attacks on CIA

Washington- Rep. John Hall (D-NY) revealed today that he apparently doesn’t share the American people’s concerns for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s very serious claims that the CIA purposely deceived her and other Members of Congress. In a move that can only be described as shocking, Hall and fellow Democrats are using every trick in the book to block a resolution that would allow the Intelligence Committee to obtain records and conduct an inquiry into Pelosi’s recent statements (House Roll Call 283).

“Nancy Pelosi has launched very serious allegations that the CIA knowingly deceived Members of the United States Congress, and the American people have a fundamental right to know the truth,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “It is a disgrace that John Hall is trying to provide political cover for Nancy Pelosi and is standing by her San Francisco values instead of with his constituents in New York.”

The American people deserve to know, to the fullest extent possible, the truth behind Pelosi’s serious allegations. John Hall and Congressional Democrats have resorted to arcane political procedure in order to prevent holding the Speaker accountable for her actions instead of doing everything in their power to find the truth.

John Hall may not be interested in finding out whether Pelosi’s accusations that the CIA misled her are true or not, but certainly the American people think otherwise:

Augusta Chronicle Editorial: "Nancy Pelosi has accused her government of lying to her. But many are coming to believe that she's the liar. In a partisan fever to jump on the now-trendy anti-U.S. bandwagon, she has turned her back on the people who have kept us safe since Sept. 11, 2001." (Editorial, “Disgraced Pelosi should pack it in,” Augusta Chronicle, May 20, 2009)

Cleveland Plain-Dealer Editorial: "Central Intelligence Agency memos state that Pelosi was informed about the questioning of al-Qaida suspects as early as September 2002; the Republican committee chairman who was in the briefing with her agrees. A flustered Pelosi vehemently denied any such knowledge and said the CIA misled her and others in Congress 'all the time.' That drew a sharp rebuke from CIA Director Leon Panetta, a former Democratic member of the House and a fellow Californian. Pelosi has thus guaranteed that the question of who in Washington knew what about possible torture will not be going away anytime soon -- only, now, full and unambiguous answers will be expected from legislative leaders as well as former members of the executive branch." (Editorial, “What's tortured are Pelosi's explanations of what she knew, and when,” May 19, 2009)

Buffalo News Editorial: "If House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s immediate reactions to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 included the idea that absolutely anything would be fair game in the CIA’s efforts to prevent future strikes, she would hardly have been alone. It would not be all that shocking to learn that, in 2002, Pelosi and other key members of Congress knew all about the CIA’s 'enhanced interrogation techniques'—spook-speak for torture—and not only didn’t raise a finger to stop it, but cheered it on." (Editorial, “Pelosi’s permutations,” May 20, 2009)

Palm Beach Post Editorial: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has advocated creation of a 'truth commission' to examine charges that the United States tortured detainees under the Bush administration. Though she no doubt envisioned herself as a judge at such a tribunal, Rep. Pelosi could find herself as a defendant. The Watergate coverup question - What did you know and when did you know it? - is tripping up Rep. Pelosi, who has looked uncomfortable and evasive in recent news conferences." (Editorial, “The truth starts with Pelosi,” May 18, 2009)

Trentonian Editorial: "She led the demands for an inquisition of Bush administration officials who were involved in the use of coercive interrogation tactics to extract possible life-saving information from key terrorist figures. Never mind, as President Obama’s intelligence czar says, the tactics yielded 'high value information.' Pelosi was in the forefront of the partisan mob shouting that Bush administration heads must roll. Her aggressive sanctimony suggested that she was shocked, shocked to learn that the Bush administration had used such tactics. Then it came to light that as a member of the House intelligence committee, she had been informed of these tactics, along with other leading House Democrats, during CIA briefings, and never raised any objections at the time." (Editorial, “Pants on fire,” May 19, 2009)

