Column by Rep. Joe BartonThe crimes committed by convicted baby killer Kermit Gosnell cant even be described on paper. Nurses dubbed his clinic a "House of Horrors." Despite claims from those who call it a choice, this case proves just how brutal abortion is. The terribly sad thing is he is not alone. There are more than 100 abortion doctors out there just like him, people willing to abort babies who are 20 weeks of fetal age and beyond. These arent just fetuses, science now tells us that they can feel pain. These babies are just like the ones we see in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in hospitals in our area struggling for life, needing love.Those children are the reason I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 1797, The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill, which passed the House with my support on Tuesday, will ban abortions in the United States after the 20 week threshold. The only exceptions are when the life of the mother is in danger or in cases of rape and incest.This bill has the overwheliming support of the American people. Now that the House has acted, the Senate should follow our lead.This law will protect children. It wont end all abortions or bring back the babies that Dr. Gosnell and dozens of others have killed, but it will prevent future suffering and death.I am pro-life because I believe that all life is precious and should be respected and I back that up with my vote. As a lawmaker, I believe I have a constitutional and moral obligation to protect those who do not have the power to protect themselves. I will continue to fight in Congress for the unborn.
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Washington, D.C.: Congressman Joe Barton (R-Arlington/Ennis) released the following statement after attending a classified briefing about the recent revelations about data collection at the National Security Agency:"The limited collection and use of data are authorized by the Patriot Act and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and I supported both of those laws because they establish constraints. However, the National Security Agency violated the spirit of the law when it started collecting data from everyone in the country just because technology now makes that possible."During the briefing, representatives from the NSA went to great lengths to explain that they are only going after terrorists and they are very conscientious in exercising their authority and I believe them. They have foiled terror plots by tracking their communications."However, in America, you are considered innocent until proven guilty. You dont target everyone and violate their 4th Amendment rights just because of a handful of threats."But that is exactly what is happening at the NSA, at the IRS, at the Justice Department and we are just supposed to accept it. Well, it is wrong and it needs to stop now."To fix this, Congress needs to focus on properly balancing national security and the protection of peoples Constitutional rights."
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Committee Leaders Concerned with Reports of IRS Handling of Sensitive Information, Especially as Agency Gears Up to Implement ObamacareWASHINGTON, DC: Energy and Commerce Committee leaders, including Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis/Arlington) today sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Acting Administrator Daniel Werfel requesting information about a March 2011 IRS search and seizure of as many as 60 million medical records from a California health care provider. The letter comes on the heels of a recent lawsuit that was filed regarding the legality of the seizure of over 10 million American patients medical information in the course of executing a warrant related to a former employees financial records. As the IRS is tasked with implementing much of the presidents health care law, committee leaders are concerned about what restrictions and safeguards are in place to ensure that Americans medical information remains protected.In the letter to the Acting IRS Administrator, Rep. Barton, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA), Vice Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations and Health Subcommittees Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and full committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) wrote, "(T)he Committee on Energy and Commerce is investigating allegations that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in the course of executing a search warrant at a California health care providers corporate headquarters in March 2011, improperly seized the personal medical records of millions of American citizens in possible violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution."The leaders continued, "According to a March 14, 2013, report by courthousenews.com, the unnamed health care provider is now suing the IRS and 15 unnamed agents in California Superior Court alleging that the agents stole more than 60 million medical records from more than 10 million American patients during a search conducted March 11, 2011. The warrant authorizing that search was apparently limited to the financial records of a former employee of the company and in no way authorized the sweeping confiscation of the personal medical records of millions of Americans who had no connection to the initial IRS investigation. In light of these allegations and in anticipation of the IRSs increased role in implementing health care under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, we are writing to request information regarding your agencys ability to both protect the confidential medical information of millions of Americans and respect the safeguards imposed by HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act]."According to news reports, the lawsuit alleges that the medical records included "information on psychological counseling, gynecological counseling, sexual and drug treatment, and other sensitive medical treatment data."Committee leaders requested that Werfel respond by Tuesday, June 25.Read the entire letter here.
