Harper on Stimulus Package

Congressman Gregg Harper wrote in Saturday's Clarion Ledger why he voted against the Stimulus Package.

Last week, I joined 177 Republicans and 11 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives in opposing the economic stimulus package rushed to the floor by the liberal Democratic leadership.

This bill bypassed the standard committee process. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., forced this bill to the floor without time for the House of Representatives and you, the voters, to have a full understanding of exactly what is hidden within the 647 pages of a bill that would ultimately cost taxpayers nearly $1.2 trillion in new federal government debt.

Not only does this legislation expand numerous federal programs, it creates 32 new government programs. During a time when Americans are losing jobs and small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, we should not expand a federal government that is already too large.

I joined House Republicans in supporting an alternative plan that would create double the number of jobs at half the cost. However, the Republican plan was defeated on the House floor.

As I have said before, the American people know we cannot borrow and spend our way back to prosperity.

It encouraged David M. Caballero of Jackson to respond with a letter-to-the-editor.

Third District U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper listed on his Web site a few reasons why he voted against the stimulus bill.

Let me list the items he forgot to mention: $153 billion to help states provide medical care; $103 billion to repair roads, bridges, and waterlines; $159 billion in educational grants so our children can afford college; and $275 billion in tax cuts.

Did Harper forget Mississippi? We desperately need help with our medical system (annually ranked one of the worst in the nation); our roads, even in the capital, are a disgrace; our children are unable to afford college because of low-paying jobs and increasing tuition.

Rep. Harper ran on new leadership but he is just more of the same Bush-style incompetence. Even though 33 percent of the stimulus bill is tax cuts, Harper won't accept it. If he cannot have his 100 percent tax cuts, then the people get nothing.

He threatens us with poverty and depression unless he has it his way.

I have a suspicion that David M. Caballero did not vote for Gregg Harper before this anyway. But that's just me.

Conservative Divide: Childers-Thompson / Harper-Taylor

In the first defining vote of the year, Bennie Thompson (D) and Travis Childers (D) voted for the trillion dollar deficit stimulus package; Gene Taylor (D) and Gregg Harper (R) voted against it. Zero Republicans in the House of Representatives voted for H.R. 1, and 11 conservative Democrats joined the GOP in voting against it.

Taylor had some choice words on Obama's trillion dollar deficit, "President Obama ran on change. This isn't change. George Bush during the height of the war cut taxes, increased spending, doubled the national debt on his watch. And this is just more of the same, in my opinion...This is nuts."

Childers said he "teetered" with his vote, "Here's what just pushed me I guess, and I don't mind telling you, I really kind of teetered for the last couple of days on this. But this is what just finally made me vote for it. Number one, it's not a finished product. It goes over to the Senate. I hope they can take the bill and perfect it. I hope they can make it better at least."

Harper was more direct, "I wish Congress would open their eyes to the wasteful government spending that is contained in this bill and that will drive the country further into debt. The American people know we cannot borrow and spend our way back to prosperity."

Harper on Budget Committee

From a Harper release:

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) was appointed by the Steering Committee Thursday to the Committee on the Budget earning his third committee seat for the 111th Congress pending Conference approval. This prestigious committee sets guidelines in the annual budget resolution for monitoring federal programs to meet spending projections.

"I am excited to welcome Congressman Gregg Harper as the newest member of the House Budget Committee," said Ranking Republican Member Paul Ryan (WI-01). "In coming to grips with a deepening recession and a soaring budget deficit, his commitment to fiscal discipline and pro-growth economic policies will be an asset to this committee and to this nation."

"I am honored to join Congressman Ryan and I look forward to working with the members of the committee as we tackle the huge task of controlling the federal budget," said Congressman Harper. "In these times of economic uncertainty, the American people know we cannot borrow and spend our way back to prosperity and I plan to follow these conservative principles as a member of this committee."

The Committee on the Budget was established during a time of overwhelming budget deficits when Congress faced increasing challenges of managing long-term programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. The committee is the first panel to review the President's annual budget message and is responsible for the adoption of a draft budget resolution.

Congressman Harper is the only Republican freshman appointed by Republican Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to the Committee on House Administration and also sits on the Committee on Judiciary. As a member of the Republican Steering Committee, he is been responsible for assisting in the placement of committee appointments for all 435 members of the House among other leadership responsibilities.

This esteemed committee appointment concludes Congressman Harper's committee assignments for the 111th Congress.

Harper on Judiciary, House Administration Coms

WTOK reporting

Cong. Gregg Harper has been appointed to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on House Administration for the 111th Congress. “As the Republican representative on the Steering Committee, I worked hard to get the other freshman Republicans the best committee assignments possible,” said Harper. “I am very thankful for their cooperation and am pleased with the placement I have received from the Committee as well.”

Harper Announces Staff

Madison County Herald - Harper names staff members

Washington, D.C. Staff:

Michael Cravens, Chief of Staff
A native of Louisville, Cravens will serve as Congressman-elect Harper’s Chief of Staff from the Washington, D.C. office. An Eagle Scout, he has a bachelor of science degree in Computer Science from the University of Mississippi. Michael has spent the last twenty-three years in communications and marketing and is owner and president of Eagle Communications, a communications, public relations and marketing firm. He directed the Mississippi Senate Campaign of Sen.Giles Ward in 2007, has volunteered in political campaigns since 1976, and most recently directed the campaign of Congressman-elect Harper.

Sharon Johnson, Deputy Chief of Staff
Originally from Louisville, she has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Jackson State University. She has worked for both of Mississippi's previous two Third Congressional District Representatives, serving the last 12 years as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Chip Pickering, and prior to that, served for nine years as the Office Manager for the late Congressman G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery. Previously she was the deputy city clerk for the City of Louisville.

