PompeoForCongress.com

Americans Show Support for General Aviation

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

January 30, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WICHITA, KS - Last week marked the 1,000th signature on the AmericaFlies.us online petition, where citizens from across the United States have spoken out against President Obama's attacks on general aviation. The goal of the site is to reach 5,000 signatures. More than two dozen petition-signers have also shared their personal stories of how general aviation impacts their lives, families, communities and the economy.

The website is paid for by US Representative Mike Pompeo's campaign fund and is intended to communicate directly to President Obama that he is hurting American jobs when he disparages "fat cat jet owners."

"This is not about partisan politics," said Pompeo. "This is about jobs. Good paying jobs for the best aviation workforce in the world. General aviation is critical to so many, from pilots to controllers from mechanics to businessman trying to efficiently visit their customers, efficient productive aviation matters all across America."

Congressman Pompeo believes that by collecting 5,000 signatures, he can show the President how vital this industry is to American jobs, families and communities. The website will also allow Congressman Pompeo to share the myriad stories citizens have shared on the Aviation's Impact page of the site. Aircraft owners, operators, pilots, manufacturers, suppliers and enthusiasts from across the country and around the world have shared deeply personal stories about the importance of general aviation in their lives. Congressman Pompeo hopes these stories will change the President's mind about who really benefits from this vital American industry.

"The site has been live only a couple of weeks, and the fact that we've already surpassed 1,000 signatures proves Americans have strong feelings about this issue. I'm looking forward to showing this petition to the President when we reach 5,000 and beyond," concluded Pompeo.

For more information, visit http://www.AmericaFlies.us

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Pompeo Unveils Website and Online Petition to Promote General Aviation Industry and Protect Jobs

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

January 11, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WICHITA, KS – Congressman Mike Pompeo today unveiled a new website and online petition aimed at promoting the general aviation industry and the jobs it creates in Kansas and beyond.

“For far too long, President Obama has led the attack on the general aviation industry and the thousands of hard-working Kansans who build these planes,” Pompeo said. “We need a place for those who want to stand up against the President and say ‘I support American aviation jobs’ to gather and share their stories.”

Congressman Pompeo was joined by several local aviation leaders and union officials today at the Kansas Aviation Museum to unveil the America Flies website.

“This site carries a direct message to the President and anyone else who doesn’t understand the importance of general aviation to America: By repeatedly using the aviation industry as a tool to create class warfare for your political gain, you are hurting American jobs and families.

“Kansans—and Americans alike—will be able to sign a petition on this website and share their own stories of why the aviation industry is important to more than just the President’s so-called ‘fat cat corporate jet owners’. The people who have already shared their stories on the website are fathers, mothers, parents, children, job creators, machinists, pilots, air traffic controllers, entrepreneurs, veterans and Americans who are deeply concerned about the health of our aviation industry.

“We simply can’t allow President Obama—or anyone else—to attack an industry that has created thousands of jobs in Kansas and America. I have sent letters and made phone calls asking for this president to stop the systematic destruction of the aviation industry. He, and others who are against American job creation, continue to create policy and big government regulation, which are destroying jobs in Kansas.

“This is not about partisan politics. It’s not about having an ‘R’ or ‘D’ next to your name. This is about jobs. Good paying jobs for the best aviation workforce in the world right here in Kansas. I hope everyone who values the industry that dates back in Kansas more than 80 years, as well as Americans throughout the nation, will visit AmericaFlies.us and join our fight,” concluded Pompeo.

The URL for the America Flies http://www.americaflies.us

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www.PompeoForCongress.com

RELEASE: Former Congressman and Republican National Committeeman Todd Tiahrt Endorses Congressman Mike Pompeo in His First Reelection Bid

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

December 21, 2011 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WICHITA, KS – Former Congressman Todd Tiahrt today endorsed Congressman Mike Pompeo’s re-election bid for the United States House of Representatives for the Fourth District of Kansas.

“I supported Mike’s first campaign. Since then, he has worked hard to listen to Kansans and live up to his campaign promises during his first year in office. He has defended 2^nd Amendment rights, opposed the President’s overreaching regulations on hardworking Kansans and fought to reduce spending at every turn,” Tiahrt said. “The 4^th District of Kansas needs Mike Pompeo fighting to keep the federal government off the backs of small business owners and job creators.”