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ARLINGTON, TX: U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis/Arlington) celebrates the appointments of seven local students to the U.S. service academies and prep schools.Academic and athletic excellence has made this one of the strongest classes ever put forward by Rep. Barton 112 from around the 6th District asked for applications, but only six made it into an academy and one was selected to a prep school.In order to gain admission to one of the service academies, which include the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy at West Point, students must first receive a nomination from a Member of Congress. Each of the seven appointees went through a comprehensive interview process to receive Rep. Bartons nomination, which was then sent to the academies to determine who would receive appointments."The U.S. service academies are among the finest universities in the United States, and each plays a key role in developing many of our nations future leaders," Congressman Barton said. "These young men are the best of the best. I want to salute these students for what they have already accomplished in their lives and support them as they move forward with their education. They are beginning a time of dedicated learning and service to our nation."The Congressman recently had a chance to congratulate each of them in person (pictures are available upon request). Below is more information about each of these distinguished young people:James Grays of Fort Worth will attend the United States Military Academy in the fall. He recently graduated from R. L. Paschal High School where he is active in the classroom, athletics and the community. James is involved in several clubs, including the National Honor Society. He is also a 1st Sergeant in the Junior ROTC and starred on the soccer team, earning All District Honorable Mention honors last season. James credits his mother, brother and sister for contributing to his success.Andrew Buisson of Arlington will attend the United States Air Force Academy in the fall. Andrew recently graduated from Martin High School where he was active in the Junior ROTC program. He was named Commander this year because of his service and dedication. He is a member of the tennis team at Martin and participated in local tournaments. Andrew is following in the footsteps of his father, who served as an Air Force fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. Both his parents currently work in the aviation industry.Brandon Bradley of Arlington will attend the United States Air Force Academy in the fall. Brandon recently graduated from Timberview High School where he was active in the schools band and other extracurricular activities. He was an All-State saxophone player and active in the schools Key Club, which specializes in community service. Brandon will join his brother at the USAFA and his father is retired from the Army.David Gonzalez of Fort Worth will attend the United States Air Force Academy in the fall. David recently graduated from Nolan Catholic High School, where he was active in the classroom, athletics and extracurricular activities. He was a member of the varsity football team and achieved high and highest honors. David also took part in the Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Student Honor Council, Student Council, Spanish Club and the NCHS School Ambassadors.A. Ryan Tipton of Mansfield will attend the United States Air Force Academy Prep School in the fall. He recently graduated from Mansfield High School. Ryan was a member of the Mansfield Future Farmers of America chapter for four years and a High School All-American diver who holds both the 1 and 3 meter MISD records. H will be following in the footsteps of his older brother, Aaron, who recently graduated from the USAFA Prep School and will be attending the USAFA in the fall.Reagan Moore of Mansfield will attend the United States Air Force Academy in the fall. He recently graduated from Mansfield High School, where he was active in the
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Reports also Surface that Nancy-Ann DeParle, Former Obama Point Person for Health Reform and Deputy Chief of Staff, Now Soliciting Insurance Companies for Same Group as SebeliusWASHINGTON, DC Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-TX) last night appeared with Neil Cavuto on the Fox Business Network to highlight the committees ongoing investigation into reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius may have solicited funding or assistance from the health care industry to help implement Obamacare. Committee leaders recently expanded their investigation, now seeking information from a total of 15 companies and organizations, in addition to requests for information from HHS and Enroll America, the private nonprofit group dedicated to assisting the implementation of the health care law. Full committee chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) is also part of a joint House and Senate request to the Government Accountability Office to determine if Sebelius solicitations violated any laws.Click here to WATCH!Bartons appearance coincided with a Politico report detailing the active fundraising efforts of Nancy-Ann DeParle, former head of the White House Office of Health Reform and later Obama Deputy Chief of Staff, who left the White House in January and is now working in her spare time to raise millions of dollars from insurance companies for Enroll America. The head of Enroll America, Ann Filipic, also spent years working in the Obama White House. Filipic left her post as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement in January 2013 to become president of Enroll America.
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WASHINGTON: Rep. Joe Barton wanted to know your thoughts about the recent IRS scandal. He asked his e-newsletter recipients this question "Do you think someone should go to jail over the IRSs admission that agents targeted conservative groups?"The Congressman released the results of the poll on Thursday morning: 76% - Yes 16% - No 8% - Not sure/UndecidedNearly 2,000 people took part in the poll.If you want to participate in future polls sign up for the Congressmans E-Newsletter by clicking here.
