Eric Cantor's 2010 Republican Round-Up ... October 2

Bob McDonnell speaks at 2009 Republican Round-Up while 7th CD Chair Linwood Cobb and Rep. Eric Cantor listen.

Save the date for fun and games at the 2010 Republican Round-Up featuring Congressman Eric Cantor (R-7th CD), Republican Whip, in Richmond on Saturday, October 2, from 3-6:00 p.m. at Snag-A-Job Pavilion at Innsbrook.

This free family event pulls in thousands each year with live music, food, beer and wine, children's games, climbing wall, cotton candy, popcorn, and some red, white, and blue patriotism as well as Republican candidates and officials. It's always fun and a great way to catch up with others from across the Commonwealth.

Be sure to RSVP today and check the website for directions and additional information as well as photos from last year. Rain or shine ... come enjoy the Republican Round-Up!

Photos from previous Round-Ups:
- 2009 Republican Round-Up ... large crowd excited about GOP candidates
- Eric Cantor's 2009 Republican Round-Up ... the crowd
- Eric Cantor's 2009 Republican Round-Up ... familiar faces
- Eric Cantor's 2009 Republican Round-Up ... more familiar faces
- Eric Cantor's 2009 Republican Round-Up ... Bloggers Row
- 2009 Round-Up ... familiar faces

- 2008 Round-Up ... over 4,000 attend
- 2008 Round-Up ... Bob McDonnell

- 2007 Round-Up ... Eric Cantor and the all-star stage
- 2007 Round-Up ... my parents
- 2007 Round-Up ... "Republican for a reason"
- 2007 Round-Up ... wrap-up
- 2007 Round-Up ... the soldier
- 2007 Round-Up ... the people who attended
- 2007 Round-Up ... more people and politicians

Rep. Eric Cantor vows to overturn ObamaCare

From Real Clear Politics, video of House GOP whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) saying "we will do everything we can" to delay, defund and repeal Obamacare. Polls have shown the majority of Americans are against ObamaCare.

Eric Cantor on federal spending: "Enough is enough"

Wednesday night, Congressman Eric Cantor appeared with Greta van Susteren "On the Record" to talk about the latest Obama/Pelosi billion dollar bailout.

In the course of the interview, Rep. Cantor discussed Washington's continuing inability under Democrat leadership to connect with the American people and recognize that Congress has a borrowing and spending problem that needs to be solved. As he said, "Enough is enough."

Among the highlights, Rep. Cantor continues to fight for the private sector over the public sector and stressed the need to end Washington's failed "job creation" boondoggles:

"It comes down to the fact that if you assume the money is going to be spent anyway, who do you want spending the money? Do you want the private sector to invest the money and create jobs in the private sector or do you want Washington to tax the private sector to spend money the way Congress feels it ought to be spent? In this instance, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats feel it ought to be spent to help the states and bail them out of their budget woes."

"Does Washington think that it can create jobs in any meaningful way? I don’t think so."

To see the full interview, please click here.

GOP and tea parties should remain independent

On Thursday, Rep. Eric Cantor made news with his decision to remain independent of Rep. Michelle Bachmann's (R-MN) tea party caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives .

Rep. Cantor, who is the Republican Whip and second ranking Republican in the House, commented on his decision by noting:

"Part of what is so inspiring about the Tea-Party movement is that it is not structured like a political party and, instead, is a truly organic, grass-roots effort. The movement was born outside of Washington and includes people of all political stripes -- Republicans, independents, and Democrats -- who have come together out of frustration with their government in an effort to force it to change . . . .The millions of Americans who are part of the Tea-Party movement will no doubt have a major voice this fall when the bad policies of the past two years come up for review."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch concurred with Rep. Cantor's decision in their Friday editorial:

Although the Tea Party clearly stands closer to the GOP's professed principles, the movement should be wary of becoming a faction within a single party. If the Tea Party identifies with the Republican Party, then it could sacrifice support from disaffected Democrats and independents. (The Tea Party's appeal to Democrats seems negligible, to tell the truth; among GOP-leaning independents the movement's appeal appears strong. The Tea Party itself resembles a 2010 update of Ross Perot's 1992 campaign.)

