Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Roger Hedgecock, frequent guest host of Rush Limbaugh show, Indy Star, Pal-Item praise Pence immigration reform bill
 Brandon Crocker of The American Spectator wrote about the Congressman's immigration plan in this article today. Here are two excerpts:
"Conservative Republican congressman Mike Pence, in addressing the Heritage Foundation recently, suggested a possible 'middle ground' with the Senate's guest worker provision. He stated his support for a guest worker program that would be available to current illegals only if they first returned to their home countries."
***
"I was surprised, for instance, when I heard local San Diego radio talk show host (and sometime Rush Limbaugh fill-in) Roger Hedgecock, who fulminates long and often over the Senate's 'guest worker/amnesty' program, express the opinion that Pence's view was 'reasonable.'"
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Today's Indy Star editorial also praised the Congressman's plan, saying it is "better than bills that have passed (the) House and Senate."
Here is another excerpt:
"Pence, Indiana's representative from the 6th Congressional District, argued in a speech at the Heritage Foundation last week for what he calls the 'rational middle ground on immigration reform.'
"Pence, like many fellow conservatives, calls for much tighter border security and a crackdown on employees who hire illegal immigrants.
"But what's different about his plan is that it would create a legal and realistic means for guest workers to match up with U.S. employers. Under Pence's proposal, the federal government would license private firms to set up 'Ellis Island Centers' in the nations most likely to supply labor to the U.S. Employers would contract with the firms to find workers, who would be required to pass a background check and health screening before receiving a visa."
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Today's Richmond Pal-Item editorial page also strongly supports the Congressman and his plan.
Here is an excerpt from today's editorial:
"He's attempted to find a middle ground in the increasingly polarized Congress.
"Those who favor full amnesty send a bad message. That's only further encouragement to those considering illegal entry in this country.
"And those who support full deportation are unreasonable. With much of our armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, how will we deport 12 million people? The full-deportation people haven't offered a solution.
"Those on both sides of the immigration issue ought to look to Pence as an effective legislator and work with him, not chastise him."
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Talking points on my immigration plan
I thought you might be interested in reading some talking points I wrote this afternoon about my immigration bill. You can read the full speech I gave outlining my proposal here.
Here are a few key facts about The Pence Plan I want to make sure everyone knows:
- The Pence Plan includes all of the tough border security and employer sanctions passed by the House of Representatives in December 2005. The only changes we made are those already publicly embraced by the House Judiciary Committee.
- The Pence Plan does not grant a path to citizenship of any kind. Anyone interested in applying for a fourth consecutive 2-year guest worker visa would have to be seeking legal permanent status or citizenship and get in line behind everybody else.
- The Pence Plan does not include any form of amnesty. When a person can get right with the law without going home, that’s amnesty. I believe no bill is better than a bad bill that grants amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.
- The Pence Plan requires that illegal immigrants leave the country to apply for the legal right to work here under a guest worker visa. Anyone applying to participate in a new guest worker program would have to apply outside the United States.
- The Senate passed a bill granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and I will not support it. Amnesty is not the answer. It will only worsen the problem because it will cause more people to come here illegally with the hope of someday having their status adjusted.
- The Pence Plan does not favor illegal immigrants over people who have not broken our immigration laws. Anyone may apply for a guest worker visa at the new Ellis Island Centers outside the United States.
- The Pence Plan may actually work to the advantage of applicants who have never violated our immigration laws since anyone can apply for a guest worker visa and those people are already outside the United States.
- The Pence Plan will work because it relies on the private sector, not a failed government bureaucracy. Private worker placement agencies will be licensed to match willing guest workers with jobs in America. The private agencies will process the guest workers and collaborate with the FBI and Homeland Security to have background checks done on each guest worker. In one week or less, legal guest workers will have their applications processed, background checks performed, visas issued.
WSJ's Fund: Pence Immigration Plan "Workable Compromise"
In his column today, the Wall Street Journal's John Fund calls Congressman Pence's immigration proposal a "workable compromise."
Excerpts:
That's why it's good news that the glimmer of a workable compromise surfaced this week, courtesy of Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, head of the Republican Study Committee, a group of 115 conservative House Republicans. Mr. Pence, proud grandson of an Irish immigrant, says the only bill that can pass in this year's hothouse environment may have to be one that couples stiffer border enforcement with a no-amnesty guest-worker program.
His proposal (which can be found here) would have the U.S. government contract with gold-standard private employment agencies such as Kelly Services to establish offices called Ellis Island Centers in countries that supply the most illegal alien labor today. The centers would provide an incentive for illegals to leave the country and apply for guest-worker visas in the U.S. that would be granted within a week by matching workers with jobs employers can't fill with American workers. They would also make criminal and other background checks. Guest workers would be able to apply for citizenship, but they would have to follow current rules with no favoritism over those now waiting legally in line.
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His proposal is already building bridges between the warring immigration camps. Tamar Jacoby, a pro-immigration scholar at the Manhattan Institute, says the Pence approach is a middle ground that bypasses the cumbersome federal bureaucracy. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a fierce opponent of President Bush's approach to immigration, is also conciliatory. "A guest worker program I think can be on the table if it does not contain an amnesty," he says.
Not surprisingly, Mr. Pence's approach immediately drew fire from the extremes of the debate. Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association, who helped organize an economic boycott by illegal aliens earlier this month, demands "immediate legalization without conditions." He opposes any guest-worker programs, calling them an infringement on the rights of those who want to come to America.
Just as hostile was Rep. Tom Tancredo, leader of Congress's anti-immigration hard-liners. He posted an appeal to his supporters on the Web site of his political action committee to "call Pence at [his Washington office's number] and let him know that you do not support his 'no amnesty' amnesty," He says the Pence proposal is merely "dressed up amnesty."
Given the virulence of the attacks on him by both sides, perhaps Mr. Pence is on to something.
***
For all its limitations, Rep. Pence's proposal is an innovative idea that can be used as a platform on which to build upon in the future. In the current political storm, it may be a port worth seeking shelter near.
***
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Pence's no amnesty immigration reform bill draws Congressional support
Rick Klein of The Boston Globe writes today that support is building within Congress for Rep. Pence's "middle-ground approach" to immigration reform.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
"One such proposal -- floated by Representative Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee -- would allow some undocumented immigrants to become guest workers, but would not give them an automatic path to citizenship. Undocumented workers would have to leave the country and apply for guest worker visas. They would also have to apply for citizenship under current rules.
"Pence and other Republicans say they think the party can coalesce around his idea since it fulfills the president's goal of establishing a guest worker program without offering amnesty to those who entered the country illegally. The White House and Senate Republicans praised the proposal as a signal that House conservatives are willing to engage in negotiations, but emphasized that it is strictly a starting point for further talks.
"Kingston said Pence's proposal could also include a blue-ribbon commission that would make further recommendations about the fate of undocumented immigrants who stay in the United States.
