Newhouse Sworn in as Central Washington’s Representative in 115th Congress

On Jan. 3, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), released the following statement after taking the oath of office in the official swearing-in ceremony to represent Washington’s Fourth Congressional District in the 115th Congress:

“I am honored to represent the people of Washington’s Fourth Congressional District as their voice in the People’s House. As I took the oath today to support and defend our Constitution, my thoughts were on the liberty we possess under God and the men and women of courage who have sacrificed to ensure that we enjoy the blessings of freedom.

“It is our duty to safeguard those rights for succeeding generations. I look forward to restoring the limited role of government that is consistent with the Founders’ vision of self-government, individual liberty, and the rule of law.

“Upon being sworn in, I immediately cosponsored several pieces of legislation that are a priority to the citizens of the Fourth District. The people of Central Washington deserve thoughtful and responsive federal representation that keeps our community’s best interests as the highest priority. I am humbled by this opportunity to serve.”

Rep. Newhouse immediately cosponsored the following bills and resolutions at the start of the 115th Congress:

· H.R. XX, the Obamacare Repeal Act, sponsored by Rep. Steve King (R-IA), to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act in its entirety;

· H.R. XX, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), to recognize 2nd Amendment rights by ensuring valid concealed carry permits issued in one state are valid for carrying concealed handguns in other states that also recognize their own residents’ right to conceal carry. Each state retains the authority to determine regulations for carrying within their borders, as well as for the carry permits issued under their law;

· H.J. Res. XX, Disapproving a rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to ‘‘Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients,’’ sponsored by Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently finalized a rule that would prohibit states from blocking some funds from facilities that provide abortions. Effectively, this rule forces states to provide any qualifying funds to facilities that provide abortions, such as Planned Parenthood. This resolution would allow Congress to stop this rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA);

· H.R. XX, the Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training (ENLIST) Act, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), would allow otherwise qualified undocumented immigrants, who entered the U.S. as children and who are otherwise qualified for enlistment, the ability to gain legal status through military service. Through their patriotism, legal status would be earned with their honorable service should they choose to pursue it. The ENLIST Act would not change immigration law, but it would allow young immigrants the chance to serve the country they love. The measure has strong bipartisan support and should be a top item of discussion as Congress considers much-needed reforms to our broken immigration system.

· H.J. Res. XX, Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States, sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA). The Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) will consist of four parts: (1) it contains a requirement for a balanced annual federal budget, (2) places a spending cap on annual federal spending, (3) imposes a three-fifths supermajority vote requirement to increase the debt limit, and (4) includes a three-fifths majority requirement to raise taxes. Additionally, Rep. Goodlatte introduced another BBA that would require Congress not to spend more than it receives in revenues, would compel a true majority of each chamber to pass a tax increase, and would obligate a three-fifths majority to raise the debt limit.