Chicago Tribune Editorial: "Pelosi apparently didn't have a problem back then with harsh methods that were used on some suspects when the threat of repeat attacks seemed most acute. But now she would like to rewrite history, and extend a political war that voters thought they settled with the last presidential election. Confidence in Pelosi has been eroded by this episode. And, inconvenient for her, that's the truth." (Editorial, “Pelosi and the truth,” May 20, 2009)

Delaware County Daily Times Editorial: "There are significant problems with Pelosi’s attempt to explain herself, not the least of which is her claim that CIA misleads Congress 'all the time.' If that is true, what’s the point of having a CIA? If the agency can’t be counted on to tell our political leaders the truth about what it’s doing, where and when, it should be abolished." (Editorial, “Torture debate is consuming Washington,” May 19, 2009)

Hall Misfires, Opposes Gun Rights

2009-05-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Votes Straight-out Against 2^nd Amendment Protections

Washington- Rep. John Hall (D-NY) let it be known today that he has no interest in protecting his constituents’ constitutional right to bear arms when he voted against upholding their 2^nd amendment rights (House Roll Call 277). There is no way for Hall to spin his way out of this, as it was a very simple yes or no vote:

“The Senate measure also contains a provision that bars the Interior Department from prohibiting individuals from possessing a gun in any national park or national wildlife refuge if such possession is permitted under state law. Currently, only two states and D.C. prohibit all individuals from carrying firearms, and would therefore not be currently affected by the bill's gun provision.” (CQ House Action Reports, May 19, 2009)

“The Senate bill put House Democrats in a tough spot, since they were effectively forced to take a vote against gun control…” (“Congress Approves Bill Restricting Credit Card Industry, Allowing Guns in Parks,” Fox News, May 20, 2009)

“John Hall took an oath to defend the United States Constitution and his vote today against upholding his constituents’ 2^nd Amendment rights flies in the face of his responsibility to represent New Yorkers,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “John Hall is clearly out-of-touch not only with his duties as a public servant, but also with his constituents’ interests and values.”

What’s worse yet is that Hall's position is grossly out-of-touch with not only his constituents, but the nation as a whole. His Democrat Leader in the House even admitted that the overwhelming majority of Americans want their constitutional rights under the 2^nd amendment to be preserved. Recent actions in Congress are a clear sign that any Democrat who doesn’t stand up for Americans’ right to bear arms, is not only on the wrong side of the issue, but isn’t representing their constituents’ interests:

“House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer admits that Democrats are conceding the gun issue to Republicans for now.

“Republicans have been increasingly using pro-gun amendments to throw a wrench into Democratic legislation, attaching amendments to seemingly unrelated bills allowing for expanded gun carrying privileges in national parks.

“The tactic seems to be working, with Democrats acknowledging that pro-gun members rule in both chambers.

"‘There clearly is a majority in both houses that the Second Amendment rights ... that relate to the national parks are too restricted,’ Hoyer told reporters Tuesday. ‘The reality is that a majority in both houses agree with that position.’" (Isenstadt, “Steny Hoyer says Democrats beaten on guns,” Politico, 5/20/09)

Does John Hall Take the Gitmo Issue Seriously?

2009-05-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hall Voted to Block Amendment Critical to Ensuring Americans’ National Security

Washington- Rep. John Hall (D-NY) voted today to block an amendment that would put critical safeguards into place to protect American families from terrorists currently detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (House Roll Call 261).

“President Obama used a Jan. 22 executive order to give the military a year to shut down the prison facility. But nearly four months later the White House, the Defense Department and the Justice Department have not announced what they plan to do with the several hundred detainees still at the facility.” (Molly K. Hooper and Reid Wilson, “Boehner to call for GOP unity on Gitmo detainees,” The Hill 05/13/09)

As Congress takes up an important war spending bill, the issue about what to do with terrorists detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility is a critical component of the debate. Democrats in Congress and the President have promised to close Gitmo, but have outright failed to deliver a comprehensive plan for what to do with these detainees and have failed to install certain safeguards to protect Americans from these terrorists.