"'We've got to consider things like this,' said Representative Bill Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican. 'To even talk about a path to citizenship is premature until we take care of our borders.'
"Pence's proposal, however, drew a harsh response from some hard-liners in Congress.
"It is an amnesty with a twist: touch base [in home countries], then come back,' said Representative Tom Tancredo, Republican of Colorado.
"Sensenbrenner said a proposal such as Pence's could have merit because it does not contain a special path to citizenship.
"'A guest worker program I think can be on the table if it does not contain an amnesty,' he said. "'I think the American public is entitled to having a vote on a compromise before the elections, so that the voters can go to the polls assessing how their representatives and senators have done on this issue before they decide who to send back.'"
Syndicated columnist Bob Novak also sheds new details about the Congressman's plan in this column.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Facts about Congressman Pence's Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act
On Tuesday Congressman Pence unveiled a new immigration proposal, entitled the Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act, in a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C.
The following is a fact sheet about the Congressman's plan, which will be introduced in the House sometime in the next few weeks.
- The bill follows a four-step process. First, it secures America’s border. Second, it does not provide any form of amnesty to illegal aliens. Third, it puts in place a guest worker program, without amnesty, that will efficiently provide American employers with willing guest workers who come to America legally. Finally, it imposes tough employer sanctions in order to ensure a full partnership between American business and the American government in the enforcement of our laws on immigration and guest workers.
- The border security and employment verification and enforcement provisions of the bill are substantially identical to H.R. 4437, which passed the House of Representatives on December 15, 2005 by a vote of 239 to 182. The House-passed bill has been hailed as a major legislative triumph for the protection of America’s borders.
- This bill eliminates the amnest issue from the debate. The twelve million illegal aliens currently estimated to be in the U.S. will be required to leave the U.S. in order to participate in the guest worker program, and they will not be provided with a path to citizenship. Illegal behavior will not be forgiven or rewarded.
- The bill allows guest workers to come into America legally to work for an initial period of up to two years. After taking and passing an English class, the guest worker could receive visa renewals to stay for an additional four years. Guest workers will not be provided with a path to citizenship, although guest workers will not be precluded from applying for naturalization under America’s citizenship laws. If a guest worker applies for citizenship, he or she will be permitted to renew their guest worker visa during that process. Otherwise, applying for citizenship is a process entirely separate from coming to America for employment as a guest worker.
- The bill sets forth a guest worker program that will work. It harnesses the power of the private market instead of relying on a failed government bureaucracy. Private worker placement agencies will be licensed to match willing guest workers with jobs in America. The private agencies will process the guest workers and collaborate with the FBI and Homeland Security to have background checks done on each guest worker. In one week or less, guest workers will have their applications processed, background checks performed, visas issued and be on the road to a job in America.
- The number of guest workers will be limited. However, during the first three years of the program, the limit will be set by the private market and the needs of American employers. After three years, a limit on the annual number of visas will be determined by the Department of Labor, and it will be strictly enforced. Three years allows enough time for the illegal aliens in America to self-deport and make themselves legal workers. After that time, it is reasonable and appropriate to place a limit on the number of guest workers we invite into our country.
- American employers will be subject to the employment verification system set forth in H.R. 4437. Therefore, employers will have a great incentive to use the guest worker program to fill employment needs. Also, with the implementation of the verification system, the job market for illegal aliens will dry up. With private agencies operating the guest worker program, it will be nimble and flexible enough to meet the needs of employers and guest workers. Therefore, illegal aliens will want to register with the private agencies because it will be the only way to get a temporary job in America. For this reason, illegal aliens in America will be motivated to self-deport so that they can come back legally.
- A key component to the guest worker program is that the visas will be issued only outside of the U.S. All illegal aliens in America will have to leave the country in order to come back as a guest worker. Before being granted the visa or any renewals of the visa, the guest worker must be fingerprinted and pass a background check and health screening.
- The visa will be in the form of a secure wallet-sized card which will contain electronic information including the location, employer and job the guest worker is coming to America for, as well as personal and biometric information about the guest worker. Also, U.S. employers will be required to verify the validity of the card held by each of their guest workers. The hiring of illegal aliens who did not come through the guest worker program will be subject to stiff penalties through the employment verification system. If a guest worker quits his or her job, commits a crime or otherwise disappears, then the visa card will be electronically cancelled and he or she will not be able to get another job, except if allowed by acting through the program.
- Before posting a job opening with an agency, U.S. employers will be required to attest to prior attempts to fill the jobs with U.S. citizens. U.S. employers will pay taxes on the guest workers and comply with all U.S. employment laws. Guest workers will be permitted the ability to leave an employer and enter into new employment so that the guest workers will not be abused by employers
- This plan is viable and will succeed. Illegal aliens currently in the U.S. will have a strong incentive to leave the country and participate in the guest worker program because the guest worker visa cards will be distributed only outside of the U.S. and the guest worker program, as administered by private agencies rather than a government bureaucracy, will be efficient and stable. In a short amount of time, an illegal alien will be able to return home and obtain a guest worker visa allowing for legal entry into the U.S. workforce. Employers in the U.S. for the first time will have the ability to hire legal guest workers through an efficient process to fill jobs that they cannot fill with American workers. Employers who do not participate in the guest worker program and hire illegal aliens will face stiff penalties.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Rep. Pence's new, principled approach to immigration reform continues to attract attention
 Congressman Pence's Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act continues to attract publicity nationwide.
Yesterday the Congressman appeared on FOX News' Fox & Friends, FOX News' Big Story With John Gibson and CNBC's Kudlow and Company. The Congressman also discussed his plan on the radio, appearing twice on WIBC of Indianapolis and national radio programs hosted by Sean Hannity and John Gibson.
The following are today's newspaper articles that cover Congressman Pence's plan:
"Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who sponsored the original version of the Senate bill with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, pointed to a guest worker proposal floated Tuesday by House conservative leader Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., as a sign of emerging flexibility from the House. "The Pence plan would permit legal re-entry of illegal immigrants but provide no path to citizenship." "Some representatives, such as Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), are talking about the need for a guest worker program, but such enlightenment is in short supply among House Republicans." "Supporters of Rep. Mike Pence's 'Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act' say it would simultaneously secure America's borders -- and establish a temporary worker program 'to help fill jobs Americans will not do.' "Essentially, the Pence bill would separate illegal aliens into two groups: those who want to become citizens and those who want to come here only for temporary jobs." "On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Pence (R) of Indiana, leader of the Republican Study Group, proposed a privately operated guest-worker plan in a talk before the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
"'I agree with the president that a rational middle ground can be found between amnesty and mass deportation, but I disagree with the president that amnesty is the middle ground,' he said.
"The solution, Representative Pence said, is to set up a system that 'will encourage illegal aliens to self-deport and come back legally as guest workers.'
"Under this plan, the federal government would license private worker-placement agencies to match willing guest workers with jobs that cannot be filled with American workers."