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Rep. Barton, Energy and Commerce Committee Members Stand Up for Jobs and Energy SecurityWASHINGTON, DC Rep. Joe Barton joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday to pass H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, with bipartisan support by a vote of 241 to 175. This commonsense legislation will end the regulatory delays blocking construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and finally allow the job-creating project to proceed after nearly 5 years of review. A broad range of diverse organizations representing American workers and job creators have lent their support to this commonsense bill. Similar legislation was needed 40 years ago to achieve construction of the game-changing Trans-Alaska Pipeline.Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, including Rep. Barton, voiced their strong support for building the Keystone pipeline during todays debate on the House floor.Watch Energy and Commerce Members speak in support of H.R. 3 HERE."Only in America would this be controversialIts a win for the consumers in America and its a win for the workers in America"Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-TX)"It's time, after almost five years, to get the Keystone pipeline working and the people working."Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), author of H.R. 3"Not one dime of federal or taxpayer dollars will be in this pipeline an $8 billion project, 20,000 jobs..."Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY)"It is time that this body take action to bolster our economy, move our nation towards energy independence - areas where this president has failed miserably."Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)"If you look at the facts about what this means to America: 20,000 jobs immediately. Energy security where were going to be getting 830,000 barrels of oil a day from a friend in Canada that we dont have to get from Middle Eastern countries who dont like us."Rep Steve Scalise (R-LA)"America needs action. America needs 20,000 jobs. America needs 800,000 barrels a day coming from Canada. America needs national security that comes from energy security. America needs the Keystone XL pipeline."Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX)"The fact that we can create 20,000 jobs is a good thing - the fact that the National Federation of Independent Businesses support this pipeline, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers, the labor unions, support the construction of this pipeline."Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO)"Construction of the Keystone XL pipeline is a significant element of Americas all-of-the-above energy policy, and it will help lower energy costs, create jobs, and reduce our dependence on dangerous sources of foreign oil."Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ)"This a job creating opportunity. This is an opportunity to take energy resources from a friendly ally in Canada, use it here in America, or make sure that it goes to our friends and our allies rather than our competitors like the Chinese."Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH)"In truth, the only thing that is unprecedented is the lengthy delays that weve already encountered for a project that has been the subject of over 15,000 pages of federal environmental review, and, yes, found to be safe."Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI)
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WASHINGTON: Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis/Arlington), a leader in the fight against the government takeover of the healthcare system, released the following statement after co-sponsoring and voting for H.R. 45, a bill that will repeal ObamaCare. It passed the House of Representatives Thursday.CLICK here to watch the Congressmans speech on the House floor."ObamaCare has changed the landscape of healthcare in our country. It should be about the private and personal relationship between a patient and a doctor, instead this law turns it into a complicated web of regulations and laws that now involves government boards and the IRS.Healthcare coverage should be based on market based reforms that will actually lower costs, expand access to affordable care, and protect jobs.Democrats continue to claim this isnt a government takeover of health care. They voted for it, but clearly they didnt read it. ObamaCare includes a government mandate that employers have to provide health insurance, a government mandate on what has to be included in that coverage, and of course a government mandate that everyone in the nation has to have insurance. If you dont - the law mandates that the IRS can investigate you and hit you with a penalty. If that isnt a government takeover, Im not sure what is."I want every American to have access to affordable health care. I believe we can accomplish that goal by giving people more choices, not forcing government mandates on them."I hope the Senate and the President will pay attention to this vote. It represents the will of the people. They are learning quickly that this law will ruin one of the greatest healthcare systems in the entire world. So we can repeal it now or we can repeal it later, but the American people want ObamaCare to be repealed."
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ENNIS, TX: Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis/Arlington) issued the following statement about Wednesday's deadly storms in North Texas:"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the tornadoes in North Texas. One storm hit the heart of my hometown causing millions of dollars worth of damage in Ennis. Thankfully though everyone survived and there were only minor injuries."A member of my staff was on the scene surveying the damage as soon as the sun came up. I have spoken to the Mayor, County Judge and Governor and offered the assistance of my office in any way."The news was far worse for our neighbors to the west in Granbury and Cleburne. We are praying for the missing, the dead and those that lost everything."Recovery from something like this is never easy, but the people of Texas are strong, faithful and resilient. I stand with them as they continue to mourn, start to heal and rebuild."
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WASHINGTON: Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and seven other members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus sent a letter Thursday to Google expressing concerns about Google Glass. The company says the product will allow users to "take pictures, record and share what you see hands free, obtain directions, send messages, and basically ask whatever is on your mind right before your eyes."The lawmakers wrote that they are concerned about possible misuse of information gathered by Google Glass."As members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, we are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of the average American," the letter stated.The letter also poses several questions aimed at making sure your rights are protected, including: * When using Google Glass, is it true that this product would be able to use Facial Recognition Technology to unveil personal information about whomever and even some inanimate objects that the user is viewing? Would a user be able to request such information? Can a non-user or human subject opt out of this collection of personal data? If so, how? If not, why not? * In Googles privacy policy, it states that the company "may collect device-specific information (such as your hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including phone number)." Would Google Glass collect any data about the user without the users knowledge and consent? If so, why? If not, please explain. * Will Google Glass have the capacity to store any data on the device itself? If so, will Google Glass implement some sort of user authentication system to safeguard stored data? If not, why not? If so, please explain.A complete copy of the letter to Google can be found here.Others signing the letter include, Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. (D-GA), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Richard Nugent (R-FL), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).Rep. Barton is co-founder of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus and is a leader in Congress on providing privacy protections for personal consumer information. He and other members of the caucus have investigated the data privacy and security practices of Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, College Board, Groupon, the four major wireless carriers, and the Social Security Administration, among other entities.
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