Culberson for Congress

Culberson Releases 2nd Quarter Fundraising Numbers

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:15:00 GMT

Culberson Releases 2^nd Quarter Fundraising Numbers

Congressman John Culberson's campaign released his fundraising report totals for the second quarter of 2008 today, showing a stellar $394,000 raised for the quarter. His total fundraising for the cycle is over $1 million, and his current cash on hand is $550,000. For the quarter, Congressman Culberson received contributions from 358 individuals, 80 percent of whom live in District Seven and 97 percent in Texas, for a total of $245,000. That total also includes an impressive 36 percent who gave under $200.

"I am extremely grateful for the generous and widespread support I've received from across District Seven. My constituents appreciate the work I'm doing to open up the Katy Freeway in record time, get federal spending under control and cut taxes, secure our borders, and to lower gas prices by expanding our access to domestic energy sources. I'm talking to District Seven voters every day, vastly expanding my network of friends and donors, and I'm humbled by their overwhelming support," Congressman Culberson said.

Culberson Comments on Opponents New Ads

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:15:00 GMT

Culberson Comments on Opponent's New Ads

My opponent is a newcomer to Houston and to politics, so I would expect him to spend a lot of money introducing himself. The loyalty and trust of District 7 voters cannot be bought; it must be earned. Voters know that I keep my word and that they can count on me to represent them honorably and consistently as a free market conservative.

I was outspent 7 to 1 in my first race for Congress, and I have run against millionaires before, but never against one who raised so much money from outside of Texas. My opponent is another millionaire Democrat trying to buy a seat in Congress, and while his money may generate headlines, it won’t influence voters. I am completely focused on doing my job representing District 7, and I am confident that as long as I continue to do the right things for the right reasons, the politics will follow

Congressman Culberson Pioneers Real Time Representation

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Congressman Culberson Pioneers Real Time Representation In an effort to become a more accessible representative, I have discovered the extent and potential of social media. I will keep expanding my use of these tools beyond Qik, Twitter, Utterz and Ustream to communicate with constituents and anyone interested in a polite thoughtful debate/discussion. I began using this new technology this past May, and have since been communicating with the public in real time through text messaging and live video streamed directly to the internet. Anyone can sign up on these free communities and open a direct dialog with me. I have been able to answer questions, take suggestions from the public and become more accountable in my day-to-day undertakings in Washington. I am the first to personally send a text message (through Twitter.com) on the House floor, soliciting YOUR input on current legislation. Last Tuesday, an alert was sent from Repub. Leader John Boehners staff and announced on his...

Houston Metro Area Ranks 2nd Among the Nation's Export Markets

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Houston Metro Area Ranks 2nd Among the Nation’s Export Markets

Today the U.S. Commerce Department announced new data in a series that precisely measures merchandise export values for metropolitan areas. Through the first half of 2007, the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area was the second largest export market in the United States, with sales in the global marketplace totaling $29.9 billion. Twenty-four percent of Houston’s merchandise exports go to NAFTA countries, plainly illustrating the economic value of open markets.

“Exports are powering the U.S. economy,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. “Opening new markets for Houston’s exporters will further bolster the metropolitan area trade and support local jobs. In the first half of 2007, the benefit of existing free trade agreements on Houston’s economy is clear having exported $7.3 billion to Canada and Mexico, and $817 million to Central America and the Dominican Republic.”

Key Houston Trade Facts:

The Houston metropolitan area exported $29.9 billion worth of goods in the first half of 2007.

Mexico was the leading export destination for Houston’s exports of goods in the first half of 2007. Other leading destinations were Canada and China.

Chemicals was the top Houston export for the first half of 2007, accounting for $10.4 billion, or 35 percent, of exported goods.

Other top exports were machinery manufactures ($5.9 billion, 20 percent), petroleum and coal products ($5.2 billion, 17 percent), and computers and electronic products ($3.0 billion, 10 percent).

Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of Houston’s merchandise exports go to NAFTA countries.