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Congressman Pence's no amnesty immigration reform bill draws nationwide attention
 Yesterday Congressman Pence delivered a speech entitled "Renewing the American Dream: The Real Rational Middle Ground on Immigration Reform" at The Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C.
The Congressman's speech has drawn nationwide attention over the past 24 hours.
The following are links to major newspaper articles covering the speech as well as excerpts from each article:
"Hoping to narrow the gap between Senate and House Republicans on this issue, the leader of the House conservative caucus announced a bill that would allow the illegal immigrants to participate in a guest worker plan, but would not grant them permanent residency or citizenship. "The measure, sponsored by Representative Mike Pence, Republican of Indiana, would require the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to leave the country to apply for a slot in the program, which would be administered by private employment agencies licensed by the American government.
"House Republicans expressed lukewarm support for the bill, which was promptly attacked by conservative critics of guest worker programs. But the bill was praised by White House officials." "Arguing that 'a rational middle ground can be found between amnesty and mass deportation,' Pence proposed having employers request foreign workers through private agencies. "The agencies would find matches for the jobs and conduct health screening and background checks, with visas issued by the State Department in the workers' home countries." "Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), a prominent House conservative, called for a bill largely similar to the House version, adding a guest-worker program. But Pence's plan would require all illegal immigrants in the United States to be deported, a move most senators reject." "As he detailed his plan, however, Pence said, 'It is not logistically possible to round up 12 million illegal aliens, put them on buses and conduct a mass deportation.' "It also is not realistic to think, he said, that some American businesses can operate without those workers. Under his proposal, illegal immigrants would be required to leave the country to get a guest worker visa. "They would be processed through placement centers, or what he called 'Ellis Island centers,' run by private U.S. firms.Pence said the process could be completed within a week, causing minimal disruption to the immigrants and their employers. "Applicants would have to go through background checks. Visas for the program would be renewable three times, for a total of six years, but only if applicants passed an English proficiency test after the first two years." "Critics call that amnesty, and Republican leaders refused to allow it to be considered in the bill the House passed in December. "Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., who heads a group of 100 conservatives in the House, said Tuesday he plans to offer a bill this week that would let employers rehire illegal workers now on their payrolls after they have returned home and applied for a new 'W' visa to return. "'The solution is to set up a system that will encourage illegal workers to self-deport and come back legally as guest workers,' said Pence, who earlier voted for the enforcement-only House bill." "Some on Capitol Hill suggested Tuesday that a leading House conservative, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., had come up with a plan that could bridge the divide between the chambers. The Pence plan would require all illegal immigrants to leave the U.S. to apply for a six-year guest worker visa." "Adding a new element to the debate Tuesday, Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, who heads the conservative Republican Study Committee, proposed a guest-worker program for many of the 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. "Under Pence's plan, they would have to leave the United States, apply for the program and become temporary workers. They would not be eligible for citizenship." "But whether the bill will ever become law is unclear, because many House Republicans remained relentlessly opposed to any citizenship track for those in the country illegally.
"'We're kind of getting nowhere in a hurry,' said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., of the potential for a compromise between the Senate's expansive approach to legalization and the House's enforcement crackdown. "'There is still no support in my district or to a large extent in this country for amnesty ... however it's dressed up. We must man the door.'
"Yet Pence, in the same breath, floated a new proposal for a privately operated guest worker plan that many interpreted as a trial balloon to gauge the reaction of conservative Republicans." "A privately run employment service that matches foreign workers with U.S. businesses would eliminate the incentive for job-seekers to be in the U.S. illegally or for businesses to hire undocumented workers, Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th, said Tuesday.
"Pence said the idea would bridge competing ideas for rewriting immigration law, which has become one of the most hotly contested issues on Capitol Hill. The sharpest disagreement is in the Republican Party, particularly over President Bush’s guest worker program, which critics call amnesty and fiercely oppose. "At a speech at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, Pence said he would require all foreigners who are in the U.S. illegally to leave the country and then obtain a visa through a private employment service. He said current illegal immigrants would not get preferential treatment in system, so it can’t be considered an amnesty program." "U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., is trying to build a bridge in the illegal immigration chasm between President Bush’s worker visas and near-amnesty proposal and the House bill that would force illegal immigrants to go home or face felony charges. "In a speech on the House floor Tuesday, Pence called for a compromise that would allow some immigrants to be put on the track to citizenship, but only if they are here legally. Those who are here illegally would have to leave and apply for admittance under a guest worker program. "The proposal would also create a new database that all employees would be entered into, so employers could check for citizenship or a legal immigrations status.Pence called illegal immigration a problem of epic proportions. "'It is a problem that threatens the very fabric of America,' Pence said. 'Every time I am home in Indiana, I hear about this issue from my constituents." Hoosiers are concerned. Americans are concerned. I am concerned.'"
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Pence featured on WISH-TV in Indianapolis
Congressman Pence has been featured on WISH-TV and WISH-TV.com of Indianapolis several times within the past two days.
WISH aired exclusive footage of the Congressman's recent trip to Iraq earlier this month, with Karen Hensel reporting, the past two nights.
To access footage from May 22, click here.
To access footage from May 23, click here.
Earlier this week, Debbie Knox wrote this article about stem cell research. Here is an excerpt:
"Indiana Congressman Mike Pence leads the effort to keep taxpayer dollars from paying for embryonic stem cell research. Instead, he supports putting surplus embryos up for adoption.
"'It would be a nice problem to have if more Americans know about frozen embryos.'"
Time.com: "A Rising Star Offers His Own Immigration Plan"
Mike Allen of Time.com wrote this article about Congressman Pence's immigration plan, the “Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act," which he will unveil this afternoon at The Heritage Foundation.
Here is an excerpt:
"With the Senate headed toward a final vote on an immigration bill this week, a leader of House conservatives is asking his colleagues to support a free-market plan aimed at bridging the gulf between the versions in the two chambers.
"The proposal by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), provided to TIME ahead of an unveiling speech at the Heritage Foundation, is arguably less compassionate than the version being debated in the Senate and supported in principle by President George W. Bush.
"But it looks to be more palatable to House Republicans, many of whom have opposed creating a guest worker program before new border crackdowns have been given a chance to work.
"Pence, a rising star in the House, is suggesting a temporary worker program based on a data base run by private industry.
"And unlike the leading plan in the Senate and the blueprint sketched by Bush, his 'Border Integrity and Immigration Reform Act' would require all applicants to leave the country first.
"Pence tweaks a phrase from Bush’s address to the nation by calling the compromise 'a REAL rational middle ground.'
"Even though Bush has said his preferred solution 'ain’t amnesty,' Pence appeals to hard-liners by calling the compromise a 'no-amnesty solution.'”
Monday, May 22, 2006
Washington Times: Pence, House conservatives cut more than $500 million in spending
Amy Fagan of The Washington Times penned this article on Saturday about the Military Quality of Life appropriations bill.
Two excerpts follow:
"Conservatives said the projects weren't war emergencies and they pointed to an administration statement yesterday stating the White House 'opposes the use of war reserve funds for military construction projects.'
