Frank LoBiondo Record

LoBiondo opposes SOPA

2012-01-18T17:58:00.001-05:00

I'm pleased to see via Blue Jersey's update on SOPA that Frank LoBiondo has come out against the misguided SOPA bill:

Appreciate all calls, emails, tweets from #SouthJersey residents re: #SOPA - I am STRONGLY OPPOSED & would be a NO if it came to vote as is.

Statement by the President on Osama bin Laden

2011-05-02T00:45:00.002-04:00

Transcript of President Barack Obama's statement on Osama bin Laden:

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Frank LoBiondo statement on passing of John Adler

2011-04-04T17:57:00.001-04:00

Frank LoBiondo on John Adler:

"Having served with John in both Washington and Trenton, I can attest that he was a good man who was deeply dedicated to South Jersey and those he represented. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Shelley, their sons and family."

Constitutional Crisis: Frank LoBiondo tried to pass law without the Senate

2011-04-01T21:08:00.002-04:00

You and I learned that a bill becomes a law only after it passes the House of Representatives and the Senate. Frank LoBiondo, Jon Runyan, Scott Garrett, Chris Smith, and Leonard Lance have invented a new theory of government:

If the House has not received a message from the Senate before April 6, 2011, stating that it has passed a measure providing for the appropriations for the departments and agencies of the Government for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, the provisions of H.R. 1, as passed by the House on February 19, 2011, are hereby enacted into law.

Yes, if the Senate fails to vote for a bill that means it becomes law! Congratulations Tea Party "Constitutionalists," you have hit the jackpot with your Representatives.

I'd like to think Rodney Frelinghuysen failed to vote because he being visited by his outraged ghost ancestors but there's probably another reason.

Cross Posted from Blue Jersey

A bank bailout Frank LoBiondo will love?

2011-01-31T17:33:00.000-05:00

Like many Republicans, my Representative Frank LoBiondo is proud to support the Middle East wars at the cost of a trillion dollars but opposed loaning money to American banks during a financial crisis. A new story in the New York Times indicates his "principles" are about to collide:

Fraud and mismanagement at Afghanistan’s largest bank have resulted in potential losses of as much as $900 million — three times previous estimates — heightening concerns that the bank could collapse and trigger a broad financial panic in Afghanistan, according to American, European and Afghan officials.

The bank is used by our military to pay Afghans nominally part of their own government payroll. Time's Joe Klein thinks China should bail out the bank, which I'd be happy to bet against. No, this is an expense that is going to be added to the occupation.

I'm looking forward to see if Republicans will vote to bail out these crooks and how they will keep it as quiet as possible.

Cross-posted from Blue Jersey

LoBiondo votes to end public financing of Presidential campaigns

2011-01-31T17:01:00.002-05:00

You may remember choosing whether or not to let a few dollars of your tax return -- it used to be $1 -- be used to help finance candidates for President. The system is intended to help reduce corporate influence, and it may help less well known candidates get started. It all works by matching donations -- you and I can't just pick up money by pretending to run -- and limiting spending.

Frank LoBiondo and the new Congressional majority just voted to end public financing.

On the other hand, the truth is that system is collapsing so it's not an entirely bad vote. The public financing system made G. W. Bush President (since it limited Gore's spending, but Bush opted out) while Obama opted out entirely and was therefore able to run campaigns in more states. (He won in Indiana and picked up an electoral vote in Nebraska!) No major candidate will ever be limited by this system again.

LoBiondo on TSA Scanners

2010-11-24T11:16:00.003-05:00

I saw in the The Cape May County Herald that Frank LoBiondo weighed in on the TSA controversy. He calls for "balance" which I certainly hope he tries for himself in the next Congress.

The official website has the full letter he sent to Pistole:

Amid news reports detailing “invasive” security procedures including the physical pat-downs of children, U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) is urging Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole to “continue developing procedures that will both protect the safety and health and dignity of airline passengers.”

“We all agree that securing our airports and those flying is a critical aspect of our homeland security efforts. However, those same security efforts should not serve as an assault on the personal dignity of passengers. There is a balance that can and must be struck to ensuring our aviation network is secure without compromising the values for which our nation was founded,” said LoBiondo, a member of the House Aviation Subcommittee.

Full text of the letter sent to TSA Administrator Pistole late last week is as follows:

Dear Administrator Pistole:

I am writing to express my serious concerns about the new screening policies and how those policies are being executed by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel at airports throughout the Nation.

Under the new guidelines established by TSA, passengers are subject to a mechanical full body scan, or a physical pat-down. The full body scan has created some worries about the negative on individuals' health due to the small amount of radiation utilized. There are also serious concerns that the scan amounts to a "virtual strip search" -- an invasion of privacy and an assault on personal dignity. While I am pleased that TSA has taken steps to address these concerns, such as separating the viewer of the scan images from the actual person being viewed and blurring sensitive "personal" areas on the images, I urge you to continue developing procedures that will both protect the safety and health and dignity of airline passengers.

I am sure you are acutely aware of the widespread skepticism and public outrage these policies are generating. While I fully recognize the need for enhanced security guidelines to maintain the safety of the airways and the fact that TSA instituted these new guidelines to protect passengers, commonsense must be part of the security equation. As a father and grandfather, I was particularly disturbed by the video of a three year old child being patted down by a TSA agent while the child screamed and cried in the arms of her mother. Surely, clarification and refinement of the guidelines must be undertaken, as well as enhanced or remedial training for TSA agents

Breaking: LoBiondo Campaign Defrauded?

2010-11-15T08:30:00.003-05:00

Fraud? Embezzlement? Cheated? Whatever the right word is, this sounds bad for Frank LoBiondo's campaign:

Several hundred thousand dollars are missing from the campaign account of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo,

The preliminary report seems to point to the campaign treasurer. Mr. LoBiondo himself has done nothing wrong. I wish him luck in bringing the (alleged) crooks to justice.

Congratulations to Frank LoBiondo

2010-11-03T23:04:00.002-04:00

As expected, Frank LoBiondo won another term in Congress yesterday. I congratulate him and encourage him to work on strengthening the moderate faction in the Republican party. I know he expressed some frustrations with the last Republican majority so hopefully he can be effective this time. One advantage of his breaking his term-limits pledge is that he now has the seniority and experience to lead.

Frank LoBiondo on video discussing TARP

2010-10-29T22:47:00.004-04:00

Here's a Frank LoBiondo video posted by Gary Stein. The footage is from a 2010 meeting with the editorial board of the Courier-Post:

The later section just have Mr. Stein.

Also, I want to say Stein is quite correct to complain that Frank LoBiondo voted to repeal Glass-Steagal "which set the whole thing up." Glass-Steagal legislation was put in place during the Great Depression and prevented a major banking collapse for seventy years. It took less than ten years under LoBiondo's deregulated system for banks nationwide to collapse.

How to find your polling place

2010-10-29T22:04:00.001-04:00

This google tool lets you look up your polling place:

Frank LoBiondo avoiding debates

2010-10-12T15:37:00.005-04:00

The Press of Atlantic City looked at Frank LoBiondo's campaign and I'm surprised he's refused to even do debates:

The congressman has not agreed to any debates but has visited many groups of Republicans, some of whom are candidates down the ticket in counties in his congressional district, while others are just enthusiastic supporters.

As the reporter, Juliet Fletcher, notes, LoBiondo is not spending much money on his campaign so it's not like he's afraid of losing. I think he's afraid of having to defend his record in a way that can be used in future years: either with a right-wing challenge or a facing a moderate Democrat. His campaigning with local Republican candidates may be meant to protect him from a future Tea Party primary challenge (see Mike Castle.)

We are in a serious economic crisis and an elected Representative has the obligation to defend his record and present his plans in public. Everyone understands that incumbents don't like to take the risk, but when he's completely safe like LoBiondo, he should certainly do so. LoBiondo has a reputation for being very secretive and avoiding reporters.

Frank LoBiondo leads in poll

2010-09-30T23:13:00.004-04:00

We actually have a poll of New Jersey's Second Congressional District thanks to The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. In a sample of 400 likely voters in the district (PDF), they found Frank LoBiondo leads Gary Stein:

59 percent would vote for incumbent Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R) if the election was held today. 25 percent would vote for Gary Stein (D) and 13 percent were not sure. 68 percent had a favorable opinion of LoBiondo. 18 percent had a favorable opinion of Stein, however, Stein also had 72 percent who were not familiar enough with him to give an opinion. 56 percent approved of LoBiondo’s job performance.

They also surveyed the 1st and 3rd districts and overall of the 1200 likely South Jersey voters, "57 percent of the voters give President Obama good marks." That's a very good score, much better than his national rating. Obviously there's some dissonance in that LoBiondo is doing everything he can to stop anything Obama does, yet some people like that or don't think about it. 66% choose "jobs and the economy" as the top issue, as I would too.

(A personal note: I've been busy with work and personal items so I haven't been able to blog much. Needless to say, Representative LoBiondo is expected to be re-elected easily and he is voting against everything in the House, so perhaps we don't need a lot of posts anyway.)

He's not a liberal, but Gary Stein has posted at Blue Jersey to make his case over Lobiondo.

LoBiondo wins Republican nomination

2010-06-08T23:28:00.003-04:00

No surprise, but LoBiondo trounced his Tea Party challengers with 99% reporting:

LoBiondo, Frank (i) 19,059 78%
Biamonte, Linda 2,944 12%
Ward, Donna 2,415 10%

His 78% was better than "moderates" Chris Smith (69%) and Leonard Lance (56%.) It was even better than Frelinghuysen's 76% (though F., in a more Republican district, had far more actual votes.)

Frank LoBiondo giving his campaign donations away

2010-05-27T22:37:00.003-04:00

Frank LoBiondo runs as a moderate but he's now the largest donor to the NRCC. The $130,000 he raised pretending it was for himself is now going to be used to elect extreme conservatives all over the country.

Here's the Roll Call article:

Thirty House Republicans directly transferred more than $1.1 million to the NRCC last month, according to a Roll Call analysis of the NRCC’s April fundraising report filed late Thursday with the Federal Election Commission...

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (N.J.) transferred $130,000 to the NRCC last month, more than any other House Republican.

Certainly there's no reason for anyone to donate to him. Give straight to the NRCC if that's what you want to do.

Frank LoBiondo's Party tried legalized extortion, again

2010-05-21T13:32:00.003-04:00

The Washington Post has an important article on how Republicans are pressuring corporations to give them money (my emphasis):

The change comes as top Republicans lawmakers appeal more directly to business leaders, putting them on notice that the GOP is keeping track of the corporate donations ledger and will remember who stood by the party. As part of an effort dubbed "Sell the Fight," House Republican leaders have met privately with corporate executives and lobbyists to argue that their giving has tilted too far toward Democrats and that they need to steer more money to industry-friendly GOP candidates in key races in 2010.

"These corporate leaders and lobbyists have got interests and clients they need to look out for, and they are reading the tea leaves just like everyone else," said Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), the deputy chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who has made several private pitches to corporate PAC leaders. "They see what's happening . . . and they don't want to get cut short."

The fundraising efforts of Republican lawmakers mirror those used after the party gained control of both houses of Congress in the 1994 Republican Revolution. Party leaders at the time, especially then-House Whip Tom Delay, used their new positions in power to pull in corporate checks. Delay kept a list of lobbyists categorized as "friendly" and "unfriendly" based on campaign contributions.

Despite his seniority, Frank LoBiondo is never given the GOP leadership positions he deserves so I don't know that I can blame him personally but this behavior led to a lot of abuses in the last two decades. (And yes, Democrats are too influenced by corporate money too.) Basically I consider it extortion even if politicians make sure it is legal.

Sorry, no

2010-05-20T12:34:00.003-04:00

I was surprised to see this claim in the Gloucester County Times:

South Jersey politicians should be hearing footsteps after voters elsewhere ousted key incumbents in recent primary balloting...

This November, the two U.S. House representatives serving Gloucester County, Rob Andrews, D-1st Dist. (coming up on 20 years), and Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd Dist. (coming up on 16 years), can now consider themselves more vulnerable than in the past.

Barring the proverbial Live Boy or Dead Girl, that's not right. Democrats are not running a major candidate, and I am sure Mr. LoBiondo knows it. (Andrews doesn't have anything to worry about either.)

Now, who knows in 2012?

LoBiondo: Still lots of money

2010-04-24T18:08:00.002-04:00

The FEC report on Frank LoBiondo tell us his campaign has $1,128,245 cash on hand. That's not quite as much as it would seem, as his campaign spent over $490,000 in 2009 and the first three months of 2010. He raised over $563,000. Over $333,000 came from political action committees: everyone from Rolls Royce (I'm not kidding) to Government Employees to Hannahs to the International Longshore & Warehouse Union.

He also donated $140,000 to other Republicans:

CHRIS CHRISTIE FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS PARSIPPANY NJ 07054 03/13/2009 $3,400
TEDISCO FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS CLIFTON PARK NY 12065 03/13/2009 $1,000
AMODEO & POLISTINA FOR ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS LINWOOD NJ 08221 06/16/2009 $5,200
FRIENDS OF ROY BLUNT CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS 65805 05/29/2009 $2,000
CUMBERLAND COUNTY G.O.P. CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS VINELAND NJ 08360 05/29/2009 $15,000
DONOHUE-CONRAD 2009 CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS LINWOOD NJ 08221 05/17/2009 $5,200
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN ORG. CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS NEWFIELD NJ 08344 05/21/2009 $2,000
VENTNOR REPUBLICAN CLUB CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS VENTNOR CITY NJ 08406 05/29/2009 $500
ZACH WAMP FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS CHATTANOOGA TN 37422 05/17/2009 $2,500
STEVE CHABOT FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS CINCINNATI OH 45211 08/01/2009 $1,000
CHRIS CHRISTIE FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS PARSIPPANY NJ 07054 08/29/2009 $2,000
CUMBERLAND COUNTY G.O.P. CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS BRIDGETON NJ 08302 09/09/2009 $12,000
CUMBERLAND COUNTY G.O.P. CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS BRIDGETON NJ 08302 08/31/2009 $2,500
ESTELL MANOR REPUBLICAN CLUB CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM EXCESS ESTELL MANOR NJ 08319 08/21/2009 $500
SWEDESBORO REPUBLICAN ASSOCIATION CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS SWEDESBORO NJ 08085 09/18/2009 $1,000
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN VICTORY CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS TRENTON NJ 08608 10/23/2009 $25,000
FUND TO RE-ELECT BAKER & ZAPPARIELLO CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS MINOTOLA NJ 08341 10/03/2009 $500
FUND TO RE-ELECT BAKER & ZAPPARIELLO CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS MINOTOLA NJ 08341 10/20/2009 $500
CURCIO, JIM CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS HAMMONTON NJ 08037 10/27/2009 $1,500
ATLANTIC COUNTY REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS LINWOOD NJ 08221 10/03/2009 $15,000
FRIENDS OF CAREW, VAIN & TURON CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS NORTHFIELD NJ 08225 10/17/2009 $250
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN LEAGUE CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS OCEANVILLE NJ 08231 10/09/2009 $2,500
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN ORG. CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS MAYS LANDING NJ 08330 10/09/2009 $2,500
LAURY/JENNINGS 2009 CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS BRIDGETON NJ 08302 10/23/2009 $5,000
LOCKWOOD FOR COMMITTEE CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS CAPE MAY CT HSE NJ 08210 10/23/2009 $300
MACCARONE & FEIN FOR WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP NJ 08085 10/10/2009 $500
RUDDER FOR ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS MOUNT HOLLY NJ 08060 10/28/2009 $5,000
SPCC 2009 CAMPAIGN CONTRIB FROM EXCESS SOMERS POINT NJ 08244 10/15/2009 $250

LoBiondo and the 2010 Elections (aka I may vote for him!)

2010-04-19T14:37:00.003-04:00

Last week was the filing deadline for the major party nominations for Congress and four people filed in the New Jersey's 2nd district. Frank LoBiondo faces two primary challengers: Linda Biamonte and Donna Ward. Biamante is a Tea Party type challenging from the right. Personally I sure hope she doesn't have any success, but she has gotten a bit of press. Donna Ward was easily beaten by LoBiondo last time. She ran as a "Constitutional Republican" (aka a Ron Paul-type, I think) and refused to endorse LoBiondo.

The big Democratic names--Van Drew, Whelan--all passed. 2012 does seem like a potentially better year assuming the economy recovers. Meanwhile, no low-level Democrats stepped up to challenge LoBiondo the way long-shot challengers Dave Kurkowski and Viola Thomas-Hughes did in the last two cycles. But wait, we have Gary Stein He ran previously for Congress and Governor as a long-shot third party candidate. So he quite smartly has effectively grabbed the Democratic nomination. I'm not sure I can vote for him, so who knows, I may become a LoBiondo supporter! Well, we'll say what Mr. Stein says in the campaign. I trust the bit about UFOs on his website is a joke or a hack. Still, if you really want to shake things up you could vote for Stein.