There are others who have cautioned that the tea party movement should remain independent including Karl Rove, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff and senior advisor to President George W. Bush. While many may consider him just a GOP political hack, Rove had some thoughts about this very subject in February when he wrote:

There has been a lot of talk about combining the tea party movement with the Republican Party. And on a small scale, that seemed to happen last week in South Carolina after state GOP representatives agreed to create a "Tea Party Republicans" group to coordinate activities with tea partiers in Greenville and Spartanburg.

This week, however, those arrangements fell apart as some tea party groups dissented from the decision. Other attempts to draw tea party groups into formal alliances are running into similar difficulties. That is a good thing. The tea party movement will be more effective than it otherwise would be if it refuses to allow itself to become an appendage of either major political party.

The tea party movement appears to primarily be a fiscally concerned group of citizens who are worried about the deep debt our country faces in light of controversial legislation that has been spearheaded by Democratic President Barack Obama and passed by the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. That concern encompasses Democrats, Independents, Constitution Party, Green Party, Ron Paul supporters, and others upset with massive spending and taxes involved with cap-and-trade, bank bailouts, the stimulus bill, auto company bailouts, and the mammoth government health care bill.

In other words, the tea party is not made up of just Republicans or social conservatives. The common denominator for all is fiscal conservatism. Beyond that, there are significant differences. Some within the ranks are 9/11 "truthers," "birthers," and those calling for states to secede from the U.S.

While some may be upset with Rep. Cantor for not joining forces with the tea party, there are many others who will agree with his decision. He is a leader in the Republican Party, not the tea party, something the Times-Dispatch also noted:

Institutional issues also argue in favor of Cantor's position. As the GOP's whip (and its majority leader if the party wins a majority in November), he must not be seen as part of any ideological faction. His viability and success depend on his ability to forge close relations with Republicans of diverse philosophical inclinations. There is nothing wrong with joining caucuses based on geography or interest, but Cantor would court difficulties if he formally aligned himself with a movement that has challenged GOP incumbents in primaries.

Karl Rove, while advising that tea parties should remain independent of political parties, also touched on the issue of Republicans trying to become part of the tea party:

The GOP is also better off if it forgoes any attempt to merge with the tea party movement. The GOP cannot possibly hope to control the dynamics of the highly decentralized galaxy of groups that make up the tea party movement. There will be troubling excesses and these will hurt Republicans if the party is formally associated with tea party groups.

Mr. Rove had a final suggestion for both the GOP and the tea parties as he concluded:

The Republican Party and the tea party movement have many common interests right now. But they are, and should remain, distinct from one another. This is one instance when, if they merged, the sum would be less than the parts.

The Times-Dispatch agreed. "Cantor," they wrote, " ... has made the prudent call.

Cross-posted at The Washington Examiner

Eric Cantor in Brandermill 3rd of July parade

Congressman Eric Cantor (R-7th CD), Republican Whip, will attend the Brandermill Independence Day Parade in Chesterfield County on Saturday morning, July 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. as he walks in the parade with campaign volunteers and members of the Chesterfield County Republican Committee. He will also visit with constituents while celebrating our nation’s independence.

The Chesterfield parade will begin at Swift Creek Middle School in Midlothian and make its way to Brandermill's Sunday Park. Come out and join the fun!

Rep. Cantor to be at area events

Summer is almost here and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA 6th) will be attending two annual events this weekend in the Richmond area, visiting with constituents in support of the community festivals.

The 34th annual Richmond Greek Festival will be held this afternoon at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The Congressman will be there from 5:30 until approximately 6:45 p.m. This event, free to the public, is full of Greek food, dancing, music, and much more. It will run until 10:00 tonight; Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday the free 2010 Ashland Strawberry Faire will be held at Randolph-Macon College in historic Ashland. Rep. Cantor will be there from 11:00 until noon to enjoy the festivities. There's something for everyone with arts and crafts, plants, antiques, and, of course, strawberries as well as entertainment and food.

Eric Cantor ... tonight on FNN's Greta Van Sustern

Fox News Channel tonight at 10:00 pm ... Rep. Eric Cantor will appear on "On the Record with Greta" ...

