U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry issued the following statement after the House passed a 2012 budget bill that establishes a blueprint for taxes and spending for the next fiscal year: “The budget passed by the House today is a drastic departure from spending-as-usual in Washington. It holds down taxes and reduces overall spending to a level that the economy – and the American workers – can sustain. At the same time, it provides a blueprint for reforming government programs in a way that not only ... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) issued the following statement after the House passed a spending bill that funds the government through September and cuts about $38 billion from the rate of spending for the year: “Our debt and deficit problems were not created overnight and will not be solved easily or quickly. So while I am disappointed there are not more cuts in this bill, we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. These cuts are just a first step. When the Senate passes ... Read more

Turning the page on business as usual in Washington Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) This week begins a new page. So far this year, Congress has been working primarily on last year's business. In 2010, for the first time in nearly 40 years, the House never even voted on a budget and Congress did not pass any of the 12 appropriations bills that fund government. The back-and-forth between the Republican House on one side and President Obama and the Democratic Majority in the Senate on the other h... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) issued the following statement regarding the announcement of an agreement to keep the government open and pass a funding measure for the remainder of the fiscal year: "The agreement the House passed last night ensures our troops will be paid on time, that the government will stay open, and makes record cuts to federal spending. These things are a step in the right direction, but I am disappointed there weren't more spending cuts included. We cannot j... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) issued the following statement after the House passed a short-term bill to fund the government for a week, fund the Department of Defense for the rest of the fiscal year, and cut an additional $12 billion in spending: “Getting our military paid and funding the Department of Defense for the remainder of the year must be a priority and that is why I voted for this short-term bill. It bothers me tremendously to think that some young 25-year-old is on th... Read more

A bill co-sponsored by U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) that relieves farmers, ranchers, and others of having to obtain duplicative and unnecessary permits for pesticide use passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 (H.R. 872) amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) to exempt pesticides used according to the label from the need for a duplicative CWA permit. “I am very concerned... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) this week introduced a new version of his bill to promote domestic energy production. H.R. 1023, the “No More Excuses Energy Act of 2011,” encourages the production of all forms of domestic energy including oil and gas, nuclear, and alternative energy and fuels. “Rising gas prices like the ones we are seeing today are partly the result of bad policy decisions coming out of Washington, “said Rep. Thornberry. “Rather than more regulations and restricti... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry will be visiting with constituents over coffee March 23 through March 25. “People are interested in what Congress is going to do about jobs, energy production and gas prices, government spending, and many other issues. These coffees give me the chance to listen to what folks have to say, answer their questions, and share a little about what I am working on this year as well,” said Thornberry. The coffees will be held: Wednesday, March 23 Iowa Park 8:30 a.m. – 9:30... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) issued the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 1, which cuts discretionary spending by $100 billion in the next seven months compared to President Obama's FY 11 budget request: "This morning I voted for H.R. 1, a bill that returns non-security, discretionary spending to 2008 levels. It is a start. The government simply cannot continue to spend as it has and borrow 40 cents of every dollar to pay for it. Every dollar spent by governmen... Read more

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry will be visiting with constituents over coffee February 23 through February 25. “People are interested in what Congress is going to do about jobs, health care, government spending, and many other issues. These coffees give me the chance to listen to what folks have to say, answer their questions, and share a little about what I am working on this year as well,” said Thornberry. The coffees will be held: Wednesday, February 23 Borger 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Dake’s Restaur... Read more