Background: The data series contains merchandise export values for 369 metropolitan areas. Service export values are not included in this series. Available for 2005, 2006, and now first half 2007, this data also contains metro area exports as a percent of the state total, where possible; product exports to individual countries for the 50 largest metropolitan areas; top global export product categories; and total exports to ten regional destinations.

FISA Update

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:00:00 GMT

FISA Update

Earlier today President Bush signed the FISA Amendments Act into law. Congressman Culberson is a strong supporter of this legislation because it provides the necessary tools to our intelligence community to track and target international terrorists.

This new law provides for the continuation of key surveillance efforts to target foreign terrorist suspects in foreign countries. It streamlines the process to obtain FISA court orders and includes civil liberty protections for U.S. citizens. It also includes language that restricts lawsuits against phone companies who acted in good faith to assist law enforcement efforts during our national crisis after 9/11. This so-called telecom immunity language has been the source of controversy over the last few months and during passage, Senate Intelligence Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) clearly stated the importance of including this provision: “Private companies who cooperated with the government in good faith, as the facts before the congressional Intelligence committees demonstrated they did, should not be held accountable for the president’s bad policy decisions.”

Democrat led Congress has finally passed a responsible Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Democrat led Congress has finally passed a responsible Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act I am happy to report that the Democrat led Congress has finally passed a responsible Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, (FISA), that President Bush can sign. FISA expired earlier this year, and months ago, the Senate passed a bipartisan FISA bill providing the intelligence community with the tools and resources it needs to conduct surveillance and the House has now followed suit on this long overdue renewal. The final FISA bill protects the rights of Americans by requiring a court order to listen in to domestic phone calls, and allows our intelligence services to listen in to phone calls between foreigners in foreign countries with an administrative order. The plotted terrorist attack on skyscrapers in Los Angeles and other attacks in the US and in Iraq were prevented using these long established surveillance techniques. I believe in Benjamin Franklins admonition that someone who...

Culberson Speaks Out Against Merida Initiative

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Culberson Speaks Out Against Merida Initiative

“It is inexcusable, it is intolerable for us to send one dime to the Mexican government when they can afford to pay for this equipment themselves. But even more importantly than that, our southern border is not secure.”

Congressman Culberson spoke on the House floor yesterday in opposition to the Merida Initiative, a plan that would send $1.6 billion dollars to Mexico and Central America over the next three years. Congressman Culberson requested a recorded vote on the legislation, which passed 311-106.

The proposal would provide equipment, training and resources for Mexican law enforcement officers to fight drug trafficking and drug-related violence.

The Congressman opposed the plan because our border sheriffs, border patrol agents, U.S. marshals, federal judges, and prosecutors need this funding to expand the successful zero tolerance program, Operation Streamline. This program has been implemented in several U.S. border sectors and has effectively reduced crime and drug trafficking.

U.S. Financial Burden

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

U.S. Financial Burden

My highest priority as your Congressman is to protect our prosperity now and in the future by working to keep the U. S. Treasury, and our children and grandchildren, from going deeper into debt. On every vote and on every issue, I always remember our nation’s immense unfunded financial burden. Unfortunately, as you can see on pages 5 and 6 of this important GAO report, this $53 trillion unfunded financial burden grew by 158% since 2000. This is the principle reason I have voted against so many spending initiatives since I was sworn in as your Congressman in January 2001.

Congressman John Culberson starts Qikking

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Culberson starts Qikking

May25

by bhaskar

Make a comment | Permalink

US Congressman John Culberson from the 7th district of Texas starts Qikking and is planning to Qik Mars Landing at NASA. This is again for one of the history books as John becomes the first congressman in US to start using Qik. His profile on Qik is qik.com/johnculberson.

Congressman Culberson Opposes the Farm Bill

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Congressman Culberson Opposes the Farm Bill

Food prices are on the rise worldwide and American families are paying record prices for their groceries, yet the current version of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) that passed the House last week costs $714 billion and would increase subsidies by $20 billion over the next decade. The USDA reports that total net farm income has risen 56% in the past two years alone.

The top five crops (cotton, soybeans, corn, wheat and rice) receiving government assistance have enjoyed massive price spikes since the bill was last reauthorized in 2002. The price of cotton has increased by 105%; the price of wheat by 256%, so there is no justification for more subsidies. This bill even repeals the limit on the total amount of subsidies a farmer can receive, and continues direct payments regardless of crop prices.