Tax Increases? Eric Cantor says "Take A Hike"!

His plan would slash spending & decrease the deficit! So, who in D.C. is standing in the way? Eric Cantor speaks out!

Check out Rep. Cantor's latest column on cutting government spending.

Eric Cantor: "Tired of Big Government spending? Then you cut it!"

By Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

Two weeks ago, I wrote on BigGovernment.com that the GOP today is much different than the party was a few years back. I was glad that my post generated attention, and very pleased to read through the different responses – both positive and skeptical. Today I write again for two reasons. First, to announce an exciting new project devised by the House Republican Economic Working Group. Second, to take another step in earning your trust by showing you that we understand that actions speak louder than words.

We all know that Washington has a spending problem – and both Democrats AND Republicans bear some responsibility. But as I wrote last week, America is at a crossroads and the choices we make at this critical time will determine what kind of country we want to be. To get back on the right path, Congress MUST start to make some choices that simply can’t be delayed any longer.

While we won’t be able to solve our deficit problems overnight or with one silver bullet, we CAN and we MUST begin to replace the culture of spending that now dominates Washington with a culture of savings. Just imagine if your government was as focused on saving money as it is on spending money. Imagine if Congress spent less time naming post offices – 62 and counting – and more time reducing wasteful spending. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Today, we are launching YouCut – a first-of-its-kind project designed to defeat the permissive culture of runaway spending in Congress. It allows YOU to vote, both online and on your cell phone, on spending cuts that you want to see the House – YOUR HOUSE – enact.

That’s right, instead of Washington telling YOU how THEY will spend YOUR money, YOU can tell THEM how to save it. After several days of voting, on Monday, May 17th, we will announce the first winner and later that week House Republicans will call for an up-or-down vote on the spending cut. We will repeat this cycle every week for the rest of the year.

For the first week of voting, here are your choices:

1. Eliminate the Presidential Election Fund, a federal program that provides matching funds to political candidates during Presidential primaries, certain third-party candidates, and funds for political conventions. In the 2008 Presidential election the candidates raised over $1.3 billion from individuals and PACs; do they really need to supplement that with taxpayer money?

2. Prohibiting taxpayer-subsidized union activities by prohibiting federal employees from being paid by the government for performing union functions. Currently some federal employees spend up to 100% of their workweek, paid by taxpayers, doing work for their union. Federal employees unions collect millions in revenue each year and spend significant amounts on political activities and lobbying; should they also be subsidized by the taxpayer for their official functions?

3. Terminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development program that provides individuals with $25,000 stipends for completing their doctoral dissertations. Recently taxpayers have financed research on media strategies for housing policy and the use of eminent domain for urban redevelopment. Why should families who are struggling to pay for their children’s college also be asked to fund stipends from the government for those who want to write their dissertation on certain government-preferred policies?

4. Terminate the new alternative welfare program, recently created to incentivize states to increase their welfare caseloads without requiring able-bodied adults to work, get job training, or otherwise prepare to move off of taxpayer assistance. Reforming the welfare program was one of the great achievements of the Republican Congress in the mid 1990s, saving taxpayers billions of dollars and ending the cycle of dependency on welfare. This new program ushered in by Democrats is merely a backdoor way to undo those reforms.

5. Focus federal economic development assistance on areas of need. The Community Development Block Grant program currently funds a wide range of local economic development activities. While it is advertised as a way to help low-income communities, funds are also dispersed to communities with income well-above the national average. A recent study found that the community of Newton, Massachusetts, with a per capita income over twice the national average, was receiving $28 per person in CDBG funds. At the same time, other communities with income 25% below the national average were receiving $10 per person.

There they are: five simple ways to begin to talk about saving money.

You have a right to a federal government that doesn’t spend money that it does not have. Anyone who believes that President Obama, Senator Reid, Speaker Pelosi or the Democratic majorities are “concerned” about the deficit should take a look at how grossly they’ve increased spending. Make no mistake, they look at America’s massive debt and see a reason to raise taxes. But they are wrong. Our debt was born out of an addiction to spending. And if those same Democrats aren’t going to do anything to stop this addiction, we are. If those Democrats aren’t going to listen to you, we are.

