releases: http://rokita.house.gov/editorial/rokita-report-12-6-13
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| http://rokita.house.gov/editorial/rokita-report-12-6-13 | Rokita Report 12-6-13 | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | IN | Todd Rokita | R000592 | rokita.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 113th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well. For daily updates, please take a moment to "Like" my Facebook page by clicking here or follow me on Twitter if you prefer @ToddRokita. In this week's Rokita Report Rokita Readings - Yes, We do Have a Debt Problem Congress on Your Corner Events - Monticello and Frankfort U.S. 31 Bypass - Open for Business Fighting Red Tape - Hearing on Unfair Enforcement of Rules ObamaCare Cancellations Continue - Tell me your Story Rokita Readings A clickable offering of books and articles that I've read recently and highly recommend, as we strive together to "Keep the Republic." Featured in this week's Rokita Readings is a column I read recently by Veronique de Rugy titled, "Yes, We Do Have a Debt Problem." The recovery from recent storms that hit Indiana and the Midwest so hard last month continues. As part of the recovery, Governor Pence submitted a request for federal disaster aid for Howard County this week. As coverage of the storms began, I received many calls regarding my position on federal disaster assistance. In general, I support assistance when it is needed, but it must be budgeted for and paid for. I was reminded of this column by de Rugy because there is still an important debate to be had regarding our spending priorities. In short, we must live within our means. The budget process is by definition spending prioritization. Congress writes a budget by funding higher priorities, including disaster relief, at the expense of lower priorities. If circumstances change and additional disaster funding becomes necessary, we must reevaluate our priorities in order to provide that funding. If not, our children and grandchildren will be forced to pick up the bill, and that is neither responsible nor moral. That's the basic theme of de Rugy's column - we are ignoring the bigger picture when we look at our federal spending through a short-term prism. Just as a family would have a serious discussion about priorities during a trying difficult time, our country must also have this discussion as we consider what is most important to us. Congress on Your Corner - Monticello and Frankfort Last Tuesday, I hosted Congress on Your Corner events in Monticello and Frankfort. It was great to see so many of you who took the time out of your schedule to discuss issues that are important to you. Both events were very well-attended. Thank you to the Monticello-Union Public Library and the Frankfort City Council for hosting these events. Rep. Rokita Answers Questions at Congress on Your Corner in Monticello At the events I fielded a wide range of questions. In Monticello, we spent a considerable amount of the time discussing the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and food stamp reform. In Frankfort, we spent more time discussing immigration reform. Rep. Rokita Meets with Hoosiers in Frankfort At both events, however, the number one issue people wanted to discuss, which I feel is the most important issue that faces our nation, is our $17 trillion debt and $100 trillion in unfunded promises that are on the way in the decades to come. People all over Indiana joining in the fight to stop the runaway spending in Washington. The fight is not an easy one, but I find your commitment to this cause inspiring. Even with a difficult economy, where it is just easier to expect our federal government takes care of us, Hoosiers still care more about their children and grandchildren and less about themselves and what goodies politicians can give them. We must continue this fight so that the children of tomorrow do not inherit the debt that we've racked up. Also, as I do at most town hall and Congress on Your Corner events, I promised to answer several more detailed questions from the events on my Facebook page. I will be posting some of the questions from the events over the coming weekend. If you were either unable to attend or there was not enough time to answer your question, please send me an e-mail or call my office and I will get back to you in short order. US 31 Bypass - Open for Business Rep. Rokita with Gov. Pence, State Senator Buck, and State Rep. VanNatter Also last Tuesday, along with Governor Pence and other elected officials, I attended the ribbon cutting for the new U.S. 31 Bypass in Kokomo. I can attest personally to the importance of this project. Now, and over eight years as Indiana Secretary of State, I logged thousands of miles on U.S. 31. While I like to stop in Kokomo any chance I can, there are times when Hoosiers simply are heading to South Bend or elsewhere. When the final Hamilton County section opens to traffic in 2015, a total of 32 stoplights will have been removed from U.S. 31 between Indianapolis and South Bend, saving drivers a half hour of travel time. For frequent travelers of the route, imagine how many days of their lives they will get back in a year! On Thursday, I made remarks on the House floor to commemorate this event and hail the great work happening in the "Crossroads of America." You can watch my remarks here. At a time short-term thinking dominates policymaking in Washington, it is great to see Indiana making sound investments not just for today, but particularly for future generations. I commend and congratulate all of the individuals, elected officials, and business and community groups involved in bringing the Kokomo corridor of U.S.31 from the drawing board to reality. Fighting Red Tape - Hearing on Unfair, Selective Enforcement of Federal Rules On Wednesday, I took part in a hearing held by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections to provide oversight to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)'s recent expansion of regulatory and enforcement activities. In enforcing the nondiscrimination and affirmative action requirements applicable to federal contractors and subcontractors, the OFCCP continues to establish new and more stringent standards for the hiring and employment of veterans and persons with disabilities. I have serious concerns that the OFCCP creates these new rules with unclear language which is leading to selective and, by definition, unfair enforcement of these rules as well as a focus on citing contractors for violations rather than to advance the goals of equal employment opportunity. I was able to highlight these unfair inconsistencies with the OFCCP's public stance and their actual activities. During her testimony, OFCCP Director Shiu contradicted herself by claiming that the OFCCP is forbidden to enforce “quotas,” yet they are able to enter into and enforce “conciliation agreements” with contractors that have the force and effect of law. The contradiction underscores the selective enforcement this agency engages in, which is unfair to all involved. Once again, we are reminded of the dangers of unelected bureaucrats that think they know better than us and do not always act in our best interest. You can watch my exchange with witnesses here. For more information on the hearing, as well as an archived webcast, click here. ObamaCare Insurance Cancellations Continue to Hit Mailboxes - Just the Tip of the Iceberg It has been widely reported that millions of Americans are being sent cancellation notices of their insurance policies due to forced changes under ObamaCare. These cancellations come despite the promise made by the President, time and again, that, "if you like your health insurance plan, you can keep your plan." Cancellations are just the tip of the iceberg on this insidious law. Hoosiers are seeing rate increases, hours and jobs being cut, and health benefits are changing so rapidly that many are unsure of exactly what coverage they will have in the new year. I recently received a story from Danny in Frankfort who saw his deductible increase from $500 to $5000 per year. Like many Hoosiers, he is frustrated by the changes forced on him by ObamaCare. If you or someone you know has had a similar experiences due to ObamaCare, please send me your story, your cancellation notice, or rate increase documents at InsuranceCancellations@mail.house.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts in Washington. Take care. Sincerely, Todd Rokita | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |