My tears are flowing, and I am stunned and angered that Gabby Giffords was savagely gunned down while performing her congressional duties. I am praying for Gabby, and my thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy go out to her family, as well as the families of each of the victims.

Gabby Giffords governed with integrity and wisdom. We came to Congress together and I had the privilege of knowing her as a friend and colleague.

It is my hope and expectation that the coward who carried out this horrific act of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I extend my hand of friendship to her family and staff and will keep them in my prayers.

I urge my colleagues to consider what the Claims Settlement Act truly presents before voting on the bill this week. This legislation includes over a billion dollars to settle the Pigford II discrimination claims with black farmers. Unfortunately, Pigford is rife with fraudulent claims and to settle before an investigation can take place does the American taxpayer a disservice. Justice should be served to those who experienced discrimination, but settlement funds should only go to those wronged.

By the National Black Farmers Association’s own data, only 18,000 black farmers exist in the United States, but under Pigford II 94,000 claims of racial discrimination have been filed thus far. A number of individuals involved in Pigford, ranging from USDA officials to black farmers themselves, are ready and willing to appear as witnesses before Congress to bring these allegations into the light.
(more…)

Too many elected officials are far too comfortable spending taxpayer dollars without knowing where that money will actually end up. This was proven once again by the Senate’s vote to fund the Pigford Settlements, even though serious claims of fraud exist.

In September, I joined my colleagues Congressmen Steve King (IA-05) and Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) to call for a full investigation into the Pigford Settlement Case. As a constant advocate for careful use of taxpayer dollars, I was concerned when I learned that this Settlement has 94,000 claims of discrimination, even though only approximately 33,000 black farmers exist in the United States.

(more…)

Speaker Pelosi is calling the 435 House members to DC next week for the purpose of spending another $26 billion we don’t have. We were on a six week hiatus, and members had scattered to the four corners of the Earth.

Speaker Pelosi and President Obama have already spent $3.6 trillion on “stimulus,” so for them, $26 billion doesn’t rise to the level of a day at the beach, so why bring us all back to DC?

Could it be because their most loyal constituency and political foot soldiers, many of whom could be facing the never before seen horror of a government employee let go due to lack of state and local tax receipts, need to be reminded whose hand quite literally feeds them?

Spending is the least popular item on the public’s mind right now, but it looks to me like this $26 billion has more to do with fully funding the union political action coffers and making sure the left’s political “volunteers” get the message to get out the Democrat vote.

(more…)

We are $13 trillion in debt. We will be $19.6 trillion in debt come 2015. Yet, the President wants to send $400 million for “humanitarian aid” to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, an area controlled by the terrorist organization Hamas. As well intentioned this offer may be how can we be sure our money will not be used to fund terrorist activities? Well, we can’t.

If the money given to the late PLO chief Yasser Arafat is any indication, our dollars will be used to fund more terrorist activities and line the pockets of those in charge. Moreover, people have been sentenced to prison for funneling money to Hamas under the guise of “humanitarian aid,” so it’s a bit peculiar that our government would send money under the same conditions.

(more…)

Once again the liberal media has shown its true colors! The White House media dinosaur, also known as Helen Thomas has called on Jews to leave Israel and move back to Poland and Germany. This anti-Semitic sentiment has no place in our public discourse. I call upon her employer, Heart Corporation to dismiss her at once! The White House needs to revoke her press credentials immediately.

(more…)

President Obama has once again shown his lack of judgment, by sending Attorney General Eric Holder down to the Gulf of Mexico to investigate possible litigation. Clearly, the White House has misplaced priorities, instead of sending more engineers and experts, we are sending down trial lawyers to determine possible punitive damages. The President makes time in his daily schedule to appear regularly on television programs, yet his recent trip to Louisiana only lasted a handful of hours. Instead of concentrating on stemming the ongoing oil spill, the Obama administration is opening up a new gusher, full of litigation and trial lawyers. Is this the best President Obama can do to stop the oil spill?

The Obama administration has already bailed out everything within its sight in the United States, now we are looking at footing the bill for foreign nations. First we bailed out the insurance industry, the auto industry, the housing industry, the banking industry, along with other struggling sectors of our economy,  now we are turning our sights on bailing out Greece.

This is wrong and the American people should not be asked to foot the bill for this bailout.

(more…)

The fact is that Democrats in congress are trying to protect their own.  This financial reform bill gives government the power to permanently bailout Wall Street. Should government have the authority to pick and choose who gets the designation of “too big to fail” ?, a direct ticket to the gravy train and a further expense to tax payers.

(more…)

Tomorrow, I have the honor and privilege of welcoming Governor Sarah Palin to my home state of Minnesota, where she will join me on the campaign trail for a rally at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I want to let you know that just because you’re not in the area, it doesn’t mean you can’t take part in the event. The rally will start at 2pm CT, and it will be streaming live on my website:www.michelebachmann.com.

Sean Hannity will also be joining us in Minnesota tomorrow, and he will be filming his TV show right from the rally. I encourage everyone to tune in to Fox News Channel and follow along!

(more…)

Yesterday, President Obama signed into law the Democrats’ trillion-dollar health care takeover, meaning that one-sixth of the United States economy has now come under the purview of the federal government.

Keep in mind Arizona State economics professor William Boyes has estimated that the government already owns or controls about one-third of U.S. economic activity through the takeover of General Motors, the partial ownership of two of the country’s largest banks in Bank of America and Citigroup, and the seizure of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as AIG. Combine those two numbers, and we’re looking at roughly half of the U.S. economy.

This is not the direction we want to be heading.

(more…)

My friends,

I am proud to introduce a bill today, that would repeal the monstrosity that passed yesterday. The bill that barely passed, can only be described as a killer bill.

It kills jobs, it kills opportunity, it kills promises that taxes wont rise, and we all know it will be a killer to the unborn. Sadly, the only bipartisan aspect of yesterday’s voting was the opposition to the legislation. Dozens of brave Democrats, stood up and voted against Pelosi’s wishes.

However, the fight is far from over.

(more…)

I wanted to let all my friends in Pittsburgh know about a great opportunity that will be happening TONIGHT!

Several members of congress will be appearing live via a video town hall at the Four Points By Sheraton Pittsburgh North, from 7pm – 9pm. I encourage everyone in the surrounding areas to show up and join us. We will be discussing the latest that is happening with the liberal takeover of health care.  I will be joined by some of the bravest members in the house, including Steve King of Iowa, Louie Gohmert of Texas and Todd Akin of Missouri.

Lets send a message to Washington, America does not want this legislation! This is the final push, and I hope you can join us tonight!

This event is sponsored by the NRCC and is not organized at the Governments Expense.

This is it. It seems that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is almost done twisting arms and leadership has just announced a vote in as little as 72 hours. That would make the final vote this Sunday.

I am abhorred that Pro-life democrats are asked to vote on a pro-abortion mandate this Sunday, the Sabbath. This is the Easter season for Christians, a period of time called lent. Speaker Pelosi is demanding pro-life Democrats profane the Sabbath with a vote that will force all Americans to pay for other people’s abortions. This is a first in American history and a new low for Speaker Pelosi and President Obama.