"'After months of negotiating to build a disciplined federal budget, some of us feel that to turn around two days later and use a gimmick to exceed the budget is wrong,' said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican and chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee."
"Conservatives acknowledged it was tough to take a stand on the popular military spending bill yesterday, but they said Americans want fiscal discipline in Congress and they'll keep fighting for it.
"'House conservatives are adamant about sticking to this budget,' Mr. Pence said."
Congressman Pence to speak on immigration issue tomorrow at The Heritage Foundation
Congressman Pence will speak at The Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. tomorrow, May 23, at 12 p.m. EST.
The Congressman's speech will explore a new, principled approach to immigration reform.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Pence, House conservatives defend budget: cut more than $500 million
This afternoon Congressman Pence and other House conservatives took to the House floor to object to $508 million in spending during debate on the Military Quality of Life appropriations bill.
During the Congressman's floor speech, he stated, "It's time that we leveled with the American people. It's time that we stood for the principle that we mean what we say, and when we adopt a budget, we make the hard choices to live within the budget."
Jim Angle of The Associated Press writes in this article that conservatives "used parliamentary procedures to delete some 20 projects worth $507 million from the $94 billion spending bill for military construction and veterans programs in fiscal 2007, which will begin Oct. 1."
Here is another excerpt:
"Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a leader of the conservatives, told reporters this would not be the last spending battle.
"'I think you are going to see an ongoing effort by House conservatives to see this Congress live within our means.'"
Washington Times: Pence, House conservatives score budget reform victory
Amy Fagan of The Washington Times writes that Thursday morning "the House approved the blueprint for 2007 spending by a vote of 218-210 after weeks of negotiations between conservative and more liberal Republican factions."
Here is another excerpt from the article:
"House conservatives say they scored key spending reform victories in the $2.7 trillion budget approved early yesterday, but major changes are needed to achieve the fiscal discipline promised when Republicans took over the chamber more than a decade ago.
"'The budget, while not visionary, was an important first step,' said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican and chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC)."
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Late into night, House passes fiscal 2007 budget resolution
Around 1 AM this morning, Congressman Pence joined 217 other House Republicans and voted in favor of the Congressional Budget for the 2007 fiscal year.
Jennifer Yachnin of Roll Call wrote this account of last night's proceedings.
Here is an excerpt:
"Although GOP leaders won an agreement on the budget resolution in April from the conservative Republican Study Committee — the group sought several procedural reforms, including new restrictions on earmarks and emergency spending — Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) has said committee members would not support any resolution that exceeded the Bush administration’s $873 billion budget proposal."
Joel Havemann of the L.A. Times wrote this article yesterday afternoon previewing the budget vote.
An excerpt follows:
"In a nod to conservatives, the budget included a provision limiting to about $4.3 billion the amount of money the House could routinely approve in an 'emergency' spending bill.
"A larger bill would have to go through the Budget Committee on the way to the House floor, and the committee could amend or delay the spending bill. This provision is designed to bring a halt to what is going on now.
"The House has passed an 'emergency' spending bill that would appropriate $91 billion for the current fiscal year, mostly for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and for Gulf Coast hurricane relief.
"Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, which comprises about 100 House conservatives, praised the concept of a 'rainy day fund.'
"'Republicans will say to millions of Americans troubled by a sea of red ink, "We hear you, and this Republican Congress is ready to make the hard choices to put our fiscal house in order," Pence said.'"
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Congressman Pence meets with conservative bloggers to discuss a variety of issues
Congressman Pence spoke to a group of conservative bloggers yesterday afternoon at The Heritage Foundation. The Congressman discussed multiple topics, including 527 reform, gasoline prices, ANWR drilling and immigration.
According to Heritage Foundation blogger J. Lawrence Scholer's account of the meeting, "Pence is committed to limited government, and he shared his ideas on how the Republican majority can return to its limited government roots."
Human Events online editor Rob Bluey writes, "Thanks to the hard work and determination of Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, conservatives still have hope for the future of the GOP.
"Pence, the 2005 HUMAN EVENTS Man of the Year and the first member of Congress to start a blog, spoke to a group of more than a dozen conservative bloggers during our weekly bloggers’ briefing today in Washington. Despite the troubles facing his party, Pence offered a positive, can-do message."
Click here for Bluey's full article.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Human Events: Pence reacts to President Bush's speech on border security
Human Events online editor Robert B. Bluey wrote this article about Congressional reaction to President Bush's speech on border security last night.
Here is an excerpt:
"House Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Pence (R.-Ind.)
"'A nation without borders is not a nation. Tonight the President of the United States has reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to take all necessary measures to achieve border security and I welcome his strong leadership.'"
Monday, May 15, 2006
Pence discusses recent Iraq trip at briefing in Anderson
 Congressman Pence recently returned from a Congressional Delegation trip that included stops in Greece, Iraq, Turkey and Germany.
This past weekend the Congressman held an open briefing in Anderson about his fourth and most recent trip to Iraq.
Toshua E. Phillips of The Anderson Herald Bulletin writes that attending the meeting were both "supporters and critics on Saturday at Anderson City Hall."
Here is another excerpt from the article:
"Pence said despite the media’s take, which often highlights bombings and killings, he saw more Iraqis stepping up than any other trip — police, military and civilian leadership.
"'I believe on this trip I saw more commitment from the civilian leadership in Iraq,' Pence said about his talks with Major General Al Hamdani, a police chief; vice governor Kashmala, the second ranking official in the Province of Ninevah and new Iraqi prime minister, Jawad Al-Maliki.
"'This man might well be the right man at the right time,' the congressman said about Al-Maliki, a Shiite."
Friday, May 12, 2006
San Francisco Chronicle: Pence continues to support Free Flow of Information Act
Is there a connection between baseball and politics?
The San Francisco Chronicle's Jennifer A. Dlouhy writes today that a "congressional drive to protect journalists from revealing sources got a boost when the Justice Department issued subpoenas to Chronicle reporters to identify who leaked grand jury information on steroid use by baseball slugger Barry Bonds and other athletes."
Congressman Pence is the House sponsor of the Free Flow of Information Act, which is also known as a federal media shield law. This legislation has earned the support of newspapers such as the Indianapolis Star.
Here is another excerpt the San Francisco Chronicle article:
"But Dodd and a bipartisan coalition of other lawmakers -- including Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., -- are trying to pass a federal statute.
"Pence and Lugar have introduced identical bills in the House and Senate that would bar the federal government from compelling reporters to testify or turn over documents except in cases where other sources of the same information have been exhausted and the disclosure is necessary to prevent 'imminent and actual harm to national security' that outweighs 'the public interest in protecting the free flow of information.'"
Indy Star: Pence comments on NSA's phone database
Congressman Pence commented on the NSA's phone database in an article in today's Indy Star.
Here is an excerpt:
"'I am prepared to give the president the benefit of the doubt and take him at his word today that no Americans are being surveilled through this program, that this is a program that targets foreign terrorist activity and contacts by foreign terrorists organizations.' -- U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus."
