Jeff Fortenberry tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2008-09-11://16 2009-11-19T21:50:31Z Press Releases from Representative Jeff Fortenberry within the last 90 days Movable Type Enterprise 4.24-en Fortenberry Urges Responsible Reform of Medicare Reimbursement Policy for Doctors, Protection of Patients tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2787 Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, voting against HR 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, urged Congress to achieve a responsible, sustainable solution to the financing of physicians’ Medicare reimbursement rates.

“The Medicare reimbursement process is broken,” said Fortenberry.  “It is demeaning to doctors and threatens critical services for patients in vulnerable situations, particularly those in rural areas challenged with accessible health care options.  It is bad policy, and Congress has a responsibility to correct it.

“This bill, unfortunately, is not the right approach.  In fact, the Senate previously rejected a similar measure.  It adds significantly to our national deficit without providing any means of payment. 

“I support an alternative measure to reimburse physicians with a two percent Medicare payment rate increase in each of the next four years.  The annual increases would be paid for by commonsense medical liability reforms.”

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]]> Fortenberry to Hold Town Hall Meetings in Norfolk and Wayne tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2711 Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will be hosting town hall meetings in Norfolk and Wayne on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Any constituent interested in discussing issues before Congress is invited to attend the town hall meetings.  Fortenberry’s full schedule follows. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Norfolk

10:30 a.m.
Speak to Norfolk Senior High School Students
Norfolk Senior High School
801 Riverside Boulevard

11:45 a.m.
Conduct Town Hall Meeting
Faith Regional Health Services West Campus (Nebraska Room)
2700 Norfolk Avenue

1:45 p.m.
Review Telemedicine Technology
Midwest Health Partners
1410 North 13th Street

2:25 p.m.
Visit the Norfolk Veterans Home
600 East Benjamin Avenue


Wayne

4 p.m.
Conduct Town Hall Meeting
Wayne State College Campus (Gardner Auditorium)
1111 Main Street
 

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]]> Fortenberry Votes against Massive House Health Care Bill tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2710 Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today voted against HR 3962, the House health care bill.

“Clearly, we must strengthen health care in America. We must improve health outcomes for all Americans and reduce costs – especially for families and small businesses- while protecting vulnerable persons. The question is what will be most effective.   

“The House bill is very risky.  It is a mind-numbingly complex and costly prescription, nearly 2,000 pages long at a cost of $1.3 trillion.  While I agree we should promote a health care culture that focuses on wellness and prevention, remove lifetime caps, and further support high-risk pools for those with pre-existing conditions, this bill will fail to reduce costs, shift the costs to more government run health care, and reduce health care liberties.

“We should adopt a number of common sense reforms, such as portability of insurance, buying insurance across state lines, and creating new insurance association models for farmers and families for more affordable options.”

Fortenberry has supported various approaches to health care reform, including promoting health and wellness incentives, enhancing existing public services such as community health centers and hospice care reimbursement, as well as creating new insurance models for vulnerable persons.

To view Congressman Fortenberry’s address to the United States House of Representatives in its entirety, go to fortenberry.house.gov.
 

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]]> Fortenberry Comments on China's Decision to Reopen Markets to U.S. Pork tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2705 Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today commented on a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement that China intends to reopen its markets to American pork and live swine.

“This is a very positive and long overdue development for pork producers in Nebraska and across the nation,” Fortenberry said.  “Our pork industry suffered an unfortunate setback due to the erroneous association of pork consumption with the H1N1 virus.  I am pleased that the emerging Chinese market will again be open to American producers.”

Fortenberry, a member of the House Agriculture and Foreign Affairs Committees, last month urged U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to prioritize the reopening of Chinese markets on behalf of Nebraska producers and American agriculture.

In May, China banned all pork imports from the U.S. due to “swine flue” concerns.  China had been a growing market for American meat producers, accounting for $560 million in pork exports in 2008.  The nation represents an enormous market opportunity, as China itself accounts for 47 percent of world pork consumption.  USDA notes that two-way trade of agricultural, fish, and forest products between the U.S. and China has grown in recent years to over $21 billion per year.

