CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST - REPRESENTING FL DISTRICT 22 WEEKLY UPDATE

Greetings to our constituents, fellow Floridians, and all Americans - a very fast-paced week, and here we are for our weekly update to you all. I must share a "Sense of the Congressman" at this time.

This is the last week of high school for my oldest daughter Aubrey Elizabeth. She will be graduating from Archbishop McCarthy and going on to attend Nova Southeastern University to begin her pre-med studies. I just want to take the time to express to all how proud I am of my daughter in this accomplishment. Likewise, my youngest daughter, Austen Brianna, will be completing her middle school years and beginning high school next year. And this Sunday Austen has made the decision to be fully baptized.

I have missed many moments in the lives of my daughters due to my commitment to serve my country. My responsibility has been to set the conditions for them to get the best possible education in order to grow and enjoy all the opportunities our great nation has to offer. My commitment to Aubrey and Austen, and all of your children and grandchildren, is to leave them a far better America than what was left for us, including economic prosperity and unyielding security.

This week was my first ever House Armed Services Committee, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mark-up. It was an incredible learning experience and gave me a clear insight into the strategic level of national security. From my nearly 25 years of uniformed and retired support to our U.S. military I experienced the tactical and operational levels of national security. It is critical that we continue to provide the resources and guidance to ensure we have the best trained and equipped military in the world, as indicated by the flawlessly executed US Navy SEAL raid to kill Osama bin Laden. In the legislative update section of this report, there will be more discussion on the results of the NDAA. It will now move to the House floor for vote

At this time we are contending with many issues of epic proportion: exorbitant debt and deficits, an eroding security situation in North Africa and the Middle East, questionable relations with Pakistan and operations in Afghanistan, a reconciliation pact between Fatah and Hamas, soaring gas prices in the face of the coming summer vacation season, and an unsecured border and rampant illegal immigration issues.

However, an issue surfaced which could undermine the very fabric of who we are in this constitutional republic.

This week a "draft" Executive Order was leaked which would force any entity competing for a federal government contract to disclose political and third party organization contributions as part of the "Request for Proposal (RFP)" submission process. I was fortunate to be a part of a joint hearing between the Small Business and Oversight and Government Reform Committees on this issue. Under the pretense of "transparency," this is nothing more than an Obama Administration political maneuver. This represents an onerous intrusion of the federal government, but especially President Obama, because political contributions have nothing to do with meeting RFP criteria for services. I find this politicization of federal contracting reprehensible. The White House proves once again it rather play politics than actually govern our nation. These actions make the American people feel our government is untrustworthy. Is it possible the President believes we can be distracted? Or even worse, does he believe the successful US Navy SEAL raid gives him such carte blanche?

Perhaps I should remind us all that even a broken clock can be right twice a day.

- Putting the Gulf Back to Work – On Wednesday, the House approved H.R. 1229 by a vote of 263-163, I voted YES. The bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and would require the Secretary of the Interior to provide application denials in writing, complete with reasons why the application was not accepted, detailed information concerning any deficiencies, and any opportunities to remedy such deficiencies. H.R. 1229 would deem an application approved if the Secretary has not made a decision by the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date the application is received by the Secretary. H.R. 1229 would set deadlines for certain permit applications under existing leases, and it would provide 30 days, with no extension, for the Secretary to restart Gulf permits approved before the Administration’s moratorium was imposed on May 27, 2010. According to the Obama Administration's own estimates, the six-month “official moratorium” (May 2010-October 2010) on drilling may have cost up to 12,000 American jobs. However, the long-term impacts of the de facto moratorium could be significantly higher. A study by Dr. Joseph Mason of Louisiana State University predicts if the de facto moratorium were sustained for 18 months, there could be a loss of 36,137 jobs nationwide, with 24,532 jobs lost in the Gulf Coast region alone.

- Reversing President Obama’s Moratorium Act — On Thursday, the House approved H.R. 1231 by a vote of 243-179, I voted YES. The bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, and would establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal. The bill would essentially lift the President's ban on new offshore drilling by requiring the Administration to move forward on American energy production in areas estimated to contain the most oil and natural gas resources. Since President Obama took office, he has systematically taken steps to re-impose a new offshore drilling moratorium. The President first abandoned the 2010-2015 leasing plan that would have provided for oil and natural gas leasing in the newly opened areas. His administration postponed and cancelled previously scheduled lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Virginia identified in the 2007-2012 five-year leasing plan for the Outer Continental Shelf. In December 2010, the President announced a restrictive drilling plan that placed the entire Pacific Coast, the entire Atlantic Coast, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and much of Alaska off-limits to future energy production—as it was before record high gasoline prices in 2008 prompted President Bush and Congress to lift the moratoria.

