Press Releases

Stutzman: “Unelected Bureaucrats Must be Held Accountable”

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act:

“Unelected bureaucrats must be held accountable. Unfortunately, the SEC worked to pass rules without performing a cost-benefit analysis and failed to respond to problems raised by taxpayers. That’s hardly a profile in responsible government.

“Hoosiers know that red tape is a job killer and, while regulations have an important role, it’s imperative that the costs of Washington rules don’t outweigh the benefits. The legislation we passed today holds the SEC accountable by making sure that rules are properly reviewed and I commend the House for passing this common sense legislation.”

Background:

·Congressman Stutzman is a cosponsor of H.R. 1062, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act. The legislation would require the SEC to perform a cost-benefit analysis of its regulations, specifically tailor regulations to impose the least burden, and review its existing regulations within one year of the law’s enactment.

Stutzman on Washington Scandals: “President Obama Must Restore the American Public’s Confidence”

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement today, calling on the White House to restore credibility with the American people in the wake of Washington scandals:

“Public servants have a sacred trust to represent those they serve with integrity and fairness. The scandals that have come to light this week in Washington, DC have broken that trust.

"President Obama must restore the American public's confidence in their leaders by working with Congress to fully investigate these abuses of government power. Lawmakers must come together to determine exactly who knew about these flagrant abuses and what legal actions will be taken against the responsible parties.”

Stutzman Renews Invitation for Maryland Gun Manufacturer to Move to Indiana

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman renewed his invitation for Maryland gun manufacturer Beretta to move to Indiana’s pro-business environment after Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed sweeping gun regulations into law this morning:

“Maryland’s new gun law is oppressive, restricts the freedoms of law-abiding citizens and creates a hostile business environment for Beretta. On the other hand, Hoosiers’ respect for the 2^nd Amendment remains steadfast, as does our favorable business environment. We would value Beretta’s business in our state and welcome the company with open arms.”

Background:

On February 6, 2013, Beretta USA testified before Maryland’s Senate Judiciary Committee, arguing that S.B. 281 would create a business environment hostile to firearms manufacturers.
On March 5, 2013, Stutzman sent a letter to Beretta USA, asking the gun maker to consider relocating their U.S. headquarters from Maryland to Indiana.

Stutzman Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Sexual Assault Whistleblowers in Military

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement today after co-sponsoring the Military Whistleblower Protection Act introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN).

“The increasing rate of sexual assaults in the military is abhorrent and must be addressed immediately. Americans who stare down threats abroad must be protected from threats within their own ranks. I’m proud to join my friend and Hoosier colleague Congresswoman Walorski who has worked tirelessly on this critical issue. This legislation will strengthen military whistleblower protections to make sure that the victims of these terrible crimes do not face retaliation for exposing their attackers.”

Background:

Congressman Stutzman is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1864, the Military Whistleblower Protection Act, legislation that strengthens military whistleblower protections to clarify that victims are protected from punishment resulting from their report of sexual assault.

Earlier this month, the Pentagon estimated that 26,000 sex crimes were committed in the armed forces last year alone.

Yesterday, General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the increase in sexual assaults a “crisis.” Today, President Obama will meet with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and military leaders to discuss the issue.

Stutzman: “Obamacare Empowers the Agency That Just Violated the Public’s Trust”

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement today after the House voted to repeal President Obama’s health care law:

“Obamacare empowers the agency that just violated the public’s trust by secretly targeting conservative groups. Even by Washington’s standards, that’s unacceptable. Obamacare’s regulatory burdens, oppressive tax hikes, and vast deficits are based on the President’s relentless faith in government bureaucrats. Hoosiers know better and, over the past three years, they’ve made it clear that bureaucrats shouldn’t come between patients and their doctors. It’s time to repeal Obamacare and work on solutions that put patients first.”

Stutzman Statement on IRS Scandal: “Taxpayers Pay for Public Servants not Political Thugs”

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement today regarding the IRS scandal:

“Taxpayers pay for public servants not political thugs. The IRS’ abuse of government power to target conservatives is blatantly unconstitutional and an affront to this country’s foundational belief in equality under the law. President Obama should cooperate with Congress to fully expose this scandal and get to the bottom of this abuse. The American people deserve nothing less.”

Stutzman on Gosnell Verdict: Justice for Three Victims

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement today following the verdict in the trial of Kermit Gosnell:

“Today’s verdict brings justice for three of Gosnell’s countless victims. This trial has stripped away society’s convenient euphemisms and exposed abortion’s ugly truth: abortion is not safe and it is not rare. Now that the jury has delivered its verdict, the American people must come together for an honest conversation about abortion and Congress must exercise its powers of oversight to prevent similar atrocities."