As I wrote a few weeks back, a 178-seat minority isn’t going to win many legislative battles in the House. And we don’t have a lot of tools at our disposal. But I commit to you that we ARE going to use every means we have to hold them accountable. And this project is a start.

The time has come for Congress to finally show political courage. American families have been forced to face tough financial realities and make difficult but necessary decisions. Why should their government act any differently? This is not the same GOP as it was a few years ago, and with YouCut, we hope to force the Democrat-controlled Congress to begin to confront the difficult but unavoidable realities of our fiscal situation.

Please drop by http://www.republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut and vote to help us put Uncle Sam on a diet.

U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday schedule

ANTICIPATED FLOOR SCHEDULE
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

One Minutes

Suspensions (15 Bills):

1) H.Res. 1055 - Supporting the designation of National Robotics Week as an annual event (Sponsored by Rep. Doyle / Science and Technology Committee)

2) H.Res. 1069 - Congratulating Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith for being awarded the Nobel Prize in physics (Sponsored by Rep. Lance / Science and Technology Committee)

3) H.Res. 935 - Honoring John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation for receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation (Sponsored by Rep. Lofgren / Science and Technology Committee)

4) H.R. 3650 - Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Baird / Science and Technology Committee)

5) H.Res. 1032 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should continue to assist the Mexican Government in fighting the drug cartels and curbing violence against Mexican and United States citizens, both in the United States and abroad (Sponsored by Rep. Chu / Foreign Affairs Committee)

6) H.Res. 1088 - Recognizing the plight of people with albinism in East Africa and condemning their murder and mutilation (Sponsored by Rep. Connolly / Foreign Affairs Committee)

7) H.Res. 1107 - Recognizing the 189th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy. (Sponsored by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen / Foreign Affairs Committee)

8) H.Res. __ - Expressing Condolences for the victims of the February 27th 2010 earthquake in Chile, as well as solidarity with and support for the Chilean people as they plan for the recovery and reconstruction for their Country (Sponsored by Rep. Hinojosa / Foreign Affairs Committee)

9) H.Res. 1036 - Recognizing the contributions of Korean Americans to the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Garrett / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

10) H.R. 4621 - Prevent Deceptive Census Look Alike Mailings Act (Sponsored by Rep. Maloney / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

11) H.R. 4547 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 119 Station Road in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, as the "Captain Luther H. Smith, U.S. Army Air Forces Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Sestak / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

12) H.R. 4624 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the "SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Souder / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

13) H.Res. 1091 - Expressing support for designation of the week of February 28 through March 7, 2010, as "School Social Work Week" (Sponsored by Rep. Kennedy / Education and Labor Committee)

14) H.Res. 1047 - Commending The Ohio State University Buckeyes football team for its victory in the 2010 Rose Bowl (Sponsored by Rep. Kilroy / Education and Labor Committee)

15) H.Res. 1142 - Congratulating Silver Lake College for 75 years of service as an undergraduate institution of higher education (Sponsored by Rep. Petri / Education and Labor Committee)

Special Orders

WEDNESDAY'S FORECAST
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (7 Bills):

1) H.R. 4573 - Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act (Sponsored by Rep. Waters / Financial Services Committee)

2) H.Res. 1087 - Honoring the life of John H. "Jack" Ruffin, Jr. (Sponsored by Rep. Barrow / Judiciary Committee)

3) H.Res. 1115 - Expressing appreciation for the profound dedication and public service of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena on the 25th anniversary of his death (Sponsored by Rep. Hunter / Judiciary Committee)

4) H.Con.Res. 249 - Commemorating the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the role that it played in ensuring the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Sponsored by Rep. Lewis (GA) / Judiciary Committee)

5) H.Res. 1081 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (Sponsored by Rep. Lewis (GA) / Judiciary Committee)

6) H.Res. 1061 - Honoring the heroic actions of Court Security Officer Stanley Cooper, Deputy United States Marshal Richard J. "Joe" Gardner, the law enforcement officers of the United States Marshals Service and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Court Security Officers in responding to the armed assault at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse on January 4, 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Titus / Judiciary Committee)

7) H.R. __ - To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of the victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated (Sponsored by Rep. Levin / Ways and Means Committee)

H.Con.Res. 248 - Afghanistan War Powers Resolution (Privileged Resolution) (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Kucinich / Foreign Affairs Committee)

Printable PDF

Eric Cantor: Republican Whip

Will House Republicans figure out how to defeat health care bill?

