Daniel Webster RSS Articles

IRS Admits Wrongly Targeting and Intimidating Innocent Taxpayers

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The alarming admission that the IRS wrongly targeted and intimidated innocent taxpayers – including Central Floridians - based simply on what those Americans believed is a shameful breach of public confidence from an agency entrusted with Americans’ sensitive tax records. Taxpayers sign their tax statement declaring that the information provided is 'true, correct and complete' under penalty of law, and they have the right to demand the IRS act with the same integrity or face the consequences.

The resignation of IRS Commissioner Steven Miller is only a first step toward restoring the public’s trust in this agency, but it alone in no way satisfies the need for justice on behalf of those Americans targeted by their own government. An aggressive and full investigation of this practice is underway in Congress, and those found to have violated the policies or laws of the United States must answer to the American people.

Webster’s Bipartisan Working Group Introduces Bill to Eliminate Washington’s Budget Gimmicks

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Daniel Webster (FL-10) issued the following statement on his cooperation with a bipartisan working group to introduce H.R. 1654, the Budget Process Improvement Act of 2013:

“Restoring our fiscal house requires an honest budget. Too often, accounting tricks and gimmicks make it impossible to weed out ineffective and inefficient Washington spending, but make it easier to hide looming deficits down the road. Our Bipartisan Working Group is focused on common-sense solutions to common problems, and this bill is proof that it is possible to find common ground on some issues in order to produce reforms that will benefit all Americans.

“It is time to stop keeping track of the political score and instead focus on solutions. The Budget Process Improvement Act forces the federal government to be honest about its spending. Hardworking taxpayers deserve accountability when it comes to how their tax dollars are spent, and fixing Washington’s broken budget process is the first step to delivering that transparency,” said Representative Webster.

The Budget Process Improvement Act of 2013 (H.R. 1654) is a product of the bipartisan working group that Representative Webster helped form when he was first elected to represent Central Floridians in Congress. Original cosponsors of this legislation include many members of the bipartisan working group: Daniel Webster (R-FL), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Mike Quigley (D-IL), John Carney (D-DE), Larry Bucschon (R-IN), Bill Owens (D-NY), Ron Barber (D-AZ), Patrick Meehan (R-PA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Joseph Heck (R-NV) and John Delaney (D-MD).

Click here to read a section-by-section summary of the Budget Process Improvement Act of 2013 (H.R. 1654).

###

Webster Safeguards Americans’ Privacy, Combats Emerging Cyber-Attacks

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Webster issued the following statement upon supporting House-passage of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act by a vote of 288-127:

“Companies in Central Florida each day defend the privacy of their networks, customers and intellectual property against cyber attacks. Cyber threats from individual hackers and state-sponsored entities that are intercepted by civilian, law enforcement and national security professionals should be used to further protect our nation’s electrical grids, water plants, transportation systems and other sensitive networks from future attack.

“However, as we look to the urgent legislative changes essential to defend our homeland against emerging cyber threats, we cannot lose sight of the high level of privacy we as Americans expect, cherish and deserve.

“This legislation protects our nation’s cyber infrastructure, while safeguarding the privacy of every American through a series of specific protections and limitations. I commend Chairman Mike Rogers and the members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) for incorporating into the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act the tools necessary to defend Americans’ sensitive proprietary, security and infrastructure information, as well as enhance privacy protections for all Americans,” said Representative Webster.

Click here to learn more about H.R. 624, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, and read a summary of the bill.

Webster Named to Select Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Webster was named today to a select panel tasked with examining the current state of freight transportation in the United States and how improving freight transportation can strengthen the U.S. economy. Representative John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN) will chair the “Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation.” Upon announcement of the panel by Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster, Representative Webster issued the following statement:

“Today, goods from America’s producers are carried over a combination of road, rail, water and air modes of transportation to storefronts in our community and to customers in the world marketplace. Improving the interconnectivity of these modes of transportation opens new doors for our farmers, ranchers, exporters and manufacturers and lowers costs for consumers. I am eager for the opportunity to work alongside Chairman John Duncan and my colleagues on the panel toward modernizing America’s freight transportation network in order to strengthen our economy and create new job opportunities for Americans,” said Rep. Webster.