In any case, LoBiondo is the overwhelming favorite for re-election at this point.

Letter to the editor

2010-04-08T13:09:00.003-04:00

Charles Ciraolo of Vineland wrote a great letter about LoBiondo in the Daily Journal. Here are some excerpts:

We are one of the richest countries in the world; yet, 46 million have no health benefits while millions more have lousy benefits. We rank 17th worldwide, following Portugal, with health care and yet we pay the most per person. Most of our bankruptcies are now due to health care costs. One of the biggest reasons our American manufacturers go to Canada is because they do not have to pay for health care benefits.

While President Obama was trying to reach across the aisle to the Republicans, as Republicans said they wanted to do, Republicans offered no program of their own but just said no to every proposal set forth by the Democrats.

It goes on...

It is quite apparent to any thinking loyal American the thing to do is throw more Republicans out of office next election. What has happened is this, and I will use Mr. Frank LoBiondo as an example. Your representative brags what he has done for your state, whether it is getting a federal grant to fill in the beaches, etc. Once having showed you what a great job he is doing for you, he can then feel free do what the party wants him to do on a national level. He can do this because he now feels safe of being elected again next time. In an article in The Daily Journal, he blasted the health care bill.

He said it should have bipartisan support. What planet is he from? For more than one year, President Obama has been trying to work with the Republicans and has asked for their ideas. LoBiondo doesn't want the federal government getting involved with health insurance, no sir. He likes the way the big insurance companies are working, such as United Health Care, which made $4.2 billion in profit last year. He likes pre-existing conditions, the doughnut hole for Medicare recipients who have to come up with a couple of thousand dollars out of their pocket, and limits set on your policy so they can drop you.

Boeing in Millville

2010-04-08T13:04:00.003-04:00

Reporter Dan Walsh described the opening of Boeing’s U.S. Army helicopter modification center at Millville Airport. As LoBiondo has cited it as a key development:

“It sends a message to the world that if a major international corporation like Boeing can select Millville, this is a place worth paying attention to,” LoBiondo said.

Walsh says Boeing is not holding a career fair, but instead is mainly hiring through their website (I assume it's www.boeing.com/employment) so if you hope to be one of the hundred or so hired there click through.

LoBiondo questioned at town hall about Constitution

2010-04-02T10:52:00.005-04:00

Someone sent me this video of Frank LoBiondo with the following comment, which I reproduce in full. Personally, my sympathies are with LoBiondo because it's easy to get confused in a pop quiz. He confuses Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution with the 1st Amendment. One might also think of the famous Preamble. The video is more of the questioner than the Congressman, but some people think it is important.

The e-mail:

Congressman LoBiondo is unable to to explain Article 1 Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution

( Article I Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.)

that is the full text of the article and he was unaware of it and he has been serving in the house for over 10 years

nor is he able to tell the audience the 1st amendment

How are we to trust this man to protect our liberties when he doesn't even know what they are ?

Update April 8, 2010: This story has been working it's way up the media chain and now is in The Hill. How odd though to credit the Star-Ledger when it's the same video posted by the activist. I guess the professionals only acknowledge the professionals.

LoBiondo on offshore drilling

2010-04-01T13:51:00.005-04:00

A post here last year observed that Frank LoBiondo supported offshore oil drilling there but not here and Representative LoBiondo has stayed consistent now that President Obama has backed that plan.

Here's the quote in northjersey.com:

But Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo, whose district also includes Shore communities, said Obama’s announcement echoes his own position on expanding offshore drilling. “While my opposition to drilling off New Jersey has not changed, I have supported legislation allowing states to decide if they want to explore off their shores,” LoBiondo said in a statement. “Combined with increased nuclear, solar, wind, biofuels and conservation efforts, expanded offshore drilling will enhance our national security and lead our country to energy independence.”

Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, and Governor Christie came out against the plan.

Incidentally, the reports are that "cap and trade" is considered dead so LoBiondo may be on board with the energy/climate change bill in the end. Note his positive comments here about other energy sources also backed in the bill.

Frank Lobiondo angry over F-35

2010-03-28T19:37:00.002-04:00

I found this video at "War News Updates" of Frank LoBiondo getting angry over the F-35. [Actually, LoBiondo's staff posted the video.]

Look at the disaster NASA was lead into over years (and blaming Obama or Bush for NASA's manned space flight gap is missing the big picture.) While I'm not sure whether LoBiondo is blaming the right people, and I don't think the F-22 was successful, it's good he's complaining.

An opportunity for LoBiondo

2010-03-25T11:30:00.004-04:00

There's a lot of perfectly legitimate opposition to the health care bill, embodied by Representative Frank LoBiondo himself -- his decision to vote no. That he and I disagree is something we can talk about. (He uses votes, speeches and press releases, and I have a blog.)

But there's a big difference in a republic between saying NO and calling for acts of violence. Cut gas lines, bricks thrown through windows, faxed nooses. An atmosphere of mob violence is being created as some right-wing extremisms follow their absurd accusations of socialism and fascism to the "logical" conclusion of revolution and violence. Some will become terrorists as they imagine they are facing a tyrannical government. It's not the vast majority I'm talking about, but a few. Not only Muslims suicidally ram planes into government buildings. And to a liberal, the mob violence of the 1870s-1960s used to oppress blacks suggests this not as foreign a desire as we'd like to think. (And no doubt a conservative will be quick to point to leftist violence here and around the world.)

Frank LoBiondo is not responsible for this -- I think he's more afraid of the Tea Party than aligned with them, and I haven't seen such extreme language from him -- but he has the opportunity to condemn anti-health care reform violence. Call for disappointed conservatives to express their unhappiness at the ballot box or peaceful demonstrations, not violence. Some thing very dangerous is being deliberately unleashed in America, and no moderate, "Main Street" Republican can be comfortable with it.

LoBiondo and the benefits of health care reform he opposes

2010-03-24T19:09:00.006-04:00

Frank LoBiondo has whole-heartedly opposed the Democrats' health care efforts and his final statement after his no vote is clear:

U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today issued the following statement prior to voting NO on the healthcare reform bill:

“Today’s vote is historic in that it is a missed opportunity to truly reign in health insurance costs, increase quality of care, and really improve the healthcare system for countless Americans.

“President Obama and the Congress could have and should have crafted bipartisan solutions to make healthcare more affordable and more accessible for everyone. We could have and should have already enacted common-sense policies such as allowing insurance to be bought across state lines, repealing the anti-trust exemption for insurance companies, medical malpractice reform, and removing restrictions on coverage for those with preexisting conditions. The Democrat leadership made the calculated decision against this approach and thus, we have now arrived at this severely-flawed healthcare bill before us today...

Yes, I love the use of the bold, ALL-CAPS, underlined "NO" too. I do wish Republicans just say they want to mostly deregulate health care insurance -- when you think about it, that what's "bought across state lines" is intended to lead to. It would be nice to be honest about it, but I guess it is about as popular when you phrase it thta was as "privatizing Social Security." I also wanted to comment that "removing restrictions on those with preexisting conditions" has the drawback, according to most economists, that many people won't buy insurance until after they get a big sickness. That leads to the collapse of the system as only sick, expensive people buy insurance, and that is why Obama supported the individual mandate to buy insurance even though like LoBiondo he knows it is better politics to condemn it.

The opposite view of LoBiondo is that this reform will help millions of people get the health care they need, and reform many of the worst practices of the insurance industry. An Analysis of health care reform's effects on LoBiondo's NJ2 district reveals:

Improve coverage for 447,000 residents with health insurance.
Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 150,000 families and 15,900 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
Improve Medicare for 113,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.
Extend coverage to 30,000 uninsured residents.
Guarantee that 9,200 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
Protect 1,600 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
Allow 49,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.
Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 37 community health centers.
Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $47 million annually.

That is a lot to be proud of, even if LoBiondo says NO and tells us instead to deregulate to whatever South Dakota wants.

LoBiondo surrenders to Tea Party, abandons his energy views

2010-03-23T17:35:00.002-04:00

The big news -- though sadly not that surprising -- is that Frank LoBiondo has surrendered to the most extreme elements of his party (my bold):

Although they're upset with his "aye" vote on cap and trade, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-Bridgeton) says he welcomes primary opposition, and is encouraged by the organizing efforts of the Tea Party movement.

"I think it's great," says the 16-year veteran of the U.S. House. "A lot of people are energized, and when people are energized, we're all better off."

"If the cap and trade vote came up again, I wouldn't support it," adds LoBiondo, who would like to see the country develop a coherent energy policy - without the tax penalties included in the bill he originally supported.

He couldn't have put it any more plainly unless he was wearing a "white flag" on his lapel. I am disappointed but again not surprised.

It does show that LoBiondo had a lot of projection going on when he yelled at Lou Magazzu:

I believe this nation is on a disastrous march. And now Democrats are losing votes because of the policies of extremists in your party.

According to LoBiondo's previously expressed views, our energy policy was on a disastrous course but now he has flipped his vote because of extremists in the Republican party. Sad to blame someone else for it. After all, cap and trade is a Republican idea:

I'm just old enough to remember when policies like cap-and-trade were quintessentially conservative. As an econ undergrad in the 1980s, cap-and-trade was the leading light in a suite of then radical, new, market-based regulatory ideas propounded by right-of-center economists. These new market-based approaches, they argued, would achieve superior amelioration of environmental problems without the heavy-handed inefficiencies of the "command-and-control" limits embraced by liberals in the 1970s. During my undergrad years, and the the years after, there was a decent debate about the policy and economic merits of the competing approaches to regulation. I imagine someone with Lexis Nexis could even find historical documents (Galaxy Quest!) of elected Republicans advocating cap-and-trade approaches as a conservative alternative to old-fashioned, unfair "liberalism."

Fast forward to 2009, and I confess I still find myself amazed that the conservative policy won the argument... Ironically, while their proposals were winning in the marketplace of ideas, the Republican party has abandoned the field of competition and retreated into an extremism that would probably shock even the 1964 edition of Barry Goldwater. Where you might have seen someone like Jack Kemp endorsing cap-and-trade as a sexy new idea 25 years ago, now the very same policy approach is crazy communism to today's Republicans. The policy hasn't changed, but the Republican party sure has. What was once a center-right party looking for innovative new ideas (like cap-and-trade), it is now a right-of-everyone-but-the-lunatics rump, mistrustful of any and all public policy and clinging only to the irrational scraps that feed their hysterical, anti-scientific state of denial. Kind of sad, really.

As LoBiondo has been in Congress since 1994, he really needs to look in the mirror and ask how he let this happen.

too bad

2010-03-23T17:29:00.003-04:00

It's not even history, just the past, but I get the impression that LoBiondo could have been Lt. Gov if he had wanted it:

"Chris called me a couple of times, and all I can tell you is I was flattered," LoBiondo says. "My passion is with the federal issues: job security, aviation and armed services and transportation. I don't think you can switch to the state level that easily with the federal focus I have."

I guess my comment at the time wasn't far off: "I can't help but doubt that LoBiondo would give up a safe seat for the opportunity to serve in a minor role for 8 years." Still, it's too bad it's not an open seat election this year. I can always start a new blog after all. :)

State of the District speech

2010-03-23T17:08:00.005-04:00

Representative Frank LoBiondo gave his State of the District speech a few weeks ago. News accounts help us understand his point of view, or at least the point of view he expresses to the Chamber of Commerce. Good accounts are at nj.com, Shore News Today, Daily Journal, and the Press of the Atlantic City.

As far as I can tell, he stood by his previous votes against the stimulus and TARP, condemned Democrats, and expressed concern about unemployment. He also pointed to a government project that will create 100 jobs locally as good, which seems bit contradictory to the stimulus-bashing to me, but I wasn't there.

He also said the big banks are too big. I'll be interested if that view ends up in legislation he can support.

Some of what he calls criticisms captures the big issue of the stimulus: much of it simply offset state budget cuts. So he complains that New Jersey would have funded the highway project anyway, but New Jersey and its transportation fund is broke in the real world. Construction and teaching jobs really were saved in my opinion.

He apparently referred to reconciliation, which has been used many times including by him, as the "nuclear option" which is simply an outright lie if he said it.

Anyway, it's too bad LoBiondo doesn't make his speech available online in print or video format as far as I can tell. Very few people in the district want to pay the Chamber of Commerce to hear their own Congressman.

Something to think about: Coast Guard vs. Missile Defense

2010-03-13T20:21:00.004-05:00

Frank LoBiondo has been complaining about funding to the Coast Guard. I think I said the money had all been spent in his Iraq adventure, but Think Progress has a better comparison when discussing missile defense:

However, pointing out the factual inadequacies of missile defense hits the right wing at its emotional core. Its support for such a wasteful and strategically naïve system has almost become theological in nature. The right does not care about the system’s opportunity costs (we spend more on it than the entire Coast Guard), or the program’s effectiveness (there have been no realistic tests), or the implications of its development (a new arms race). Instead, for the right this is purely a faith-based defense program, making anyone who can effectively challenge it the target of a witch-hunt.

But the right doesn't care about the Coast Guard, which helps actual people, as much as its dreams of winning a fantasy Third World War with a fantasy weapon system. All these billions later and we don't have a system that really works. If LoBiondo were really serious about the Coast Guard, he'd look to this wasteful program. There's more to look at. Writing in the NY Times, Lawrance Korb and Steve Duggan compared the Coast Guard budget to the F-35:

The solution is simple: we need a unified national security budget. That would let lawmakers see that, for example, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a next-generation aircraft that is not needed in the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, is projected to consume more money than the entire Coast Guard in 2011. Yet the F-35 program has suffered so many cost and technical problems that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates just fired its manager. Such inefficiencies and disparities are obvious when compared directly, but they get blurred when the Coast Guard and the other services are considered under different budgets and by different sets of Congressional committees.

Frank LoBiondo, though, has attacked any reform of the F-35 program. I think he just doesn't make the connection between the extraordinary waste of these defense projects and the hit to the Coast Guard -- though at least we can hope the F-35 will work, unlike missile defense and the F-22 fighter and the Deepwater cutters.

Will LoBiondo vote to ban all earmarks?

2010-03-10T21:07:00.004-05:00

House Democratic leaders have just announced there will be no more earmarks to private contractors (earmakrs to non-profits would be okay).

Republicans including Representative Frank LoBiondo are considering going one further:

House Republicans praised the Democrats for taking this key step but are considering swearing off the practice. "We're going to have to make a decision," House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) told his colleagues at a closed-door meeting Wednesday, according to one attendee. "Are we really willing to put it all on the line to win this thing?"

They have scheduled a special gathering Thursday to debate whether they are willing, on their own, to not seek any earmarks. Previous efforts by Republicans -- who oversaw the dramatic inflation of the use of earmarks during their 12-year majority -- have failed.

I personally think earmarks can be good or bad, and that certainly John McCain's apparent belief that they are important part of the deficit is simply wrong. After all, LoBiondo is not shy about funds he brings to the district, and he's right. So I'm curious what LoBiondo will do in this situation, though I suppose we will only know what the majority of Republicans decide.

Update (3-13-2010): Apparently House Republicans did vote to ban all earmarks for one year. One year? Until they take control? Well, it is still a significant vote.

Biggest Contributors: Unions

2010-03-10T17:58:00.003-05:00

I took a look at Open Secrets contributors data for Frank LoBiondo and it reminded me that he relies heavily on union support. Indeed, certain unions actively discourage any Democratic challenger.

Of course Lockheed-Martin makes an appearance too.

LoBiondo joins Democrats to Prevent Child Abuse by School Officials

2010-03-06T16:56:00.005-05:00

Frank Lobiondo was one of two dozen Republicans who joined most Democrats in voting 262-153 for H.R. 4247. Let me quote Down With Tyranny:

Yesterday's D v R showdown in the House wasn't about healthcare reform or even about the dirty filthy banksters stealing the national wealth. It wasn't about Afghanistan or about taking the ability of corporations to purchase the services of wily politicians. But it was a showdown that went to highlight one of the basic differences in worldview between conservatives and humans...

If God were to strike down all the obstructionists in the Senate and it were to become law, it would provide the first comprehensive protections for children against abusive disciplinary actions by schools.

Here's the NYT summary:

The legislation stems in part from a government report last year that found evidence that hundreds of children — from preschool age to high school — had been traumatized or physically harmed by being held down or locked alone in rooms, some even tied to chairs. Many had developmental problems or were in special needs programs; many others were in regular classes. Some children have died, apparently because of overly aggressive discipline, according to numerous reports over the last decade.

