“Texas hospitals face numerous challenges in delivering care to our diverse, fast-growing population,” said John Hawkins, senior vice president of Advocacy and Public Policy for THA. “HOSPAC has endorsed candidates who recognize the increasing pressure from state and federal governments to reduce spending while expecting hospitals to improve quality and patient outcomes. Sound health care policies are more important than ever, and Congressman Kenny Marchant has indicated a willingness to work with Texas hospitals to address health care issues, including making health care coverage more affordable and accessible.”

The 33-member HOSPAC board makes endorsements based on a candidate’s position on health care issues and input from local hospital representatives. Learn more about HOSPAC at www.HOSPAC.org.

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About the Texas Hospital Association
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. Learn more at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/texashospitals.

Check out this short video message from Congressman Marchant about Texas Values

Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) released the following statement on the passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act (H.R. 3606) by a vote of 390 to 23 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• H.R. 1070, Small Company Capital Formation Act
• H.R. 2167, Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act
• H.R. 2930, Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act
• H.R. 2940, Access to Capital for Job Creators Act
• H.R. 3606, Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act
• H.R. 4088, Capital Expansion Act

“After nearly a year, the President has finally weighed in with a framework of his own for corporate tax reform. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, I look forward to working with Chairman Camp to craft legislation that simplifies the tax code by lowering rates and closing loopholes.

“Since joining this Committee last year, I have made comprehensive tax reform (both corporate and individual) a high priority of my legislative agenda. I thank Chairman Camp for holding hearings over the last year to outline ways in which we can streamline the code. A simpler code would encourage economic growth and investment here at home and lead to significant private sector job creation. As a long-time small businessman, I know the hurdles companies face when complying with the federal tax code.

“Unfortunately, the President’s proposal is not comprehensive. We need comprehensive tax reform which includes individual tax reform as well. This is because at least half of business income is taxed at the individual rates. These are small businesses, the engine of our economy. A simplified tax code that is flatter and fairer will allow our businesses to better compete in the global economy, encourage small businesses to expand, and allow individuals and families to keep more of what they earn.”

“The inclusion of my language from The Airport Security Options Act in the FAA conference report is a major victory for airport security. Thawing the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) freeze on airport applications for opting out of TSA will allow airports to choose the security that best suits their needs. The competition between TSA security and private security firms will accelerate the implementation of best practices in the field of airport security and greatly improve safety for consumers.

“We know nefarious actors are seeking new ways to undermine airport security. That is why we should encourage – not stifle – new ideas that can make traveling safer and more convenient for our nation’s passengers. This bill is fundamentally about restoring choice and competition to the airport security industry. I’m glad that my colleague, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, included my language in the final conference report and look forward to working with him on improving the experience of travelers as the Congressman who represents a major transportation hub, DFW International Airport.” 

“I strongly disagree with the President’s decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline project. His shortsighted decision puts politics before the good of the country and is a slap in the face of our close ally, Canada. Our ailing economy could have used the injection of several thousand private-sector jobs and lower energy costs. Instead the Obama Administration sat on the Keystone pipeline decision for several years, and now we may lose this opportunity to China.

“House Republicans have been fighting for an energy strategy that leverages all our natural resources to help strengthen the economy and our national security. The President’s own Jobs Council recommended this as well, yet the President refuses to listen.”

“I do not support the Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261) currently before the House of Representatives. I believe in the protection of American intellectual property, but this bill will cause more harm by undermining the fundamental freedoms and functions of the Internet. Congress needs to slow down its approach to addressing a serious concern of online piracy and counterfeiting. It is my hope that we can work together to protect the basic rights of innovators without hindering free speech and ongoing ingenuity.”

“I am deeply disappointed in the President’s recent decision to make ‘recess’ appointments while Congress remains in session. This political move shows a blatant disregard for the Constitution and an abuse of executive power.

“Especially troubling is the President’s appointment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) of Richard Cordray who was previously rejected by the Senate. The American people have been denied transparency and accountability over a powerful agency that has the potential to hinder job creation.”

Congressman Marchant has sent a letter to the President expressing his objections to the recent appointments. He also joined 70 colleagues in cosponsoring a resolution of disapproval over the President’s actions.

With our campaign now underway, and a New Year beginning, I’d like to take a moment and share my legislative priorities for 2012.

Reforming the Tax Code

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I am committed to advancing legislation that will lead our nation on a path to prosperity and job creation.

First and foremost: Our tax code is too large and too complicated. The tax code needs to be reformed to close loopholes, lower rates, and simplify the system for all taxpayers. This reform can be accomplished while preserving deductions for: (1) interest paid on home mortgages; (2) charitable contributions; and (3) insurance and annuity payments.

We now have the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world. Unfortunately, millions of Americans are currently out of work. Lowering the corporate tax rate would create jobs by sending a message to companies that America is a great place to invest, and by letting the world know that America is open for business.

Cutting Spending      

I will continue the fight to get our nation’s budget under control. The seriousness of our nation’s debt problem cannot be understated.

The bottom line is this: We must stop spending money we don’t have and passing the debt to our children and grandchildren.

Our Founding Fathers envisioned a federal government that was limited in size and scope. Today, we have a federal government that grows larger and less accountable by the day.

Our nation simply cannot afford the government we have. Bold spending cuts will move us in the right direction and ensure a prosperous economic future for generations of Americans.

Fighting Unnecessary Regulations    

Federal overregulation costs our economy an estimated $1.75 trillion each year.

A large share of this burden falls on small businesses in the form of compliance costs. When small businesses are focused on navigating unnecessary federal regulations, they aren’t growing and they aren’t hiring.

I will continue to fight the rulemaking authority of rogue executive agencies that bypass Congress and needlessly invade the daily lives of Americans.

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Thank you for your support,

Kenny Marchant