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Knight Ridder: Pence votes in favor of low-tax, pro-economic growth policy
Kevin G. Hall and James Kuhnhenn of Knight Ridder write that yesterday the House voted 244-185 to extend low tax rates for Americans.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
"Conservatives say a low-tax policy will spur the economy and eventually raise government revenues, but they also say that government needs to rein in spending, a far more difficult task than cutting taxes.
"'The only way we're going to balance the budget is by pursuing economic policies that mean sustained growth over 4 percent (a year) and spending policies below the rate of inflation,' said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a conservative leader who has clashed with others in his party over spending practices."
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Pence visits Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany
 Congressman Mike Pence, a member of the House International Relations Committee, on a Congressional Delegation trip to the Middle East, met wounded American soldiers at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The following is his latest blog entry on the meeting:
Heartbreak and Heroes: Our Visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
May 9, 2006
On all of my five trips to our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, I insisted on seeing the heroes before we go home...the injured soldiers at our medical center in Germany. As soon as any soldiers injured or ill can be safely moved, they are transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. It is very common to meet soldiers, many who were manning a gun turret yesterday, resting in a hospital bed at Landstuhl today.
We began our tour in the intensive care unit. We stood aside as a soldier on a ventilator was rushed to a waiting plane and then home. We peered into the room of a Marine Corps Sergeant from Camp LeJuene. His wife is here. He was injured in battle just a few days ago. He was severely burned. The doctor said respectfully, "there isn't much we can do for him....he will not survive." I looked him in the face, wrote down his name and prayed. This moment broke my heart.
Spc. Christopher Rutter of Missouri was with the 101st Airborne in Iraq. He smiled broadly as we entered his room, actually making an effort to sit up until I urged him to be "at ease" with a smile. Chris was driving an up-armored humvee in central Iraq a few days ago when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was detonated under his vehicle. Chris told us how he managed to keep the vehicle on the road after the explosion despite severe injuries.
Both of his legs were amputated this weekend. We spoke about his future, his wife Amber and their plans to have kids. He was resolute. He had not an ounce of self pity. I promised to pray for him and Amber, and I thanked him for serving his country. Spc. Christopher Rutter of Missouri is a hero, plain and simple, and I told him so.
Pfc. Christopher Frazier is a Marine from Maine and a man of courage and compassion. Pfc. Frazier was sitting upright when we entered the room. Three days ago, he was serving as the gunner on a military truck in Iraq. They crossed a bridge and an IED ended the lives of the two other men in the vehicle, inflicting third-degree burns on Spc. Frazier's legs. He told us the "trigger man" was standing near the bridge but "I didn't worry about him cause he had two little kids with him." I asked him the names of the men in his unit who had lost their lives.
He hesitated then, dabbing tears away from his eyes, he spoke the names of David Vevrka, a 26 year-old soldier from Pennsylvania, and Dave Kelly, a 49 year-old soldier from Maine. His emotion came to the surface as he told us how Staff Sgt. David Vevrka saved his life. Sgt. Vevrka unbuckled himself to pull Chris out of the gun turret and was throw 60 feet from the vehicle sustaining severe head injuries. Spc. Frazier choked out, "he didn't make it cause he was helpin' me."
There wasn't a dry eye in the room. "No greater love has a man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends." We assured Chris of our gratitude and prayers. We also promised to pray for the men who had lost their lives and their families. The Bible says, "the prayer offered up in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up." May God lift up and heal Pfc. Christopher Frazier.
There were others soldiers who we saw in other wards. Some were there with combat related injuries and some were there with illness. All of them are men and women far from home in the service of United States, and we repeated our thanks and admiration at every turn.
Before we left, I met Lt. Col. John Pamerleau of Muncie, Indiana. John grew up in a heartland city at the heart of my congressional district and has gone on to a position of great responsibility. He manages all the soldiers inbound from Afghanistan and Iraq, ensuring care and treatment of the highest order. A modest man, John spoke of his youth in Muncie with pride.
His mother, Maryanne Toomey, grew up in Muncie and his aunt Ferrell Toomey and many cousins still call Muncie home. We shared a meal and his insights on the war. He said, "A lot of the troops are really frustrated that the public isn't getting the whole story about the good things happening in Iraq." I thanked Lt. Col. Pamerleau for his service to the country, and he smiled as I told him, "Muncie would be proud!" And we are.
I write this in an Air Force jet somewhere over the northern Atlantic Ocean. The sights and sounds of this journey will stay with me for a lifetime and inform me as a Congressman and an American. We have great challenges ahead in Iraq and in the Arab world, but there is reason for hope. Like the democratic revolution that overtook the nation of Turkey in 1923, many nations in the Arab world are looking for a future of freedom.
In Jordan there are democratic reforms under way and a firm partnership with the United States. In Iraq, with American soldiers at their side, the good people of Iraq and its new Prime Minister are preparing to launch a new government based upon the principles of liberty. And in Turkey and Greece, we have allies determined to stand with the United States and the United Nations in confronting the tyranny and nuclear ambitions of Iran.
But I don't only base my confidence on hope. It is said that "hope that is seen is not hope" and what I have seen in the faces of American soldiers from Iraq to the hospital beds of Landstuhl is the real source of my confidence. I have seen in the eyes of our soldiers in Mosul, Baghdad and Ramstein the fixed gaze of men and women who have answered freedom's call and have not turned back.
So long as our nation continues to produce men and women of such courage and character, I believe with all my heart, no enemy...no where....shall prevail against us.
Rep. Mike Pence
Returning from Iraq
North Atlantic Ocean
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Congressman Pence updates Hoosiers on progress being made in Iraq, state of diplomacy with Iran
 Congressman Pence spent time this weekend in Greece, Iraq and Turkey. The following are several articles that deal with Rep. Pence's Congressional Delegation trip:
Karen Hensel of WISH-TV wrote an overwiew of the Codel that includes a link to footage from the Congressman's trip. Here is an excerpt: "An Indiana Congressman offers details into controversy over Iran and a potential nuclear weapon.
"Congressman Mike Pence lead a congressional delegation into the Middle East.
Monday he met with the foreign minister of Turkey in the midst of new developments regarding Iran and its efforts to build a nuclear weapon.
"Congressman Pence and the congressional delegation met with Turkish officials to discuss Iran just minutes after the Iranians departed.
"'We literally walked into the National Security Agency and met with the national security advisor ten minutes after the Iranian delegation left the same room,' Pence said."
Maureen Groppe of the Indy Star writes about the relationship between the U.S., Iran and other countries in the Middle East. Here is an excerpt:
"Middle Eastern countries are eager to have the United Nations confront Iran's nuclear threat but don't want military force used, said U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaking from Germany after a weekend trip to Iraq, Greece, Jordan and Turkey."