“For 16 years, Congressman Tiahrt worked diligently to ensure that we had opportunity in our Kansas communities and to ensure that Kansas was represented with great professionalism,” Pompeo said.

“There’s still plenty of work to be done in Washington. We must continue the fight against an out of control federal government and leaders who believe if we can just spend a little bit more, everything will be okay. As Kansans, we know that won’t work.

“I am grateful for the confidence Todd has shown in me and I look forward to his continued support during the 2012 campaign,” Pompeo concluded.

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Pompeo Announces Candidacy for Re-Election

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

November 8, 2011 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WICHITA, KS – Congressman Mike Pompeo today officially announced his candidacy for re-election for the Kansas 4th District Congressional seat during a news conference at Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita.

“Kansans across the 4th District sent me to Washington a year ago and delivered a message that was loud and clear: Get the federal government out of the way so Kansans can succeed.

We have done a lot over the past 10 months to reduce the size of the federal government and eliminate burdensome federal regulations that are destroying Kansas jobs—but there’s still plenty of work to be done,” Pompeo said.

Today’s announcement comes as Pompeo is in the middle of a three day campaign tour across the 4th District of Kansas.

“Since January I’ve seen the massive amount of federal regulation and out of control spending preventing job creators in Kansas from succeeding. It’s amazing to me that some politicians in Washington still don’t get it. Now is not the time to spend more and increase taxes. We cannot create more uncertainty in an already troublesome economy. Instead, we must work toward a smaller, more humble federal government—and if we do that, I know our country will get back on a track toward prosperity.”

Pompeo’s 2012 Re-Election Campaign Kickoff Tour continues through Wednesday with stops in Goddard, Kingman, Anthony, Sedan, El Dorado, Wellington, Newton, Independence, Coffeyville and Wichita.

Pompeo to Make Re-Election Campaign Candidacy Announcement Today

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

WICHITA, KS – Congressman Mike Pompeo will officially announce his candidacy for re-election Tuesday, November 8^th, 2011 at 9:00 AM at Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita.

Congressman Pompeo will address supporters and field questions from members of the media during a news conference.

Pompeo News Conference

Tuesday, November 8^th, 2011 at 9:00 AM CST

Colonel James Jabara Airport

3512 N. Webb Road

Wichita, KS 67226

The media is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Pompeo For Congress at 316-655-4404 or media@PompeoForCongress.com.

Pompeo Re-Election Campaign Kickoff Tour in Kingman and Harper Counties on Monday

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

WICHITA, KS – Congressman Mike Pompeo will make stops in Harper and Kingman Counties on Monday, November 7^th as part of his 2012 Campaign Kick Off Tour.

Congressman Pompeo will meet with supporters and members of the media while visiting small businesses in Anthony and Kingman. The public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend to learn more about Congressman Pompeo and the need to continue the fight against an out of control federal government.

Pompeo 2012 Campaign Kick Off Tour

HARPER & KINGMAN COUNTIES

Monday, November 7^th, 2011

ANTHONY

4:00 PM CST

Irwin-Potter Drug

202 W. Main Street

Anthony, KS 67003

KINGMAN

6:00 PM CST

Jeri’s Kitchen

240 N. Main Street

Kingman, KS 67068

The media is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Pompeo For Congress at 316-655-4404 or media@PompeoForCongress.com.

Pompeo Re-Election Campaign to Make Stops in Cowley County on Monday

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

November 4, 2011 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

WICHITA, KS – Congressman Mike Pompeo will make two stops in Cowley County on Monday, November 7^th as part of his 2012 Campaign Kick Off Tour.

Congressman Pompeo will meet with supporters and members of the media while visiting small businesses in Ark City and Winfield. The public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend to learn more about Congressman Pompeo and the need to continue the fight against an out of control federal government.

Pompeo 2012 Campaign Kick Off Tour

COWLEY COUNTY

Monday, November 7^th, 2011

ARK CITY

8:00 AM CST

Reedy Ford Dealership

3319 N. Summit

Ark City, KS 67005

WINFIELD

9:30 AM CST

Home on the Range Firearms

512 Main Street

Winfield, KS 67156

The media is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Pompeo For Congress at 316-655-4404 or media@PompeoForCongress.com.

