Tom Graves Weekly Column 7.15.2010

A Weekly Column:

Congressman Tom Graves

July 9, 2010

It has certainly been a busy few weeks in Congress and I was very happy to get back home this week while Congress observed recess.  It is important for me to share what I am doing on behalf of my constituents and I am proud to be your voice in Washington.

While back home in Ranger for the week I had the opportunity of speaking with folks about what is going on in Washington and I took on a three-day Business Advisory Council Tour of each county of Georgia’s 9^th District.

During this tour I met with business leaders in communities around North Georgia in order to adequately identify ways to help boost the economy and create jobs through an expanded private sector. I am pleased with the great turnout we had and it was a great success. In fact, it was such a great success that I intend to hold monthly phone conferences and quarterly meetings with the council to advise me on economic issues important to North Georgians.

The vital solutions America needs to create jobs and get our economy moving again will not come from Washington D.C. but from hard-working job creators like the men and women I met with this week.  This tour was very important to me as it is my plan to bring insight, ideas and solutions to create jobs and spur the economy back from this July recess to share with Congress.

As previously mentioned, my first few weeks as your U.S. Representative have been extremely busy. Times are tough in this economy and many in the 9^th District, and nationwide, are hurting. I have been working hard to push back on the Democrat majority’s agenda as I will continue to do with your best interests in mind.

Here are a few things of mention that I have reported or worked on during the past few weeks:

●The U.S. Supreme Court upheld that McDonald v. Chicago, extended the Constitution’s Second Amendment “right to keep and bear arms” to all fifty states. This was a victory for the Second Amendment as it reaffirms those individual states cannot take away the rights afforded to every law-abiding American by the Bill of Rights.  To learn more click here.

● I voted against H.R. 4173, the Democrat’s Permanent Bailout Bill. This permanent bailout of Wall Street adds to the burden of the already struggling American family and small business community, as it is our citizens who have to pay for it.  With the growing amount of uncertainty on Main Street rises, the relationship between big Government and Wall Street strengthens resulting in more meltdowns, more bailouts and higher costs for taxpayers. To read more on this please click here.

● I voted to increase transparency in financial markets with my vote in favor of the Motion to Recommit, which would have amended H.R. 4173 to include language that would have audited the Federal Reserve. North Georgians deserve to know what the Federal Reserve is doing with their money.  To learn more please click here.

● The first tax under the Democrats health care bill was levied this week. It is a 10 percent excise tax on ultraviolet tanning services that will cost taxpayers and small business $2.7 billion. The Democrat’s health care bill is a job killer and it is loaded with out-of-control spending, borrowing and growing federal government.  Congress needs to step aside and let small businesses have a chance to succeed. To read more please click here.

The above are just a few things I have been doing and I look forward to working even harder for you and your families when we return.

As always, it is my utmost honor to serve the people of Georgia’s 9^th District.  Please do not hesitate to call on me if I can be of service.

Sincerely,

Congressman Tom Graves

U.S. Representative Tom Graves

Georgia’s 9^th Congressional District

2133 Rayburn Building, Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-5211 FAX (202) 225-8272

www.tomgraves.house.gov