“John Hall failed to protect his constituents today when he blocked a proposal that would hold the President and Congress accountable for their reckless idea of closing Gitmo with no real plan in place on what to do with the terrorists detained there,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Hall has exposed his unwillingness to take national security seriously at the expense of the safety of American families.”

Today, John Hall voted to block a critical amendment that would have prohibited taxpayer funds from being used to transfer or release Gitmo detainees into the United States. Additionally, this amendment would have required the President to certify in writing that anyone who would be transferred or released does not pose a security risk to the United States. Also, it would require that the President must receive consent from the Governor and State legislature of the State in which the President plans to transfer or release a detainee.

The amendment that John Hall voted to block would have also required that the President submit to Congress a detailed cost analysis for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and related costs to transferring, detaining, prosecuting, or releasing a detainee in the United States by August 22, 2009.

Why doesn’t John Hall want to hold the President and the Congress accountable for their vague idea of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility with no real plan in place?

Despite Murtha's Ethical Woes, John Hall Sticks by His Man

2009-05-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hall Votes to Block Investigation into Murtha, Inc. Earmark Scandal

Washington- Rep. John Hall (D-NY) apparently has no intention of heeding the calls of the American people and ethical watchdog groups alike to look into the shady earmark dealings of corrupt Congressman Jack Murtha. Today, once again, Hall voted to protect Murtha from a long overdue investigation by the House Ethics Committee (House Roll Call 243). Was he ever sincere about wanting to be a part of the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history?

“…a string of federal criminal investigations of contractors or lobbyists close to Mr. Murtha, the top Democrat on the defense appropriations subcommittee, are threatening to undermine his backroom clout…. In the weeks since the news that prosecutors had raided the offices of the PMA Group — a lobbying firm founded by a former Murtha associate that became a gateway to his office and his biggest source of campaign money — about two dozen rank-and-file Democrats have risked his wrath by calling for a House ethics investigation of the matter. One Democrat has even foresworn seeking earmarks for the military contractors in his district because of ethical concerns about the process.” (David D. Kirkpatrick, “House Heavyweight Feels Threat to Power,” New York Times, 4/25/09)

“Yet again, John Hall has stood by John Murtha and protected him from a House Ethics investigation instead of standing with the American people to clean up the pay-to-play political process,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Hall appears to show no remorse for turning a blind-eye to one of the most corrupt politicians in Washington at the expense of his constituents in New York.”

How much longer will John Hall hold out, as pressure continues to mount against Murtha?

“Democratic leaders have remained in a defensive crouch in the wake of reports that federal investigators are probing the earmark empire of Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), the defense-spending chief in the House and a close confidant of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

“But that position is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Since news broke in February that federal agents raided the offices of the PMA Group and the home of its founder, former House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense aide Paul Magliocchetti, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) has kept the issue front and center by calling votes on whether to force an ethics probe. His first attempt gathered 17 votes from the majority party, but Democratic defections on subsequent votes have mounted, reaching 27 on his seventh and latest attempt before the spring recess.

“Those numbers reflect growing anxiety among rank-and-file House Democrats about the ongoing federal probe and the political risk associated with failing to confront it. At a closed-door meeting before the break, Pelosi enlisted Rep. Howard Berman (Calif.), formerly the top Democrat on the ethics committee, to brief lawmakers on why they should continue to resist Flake’s efforts to force a probe. And Berman is expected to reprise the briefing at a longer session, though no date for that has been set yet.” (Tory Newmyer, “Watchdog Groups Want Ethics Panel Probe of PMA Ties,” Roll Call, 4/25/09)

Where Does John Hall Stand on Keeping Terrorists Out of New York?