Governor Sam Brownback Endorses Pompeo Re-Election Bid

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

WICHITA, KS – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has endorsed Congressman Mike Pompeo in his re-election bid for the Kansas 4th District Congressional office, calling Pompeo a Congressional leader focused on Kansas jobs and eliminating burdensome federal regulation.

“Congressman Pompeo is the right person for the 4th District of Kansas at a time when Kansans are most concerned about the future of our nation. His commitment and dedication to sensible federal regulations that protect our citizens and reining in the spending habits of Washington so our government lives within its means is the type of leader we need representing Kansas in Washington,” Governor Brownback said.

Governor Brownback joined Pompeo Tuesday afternoon at a news conference in Wichita to make the endorsement announcement.

“Since January, I’ve been fighting for smaller government, less federal regulation and working hard to cut spending,” Pompeo said. “We’ve made progress in that fight, but there’s still work to be done. I’ve seen firsthand the massive amount of government waste and out-of-control spending. We have a President who believes we can tax and spend our way out of this recession. Kansas common sense tells us we need entrepreneurial leadership, not more big government thinking.”

From the Wichita Eagle: Pompeo: Defense cuts wouldn't be 'doomsday'

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

As printed in the Wichita Eagle on August 18, 2011

The Wichita Eagle - By Rick Plumlee

The soldier in Mike Pompeo tells him that it's wrong for the nation's defense to take a $350 billion hit if a dozen lawmakers can't reach a bipartisan agreement on trimming the federal debt.

But if that does happen, the Republican congressman from Wichita said Wednesday, "It's not a doomsday for me."

During an wide-ranging interview with The Eagle's editorial board, Pompeo said, "If you're going to shrink the federal government, you're going to have to pretty much shrink it everywhere."

The 12-member "super committee" — six Democrats, six Republicans — will try to get along well enough to forge a consensus on $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions by Thanksgiving. Congress would then have until Christmas to vote on it — right before the calendar flips to the 2012 presidential and congressional election year.

If the committee can't reach a conclusion — and there is serious doubt among lawmakers, including Pompeo, that it can — that would trigger automatic spending cuts as outlined by the recently passed Budget Control Act of 2011.

About $350 billion would come from projected military spending over the next decade. The rest would come from cuts to a variety of domestic programs, such as education, housing and transportation.

Pompeo, a West Point graduate, looks at those possible defense cuts and grimaces. National security is the single mission of the federal government as provided by the U.S. Constitution, he said.

In the waning hours of the debt-ceiling compromise that included the formation of the super committee, Pompeo said, he strongly argued that very point. But defense spending remained on the table.

"I was not thrilled with it," he said.

But Pompeo said he also knew House leadership was trying to reach an agreement and decided the plan was the best attainable outcome for now.

Cuts in national security spending would go beyond the military to such areas as homeland and border security.

"Our national security apparatus is going to have to operate effectively in a constrained fiscal environment as well," Pompeo said, adding that"... we'll find a way to do our national security mission at those levels."

He said there are fellow House Republicans who "disagree with me tremendously."

The committee will be under intense pressure to find an outcome and not let the automatic cuts take effect, he said. Everything is on the table for the committee to reach that $1.5 trillion target. Anything that would reduce spending or increase revenue.

"I don't know what the probability of them coming to a conclusion (is)," he said. "I just think it's pretty low."

He said he doesn't like the very idea of the committee's existence.

It isn't permanent, he said. It has a short time frame to do its work and will be doing it without input from others.

"It's an odd creature," he said. "I would prefer the normal order where things went through subcommittees and committees. It's a truncated process.

"If you've weighed in and said your piece and didn't get the outcome you like, well, it's easier to take sometimes than it is if you feel like you've been jammed."

Pompeo voted for the plan that will eventually lift the debt ceiling by $2.1 trillion and slash deficits by at least $2.1 trillion over the next 10 years. He joined Rep. Lynn Jenkins and Sen. Pat Roberts in supporting the plan to evenly split the Kansas all-GOP delegation.

One of the reasons he voted for the plan is that it calls for both chambers to vote on a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution this fall.

Some of the same folks who helped get Pompeo elected last fall are criticizing him for that vote.

"They are anxious to see us do more, and I'm with them on that to be sure," he said. "So, yeah, I get their frustration.