The Farm Bill expands the size and scope of the federal government by creating new government mandates on the private sector and it vastly expands entitlement programs. Comptroller David Walker says balancing the budget in 2040 could require actions as bold as “cutting total federal spending by 60 percent or raising federal taxes to 2 times today’s level.” For all of these reasons, I voted against the Farm Bill in July 2007 and again last week, and I will vote to uphold the president’s veto.

Skelly out raises Culberson

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Skelly out raises Culberson.

KHOU 11 news story

IVR Poll Shows Culberson Well Ahead

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:00:00 GMT

TX CD7 - 4/8

Thursday, 10 April 2008

Michael Skelly made news recently by reporting extremely robust fundraising for a first time Democratic challenger in a traditionally Republican district. A high dollar DC pollster surveyed the race back in December and found him trailing incumbent John Culberson 52 to 33, with 16% undecided. After voters heard 'positive bios' for both candidates, that became a tie at 44. With the recent flurry of news on Skelly's fundraising, I thought I'd poll the race and see if there had been movement. Skelly's campaign has been out blockwalking, and I have noticed many online ads, but I don't think they have done any traditional advertising at this point.

My poll asked a series of questions about possible presidential matchups, the Senate race and finally the CD7 race. I also asked about the 2004 Bush/Kerry vote, which came back 64/36 for Bush, in line with the actual results for the district. Of the presidential matchups, Obama did slightly better than Clinton against McCain, but the Republican held a large lead in both matchups.

In the CD7 race, I identified each candidate's party, which may explain the unexpectedly low undecided response. Only 4% said they were undecided, with Culberson receiving 57% to Skelly's 39%. On the other hand, there was a significant amount of mixed-party support in various forms. Some went with Cornyn and Skelly, others with Noriega and Culberson, some that went Democratic for president but Republican for the lower ticket races and some that went McCain, Noriega and Skelly. Less than half supported all three Republicans, though that is probably the best spin for the Democrats to come out of this poll. Enough voters are willing to consider a non-Republican, but a Democratic candidate would need flawless execution and a little luck. Read enire article.

Culberson Votes for Tax Rebate Legislation to Boost the Economy

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:15:00 GMT

Culberson Votes for Tax Rebate Legislation to Boost the Economy This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act, an important bill designed to help boost the slowing economy. The stimulus package has four components, the most essential of which provides hard working families with tax rebates. The bill would provide rebates of up to $600 for individual s and up to $1200 for married couple s filing jointly. Eligibility for the rebates would gradually decrease as the taxable income exceeds $75,000 for individuals or $150,000 for married couples. Families who qualify for rebate checks under the bill would receive additional payments of $300 for each child under the age of 17. After passage of the bill, Congressman Culberson said Americans are taxed far too much and should be trusted with their hard earned money. The rebates...

Border crossings cut by Texas crackdown

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends, I hope you and your family have a happy New Year! I wanted to share an article about Operation Streamline, an important law enforcement program that has been implemented in several areas along the border with Mexico. In the fight to secure our borders this program is already producing significant results. The Houston Chronicle refuses to cover any story that does not fit their open borders and anti-Republican agenda. The excerpts below and the link are from a story that ran in the Washington Times about the work I am doing to reinstate law and order on southern border by enforcing the law. Operation Streamline has the full support of the local communities and the local congressmen because everyone wants safer streets and neighborhoods for their families. At a press conference on October 26 Border Patrol Sector Chief Carlos Carrillo made this statement about the expansion of Operation Streamline to Laredo: There is no question that the Streamline program works. I...

