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Camp Congratulates 2012 4th District Art Competition Winners

Mon, 07 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland) today announced Leah Beaulac of Owosso High School as the “Best in Show” winner of the 2012 Artistic Discovery art competition for her "Reflection" piece.
(Left to Right: Mr. and Mrs. Beaulac, Leah Beaulac, Owosso High School art instructor Ms. Marti Lameti, and Congressman Dave Camp)	"The contributions of young artists are invaluable to our schools and communities. This is a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate their creativity. I want to thank the students for sharing their hard work and talented contributions to the competition," said Camp.
Ms. Beaulac was selected for top honors after judges reviewed more than 50 pieces submitted from high school artists located in the district. As the winner, she will receive a free art class and $200 cash prize from the Midland Center for the Arts and Alden B. Dow Museum. Additionally, her piece will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year along with other winners from around the country. Other regional winners include: Tehya Stockman, of Saginaw Arts and Science Academy; Brianna Schmidt, of H.H. Dow High School; Weije Zhou, of the Interlochen Arts Academy High School; Alyssa Ruggles, of Central Montcalm High School; and Alexander Sutter, of Owosso High School.

Camp and Stabenow Call for Action Following Failure of Electronic Asian Carp Barriers

Fri, 04 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Lansing, MI) today issued the following statements regarding a power outage and equipment failure that rendered the electronic barriers in the Chicago Waterway inoperable, leaving the Great Lakes unprotected from Asian carp infestation:
"While the Corps was fortunately able to respond quickly to the barrier losing power, this glitch illustrates what we already know - electric barriers and chain link fences will not hold back Asian carp forever," Camp said. "Severing the man-made ties between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes is the only way to ensure Asian carp are not allowed to devastate the Great Lakes and the multi-billion dollar economy they support."

"These barriers are the only thing standing between the Asian carp and our Great Lakes," Stabenow said. "If carp had been able to get through while the barriers were down, it could have been absolutely devastating to our economy and our way of life. It is now more clear than ever that we need urgent action on a permanent solution that stops the threat of Asian carp once and for all."

According to the Army Corp of Engineers, on Wednesday, May 2, at 12:58pm (CDT), a power failure and a subsequent failure of the backup generators resulted in a 13 minute lapse during which all of the three electric dispersal barriers were offline. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee are now investigating the cause of the failures and completing an assessment of whether any fish were present near the barriers when they failed. The barriers have been in place since 2002, when the first barrier was installed, to stop Asian carp travelling through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from reaching Lake Michigan.

The barriers are in place to stop the spread of invasive Asian carp, which threaten to irreparably devastate the Great Lakes ecosystem, as well as the $16 billion boating industry, $7 billion fishing industry, and hundreds of thousands of jobs the Great Lakes support.

Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Camp have each introduced a bill in the Senate and House, respectively, to speed up the development of a better, permanent solution to stop Asian carp and other invasive species. The Stop Invasive Species Act requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to submit to Congress an expedited action plan for stopping Asian carp from penetrating the Great Lakes within 18 months. News of the electronic barriers' failure further illustrates the need for the legislation.

An amendment based on the Stabenow-Camp legislation passed the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.

Stabenow and Camp's legislation is supported by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) is the leading Republican cosponsor of the bill in the Senate, with Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Carl Levin (D-Royal Oak, MI), Robert Casey (D-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN) cosponsoring as well. Congressman Camp is joined by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) as the lead Democratic sponsor in the House.

The bill is also supported by the Great Lakes Commission, The Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Healing our Waters Coalition, National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited.

Camp, House Republicans Thwart Administration's Effort to Kill Youth Agriculture Programs

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI) today released the following statement after the Department of Labor announced it has withdrawn a proposed rule that would undermine the ability of farmers and ranchers to hire young people, putting at risk their ability to pass on their experience to the next generation of agricultural producers.

“Family farms are the lifeblood of Michigan agriculture, especially here in the Fourth District,” said Camp. “The ability of youngsters to learn through hands-on work in the field and through programs like 4-H and Future Farmers of America is critically important in cultivating the next generation of American farmers. I am glad the Labor Department realized the error of its ways and withdrew this ill-conceived and absurd rule. This is an important victory for farmers, growers, and ranchers across America.”

Camp’s record of leadership in the House of Representatives to stop this rule has included:

Last month, Camp signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 4157, the Preserving America’s Family Farms Act, which would prohibit the Labor Department from finalizing and implementing the youth agriculture rule.

In December, Camp signed onto a bipartisan letter with 153 fellow House Members, including 23 Democrats, expressing opposition to the proposal.

Camp, Stabenow Introduce New Bipartisan Bill to Stop Asian Carp

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland) and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) today introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes and destroying the Lakes’ ecosystem. In the House, H.R. 4406, the Stop Invasive Species Act would require the speedy creation of an action plan to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes through a number of rivers and tributaries across the Great Lakes region.