2009-05-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

Under Obama’s Terrorist Importation Executive Order, Gitmo Detainees Could be Relocated to the United States

Washington- One of President Obama’s first executive orders was to close down the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba within a year, but with that order came no details about exactly what he would do with the terrorists who are held there. In the absence of a real plan to protect Americans, the terrorists could be relocated to penitentiaries around the United States, potentially ending up in New York.

“President Obama's decision to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, one of his first acts after taking office, is putting fellow Democrats on the political hot seat as word spreads that terrorism suspects and other detainees would be relocated to the U.S. or transferred to domestic prisons… States and municipalities around the country are saying ‘not in my backyard,’ and Republicans are raising the prospect of relocated detainees putting Americans in danger.” (Janet Hook, “Democrats face hard time over Guantanamo,” LA Times, May 7, 2009)

But even some of John Hall' fellow Democrats are troubled by Obama’s insistence to close Gitmo without any real plan in place on what to do with the detainees:

“‘They say, “We’re going to close Guantanamo.” OK, fine. How are you going to do that? That’s the question,’ Rep. Neal Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) told POLITICO Thursday. ‘They should have had that worked out from the get-go.’... Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said he believed there were prisons in the United States that could handle the Guantanamo detainees, but it’s becoming clear that many states and localities want nothing to do with the terrorist suspects.... On Thursday, House Republicans introduced a bill seeking to make it impossible for Obama to release detainees into the homeland without pre-approval from Congress and individual states.” (Alex Isenstadt, “Democrats see lack of planning on Guantanamo Bay,” Politico, May 8, 2009)

Now that the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act has been introduced into Congress, John Hall has a real opportunity to protect the families in his district, but where does he stand?

“John Hall has the explicit duty to stand up and protect his constituents in the wake of Gitmo’s closing, which could allow dangerous terrorists to be imported to places like New York,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Will John Hall defend the safety of the families in his district and stand up against this dangerous proposal or will he leave the security of American lives in the balance?”

If Rep. John Hall supports this bill, he can stop these terrorists from being imported into his constituents’ backyard. But will he have the resolve to stand up to the president? Or will he stay silent in hopes of avoiding the repercussions by allowing the terrorists to be relocated to places like New York?

Hall campaign manager convicted in Ohio voting fraud probe

2009-05-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

Amy Little, former campaign manager for Congressman John Hall, pleaded guilty this week to misdemeanor illegal voting charges.

The fifty-year old resident of New Paltz, New York was sentenced to year of probation, a 60-day suspended jail sentence, and fined $1,000.

Bizarrely, while being investigated and eventually convicted of voter fraud, Little herself was the keynote speaker on a forum on "Democratizing Elections: Permanent Registration, Public Funding, Weekend election Day, and Problems with Electronic Voting Machines" at Manhattanville College earlier this month.

Hall's campaign paid Little $11,139 in consulting and travel fees during the 2008 election cycle.

Little had been charged in Ohio during a get-out-the-vote effort during last year's presidential campaign.

John Hall Paves the Way for Burdensome Taxing and Spending

2009-04-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

Hall Rubber-stamps $3.5 Trillion in Big Government Spending at Expense of American Families

Washington- Rep. John Hall (D-NY) voted today to pass a federal budget that leaves the door wide open for Obama and Pelosi to jam through their costly big government agenda at the expense of struggling middle-class families. After coming to Congress on promises of putting his constituents in New York first, Hall blindly signed-off on this reckless budget that was negotiated by party bosses behind closed doors (House Roll Call 216).

John Hall supported the budget’s $3.5 trillion dollar price tag, which will pile mountains of debt onto our children and grandchildren for generations to come. His vote begs the question: Just how big will John Hall let the government get?

“John Hall's troubling pattern of simply signing off on reckless spending is not the answer to every problem,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “While New York families have been forced to tighten their belts and make tough decisions, it is an insult that John Hall continues to irresponsibly squander their hard-earned tax dollars.”