- Intelligence Authorization for Fiscal Year 2011 — On Friday, the House approved H.R. 754 by a vote of 392-15, I voted YES. The bill would authorize programs and funding levels for the Intelligence Community, as well as foreign intelligence activities of the Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Department, and Department of Homeland Security. These activities are intended to enhance national security, support and assist the Armed Forces, and facilitate U.S. foreign policy. The bill would provide budget authority and personnel manning levels for the conduct of intelligence activities in the amounts specified in the classified section of authorizations. This bill is the primary vehicle for exercising credible congressional oversight over the intelligence agencies yet there has not been an intelligence authorization bill, including funding authorities, enacted into law in six years. As a direct result, congressional oversight of our intelligence agencies—including spending—has been significantly diminished.

- National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 – At 3:00 am on Thursday morning, the House Committee on Armed Services voted to favorably report to the House of Representatives the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 60-1. I voted YES. Important aspects of the NDAA included three amendments I offered that were passed by voice vote.

The first amendment authorizes to appropriate $8,000,000 to the Department of the Army for the development of a high efficiency air breathing turbine propulsion system for the Army Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).

The second amendment authorizes to appropriate $2,500,000 in funding for Defense Research Sciences for the Navy to conduct research into the magnetic and electric fields of the coastal ocean environment in furtherance of national security objectives.

The third amendment authorizes to appropriate $1,750,000 in funding for the Strategic Environmental Research Program for an offshore range environmental baseline assessment.

The funding authorized in each of these amendments are reprogrammed funds which come from wasteful Department of Defense offsets.

In addition to these three spending amendments, I offered, then withdrew an amendment version of the Global Combat Zone Recognition Act because it has yet to be scored by Congressional Budget Office (CBO) or Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT).

Finally, included in the Chairman’s bill were the three YouCut bills I introduced, which will generate a total savings of over $80 million in wasteful DOD spending in Fiscal Year 2012 alone.

Within the NDAA, I was one of only five Members who voted against an amendment that allows General Electric (GE) to continue to build the second engine for the F-35. Congress had voted overwhelmingly in H.R. 1 to follow the recommendations of the Department of Defense and Defense Secretary Gates to cut funding for this program. This amendment allows GE to backdoor the defense procurement system.

Finally, after the Subcommittee on Military Personnel voted in favor of a one year moratorium on increasing TRICARE fees, Chairman Buck McKeon altered language in the full committee mark-up that increases TRICARE fees in 2012, and then allows Department of Defense to make annual increases in TRICARE not greater than the percentage of COLA offered to military personnel each year. While the TRICARE increase for 2012 equals just $2.50/month and $5/month for individuals and families respectively, by linking it to COLA from 2013 on, it gives the DOD the ability to essentially raise fees every year from now on, except on those off years when the COLA is not adjusted. This seems to be a major break in the promise of TRICARE to those who joined the military. I do not support this full HASC initiative and recommendation on TRICARE.

- Tuesday, 10 May, met with Ms. Fran Hunsaker, mother of Leavenworth 10 Soldier, Sergeant William Hunsaker. We discussed his case, the current situation, and issues she has with the military judicial system. Once we have completed the NDAA bill, I shall push for our Military Personnel Subcommittee to set a hearing date. Met with the renowned writer and scholar, Dr. Walid Phares, who is possibly America’s foremost authority on Islamic Jihadism and Middle East affairs. Met with US Army War College staff group and discussed political-military issues. The group featured several senior officers from Senegal, United Kingdom, Poland, and United Arab Emirates and American Army and Marine officers. Spoke at a dinner hosted by Mr. Alex Sanchez, President of the Florida Bankers Association, which included some 20 Florida bank CEOs.

- Wednesday, 11 May, from 10:00 am to 3:00 am Thursday morning was spent in the HASC NDAA mark up. Simultaneously I participated in a Small Business Committee mark-up on Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) enhancement and reauthorization legislation. Had the distinct honor of presenting the GI Film Festival Hero Award to Korea and Vietnam veteran Colonel Wiedhahn (USMC, Ret.) at the reception kicking off the 2011 GI Film Festival.