The bill would prohibit, except in cases of imminent danger, any restraint that restricts breathing; any mechanical restraint, like straps; and chemical restraint, by drugs other than those prescribed by a child’s doctor. It allows for “time outs” but not for a child to be locked in a room, away from supervision. It requires states to keep careful records of incidents of restraint and seclusion, and for schools to report incidents promptly to parents.

I'm very proud Frank LoBiondo voted for this legislation. Actually, all the New Jersey Republican House members did, except ultra-right-winger Scott Garrett.

LoBiondo votes against tax cuts for businesses to hire new workers

2010-03-04T15:57:00.003-05:00

The House of Representatives voted today on the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. This would provide tax credits to help businesses hire workers during this terrible recession where we are suffering from 10% unemployment. It also nclueds highway money which New Jersey desperately needs. Here's a description of the jobs bill, which is one of many pending:

This $15 billion measure includes: A payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees. Tax cuts to spur new investment by small businesses to help them expand and hire more workers. Extension of the Highway Trust Fund allowing for tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure investment Provisions -- modeled after the Build America Bonds program - to make it easier for states to borrow for infrastructure projects, such as school construction and energy projects. This bipartisan job creation measure passed by a vote of 70-28 in the Senate last week, and is one in a series of measures this Congress will take to restore the American economy.

Sadly, Frank LoBiondo voted against the bill, even though it enjoyed overwhelming support in the Senate. What happened to his concerns about unemployment? What about his love of tax cuts?

LoBiondo: THIS IS NOT ACCURATE

2010-03-04T15:50:00.003-05:00

Jason Springer observes Frank LoBiondo is worried about Cape May County:

Frank LoBiondo is doing his best to avoid a primary challenge from the teabaggers and probably spit out his coffee when he read in the Atlantic City Press that he had taken sides in who the Cape May Republican committee should support for Freeholder.

Here is the LoBiondo e-mail obtained by Shore News Today:

March 3, 2010

To The Cape May County Regular Republican Party,

The Press of Atlantic City reported that Freeholder Director Beyel said I endorsed John McCann ("Beyel said U.S. Rep Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, also endorses the slate”). THIS IS NOT ACCURATE.

I was not part of the decision making process by the Cape May County Republican organization. I was not asked for my opinion nor consulted with in any discussions concerning the party's decision not to endorse Jerry at any time.

Once I found out about it as the rest of you did, I made it clear I would not be involved in the committee preference vote process.

But now it is being reported that I am. I AM NOT. My position has not changed--it is an internal county organization issue

I have been in contact with Chairman Von Savage, Freeholder Thornton and Leader McCann.

If you have any questions, please call or email me at lobiondoforcongress@comcast.net.

Sincerely,

Frank LoBiondo

Nice to see LoBiondo is in touch with modern culture and knows how to SHOUT USING ALL CAPS!

Frank LoBiondo on proposed Coast Guard budget

2010-02-27T14:31:00.003-05:00

The Cape May County Herald has a good article on Representative Frank LoBiondo's reaction to the Obama Administration proposed Coast Guard budget. The budget calls for spending $10.08 billion, but this is a $75 million dollar reduction. The Coast Guard has brief post which includes a link to "All Hands" email by Commandant Allen which discusses the choices that were made in this difficult fiscal environment.

It will be interesting to see if LoBiondo ever backs tax increases to pay for all the government operations he says it would be a "disaster"to cut. In my opinion, these cuts are a direct consequence of the disaster Republican deregulation of Wall Street, waste of a trillion dollars in Iraq, and the rest of the extravagant spending over the last decade. Still, he expresses his concerns about these particular cuts very well, and I was convinced they are serious concerns.

LoBiondo votes to end health insurance anti-trust exemption

2010-02-24T21:04:00.003-05:00

Frank LoBiondo was one of 406 Representatives who voted to end the anti-trust exemption for the health care industry, or as the bill's sponsor put it, To restore the application of the Federal antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect competition and consumers. The overwhelming bipartisan majority on such a sensible measure is good to see.

Scott Garrett was the only New Jersey Representative to vote no, cementing his extreme status.

(Of course, earlier in the day LoBiondo voted to "recommit with instructions" which would have effectively killed the bill, but apparently he believes that such party-line votes don't really count in terms of supporting the bill. No doubt he knew the motion to recommitt would fail so maybe it's really true. You can decide for yourself.)

LoBiondo on Lautenberg's cancer

2010-02-20T17:43:00.002-05:00

I certainly agree with Rep. LoBiondo's sentiments on Frank Lautenberg's fight with cancer:

U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, said in a statement: “I join with countless others in South Jersey and across the state who look forward to his full recovery,” while state Sen. James Whelan, D-Atlantic, stressed that “I know that he will overcome this difficult situation, just as he has overcome other challenges.”

Frank LoBiondo on aviation industry and South Jersey

2010-02-06T12:38:00.003-05:00

The Daily Journal has a new piece by Frank LoBiondo:

One year ago, I discussed how it was imperative our region look for opportunities to strengthen and expand new and emerging industries that could provide significant revenues and create local high-paying jobs.

While tourism, gaming, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and small businesses will always have a measurable role to play, there needs to be more diversification of our work force to ensure South Jersey's short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. Back then, I singled out the aviation industry as having deep roots already in the region. There have been significant advancements that will make the aviation sector a key part of our local economy for decades to come.

In the past 12 months, we have seen considerable investment made at the Atlantic City International Airport...

Likewise, we have seen tangible progress in establishing the premier location for aviation research and development in conjunction with the FAA Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township...

In the first weeks of 2010, we have already heard that Boeing -- a leader in aviation -- will be locating some of its post-production work to upgrade Chinook helicopters for the U.S. Army at the Millville Airport.

Good stuff, and it's worth reading the full story. Work like this to bring jobs to the district certainly is a reason why LoBiondo is pretty safe even though this is a district that can vote Democratic.

Our district gets emergency aid for snowstorm disaster

2010-02-05T19:47:00.004-05:00

Today, President Barack Obama signed a New Jersey disaster declaration:

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a snowstorm during the period of December 19-20, 2009.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the snowstorm in the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem.

In addition, assistance is available to State and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including snow assistance, for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Sounds like the NJ2 congressional district will be helped a lot by this declaration.

Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez put out a joint statement welcoming this:

U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez today
applauded President Obama for declaring a major disaster and making
federal funds available to help New Jersey communities recover from
the December snowstorms. Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez supported the
state’s request for a disaster declaration in a letter to President
Obama on January 20, 2010.

“With more snowstorms hammering New Jersey, this emergency funding
will help the communities that were hit in December defray mounting
costs,” the Senators stated. “This federal funding commitment will be
an important boost to the state and many of the local agencies tasked
with responding to the weekend snowstorms.”

Debt vote, but it's hypocrisy all around

2010-02-04T19:31:00.006-05:00

Along with every other Republican, Frank LoBiondo voted against increasing the national debt ceiling and "pay-as-you-go" rules today. Of course, you're not foolish enough to think that his vote against debt means anythihg. Back when Republicans controlled the House and the Presidency, they were the ones who voted for debt ceiling increases and Democrats voted against them. For example, here's LoBiondo's 2004 vote to increase the debt ceiling. So now it's the other way around, but it doesn't mean anything sincere.

The second vote may be a little more sincere. Republicans like to give tax cuts without cutting spending, which would be illegal under the "pay-as-you-go" rules. Of course, it's the opposite of being a "fiscal conservative."

Frank LoBiondo gets an F from the NAACP (but it's a high F)

2010-02-04T15:36:00.003-05:00

The NAACP has released its grades of the 111th Congress and Frank LoBiondo got a 56% percent, which, although more than half, gets an F using the NAACP's traditional high-school style grading system. I have posted all NAACP New Jersey grades at Blue Jersey, where you'll see LoBiondo is beat out by only Chris Smith amongst Republicans. Certainly he's no Scott Garrett (8%).

The Republican Plan: Cut Social Security, Cut Medicare, Balance Budget in 2060

2010-02-04T13:29:00.004-05:00

To my knowledge, Frank LoBiondo has not put out his own plan to deal with the long-term deficit, so we'll have to assume he probably supports more or less the new House Republican plan, though it's not officially endorsed, and some Republicans realize it is a political loser as it privatizes Social Security and Medicare. An analysis of the plan is very revealing:

In all the Ryan budget plan dubbed the "Roadmap for America's Future" would take the deficit from 11 percent of gross domestic product in 2009 to 4.8 percent in 2030 and 2.6 percent in 2050. The Congressional Budget Office shows the GOP plan would end the deficit around 2060 and they would produce a surplus of 6 percent of gross domestic product by 2083.

Well, I certainly hope to live to see 2060, though statistics say I probably won't, but why I or anyone would want to lose Social Security and Medicare benefits and still run a huge deficit is beyond me. Privatizing Social Security is doubly foolish after the recent crash, we already have plenty of exposure to the stock market and real estate.

Also, for those Republicans complaining about the Democrats' proposed taxes on "Cadillac" health insurance plans, we have this: The Ryan plan "also eliminates income and payroll tax exclusions for employment-based health insurance starting next year."

President Obama and House Republicans together

2010-01-30T11:56:00.002-05:00

Here is the video of the Q&A session between President Barack Obama and House Republicans. Unfortunately Frank LoBiondo did not get to ask a question.

Nuclear education

2010-01-27T00:56:00.003-05:00

As we all wait in the district to see if the plans for a 4th nuclear reactor in Salem really go forward, here's a tidbit in an AP story on the new PSEG education center for nuclear power:

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, a Delaware Democrat; U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, a New Jersey Republican; and NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko were on hand to praise the prospects of nuclear power and the energy center for explaining it.

Well, we already knew LoBiondo is pro-nuclear. I feel I should include the quote from Unplug Salem for balance:

An activist who opposes nuclear power sees it another way: "They for years have gone out to the schools in the area on propaganda missions," said Norm Cohen, the coordinator of the Unplug Salem campaign, who expects local opposition to PSEG adding a fourth reactor. "This way, they can have the schools come to them."

Van Drew won't take on LoBiondo in 2010

2010-01-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

State Senator Jeff Van Drew of Cape May County is widely thought to be the strongest possible challenger to Representative Frank LoBiondo, but once again he has decided not to challenge LoBiondo this year. The Coastal Broadcasting News of Cape May County reports:

If a Democrat beats Congressman Frank LoBiondo in this November's election, it won't be State Senator Jeff Van Drew doing it. Van Drew has confirmed to Coastal Broadcasting that he will not be running against LoBiondo in this November's election.

Dan Walsh of the Press of Atlantic City has the unambiguous quote:

"I'm not going to be running in this cycle"

Jason Spring of Blue Jersey notes this leaves the door open, yet again, for 2012 or later.

Walsh also describes a longshot candidate, Gerald Sakura, but I think he deserves a post of his own.

Salem County Railroad

2009-12-14T21:42:00.003-05:00

Some more federal funding for the Salem County Railroad:

The county-owned railroad is slated to receive $750,000. The funds will be used for the continued rehabilitation of the railroad.

“We are delighted that our congressional delegation has been able to secure additional funding for our Salem County short-line,” Freeholder Deputy Director Beth Timberman said...

“The funding in this measure is going to be a real boost for New Jersey; it will help create jobs, expand and improve our transportation infrastructure, and upgrade medical facilities across the state,” Sen. Frank L. Lautenberg, D-NJ...

U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd Dist., made sure the $750,000 for the county railroad was included in the House version of the spending bill, according to his spokesman Jason Galanes.

LoBiondo has been a big supporter of the county’s action to revitalize the railroad and the positive economic impact it can have on the area.

Good for all of them.

Frank LoBiondo's opposition to Wall Street reforms

2009-12-14T17:28:00.006-05:00

This week Frank LoBiondo, like all other Republicans, voted against the The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009. He also voted for the Minnick Amendment, which The Hill says was meant to gut a key part of financial overhaul legislation by eliminating the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). Thinking of the events since Frank LoBiondo came to Congress -- the internet bubble, Enron, the housing bubble, the stock market crashes -- it's hard to see why he doesn't see the need for reform.

In any case, the DNC has put out this release:

Rep. LoBiondo, Republicans Oppose Financial Regulatory Reform, Side With Wall Street Over Main Street

Even After Irresponsible Practices Of Wall Street Put Our Economy On The Brink Of Collapse, Rep. LoBiondo Votes Against Reform

Washington, DC – Despite the fact that small businesses and families in New Jersey are still bearing the burden of Wall Street’s poor choices, Rep. LoBiondo last week turned his back on New Jersey residents and voted to let the financial sector continue their risky practices unchecked. On Friday, Rep. LoBiondo and his Republican colleagues in Congress unanimously voted against the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009. The bill, which passed without a single Republican vote, will help stabilize our economy and reign in the irresponsible Wall Street practices that put our economy on the brink of collapse. Championed by President Obama and Democrats in Congress, the bill will protect New Jersey families and small businesses from the unfair and abusive practices that have harmed so many.

Rep. LoBiondo’s no vote is just further evidence that he is out of touch with the people of the 2nd Congressional District, who voted to put President Obama in the White House last November. If Rep. LoBiondo continues to side with Wall Street and big business rather than New Jersey’s residents, he could be at political risk this November.

“It is unbelievable that Rep. LoBiondo and the Republican Party continue to stand by the Wall Street executives whose excessive greed and risk-taking nearly caused an economic meltdown just over one year ago. New Jersey families and small businesses are still suffering from the fallout of Wall Street’s irresponsible behavior, but Rep. LoBiondo wants to let the companies that got us into this mess continue to go unchecked,” said DNC Regional Press Secretary Michael Czin. “Last year, the people of the 2nd Congressional District voted for change because they knew that eight years of failed Bush economic policies had put us in a downward spiral. If Rep. LoBiondo continues to stand by the irresponsible economic policies of the Bush era, he will stand to pay a heavy price at the polls next year.”

Frank LoBiondo on President Obama's Afghanistan Strategy

2009-12-11T12:45:00.003-05:00

I early posted that I couldn't find Frank LoBiondo's statement on the new Afghanistan strategy, but actually I must have just missed it. Here it is:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, tonight issued the following statement after the President addressed the nation on his new strategic plan for Afghanistan, including the addition of 30,000 troops to combat theater in the coming weeks.

“Tonight, the President informed the American people of his new strategy in attempt to stem the Taliban uprising and Al Qaeda resurgence in Afghanistan and the region. I am heartened the President finally gave serious consideration to the recommendations of our commanders in the field. I strongly believe the men and women of our military, who selflessly serve our country, should not be short-changed in the resources and reinforcements they need to complete their mission.

“I have serious and growing concerns about the stability and ability of the Afghan government to effectively govern its own country. The deadly determination of Taliban insurgents and the ongoing efforts of Al Qaeda to re-establish itself in the region are clear. These are critical issues that must be addressed in order for us to succeed and our troops to return home safely. I have spoken with General McChrystal about these concerns and look forward to his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee next week.”

LoBiondo has visited the Afghanistan region seven times since 2005. On his most recent trip in late August 2009, LoBiondo met with General Stanley McChrystal for over an hour in Afghanistan.

"
A good statement in my opinion. The only open question is whether "I strongly believe the men and women of our military, who selflessly serve our country, should not be short-changed in the resources and reinforcements they need to complete their mission" would go so far as to support new taxes to actually pay for these resources.

More on 2010 Challengers

2009-12-09T11:20:00.001-05:00

I forgot to link to the excellent Press of Atlantic City article on challengers to Frank LoBiondo.

Democrat Van Drew unlikely to run against LoBiondo

2009-12-09T09:29:00.003-05:00

I had a little fun with the Tea Party crowd, but the two party system is pretty resilient. Democrats are the most likely to beat Frank LoBiondo. One highly touted possibility is State Senator Jeff Van Drew of Cape May county, but he's tells Politicker NJ he's unlikely to run next year:

“I’m not trying to be coy. The bottom line is this: I’m very focused on the state issues right now. They are huge. They’re historic. They’re beyond anything the state of New Jersey has ever seen,” said Van Drew in a phone interview last week.

Van Drew has been recruited by Democratic leaders about a prospective congressional run before, particularly for the 2008 election.

“I never say never… but I’d say the likelihood is not there,” he said.

There's not much doubt he'd be the strongest challenger, so I'm sure Frank LoBiondo is happy to see this.