Sylvia A. Smith of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette penned an article about the future of U.S./Iranian relations. An excerpt follows:
"Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th, added his voice Monday to the chorus of lawmakers who say the U.S. and U.N. should impose strict sanctions on Iran if it doesn’t make a U-turn in its nuclear policy. He said 'all options' should be on the table, including use of military force, if Iran does not back down."
Rick Yencer talks with the Congressman about the current situation in Iraq in today's Muncie Star Press. Here is an excerpt:
"Republican Congressman Mike Pence expressed confidence Monday that acting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki represented the best encouragement to end terrorism and violence in the war-torn country.
"'There is a long way to go. There is no doubt about it,' Pence said, discussing the prospects for peace and prosperity in Iraq after his latest visit to the Mideast."
Monday, May 08, 2006
Pence meets with Turkish officials to discuss Iran ten minutes after Iranians depart
 Congressman Mike Pence, a member of the House International Relations Committee, on a Congressional Delegation trip to the Middle East, met with the Foreign Minister of Turkey today. The following is his latest blog entry on the meeting: Turkey
May 8, 2006
Months ago, when we planned to visit Ankara, the capitol city of Turkey, on our way back from Iraq, little did we know that our visit would take place in the midst of swirling international developments regarding Iran.
I did not imagine that our meetings with the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, would take place while the UN was debating sanctions against Iran.
And I never imagined that our meeting with the General Secretary of Turkey’s National Security Council would take place in the same building and in the same conference room where the National Security Advisor of Iran had just concluded a meeting ten minutes earlier. But that’s just what happened.
Our day began with a short drive to the palatial residence of the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Abdullah Gul. A pleasant and earnest man, the Foreign Minister ushered us into a large conference room and offered a perfunctory welcome.
After I thanked our host for receiving us, I opened the meeting with reference to the fact that the United States values our relationship with Turkey, despite recent differences over our policy in Iraq. I reiterated the comments expressed by Secretary of State Rice in her visit to this country just two weeks ago and invited his comments on Iraq and Iran. Others expressed our concern over the recent meeting with Hamas in Turkey and urged a just resolution of the question of Armenian genocide.
The Foreign Minister leaned forward on his elbows and went to work explaining the Turkish view of each of the issues in an intense but friendly manner.
On Iraq, he expressed the long-standing position of Turkey that Iraq must remain a single country. He said the new government should “concentrate on Baghdad and should not think of separating the country." He urged a long view of the challenges we face in Iraq saying, “I believe for a long time, Iraq will keep us busy."
On the subject of withdrawal, he was equally blunt:
“We should not give up until we see a stable and democratic Iraq….a sudden or immediate withdrawal from Iraq by the United States would be a catastrophe."
Of the root causes of the insurgency:
“Iran’s influence is deepening.”
On the subject of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, the Foreign Minister alluded to a meeting later in the day with a delegation from Iran that included Iran’s National Security Advisor Larijani. He said he expected the Iranians to argue that they needed nuclear power to meet their energy needs but added, “They cannot convince us. They have enough energy sources." He assured us that he would deliver a “strong message” that “nuclear program is wrong” and closed saying that on the subject of Iran’s nuclear program, “our policies are the same as United States.”
Later in the day we met with the civilian National Security Council headed by Ambassador Yigit Alpogan. Until very recently, this agency was the center of Turkey’s national security and is still housed in an opulent building of long corridors, red carpets and ceremonial military displays. We entered the conference room and sat at a long table facing our Turkish counterparts and learned, to our surprise, that the Iranian delegation left that room just ten minutes before we arrived. The topic: Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. We got right down to business.
I asked the Ambassador what insights he might share about the situation in Iran since Turkey had shared a border with Iran and had close dealings since about the 15th century.That was the moment that he informed us that the Iranians had just left and that he had been meeting with them for the past four hours.
He said that Iran had made its case: “they have complaints; they say they have been misunderstood…that they would like the right to have peaceful uses of nuclear energy."
Interestingly, he said that the Iranians “are open to inspections and transparency” saying that they assured him “they don’t have nothing to hide."
When we asked how he had responded, flanked by two military generals, the civilian head of Turkey’s national security said, “We are disturbed that they are intending to acquire nuclear weapons technology." Much later in the discussion, he would use this same phrase, “we told them we are disturbed."
When one colleague asked, “What are they really up to?”, the Foreign Minister replied in a nonchalant manner, “They want to develop a nuclear weapon as soon as possible.”
The Iranians apparently didn’t make their case.
Of solutions, the Foreign Minister stated emphatically that “the only way to solve the problem is through diplomatic matters." But he said he had made it clear to Iran that Turkey stand with the UN saying, “Turkey will abide by all means to any Security Council Resolution.” In all, it was an encouraging meeting with a friend who was willing to speak truth to their neighbor.
As we prepared to end the meeting, I told the Foreign Minister how grateful we were to be received on such a momentous day where he met with Iranian and American officials in the same day. To lighten the moment, I said, “I won’t ask you which meeting was more tedious!” Our host burst into laughter adding, “And I will not answer this question anyway!” A meeting among friends should always end in a spirit of friendship.
As we fly across Europe enroute to visit soldiers at our hospital in Germany, I am certain that while we are leaving Turkey behind, the topic of our attention in these high level meetings will be front and center for some time. I leave with a sense of the seriousness of this moment in contemporary world history. I also leave with a sense that, while we may differ from time to time with the government of Turkey, we have in this ancient land a friend of freedom and of the United States. And that will be an asset as the United States responds in Iraq and to Iran in the uncertain days that lie ahead.
Mike Pence
Ankara, Turkey
Rep. Pence files weblog from Iraq, details meeting with new Iraqi Prime Minister
 Congressman Mike Pence, a member of the House International Relations Committee, on a Congressional Delegation trip to Iraq met with soldiers in Mosul and new Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki in Baghdad. The following is his latest blog entry on the meeting:
BACK TO IRAQ
Sunday morning our day began at 4:00 am as we mustered our delegation for a 20-hour day in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As we approached the C-130 U.S. military aircraft awaiting us on the tarmac, we were issued flack jackets and helmets. We greeted our crew as we walked up the ramp under the tail of the idling aircraft. Next stop: Iraq.
Mosul, Iraq
Mosul is in the center of the Nineveh Province, which derives its name from the ancient city of Nineveh, the site of the events recorded in the Book of Jonah.
While this region is steeped in the history of the ancient world, our focus was present-day Mosul, which has become, after a difficult period of insurgent violence, a model for the rest of the Iraq.
We arrived at Mosul Air Field and were immediately escorted to an operations and intelligence briefing by the leader of the 101st Airborne Division, Brigadier General Rife, and his senior military and civilian staff. The story we heard was truly encouraging. During our briefing, and confirmed in later meetings with Iraqi civilian and police officials, we learned of a city of 2 million Sunni, Kurds, Shiite and Christians that is beginning to find its way to peace and prosperity after years of tyranny and insurgent violence. It was apparent that much of the success was owed to the lean forward Brigadier General who has transformed this area of operation into a success - but he would only reply, “I’ve got some awfully good men, sir.”