"On balance, I thought it was the right good first step. The next time we go to cut government, we'll be doing it from a little further down the playing field."

*Click here to read the article from Kansas.com.

From the Wichita Eagle: Pompeo Op-Ed: In defense of debt ceiling 'extortion'

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

As printed in the Wichita Eagle on August 7, 2011

Op-Ed By Rep. Mike Pompeo

I voted last week for the Budget Control Act of 2011. In return, freshmen like me who demanded an end to ever-increasing spending were called "tea party terrorists," "extortionists" and "hostage takers."

Why such hostility? Because, for the first time ever, as a condition for raising the debt ceiling, House Republicans forced the president to accept spending cuts greater than the increase in the debt ceiling — a very modest requirement that will ultimately lower the ceiling.

The law also caps future spending, does not raise taxes, and clears the way for up-or-down votes on both a balanced-budget amendment and cuts in "mandatory" programs that make up most federal spending. These changes scare the establishment witless.

Our nation has overspent under both Republicans and Democrats, but our spending binge is ending. The House freshman class has begun the climb out of the enormous fiscal hole we inherited.

Big-government liberals still outnumber small-government conservatives. But we conservatives are growing. To our surprise, many "veteran" congressmen — members of both parties who spent the money creating this debt — voted "no" last week. If these big-spending pols are converts, that's great, but they failed to live up to the basic conservative principle that you must pay the bills you incur.

The American people now see that we are in perilous times and our national appetite for federal programs has outstripped our capacity to pay for them.

Others who share my passion for limited government and personal freedom voted against this bill because they mistook partial victory for a compromise in principles. Such a decision simply lets the perfect be the enemy of the good. Winning a hard-fought battle on favorable terms when your party only controls one of three sides necessary for agreement spells success any way you look at it.

Many times in business I faced challenges like the debt-ceiling fight. The other side had greater numbers and power, but our company needed to win. In those situations, I had to weigh a push for total victory against making progress toward the company's ultimate goals. I sometimes agreed to less-than-perfect arrangements knowing that I had a plan, that this was the first of many battles, and that, if my fellow workers and I took everything we could achieve at the moment, we would eventually prevail.

We should have — and I wish we could have — done more before increasing the debt ceiling. Though I voted for more conservative solutions, they did not become law. Cuts of about $2.4 trillion over 10 years pale in comparison with the problem.

But this law is insufficient for a reason. President Obama and the Democrat majority in the U.S. Senate are still in power. Against these odds, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, crafted a credible "cut, cap and balance" plan and, with the help of my fellow conservatives, forced the vast majority of the legislation onto the president's desk for signature.

My office received hundreds of messages regarding this bill — and I listened. The president wanted a blank check and tax hikes, and we gave him neither. Instead, we respected hardworking taxpayers, protected the economy and committed to reducing debt.

This would not have happened without tea party and small-government activists changing the face of our government in 2010. Now we must finish the fight.

Mike Pompeo is a Republican member of Congress from Wichita.

Click here to read the article in the Wichita Eagle.

From KFDI News: KS Congressman Pompeo on Debt Ceiling Vote

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

From KFDI News: Thursday, August 04, 2011

A new poll suggests that the recent battle over raising the nation's debt ceiling hasn't helped President Barack Obama's approval rating in Florida. The survey by Quinnipiac University says Obama's job approval rating in the state is 44 percent, down from 51 percent in May.

Click HERE to hear KFDI's Dan Dillon's interview with Congressman Mike Pompeo on national debt and other issues.

From the Wichita Eagle - Pompeo to host open house at Congressional office on Tuesday

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

Pompeo's Wichita office to hold open house

BY RICK PLUMLEE

The Wichita Eagle

WICHITA — U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo and his staff will hold an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at his 4th Congressional District office, 7701 E. Kellogg, Suite 510.

The public is invited to attend. For more information or to make reservations, call Rachel Taylor at 202-225-6216 or e-mail her at rachel.taylor@mail.house.gov.

From the Wichita Eagle: Pompeo dives in to busy D.C. routine

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Posted on Sun, Mar. 13, 2011

The Wichita Eagle - By DAVID GOLDSTEIN

WASHINGTON — It's 7:20 a.m. and Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas is sitting in the back of the Longworth Building cafeteria nursing a Diet Coke.