Helpful advice to the right on recall elections

2009-12-07T17:39:00.003-05:00

My "google alert" for Frank LoBiondo recently brought up a post at a myspace-like place called "Patriotic Resistance." (The post may actually be a few months old.) Anyway, one of the conservative activists at that site, who lives in a town near mine, reports that she "shocked" Frank LoBiondo's staff by explaining how she plans to launch a recall of Senator Bob Menendez, and also intimidated LoBiondo into changing his vote on cap-n-trade. Well, maybe there's some truth to the latter, but her plan to recall Menendez by gathering "292,000" signatures isn't going to work. As the New Jersey State Constitution, Article 1, Section 2b:

The people reserve unto themselves the power to recall, after at least one year of service, any elected official in this State or representing this State in the United States Congress. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for such recall elections. Any such laws shall include a provision that a recall election shall be held upon petition of at least 25% of the registered voters in the electoral district of the official sought to be recalled. If legislation to implement this constitutional amendment is not enacted within one year of the adoption of the amendment, the Secretary of State shall, by regulation, implement the constitutional amendment, except that regulations adopted by the Secretary of State shall be superseded by any subsequent legislation consistent with this constitutional amendment governing recall elections. The sufficiency of any statement of reasons or grounds procedurally required shall be a political rather than a judicial question.

According to the latest state voter registration statistics, there are 5,227,896 registered voters in New Jersey. So to recall Senator Menendez, my conservative friends will need a minimum of 1,306,974 signatures. Chris Christie only got 1,174,445 votes, so that might be a bit tough for them.

On the other hand, there are just 430,010 registered voters in Frank LoBiondo's district (New Jersey 2), so maybe the target of 107,503 signatures would be a better initial goal. The right could collect signatures for both Menendez and LoBiondo at the same time. I'm just trying to be helpful! :)

On the other hand, maybe it would easier to follow the lead of my last post: an independent Tea Party candidate would have a better chance to win. In 2006, LoBiondo got 109,040 votes, so you could defeat him in November 2010 from the Tea Party side with fewer votes than you need to recall him.

Could this be true: Tea Party more popular than Republicans?

2009-12-07T16:26:00.003-05:00

I find it hard to believe anyone could really challenge Frank LoBiondo from the right, but if this Rasmussen Poll is true maybe it is possible:

Running under the Tea Party brand may be better in congressional races than being a Republican.

In a three-way Generic Ballot test, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Democrats attracting 36% of the vote. The Tea Party candidate picks up 23%, and Republicans finish third at 18%. Another 22% are undecided.

Among voters not affiliated with either major party, the Tea Party comes out on top. Thirty-three percent (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. Twenty-five percent (25%) would vote for a Democrat, and just 12% prefer the GOP.

Among Republican voters, 39% say they’d vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option.

Ramussen goes on to say "In practical terms, it is unlikely that a true third-party option would perform as well as the polling data indicates." which is the understatement of the year. Furthermore, LoBiondo has the advantage of incumbency. Still, something to keep an eye on. Unfortunately for me, it seems like this pressure is more likely to get LoBiondo to fall into line with the right wing, than to end up getting rid of him.

Frank LoBiondo: Wealth and Seniority

2009-12-02T18:12:00.003-05:00

Blue Jersey has a post called Money and Power in Congress, looking at the Roll Call report on wealth in the House of Representatives. As Roll Call explains,

The table below lists the minimum value of the assets and liabilities of Members of the House of Representatives as reported on their 2009 financial disclosure forms (covering calendar year 2008). Assets include stocks, bank accounts, rental properties and other income-producing holdings; liabilities are most frequently mortgages and other bank loans. Assets and liabilites are reported in broad ranges; this table uses the minimum of all reported ranges and subtracts liabilities from assets to produce a minimum net worth.

Anyone who has voted in New Jersey--whether a liberal, moderate or conservative, Democrat or Republican--has voted for some very wealthy people, but it's still nice to know.

Frank LoBiondo has an estimated $370,000 in assets, but $100,000 in liabilities, for a minimum net worth of $270,000. Needless to say that's comfortable -- remember it is a minimum -- but not really rich, as rich is defined nowadays in Congress, and nowhere near the scale of wealth that allows one to self-finance statewide campaigns.

Also, LoBiondo is 131st in seniority.

Frank LoBiondo on President Obama's Afghanistan Strategy

2009-12-02T09:37:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately, it seems Representative Frank LoBiondo did not post his reaction to President Obama's speech outlining his Afghanistan-Pakistan war strategy, but the Courier-Post has this snippet:

Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo, R-N.J., said he was "heartened the president finally gave serious consideration to the recommendations of our commanders in the field." But the member of the House Armed Services Committee also voiced "serious and growing concerns about the stability and ability of the Afghan government."

If anti-war Democrats vote against funding, Representative LoBiondo's vote may be needed to fund this escalation of the war he supports. I'd like to see the full statement since I too am concerned about the Afghan government.

LoBiondo cuts Medicare Doctor Reimbursements, hopes everyone forgets.

2009-11-27T17:13:00.003-05:00

Here's an interesting November 19, 2009 press release from Frank LoBiondo saying "LoBiondo Supports Protecting Local Doctors from Cuts to Medicare Payments":

“For the past seven years, I’ve supported efforts to protect our doctors and their staffs from scheduled Medicare reimbursement cuts, which in the end would affect the care they are able to give their patients. Today, I voted for a plan that would prevent the scheduled doctors’ reimbursement cuts, would not add to the deficit, and would ensure future South Jersey seniors are not shouldering the costs. Regrettably, it was not the bill that was approved by the full House today,” said LoBiondo.

What's interesting about this? It's not just that LoBiondo voted against getting rid of the cuts, after all, the press release is clear enough. It's not that he claims to have voted for a Republican alternative, when there was no such roll-call vote that day. No, those are all in a days work.

The impressive bit of hypocrisy is that the cuts are due to the "Balanced Budget Act of 1997" (H.R. 2015) which, of course, Frank LoBiondo and his Republican colleagues made law. These cuts are entirely his creation! When the Republican party actually cared about deficits -- at least the name of the 1997 law says they did -- they created a "Sustainable Growth Rate" formula which would have reduced the deficit by paying doctors less. Whether it's a good idea or not, I don't know, but it is the law thanks to Frank LoBiondo's 1997 votes, whatever press release he sends out in 2009.

Sadly, we can expect that no reporter will ever notice the contradiction.

DNC runs radio ad against Frank LoBiondo

2009-11-17T00:02:00.001-05:00

The DNC is running a radio ad against Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2).

You can listen to it here: Lobiondo radio ad (mp3).

In last year's historic election, voters in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District supported President Obama and his call for change.

But when it came to fixing our broken health insurance system, Congressman Frank LoBiondo voted for more of the same.

When the U.S. House passed health insurance reform that would provide Americans quality, affordable care, Congressman LoBiondo stood with the insurance industry, not the people he was elected to represent.

Congressman LoBiondo voted against ending discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, against reining in skyrocketing premiums, and against expanding health coverage to more Americans.

Congressman LoBiondo joined Republicans in Washington and voted against real reform. He stood with the health insurance industry instead of us.

Call Congressman Frank LoBiondo at (202) 225-3121 and tell him it's time to stand up for reform, not insurance companies.

Paid for by the Democratic National Committee. Democrats.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. The DNC is responsible for the content of this advertising.

DNC takes aim at Frank LoBiondo's No Vote on Health Care Reform

2009-11-08T00:23:00.003-05:00

Following Frank LoBiondo's vote against reform, Michael Czin of the DNC put out this statement:

Rep. LoBiondo and the Party of No Vote Against Health Insurance Reform, Side With the Insurance Industry over New Jersey Residents

Move Will Place Rep. LoBiondo in Political Peril Next November

Washington – Tonight, the House of Representatives passed historic health insurance reform legislation that will end unfair insurance industry practices like denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition, dropping coverage for those who get sick and placing lifetime caps on coverage. But instead of standing with New Jersey residents who want and need these protections, Rep. LoBiondo chose to stand on the side of profit hungry insurance companies.

The legislation Rep. LoBiondo voted against will not only provide these important consumer protections, but it will also reduce the spiraling cost of health care, rein in out of control premium increases, place a cap on out of pocket costs and extend coverage to nearly every American without it today.

The so called “plan” Rep. LoBiondo’s party did propose would give more goodies to the insurance companies that help their bottom lines: allowing them to charge more while providing less, deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions and drop New Jersey residents when they get sick. And, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the Republican Plan would only cover 3 million more Americans who currently lack insurance over the next ten years - barely a dent in the tens of millions of Americans who lack insurance today. The Republican Party’s plan—the "Health Insurance Company Protection Act"— would do more to protect insurance companies than patients.

Rep. LoBiondo’s vote tonight may score him points with the extreme far right wing of the Republican party, but it won’t get him any credit with the voters of New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District.

“It’s disappointing, but not surprising that Rep. LoBiondo chose to stand with the insurance companies instead of New Jersey residents. Today, Rep. LoBiondo voted against a historic bill which will protect New Jersey residents from unfair insurance company practices and will provide coverage for millions of Americans,” said Democratic Party spokesman Michael Czin. “But standing on the side of insurance company CEOs and the far right wing of the Republican party isn’t just bad policy, it’s bad politics. Rep. LoBiondo can rest assured that after voting against health insurance reform today, the people of the 2nd Congressional District will not be voting for him next November.”

LoBiondo statement on heath care reform

2009-11-05T18:14:00.002-05:00

Frank LoBiondo's statement on health care reform is out. He continues to oppose the bill. The statement is quite detailed, which I have to respect even if I disagree with his conclusions.

I wasn't joking, conservatives want to purge LoBiondo

2009-11-01T13:39:00.002-05:00

I wasn't joking in the last post and I wasn't trying to make trouble.

Here's a conservative post, inspired by the NY-23 special election, calling for LoBiondo and other moderates to be defeated.

Bad News for Frank LoBiondo in the NY-23 Special Election

2009-10-31T14:07:00.000-04:00

Today's withdrawal by Dede Scozzafava in the NY23 special election to Congress is an important milestone. In her statement, she says "It is increasingly clear that pressure is mounting on many of my supporters to shift their support." It's a polite way of noting that the far-right conservatives -- mostly outside the district -- have successfully purged her for perceived disloyalty to conservatism.

This must be a very unwelcome development for Frank LoBiondo. To be sure, he's "pro-life" and part of the Gingrich's Revolutionary Class of 1994, so he has right-wing credentials she doesn't. But his occasional moderate votes are increasingly unwelcome to conservatives both inside and outside of Congress. His vote in favor of the energy bill earned him attacks nationwide by outraged conservatives. There's many who would love to get rid of him.

Now, LoBiondo, unlike Scozzafava, has lots of money and the advantage of incumbency. It's now possible to imagine a successful challenge to him, but it's extremely unlikely. But today we see one more step down a road along which moderate Republicanism is extinguished.

Offshore Drilling there but not here

2009-10-22T13:10:00.002-04:00

I noticed "That's My Congress calling our Frank LoBiondo for trying to ban offshore drilling, but only near New Jersey:

Last year, LoBiondo voted in favor of H.R. 6899, the ironically-entitled Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (the legislation helped to promote risky sources of energy from which American consumers need protection). That legislation effectively lifted the moratorium on offshore drilling for oil in American waters.

This year, however, LoBiondo is the primary sponsor of H.R. 2439, a bill that would forbid new offshore drilling for oil - but only in the waters belonging to LoBiondo’s home state of New Jersey.

Whoever wrote it went to on to make an interesting point:

With H.R. 2439, Representative LoBiondo and his colleagues have fallen prey to a cynical divide-and-conquer strategy devised by lobbyists for big oil companies. First, these lobbyists convinced members of Congress to vote in favor of expanded offshore drilling - but with the idea that Representatives could create special protections for their own states, letting other states take all the risks. Now that the barriers to new drilling have been taken down, members of state delegations to the House of Representatives have put together legislation that would ban offshore drilling, but only in their own states. Each little state-based coalition lacks the votes it needs for its own bill, with a state-against-state dynamic, and so the coastline in every state remains vulnerable the oil spills that inevitably come as a result of increased drilling.

I'd add, though, that there's no particular reason to think LoBiondo or anyone else is sincere when introducing such a local bill. More likely it is just posturing, so he can point to the bill when criticized. Of course I have no idea what's in his heart.

Did Frank LoBiondo Have a Conservative Radio Host Fired?

2009-10-06T15:01:00.003-04:00

This is an interesting dispute. Conservative Seth Grossman claims Frank Lobiondo had him fired:

Last July I got tired of hosting a two-way talk program every weekday afternoon on an Ocean City radio station. So I started a new one-hour program Saturday mornings on 92.1 FM WVLT in Vineland. Then I set up a second one-hour program for Friday afternoons on an Atlantic County station.

I agreed to pay the full market rate, and signed up more than enough sponsors. Both I and the station made public announcements, and I even appeared twice as a guest host in advance... But talk radio is very important to local Republican politicians like Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo and Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson...

My daily radio program messed things up for both of them. I told the details of how LoBiondo voted to blackmail President Bush into using union contractors for Katrina relief home repairs, end secret ballots for union elections, and waste billions around the country to get beach erosion money down here. I told how LoBiondo was one of only eight Republicans who voted for big new taxes on coal, gas, and oil – while banning offshore drilling for cheap oil...

Seth Grossman continued to press his claims in Shore News:

Last month I asked, “Cui bono?” (who benefits) to find out who “persuaded” the owners of an Atlantic County radio station to cancel my one-hour-a-week program before it even began. I then concluded that Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo and Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson benefited the most, had the means, and were most likely the culprits.

After I wrote that, Dennis Levinson wrote a letter that was published in this paper disputing much of what I wrote – but not my main point: that he had used his public office to kick me off the air. By describing me and my column as “purposely misleading … mean spirited … vindictive … dead wrong,” etc., he seemed to confirm it.

Since my program was cancelled, Levinson has been a “guest” on that same radio station more than many regular hosts. His message is this: Wise, honest and caring Republican Dennis Levinson is there to help every senior (even one who needs loan guarantees to buy bankrupt department stores), veteran, union member, friend of the environment, etc. who comes to him; but the high taxes and expensive regulations that go with this kind of politics are caused by others – like those big-spending, corrupt Democrats in Washington, Trenton, and Atlantic City!

Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo plays the same game. And it works. Levinson has been county executive or freeholder for 20 years. LoBiondo has been in Congress for 15 years. When LoBiondo broke his 12-year term limit pledge in 2006, Levinson was the first to publicly praise him for it. Would politicians stay in power this long if more media outlets were like this newspaper and gave all views a chance to be heard?

Reader Mike Conte of Ventor wrote in too:

Mr. Grossman’s recent editorial, "Cui bono," Latin for "Who benefits?" suggests the county executive and Congressmen LoBiondo had a hand in getting his conservative talk-radio program pulled off the air for fear that it would continue to expose their liberal agendas.

Curiously, Levinson does not deny the accusation, but his response appears somewhat disingenuous.

Now, I like the pro-union vote that Conte criticizes and some of the ones Grossman criticizes, and I certainly don't want to listen to Grossman's show, but this is not good if true.

LoBiondo Quotes

2009-10-03T18:53:00.003-04:00

Today's Sunbeam describes a Salem County Chamber of Commerce visit to Frank LoBiondo. The quotes I found interesting:

On Afghanistan LoBiondo said the situation there is "very troubling" to him. He visited the U.S. troops in the war zone in April and again in August and found "a great deterioration" of the situation in the country.

That doesn't sound good but I don't know what he wants to do. Does he want an escalation? Doe he want to pull out? I hope LoBiondo says more on this critical matter.

On the climate change (cap and trade) bill he said:

On energy LoBiondo said he broke ranks with most Republicans and voted for the climate change bill known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act because it included a component which promotes nuclear energy.

He said in terms of jobs and investment, nuclear power has been important to New Jersey, especially Salem County, thus the reason for his vote.

That's a perfectly legitimate reason, but not at all what he said in June.

Now, you'll remember he opposed the bailout and the stimulus when you read this:

On the economic collapse he said, "we still don't know what caused the problem to begin with. They ought to make the regulators we have now do their jobs."

The congressman said the actions of the big banks have caused the problem where credit remains so tight and the fallout has been hurting the strong, smaller banks.

"We're in a situation where community banks have been bloodied because of what Wall Street did."

Local banks have been the main opposition to strong reform so this is actually a pretty strong statement of opposition. It's a dismaying to read that LoBiondo basically is going to say existing regulations are good enough and it's all just a mystery what happened. Hello, look around.

He also said he favors health care reform, just not the actual health care reform under consideration. Well, who can blame him for trying to replay 1993-1994? Just the 44,000+ people who will die this year due to lack of insurance while politicians drag their feet.

What does LaHood know that LoBiondo doesn't?