A bipartisan bill Camp and Stabenow introduced last year, the Stop Asian Carp Act, required the Army Corp of Engineers to develop an action plan to permanently separate Lake Michigan from the Chicago Area Waterway System, long seen as the carp’s primary entry point to the Great Lakes. Today’s bill goes further to require a plan to stop Asian carp at all potential entry points.

“The threat Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy is urgent. This measure expedites the necessary hydrological separation study in order to protect the Great Lakes, the hundreds of thousands of jobs, the Great Lakes support,” said Congressman Camp.

“It has become clear that Asian carp are migrating throughout the Great Lakes region, and efforts to stop the spread of this invasive species must now address every possible point of entry,” said Senator Stabenow. “Asian carp pose a grave threat to Michigan’s $7 billion fishing industry, $16 billion recreational boating industry and the entire Great Lakes ecosystem and we need action now. We can’t afford to wait.”

The Stop Invasive Species Act requires the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to submit to Congress an expedited action plan with options for stopping Asian carp from penetrating the Great Lakes across 18 possible points of entry. The bill requires the Army Corp to submit a progress report to Congress and the President within 90 days of the law’s enactment. The full plan would need to be completed within 18 months.

Under the Stop Invasive Species Act, the Army Corp would continue to examine modes of transportation across key waterways to ensure shipping could continue while mechanisms for preventing Asian carp from destroying the Great Lakes are implemented.

The bill is supported by the Great Lakes Commission, The Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Healing our Waters Coalition, National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited.

Camp is joined by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) as the lead Democratic sponsor in the House. Senator Stabenow and Rob Portman (R-OH) are leading the measure in the Senate, and are joined by Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Carl Levin (D-Royal Oak, MI), Robert Casey (D-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN).

Camp Statement on Approval of Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI), chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, today made the following statement after the committee approved Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations:

"It has long been acknowledged, including by the president’s own deficit commission, that our debt levels are crippling economic growth and preventing job creation. Republicans made a commitment to the American people to reform Washington to strengthen our economy, create jobs and get our fiscal house in order, and that begins with ending Washington’s spending spree. The three proposals advanced today by the Ways and Means Committee fulfill our reconciliation responsibilities and demonstrate a better way to meet the sequestration requirements set forth in the Budget Control Act. Our action ensures that we cut spending, eliminate fraud and end duplication in order to reduce our debt and deficits."

Camp Advocates Less Costly, Less Cumbersome U.S. Tax Code for Families and Job Creators

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

On Tax Day 2012, Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI), chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, today led the full committee in examining one source of complexity for individuals and employers by reviewing employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, as well as Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs").

“In recent weeks, much of the discussion about tax reform has centered on the corporate side, especially after Japan lowered its corporate rate on April 1, leaving America with the dubious distinction of having the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world. It is simply unacceptable that American employers face such an undue burden at a time when we desperately need them to get the economy growing and get almost 13 million unemployed Americans back to work,” said Camp in his opening remarks.

The hearing coincided with the annual tax-filing deadline and focused on ways to simplify the current tax code, rather than raise taxes on hard-working American families.

Camp continues to lead the House Republicans efforts for lowering tax rates while making the code simpler, fairer and flatter for families and job creators.

Camp Announces Hearing on Tax Reform and Tax-Favored Retirement Accounts

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI), chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that the committee will hold a hearing on possible reforms to certain tax-favored retirement savings plans that might be considered as part of comprehensive tax reform. This hearing is scheduled to occur on tax filing day, and will examine one source of complexity for individuals and employers by reviewing employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, as well as Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). The hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, beginning at 10:00 A.M.

In announcing this hearing, Camp said, “Retirement security is one of the most important long-term policy priorities we face as a nation. While many argue that the existing menu of tax-favored retirement plans provides choice and flexibility for families and employers alike, others have questioned whether the ad hoc development of retirement savings incentives has led to undue complexity and inefficiency that reduce the effectiveness of these incentives. The general principles of tax reform apply to retirement security as well: American families trying to save should have options that are simple, fair, and economically efficient.”

More information is available at: http://www.waysandmeans.house.gov.

Camp Demands Answers on IRS Receiving One-Half Billion Dollars to Implement Democrats' Health Law

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI), Committee on Ways and Means chairman, and Oversight Subcommittee chairman Charles Boustany (R-LA) sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Douglas Shulman requesting details about reports that the Obama Administration will give the IRS one-half billion dollars to implement the Democrats’ health care law.