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor believes the health care can be defeated, according to The Hill (and a H/T to The Contemporary Conservative for the heads-up) which shows the House Republicans are actively working to figure out how to avoid this monstrosity:

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) proclaimed Wednesday morning after meeting with his conference that "this healthcare bill can be defeated."
...
Cantor explained that he had spent an hour Wednesday huddling behind closed doors with members of his own conference, strategizing on how to defeat the president's landmark domestic initiative.

"We’re looking at 37 Democrats who are in districts that are particularly upset and vulnerable to the provisions of this healthcare bill," Cantor said, highlighting the key theme to be pursued: "Are they going to be with the people or are they going to be with Pelosi?"

He is not alone in believing that something can be done:

... Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told his rank-and-file, "The bottom line is, I believe we can beat this bill. The American people are with us.”

Many Republicans asked why their representatives were not more vocal and out front in fighting against this monstrosity of a bill. House leaders Cantor and Boehner have set the wheel in motion.

Eric Cantor on Friday "Fox and Friends"

I'm watching Fox News Channel's "Fox and Friends" this morning and there's Virginia's own Eric Cantor (R-7th CD), the House Majority Whip, talking with the "Fox and Friends" co-hosts about terrorism and airline security and casting aside a politically correct attitude that dictates that we need to pat down four-year-olds and 80-year-old grandmothers boarding airplanes. We know where the threat comes from, he said, and it's time to focus on that. It was a good conversation.

That was a pleasant surprise this morning.

Eric Cantor on Fox & Friends this morning

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA, GOP Minority Whip) was on Fox & Friends this morning talking with Steve Doocy about the socialized health care bill currently in Congress. Rep. Cantor's hope is that Congress will slow down and actually read the bill even while the Blue Dog Democrats are being wooed by Nancy Pelosi and crew.

Polls now show 42% of Americans disapprove of socialized medicine; only 36% want it. Rep. Cantor hopes that the August break for Congress will give representatives an opportunity to talk with their constituents and hear from them.

August ... attend townhall meetings and let your reps know how you feel about socialized health care. We don't need the government taking over our health care.

Eric Cantor ... rising star of the GOP?

Rep. Eric Cantor is receiving a lot of attention these days. A profile earlier this week by Time magazine has now been followed by an indepth look at the Republican Whip by ABC News. At a time when the GOP is adrift and looking for new leadership, this charismatic young man may fill the bill. As observed by ABC:

Cantor is being widely touted as a rising star in a party in search of a new identity. He's being hailed as the Newt Gingrich of his generation and a possible presidential contender in 2012 or beyond.

He has his hands full ... but he seems to be balancing it all:

"I think that Republicans are united in the fact that we want to work with this president to try and solve the economic challenges that families are facing across this country," Cantor said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Since taking over as Republican whip for a diminished and demoralized caucus in the new Congress, Cantor has been a ubiquitous presence for the GOP -- on television, in White House meetings, and rallying the troops behind closed doors.

It was Cantor who surprised Obama aides at a White House meeting by taking Obama up on his invitation to offer alternative ideas on the stimulus package.

It was Cantor who crafted a Republican version of the stimulus bill, giving the GOP something to rally around. And it was Cantor again who managed his colleagues so effectively that not a single House Republican wound up voting for Obama's stimulus package.

At a time when many in the Party have drifted as the GOP appears to have forgotten some of its principles, they welcome Rep. Cantor's strong stand.

"He is a very welcome breath of fresh air, who is not afraid or ashamed to stick to and forcefully agitate conservative principles and policy positions," said Keith Appell, a Republican political strategist. "He is a welcome change. He doesn't buy into the phony bipartisanship that Obama preaches but doesn't practice."

Rep. Cantor seems to also have caught the eye of the President.