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]]> Fortenberry Commentary on State and Regional Unemployment Numbers tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2700 Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued state and regional unemployment data for the month of September.  The good news is that Nebraska’s state unemployment fell from five percent to 4.9 percent last month.  However, an analysis of the unemployment trends in several of our neighboring states shows that while our unemployment may currently be low, the economic situation is still very delicate.

In February of this year (before the passage of Washington’s stimulus spending bill), Nebraska’s state unemployment was at 4.2 percent.  Since then, we have seen a 14 percent rise in unemployment—which is comparatively low to what our neighbors in Iowa and Wyoming experienced. 

Wyoming’s unemployment figures were just slightly lower than Nebraska’s in February, at 3.9 percent.  However, since then Wyoming experienced a significant 74.4 percent increase in unemployment, and 6.8 percent of the state is now unemployed.  Iowa’s unemployment figures in February were also close to ours, at 4.9 percent.  6.7 percent of Iowans are now unemployed, however, which is a 36.7 percent increase.

These trends should give us pause to consider that while Nebraska is fortunately not experiencing the severity of the economic downturns in other states at this time due to our strong agricultural economy and economic diversity, we are not immune.

]]> Fortenberry Supports Market Reforms tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2699 Washington, DC – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today voted to advance legislation that would reduce risks of financial market volatility by regulating certain activities involving financial and commodity speculation.  Fortenberry joined his colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee in advancing HR 3795, the “Over the Counter Derivatives Market Act of 2009.”

“Over the last several years, we have seen market instability and the distortion of commodity markets,” Fortenberry said.  “This legislation would help mitigate the risks of market volatility by strengthening measures of accountability and transparency in commodities trading and certain financial instruments.  At the same time, it preserves legitimate futures market opportunities for farmers and manufacturers, the end-users of commodities for whom this market was originally intended.”

Fortenberry has long advocated oversight and review of commodity market speculation. He is Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee's Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee, and a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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]]> Fortenberry Bill Aids Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts, Assists Sustainable Energy Systems in Developing Nations tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2671 Lincoln, NE – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry has introduced legislation (H.R. 3774) to promote sustainable sources of non-nuclear energy in developing nations and stem the spread of nuclear technology’s military potential.

“The spread of nuclear weapons poses a grave and serious threat to global security,” Fortenberry said.   “In a far-sighted yet long-overlooked provision, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 called for America to help develop sustainable sources of non-nuclear energy in volatile parts of the world, mitigating the risks of nuclear technology spreading to those who would do us harm.  We are now in both an international and technological position to advance this important goal.  It is time to move forward.”

Title V of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 required the United States to work with developing countries in assessing and finding ways to meet their energy needs through sustainable alternatives to nuclear energy that are consistent with economic factors, material resources, and environmental protection.  Efforts to implement these goals, however, never materialized.

By encouraging the United States to implement Title V, the Fortenberry legislation would act on a key recent recommendation of the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.  The Commission noted Title V’s value in potentially lowering the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.

Fortenberry is co-founder of the House Nuclear Security Caucus and a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Democracy Partnership.

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]]> Fortenberry to Hold Blair Town Hall Meeting on Friday tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2669 Lincoln, NE -- Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will be hosting an “Open Door” town hall meeting with constituents on Friday, October 9, 2009, in Blair.  The meeting will be held at the Durham Center on the Dana College Campus and will begin at 11:45 a.m. and conclude at 12:45 p.m. 

Any constituent interested in discussing issues before Congress is invited to attend.  Please call Congressman Fortenberry’s Lincoln office toll-free at 1-866-725-5255 with any questions.

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]]> Fortenberry Comments on Historic U.N. Security Council Session tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2663 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, co-founder of the House of Representatives Nuclear Security Caucus, today commented on this morning’s session of the United Nations Security Council, which unanimously adopted a United States-led resolution calling on nations to take concrete steps to reduce nuclear dangers.  This U.N. Security Council session was the first to focus specifically on nuclear proliferation and disarmament. 