As we spoke of the success that has overtaken Mosul since the initial violence subsided, our military leaders insisted that the real story here is not just American success, but the product of an Iraqi police force determined to take control of this city.
The police chief at the center of that effort is Major General Al Hamdani. Sitting down with the chief we encountered a barrel-chested cop who seemed right off the streets of Chicago. Except for his Iraqi uniform and his dead-on likeness to Saddam Hussein, the chief projects the seriousness of any American law enforcement officer. With the support of his force of 1,500 police officers, Al Hamdani launched Operation Lion’s Hunt. The goal of Operation Lion' s Hunt is to introduce a strong police presence throughout Mosul and to clean out pockets of insurgents hiding among law-abiding citizens. Al Hamdani put it simply and emphatically, “I want to prove to the people of Mosul that the people are stronger than the insurgents." So far his forces have detained dozens of suspected terrorists and the relative quiet on the streets of this ancient city attest to the widening success of his efforts.
We also met with Vice Governor Kashmala, the second ranking official in the Province of Nineveh. This Kurdish leader turned civilian politician spoke candidly, through an interpreter, of the challenges facing their nation and the urgent need for patience by the American government. When I asked the Vice Governor, “Who are the insurgents and why are they fighting?" he offered a lengthy and illuminating explanation.
First, he suggested that many of the insurgents were former members of the Iraqi military who “had it good under Saddam." He went on to explain that when Mosul fell “without a fight” during major combat operations, the former military element abandoned the city, “because they were afraid they would be arrested." He then offered that, after months passed without action being taken to find or prosecute them, “they returned” and a period of significant insurgent violence overtook much of the city. Second, he said that trained terrorists were coming into Iraq from other countries intent on disrupting progress. Lastly, he reminded us that, at the beginning of the war, “Saddam released 100,000 criminals from the prisons” and suggested that many “quickly organized into gangs to loot our cities after the regime fell."
After our meetings with Iraqi officials and a quick tour of the base with General Rife, we headed to the mess hall for some lunch and time with soldiers from home. I must say that this time is, invariably, the most meaningful for me. While I value the word from our military leaders and Iraqi leaders, there is no substitute for lookin' a soldier in the eye, on a far frontier in the war on terror, and askin' him or her, “How’s it goin?"
I first sat down with Sgt. Russell Sanders of Reelville, Indiana. A big, burly soldier, Sanders exuded the quiet confidence of an Indiana farmer coming in from the field after a long day. I asked him, “What do you know now that you didn’t know before you came here?” He replied, “it’s not nearly as bad as I thought it was gonna be," adding matter-of-factly, “it’s goin' pretty good.” Then there was Sgt. Thomas Therron of Bloomington who complained, as many soldiers do, that “there’s a whole lot of good things that happen every day here that never make it on the news." Sgt. Mitchell Gearhart of Carmel smiled warmly as he talked about the friendliness of the people on the street of Mosul, “especially the kids, the kids are great."
One after another Indiana soldier exuded confidence, humility and a generous spirit toward the people of Iraq. As we prepared to leave and gathered the Hoosiers together for a quick group photograph, I noticed one Indiana soldier standing off on his own, so I approached him to offer a word of thanks and encouragement. He hardly needed any.
Lt. John Johanningsmeier is a tall, clear-eyed soldier from a little town called Scottsburg, Indiana. Scottsburg is a typical Indiana hamlet just south of my hometown. To look at him, you would never guess that this young man was in the middle of a war zone…he simply beamed of confidence and pride that would have made any Hoosier proud. I asked about his family and he brightened even further, telling me about the wife and two young kids who were waiting at home for the hero to return. As we boarded our aircraft for Baghdad, I couldn’t help but wonder at the courage and optimism of every soldier I met, especially the Hoosiers. Morale is high. They are making a difference in Mosul. They are succeeding and they know it. I will pray for these men and their loving families, and I will thank God all the days of my life that America and Indiana still make men like these. Just landed in Baghdad…..more later.
Baghdad, Iraq
After a dramatic approach flight filled with roller coaster style twists and turns, our C130 set down in the heart of the U.S. operations in Iraq: Baghdad. Stepping into the 110 degree day, we donned our helmets and bulletproof vests and were spirited to two Blackhawk helicopters, with propellers turning, ready to carry us to the famed Green Zone in the center of Baghdad.
Flying over Baghdad at low altitude is a study in contrasts. Sweeping beneath the aircraft are scenes of concrete homes and poverty, which suddenly give way to bustling streets filled with cars and people. One moment you are looking at the ruins of a building destroyed in some past battle and the next you see playgrounds filled with children wearing school uniforms enjoying recess. Baghdad has a long way to go, but Baghdad is a big city and there is a lot of everyday living going on here.
After touching down in the Green Zone, our waiting security team informed us that our meeting with Prime Minister-designate Al-Maliki had been moved to a new location due to a security threat…a reminder of the risks that this Iraqi leader faces every day and the realities of our present venue.
Simply by virtue of recent events, our delegation was to be the first group of American legislators to meet with the new leader of the Iraqi people. Our embassy team briefed us enroute to the meeting and were very interested in what insights the new Prime Minister might share about the government he was planning to announce in the coming week.
Prime Minister Al-Maliki is a man of some 50 years of age, with a dark complexion and a certain world-weary look about his eyes. He wore business attire and greeted us formally, but not warmly, with the words, “welcome to the new Iraq." The Prime Minister is a Shiite with a past filled with strong sectarian rhetoric, but I found him to be rather soft spoken and modest in this diplomatic setting.
As the leader of the delegation, I spoke first. I expressed our appreciation to the Prime Minister for having the honor of being the first group to meet with him and congratulated him on his election, noting, with a smile, that all of us had faced elections too. He acknowledged the comment without any reaction, so I got down to business.
I told the Prime Minister that we were all anxious for Iraq to succeed but urged him to move as quickly as possible in the formation of the new cabinet. I asked what his plans might be for the first “100 or 1,000 days” of his Administration and, while the interpreter finished, he leaned forward and began to reply.
His agenda flowed clearly and succinctly and made a positive impression on everyone in the room. He spoke of his confidence that the new government would be formed by the deadline he set of May 9th, saying “definitely, God willing” in expressing his confidence in the timeline. He then moved through an aggressive agenda of “internal and external” reforms designed to bring stability to the new government. After promising to form a cabinet of “reconciliation between all the people of Iraq," he said his government would “save no money or blood to break terrorism."
On “the first day” of his new government he also said he would take steps “to deal with corruption." He spoke of his intention to “launch a plan for the protection of Baghdad” and specifically mentioned his intention to confront sabotage of critical energy infrastructure, adding that he had “spoken to President Bush to help me on this."