Zero Tolerance Reducing Illegal Crossings in Laredo

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Date: 12/21/07 Zero Tolerance Reducing Illegal Crossings in Laredo After 45 days, zero tolerance in Laredo is already achieving significant results. Under this policy, anyone caught illegally entering the country is arrested, prosecuted, and jailed. These consequences are deterring people from illegally crossing the border. Compared to last year, 33 percent fewer people are attempting to cross and crime has dropped 36 percent. I am proud to have helped expand this policy to the Laredo Sector and I will not rest until zero tolerance is in force from Brownsville to San Diego. • Border Patrol Laredo Sector began the Streamline-Laredo program on October 31, 2007. • Under this program, all persons who illegally enter the United States in the Laredo Sector at locations designated for zero–tolerance are prosecuted in federal court for violation of Title 8 USC...

The No Energy Bill

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Date: 12/21/07 The No Energy Bill The following article is the best explanation I have yet read of the severe problems with the so called Energy Bill. I completely agree with Congressman Barton and joined him in voting no on this legislation. This bill will drive up the cost of our cars, our fuel, and appliances, just to give short sighted politicians a few feel good headlines. In the short-term, I am focused on opening up domestic oil and gas production, building more refineries, and more nuclear, natural gas, and coal fired electric plants. We must also provide incentives for people to use alternative sources of energy and invest heavily in new technology, especially nanotechnology, for the long-term. This combined approach will free America from OPEC and Middle Eastern nations, and make us energy independent. Joe is Right Waxahachie Daily Light ...

Great News on Securing the Border

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Date: 12/20/07 Great News on Securing the Border First Session of 110th Congress Adjourns I have great news to share with you during this holiday season. Congress just adjourned for the year, and despite our minority status, Republicans stuck together to achieve victory. As a result, Congress spent less money, the border will be more secure, 20 million Americans will be spared from an enormous tax increase, and needy children will get to keep their health insurance. Late yesterday afternoon, Congress passed a government funding bill that reduces federal spending by $22 billion from what the Democrat majority proposed. It also contains no restrictions or timetables on our men and women in uniform, so our troops have the freedom they need to win the war in Iraq and come home as soon as they believe it is safe to do so. My proudest accomplishment...

Culberson Personally Obtains Needed Funding to Secure the Border

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Culberson Personally Obtains Needed Funding to Secure the Border December 19, 2007 Congressmen John Culberson and Ciro Rodriguez announced today they succeeded in providing $60 million in extra funding to help secure Americas borders. Congressman Culberson also announced he obtained $15 million to help implement a successful zero tolerance immigration enforcement program and $5 million specifically for the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition. Congressman Rodriguez and I worked together as Texans to earn this $60 million for border security, and we are proud of the result. This money can be used by local law enforcement agencies on Americas borders to pay for deputies overtime, vehicle maintenance, equipment costs, mileage, fuel, and travel. I am also proud of the $15 million designated for the U. S. Marshals service on the border to help them handle the increased workload created by Operation Streamline, the zero tolerance immigration enforcement program now in place in the Del Rio...

Culberson Helping Houston Medical Facilities

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:15:00 GMT

Date: 12/19/07 Culberson Helping Houston Medical Facilities Congressman Culberson is dedicated to ensuring that Houstonians continue to have the best health facilities in the world. The Congressman personally was able to help the Texas Medical Center and other Harris County hospitals and health research centers receive $4.72 million this year. • $1.4 million for the Alliance for NanoHealth, which is a collaboration between the Baylor College of Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Rice University, the University of Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Medical Branch • $243,000 for the Harris County Hospital District for cardiac monitors • $365,000 for Methodist Hospital for a mass spectrometer • $195,000 for Memorial Hermann for Neighborhood Health Center...

The Case for Commuter Rail

noemail@culbersonforcongress.com — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Date: 12/17/07 The Case for Commuter Rail Time is our most precious commodity. Whether we spend it with family and friends, at work, or just relaxing, time allows us to do the things that we enjoy. But unlike other commodities, time is finite and irreplaceable. Every day we drive to work in the morning and sit in traffic on our crowded freeways, we lose time. Houston drivers lose an estimated 56 hours every year because of traffic. The reason is simple: The number of cars and trucks on the road has gone up faster than new roads are built. The solution to our traffic problems involves a combination of freeways, toll roads and mass transit. It can be seen partly in the record-setting reconstruction of the Katy Freeway with its signature toll lanes and express commuter bus service. This model freeway is being completely rebuilt in half the time originally...