“This was an historic moment centered on stemming the dangerous tide of nuclear proliferation,” said Fortenberry.  “And as was noted, this multilateral dialogue must not be a one-time event.  The unanimous adoption of this resolution hopefully indicates a collective will of the responsible community of nations to work together to quell grave nuclear threats.   However, lofty rhetoric and collegial expressions of commitment need to be met with action and enforcement by each nation.”

Earlier this year Fortenberry successfully amended the Foreign Relations Reauthorization Act to strengthen nuclear safeguards by incorporating key recommendations of the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, including the implementation of near-real-time surveillance and wide-area surveillance at facilities of concern.  It would also provide for routine assessment of the International Atomic Energy Agency's ability to meet its inspection goals, and support appropriate means of visitor registry and country-by-country inventory of nuclear materials.

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]]> Fortenberry: Congress Should Review Afghan Strategy tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2661 Asks that General McChrystal Testify Before Lawmakers


Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today called for testimony before Congress from the Administration and the top military commander in Afghanistan regarding the assessment of military operations there.  A classified memo from General Stanley McChrystal to the President was made public earlier this week.   It is anticipated that the President and Gen. McChrystal will request additional resources and more troops in Afghanistan within the next year.

“As the military has pointed out, the situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating,” Fortenberry said.  “Given this development, I believe the President should direct General McChrystal to present a full assessment of operations in Afghanistan directly to Congress, as General Petraeus did when he first took command in Iraq.  This situation is gravely serious. The American people deserve to know that decisions requiring sacrifice on the part of our military are fully informed and carefully deliberated.”

Shortly after taking office, President Obama ordered 17,000 combat troops to Afghanistan.  In March, the President announced a new strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, including an additional 4,000 American troops in Afghanistan. 

Fortenberry is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee.


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]]> Fortenberry Comments on President Obama's Address to U.N. General Assembly tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2660 Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today commented on President Obama’s first address to the United Nations General Assembly.  Speaking before an audience of world leaders, the President described the “four pillars” upon which his Administration would seek to engage the international community—namely, progress in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, the promotion of peace and security throughout the world, the preservation of the planet, and the creation of an equitable global economy.

“I noted the President’s emphasis that an increasingly globally interconnected world demands responsibility from all partners of the international community,” said Fortenberry.  “As the President stated, Americans will not tolerate empty criticism from those who choose to simply sit on the sidelines while expecting America to bear all burdens.”

Regarding nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, the Administration seeks to promote a set of international treaties to reduce the dangers posed by nuclear weapons.

“Nuclear weapons proliferation is a threat to the very existence of mankind,” said Fortenberry.  “There needs to be an international commitment to stem the spread of nuclear materials and technologies to those who wish to do us harm.”

Congressman Fortenberry is co-founder of the House of Representatives Nuclear Security Caucus.  Yesterday he led a discussion about the pros and cons of the United States ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, one of President Obama’s major foreign policy goals.  Fortenberry is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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]]> Fortenberry Calls for 72 Hours to Read the Bills tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2659 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today cosponsored a bill that would give Congress and the American public 72 hours to review legislation online before it is considered on the House Floor.  Fortenberry today participated in a national press conference outside the United States Capitol Building, urging his colleagues in the House of Representatives to take prompt action on this measure.

“It is critically important for both the people and their representatives to have access to legislation for a minimum of three days in order to review what are often very complex bills,” said Fortenberry.  “I have heard from thousands of constituents who are concerned with the rush in which Congress has passed a dizzying array of interventions, sometimes with only a few hours to review them.  This must stop.  The American people deserve better.”

“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” Fortenberry added.  “This is about institutional reform of the House of Representatives for the benefit of the American people.”

In 2006, Fortenberry proposed a similar three-day requirement to the Speaker of the House as part of an ethics reform package with changes related to lobbying and House rules.  In his letter, he stated, “Except in extraordinary circumstances, I believe that all Members should have at least three legislative days to review conference reports and other major legislation, such as appropriations bills, before they reach the House Floor.  This would also benefit constituents who are interested in reviewing legislation before it is considered on the Floor.” 

