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Audio Feature: This week in news for Representative John Faso
May 29, 2017 12:03 am
Click here (6:39) to listen to WGXC's Congressional report, a look back at the week in news for Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook).
Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) released a statement after President Donald Trump's staff released a federal budget proposal for 2018. “President Trump’s 2018 budget plan makes some notable, and welcome, recommendations such as balancing the budget in 10 years and boosting our national defense readiness," Faso's statement read. "Deep cuts to domestic programs, however, would threaten Upstate New Yorkers at a time when a still-struggling regional economy and fragile jobs market have left many families concerned about the future. As a member of the Budget Committee, I intend to thoroughly review the details of this suggested budget plan and offer my support for policies and programs that thoughtfully reform federal spending and protect programs critical to our communities.”
James Nani at The Fray reports that Ulster County Executive Mike Hein will decide if he's running for Congress by the end of July. Hein, from the Town of Hurley, is a Democrat in his third term as Ulster County executive. In 2016, several local Democrats urged him to run against John Faso (R-Kinderhook), but he decided to keep his current job. Six other Democrats have said they’re running for the 19th District seat. The district includes all or part of 11 counties, including all of Greene and Columbia counties. So far, 28-year-old Gareth Rhodes of Kerhonkson, 40-year-old Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck, 26-year-old Steven Brisee of Walden, 47-year-old Brian Flynn of Hunter, 52-year-old Sue Sullivan of Plattekill, and 40-year-old Jeffrey Beal of Woodstock have announced intentions to run. Flynn and Delgado have raised significant funds, according to federal election records. And Faso has also filed to run for again in 2018. Read the full story at The Fray.
Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) has added an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017, which would stop any new barge anchorage sites to be established on the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston for at least a year. With Coast Guard funding set to expire, the bill is likely to pass with the amendment. Currently, the Coast Guard has a proposal to create ten anchorage spots for large barges on that portion of the Hudson River. The proposal has seen widespread, bi-partisan dissent locally. “The Hudson River, like any finite resource, can only thrive when it is shared responsibly and all voices are heard. Since news of the Coast Guard’s proposal emerged, I have urged the agency to work with our communities and listen to their concerns. I saw the opportunity with a must-pass piece of legislation affecting the Coast Guard to add a provision which would halt the anchorage process and get this provision enacted into law,” Faso was quoted in a press release.
On May 25 Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 which changes the Clean Water Act to allow companies an easier time discharging pesticides in waterways. The bill passed 256-to-165, with only one Republican voting against, and 25 Democrats on board. This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency or a state from requiring a permit for a discharge of a pesticide into navigable waters if the discharge is approved under FIFRA.
Richard Moody in The Daily Mail reports that when John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the recent version of the Republican healthcare plan, he didn't wait for the Congressional Budget Office to release a report on the proposal. Now the CBO says 23 million Americans will lose health insurance under the plan, and many more could have much higher costs if any states opt out of certain provisions. “I do not agree with the CBO’s analysis as to losses of insurance coverage and specifically do not agree with their belief that some states will seek the waiver option permitted under the legislation,” Faso said. “I intend to fully review the contents of the report, just as I reviewed the initial analysis of the underlying elements of the American Health Care Act prior to its passage.” Under the plan, states are allowed waivers for required minimum standards of coverage and insurers are allowed to set premiums on the basis of an individual’s health if that person had a lapse in coverage. "People who are less healthy, including those with pre-existing or newly acquired medical conditions, would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive nongroup health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law," the CBO report says. But Faso then says the report that is about one thing -- the new proposal -- should have been about something else -- the current Affordable Care Act law. “The CBO also ignores the fact that the ACA exchanges are unraveling in many parts of the nation. The key in my mind is to lower premiums and deductibles while maintaining protections for those with pre-existing conditions,” Faso said Thursday. “I expect the Senate to improve on the House-passed bill on both counts and I look forward to continuing to work to improve the health insurance system for all Americans.” Protesters turned out in the rain May 25 at Faso's Kinderhook office to protest his healthcare position. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) released a statement after President Donald Trump's staff released a federal budget proposal for 2018. “President Trump’s 2018 budget plan makes some notable, and welcome, recommendations such as balancing the budget in 10 years and boosting our national defense readiness," Faso's statement read. "Deep cuts to domestic programs, however, would threaten Upstate New Yorkers at a time when a still-struggling regional economy and fragile jobs market have left many families concerned about the future. As a member of the Budget Committee, I intend to thoroughly review the details of this suggested budget plan and offer my support for policies and programs that thoughtfully reform federal spending and protect programs critical to our communities.”