Congress runs on caffeine.

He's been up since 5:30 and has a plane to catch back to Wichita at 4. Between now and then he has a teleconference training exercise with the Army War College, a Commerce and Energy subcommittee hearing on job creation and a freshman class meeting with the speaker of the House.

He also has to meet with his congressional scheduler, sit for several interviews and get to the House floor to cast votes.

The 47-year-old freshman Republican lawmaker has heard all the cautions about how legislating can be a rude awakening after campaigning. It's harder, certainly more restrictive and can often be frustrating.

"I don't see it," Pompeo countered. "I've heard this before. 'You come here and the bloom is off the rose.' I've not experienced that personally. I was candid with folks: 'Here's what I think we can do.' "

He exudes the unshakable certitude that has become the hallmark of the 85 GOP freshmen. They arrived on a wave of concern over government spending and a dislike of President Obama's policies, if not the president himself. They vowed that few programs would go untrimmed.

The result was a budget crafted by House Republicans to fund the government through September that slashed $61 billion in domestic spending.

Pompeo wanted more. He belongs to the Republican Study Committee, the House's conservative caucus, which hoped to cut an additional $20 billion.

Included, though, was Pompeo's amendment to cut $8.4 million for an industry greenhouse gas registry and another that would withhold money for a consumer-friendly product safety database.

He said the database might knowingly contain "false and misleading information." The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which launched the database Friday, denied it.

The Senate rejected the House budget, and negotiations continue. But the programs that Pompeo voted to downsize would, if adopted, have affected Wichita and other communities across Kansas and the rest of the country.

They included money for Pell Grant scholarships to help low-income students attend college, teachers, homeless veterans, urban redevelopment, community health centers and home heating assistance, to name a few.

"It would just be devastating," said Mary Baskett, executive director of the Kansas Head Start Association. She said that about 2,000 of the 9,000 Kansas children in the national early-education program would be turned away under the House GOP plan.

At a news conference Friday, the president said that cutting scholarships and other educational opportunities "makes no sense."

Pompeo acknowledged that "some of the spending goes for programs that are seeking to accomplish noble ends, sound goals."

He paused — cafeteria sounds filled the void — then said matter-of-factly: "We're broke. I think you saw serious people trying to prioritize. There's only so much money."

*Click here to read the rest of the story from the Wichita Eagle

From Wellington Daily News: Pompeo visits Wellington High School

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

As published in the Wellington Daily News on February 4, 2011

Wellington, Kan. — Wellington High School teacher Mike Wilmoth’s social studies class is never predictable and Thursday was no exception as Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Wichita) served as guest speaker.

Pompeo, back from Washington D.C. for an engagement the same night at Wichita State University, stopped by Wellington High School to share his experiences in office and to answer a few questions from students.

Concerns regarding paycuts at the state level for state employees, changes in the Kansas school system, and concerns about energy and where it would come from next were at the top of the list for the students.

Some of those questions weren’t easy, the Congressman admits.

“It’s great. Young people always ask the best questions. Adults just kind of sit back, but kids always ask the best questions,” said Pompeo.

It’s not about just getting answers out. It’s spreading the education to future voters and getting a taste of what’s on the minds of local Kansans.

“About a fourth of them are voting, but in about a year or two, they all will be. It’s their money we are spending today...and I’m always happy to help them grasp the magnitude of the challenges the Country has in front of it,” said Pompeo.

Though energy was talked about extensively, the main concern for students were jobs.

“The young people who came up afterwards, they were all talking about jobs. Two of the three kids’ parents have been laid off from aircraft manufacturing facilities...and they were trying to figure out what they were going to go study when they were in school and now they aren’t as sure. Now they’re more concerned with making their livelihood,” said Pompeo.

The Congressman says a huge part of his job is talking to people and he welcomes any questions from students and constituents.

“It’s cool. I think they get it. They have different thoughts, they have different ideas. You can kind of tell what their parents are saying at home and it’s kind of fun. I love talking to high school classes,” he said.

*Click here to view the article from the Wellington Daily News

From the Wichita Eagle: Kansas Has New Clout

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

— For the editorial board, Rhonda Holman (12/14/2010)

When Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., decided to keep his promise to serve only two terms, it set off a historic chain reaction of change and fueled concern that the Kansas delegation was about to lose its clout.

