Gingrey RSS Articles

Gingrey bill safeguards integrity at ballot box

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 today to prohibit states from requiring proof of citizenship in order to enroll in a federal voter registration program. This ruling will affect Georgia state law, which has a similar requirement.

In response to the ruling, Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D., today offered the Securing America’s Fair Elections (SAFE) Act to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This legislation would allow states to determine state-specific enrollment requirements in a federal voter registration program.

“Ensuring and protecting U.S. citizens’ right to vote is the very cornerstone of our freedom, and part of this is preventing fraud at the ballot box,” Gingrey said. “Georgia and other states have the right—and the responsibility—to enact laws that will preserve the integrity of our elections system. This legislation will help safeguard that right.”

Gingrey aligns with Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito’s dissenting opinion, which holds that the Constitution “authorizes states to determine the qualifications of voters in federal elections, which necessarily includes the related power to determine whether those qualifications are satisfied.”

Gingrey supports critical national defense legislation

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Gingrey today voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes the Department of Defense’s FY14 budget and includes other national security and military-related provisions. H.R. 1960 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 315-107.

“This bill ensures our military readiness, provides support for our troops on the ground, and safeguards service members from the intolerable threat of sexual assault,” Gingrey said. “It also provides a military pay raise for our warfighters, prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to U.S. soil, and lends unwavering support to Israel. At the same time, it protects the right to habeas corpus afforded to our citizens under the Constitution. This law ensures our constitutional rights are not violated during wartime operations and guarantees Americans their “day in court.”

The NDAA includes Gingrey’s military right-to-carry amendment, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously. Other NDAA priorities include strong missile defense and continued support of the C-130J.

To read more about the NDAA, click here.

Gingrey: Flawed SGR formula must be repealed

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Repealing the flawed Medicare physician payment formula and enacting a permanent solution has been one of Rep. Gingrey’s top priorities since being elected to Congress. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which he’s a member, in collaboration with the GOP Doctors’ Caucus, his committee continues to work towards a fiscally-responsible, permanent fix that promotes quality care while providing doctors security. Our seniors cannot afford further delay, and the time for action—and results—is now.

Today, Members of the Health Subcommittee and Rep. Gingrey listened to expert testimony at the hearing, “Reforming SGR: Prioritizing Quality in a Modernized Physician Payment System.” View or read Rep. Gingrey’s statement.

View or Read Rep. Gingrey's Statement

Gingrey observes Atlanta VAMC tragedy on House floor

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In light of the recent tragic events at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Congressman Gingrey joined Congressman Culberson on the House floor today to bring attention to the mismanagement and deplorable negligence that led to four veteran deaths. In the interest of bringing the highest quality care to our veterans and avoiding similar tragedies in the future, Gingrey made the following remarks to Congress…

Click here to watch

Gingrey: "Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Texas for putting together this critical bill. I know he has been a long-time advocate of the best care possible for our nation’s veterans, and I thank the Chairman of the Subcommittee for his continued leadership.

"Mr. Chairman, I rise today to bring attention to the recent tragic events at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. According to an April report by the Inspector General and continued news stories, mismanagement and lack of oversight at the Atlanta facility contributed to at least 4 deaths. Additionally, the Atlanta VA Medical Center has admitted that the combination of a large volume of patients and a lack of appropriate tracking has led to patients “slipping through the cracks."

"The mental health unit at the Atlanta VA Medical Center has been of particular concern, and is at the center of the recent tragedies. Mental health is a critical component of care for our veterans, and as our soldiers continue to return home from war, we must ensure that they are receiving the attention and care that they deserve.

"I would ask that as this bill moves forward to the Senate and to conference, the Chairman and the ranking member join me and the Chairman of the authorizing Committee to get answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs as to why we have yet to see those responsible held accountable and what changes the Atlanta VA Medical Center is going to make."

Culberson: “I would say to the gentleman that we are aware of the alarming Inspector General reports about the Atlanta VA medical center and will continue to monitor the actions the VA is taking to prevent any further tragedies there.”

Border enforcement bill "critical"

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Phil Gingrey, M.D., along with other House Immigration Reform Caucus Executive Committee Members, today announced H.R. 2220. The “Support More Assets, Resources and Technology on the Border Act” (SMART Border Act) outlines a robust border protection strategy and measures to help achieve operational control of the U.S.’s southern border. This legislation is the strongest border security bill introduced this Congress.

“Illegal immigration is one of the biggest crises facing our nation,” said Gingrey. “Given the Obama administration’s refusal to secure our borders, H.R. 2220 does so while ensuring law enforcement officers are well-equipped to enforce existing law. Protecting American taxpayers and families must remain our top priority, particularly in these tough economic times.”

“Washington bureaucrats have falsely preached that the border is secure for years,” said Chairman Poe, author of the bill. “In reality, 56 percent of the southern border territory is controlled by someone other than the United States. Border patrol and local law enforcement do the best they can with the resources they’ve got, but they need more help from the federal government. Washington’s continued failure protect the border threatens both the security of our people and the sovereignty of our nation. Any immigration reform efforts will be moot without making border security a reality. The SMART Border Act incorporates several common sense reforms that will ramp up support from the federal government and charge Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, with determining if and when operational control is achieved.”