2009-09-28T18:27:00.003-04:00

I haven't time to do justice to Frank Lobiondo's stand on health care, but needless to say, he's been very skeptical of the plans being put forth by Barack Obama and the Democrats. So, I was a little surprised to see this post by Matt Cooper of The Atlantic after he talked to Ray LaHood:

I asked LaHood about health care and he told me that every Cabinet member has been enlisted in selling the package and that he thinks that in the end as many as 10 House Republicans might support the final passage of a bill...Any Republican support would be a blessing, and as a former House Republican LaHood is in a position to help get it. He helped pull in eight crucial GOP l votes for the president's energy bill earlier this year, something that Obama called and thanked him for the next day. "Part of the reason I have this job is because I can help bring in Republican votes," LaHood says. He helped recruit former GOP congressman John McHugh to be Army Secretary. "When people call me on their road projects, I take their temperature on health care."

I don't see how you get 10 Republican House votes without Frank LoBiondo. I'd be quite happy if he somehow trades a vote for health care reform (which I support) for a Route 55 extension (which I also support.)

Still, I'll believe it when I see it, because LoBiondo has been quite clear in his opposition.

Frank LoBiondo bans contractor misconduct, is trying to cancel all Lockheed contracts!

2009-09-22T22:24:00.003-04:00

Representative Frank LoBiondo wisely has saved a million dollars in his campaign fund and broken his 1994 term limits pledge so that he could grant us the benefits of his wisdom without fear of the consequences. Years of fighting in Congress, with his special role in overseeing the Coast Guard's Deepwater Project, has brought him the hard-earned experience to know what to do when faced with corruption and incompetence. The results...

LoBiondo has co-sponsored H.R. 3571, which reads:

To prohibit the Federal Government from awarding contracts, grants, or other agreements to, providing any other Federal funds to, or engaging in activities that promote certain indicted organizations.

Now, Frank LoBiondo's no dummy. He knows that crooked contractors won't give up their money easily. That's why he and his Republican friends chose the name "Defund ACORN Act," to throw everyone off the scent. You see, even if ACORN stole every cent it was granted in the last decade, it wouldn't even make the top thirty list of contractor misconduct. And, as Lobiondo and we all know after the AGI bonus outrage, a Bill of Attainder aimed at punishing specific people or companies is unconstitutional. So who will LoBiondo defund with his new rules?

Here's one: Lockheed-Martin, in the past a big supporter of LoBiondo, is responsible for $577 million in misconduct in 50 separate cases according to POGO's Federal Contractor Misconduct Database .

It's too bad Representative Alan Grayson figured out that so many crooks would be caught in LoBiondo's net. Feel free to add to his google spreadsheet of contractor abuse so that Grayson can file the list of crooked contractors in the legislative history.

I'm sure my interpretation of LoBiondo's intentions are accurate. After all, it's not possible that Frank LoBiondo only cares about fraud by a non-profit that helps poor people of color?

Cross Posted at Blue Jersey

Frank LoBiondo endorses heckling of President

2009-09-16T02:35:00.003-04:00

This is a pathetic move by Frank LoBiondo:

Today the United States House of Representatives was presented with a vote that said it disapproved of Joe Wilson for heckling the President when he spoke in front of Congress at the invitation of Congress.

The entire NJ Republican delegation voted against the mild rebuke. That's Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Frank Lobiondo, Leonard Lance (the "moderate"), and Chris Smith who apparently think it is OK to heckle the President.

Update: A number of Republicans voted for the motion so it's not outrageous for me to be disappointed by LoBiondo's vote.

An article LoBiondo must read

2009-07-10T02:36:00.002-04:00

Frank LoBiondo needs to read this article:

The United States' top fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-22, has recently required more than 30 hours of maintenance for every hour in the skies, pushing its hourly cost of flying to more than $44,000, a far higher figure than for the warplane it replaces, confidential Pentagon test results show.

"It is a disgrace that you can fly a plane [an average of] only 1.7 hours before it gets a critical failure" that jeopardizes success of the aircraft's mission, said a Defense Department critic of the plane who is not authorized to speak on the record.

Did he learn anything from Deepwater?

Frank LoBiondo votes for Energy Bill

2009-06-26T20:32:00.003-04:00

The first major bill to fight man-made climate change was passed today by the House of Representatives by the narrow margin of 219-211. Frank LoBiondo was of eight Republicans who crossed over to support the bill and provide the margin of victory. While the bill has been badly watered down, this is a necessary first step. I can't praise LoBiondo enough for standing up to the right-wing anti-scientific voices that sadly dominate his party.

LoBiondo himself called it a vote for "energy independence" and warned about the mistakes following the energy crisis of the 1970s:

“For South Jersey residents who lived through the energy crisis of the 1970s, the nation witnessed the rationing of gas, stations sold-out of fuel, and our country’s absolute reliance on foreign nations to save us from our increasing consumption. Jobs were lost. The economy sank further into recession. And the nation did not take action.

“Then, in the 1990s, there was a bitter debate over increasing fuel efficiency standards in automobiles, yet minimal action was taken despite the technological capabilities to go further. I have long said that if Congress had passed higher standards in the 1990s – standards I supported - then our consumption and annual fuel costs now would be half. However, the oil corporations and automobile makers were against such standards and now lose billions of dollars to foreign competitors who were forward-thinking, developed fuel efficient technologies and sell hybrid vehicles that get 40 to 50 miles per gallon.

“The ‘American Clean Energy and Security Act’ is the opportunity to break the cycle of inaction and finally move our nation towards real energy independence.

“This is by no means a perfect bill but, for New Jersey businesses and families, many of the federal standards that will be created are mirroring state standards long on the books. For the past decade, New Jersey has been forward-looking in its energy policy and sought to establish diverse, renewable alternative sources of energy to meet the state’s needs. From the development of biofuels based on crop waste and planning for additional nuclear reactors, to building small and large-scale wind farms and countless solar panel projects, individuals and municipalities recognized opportunities and took action.

“In the process, new local businesses were founded and jobs were created in the emerging ‘green industry’ here in New Jersey. What must happen next is the growth of domestic manufacturing of the materials needed for alternative energy production, such as solar cells, wind turbines and environmentally-friendly buildings. This legislation rightly focuses on growing that manufacturing base, creating green jobs and finally establishing our energy independence. The positive effects will be felt nationally and here in South Jersey. These are objectives I have long believed and advocated for as part of a national energy policy.

“The economic crisis has affected every resident and every small business in South Jersey. Families and employers are making difficult decisions each day and they are looking to Congress for assistance and leadership. In working through this comprehensive bill, I heard from South Jersey business owners, manufacturers and energy producers, consumer and environmental groups and local residents about the real impact specific provisions of the bill would have. I also reviewed emails and phone opinions that came into my offices, which numbered in the hundreds.

“Today’s vote was by no means an easy vote. As the legislation continues to work through the Senate and be presented to Congress for final consideration, I will re-evaluate any changes that are made to ensure our state’s interests, as well as the interests of South Jersey businesses and families, are promoted and protected.”

Verified Voting

2009-06-18T16:27:00.003-04:00

I'm glad to see Frank LoBiondo is a co-sponsor of Rush Holt's verified voting bill.

Press release on Coast Guard benefits

2009-06-17T22:15:00.002-04:00

Frank LoBiondo sent out a press release today on new legislation for Coast Guard benefits:

House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Ranking Member Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the quality of life for members of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and their families. Currently, members of the Armed Services and their families enjoy several housing, educational and related benefits not afforded to their counterparts in the USCG, which is under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. LoBiondo’s legislation H.R. 2901, the “Coast Guard Service Member Benefits Improvement Act,” seeks to remedy these discrepancies.

Click through if you want the details.

Health Care Reform

2009-06-17T20:46:00.002-04:00

I never know if we should consider Frank LoBiondo to be responsible for everything "House Republicans" say, but in any case, Roll Call reports on the state of Republican health care reform:

House Republicans presented a four-page outline of their health care reform plan Wednesday but said they didn’t know yet how much it would cost, how they would pay for it and how many of the nearly 50 million Americans without insurance would be covered by it.

You may think the reporter is being harsh, but after all, wasn't that their plan on Iraq too?

Frank LoBiondo votes against funding troops

2009-06-16T19:06:00.003-04:00

Well, that's the headline I should write after years of Republican propaganda that anyone who voted against a war supplemental funding bill is against the troops. So we can say Frank LoBiondo voted against funding the troops today. But of course, I don't believe it. I'll quote my Blue Jersey post:

So John Adler's office is sending out a triumphant press release that he "supports the troops" by voting for today's war supplemental. I guess we can say that the Republicans, by their previous standards, don't as they all voted against it. Blah blah blah. I just hope President Obama lives up to his commitment to withdraw troops from Iraq, as so far he's switched to plan that involves not actually withdrawing them in 2009. Where is the money for these wars? I'd rather just mail a check to bail out California and any other state, or just not borrow it.

Really? LoBiondo for Lt. Gov?

2009-06-10T03:37:00.004-04:00

Lieutenant Governor is a new post, approved by New Jersey voters, that will replace the Governor if necessary - so it's basically a Vice President for New Jersey: A worthless job unless there's a vacancy, but at least we won't end up with the Senate President serving as Governor and Senator at the same time. Chris Christie and Jon Corzine will get to choose their Lt. Gov. running mates -- we get to vote on the pair as a package deal. I haven't been paying attention to speculation on the Republican side for Lt. Governor, so I was a little surprised to see that Frank LoBiondo is on the shortlist. The good news for him with this odd-year election is that if Christie wins (as polls suggest), he gets to be Lt. Gov, and if Christie gets beat, he stays in Congress. Everyone says life in the minority of the House of Representatives is nowhere near as "fun" as life in majority, so I guess it is plausible.

Still, I can't help but doubt that LoBiondo would give up a safe seat for the opportunity to serve in a minor role for 8 years, getting to be governor only by winning an election in 2017(!), or succeeding in case of a resignation due to scandal. (It would have to be a scandal -- even if President Obama seems to love appointing Republicans, he's not going to be choosing a hack like Christie for anything, and LoBiondo can hardly think it's likely that a Republican will win in 2012 and appoint Christie to be Attorney General.) A real cynic would say that LoBiondo would take the job because he thinks Christie will end up in a scandal, but I promised to be hopeful.

Obviously as a Democrat in the Second District, I'd like Corzine victory most of all, but Christie could pick people much worse than LoBiondo, and it would be nice to have a open seat race in 2010. So I say, Frank LoBiondo for Lt. Governor!

Gingrich's comments

2009-06-09T17:33:00.002-04:00

I see over at The Hill that Democrats are calling on Republicans to respond to Newt Gingrich's claim that President Obama has 'already failed.'. Gingrich, of course, was raising money for the NRCC, so Republican Representatives are financially benefiting from the speech. According to the Hill, the following press release (or something like it -- I've changed the name) was sent to Frank LoBiondo:

"Does Representative Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) agree with Newt Gingrich's absurd comment that President Obama has already failed? After last night's fundraiser for Congressional Republicans, Representative LoBiondo needs to clarify whether or not he agrees with Gingrich, Palin, and other obstructionist Republicans who are banking on President Obama's failure instead of offering solutions that invest in America's success and get our economy back on track."

I'm not exactly expecting a reply. Republicans are voting against Obama's plans for economic recovery, so I imagine that's exactly what LoBiondo thinks.

SMART

2009-05-24T14:14:00.003-04:00

I hadn't seen this before, but it seems Frank LoBiondo is part of a group (SMART) to advocate for Science and Technology funding to the Mid-Atlantic states.

The SMART regional S&T initiative is a Congressional initiative to regionalize S&T advocacy across all technology topics and disciplines within the Mid-Atlantic region.

The SMART mission is the integration of regional Science & Technology activities for issues, events & projects among the SMART Congressional Caucus (8 Senators and 41 Representatives), the Federal Executive Branch DC HQs, our International Allies, the four State governments (Executive & Legislative branches of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) and the regional technical community facilitated by SMART, a Not For Profit (NFP) company.

Here's the membership:

The Congressional Caucus support is lead by Congressman William Pascrell (D-NJ). Of special note, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was raised in Baltimore, MD. Other SMART Caucus Members of Italian ancestry are Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Frank LoBiondo (D-NJ), Robert Brady (D-PA) and Mike Doyle (D-PA).

(Yes, the article/press release is posted at a Greek-American site but talks about Italian-Americans. Both groups have a strong and proud presence in the Mid-Atantic.)

Their website is smartstates.com.

Kurkowski on LoBiondo's Record: Seniority

2009-05-24T12:48:00.005-04:00

Dave Kurkowksi's 2008 challenge to Frank LoBiondo was unsuccessful, but some of his criticisms were very important, so I think they are worth preserving. This is one of Kurkowski's press releases, in which he points out Lobiondo's claims of seniority are exaggerated at best.

THE TRUTH ABOUT FRANK LOBIONDO: BOGUS CLAIMS OF CONGRESSIONAL “SENIORITY,” A SYSTEM HE AND HIS PARTY ABOLISHED YEARS AGO; A DEAD-LAST RANKING AMONG ALL NEW JERSEY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS… AND THREE LAWS PASSED IN 14 YEARS

Democratic challenger Dave Kurkowski reacted with surprise to the statements of his opponent, Frank LoBiondo, in last Sunday’s Gloucester County Times, where LoBiondo and his supporters claimed he would be more effective than Kurkowski due to his “seniority.”

“At best this is pure bluster, at worst it is outright manipulation,” Kurkowski said. “My opponent has been ranked as the least effective member of Congress from the entire state of New Jersey1 and he appears to be trying to manipulate voters into thinking he is more effective simply because he’s been in Washington so long,” Kurkowski said. “The truth is that the seniority system was eliminated by his own Newt Gingrich Republicans years ago.”

The seniority system rewarded members of Congress with power and influence according to how long they had remained in Washington. Under the reform rules adopted by Newt Gingrich and the 1994 Republicans, including LoBiondo, party leaders choose who will receive important positions based on their effectiveness, regardless of seniority. And “effective” is not a word that can be used to describe Frank LoBiondo. “My opponent’s ineffectiveness is staggering,” Kurkowski said. “He can’t run on his record, because he does not have one. In 14 years he has succeeded in authoring only three pieces of legislation that became law.2 Fourteen years and three laws—it boggles the mind. What is he doing down there in Washington?”

“LoBiondo is talking out of both sides of his mouth when it comes to his status in Congress.” Kurkowski said. “On the one hand he points to ‘seniority’ as a bogus claim to his ‘effectiveness’…and on the other hand he hides behind anonymity as a way to avoid accepting accountability for his ineffectiveness.” LoBiondo recently told constituents on a telephone conference call that his excuse for being ineffective was that he was “just one of 435” members of Congress. “He wants it both ways, and after 14 years, enough is enough,” Kurkowski said. “This is political double-talk at its worst.”

The Democratic challenger also pointed to the fact that LoBiondo justified breaking his term limit pledge by saying he would be more effective if he stayed in Washington longer. “This is embarrassing,” Kurkowski said. “The people of South Jersey deserve better. In these difficult times, with a sinking economy, an energy crisis, and an unsafe world, we can’t depend on somebody who’s so completely ineffective.” LoBiondo was not only ranked last among New Jersey members of Congress—behind many other Representatives who have shorter tenures and lesser “seniority”— he also ranked a dismal 377th in the House of Representatives.3

“He can’t do much about jobs from 377th place,” Kurkowski said. “He can’t do much about gas prices from 377th place. He can’t do much about the threat of terrorism from 377th place. And he can’t do much for South Jersey from his spot dead last among our entire state Congressional delegation.”

In fact, LoBiondo was demoted on the Coast Guard subcommittee, which he chaired for years under Republican majorities. Rather than serving as the ranking minority member after his party lost control of Congress in 2006, he was bumped down to fifth place. HE WAS NOT REWARDED FOR HIS YEARS HEADING THE COAST GUARD COMMITTEE. IF ANYTHING, HE WAS PUNISHED. “As I will be making clear in the days to come, Kurkowski said, “this is probably due to the fact that during his time as Chairman he oversaw the ‘Deepwater’ fiasco that cost taxpayers over $20 billion.”

Kurkowski has challenged LoBiondo to a series of public debates in order to question him on his record, as well as his disastrous lack of oversight on the Deepwater program —which provoked national attention and an intensely critical investigation by the Government Accountability Office.4 Kurkowski is planning the first of a series of news conferences to reveal the truth about Frank LoBiondo’s failed political tenure. Details of time and place will be forthcoming.

A successful businessman and member of the Cape May City Council, Kurkowski is leading the first serious challenge to LoBiondo.