Four of the state’s six seats in Congress just changed hands, as the average age of the state’s House delegation dropped from 56 to 42. What a huge relief then that the state scored assignments last week for three powerful committees in the newly GOP-led House.

Two-term Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, will join the House Committee on Ways and Means — only the ninth Kansan to ever sit on the tax-writing panel.

As impressive, two Kansans were among the 11 freshmen tapped for spots on prime committees: Rep.-elect Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, for the Energy and Commerce Committee and Rep.-elect Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park, for a scaled-back Appropriations Committee.

In a statement about his plum assignment, Pompeo vowed to “fight to open markets for the aviation industry in Kansas, preserve telecommunications competition, repeal Obamacare and secure America’s energy future” — all issues of high interest to the 4th Congressional District voters who sent the former CEO to Capitol Hill.

Yoder’s role will be more tricky. The 34-year-old wunderkind succeeding the retiring Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, is well-suited to the assignment, having chaired the Appropriations Committee in the Kansas House. But where Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, used his Appropriations seat to unapologetically keep defense dollars and other federal largesse flowing to the 4th District, Yoder must be mindful of voters’ sharp disdain for earmarks and high expectations that spending and deficits will shrink.

In any case, the roles chosen for Pompeo, Yoder and Jenkins reflect well on them, as well as on the voters who sent them to Congress.

In addition, Kansans should be able to expect impressive results from Sen.-elect Jerry Moran, R-Kan., based on his hard work and pragmatic voting record during 14 years in the U.S. House and eight years in the Kansas Senate. And in Rep.-elect Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, 1st District voters have a new congressman known for his strong opinions and willingness to step out front on issues.

True, since 1996 Kansas has yet to see the rise of another Bob Dole, whose record 11 years as the Republican leader in the Senate included 3½ as majority leader and helped make him a powerful, agenda-setting national figure.

But as Tiahrt proved with his early success fighting the Wright amendment and appointment to the Appropriations Committee, influence need not depend on longevity or even committee chairmanships.

And talk of Kansas’ clout in Washington, D.C., should not discount the state’s two integral members of the Obama Cabinet: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who stepped down as Kansas governor to take the job, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a native Wichitan who has served eight presidents.

All in all, in the coming year, Kansans are well-positioned to make a mark in the 112th Congress and, it follows, the nation. That’s good news for Kansas.

*Click here to read the article via Kansas.com

From the Wichita Pompeo lands spot on House Energy and Commerce Committee

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

By Rick Plumlee - The Wichita Eagle (12/10/2010)

Mike Pompeo, the congressman-elect for Kansas’ 4th District, has been appointed to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

In addition, Kevin Yoder of the 3rd District has been appointed to the Appropriations Committee and Lynn Jenkins of the 2nd District to the Ways and Means Committee.

The appointments for the three Republicans are considered key for the state during a year of high turnover in the House. Pompeo and Yoder are freshmen members, while Jenkins is going into her second term.

Energy and Commerce’s jurisdiction includes energy, telecommunications, public health and interstate commerce. It also deals with some aviation issues.

“The appointment gives me an opportunity to be directly involved in a wide range of legislative issues, including the most important issues facing Kansans,” Pompeo said in a statement.

Kansas Losing Clout? Not So Fast... (combined office release)

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2010

WASHINGTON – The storyline throughout 2010 read that with Kansas losing three House Members to retirement or a shift to the Senate, the state was set to take a step back when it came to influence on Capitol Hill. Well, you might want to take another look, because the initial round of committee selection has, in fact, granted the great state of Kansas tremendous clout in the incoming Congress. For the first time in decades, and perhaps ever, Kansas will have a Member of Congress on each of the top three House Committees.

Thursday night, it was announced that three Kansas lawmakers would be joining “A” committees in the 112th Congress. Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder (KS-03) was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman-elect Mike Pompeo (KS-04), to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The trio of two freshmen and one sophomore who stand to exhibit remarkable influence in the 112th Congress released the following statements.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve on this critical committee and to be a part of such a strong Kansas delegation," said Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder. "The American people spoke loud and clear on November 2nd-they want to limit the size of government, reduce the tax burden and help small businesses create jobs. It's time we get our nation's fiscal house in order and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves alongside my colleagues to do just that."

