Rokita Report - Starting the 114th Congress Right

Statement

Dear Friend,

Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 114th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well.

The 114th Congress Commences

On Tuesday, the 114th Congress kicked off. With the new Congress, and a Republican majority in the Senate, I am renewing my commitment to fight for all Hoosiers, so they can build better lives for themselves and their families.

I will continue to serve on the Budget Committee in the 114th Congress. This is an important platform to drive the spending reductions needed to control the size and scope of the federal government. As your representative, I recognize that we must be responsible in our spending and not saddle future generations with trillions of dollars in debt.

On the Education and the Workforce Committee, as the returning Chairman of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee, I am committed to championing education reforms that empower parents and respect states' rights, especially by rewriting legislation like No Child Left Behind. With my colleagues in the House and Senate, my goal is to move these K-12 reform bills to the President's desk, this Congress, if not this year. Last Congress, several education reform bills passed by the House, like the Student Success Act and the Strengthening Education through Research Act did not receive votes in the Senate.

Finally, I will be joining the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Representing the Crossroads of America, this new post allows me to continue serving the people and businesses of Indiana. The committee has oversight over all modes of transportation, including highways, railways, waterways, and aviation. Some of the key issues on the committee's agenda for the new Congress include reauthorizing surface transportation programs and the Federal Aviation Administration. Drawing on my experiences as a commercial-rated private pilot, I will also continue to push for reforms to the third class medicals standards.

Standing Up Against Executive Overreach

I strongly believe that one of the greatest threats to the future of our Republic is the President's utter disregard for checks and balances. His executive action on immigration brazenly ignores the Constitution and the will of the American people. As a first item of business in the 114th Congress, we must check the President's authority and fight to preserve the rule of law.

This week, I sent a letter to House Leadership requesting immediate action to defund President Obama's illegal executive orders, which grants amnesty to five million illegal immigrants. By acting early in this new Congress, we can put a stop to this abuse of power. Soon after sending the letter, House Leadership announced legislation will be considered this week that denies funds for the President's unlawful actions.

Fighting For the 40 Hour Work Week

One of the first orders of business for the new Congress was to stand up for American workers by passing the Save American Workers Act. This bill would repeal ObamaCare's poorly planned 30-hour definition of full-time employment and reaffirms the traditional 40-hour work week. ObamaCare disincentives full-time workers as many employers that are struggling to make ends meet have no choice but to rely more on part-time staff.

We know that working full time is the best way for Americans to climb the economic ladder. Providing all Americans the opportunity to enjoy the dignity that comes with the blessing that is a full-time job is the best way to help them and their families. The data shows that 97 percent of Americans working a full time job will escape poverty.

H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, passed 252 to 172 with bipartisan support.

Building the Keystone XL Pipeline

On Friday, as a new member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I helped secure passage of the committee's flagship, bi-partisan legislation to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill, H.R. 3, passed 266 to 153.

The Keystone XL pipeline has been stuck in red tape limbo for over six years. Rather than give an up or down decision the President has stalled on decision-making.

This is an important infrastructure project that provides an opportunity to increase American energy security and bolster an "all-of-the-above" energy policy. Hoosier businesses, including equipment suppliers like Caterpillar in Lafayette, stand to directly benefit from the construction of the pipeline. The State Department, has stated that the pipeline would contribute $3.4 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is long-past time to move forward with this important project.

Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts in Washington. Take care.

Sincerely,

Todd Rokita

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