In releasing the letter, the chairmen said: “These reports are just the tip of the iceberg, as the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has warned that the IRS could need up to $10 billion to implement the Democrats’ health care law over the next decade. This expansion of the IRS’ power and reach into Americans' daily lives includes the IRS verifying that you have acceptable health care coverage, penalizing you if you don’t and increasing audits. The American people deserve to know how and why this one-half billion in taxpayer dollars are being spent, and how many additional IRS agents, auditors and other workers are being hired to enforce all the hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes and penalties in the Democrats’ health care law.”

The letter specifically requests how many employees are being hired and which of the many tax increases in the health care law they will be working on. In March of 2010, on the eve of the Democrats’ health care takeover becoming law, Ways and Means Republicans released a report on how the law would vastly expand the responsibilities of the IRS. Camp and Boustany previously requested information on IRS spending on the health care law last April.The letter can be read here.

The Pioneer | Rep. Dave Camp visits with Ferris international students

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Dave Camp visits with Ferris international students

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Ferris State University international students had lunch with U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, on Tuesday. President David Eisler and staff from the Office of International Education joined. (Pioneer photo/Lauren Fitch)

BIG RAPIDS – As chairman of the federal Ways and Means Committee that has taken initiative to improve international trade, it was fitting that U.S. Rep. Dave Camp spent time with international students during his visit to Ferris State University on Tuesday.

Camp, R-Midland, talked with international students and staff from the Office of International Education over pizza.

His office provided the lunch after losing a bet to Pioneer editor in chief Dave Clark. Clark proposed that if Ferris’ football team beat Northwood University, located in Midland, Camp would buy lunch for the international students. Ferris won, and the students enjoyed the chance to meet a congressman.

POLITICAL LUNCH: Rep. Dave Camp visited Ferris on Tuesday and talked with a group of international students about his role as a member of Congress. (Pioneer photo/Lauren Fitch)

(Pioneer photo/Lauren Fitch)

The Pioneer | Rep. Dave Camp discusses tax code rewrite at Ferris

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 | Posted by Lauren Fitch

Rep. Dave Camp discusses tax code rewrite at Ferris

BIG RAPIDS – With national debt at more than $15 trillion dollars and President Barack Obama calling for a rewrite of the tax code, the public is hoping Congress will not rely too much on tax increases to balance the federal budget.

U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, visited Ferris State University on Tuesday to share his ideas for creating a simpler tax code that would maintain current levels of federal revenue.

“Part of the reason I think tax reform is important is (because) not only do we have expiring provisions, not only has it become complicated, but there is a big amount of uncertainty out there,” said Camp, who has represented Michigan’s 4th District for 22 years. “I believe that if we can simplify our code, if we can lower rates and also make it fairer, what it would mean is that … you would have a more transparent and more constant tax rate regardless of what activities you choose to engage in.”

BUDGET UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Dave Camp discusses his ideas for a federal budget and tax reform on Tuesday at Ferris State University. The Political Engagement Project set up the presentation. (Pioneer photo/Lauren Fitch)

Ferris’ Political Engagement Project invited Camp to campus for his presentation on “Republican reformers and Democrat presidents.” Camp, who is the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, gave an update on Congress’ budget discussions and talked about income, business and international taxes.

Many current tax provisions are set to expire at the end of the year, which would cause a $4 trillion increase in taxes unless the provisions are extended. Camp is proposing a more long-term revision of the tax code, including the elimination of many provisions and loopholes. He would like to see the tax rate capped at 25 percent, and he does not support higher taxes for millionaires or other provisions designed for specific groups. The last significant tax reform was passed in 1986.

“It’s important that we do more than just target one group,” Camp said. “When the Congress tries to target one group, they often miss and hit everybody else.”

A vital aspect of developing an effective tax code is taking into account public input, he added. The House has held 15 public hearings on the subject so far. House Speaker John Boehner, who took the position in 2011, instated a ban on earmarks, required bills to have a public hearing before coming to the House floor and required the public have three days notice of proposed legislation before representatives vote on it.

Members of the audience were invited to ask Camp questions, and they raised concerns about members of Congress receiving benefits not available to the general public, that large corporations are not paying their fair share of taxes, international trade and transportation.

Ferris President David Eisler asked Camp to address student debt. More than 50 percent of Ferris students receive federal Pell grants.

At this point, Camp said, the government is trying to maintain its support for Pell grants and continues to look for a way to make higher education more affordable.

“The problem is that as student loan debt caps have gone up and Pell grant funds have gone up, tuition has also gone up,” Camp said. “We haven’t really been able to get ahead of the problem.”

Growing the economy and improving the job market would give recent college graduates a better chance of getting jobs and being able to manage their student debt, Camp said. The federal government has its own debt that it should be trying to pay down while interest rates are low, he added.

“No one person has the answers,” Camp said. “No one party has the answers. No one House, Senate or president has the answers.”