“For too long, the federal government has failed to enforce our immigration laws,” said Rep. Smith. “This lax enforcement has led to unlimited illegal immigration and allowed criminals and terrorists to slip through the cracks. This bill requires real and robust immigration enforcement to secure our country and protect our communities.”

“The failure of the Obama administration to secure the border threatens our national security and America’s sovereignty. I am proud to support H.R. 2220 which effectively addresses the serious problems plaguing our border security efforts. President Obama, the Commander-in-Chief, has a solemn responsibility to protect the American people and our homeland. It’s time he starts taking that responsibility seriously, and joins the House Immigration Reform Caucus’ efforts to secure the border,” said Rep. Black.

“Enhancing border security must be a top priority as Congress works towards reforming our broken immigration system,” said Rep. Flores. “The SMART Border Act will assist in creating a strong and secure border by putting boots on the ground and by taking full advantage of available resources and innovative technologies. It will also mandate the full implementation of US VISIT at all points of entry to assist in putting an end visa overstays, which account for 60 percent of the illegal immigrants in our country. By putting forth essential solutions to secure our borders we can ultimately control our immigration system.”

About The SMART Border Act:
H.R. 2220 sets up a process for a Congressional vote to certify whether or not operational control of the border has been achieved 90 days after DHS reports to Congress on this goal. If Congress does not certify that operational control has been achieved, the bill sets up a process for hiring an additional 1,500 CBP officers and a short term deployment of the National Guard until operational control is achieved.

Cartersville Purple Hurricane baseball wins State Championship

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Below are Congressman Gingrey's extended remarks to Speaker John Boehner congratulating the Cartersville High School Purple Hurricanes on their AAA State Title...

"Mr. Speaker, Today I rise to recognize the Cartersville High School Baseball team. On May 25^th, the Purple Hurricanes swept the North Hall Trojans in a best of three championship series to win the AAA division state championship.

Although the North Hall Trojans put up a memorable fight, the Purple Hurricanes ultimately hit walk-off single to clench the program’s 6^th title in 12 years.

This season, Coach Stuart Chester, his staff, and these young men have worked tirelessly to earn their place in Georgia baseball history. The team’s 14 seniors – who are no strangers to adversity – will enter the next chapter of their lives knowing that they have upheld their school’s legacy of excellence and have set a high bar for future Purple Hurricanes teams to strive for.

I encourage the entire team to savor their victory and remember the season’s important life lessons of responsibility, persistence, and self-discipline; they will undoubtedly make them better citizens and fathers as they grow older.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes on their well-deserved 2013 division AAA State Championship title and wish them luck as they defend their title next year. This team has brought great pride to their school, the city of Cartersville, and Georgia’s 11^th District. Go Canes."

Gingrey to IRS: Has anyone actually been fired yet?

Fri, 31 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Atlanta Journal Constitution May 31,2013

Since the IRS scandal broke, many conservatives have been frustrated at the lack of publicly known consequences for the agency's targeting of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. So far, the only known responses are: a) the departure of the agency's current acting commissioner just weeks earlier than previously scheduled, and b) paid administrative leave for the person in charge of the office that carried out the targeting.

With that in mind, Phil Gingrey -- a GOP congressman from Marietta and candidate for U.S. Senate -- yesterday sent a letter to the new acting commissioner of the IRS asking why more heads haven't rolled. Gingrey's office sent me the letter, which you can read in its entirety here, but here's the gist of it:

"As you know, IRS Director of Exempt Organizations Lois Lerner was placed on administrative leave on May 23, 2013, after refusing to resign. Despite the continued emergence of compelling facts detailing Ms. Lerner's involvement in the discriminatory targeting, Ms. Lerner continues to draw a $180,000 salary from the federal government. In being placed on administrative leave, Ms. Lerner is essentially taking a well-paid vacation on the taxpayer dime. Reports have not shown how many others involved could be doing the same.

"However, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-206) states that the IRS Commissioner 'shall terminate the employment of any employee' if there is 'a final administrative or judicial determination' of a violation of any of the IRS's so-called '10 deadly sins.'

"Under Lerner's leadership, two of these 'sins' appear to be especially applicable to the discriminatory targeting undertaken by the IRS Tax Exempt Division. One such 'sin' consists of 'the violation of any right under the Constituion of the United States' or various civil rights 'with respect to a taxpayer, taxpayer representative, or other employee of the Internal Revenue Service.' Another 'sin' involves violating the Internal Revenue Code, Department of Treasury regulations or the Internal Revenue Manual 'for the purpose of retaliating against, or harassing a taxpayer, taxpayer representative, or other employee of the Internal Revenue Service.'

"It appears to me that the two 'deadly sins' described above have been violated, yet there are no reports of anyone being fired. ..."