- Thursday, 12 May, started off with a Florida legislator welcome for Realtor, Chamber, and Space Coast members which featured Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Senator Marco Rubio. Spoke to the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) at a luncheon held in the Hart Senate Office Building. Participated in a joint hearing on the “draft” Obama Executive Order on defense procurement contracting political contributions.

- Friday, 13 May, attended a classified briefing with FBI Director Robert Mueller on the PATRIOT Act. Flew home to Plantation for Constituent work week.

- Saturday, 14 May, participated in the Sixth Annual Palm Beach County Police Memorial motorcycle ride, and was keynote speaker. Stopped by the US Military Vets MC West Palm annual ride and party.

In closing, our Congressional office mailed out a letter to the President in support of releasing Jonathan Pollard. Justice has long been served and if President Obama consented to the release of the Lockerbie bomber, then this should not require much deliberation.

Finally, on Friday the news was given that Social Security will run into financial hardship by 2036 and benefits will be cut by 22%. The same report also stated that MEDICARE has until 2024 until it is financially insecure. We can listen to the inept response from the naysayers who just play a political blame game… or we can take action.

MAY 23, 2011 - CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST - WEEKLY UPDATE:

Dear Patriot,

Greetings to our constituents, fellow Floridians, and all Americans.

It is time once again for our weekly update and this has been a “doozy” of a week.

This past Saturday was touted by some fella as being the day the world would end. The day was actually Armed Forces Day and we should have celebrated the men and women who stand upon freedom's ramparts in order to secure our liberty each and every day.

I believe President Barack Obama is completely incorrect when it comes to his Middle East foreign policy. I was hoping that the President would clarify the statement at his AIPAC speech. However, the President did not rectify the unconscionable policy faux pas statement on “pre-1967 borders” to resolve the Middle East peace process. He did not seek an honorable way to publicly apologize; in turn I have come to one concluding assessment: America has a President who lacks moral courage and integrity when it comes to America's long standing relationship with Israel. Here is a statement I released after the President's Speech last week. Please see the statement here.

I say this based upon a speech that then - Senator Obama gave to AIPAC a mere three years ago emphasizing a totally different policy position. In reviewing history, I would say Sir Neville Chamberlain was naive in his negotiations with German Chancellor Adolph Hitler. However, when one examines the current state of affairs in the Middle East, including the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation pact, increase of rocket/mortar attacks from Gaza, the definitive Hamas Charter statement vowing the destruction of Israel, and the Hamas condemnation of America for killing Osama bin Laden... I cannot attribute this incompetent statement to naïveté, but rather to conscious, nefarious, and malicious intent.

Yes, I am very aware these words and the statement I released will be carried forward all across America, and possibly beyond – and yes they are strong words. However, it is time that someone rose up to speak the truth. The statement President Obama made, one without sharing with Prime Minister Netanyahu, is one of the most insidious and heinous policy statements ever made by any United States President, and completely unacceptable. I will not sit back idly and watch us saunter down the road to perdition!

I look forward to attending the AIPAC evening dinner tonight and hopefully will get a moment to speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu and let him know I have his back. As well, I shall enthusiastically applaud Prime Minister Netanyahu when he addresses a Joint Session of Congress this coming Wednesday… he is a Brother Warrior!

Also this week, on Friday, the 60 days under which President Obama can engage in combat operations in Libya without Congressional approval under the 1973 War Powers Act ended. The President, by law, now has 30 days to cease these combat operations in Libya or be in violation of the laws of this Constitutional Republic — we call the United States of America.

Giving a typical Obamaesque speech during prime time television does not constitute requesting Congressional approval, nor does the letter sent to House and Senate Leaders suffice. The President must follow our laws and address a Joint Session of Congress and put forth a resolution for approval – which he does not have from this 22 year U.S. Army Veteran and Congressional Representatives.

Stand by for more on this.

Lastly, we may have a vote at the end of next week on three key provisions of the PATRIOT Act (record checks, roving wiretaps, and lone wolf provisions). I voted back earlier this year for a 90-day extension. The Congressional Leadership seeks a four year extension to these provisions. Let me make myself clear, there is no one more focused on the security of the United States, but I also believe in preserving the liberty of our citizens. The record checks and roving wiretap provisions cause me concern, resulting from my research and query of local and federal law enforcement officers. Over the coming days, I will be reviewing documents to make a careful assessment so I can determine my support or opposition to this further extension to the PATRIOT Act.