Here are the footnotes:

1 http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/state.tt?state=NJ&submit.x=6&submit.y=8&submit=GO (accessed September 8, 2008). The Congressional Power Rankings are non-partisan measures that take into account a Politician’s standing in Congress; committee and subcommittee rankings; success with advancing legislation and amendments; indirect influence in caucuses and by other means; and other factors. For full details, see http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/backgrounder.tt (accessed September 8, 2008).

2 H.R. 170, 106th Congress, “The Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act.” Signed by the President Dec. 12, 1999; became Public Law No. 106-168. The third bill is H.R. 171, 106th Congress, “To extend the authorization for the Coastal Heritage Trail in the State of New Jersey.” Signed by the President on April 8, 1999; became Public Law 110-18. Tally does not include symbolic resolutions or naming post offices.

3 http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt (accessed September 8, 2008).

4 “Challenges Affecting Deepwater Asset Deployment and Management Efforts to Address Them,” June 2007. GAO-07-874.

LoBiondo and Christie

2009-05-23T12:25:00.002-04:00

Frank LoBiondo joined Chris Christie for a radio interview. Unfortunately, WVLT hasn't put up a video or audio clip.

LoBiondo on gambling and Atlantic City:

The congressman criticized a proposal to put video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands complex in North Jersey, indicating it would injure the casino industry. He also panned the idea of putting the proposal on a statewide referendum.

He also complained that South Jersey is "forgotten" which is certainly a complaint I have too, but in truth Steve Sweeney and Jeff Van Drew have been playing major roles in the State Senate.

Credit Card Vote

2009-05-21T22:51:00.001-04:00

The big credit card vote yesterday saw Frank LoBiondo vote in favor of credit card reform, and also the "Coburn Amendment" which allows loaded guns in national parks.

Frank LoBiondo and the future of moderates in the Republican Party

2009-05-18T14:44:00.005-04:00

Today's Sunbeam has a good article interviewing Frank LoBiondo and others on the future of centrists in the Republican Party. First, I agree with Leonard Lance that talk of the demise of the Republican party is "absolute nonsense." But let's go to the quotes from LoBiondo. Unfortunately, the links will die after a few weeks because the publisher does not think it is worthwhile to keep an archive accessible.

"The pendulum swings," LoBiondo said. "The Democrats went over the line, as far as voters were concerned, in the 90s. Republicans lost focus over the years when they were in the majority, and the pendulum swung back.

"From my perspective, with my colleagues, we get it. We understand the public is not happy with the initiatives the party took, and we are attempting to regroup. We are attempting to offer solutions to problems that are presented to us."

This is obviously the right strategy for both Republicans and the country. I must say I haven't seen much of it, but it's early days.

More interesting is his gentle criticisms of his conservative colleagues, who he says used to listen to him and other moderates but don't anymore:

Gradually, he said, things have changed, and today it seems like some Republicans want ideologically pure policies.

"That's not the way anything works," LoBiondo said. "If somebody wants to be ideologically pure 100 percent, and is comfortable with not being able to get anything done in a very weak minority, that's going to be the consequence."

Again, this is obviously true. Still, I wonder what he expected when he voted for Clinton's impeachment -- after polls showed people didn't want it and his fellow Republicans lost seats. Plainly he was just empowering the extremist factions in his party. Indeed, it's almost certain that moderates were included in important discussions in the early years after 1994 because Democrat Bill Clinton was President, not because LoBiondo's views were valued. I wonder if he realizes he murdered his faction's influence with decisions like these over the years.

LoBiondo opposes military reform

2009-05-14T01:29:00.003-04:00

Everyone knows by now that Democrat President Obama and Republican Secretary of Defense Gates seek to reform the military by increasing military spending but changing the weapons orders to match the military's actual needs: unconventional wars like Iraq and Afghanistan, not a World War III fought in Central Europe. Naturally, New Jersey Congressman Frank LoBiondo objects:

Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., said plans to stop building F-22 Raptors and cut back the planned F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet could jeopardize Air Force and Air Guard readiness.

It's an exercise for the reader to guess if this is because:

1. Lockheed is a major donor for LoBiondo
2. LoBiondo thinks the Cold War may turn hot at any moment.
3. LoBiondo doesn't care that the money is better spent on weapons that are actually used.
4. Something else?

A revealing story: What will LoBiondo do on health care?

2009-05-05T12:33:00.002-04:00

It's a story that doesn't mention Frank LoBiondo, but since he has embraced the Republican "Party of No" strategy, this Time magazine story on health care reform is very important to understanding him:

When Barack Obama informed congressional Republicans last month that he would support a controversial parliamentary move to protect health-care reform from a filibuster in the Senate, they were furious. That meant the bill could pass with a simple majority of 51 votes, eliminating the need for any GOP support for the bill. Where, they demanded, was the bipartisanship the President had promised? So, right there in the Cabinet Room, the President put a proposal on the table, according to two people who were present. Obama said he was willing to curb malpractice awards, a move long sought by the Republicans and certain to bring strong opposition from the trial lawyers who fund the Democratic Party.

What, he wanted to know, did the Republicans have to offer in return?

Nothing, it turned out. Republicans were unprepared to make any concessions, if they had any to make.

Whether it's due to their political philosophy or political opportunism, Republicans have no interest in making government work. We saw this with Bush, and we see it again in their no votes. LoBiondo has been happily riding that train.

Will any Republicans pursue compromises? Where is LoBiondo on health care?

Are these earmark lists legitimate?

2009-04-13T12:14:00.002-04:00

Having faithfully posted all of the earmarks Frank LoBiondo is officially requesting, I now have to follow Daniel Walsh in noting that last year he only got 1/10 the amount he's requesting this year. It seems like publishing these requests is turning into more of an advertisement than a disclosure. Here's how I put it at Blue Jersey: Reforming earmarks, or boasting about them?:

I'm getting the impression that the latest earmark reform made them even more attractive. Last year, lawmakers had to disclose the earmarks they got placed in laws. This year, House members must disclose even their earmark requests on their websites. It's worked out fantastically for the South Jersey Representatives. The Courier-Post's headline is Earmarks may aid S.J.:

Transportation programs, beach replenishment projects, defense contractors, military bases, universities, hospitals and social service agencies would share hundreds of millions of federal dollars if New Jersey lawmakers succeed in inserting their requests for special projects into the 2010 budget.

The Press of Atlantic City has the more neutral LoBiondo, Adler post funding requests, and reporter Daniel Walsh points out that it's highly unlikely that these hundreds of millions will appear. LoBiondo's $192 million and Adler's $238 million sound impressive, yet last year LoBiondo got "only" $17 million.

While it's good that the earmark requests are not secret, I can't help but think this is all a free ad for the lawmakers: Look at the all people I stood up for! Vote for me! But in the rooms where no cameras are running, and no meeting minutes are posted to the web, I doubt very much that most of these earmarks are being seriously pushed.

LoBiondo Earmarks (Part 4 of 4)

2009-04-13T00:48:00.002-04:00

The last of the astonishingly boring earmarks list as disclosed by Representative Frank LoBiondo. Note that the letter requesting the earmark is available at the website, which is a very nice touch.

Hooray for the Salem County Railroad.

Interior

* Cape May National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Land Acquisition Program – requested by the New Jersey Audubon Society (11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ) for land to be acquired for the Cape May NWR (24 Kimbles Beach Road, Cape May Court House, NJ). Project Description: “Wildlife refuge land acquisition project at Cape May NWR. Funding for [this project] is critical to preserving New Jersey’s rich biodiversity, protecting our natural resources, increasing recreational opportunities for our citizens and supporting our state’s growing wildlife –related recreation industry.”…Funding Requested: $1,100,000

* City of Millville, Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade – Phase I – requested by City of Millville (12 South High Street, PO Box 609, Millville, NJ). Project Description: “The project will upgrade the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant which is approximately 50 years old and one of its most vital infrastructure components. It will create jobs, prevent an increase to sewer rate payers, and represent the City’s commitment to the environment and its future.”…Funding Requested: $4,620,000

* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Land Acquisition Program – requested by the New Jersey Audubon Society (11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ) for land to be acquired for the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR (Great Creek Road, Oceanville, NJ). Project Description: “Wildlife refuge land acquisition project at Edwin B. Forsythe National NWR. Funding for [this project] is critical to preserving New Jersey’s rich biodiversity, protecting our natural resources, increasing recreational opportunities for our citizens and supporting our state’s growing wildlife –related recreation industry.”…Funding Requested: $1,050,000

* Supawna National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition Program – requested by The Conservation Fund (1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA) for land to be acquired for the Supawna NWR (197 Lighthouse Road, Pennsville, NJ). Project Description: “[Funding] to enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help acquire an approximately 80 acre tract of land located within the boundary of the Supawna NWR in Salem County. ”…Funding Requested: $1,000,000

* Woodbine, New Jersey, Sewer and Water Treatment System Expansion – requested by the Borough of Woodbine (501 Washington Avenue, Woodbine, NJ). Project Description: “Sewer and water treatment expansion that will help facilitate the siting of the [ethanol] facility which will produce ethanol from algae and provide the basis of an alternative energy industry in Southern New Jersey that will yield economic benefits to the Borough [of Woodbine] and beyond.”…Funding Requested: $2,000,000

Labor and Health and Human Services

* A Socio-Ecological Community Action Model to Reduce Obesity and Increase Physical Activity in Galloway and Egg Harbor Townships – requested by The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (P.O. Box 195 Jimmie Leads Road, Pomona, NJ). Project Description: “[The project] encourages partnerships among local and county governments, schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and community organizations to create healthier environments that encourage better nutrition and physical activity. Specific goals include increasing workplace activity and decreasing disparities in obesity in minority and low income populations.”…Funding Requested: $180,000

* AtlantiCare Special Care Center - Building Capacity for Improved Chronic Disease Outcomes in Atlantic County, NJ – requested by AtlantiCare (2500 English Creek Avenue, Building 500, Suite 501, Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Project Description: “The AtlantiCare Special Care Center project will build capacity for improved chronic disease outcomes in Atlantic County. [This] will provide very real improvements in health care for the people of the 2nd District and is consistent with national priorities in health care.”…Funding Requested: $2,000,000

* Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation, Sleep Disorders Center – requested by Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation (61 West Jimmie Leeds Road, Pomona, NJ). Project Description: “Relocation, expansion and upgrade of [Bacharach’s] Sleep Disorders Center. The Sleep Center offers a wide variety of tests to identify serious sleep disorders in both adults and children. Sleep problems are disruptive to physical and mental health and can cause significant problems during waking hours.”…Funding Requested: $250,000

* Children’s Intensive Emotional and Behavioral Program (CIEBP), Behavioral Training Series Initiative – requested by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (34th and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA) for activities to be conducted in coordination with their Atlantic County Specialty Care Center (4009 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ). Project Description: “The CIEBP program serves children ages 5-12 with severe emotional and behavioral disorders in the Atlantic, Cape May and Southern Ocean Counties. In an effort to partner with local school districts, [this program]seeks to create a Behavioral Training Series Initiative which would provide a broad range of teaching services to school officials so that they may be better prepared to address the depth and breadth of the behavior problems.” …Funding Requested: $100,000

* Newcomb Hospital Adaptive Reuse Project – Vineland Community Health and Wellness Center – requested by the City of Vineland (640 E. Wood Street, P.O. Box 1508, Vineland, NJ). Project Description: “The development of a community health and wellness center on the campus of what will become a regional health care and [health] training facility. [Will allow] the City of Vineland to be consolidate many of its health care services under one roof providing for improved operating efficiencies and benefiting from the synergistic relationships with our proposed health care partners.”...Funding Requested: $2,000,000

* NORC Senior Neighbor Network - requested by the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties (501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ). Project Description: “The NORC Senior Neighborhood Network program [will allow] more than 300 residents in [the] local area, 55 and older, to age in place in better health, with less isolation and increased dignity.” …Funding Requested: $175,000

* Rowan University Algae-To-Ethanol Research and Evaluation - requested by Rowan University (201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ). Project Description: “A new initiative involving research, development, evaluation and commercialization of algae-to-ethanol production in southern New Jersey. The algae-to-ethanol project is consistent with our national and regional priorities in education and economic development, including fostering a high-technology economy and enhancing our energy independence.”…Funding Requested: $1,500,000

* Shore Memorial Hospital Surgical Pavilion – requested by Shore Memorial Hospital (1 East New York Avenue, Somers Point, NJ). Project Description: “Construction of a new surgical pavilion that will provide our residents with the most advanced technology and surgical experience possible. The Hospital is acquiring advanced digital cardiovascular, angiographic, and interventional imaging systems as part of the surgical pavilion projects which will enhance physicians’ abilities to treat their patients using minimally invasive techniques in lieu of major surgery.”…Funding Requested: $500,000

* Transitional Services for Students and Young Adults with Disabilities – requested by TOTALL ENVOLVEMENT INC. (71 Rainbow Trail, Malaga, NJ). Program Description: “[The project will] provide services to transitioning teens – from high school to post-secondary options – to ensure that students understand and consider all transitional options available through Federal and State mandates and then ensuring appropriate vocational and educational skills are acquired prior to the actual transition from the secondary environment.”…Funding Requested: $250,000

* Trauma Care for Vulnerable Families – requested by Center for Family Services (584 Benson Street, Camden, NJ). Program Description: “The Center for Family Services will work with established trauma care models to train staff and expand and enhance counseling and services in order to become better equipped to reduce a wide range of health, behavioral health and social problems in children and families.”… Funding Requested: $466,690

Military Construction:

* Dining Hall and Services Facility - requested by the 177th ANG Fighter Wing (400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Project Description: "The 177th FW is assigned 18 PAA F-16 aircraft and requires a properly sized and adequately configured facility to provide services and generate training and operational Air Sovereignty Alert sorties."...Funding Requested: $8,400,000

* Munitions Administration Facility - requested by the 177th ANG Fighter Wing (400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Project Description: "The 177th FW requires a propertly sited, adequately sized, and configured functional space to support conventional munitions administration, training and maintenance in support of 18 PAA F-16 aircraft."...Funding Requested: $1,700,000

* Replace Base Civil Engineer Complex - requested by the 108th Air Refueling Wing (McGuire AFB, NJ). Project Description: "The 108th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) requires properly sized and adequately configured facilities to house the base engineer administrative, maintenance, and training functions, and readiness (disaster preparedness). Facilities support daily activities associated with maintaining/ repairing base infrastructure and facilities for the ARW, and mobility requirements for the 108th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) and readiness requirements."...Funding Requested: $9,700,000

Transportation and HUD:

* Aviation Research and Technology Park – requested by the South Jersey Economic Development District (226 North High Street Suite A, Millville, NJ). Project Description: "funding would be used to assist in the construction of facilities at the Aviation Research and Technology Park, an industrial park in Pomona, NJ which will facilitate economic development and new jobs in the region."...Funding Request: $1,000,000

* Hammonton Downtown Revitalization – requested by the Town of Hammonton (100 Central Avenue, Hammonton, NJ). Project Description: “This project will acquire, renovate, and adaptively reuse several blighted former industrial sites that exist within the Downtown Urban Core of Hammonton. It will become a destination for green technology corporations looking for sites with access to public transportation to headquarter their companies.”...Funding Request: $650,000

* Route 50 Tuckahoe River Bridge – requested by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (PO Box 600, Trenton, NJ). Project Description: “The funding will be used to replace the existing movable bridge with a higher and wider fixed span. This project will be beneficial to the state and is important for the South New Jersey region.”...Funding Request: $1,000,000

* Route 55/47 Interchange Improvements – requested by the County of Cumberland (790 East Commercial Street, Bridgeton, NJ). Project Description: “[The project would include] additional egress off Route 55 and the construction of local roads running adjacent to Route 47. These roadway improvements will have a positive impact for all county residents”...Funding Request $1,000,000

* Salem County Short Rail Line Rehabilitation – requested by the County of Salem (94 Market Street, Salem, NJ). Project Description: “[The funding] will be spent on the Phase IV rehabilitation of the 18 mile short rail line run by Salem County Transit. This project benefits numerous businesses and their workers along the line … If we are unable to complete this rehabilitation, businesses may eliminate jobs to counter the additional costs for trucking materials to their facilities.”...Funding Request: $2,000,000

Frank LoBiondo Earmarks (Part 3 - Defense and Homeland Security Appropriations)

2009-04-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

Part 3 of Frank LoBiondo's Earmarks Request Disclosure. I'm copying them all because who knows how long they will stay up, and this way it's easier to find them if the public is interested. All five of the Defense Appropriations requests were also requested in the Defense Authorization bill, so if you're reading the posts in order there's only one new one here.

