Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement regarding the U.S. – KoreaFree Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) taking effect today:

“Thousands of hardworking Arkansansearn their living from the export of Arkansas-made products to othercountries.  Last year alone, our state exported over $195 million worth ofgoods to South Korea. Starting today, Arkansasjob creators will have even greater access to this critical market, which willstrengthen our economy and create jobs.”

Rep. Griffin supported the KORUS FTA when itpassed the House in October 2011.  According to the U.S. Department ofCommerce, the KORUS FTA is expected to increase U.S. exports by over $11 billionannually.   Nearly 66,000 Arkansasjobs are supported by the exportation of manufactured goods, according to theNational Association of Manufacturers.

Title: Fox Community Political Rally & Pie Auction March 10
Location: at the Rural Special School, Fox, AR
Description: Fox Community Political Rally & Pie Auction
March 10, 2012 at 6:00 pm
at the Rural Special School, Fox, AR

Proceedes from the pie auction go to the continued upkeep of the Fox Fun Park, Fox Ball Park & Walking Trail, and Community Center.

Start Time: 180000
Date: 2012-03-10

U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) today introduced legislation to strengthen government efforts to match American businesses with new markets abroad.  

Pryor and Blunt believe increasing American exports has the potential to drive economic growth and create jobs at home, and they are looking to strengthen government efforts to support local businesses through the export process.  

Their bill, theExport Promotion Act of 2012, would authorize the Commerce Department to seek input from U.S. companies on how to improve export programs, identify opportunities for increased exports and re-assign trade personnel accordingly. In addition, the legislation directs the Secretary of State to have all ambassadors develop a plan for increasing U.S. exports in the region. Finally, the legislation enhances coordination between government agencies, including an effort to increase the information available on export.gov for businesses interested in export opportunities.  These measures come from recommendations by the non-partisan Government Accounting Office on ways to improve government-wide performance and resource allocation in regard to export promotion.

“There’s a lot of untapped potential and opportunity when it comes to global demand.  While made in America remains the gold standard, we must still be aggressive in promoting our products and capturing markets,” Pryor said.  “Our bipartisan bill sets a smart, achievable strategy that will give U.S. companies a leg up on global competition.” 

“Our modern economy is built on our ability to fairly trade and compete with other nations. The more goods and services that American businesses export, the more they produce,” Blunt said. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan bill, which will help promote American products, spur economic development, and jumpstart job creation here at home.”

Nearly 95% of the world’s consumers reside outside of the United States, representing three-fourths of the world’s purchasing power.  With this legislation, the senators are looking to help companies in their states and throughout the country capture more of the worldwide market.  In 2009, more than 1,400 Arkansas companies exported products or services. Of those, nearly eighty percent were small and medium-sized companies. The state’s top exports include aircraft parts, poultry, chemicals, rice, cotton and machinery.

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after joining the Congressional Mobility Air Forces Caucus:

 “I am proud to join the Congressional Mobility Air Forces Caucus.  Whether it be air refueling, airlift or aero medical evacuation, our country’s mobility air forces play an incredibly important role in America’s overall defense strategy.  At a time when defense priorities are being evaluated, the Congressional Mobility Air Forces Caucus will fight to ensure America retains its ability to respond rapidly anywhere in the world.”

 America’s mobility air forces are comprised of Active, Guard and Reserve units that fly and maintain our nation’s C-20, C-21, C-32, C-37, C-5, C-17, C-40, C-130, KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft.  Arkansas’s Second Congressional District is home to Little Rock Air Force Base and the 19th, 189th and 314th Airlift Wings, providing our nation critical combat and humanitarian airlift capability from its more than 80 C-130 aircraft.  In addition to the Congressional Mobility Air Forces Caucus, Rep. Griffin is a co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional C-130 Modernization Caucus.

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee approved the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452):

 “As a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 452, I applaud the Subcommittee for approving this critical bill, which would repeal one of the most offensive parts of President Obama’s health care law – the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).  Giving an unelected 15-member board the power to dictate health care decisions to America’s seniors is outrageous.  Putting the federal government between patients and their doctors and cutting Medicare without looking at ways to reduce costs through innovation and reform is not the way to save Medicare.  Today’s vote is another step toward patient-centered solutions and preserving Americans’ right to make their own health care decisions.”

 The unelected 15-member board, which will consist of the President’s appointed members, could propose cuts to Medicare as early as January 2014.  Even more troubling, the IPAB’s Medicare cuts will automatically be imposed on seniors unless Congress passes legislation that produces the same level of spending cuts.

 H.R. 452 would repeal this provision of the President’s health care law.  It now awaits consideration by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after House passage of H. Res. 562, which directs the House historian to compile oral histories from Members of Congress involved in the historic Selma to Montgomery, Alabama marches:

 “I am proud to support this bipartisan resolution.  It will ensure that a pivotal time in our nation’s history is remembered through the words of current and former Members who were personally involved in the Selma to Montgomery marches and the larger civil rights movement.  These accounts will provide students and scholars a unique perspective on the decisions and events that shaped American history.”

 H. Res. 562 was passed by the House by a vote of 418 to zero.  A copy of the resolution can be found here.

Court of Appeals Judge Jo Hart received confirmation that her efforts to gather more than 15,000 signatures to place her on the ballot for the Arkansas Supreme Court were successful. 

 “Today I received word from the Secretary of State that I had turned in far more signatures than were necessary to put my name on the ballot for the May 22, 2012 election,” she said. 

 “I truly appreciate all the kind voters who gave of their time during the cold days of December and January to listen to my message of serving the people. And I listened to their opinions about their judiciary and their government.  I will continue listening to them throughout this campaign,” she said.

 The petition process allows a candidate to make the ballot without raising the funds to pay a filing fee.

 “We are facing a critical time in our state when it comes to electing justices to the Supreme Court.  My concern is that overspending in Arkansas judicial races may erode the public’s confidence in the impartiality and integrity of our judges,” said Judge Hart.

 “I entered into this race by using ballot petitions because I wanted to tell the voters of Arkansas that there is an alternative to the toxic, highly financed judicial elections that negatively affect the public trust.  I don’t want Arkansas to be like other states, where citizens perceive that justice is for sale,” she said.

 Judge Hart lives in Mountain View with her husband Brook of 38 years.  The May 22, 2012 election will fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court due to the retirement of Justice Jim Gunter, who announced his intention to retire last year.

State Senate candidate and District 31 State Representative David J. Sanders (R-Little Rock) today issued the following statement after formally filing paperwork to represent the newly created Senate District 15 in the Arkansas General Assembly:

“I am honored to file today to represent the voters of District 15 and help build a new conservative majority in the Arkansas Senate for the first time in over a century. The hard working men and women in District 15 are looking to continue to be represented by a committed, conservative leader with a record of successfully fighting for Arkansas taxpayers.”

State Senator Jason Rapert (R-Conway) today issued the following statement after formally filing paperwork to return to the Arkansas Senate and represent the newly created Senate District 35 in the Arkansas General Assembly:

“I am honored to have the opportunity to fight on behalf of hardworking Arkansas taxpayers who are trying to ensure their children have a chance to live in a more prosperous future.  Thanks to the support of my friends in Conway and neighbors in Faulkner and Perry counties, I am now in a position to continue to fight on their behalf.  Today’s filing is a small step forward towards the goal of establishing a new conservative majority in the Arkansas Senate that will fight to make our state a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin announced that 197 candidates
filed to seek political office on the first day of candidate filing.