Stutzman Introduces House Resolution to Review Illegal Abortion Practices

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. – Last night U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman, along with two other co-sponsors introduced H. Res. 206, a resolution calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to review public policies that led to illegal abortion practices, such as those of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion provider.

Dr. Gosnell is currently standing trial for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder for killing four babies who survived abortions, and a woman who died after a botched pain-killer injection, among other charges.

The resolution, which was introduced with three original co-sponsors: Rep. Stutzman, Rep. Fincher (R-TN), and Rep. Blackburn (R-TN) resolves “Congress and States should gather information about and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices and the interstate referral of women and girls to facilities engaged in dangerous or illegal second- and third-trimester procedures.”

STUTZMAN: “We owe it to the weakest among us to investigate public policies and abortion practices to determine what can be done to prevent more of these barbaric crimes. In a nation grounded upon equal protection under the law, Congress has an obligation to gather the facts and prevent future atrocities.”

FINCHER: “The more I hear about the Gosnell trial, the more my heart breaks. With today’s technology you can actually see the baby grow, move and hear their little heart beats. Late-term abortions are unconscionable. As a nation, it’s time to put politics aside and do the right thing to protect innocent little babies.”

BLACKBURN: “Gosnell has debunked the myth that abortion in America is safe, legal, and rare. No one -- not the President, Planned Parenthood, nor the mainstream media -- can defend that lie anymore. America is better than allowing Gosnell-like clinic conditions and Gosnell-like abortions from being swept under the rug like nothing ever happened and that women and children never died. Oversight and enforcement are desperately needed so we can help stop these Gosnell abortion horror stories from continuing.”

Stutzman: “We Can Give Working Parents More Flexibility”

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Video of the Congressman’s remarks is available by clicking here.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman spoke on the House floor today in favor of the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013, legislation to give Hoosiers the same flexibility afforded to government workers.

“Mr. Speaker, life is hard. Across Indiana, moms and dads are working hard to make ends meet and it’s anything but easy.

“The national unemployment rate is 7.5%. More businesses are reducing employees’ hours under the immense pressure and weight of Obamacare’s red tape. On top of all that, President Obama wants $1.2 trillion in new taxes on families and businesses.

“There’s no time card at the dinner table. Parenting is a 24/7, 365-day job. Unfortunately, moms and dads in the private sector have to consider missing a day of work when flu season strikes, or when teacher conferences roll around, or when life throws another curveball.

“The last thing Hoosiers in the real economy need is an outdated federal law that makes things harder.

“Under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, too many families are forced to make a difficult trade-off: sit down with your son’s teacher and you could see a thinner paycheck at the end of the week. Often, mom and dad will take turns after they’ve looked at the budget and the calendar. For single parents, it’s another uphill battle.

“But while families on Main Street have to make tough choices, government workers have the flexibility to work overtime to cover these situations. We need to make sure that Hoosiers in the everyday world have the same option.

“Here in the House, we’ve introduced a simple, common sense solution. Our bill gives Hoosiers and Americans a choice between cash wages and comp time for the overtime hours they work. Government workers already get this option—so should everyday Americans.

“By fixing an outdated law today, we can give working parents more flexibility tomorrow.”

Background:

Congressman Stutzman is a cosponsor of H.R. 1406, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013.

The legislation, which will come before the House for a vote this week, amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow employers in the private sector to offer workers the choice of paid time off in lieu of cash wages for overtime work. For nearly thirty years, government employees have enjoyed the benefits of this “comp time” arrangement.

Stutzman: “Have Forty Years of Abortion-on-Demand Seared Our National Conscience?”

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Video of the Congressman’s remarks is available by clicking here.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman went to the House floor today to lead more than a dozen pro-life members of Congress in exposing the horrors of the Gosnell trial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

“Kermit Gosnell is a real-life Hannibal Lecter. Gosnell operated an abortion clinic that severed the necks of hundreds of babies and stuffed their bodies into freezers, plastic bags, and cat food tins. Soon a jury in Pennsylvania will decide his fate.

“Mr. Speaker, the Gosnell case must give us a moment of reflection. Have forty years of abortion-on-demand seared our national conscience and given us false refuge behind euphemisms like ‘choice’?

“More than 3,000 unborn children die in abortion clinics every day in this country. While none of these deaths attracts the headlines of the Gosnell case, each loss is a tragedy.

“Each of these defenseless babies are just as innocent as Gosnell’s victims, just as human as you and I, and just as precious as our own children.

“There is no moral distinction between killing a baby five minutes after birth or ending her life five minutes—or even five days—before delivery.

“In the coming weeks, more questions will be asked—who referred patients to Gosnell’s house of horrors and what can be learned from these atrocities?

“Today, we all ought to re-examine our national conscience.”

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