"The president has already, in a way, picked him out as a person he wants to have a better relationship with," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the chief deputy whip in the Republican caucus.

Good, positive article ... read it all here.

Time Magazine: Eric Cantor works to regain GOP majority

"I feel that my obligation is to be a prudent guardian of taxpayer money."

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th Congressional District)

Rep. Eric Cantor has a giant mounted photo propped like a canvas on the arms of a chair in the corner of his office in the Capitol. The image seems an innocently iconic one — a shot of the National Mall from Congress — until a staffer explains to you that it's the view from the Virginia Republican's old office when the GOP controlled the House, and it's there to serve as a daily reminder of what he's working toward: regaining the majority.

So begins Time Magazine's new article about Republican Whip Eric Cantor, a popular servant of the people who hopes to bring the majority back to DC and the GOP. Capturing the mover-and-shaker of the forty-something set, Time reported:

Taking on the relatively unpopular congressional Democrats is one thing, but flagrantly opposing a wildly popular new President is risky, especially when the payoff could take years, if at all. But the move energized the GOP for the first time in a long while, inspiring six Republican governors — all rumored 2012 wannabes like Cantor himself — to threaten to decline some of the stimulus money.

The opposition also heightened Cantor's profile as the Newt Gingrich of his generation, a wonky, partisan bomb thrower who can rake in well over $300,000 in a single fundraiser, as he did last week. The Richmond, Va., Republican, who likes to remind folks he holds James Madison's seat in Congress, is one of the few rising stars in a party struggling to reinvent itself. But at 45, the baby-faced Cantor is hardly new to the scene. A player in House leadership for seven years, he has raised more than $16.5 million for himself and his colleagues in the last three election cycles — the carrot to his ideological stick when he's keeping his conference in line.

Read the entire article here.

Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com

Feb. 13-17: National Silver Haired Congress

My parents with their Congressman Eric Cantor at the
2007 Republican Round-Up.

Today is the opening of the 2009 National Silver Haired Congress as delegates from across the Nation gather in Alexandria, Virginia ... including my parents. My mom was honored to be appointed by her Congressman, Eric Cantor (R), to represent the 7th Congressional District.

Both my folks are excited about this opportunity to represent the "silver-haired generation" as Mom attends seminars and votes on issues of interest to the aging population of the U.S.

Representatives are asked to sign up for their top three choices of committees representing issues they are interested in pursuing, and Mom chose Civil/Criminal Justice, Health, and General.

In the past representatives have brought close to 100 issues to the Silver Haired Congress, narrowed them down to five of the most important issues, and passed them on to their U.S. representatives to pusue in the U.S. Congress.

What exactly is the Silver Haired Congress?

The National Silver Haired Congress is a nonpartisan body for older citizens similar in organization and employing procedures similar to those used by the United States Congress. It is made up of a maximum of 100 U.S. Silver Senators and 435 Silver Representatives from all fifty states plus voting Delegates from the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The purpose of the NSHC is to serve as a non-partisan advocate for Federal-level issues and concerns of importance to older citizens through education and awareness development.

The National Silver Haired Congress (NSHC) consists of a Silver Senate and a Silver House of Representatives. These two bodies are empowered with all legislative powers, duties and responsibilities.

Last year's Congress turned out these five top issues:

1) Create a National Criminal Background Check and Registry of all direct access employees of health care facilities, including home health agencies and residential care facilities.

2) Mandate Geriatric Education for all Students preparing for health careers in Tax Supported Medical Schools

3) Increase Home and Community-Based Services by developing a FY 2009 budget that will fully fund the Older Americans Act, Title II.

4) Pass Elder Justice Legislation that will prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute offenders involved in elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

5) Establish a "Silver Alert" Notification Network for Missing Elderly Citizens, similar to the Amber Alert for Children so that law enforcement, news media, and the general public may be promptly notified and a timely search and rescue may be undertaken when a vulnerable, disoriented elderly person is discovered missing.

It will be interesting to see what issues this year's Silver Haired Congress decides are the most important for America's aging population.

Congratulations, Mom, on the appointment ... you kids have fun!

Photo by SWAC Girl