“As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will fight to open markets for the aviation industry in Kansas, preserve telecommunications competition, repeal Obamacare, and secure America's energy future,” Pompeo said. “I look forward to working with the rest of the Kansas delegation as we help lead our nation in a positive direction.”

“This is a great day for the people of Kansas and I am humbled to be placed into a position to help craft legislation that can get Kansans back to work.” Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins said. “As the Dean of the Kansas House delegation and a new Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I look forward to working with Rep.-Elect Yoder and Rep.-Elect Pompeo as well as Rep.-Elect Tim Huelskamp to develop responsible measures that will create private sector jobs, shrink the size, scope and cost of the Federal Government, and bring common sense Kansas values to Washington.”

Contact:
Sean Fitzpatrick (Jenkins) (202) 225-6601
Alissa McCurley (Yoder) (312) 805-0193
Josh Wells (Pompeo) (316) 633-4700

From Politico: GOP taps freshmen for prime spots

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

By RICHARD E. COHEN & JAKE SHERMAN & SIMMI AUJLA

House Republicans have tapped 11 freshmen for prime committee spots Thursday, as the Republican Steering Committee began to award its much-sought plums.

Six of them gained seats on the Energy and Commerce committee – including Rep. Charlie Bass (R-N.H.), who served on the panel before he lost reelection in 2006. Two first-termers will join the powerful, tax-writing Ways and Means panel. Three will join the Appropriations committee.

In addition, two new women — Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Diane Black (R-Tenn.) — will join Ways and Means, and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.) will switch from three House committees to Energy and Commerce. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) is joining the Appropriations committee.

The picks by the leadership-controlled Steering Committee show regional balance, and a coterie of members who have been party activists. Interestingly, none of the five freshmen from Speaker-designate John Boehner’s home state of Ohio landed on the initial lists. Three Kansans are among the winners for top committee posts. The lists were obtained by POLITICO from multiple sources in House Republican circles.

For many members, these move into positions of prime influence are a key move in their House career. Rep. Chris Lee (R-N.Y.) said he spent six months lobbying GOP leaders and other Steering Committee members for a seat on Ways and Means.

“I laid out in a paper what I have accomplished during my first term in the House,” Lee told POLITICO.

With his selection, he said that he plans to focus on tax reform, international trade, Social Security reform and revisions to the new health-reform law.

Also on Ways and Means will be Vern Buchanan (Fla.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Tom Price (Ga.), Adrian Smith (Neb.), Lynn Jenkins (Kan.), Erik Paulsen (Minn.), Aaron Schock (Ill.), and freshmen Rick Berg (N.D.) and Black (Tenn.)

Twelve new members have been selected to join Energy and Commerce, including McMorris Rogers, Pete Olsen (Texas), Brian Bilbray (Calif.), Brett Guthrie (Ky.), Greg Harper (Miss.), Bill Cassidy (La.), Bass, and first-termers Cory Gardner (Colo.), Mike Pompeo (Kan.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), David McKinley (W.Va.), and Morgan Griffith (Va.).

Freshmen Kevin Yoder (Kan.), Alan Nunnelee (Miss.) and Steve Womack (Ark.) have been tapped for the Appropriations committee. Lummis, Charlie Dent (Pa.), Mario Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Steve Austria (Ohio) were among the incumbents tapped for Appropriations. The panel also will shrink in size from 60 members to 50.

McMorris Rodgers and Price are both members of House Republican leadership. In addition, Gardner was on the GOP’s transition committee.

Placing freshman on prime committees such as Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce are the fruits of an effort spurred by leadership – specifically incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and incoming House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) – to place “reform-minded conservatives” in positions of power.

Since the election, Boehner placed freshmen at the elected leadership table, and on the steering committee, the panel that recommends chairmen and committee rosters to the House Republican Conference.

The new GOP members bring the party's total to 30 on Energy and Commerce. Democrats tentatively have been allotted 22 seats on the panel, according to a source. In the 111th Congress, the ratio has been 36 Democrats and 23 Republicans. The seven-seat reduction is in line with Boehner’s promise to reduce the size of many House committees. But that decision will cause pain among existing Energy and Commerce Democrats.

