“I am proud to endorse Governor Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee for president. Our country needs a leader who has not only studied economics, but truly understands economic principles. We need a leader who has not only created jobs, but who understands that more government regulations are stifling job creation. And we need a leader who is ready to end the Obama Administration’s failed policies that are keeping so many out of work so we can get our country back on a sustainable fiscal path to prosperity.

“I commend Senator Santorum for advancing important issues and for his spirited primary efforts.

“I look forward to making Governor Romney the next president of the United States.”

A key Republican lawmaker expressed frustration yesterday over permits related to the southern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline.

At the end of a hearing on the fiscal 2013 budget request from the Army Corps of Engineers, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, questioned why older permits that have been suspended had not been simply updated in order to expedite the approval process.

The proposed pipeline to bring Canadian oil sands product to Gulf Coast refineries has been in political limbo, even as President Obama last week vowed to make the southern segment of the pipeline a reality.

“I’m concerned that, maybe, this is more of a political way to say we’re moving forward,” Gibbs said.

He made the remarks in response to earlier comments from the witness panel. Jo-Ellen Darcy, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, said the older section 404 permits submitted by TransCanada were suspended after the Obama administration decided to block the original plan for the pipeline. Section 404 permits regulate the release of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters, according to U.S. EPA’s website.

TransCanada, Darcy said, needs to reapply for the permits in the southern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline — and had not yet submitted new permits.

“Because it’s part of a new project and has a new purpose and need — which has to be demonstrated in the permit application — we need to look at those new permits from that perspective,” Darcy said.

But Gibbs contends that making TransCanada reapply drags out the process.

The hearing came after Obama vowed last week to “break through the bureaucratic hurdles” involved with the proposed XL route from Cushing, Okla., to the Gulf Coast (Greenwire, March 22).

Lawmakers discuss harbor trust fund

Aside from questions on the Keystone permits, Army Corps officials also fielded several queries about the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

The fiscal 2013 budget calls for a 12 percent bump from fiscal 2012, raising funding to $848 million. Through taxes on goods coming from U.S. docks, the fund takes in about $1.5 billion each year. However, only about half that money gets allocated toward dredging and other harbor maintenance needs (Greenwire, Feb. 14). The rest is used to offset other costs in the budget.

“This is a problem of long-standing and bipartisan causation,” said the subcommittee’s senior Democrat, New York Rep. Tim Bishop. He added that every president since Ronald Reagan established the fund has used the tactic.

Bishop and Gibbs said they favored spending down the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. And both pointed to the RAMP Act (H.R. 104), proposed legislation that would ensure the funds brought into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for the dredging and port maintenance (E&E Daily, Oct. 28, 2011).

In all, the White House’s fiscal 2013 budget request called for $4.7 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers — a 5.4 percent reduction from last year’s funding levels. The request would mark a return to 2003 funding levels for the Army Corps (Greenwire, Feb. 13).

I had the privilege of touring several businesses in Stark County this month, ranging from a snack foods manufacturer to a truck sales company.  It was a great honor to learn more about Stark County and the local businesses that drive its economy.  It is heartening to see so many multi-generational family businesses that continue to grow and expand as they are passed on from one generation to the next.

As I meet with business owners, there is a consistent theme in all of our conversations; the bureaucrats in Washington are stifling businesses in Stark County and across the nation.  Whether it is regulatory red-tape that adds to the costs of doing business or tax rates that discourage investment and reinvestment back into business, the federal government is not helping our economy get back on track; it is only hurting economic recovery.  Washington needs to get out of the way of the small and medium-sized businesses that drive our economy.

Bob Gibbs visiting Shearers Foods in Massillon

It is not the government’s job to create jobs.  Rather, it should be focused on creating the atmosphere in which our economy can flourish.  That means commonsense regulatory reform, competitive tax rates, not spending more money than the government takes in, and an energy policy that responsibly develops our natural resources here at home.  I have helped in taking the steps to roll back the recent intrusion of our government.  Last year with wide bipartisan support, I introduced and passed the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, which would prevent the EPA from requiring a duplicative and burdensome permitting process for the agriculture community and local municipalities.