“Daniel Webster carries more than 30 years of experience shaping transportation policy,” said Chairman John Duncan Jr. (TN). “I know Representative Webster’s collaboration will strengthen the panel’s recommendations for improving the flow of freight across all modes of transportation.”

Background:

Read “Panel the 21st Century Freight Transportation” announcement by Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster by clicking here.

Panel Membership:

John J. Duncan, Jr., TN, Chairman
Gary Miller, CA
Rick Crawford, AR
Richard Hanna, NY
Daniel Webster, FL
Markwayne Mullin, OK

Jerrold Nadler, NY, Ranking Member
Corrine Brown, FL
Daniel Lipinski, IL
Albio Sires, NJ
Janice Hahn, CA

###

ICYMI: Webster Testifies on his Prioritize Spending Act Before Ways and Means Subcommittee

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Webster testified before the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight on the Prioritize Spending Act (H.R. 149). Protecting seniors’ earned benefits, paying our troops, and securing the full faith and credit of the United States are the first priorities of our nation. Given Washington’s inability to make responsible choices to safeguard these priorities, Representative Webster introduced the Prioritize Spending Act (H.R. 149), which guarantees that we prevent default by prioritizing our spending to honor our debts, pay our troops and keep our promises to seniors by ensuring Social Security and Medicare benefits continue uninterrupted. This legislation also paves the way for an open and honest discussion about our nation’s borrowing and spending without interference from the empty rhetoric that often accompanies the politics of fear.

View High Resolution Photo

Video of the Webster’s testimony will be available on YouTube

Read answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Prioritize Spending Act by clicking here. Read the Prioritize Spending Act by clicking here.

The National Taxpayers Union, Independent Women’s Voice and the 60 Plus Association have all endorsed Representative Webster’s Prioritize Spending Act. Read what they’re saying about the Prioritize Spending Act:

“[The Prioritize Spending Act] provides an important reminder that the federal government needs to work within a similarly realistic framework for budgetary matters now, not just when things come down to the wire.” – National Taxpayers Union

“Americans need to be assured that our troops, our national security programs, and the vital programs that serve our senior citizens will have priority and will not be put in jeopardy.” – Independent Women’s Voice

“On behalf of more than seven million seniors citizen activists, the 60 Plus Association thanks [Representative Webster] for [his] outstanding leadership in introducing the Prioritize Spending Act.” – 60 Plus Association

Webster Supports Passage of Balanced Budget Plan

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Webster issued the following statement upon passage of the House Republicans Fiscal Year 2014 budget, The Path to Prosperity: A Responsible Balanced Budget, which balances the budget in 10 years.

“Today, with my support, the House passed a proposal that balances the budget in ten years, while protecting priorities like Medicare and our national defense, repairing our nation’s failing safety net for the poor, reforming the tax code, paving the way for job creation, and providing financial security to hardworking Americans.

“After four years of inaction, Senate Democrats will attempt to pass a budget of their own that never balances - ever. Their budget continues Obamacare’s raid on Medicare, continues spending money we do not have, and raises job killing taxes on America.

“The simple truth is this: Washington has a real spending problem and has proven time and time again that it cannot support a plan that balances the budget. House Republicans plan to balance the budget is a genuine solution to get spending under control, protect seniors and our military, and put us on the road to job creation and economic growth.

“It’s not right to take more from hardworking taxpayers to spend more in Washington. The American people deserve a balanced budget,” said Webster.

###

Webster to Continue Welcoming Visitors for Public Capitol Tours

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

An image looking up from the statue of George Washington in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building, showing Constantino Brumidi's fresco, the Apotheosis of Washington.

