Pete's Blog

Sessions: House Expands Deficit Spending in Ploy on Physicians

Washington, DC—U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) today released the following statement in opposition to House Democrats’ phony physician payment “fix” that passed the House by a vote of 243 -183: “Today, House Democrats get a gold star for political expediency at the expense of physicians and taxpayers. In a cynical attempt to hide the true costs of her government-run health care bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised a separate ‘solution’ for the looming 21% physician reimbursement cuts — a solution that recreates and expands the same flawed system, adds a quarter trillion dollars to the national debt, and leads to higher costs for seniors."

Sessions Lauds Scouting Stamp for Boy Scouts of America

Washington, DC—U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) today joins the U.S. Postal Service and the Boy Scouts of America in celebrating the unveiling of a U.S. postage stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Since 2007, Sessions has worked tirelessly in Congress and with the Boy Scouts of America to secure a stamp honoring 100 years of Scouting. Entitled “Celebrate Scouting,” the stamp design, which was created by illustrator Craig Frazier of Mill Valley, CA, depicts the spirit and outdoor adventure of scouting through a backpacking scout and a large silhouette of a scout surveying the landscape. In July 2010, the new Celebrate Scouting stamps will go on sale nationwide and will be dedicated at the Boy Scout Jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill, VA.

Sessions Statement on Veterans Day

Washington, DC—U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) today released the following statement regarding Veterans Day: “Today, I stand united with Americans to express my deepest gratitude for our active duty and retired military’s dedicated service to our nation. Veterans Day honors the military heroes who have earned our heartfelt admiration and respect for their willingness to make personal sacrifices in exchange for the safety of all Americans. As we reflect on the lives of our servicemen and women that have been lost, today we reaffirm our steadfast support for all men and women in uniform and their families.”

House Call

Today, I joined my Republican colleagues in participating in a “House Call” on the current government-run health care bill. The public press conference held on the steps of the U.S Capitol attracted thousands of citizens from across the country. Republican Members and concerned Americans gathered today with a common purpose: to speak in strong opposition to a government takeover of health care. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat Majority are racing to make massive changes to our current health care delivery system without regard for the voice of the American people. As a vote on Speaker Pelosi’s now 2,032-page health care bill is nearing, Americans are fighting to have their voice heard in Washington. Today, we sent a clear message against Speaker Pelosi’s plan for government interference in every American’s health care.

DISD’s Dealey International Academy Named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School

Today, I was pleased to meet with Dallas residents Johanna Bortnem and Dr. René Schmidt of the George Bannerman Dealey International Academy. They visited Washington, DC to accept an award from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan honoring Dealey International Academy as a 2009 Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors both public and private schools across the country that have either made exceptional advancements in student achievement and have helped close gaps in achievement seen in minority and disadvantaged students, or schools that are academically superior. This year, Secretary Duncan awarded 314 schools – 264 public and 50 private – as 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools.

Reading Room: 1,990-Page Health Care Bill

1,990 pages. Over 400,00 words. And approximately $3.25 million tax dollars per word. That’s House Democrats’ latest government-run health care bill — filled with dense legislative language that can have a lasting impact on your family’s health care coverage as well as mine. The stakes are high, and I am committed to knowing exactly what is in the bill before it comes for a vote in the House of Representatives. That is why I joined Texas Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D. and other Republican Members this afternoon in participating in a Health Care Reform Bill “Reading Room.” Together, we read pages of the bill and discussed the impact those provisions will have on American families.