The letter goes on to ask, among other questions, whether any other IRS employees have been placed on administrative leave or fired due to the targeting of conservative groups, and whether any workers have been "placed into termination proceedings for violating one or more of the '10 deadly sins.' "

A Gingrey spokeswoman said the congressman sent the letter "in reaction to a news story about IRS employees being protected because they are federal union members." No word of any response from the IRS yet.

Update: Holding the Atlanta VA accountable

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Gingrey continues to seek answers from the Atlanta VA Medical Center (VAMC) regarding another patient death at the facility. This marks the fourth death at the VAMC, which was not disclosed to Members of Congress during an onsite investigation last month.

“The veterans treated at the Atlanta VAMC—and everywhere—deserve better, and I’ll keep fighting for answers,” Gingrey said. “The VA must terminate those responsible, not simply ‘reassign’ them. Our servicemen and women should be treated with dignity and respect everywhere, but no more so than at the VA. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Rep. Gingrey began investigating the Atlanta VAMC after news of three patient deaths, two of which were suicides, broke. A report released by the Inspector General found “that there was inadequate coordination, monitoring, and staffing for oversight” for patients with mental health concerns which contributed to “patients falling through the cracks.”

Attached is Rep. Gingrey’s letter to the Atlanta VAMC director.

Gingrey calls for firings at Atlanta VA hospital

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

WSB May 23, 2013

A local lawmaker tells Channel 2 Action News he is livid no hospital leaders have been fired after a series of Channel 2 investigations exposed federal reports that linked mismanagement to patient deaths at the Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Channel 2's Aaron Diamant obtained a letter from Rep. Phil Gingrey that the representative sent to the Atlanta VA's brand new boss Thursday.

The letter demands details of all the steps she and other hospital leaders have taken so far to fix all the problems federal inspectors found and that those at fault need to go, fast.

"Unbelievable," Gingrey told Diamant. "People need to be fired over this."

Last month, Channel 2 Action News first exposed scathing federal inspection reports that linked mismanagement by hospital leaders to the deaths of three mental health patients.

"I commend WSB and your investigative reporting," Gingrey said.

But when a team of powerful Washington lawmakers came to Atlanta earlier this month to get specifics, the executive staff didn't tell them about a troubling fourth suicide, later uncovered by Channel 2 Action News.

Joseph Petit's death inside the hospital last September went unnoticed for 24 hours.

"How do you forget a death, particularly in circumstances in which this veteran died? You don't, you can't, there's no way," Gingrey said.

In a letter to lawmakers last week, the VA's undersecretary for health wrote, the department "fully investigated the care of the Veterans cited in the news report and has either taken follow-up action or action was in process to resolve the identified the deficiencies prior to the OIG (Office of the Inspector General) hotline investigations."

But Gingrey is furious the letter said nothing about the fourth suicide or whether hospital leaders took any action afterwards, and he promised even more pressure.

"When you smell a rat, you keep looking. I hope that's the last one, but I don't think we need, at this point, to quit looking," Gingrey said.

A spokesman for the Atlanta VA's new boss, Leslie Wiggins, said the director was too busy for an interview Thursday but sent a statement from Wiggins, saying, "I am looking forward to a future meeting with Congressman Gingrey to address all of his concerns."

Keystone vote puts jobs, energy independence first

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Phil Gingrey voted today to finally allow construction on the Keystone XL pipeline, which will put the United States on the path towards energy independence while creating tens of thousands of private sector jobs. The bipartisan Northern Route Approval Act, H.R. 3, passed the House of Representatives by a 241-175 vote. This legislation removes the presidential permit requirement, no longer allowing President Obama to delay approval of this vital, privately-funded project. The bill also streamlines the federal permitting process, removes bureaucratic roadblocks, and eliminates layers of government red-tape.

“Achieving energy independence is paramount to our economic prosperity and national security. The pipeline, which is privately funded and truly “shovel-ready,” is a step towards that goal,” said Gingrey. “Construction of Keystone XL will put American workers who’ve been hardest-hit by the recession — welders, mechanics, pipefitters and others—back to work. It will also decrease the national security threat of relying on oil from unstable or unfriendly nations. But for more than four years, the pipeline has been held hostage to partisan politics and liberal special interest groups. House Republicans put an end to the Obama administration’s games today.”

The Keystone XL pipeline would create 7,000 jobs in Georgia. Read Rep. Gingrey’s op-ed “A Keystone economy versus a Solyndra economy.”

Keystone XL pipeline background:
Since the application was submitted to the State Department in 2008, this project has been one of the most studied pipeline construction efforts in U.S. history. According to an Energy and Commerce Committee report, Canada’s growing oil production holds the potential to provide the U.S. with a much needed additional energy supply from a reliable ally and trading partner. However, the existing pipeline system linking the two countries is close to capacity and thus unable to take advantage of this opportunity. TransCanada, a Canadian energy company, has proposed the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project to carry nearly a million additional barrels of oil per day. The pipeline would create 20,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs. Despite this, the Obama administration has repeatedly delayed and attempted to derail this vital infrastructure project. View the Keystone XL timeline and read more here.