Legislative Update: The House was not in session this past week so there is no legislative business to report.

Highlights of the Week:

- Monday, 16 May — Started the day with a tour of the Coral Springs Medical Center and met with the CEO of the Broward Medical System. Great facility! Met with and spoke at the Broward Vets Clinic and updated them on Veterans’ specific legislation which we have supported. I held a press conference at a gas station and pumped gas at a West Palm Beach Chevron station. What a great opportunity to hear from constituents about the effects the exorbitant gas prices are having on their daily routines. Conducted a town hall meeting in Riviera Beach at Inlet Grove High School.

Probably the most hilarious moment during the town hall was when a gentleman yelled out to me, “Where were you five years ago in 2006?” Presumably he must have thought I was in Washington, D.C. causing the many problems I am now working to address. I replied, “I was in Afghanistan, where were YOU?”

- Tuesday, 17 May — Started the day addressing the Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce Wake-Up breakfast meeting. Always great to share with our local business entrepreneurs. Conducted a midday town hall meeting in Pompano Beach with over 200 in attendance. At one point, a fella began repeatedly shouting, “take your hands off my Medicare!” I then directed my attention to him and confided that I would be more than happy to, and responded, “in 13 years, 2024, when Medicare is broke (as reported by the Medicare Board of Trustees last week) I will come looking for you to ask if you still want me to take my hands off Medicare!” It was interesting to see him slump down into his seat. The day ended with our first meeting of our Small Business Advisory Board and what a stellar group of local private sector leaders. Expect great things from this group.

- Wednesday, 18 May — Started the day addressing the leaders and employees of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions in West Palm Beach — a great group of Americans trying to help other Americans. We then transited south to the Boca Raton Community High School where we spent two hours speaking to upper level history, government, and Navy JROTC students. Nothing like being on a High School campus to make one feel old, but what a great group of young people.

I addressed the Boca Rotary weekly luncheon meeting providing them a Capitol Hill update. Then I met with Boynton Beach Mayor Jose Rodriguez to discuss support to his city. Ended the day with a security seminar discussion on America and Israel at the Chabad of Boca Raton hosted by Rabbi Denburg — how appropriate considering what was to be said by President Obama the next day. My dear friend Mark Kahlberg, former Israeli Police officer, made the trip over and was the primary presenter and part of the panel discussion.

- Thursday, 19 May — Started the day with a tour of the Imperial Point Medical Center and held a short town hall meeting and a Capitol Hill update with the medical professionals. Participated in a roundtable meeting and discussion with the South Florida Lubavitch Rabbis held at Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach. It was there we sat and watched the President's address on the Middle East. Needless to say, the audience was not pleased.

- Friday, 20 May — Started off addressing the Small Business Empowerment Forum breakfast along with President of the Florida State Senate, Senator Mike Haridopolus. Then visited and spoke to young people at the Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Center. If one is willing to speak to the Honor students at Boca Raton High School, one must take the same message to kids who need even more encouragement.

I toured the facility of CrossMatch, a local biometrics company in Palm Beach Gardens responsible for providing the technology which was useful in the confirmation in the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Later, I held our first Veterans Advisory Committee meeting and what a great group of Vets and supporters make-up this board. We already have the creative juices flowing to improve the quality of life for our South Florida Veterans. We closed the day speaking at the Shabbos services at Temple Beth Kodesh in support of Israel and honoring our local Jewish War Veterans.

- Saturday, 21 May — Given the distinct honor of being the keynote speaker at the Cooper City Christian Academy graduation ceremony.

- Sunday, 22 May — Addressed the Florida District Exchange Club Convention at their “One Nation Under God” breakfast. I discussed America's Godly Heritage- based upon the simple but profound book of the same title by David Barton of “Wallbuilders.”

In closing, how about that Patient and Protection Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)? Another 200+ waivers granted this past week, bringing the total to over 1,400 waivers. And interestingly enough, in this new batch of waivers, 20% (38) were granted to the district of one female U.S. Congressional representative in California…

Steadfast and Loyal,

Allen

Sincerely,

Allen West
Member of Congress

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