Fortenberry is a Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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]]> House Bill Discriminates Against Suffering Nebraska Families tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2658 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today voted against H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009.  This legislation, which would
extend the current unemployment benefits extension program by 13 weeks for states with unemployment rates above 8.5%, would apply to only 28 states and the District of Columbia, and provide no unemployment relief for unemployed Nebraskans.

“This bill discriminates against people who are suffering in Nebraska,” said Fortenberry.  “If you are without a job, you are 100 percent unemployed, and it should not matter whether you are unemployed in Nebraska, Ohio, Michigan, or anywhere else.  It’s wrong.  It’s unfair.”

Unemployed individuals in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming would see no extension of benefits under this bill.

Fortenberry is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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]]> Fortenberry Comments Prior to President's Address on Health Care tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2639 Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today released the following statement in advance of President Obama’s address before a Joint Session of Congress:

“The President has an opportunity to build a framework for potential agreement with the American people and their representatives on solutions for strengthening our health care system.  But if there is a persistence on the government-run option as the essential solution, this will erode health care liberties and only create a more divisive and volatile political environment.

“I believe it would serve the President well to recognize that most people are generally satisfied with their current health care coverage, but not the rising costs.  A fresh, bipartisan approach should be both proportional to the problems that do exist for some Americans, such as pre-existing conditions, and focus on the essential question of how we improve health outcomes and reduce costs while protecting vulnerable persons. 

“As I continue to emphasize, building a culture of prevention and wellness, strengthening the best of patient-centered care, and creating new insurance models can help meet these goals.”

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]]> High School Students Dialogue with Fortenberry at Lincoln Town Halls tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2638 Lincoln, NE —  Congressman Jeff Fortenberry yesterday met with over 450 Nebraskans at two separate town hall meetings to discuss the health care legislation pending before Congress.  The first town hall, held at the People’s City Mission, drew nearly 150; the second, held in the evening at Southwest High School, drew approximately 300 interested participants, including over 30 high school students.

“We had a thoughtful and courteous dialogue on the health care bill,” said Fortenberry.  “There were many differing views and concerns presented and I appreciated the polite and respectful civic engagement on this important issue that affects how Americans will get the health care they need.”

“I was especially encouraged by the attendance of two groups of high school students from Lincoln Southwest and Lincoln Christian.  This debate affects every American and I’m very pleased the students contributed to this important discussion.”

In addition to these town halls, Fortenberry has held five town halls via telephone, multiple local roundtables, and a congressional field hearing in Lincoln to discuss health care in recent weeks.  He also spoke to over 700 attendees at a recent Chamber of Commerce event, as well as the Lincoln Independent Business Association.

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]]> Fortenberry Continues Health Care Forums with Town Hall Meetings in Lincoln Thursday tag:fortenberry.house.gov,2009://16.2635 Lincoln, NE – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will conduct two town hall meetings with constituents in Lincoln on Thursday, August 27.  The first will be held at the People’s City Mission starting at 2 pm.  The second will begin at 7 pm at Lincoln Southwest High School.

Fortenberry, who earlier in the month hosted a public congressional field hearing entitled “Addressing the ‘Health’ in Health Care: Nutrition, Prevention, and Wellness Practices” at Lincoln’s Madonna ProActive, will hear thoughts and ideas from constituents and continue to examine the question of improving health outcomes, reducing costs, and protecting vulnerable persons.  

The meetings are open to the public and media is welcome to attend.  Following the People’s City Mission meeting, Congressman Fortenberry will review facilities at the Mission, including its newly opened free health clinic, which serves the neediest in our community.  After the meeting at Southwest High School, Fortenberry will stay to speak with constituents who wish to visit personally.

Fortenberry Town Hall Meetings

Thursday, August 27, 2009

People’s City Mission Town Hall Meeting
People’s City Mission110 Q Street, Lincoln
2:00 p.m.

 
Lincoln Southwest High School Town Hall Meeting
Lincoln Southwest High School
7001 S 14th Street, Lincoln
7:00 p.m.

In addition to the public field hearing on August 5, Fortenberry has conducted five town halls by telephone with constituents across the First District in the last five weeks, as well as met individually with constituents at his Lincoln office throughout August. 

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