At the direction of the President, the White House has canceled all public tours effective this Saturday, March 9, 2013. While I am disappointed the White House has closed its doors to vacationers and school groups ahead of the spring break season, I assure you my door is always open.

Despite voluntarily cutting my office budget by more than 30 percent, I have been able to maintain all of our constituent services with no interruption, and my staff will continue to welcome all visiting Central Floridians to the Capitol and provide free guided tours of the U.S. Capitol complex. If you would like to make arrangements through my office for a Capitol tour, please contact Christa in my congressional office at 202.225.2176 or email her at Christa.Pearson@mail.house.gov. Also, click here to learn about other memorable experiences available during your stay in Washington, D.C.

Webster Voluntarily Cuts Office Budget; Returns $360,000 to Taxpayers

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Winter Garden, Jan. 29 - For the second consecutive year, U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (FL-10) announced that savings from his office budget will be returned to taxpayers for the purpose of reducing our deficit and debt. Upon his announcement that he was able to cut his office budget by more than 25 percent and return $360,000 to hard working taxpayers, U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (FL-10) released the following statement:

“Voluntarily cutting my office budget reflects the common-sense fiscal responsibility that Central Floridians exercise each day to meet their household or business budget.

“Washington’s mountain of debt is stifling our economic recovery and placing an unfair burden on the next generation. I learned as a father of six children and a small business owner how to live within my means by prioritizing my spending and doing more with less during tough times. Washington needs to embrace the same approach by spending less rather than simply borrowing more, and I believe that starts with me,” said Representative Webster.

The Legislative Appropriations bill each year appropriates a lump sum designated for Members’ Representational Allowances. Today, Webster announced he is returning $360,000 from his Congressional Office Budget for 2012 bringing the total amount returned from his office budget in two years to $842,000.

Click here for high resolution image.

###

Webster Secures Important Roles on Transportation Committee for Jobs and Economic Development in Central Florida

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Webster (FL-10) issued the following statement upon the announcement that he had been assigned to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittees on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; Aviation; and Water Resources and Environment:

“I am eager to get to work on transportation issues that will come before the subcommittees on which I serve. In the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, we will begin to work immediately on a water resources bill that will have significant implications for Florida’s ports. I will seek to ensure that Florida’s ports are best positioned to receive new business when the expansion of the Panama Canal is complete.

“I also anticipate beginning to work in the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials on a railroad bill. My primary goal will be to strengthen Central Florida’s rail network to facilitate trade with Florida’s seaports and airports.

“Though we passed an aviation bill last year, the Subcommittee on Aviation will provide me with the opportunity to ensure that our tourism industry, that is so vital to tens of thousands of jobs in Central Florida, is supported by international airports that operate efficiently and have the capacity needed for our millions of visitors per year.

“All of these appointments give me the opportunity to advance one primary goal: job creation and economic development for our state and our communities. I am excited and anxious to get started on this work,” said Webster.

###

Webster Reins in Job-Killing Regulations

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Daniel Webster FL-10 today joined colleagues in introducing the REINS Act (H.R. 367), which is designed to keep job-killing regulations from going into effect without Congressional approval. Regulations that cost our economy $100 million or more would have to be approved through the legislative process.

“During the past four years, an avalanche of regulations has smothered America’s job creators, deterring businesses from hiring out-of-work Americans and crushing our economic recovery. In 2011 alone, agencies issued more than 81,000 pages of regulations, filling more than 162 reams of paper – or a pile of paper 27 feet tall. According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the annual cost of regulations to small businesses is estimated at over $10,000 per employee.

“The REINS Act seeks to provide relief to our economy by requiring Congressional approval for major regulations. When a federal agency makes a rule that will have an economic impact of $100 million or more thereby making it harder to hire out-of-work Americans or give current employees a pay raise, that rule must be approved by both chambers of Congress before being signed by the president. This legislation will go a long way toward speeding up job creation,” stated Webster.

###