Scot Malvaney, Policy Director
Most recently, he was policy director for Mississippi's Lt. Governor Phil Bryant. He was the Legislative Director to former Congressman Mike Parker for eight years, served as Parker’s Chief of Staff, was a federal lobbyist for two years, was a Special Assistant for the U.S. Department of the Army, and prior to that served as a Public Affairs Advisor for seven years. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the South.

Adam Buckalew, Communications Director and Legislative Assistant
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Speech Communications, he most recently served as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Mississippi's Lt. Governor Phil Bryant. He was also the Statewide Field Director for Bryant's campaign in 2007.

Jordan Downs, Special Assistant to the Congressman and Legislative Assistant
Jordan resides in Pearl, Mississippi. He obtained his Political Science degree from the University of Mississippi in May of 2008. He most recently served as the Communications Director for Congressman-elect Harper's political campaign. Jordan is an Eagle Scout.

Ty Mabry, Military Legislative Assistant
Ty currently resides in Washington D.C. where he most recently served as Congressman Chip Pickering's Military Legislative Assistant. He attended Mississippi State University where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Emily Penn, Executive Assistant
Penn resides in Washington, D.C. and is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Mississippi. Emily most recently worked as a receptionist and staff assistant for the National Republican Congressional Committee and interned with the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2007.

Mississippi/District Office Staff:

Chip Reynolds, District Director
Reynolds will serve as Congressman-elect’s district director, overseeing all aspects of the District Offices and constituent services. With a bachelor of arts degree and master of arts degree from the University of Mississippi, Chip has an extensive background in education and politics. His previous work experience includes serving as an Instructor of Political Science for 25 years at Hinds Community College, periodic adjunct professor – Mississippi College, and Campaign Director for Senator Trent Lott’s re-election campaigns in 1994 and 2000. He also served for five years as field representative for Senator Lott’s official Senate staff. He is a former Political Director of the Mississippi Republican Party, Aide de Camp to Congressman Chip Pickering in his 2002 campaign, Campaign Director for Lt. Governor Amy Tuck in 2003, Campaign Director for Lt. Governor Phil Bryant’s campaign in 2007, and General Consultant for the Gregg Harper for Congress campaign in 2008. He lives in Clinton.

Stanley Shows, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
Serving as Rep. Chip Pickering’s district director for the past 11 years, Stanley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University. He lives in Brandon, . Stanley will continue working throughout the Third Congressional District with an emphasis on assisting institutions of higher learning.

Marcy Thoms Scoggins, Director of Scheduling
A native of Richton, she has served over the past 10 years as director of scheduling for Rep. Chip Pickering. Prior to that, she served on the staff of Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott as the Assistant Scheduler for two years. She is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Business degree. She currently lives in Madison.

Mary Margaret Myers, Director of Constituent Services
Myers worked for Rep. Chip Pickering in constituent services for the past four and a half years. She worked at Skytel in marketing for three years, at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas in special events and fundraising for three years, and for the late Congressman G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery for three years. She has a bachelor of arts and a masters of arts in English from Mississippi State University, and is a resident of Jackson.

Keith Plunkett, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
The former editor and publisher of the Flora Harvester and Flora Harvester Online, Plunkett has experience as a business owner and is a freelance writer and photographer, his works appearing in local and regional publications. He lives in Flora.

Larry Wert, Special Assistant for Military & Veterans Affairs
A native of State College, Pa., Wert has a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Pennsylvania State University. He is a disabled Vietnam veteran, and a Naval aviator having served eight years in the United States Marine Corps. Most recently, he retired from L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Mississippi, where he was director of labor relations. He is a resident of Brandon.

Evan Gardner, District Field Representative & Constituent Services
A native and current resident of Brandon and an Eagle Scout, Gardner is a graduate of Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a minor in Political Science. Prior to joining Congressman-elect Harper’s Congressional Staff, Evan served as Deputy Campaign Director for the Gregg Harper for Congress campaign and on Congressman-elect Harper’s Transition Team.

Joe Phillips, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
A lifelong resident of Jackson, Phillips worked for Rep. Chip Pickering from 1997 to 2008. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, He has also worked in several political campaigns and in advertising sales in the Jackson area.

Steve Guyton, Military Academies and Youth Services
A native of Kosciusko, Mississippi, Guyton is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. He served with former Fourth District Rep. Mike Parker for 10 years working on Military Academy issues and assisting high school students with their admissions process to the United States military academies. He has also worked for Congressman Chip Pickering and Senator Roger Wicker on Military Academy issues and appointments.

Hank Moseley, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
Moseley has served for the past twelve years in Congressman Chip Pickering’s Starkville office. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1951 with a Business Degree. He lives in Starkville.

Lynn Compton, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
Compton has worked in constituent services for Congressman Chip Pickering for the past 12 years. She attended Mississippi State University, and currently lives in Meridian.

Sally Wilkinson, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
Wilkinson worked for Congressman Chip Pickering for the past year and a half in constituent services. She has previously worked for Internal Engine Parts Group, Barham Funeral Home, and Dr. Dan R. Thornton, III. She attended Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University. She lives in Meridian.

Kyle Jordan, Special Assistant & College Intern
Jordan is currently enrolled at Hinds Community College’s Rankin Campus as a Political Science major. He worked for Congressman-elect Gregg Harper’s campaign last year as well as Lt. Governor Phil Bryant’s campaign in 2007. He was also the Campaign Manager in 2006 for Judge Bill Skinner’s campaign for Hinds County Court Judge. He is a resident of Terry.