Requests for the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill:

* Emergency Operations Center – requested by the City of Brigantine (1417 West Brigantine Avenue, Brigantine, NJ). Project Description: “To create a fully functioning and stand alone Emergency Operations Center with adequate backup power generation and the ability to communicate with governmental agencies, as well as other neighboring Emergency Operations Centers if a catastrophic event or incident were to occur.”…Funding Requested: $2,000,000

Requests for the Defense Appropriations Bill:

* Applied Communications and Information Networking (ACIN) - requested by Drexel University (3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA) with work to be performed at L-3 Communication, Communications Systems - East (1 Federal Street, Camden, NJ). Project Description: “ACIN addresses the challenges posed in the National Research Council’s report entitled 'Realizing the Potential of C4I: Fundamental Challenges' by matching DOD needs with academic and industrial capabilities in communications and information networking. The core objective of ACIN is R&D and commercialization of technologies that will revolutionize military capabilities, including doctrine and methods of operation.”...Funding Requested: $7,000,000

* Distributed Mission Interoperability Toolkit (DMIT) - requested by Accenture (Suite 400, 200 Federal Street, Camden, NJ). Project Description: “Successful execution of today’s complex military missions relies heavily on the ability to share real-time information in a joint operational environmental. This services-based architecture is critical to supporting joint and coalition missions/exercises that require rapid event staging, complex security levels, and involvement of diverse participants.”...Funding Requested: $7,000,000

* Force Protection – Non Traditional Weaving Application for Aramid (Ballistic) Fibers and Fabrics - requested by Absecon Mills, Inc. (Vienna and Aloe Avenues, PO Box 672, Cologne, NJ). Project Description: "By re-evaluating standard Industry design and manufacturing techniques for force protection technology, we believe Non Traditional weave designs of Aramid (ballistic) fiber coupled with new applications of microwave plasma treatments can enhance the strength of the fiber and result in enhanced individual mobility, ease of medical access, reduced weight, increased ballistic protection, cost effective savings and weight reduction of ballistic materials currently used."...Funding Requested: $3,586,000

* Senior Scout COMINT (Communications Intelligence) Capability Upgrade - requested by L-3 Communication, Communications Systems - East (1 Federal Street, Camden, NJ). Project Description: “As part of the Senior Scout ongoing mission, there is an immediate need to add improved COMINT capability to detect and characterize new, modern, low-power radio signals at extended standoff ranges in the presence of interference. The current systems are not able to detect these specific signal sets, which limits intelligence collection capabilities.”...Funding Requested: $4,000,000

* Software Lifecycle Affordability Management (SLAM) - requested by Price Systems, LLC (17000 Commerce Parkway, Suite A, Mt. Laurel, NJ). Project Description: “The Software Lifecycle Affordability Management (SLAM) project provides decision makers a means to understand cost tradeoffs in relation to both performance and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Development of the SLAM Service Oriented Architecture Cost Model (SOA-CM) enables the Army to determine which software lifecycle design/strategies realizes the greatest number of capabilities for the lowest possible cost, following the best possible schedule.”...Funding Requested: $5,000,000

Frank LoBiondo FY2010 Earmarks (Part 2)

2009-04-11T08:56:00.001-04:00

Continuing from the previous earmarks post, I am posting Frank LoBiondo's requested earmarks for the upcoming year. This is part 2. LoBiondo, as you'd expect, has a lot aimed at the Jersey Shore. I hope the South Jersey Wind Turbines go through.

Commerce-State-Justice Appropriations:

* A Child is Missing – requested by A Child is Missing (500 SE 17th St, #101, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) with funds expected to be used in the Second Congressional District of New Jersey. Project Description: “A Child Is Missing assists law enforcement agencies across the country, including all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and New Jersey’s Second Congressional District, in the first few hours a child, elderly adult (often with Alzheimer’s Disease) or disabled person is reported missing. The program is available (free of charge) to all New Jersey law enforcement agencies.”...Funding Requested: $350,000

* Challenger Learning Center of Southern New Jersey – requested by Educational Information and Resource Center (EIRC) (606 Delsea Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080). Project Description: “To establish a Challenger Learning Center at the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University. The Challenger Learning Center [seeks] to motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”…Funding Requested: $1,300,000

* GED Plus Programs in Atlantic City – requested by Covenant House New Jersey (929 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey). Project Description: “Job training/educational initiative [to be] launched out of Covenant House’s Community Service Center in Atlantic City, NJ. [The project] will serve homeless youth between the ages of 18-21 and will assist them in learning the skills necessary to find and retain employment with the ultimate goal of preparing young people for independent living.”…Funding Requested: $300,000

* KidsPeace Therapeutic Foster Care – requested by KidsPeace (National Headquarters, 5300 KidsPeace Drive, Orefield, PA) with project to be located in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Project Description: “A spectrum of services that includes psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, residential and educational services, therapeutic foster care, and community-based programs. The therapeutic foster care provided by KidsPeace is distinguished from other programs in the foster care field: (1) Children have psychiatric diagnoses and display exceptional emotional and behavioral needs, requiring more intensive and individualized care; (2) KidsPeace foster families are specially trained, certified, and supported to care for children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges and generally care for no more than two foster children in a home at a time; and (3) KidsPeace staff carry a case load of eight or fewer foster children, allowing a minimum of weekly visits to the foster home and 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support to foster families.”...Funding Requested: $400,000

* Middle School Drug and Safety Prevention Project – requested by D.A.R.E New Jersey, Inc. (292 Prospect Plains Rd, Cranbury, NJ) for statewide programs. Project Description: “To implement the new D.A.R.E. Middle School/Junior High School Program, “Keepin It Real”. This is a model substance abuse prevention education program on the SAMSHA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)."...Funding Requested: $354,742

* Nancy’s Place in Galloway, NJ – requested by Covenant House New Jersey (929 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey). Project Description: “Operational funding for Nancy’s Place, a program that meets the needs of homeless youth with severe and persistent mental illness. [The project] will serve homeless youth between the ages of 18-21 and will assist them in learning the skills necessary to find and retain employment with the ultimate goal of preparing young people for independent living.”…Funding Requested: $300,000

* New Jersey Mentoring Initiative – requested by Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation of New Jersey (1259 Route 46 East, Building 3, Parsippany, NJ). Project Description: “Funds will be distributed to ten local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies serving 19 counties to strengthen and expand one-to-one mentoring programs for At-Risk Youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters will also coordinate a statewide effort to recruit volunteer mentors and will host statewide best practices conference for other mentoring programs.”…Funding Requested: $895,000

* Partnership for Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Science – Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Initiative – requested by Recreational Fishing Alliance (176-B South New York Road, Galloway, NJ). Project Description: “[The project] will provide data on summer flounder and black sea bass to the NMFS, regional councils, and state regulatory bodies and participate in the assessment process carried out by these groups. Furthermore, data developed by PMAFS programs will be fully incorporated into data resources used to estimate maximum sustainable yield, and from this, yearly fishing quotas.”…Funding Requested: $1,500,000

Energy and Water earmarks:

* Absecon Inlet, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “funds would be used to continue channel depth monitoring”...Funding Request: $222,000

* Absecon Island, NJ – requested by the City of Atlantic City, NJ on behalf US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: "Funds would be used for periodic renourishment in Atlantic City and construction of the bulkhead along Absecon Inlet. “This funding is necessary on an emergent basis to protect our properties, retain our role as a tourist destination and to maintain the historically significant amenity.”...Funding Request: $17,600,000

* Brigantine Island, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used to perform necessary project monitoring.”...Funding Request $80,000

* Cape May Inlet to Lower Township, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used for periodic renourishment in Cape May City.”...Funding Request: $5,200,000

* Cold Spring Inlet, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funding would be used to repair the seawall and east and west jetty to ensure integrity of the inlet.”...Funding Request: $1,370,000

* Delaware Bay Coastline, DE & NJ Oakwood Beach, NJ – Elsinboro Township on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used to complete a Limited Reevaluation Report and to draft the Project Partnership Agreement for the project in Elsinboro”...Funding Request: $250,000

* Delaware Bay Coastline, DE & NJ Reeds Beach to Pierces Point, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used to complete initial construction in Middle Township”...Funding Request: $5,000,000

* Delaware Bay Coastline, DE & NJ Villas and Vicinity, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used to complete initial construction in Lower Township.”...Funding Request: $7,800,000

* Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Peck Beach, NJ – City of Ocean City on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used for periodic renourishment in Ocean City. The area has severe beach erosion and the threat of property damage is imminent.”...Funding Request: $6,800,000

* Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet, NJ – City of Ocean City on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used to continue initial construction in Lower Ocean City, Strathmere, and Sea Isle City. This project would have many benefits to the local economy, and valuable property is being protected”...Funding Request: $20,000,000

* Lower Cape May Meadows, Cape May Point, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “Funds would be used for periodic renourishment in Cape May Point, NJ”...Funding Request: $5,400,000

* New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway – Delaware River and Bay Authority on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “This project provides for a channel 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide from Manasquan to Cape May and through the Cape May Canal. It is essential to secure necessary funding to complete this maintenance dredging. The Situation is serious and poses impact to a vital transportation and economic link between New Jersey and Delaware.”...Funding Request: $3,200,000

* New Jersey Shore Protection, Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “funds would be used to complete the feasibility phase for the shore protection project affecting the Wildwoods”...Funding Request: $300,000

* New Jersey Alternative Long Term Nourishment Study - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “funds would be used to complete the feasibility phase to develop a regional sediment management system”...Funding Request: $475,000

* Oyster Revitalization in the Delaware Bay, DE & NJ – Rutgers University Haskin Shellfish Research Lab on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “[Funds would be used] to enhance oyster recruitment, thereby increasing oyster abundance, sustaining habitat integrity, and providing an expanded resource to support the fishery.”...Funding Request: $2,000,000

* Pennsville Flood Control, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “funds would be used to begin construction of a project to reduce flooding in the vicinity of an dredged disposal site in Pennsville, NJ"...Funding Request: $4,951,000

* Pine Mount Creek Habitat Restoration, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “funds would be used to restore a dike and create a wildlife management area along the Cohansey River at the Mouth of Pine Mount Creek.”...Funding Request: $4,000,000

* Salem River, NJ - US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: “funds would be used to continue channel depth monitoring."...Funding Request: $100,000

* South Jersey Wind Turbines - requested by the South Jersey Economic Development District (226 North High Street, Millville, NJ). Project Description: “[Funding would be used] to construct wind turbines in Sea Isle City and Penns Grove, NJ on public lands that cannot be utilized otherwise because they currently serve as municipal waste sites."...Funding Request: 2,000,000

* Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet – requested by the Borough of Avalon, NJ on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA). Project Description: "Funds would be used for periodic renourishment in Avalon and Stone Harbor. “This funding is critical to the communities of Avalon and Stone Harbor. The area has been repeatedly subject to major flooding, erosion and wave attack and has been declared a National Disaster Area by the president on three separate occasions.”...Funding Request: $17,000,000

Frank LoBiondo's Earmarks Requests (Part 1 - Defense and Agriculture)

2009-04-10T23:46:00.005-04:00

Dan Walsh of the Press of Atlantic City has written an article on the earmark requests by Frank LoBiondo and John Adler. Here's the key statistics:

LoBiondo, R-2nd, requested $193,025,432 in federal funding for a variety of projects, ranging from waterfront protection and beach restoration to defense funding on military bases and for private contractors. Last year, he ranked 183rd in the House by obtaining $14 million, according to a database kept by the nonprofit Taxpayers for Common Sense.

Now, these are just the requests, so plainly most will be turned down. This is the first year members are required to post their requests on their websites, so we cannot compare. The article states that LoBiondo's staff vetted and approved the requests. Also, some of these were shared with other Representatives. There does not seem to be any requirement for the format, and LoBiondo has posted his under his Legislative page under multiple separate pages -- fairly inconvenient. It's too long to make one blog post, so here are Defense and Agriculture:

Defense earmarks:

* Applied Communications and Information Networking (ACIN) - requested by Drexel University (3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA) with work to be performed at L-3 Communication, Communications Systems - East (1 Federal Street, Camden, NJ). Project Description: “ACIN addresses the challenges posed in the National Research Council’s report entitled 'Realizing the Potential of C4I: Fundamental Challenges' by matching DOD needs with academic and industrial capabilities in communications and information networking. The core objective of ACIN is R&D and commercialization of technologies that will revolutionize military capabilities, including doctrine and methods of operation.”...Funding Requested: $7,000,000

* Construct Arm and Disarm Aprons - requested by the 177th ANG Fighter Wing (400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Project Description: "The 177th Fighter Wing (FW) requires properly sized and configured pavement surfaces at each end of the runway that support the arming and disarming of aircraft. These aprons will also be used for final check and inspection of aircraft before takeoff and to make the weapons safe after returning to base. This work will eliminate a long-standing deficiency to mission requirements."...Funding Requested: $5,000,000

* Dining Hall and Services Facility - requested by the 177th ANG Fighter Wing (400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Project Description: "The 177th FW is assigned 18 PAA F-16 aircraft and requires a properly sized and adequately configured facility to provide services and generate training and operational Air Sovereignty Alert sorties."...Funding Requested: $8,400,000

* Distributed Mission Interoperability Toolkit (DMIT) - requested by Accenture (Suite 400, 200 Federal Street, Camden, NJ). Project Description: “Successful execution of today’s complex military missions relies heavily on the ability to share real-time information in a joint operational environmental. This services-based architecture is critical to supporting joint and coalition missions/exercises that require rapid event staging, complex security levels, and involvement of diverse participants.”...Funding Requested: $7,000,000

* Force Protection – Non Traditional Weaving Application for Aramid (Ballistic) Fibers and Fabrics - requested by Absecon Mills, Inc. (Vienna and Aloe Avenues, PO Box 672, Cologne, NJ). Project Description: "By re-evaluating standard Industry design and manufacturing techniques for force protection technology, we believe Non Traditional weave designs of Aramid (ballistic) fiber coupled with new applications of microwave plasma treatments can enhance the strength of the fiber and result in enhanced individual mobility, ease of medical access, reduced weight, increased ballistic protection, cost effective savings and weight reduction of ballistic materials currently used."...Funding Requested: $3,586,000

* Munitions Administration Facility - requested by the 177th ANG Fighter Wing (400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Project Description: "The 177th FW requires a propertly sited, adequately sized, and configured functional space to support conventional munitions administration, training and maintenance in support of 18 PAA F-16 aircraft."...Funding Requested: $1,700,000

* Replace Base Civil Engineer Complex - requested by the 108th Air Refueling Wing (McGuire AFB, NJ). Project Description: "The 108th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) requires properly sized and adequately configured facilities to house the base engineer administrative, maintenance, and training functions, and readiness (disaster preparedness). Facilities support daily activities associated with maintaining/ repairing base infrastructure and facilities for the ARW, and mobility requirements for the 108th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) and readiness requirements."...Funding Requested: $9,700,000

* Senior Scout COMINT (Communications Intelligence) Capability Upgrade - requested by L-3 Communication, Communications Systems - East (1 Federal Street, Camden, NJ). Project Description: “As part of the Senior Scout ongoing mission, there is an immediate need to add improved COMINT capability to detect and characterize new, modern, low-power radio signals at extended standoff ranges in the presence of interference. The current systems are not able to detect these specific signal sets, which limits intelligence collection capabilities.”...Funding Requested: $4,000,000

* Software Lifecycle Affordability Management (SLAM) - requested by Price Systems, LLC (17000 Commerce Parkway, Suite A, Mt. Laurel, NJ). Project Description: “The Software Lifecycle Affordability Management (SLAM) project provides decision makers a means to understand cost tradeoffs in relation to both performance and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Development of the SLAM Service Oriented Architecture Cost Model (SOA-CM) enables the Army to determine which software lifecycle design/strategies realizes the greatest number of capabilities for the lowest possible cost, following the best possible schedule.”...Funding Requested: $5,000,000

Agriculture earmarks:

* Gypsy Moth Pest Management – requested by New Jersey Department of Agriculture (369 S. Warren Street, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ). Project Description:“The gypsy moth is the most destructive forest insect pest to infest New Jersey's forests. Repeated defoliation by the gypsy moth represents a serious threat to New Jersey woodland and shade tree resources. This project will have significant benefits for southern New Jersey by offering cost share funds to local municipalities. The Department's Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is a voluntary cooperative program involving New Jersey municipalities, county agencies, state agencies, and the USDA Forest Service. In order to protect New Jersey's valuable forest resources, the Department conducts aerial defoliation and ground egg mass surveys, monitors the application and evaluates the efficacy of the spray material.”...Funding Requested: $2,000,000

* The New Jersey Cranberry/Blueberry Disease & Breeding Project – requested by Rutgers University Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension (125A Oswego Road, Chatsworth, New Jersey). Project Description:“Research on breeding and pest management will provide continued support for the 50 million dollar a year industry. Past research has found bacterial anti-adherence mechanisms helping to fight urinary tract infection and dental caries, and other antioxidant properties. A major effort within the breeding program aims to enhance these health beneficial properties.”...Funding Requested: $650,000.