On the side of foreign policy, he said he would seek “better relations with our neighbors” on the “absolute condition of non-intervention in the affairs of Iraq.” This unspoken reference to nations like Iran and Syria, nations who are aiding the insurgent effort, was punctuated with the observation, “we must show them they have nothing to fear from us." As each of my colleagues spoke about the need for real progress in the formation of the Iraqi government, the Prime Minister closed our hour-long session with a word of thanks and a call for patience.
When asked what he would say to the American people, Prime Minister Al-Maliki said, “I would thank them for assisting the Iraqi people." He spoke respectfully of the “sacrifices” that American families have made on behalf of his people and their freedom. And he pledged to develop “Iraqi forces that can reduce the necessity of multinational forces in Iraq as soon as possible.” He added earnestly that it was his “wish that the period would not be long so the American people can have their children home.”
But he also concluded with a word of caution. He said, “victory is more important than time.” He referred to our shared fortunes in Iraq saying, “we both have to succeed…success is success for both, failure is failure for both."
While the rest of our day was filled with briefings from our military leaders and embassy officials, there would be no more poignant or important moment than our time with this new leader of the “new Iraq."
I found Prime Minister Al-Maliki to be a hard man with a keen intellect who understands the challenges facing his people and the judgment of history that awaited his actions. I write this as our aircraft departs in the darkness through the skies of this war-torn country, but I leave with the anticipation that precedes the dawn.
These are hard times for freedom loving people in Iraq. These are hard times for the American soldier in Iraq. I choose to believe that this hard man, with a past of ethnic division, is the right man at the right time to lead this nation and heal this land. For the sake of the good people of Iraq, our brave soldiers and our future, that will be my prayer.
Mike Pence
Over Northern Iraq
May 7, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Rep. Pence meets with leaders in Greece to discuss Iran
Congressman Mike Pence, a member of the House International Relations Committee, on a Congressional Delegation trip to the Greece and the Middle East met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece, Yannis Valinakis. The following is his latest blog entry on the meeting:
MAY 4
ATHENS, GREECE
We arrived this morning to a glorious dawn over the Aegean Sea as our jet landed at Athens International Airport. After a country briefing with the US Embassy team here in Greece, our bipartisan delegation traveled to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece, Yannis Valinakis. Sitting at a table overlooking the famed Acropolis where stand the ruins of the Parthenon and other structures of the ancient world, we talked about current events...specifically Iran.
I expressed to the Minister the important role that the United States envisioned for Greece as a member of the UN Security Council in resolving our present impasse over Iran's nuclear program. I told him that the United States was hopeful that Greece would support a strong United Nations response and he assured our delegation that they would.
Minister Valinakis said that the world community must have "a strong and unified message on Iran" adding that this was, in their view, "the one and only way out of the present situation." He expressed optimism about the possibility of achieving a diplomatic solution saying that Greece, "believes that there is still room for a diplomatic effort" adding that "Greece believes the international community can achieve a peaceful solution."
At the close of the meeting, I left with a sense of renewed confidence that the world community is aware of the dangers posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and that many nations, even some who have not always seen eye to eye with America in the recent past, are prepared to speak with one voice to achieve a peaceful solution.
For this southern Indiana boy from a city called "the Athens of the Prairie," that will be my prayer this day in the cradle of democracy.
Rep. Mike Pence
Athens, Greece
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Congressman Pence lauds passage of earmark and lobbying reform bill
Charles Hurt of The Washington Times writes that last night the House voted "to reform the process by which billions of dollars in government spending are doled out in political favors each year, but the move fell short of the reforms embraced by some conservatives."
Here is another excerpt from the article:
"'But as we change the way lobbyists spend their money, this Congress also understands that we must change the way we spend the money of the American people,' said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican. 'Understanding that you can't complain about the sharks when you're holding a bucket of chum, this bill contains historic and significant budget reforms.'"
Here is an excerpt from an Indianapolis Star article by Maureen Groppe:
"Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, was part of a hard-fought effort to ensure that the bill passed Wednesday included new disclosure requirements for pet projects along with the ability to challenge such 'earmarks' that lawmakers put into spending bills for their districts or other interests.
"If the changes become law, Pence said, they would prevent the most egregious earmarks from being introduced since lawmakers won't want their names attached to them as would be required.
"'We can do more earmark reform,' Pence said, 'but we dare not do less.'"
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 vote expected this week
The vote on the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 is expected this week in the House. This bill, which sets forth new rules on earmark spending and lobbying reform, has drawn attention to the relationship between the House Appropriations Committee and conservative House members.
Here is an excerpt from today's Washington Post article by Jonathan Weisman:
"Conservatives, such as Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.), said that Lewis had no real desire to spread earmark reform.
"By applying earmark limits to the bills of the Ways and Means and Transportation committees, they said, Lewis hoped those committees' chairmen, Reps. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) and Don Young (R-Alaska), would join the effort to scuttle the earmark measures."
An editorial in today's Wall Street Journal discusses earmark reform in both the House and Senate.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Novak: Pence asks colleagues to make 'bold statement'
Syndicated columnist Robert Novak mentioned Congressman Pence is his column today about attempts to "rein in congressional spending excesses."
Here is an excerpt:
"Lewis' aim was to get the leadership to take the legislation off the floor rather than lose the vote on the rule permitting debate.
"But Hastert was not yielding this time, as he informed an emergency closed-door conference of all House Republicans at noon Thursday.
"Rep. Mike Pence, head of the conservative Republican Study Committee, told hushed colleagues that they must make a 'bold statement' on reform or face disaster in November."
Knight Ridder-- Pence: "You can't complain about the sharks when you're holding a bucket of chum"
James Kuhnhenn of Knight Ridder wrote about earmark reform in this Sunday article.
Here is an excerpt:
"The simple answer, conservatives say, is to get rid of earmarks.
"'You can't complain about the sharks when you're holding a bucket of chum,' said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a leading fiscal conservative."
Washington Times: Pence says Americans realize spending is out of control
Sunday's editorial in The Washington Times mentioned Congressman Pence and out of control federal spending.
Here is an excerpt:
"The Republican rank-and-file in the red states, like 99 percent of Beltway inhabitants, may not understand all the arcane rules of parliamentary procedure, but as Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence told The Washington Times recently, 'everybody understands the "Bridge to Nowhere."'
"One of thousands of earmarks tucked into the infamous highway bill in the dead of night last year, the 'Bridge to Nowhere' would link Ketchican, Alaska, to a nearby island (population 50) at a cost of $223 million (or $4.5 million per island inhabitant)."
Washington Post: Pence weighs in on staff changes at White House
Congressman Pence weighed in on the recent staff changes at the White House in this Washington Post article by Dan Balz and Shailagh Murray.
Here is an excerpt:
"Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative House members, said he believes the combination of Bolten, Snow and Portman will ease tensions between Bush and his conservative base.
"'To the extent the president has tapped a fiscal hawk out of OMB [the Office of Management and Budget] to be his chief of staff, an outspoken conservative to be his press secretary and a highly respected former member of Congress to take over the budget is all very encouraging to those of us who want to see a midcourse correction,' he said."
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