The budget Hall supported will raise taxes on low and middle-class Americans, and small businesses:
“…they're allowing his signature tax cut for most workers to expire after next year. …the plan would allow Obama's signature $400 tax cut for most workers and $800 for couples to expire at the end of next year.” (Andrew Taylor, “Lawmakers advancing much of Obama's budget agenda,” Associated Press, 4/28/09)

President Obama himself said that small businesses are at the “heart of the economy,” yet with this budget, Democrats will be able to hike taxes in a flailing economy at the expense of small businesses. (Lori Montgomery and V. Dion Haynes, “Small Businesses Brace for Tax Battle,” Washington Post, April 27, 2009)

The budget Hall supported will pave the way for Congress to enact a devastating national energy tax:
“…every single one of us will see higher energy prices as a result of his budget. By hiking taxes on energy companies and imposing a gigantic global warming tax, Obama virtually ensures rising costs for the energy we need.” (Op-Ed by Andrew Moylan, National Taxpayers Union, “Obama budget will increase energy costs,” Detroit News, April 16, 2009)

The budget Hall supported will open the door to allow Congress to enact programs such as government-run healthcare that could cause as many as 120 million Americans to lose their current healthcare coverage:
“…the public plan would enroll about 131.2 million people (includes some uninsured who become covered). The number of people with private health insurance would decline by about 119.1 million people… This is equal to about 70 percent of all people currently covered under private health insurance…” (“The Cost and Coverage Impacts of a Public Plan: Alternative Design Options,” The Lewin Group, April 6, 2009, http://www.lewin.com/content/publications/LewinCostandCoverageImpactsofPublicPlan-Alternative%20DesignOptions.pdf)

The budget Hall supported will bury America’s children and grandchildren under insurmountable mountains of debt:
“But the budget pact also predicts dispiriting deficits that peak at $1.7 trillion in 2009…” (Andrew Taylor, “Lawmakers advancing much of Obama's budget agenda,” Associated Press, 4/28/09)

Unfortunately for New York families, this isn’t the first time Hall has demonstrated his willingness to toe the party line at the expense of his constituents. So far, John Hall has failed to be anything more than a rubber-stamp for Democrats in Congress by voting with his party 99.5 percent of the time (according to the Washington Post’s party unity score). Will John Hall ever put his constituents in New York before his party bosses in Washington?

NRCC Launches Robocalls Against John Hall

2009-04-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Robocall Reveals Hall’s Real Record for Out-of-Control Spending Spree

Washington– The NRCC announced a new offensive of robocalls aimed at holding Rep. John Hall (D-NY) accountable for authorizing to spend American taxpayers’ money at the rate of a billion dollars an hour. The robocalls confront Hall for endorsing a reckless spending spree in Washington and authorizing over $1.2 trillion in new spending so far this year.

“John Hall has failed to be honest about his willingness to support a pork-filled stimulus package and a budget that taxes, spends and borrows in excess at the expense of his constituents in New York,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “We will continue to hold John Hall accountable for rubber-stamping Nancy Pelosi’s agenda that will burden middle-class families and inflict further damage on an already fragile economy for years to come.”

The robocalls began this week during the congressional recess while John Hall will have to face his constituents and try to explain why he voted for a pork-laden stimulus package and a $3.5 trillion budget.

Below is the script for the robocall:

Hello I’m calling from the National Republican Congressional Committee with an urgent message. Congressman John Hall and Nancy Pelosi are working together to create a massive budget deficit that could raise taxes. A major newspaper says they have already authorized $1.2 trillion in new spending in less than 2 months…that is $24 billion dollars every day…$1 billion every hour. Now they want to spend even more...Congressman John Hall let Nancy Pelosi get away with passing a budget with a trillion dollar deficit…it’s been called the most fiscally irresponsible budget in the history of the federal government…..and that is saying a lot..Call Congressman John Hall at 202-225-3121 and tell them to put the brakes on spending. Paid for by The National Republican Congressional Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. W-W-W-dot-N-R-C-C-dot-O-R-G. 320 First Street, southeast Washington, DC 20003. 202-479-7000.