Childish Posturing has Consequences

2009-03-27T11:26:00.001-04:00

The other day Representative Frank LoBiondo gave a speech on how important beach replenishment funds are to shore communities. Naturally he denounced Governor Corzine for cutting state funds for it, though press accounts did not share where he thought additional money should be cut from the state budget.

This week, Frank Lautenberg, Frank Pallone, John Adler, Albio Sires, and 14 other members of Congress also supported beach replenshment -- this time, they wrote a letter urging that the Obama Administration allow stimulus funds to go to "shovel-ready beach renourishment construction." It seems such projects are not eligible for funding. (Also, Frank Pallone also has a great floor speech on beach grants.)

Now, why in the world wouldn't stimulus money be applied to such worthy projects? I think it's obvious: Congress"men" like Frank LoBiondo love to posture against the stimulus bill, complaining that buying cars for the federal government, fighting sexually transmitted diseases, and building scientific facilities are wasteful. So after Republicans repeat and repeat those arguments, who's going to stand up for spending money on beaches, when it's obvious some jerk will appear who'll say it's just moving sand around for people goofing off? I just wish Republicans would grow up sometime, we'd all be better off. This week, we saw the Jersey Shore would be.

Facebook

2009-03-26T22:20:00.003-04:00

Frank LoBiondo announced his Facebook page. I don't see anything on his wall yet, but he promises:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seeking to establish an ongoing dialogue with tech-savvy residents, U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today expanded his presence on the Internet to include a “Facebook” page and welcomed all South Jersey users of the free website service to “friend” him in order to receive regular updates on issues important to them and the 2nd District.

“An essential element of my job is communicating with people – my constituents – back home in South Jersey. As Congress is called into longer sessions in Washington, it has made it more challenging to maintain a continuous conversation with residents. As different technologies and methods evolve, it is pertinent that I examine and employ what would work effectively and efficiently to be as accessible as possible in as many ways as possible,” said LoBiondo.

LoBiondo will use his new “Facebook” page to keep residents informed of important committee hearings, his position on key votes, and upcoming public events in South Jersey that he will be attending.

Of course, because he is a politician you can only "become a supporter" not "friend" him, but it's close enough for government work.

Beach replenishment funding

2009-03-24T14:40:00.003-04:00

According to the Press of Atlantic City, Frank LoBiondo complained about beach replenishment funding; specifically he said that if Governor Corzine's plan to spend $18 million instead of $25 million risked federal matching funds:

"These federal dollars will be lost if the partnership commitment is not kept. And they’re dollars we may never ever get back again," LoBiondo said. LoBiondo said other states will benefit from the governor’s budget decision at New Jersey’s expense.

"The competition for these federal dollars for beach replenishment is literally hand-to-hand combat," he said. "If we falter for a second, I guarantee you there will be coastal communities on the East Coast, the West Coast, the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi that will suck up these dollars in a fraction of a second."

Coastal Broadcasting News also has a summary.

Fair enough, and I am all for government spending for public benefit. Still, after so many years of Republican complaints that the state spends too much, it's a bit tough to take the view that some beach spending is unnecessary in a great crisis. I wish LoBiondo had said what he would cut instead.

LoBiondo on Mercury Dangers

2009-03-13T15:48:00.004-04:00

We all remembee the Kiddie Kollege disaster in Gloucester County, where a day care center was located in a place contaminated by mercury. Recently the Philadelphia Inquirer has an article on Congressman Frank LoBiondo drawing attention to Mercury dangers.

"As the report demonstrates, future mercury exposures are preventable if the correct public health officials, teachers, and parents have the facts and take action,"

Generally speaking, if you want environmental regulations, you should vote Democratic, but there is no doubt incompetence and neglect exists with both parties. The bottom line, though, is that without regulation companies will not clean up their pollution. that said, LoBiondo earns more credit from me here for his stance on this issue, and I hope he does follow through with legislation if it is necessary. His spokesman pointed to this government website:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mercury/mercury_report.html

which is an important report on mercury dangers.

LoBiondo sponsors Employee Free Choice Act

2009-03-13T14:20:00.002-04:00

If a majority of workers sign up to have a union, you'd think there would be a union. No, under current law, a majority of workers signing up triggers another election, where they have to vote for the union again. Obviously this state of affairs only exists for employers to try to intimidate the workers.

It's good to see that once again Frank LoBiondo is sponsoring EFCA, so that if a majority of workers sign up to join a union, they join the union.

Will Frank LoBiondo block defense contracting reform again?

2009-03-04T16:42:00.001-05:00

Today, President Barack Obama announced major new reforms of defense procurement, which will include both Presidential orders and (we hope) bipartisan legislation. I've ranted about the Deepwater Scandal, where my Congressman Frank LoBiondo helped stop reformers. The result was that billions of dollars were wasted by Lockheed-Martin and Nothrop Grumman on Coast Guard equipment that didn't work. The sad fact is, this is a very common outcome of such contracts: Off the top of my head, I'd name the Lockheed-Martin Presidential helicopter and Lockheed and General Dynamics littoral combat ship projects. These kinds of management disasters soon add up, according to Obama:

Recently that public trust has not always been kept. Over the last eight years, government spending on contracts has doubled to over half a trillion dollars. Far too often, the spending is plagued by massive cost overruns, outright fraud, and the absence of oversight and accountability. In some cases, contracts are awarded without competition. In others, contractors actually oversee other contractors. We are spending money on things that we don't need, and we're paying more than we need to pay. And that's completely unacceptable.

Last year, the Government Accountability Office, GAO, looked into 95 major defense projects and found cost overruns that totaled $295 billion. Let me repeat: That's $295 billion in wasteful spending. And this wasteful spending has many sources. It comes from investments and unproven technologies. It comes from a lack of oversight. It comes from influence peddling and indefensible no-bid contracts that have cost American taxpayers billions of dollars.

"Contractors actually oversee other contractors" is a major part of what wrong in Deepwater. Obama's new presidential memorandum should help, but Congress also needs to act:

Second, we must make investments to keep our country safe while cutting back on the waste and inefficiency that isn't. And that's why I'm so pleased to support the goals of the bipartisan effort on procurement reform that has been led by our own Carl Levin and John McCain in the Senate. They have done extraordinary work trying to push this issue to the forefront. We want to see if we can partner with Senator McCain and Senator Levin to get this done as soon as possible. And thanks to Secretary Gates, some of the reforms that they've talked about are already beginning to take shape. And I've asked him to work with Senators Levin and McCain on developing this legislation as it moves forward, and Bill Lynn, who is heading up procurement issues at our White House as Deputy Secretary of Defense is going to be leading the charge on this, as well.

Frank LoBiondo decided to break his term limits pledge because he thought his experience was valuable. I hope that Frank LoBiondo has learned from his personal mistakes and will support these reforms in Congress wholeheartedly. Otherwise, we will soon see more quotes like this as more money is wasted:

To fight back, the Coast Guard and contractors relied on Congressional allies, led by Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, Representative Frank A. LoBiondo, Republican of New Jersey, and Representative Gene Taylor, Democrat of Mississippi.

...[LoBiondo] is also one of the top Congressional recipients of Lockheed contributions.

While we wait to see what LoBiondo does, at least we know John Adler will be better than Chris Myers on this issue.

Cross-posted at Blue Jersey

Frank LoBiondo "thrilled" with Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan

2009-03-01T16:17:00.002-05:00

The Philly Inquirer has a quote from Rep. LoBiondo (NJ2) on the President Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan:

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R., N.J.), a supporter of the war, said he was "thrilled" with the drawdown plan.

"The president is leaving troops there, which is a good sign," Lobiondo said. "He understands the situation could change."

Though he supports this plan, it seems to me from this quote LoBiondo would prefer to stay in Iraq forever, but of course his voting record already said that. Still, it seems Obama's compromise withdrawal plan has won a lot of bipartisan support.

Frank LoBiondo: It's common sense that many Americans must go without health care

2009-02-27T13:00:00.002-05:00

Today's Sunbeam talked to Rob Andrews and a spokeman for Frank LoBiondo to get their takes on Barack Obama's health care efforts. Andrews was supportive -- pointing out that voters endorsed reform by voting for Obama -- but LoBiondo opposes the entire idea. After some standard Republican lines about small business taxes that is misleading at best, LoBiondo's spokesman got to the point:

Still, LoBiondo supports health care reform, but he thinks the problem should be addressed in pieces. For example, Galanes said, LoBiondo's recent support of the expansion of a key children's health insurance program was one such piece.

"There needs to be a consensus approach to this and common-sense solutions," Galanes said. "...There isn't one avenue. You have to look at the entire situation by pieces."

I've certainly praised LoBiondo for supporting the SCHIP children's program, but this statement tells us that LoBiondo believes that universal coverage is not important. But is it "common sense" to work on reducing those without insurance from 46 million to 40 million, but not work to get the number close to zero? I don't think so. There are already 83 million people with government coverage, so there can be no "common sense" objections against government involvement in health care. It's just that the so-called moderates can't look around and see that we are trapped in their "common sense" non-solutions because of accidents of history. Meanwhile, the giant car companies teeter on the edge of bankruptcy while small businesses leave their employees uncovered. And if you're laid off due to the uncontrollable forces of the recession, you're out of luck.

Frank LoBiondo on the President's Joint Address to Congress

2009-02-26T19:02:00.001-05:00

I did not find Frank LoBiondo's statement on his website, but it was reprodced by the The Daily Journal:

“This evening, the President gave an honest, sober assessment of our nation’s economy. Our nation faces significant economic challenges that are severe and likely to grow worse. But, as the President rightly pointed out; ‘The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation. The answers to our problems don't lie beyond our reach. They exist in our laboratories and universities; in our fields and our factories; in the imaginations of our entrepreneurs and the pride of the hardest-working people on Earth.’ I strongly agree with his assessment.

“To reach the solutions to our economic challenges, President Obama renewed his call for Congress and the Administration to work together for our families and small businesses. I believe the President’s interests in building a common ground and intention to forge consensus solutions are genuine. It now falls on Congress to honestly do the same on behalf of the American people.

“As I have throughout my career, I will support bipartisan initiatives that truly strengthen our economy and create new jobs for struggling South Jersey families. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for consensus solutions to the critical issues facing the nation: achieving affordable health care, keeping hard-working families in their homes, becoming energy independent, reigning in wasteful spending and strengthening homeland security. And I will stand strong in support of our servicemen and women, ensuring they have all the resources they need to be successful in their mission.”

Salem County Stimulus Projects

2009-02-22T14:51:00.005-05:00

Frank LoBiondo's opposition to federal spending to revive the economy has not prevented towns in Salem County, New Jersey from planning to use the opportunity. Today's Sunbeam has the county requests:

About 75 unique projects were produced by Salem County entities and the municipalities of Alloway, Carneys Point, Elmer, Elsinboro, Mannington, Oldmans, Penns Grove and Pittsgrove.

"Salem County has maintained a proactive and cooperative approach in submitting our projects for consideration of economic stimulus dollars," said Freeholder Deputy Director Beth Timberman. "We are very pleased that our towns and institutions have responded to our call for projects and we have submitted them all for consideration."

Roads, schools, energy-efficiency upgrades, solar panels, and many other projects were on thelist. Here's one that struck me:

Penns Grove Borough asked for $720,000 to replace three obsolete water pump stations that are at risk of failing. According to Penns Grove Engineer Mark Brunermer, the sites do not even have auxiliary power, something fairly common by today's standards.

Today's Sunbeam makes a point that both Republicans and Democrats have submitted requests. However, I can't help but notice that Woodstown and Pilesgrove are absent, despite the fact that residents know that major projects are needed (hint: the schools.) Both are Republican-controlled. Maybe LoBiondo can give them a call to wake them up.

LoBiondo and the Stimulus revisited

2009-02-20T18:31:00.002-05:00

Blogger bytheshore73 observes a curious problem with Frank LoBiondo's objections to the stimulus: By voting against the stimulus, he voted against the federal grants to firefighters than he loves to take credit for:

So the basic timeline is: Lobiondo votes against stimulus, Lobiondo announces federal grants, Lobiondo votes against stimulus. There's only one problem with this: every grant he announced in between attacking President Obama's plan to create jobs was provided by a program that benefited significantly from the stimulus.

Those fire grants? From the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which received $210 million in additional funds from the stimulus. Airport Construction? From the Airport Improvement Program, which received a $1.1 billion boost in the stimulus. And the SAFER fire funding? Well, the federal stimulus bill included a provision to waive the requirement that grant recipients must provide local matching funds, greatly expanding the reach and benefit of the SAFER program.

Frank LoBiondo and the PMA scandal.

2009-02-19T23:24:00.005-05:00

Thurman Hart at the Star-Ledger has pointed out that a new federal lobbying scandal has New Jersey connections. Here's how Congressional Quarterly describes the problem:

More than 100 House members secured earmarks in a major spending bill for clients of a single lobbying firm — The PMA Group — known for its close ties to John P. Murtha, the congressman in charge of Pentagon appropriations.

“It shows you how good they were,” said Keith Ashdown, chief investigator at the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. “The sheer coordination of that would take an army to finish.”

PMA’s offices have been raided, and the firm closed its political action committee last week amid reports that the FBI is investigating possibly illegal campaign contributions to Murtha and other lawmakers.

And here are the names of active New Jersey politicians, via Mr. Hart, who received money from this lobbying company:

Leading the way is Rodney Frelinghuysen, who received some $16,000 between 1997 and last 2007. Bill Pascrell was given $9,500 between 2002 and last year. Rob Andrews received $8,500 between 1997 and 2004. Frank Lautenberg received $3,500 between 2002 and 2007. Steve Rothman received $3000 in 2007 and 2008. Rush Holt received $2,500 between 2000 and 2007. Bob Menendez has received only $2000, entirely in 2006. Frank LoBiondo received $1,500 in 2003 and 2004. Even Scott Garrett received $500 in 2004.

Thurman Hart is a great blogger/columnist because he says it much better than me:

Here's some things you can bank on. PMA didn't run its scam on only one defense appropriations bill. Something doesn't get this big, or this crooked, overnight. So anyone who ever received money from them is potentially implicated in trading earmarks for campaign donations. Having said that, it would be incredibly stupid for someone to trade their Congressional powers for as little as five hundred or a thousand dollars. But scandals of former years have taught us that such stupid things happen.

I emphasize that there is no evidence that Frank LoBiondo did anything illegal, and accepting (or making) donations is usually perfectly legal. But the Congressional Quarterly is listing LoBiondo as being responsible "with others" for $1,500,000 in earmarks. They don't even say what the earmark is. This could be a coincidence. Both parties are involved. I'll even say that probably this will amount to nothing. But the bottom line is that because this firm has been raided by the FBI, LoBiondo should make a statement explaining the situation.

Frank LoBiondo votes for the week of February 8-14, 2009

2009-02-17T23:20:00.003-05:00

This is, I believe, a complete record of Frank LoBiondo's votes last week in the House of Representatives. It does not include any votes in committee.

Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Frank LoBiondo's opposition to the stimulus bill (H.R. 1)was expressed in five party-line votes (70, 69, 68, 67, 66), plus another vote against a rule change that I believe is also related to passing the stimulus bill (63.) This has gotten a lot of attention here and everywhere else.

Elder Abuse Victims Act

I have neglected to praise Representative LoBiondo for joining an overwhelming bipartisan majority to vote for the Elder Abuse Victims Act:

To protect seniors in the United States from elder abuse by establishing specialized elder abuse prosecution and research programs and activities to aid victims of elder abuse, to provide training to prosecutors and other law enforcement related to elder abuse prevention and protection, to establish programs that provide for emergency crisis response teams to combat elder abuse, and for other purposes

Only an extreme right-winger would vote against it -- yes, New Jersey's own Scott Garrett.

Silly Procedural Stuff

LoBiondo went with the Republican line on a procedural vote on adjourning (60) that seems pretty meaningless. He also supported a bizarre attempt by Republicans to remove Charlie Rangel from his committee chairmanship -- strictly speaking, he voted against tabling the it (57.) Well, if Rangel's ethics problems become worse I suppose he will be proud of this, otherwise it seems like a waste of time.

Commemorative votes

Frank LoBiondo voted to honor or support Abraham Lincoln, the NAACP, National Engineers Week, Democratic Congressman John Dingell, the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King's visit to India, Miami University, Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, and National Girls and Women in Sports Day. All of these are worthy causes, and making these sorts of proclamation is part of Congress's job.