America has an abundance of natural resources, which must be responsibly developed and utilized.  There is no reason for the United States to continue sending oil and gas money overseas to countries that wish to do us harm when we have the resources to fuel our economy literally under our feet.  We must have a sound energy policy that encourages responsible exploration and growth in our domestic resources.  President Obama’s decision to kill the Keystone XL pipeline is the wrong decision and makes us more beholden to oil-rich nations that do not like America.

The costs of Obamacare are also contributing to the economy’s sluggish recovery.  I hear from too many businesses that they are holding off on hiring new employees or investing in their business because of the uncertainty created by the President’s health care plan.  Bureaucrats in Washington should not be determining your health coverage and treatment.  Additionally, with over 1,200 waivers to Obamacare granted, Obama is allowing his friends to ignore the law.  That’s why I voted last year to repeal Obamacare and begin a fresh approach with market-based reforms that will actually lower the costs of healthcare.

Finally, the days of massive deficits need to come to an end.  Since 2009, the President has added nearly $5 trillion in new debt.  That is more than the total national debt accumulated by all 41 U.S. President’s combined.  But Americans deserve better than debt, doubt and despair. It is time to rein in government spending, reduce our deficit and dramatically decrease the size and scope of government.  That’s why I voted to cut over $6 trillion in spending over the next ten years.

While President Obama supports excessive government regulations that will cost jobs and lessen American energy, I have been listening to real job-creators who tell me to keep fighting to break down government barriers to economic growth and job creation and continue instituting pro-growth initiatives.  I plan to do just that so we can restore certainty and confidence once again, put Stark County back to work, and get on track for a stronger America.

Congressman Bob Gibbs said, “I am very proud to have earned an A+ rating from the NRA and their endorsement of my candidacy.  This endorsement reflects my strong commitment to defending our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.  As a life-member of the NRA, I have always supported the rights of gun owners, voting for the Ohio conceal carry legislation, as well as authoring HR 1865, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act.”

In his endorsement letter to Congressman Gibbs, James J. Baker, the Director of Federal Affairs said, “On behalf of our 4 million members nationwide, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse you for reelection the U.S. House of Representatives in the upcoming March 6th Republican primary.  Based on your solid and consistent pro-gun voting record, as well as your leadership on H.R. 1865, you have earned the highest attainable rating, an ‘A+’ from the NRA-PVF.”

He continued, “Thank you for your unwavering support of the Second Amendment.  We urge our members, gun owners, and sportsmen in Ohio to vote for you in the upcoming March 6th Republican primary.”

Read the full letter here

Upon hearing of the endorsement, Gibbs said, “I am honored to have the confidence and endorsement of the Coshocton GOP.  I thank them for their support; it has been a privilege to represent Coshocton County in the US House of Representatives this past year.”

“Our committee is proud to endorse Bob Gibbs,” said Tim Ross, Central Committee member and President of the Coshocton County Republican Club. “Bob has been great for Coshocton County and we look forward to having him representing us in Congress for many years to come.”

Bob Gibbs is a candidate for the newly redistricted 7^th Congressional District of Ohio, comprised of Coshocton County and 10 other counties.

###

Ohio Right to Life PAC Endorses Bob Gibbs

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Right to Life Society PAC today announced their endorsement of longstanding pro-life ally, Congressman Bob Gibbs for the March 6^th primary elections.

“It is an honor and privilege for our movement to stand and support our pro-life leaders like Congressman Bob Gibbs.  Over the course of his career, he has exemplified true leadership for the pro-life movement.  Returning Representative Gibbs to Congress will ensure that more mothers will be protected and more babies will be saved.  These public servants will continue to advance our number one goal which is to overturn Roe v. Wade,” said Mike Gonidakis, on behalf of the Ohio Right to Life PAC. “As pro-life Ohioans, it is our responsibility to support Representative Gibbs.”

Congressman Gibbs said, “I’m happy to have Ohio Right to Life Society PAC support my candidacy as we work together to promote a culture of life in our country.  This year, I was proud to vote to stop taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions, and I was equally proud to stop taxpayer money from going to pro-abortion organizations such as Planned Parenthood.  I am very proud of my 100% pro-life voting record and will continue to fight for the life of the unborn.”