Will John Hall Follow Up Rhetoric & Return IBM Money?

2009-04-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

As Nation Hits 25-Year High in Unemployment, Hall “Condemned” IBM But Is Bought & Paid For by the Computer Giant

Washington - While the federal government today announced a twenty-five year high in unemployment at 8.5%, it seems Rep. John Hall (D-NY) is fairly content keeping thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from IBM, the very same company that is laying off hundreds in New York and sending jobs overseas while it seeks taxpayer-funded stimulus dollars. Hall voted in favor of the pork-laden, trillion dollar stimulus package and was one of IBM’s top recipients for campaign cash.

According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, Hall has expressed condemnation towards the computer giant,:

“U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, has condemned IBM Corp. for developing a method of maximizing the economic impact of sending jobs to lower-cost countries.” (Poughkeepsie Journal, 04/01/2009)

However, according to the non-partisan website OpenSecrets.org, IBM has been generous in doling out almost $20,000 in campaign contributions to Hall’s campaign account.

“The message to John Hall is simple - actions speak louder than words,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “If Hall is willing to condemn IBM for sending jobs overseas, he should be more than willing to return the nearly $20,000 he’s received from them during the course of his political career.”

(Source: OpenSecrets.org, accessed 3/27/09, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00027888)

Hall Sold Out Upstate New York Families… And Their Jobs

2009-03-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

One of Hall’s Top Contributors Took NY Taxpayers’ Money, Now Seeking Stimulus Funds After Cutting 5,000 US Jobs and Creating New Ones in India

Washington- The outrage over the news that IBM – who is currently seeking taxpayer-funded stimulus dollars - will cut nearly 5,000 American jobs and create new ones in India cannot be overstated. New York Representative John Hall – one of the top recipients of IBM’s campaign cash - voted for the stimulus package that could give taxpayer funds to IBM who just announced they’re shipping American jobs overseas:

“International Business Machines Corp. came under fire from labor organizers Thursday on reported plans that it will cut 5,000 jobs and send work to India while seeking federal stimulus funds.” (“Labor slams IBM for job cuts while seeking stimulus,” San Francisco Business Times, 3/26/09)

Hall voted for the trillion dollar stimulus bill, which IBM is now trying to obtain funds from after shipping New Yorkers’ jobs to India. IBM has already taken $45 million in taxpayer funds from New Yorkers, and now they’re seeking stimulus money while they simultaneously announce devastating job cuts:

“Assemblyman Gregory Ball is demanding a state investigation into IBM offshoring practices while taking taxpayer dollars…. Ball is particularly disturbed by the $45 million Empire State Development Corporation paid IBM on Dec. 15 in return for not cutting jobs in East Fishkill in 2008. Only weeks after cashing the check, IBM slashed hundreds of East Fishkill workers.” (“Assemblyman demands investigation into IBM job cuts,” Times Herald-Record, 3/27/09)

Yet, despite the fact that this is a top concern to struggling families in upstate New York, John Hall has refused to respond to his constituents:

“Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, expressed outrage at the notion of IBM sending U.S. jobs overseas, saying American-based companies should be creating jobs here…. Calls to Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, and Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand were not returned.” (“IBM fires 5,000, sends US jobs to India,” Times Herald-Record, 3/27/09)

“John Hall’s silence is rather telling, especially since IBM has been one of his top contributors, and he was the top recipient of IBM’s campaign cash in recent years,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Taking $11,995 from IBM last cycle alone, it raises serious questions about where John Hall’s priorities lie and why he’s refused to come clean with his constituents about how their hard-earned taxpayer dollars can go to a company shipping American jobs overseas.”

(Source: OpenSecrets.org, accessed 3/27/09, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00027888)