James Nani at The Fray reports that Ulster County Executive Mike Hein will decide if he's running for Congress by the end of July. Hein, from the Town of Hurley, is a Democrat in his third term as Ulster County executive. In 2016, several local Democrats urged him to run against John Faso (R-Kinderhook), but he decided to keep his current job. Six other Democrats have said they’re running for the 19th District seat. The district includes all or part of 11 counties, including all of Greene and Columbia counties. So far, 28-year-old Gareth Rhodes of Kerhonkson, 40-year-old Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck, 26-year-old Steven Brisee of Walden, 47-year-old Brian Flynn of Hunter, 52-year-old Sue Sullivan of Plattekill, and 40-year-old Jeffrey Beal of Woodstock have announced intentions to run. Flynn and Delgado have raised significant funds, according to federal election records. And Faso has also filed to run for again in 2018. Read the full story at The Fray.
Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) has added an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017, which would stop any new barge anchorage sites to be established on the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston for at least a year. With Coast Guard funding set to expire, the bill is likely to pass with the amendment. Currently, the Coast Guard has a proposal to create ten anchorage spots for large barges on that portion of the Hudson River. The proposal has seen widespread, bi-partisan dissent locally. “The Hudson River, like any finite resource, can only thrive when it is shared responsibly and all voices are heard. Since news of the Coast Guard’s proposal emerged, I have urged the agency to work with our communities and listen to their concerns. I saw the opportunity with a must-pass piece of legislation affecting the Coast Guard to add a provision which would halt the anchorage process and get this provision enacted into law,” Faso was quoted in a press release.
On May 25 Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 which changes the Clean Water Act to allow companies an easier time discharging pesticides in waterways. The bill passed 256-to-165, with only one Republican voting against, and 25 Democrats on board. This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency or a state from requiring a permit for a discharge of a pesticide into navigable waters if the discharge is approved under FIFRA.
Richard Moody in The Daily Mail reports that when John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the recent version of the Republican healthcare plan, he didn't wait for the Congressional Budget Office to release a report on the proposal. Now the CBO says 23 million Americans will lose health insurance under the plan, and many more could have much higher costs if any states opt out of certain provisions. “I do not agree with the CBO’s analysis as to losses of insurance coverage and specifically do not agree with their belief that some states will seek the waiver option permitted under the legislation,” Faso said. “I intend to fully review the contents of the report, just as I reviewed the initial analysis of the underlying elements of the American Health Care Act prior to its passage.” Under the plan, states are allowed waivers for required minimum standards of coverage and insurers are allowed to set premiums on the basis of an individual’s health if that person had a lapse in coverage. "People who are less healthy, including those with pre-existing or newly acquired medical conditions, would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive nongroup health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law," the CBO report says. But Faso then says the report that is about one thing -- the new proposal -- should have been about something else -- the current Affordable Care Act law. “The CBO also ignores the fact that the ACA exchanges are unraveling in many parts of the nation. The key in my mind is to lower premiums and deductibles while maintaining protections for those with pre-existing conditions,” Faso said Thursday. “I expect the Senate to improve on the House-passed bill on both counts and I look forward to continuing to work to improve the health insurance system for all Americans.” Protesters turned out in the rain May 25 at Faso's Kinderhook office to protest his healthcare position. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.