With six Democrats having retired or lost reelection, that will likely require that eight more Democrats to be bumped from the panel — presumably from the bottom of the committee roster. The eight most junior Democrats on the energy committee are Peter Welch (Vt.), Bruce Braley (Iowa), Betty Sutton (Ohio), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Chris Murphy (Conn.), John Sarbanes (Md.), Kathy Castor (Fla.), and Donna Christensen (V.I.).

Committee assignments must be ratified by the full House Republican Conference, which is expected to do that next week.

Robin Bravender contributed to this report.

From the Topeka Capitol Journal: Rookie reps get elite assignments

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Incoming freshmen Kansas congressmen Kevin Yoder and Mike Pompeo have received appointments to two influential committees in the House of Representatives.

Yoder, a Republican who will represent the 3rd District, has been appointed to the elite House Appropriations Committee. Pompeo, a Republican who will represent the 4th District, received a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which considers aviation issues important in Pompeo's Wichita-dominated district.

"The American people spoke loud and clear on November 2nd — they want to limit the size of government, reduce the tax burden and help small businesses create jobs," Yoder said in a statement. "It's time we get our nation's fiscal house in order and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves alongside my colleagues to do just that."

Pompeo said he hoped to use his position on Energy and Commerce as a springboard to opening markets for the aviation industry, preserve telecommunications competition and deal with America's energy future.

*Click here to view this story from the Topeka Capitol Journal - cjOnline

Pompeo Names Leadership Team

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

WICHITA – Fourth District Congressman-elect Mike Pompeo (R-Wichita) today announced his leadership team as he prepares to take office in January. Pompeo has named former Wichitan Mark Chenoweth to the positionof Chief of Staff, Augusta native Chuck Knapp will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff and Jim Richardson will direct Pompeo’s legislative efforts as Legislative Director.

“I am excited with the leadership team we have assembled,” said Pompeo. “In addition to the diverse talent and experience they possess, Mark, Chuck and Jim know Kansas and understand the unique needs of the Fourth Congressional District.”

Chenoweth, who grew up in Olathe before doing his undergraduate work at Yale University and earning his law degree from the University of Chicago School of Law, is currently legal counsel to Commissioner Anne Northup at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. He has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice under President George W. Bush and has extensive experience in legal reform and promoting free market principles, including a long stint with Koch Industries in Wichita. Chenoweth will be responsible for all aspects of Pompeo’s efforts in Congress and will work out of the Congressman’s Washington office.

“Mark has spent several years of his life working to reduce government intrusion, expansion and over-regulation,” said Pompeo. “He brings real-world, private sector experience to Capitol Hill that will prove invaluable as we try to change the way government operates.”

In addition to directing Pompeo’s Kansas office, Knapp will work with Chenoweth and Richardson on policy, communication and political issues. Like Chenoweth, Knapp has experience in the private sector as well as at the state and federal levels of government. The University of Kansas graduate has served in the past as Communications Director and most recently as Senior Advisor to Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard).

“Chuck knows the 4^th District of Kansas very well because he was born and raised here,” said Pompeo. “He is uniquely qualified for this position, and I am excited he is part of our leadership team.”

Richardson, the son of an Air Force officer, is a graduate of Evangel University and holds a Masters in National Security from Missouri State University. A 10-year veteran of Capitol Hill, having worked in the U.S. House and Senate, including the offices of U.S. Senators Kit Bond and John Ashcroft (R-Missouri), Tiahrt and former Congressman Jim Ryun (R-Lawrence), Richardson is a familiar face in military and aviation industry circles in Kansas and Washington. As Pompeo’s Legislative Director, Richardson will direct the legislative staff in Washington and help set and track Pompeo’s legislative agenda, including his committee work.

“Jim is well-known and respected at Kansas military installations and the Pentagon. He has worked closely with aviation leaders in south central Kansas and understands both the military and commercial sides of the industry. Jim’s familiarity with the air refueling tanker program will be instrumental in our fight to ensure we have an American tanker built by American workers, and his vast knowledge of the legislative process will be helpful in forwarding our agenda of reduced government, lower taxes and increased private sector opportunity,” Pompeo concluded.

Pompeo’s staff will assume their roles January 3, 2011, when the 112^th Congress officially begins. Pompeo and members of the new Congress will be ceremonially sworn-in two days later on January 5, 2011.