Hatfield

Can I get moderator permissions for the policy committee while I hold the gavel?

Vote fails 2-3

In accordance with Section IV (3) of the House Rules, which states that in the absence of a committee chairman the Ranking Member will take the the gavel.  Since there is no Chairman and I am the Ranking Member, I therefore am taking the gavel until such a time that the Majority Party appoints a Chairman.

10 hours ago, Thyne said:

Are there any intentions to reevaluate the current game elements to align with the clearly limited player base and staffing capabilities? I.e. a bicameral sim, committees, administratively burdensome game systems (financial reporting, unleveraged media system, etc.), confusing and redundant board structures, unessentials rules and policies (I mean we have like a dozen posts in several different areas telling people how to write a press release). 

One of the things that I wanted to talk about but was late for the meeting was the idea of simplifying the game for the time being, whether that meant going to a Senate sim or simplifying the financial system (my personal preference, everyone enjoys being a politician, not everyone enjoys running a budget.) Also, adding things that I think would keep players happy, like a public IVS report card.  If you are putting something into the game but never getting anything out of it, it isn't very fun.  Having that "Your congressman did well to support abortion since you are a New York senator, but your recent slip up on the floor cost you some points" just makes it feel like we are actually engaging in a living world where our actions matter.  The news stories mentioning our actions are great, but it would be awesome if we could have a tangible way to know how we are doing as characters, and I think it would help people to stick around.

Name: Ron Hatfield (R-NH-1)

Party: Republican

Interviewing Agency: The Hippo- Manchester Edition

"Some would say that my Freelance Writers and Artists Protection act is 'anti-libertarian', but it's quite the opposite.  How is it fair that artists who aren't part of megacorporations don't get the same law applied to them that the big corporations do?  If we want to make things fair, we either apply the antitrust laws to everyone, or we get rid of the antitrust laws.  I don't see Congress passing antitrust legislation any time soon, so it only makes sense to allow the law to not only apply to the elites, but to the common artist as well.  That's why I believe the Freelance Writers and Artists Protection Act is perfectly libertarian and perfectly American."

Congressman Hatfield Responds to the USS Cole Incident

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Ron Hatfield of New Hampshire offered his wishes and prayers for those who were injured in the U.S.S. Cole incident earlier, and thanked France and the United Kingdom for their help so far.  The warship is being called unofficially an act of terrorism, while Yemen currently is saying that it is a fire that started when the ship was refueling.  There are several reported wounded and missing after the explosion.

The New Hampshire Congressman wanted to let families of the victims of the USS Cole know that he would do everything in his power to investigate this issue, and if it was a terrorist act, to act accordingly.  However, the Congressman said "We must remain vigilant, yet calm in these times.  Let us not rush to point the finger and blame others.  If this was an act of terror, let's act accordingly.  If it was the act of a nation, then let's act accordingly.  However, let's make sure before we act."

Congressman Hatfield will keep tabs on the subject, and any new unclassified information would be passed along accordingly.

Further questions may be addressed to the Offices of Congressman Ron Hatfield.

Name: Ron Hatfield

Party: Republican

Interviewing Agency: WMUR News 9

"Look, it's simple economics.  Economic principles dictate that when big government imposes a federal minimum wage rate above the what the market naturally establishes, it creates a surplus between the supply of labor and the demand for labor, leading to an increase in unemployment.  As odd as it sounds, minimum wage actually hurts the poor, incentivizes companies to replace employees with automation, and actually broadens the gap between the rich and the poor."

Small Business Profits a Priority for Congressman Hatfield

Washington, D.C.- At a special meeting today with several small businesses around the D.C. area, Congressman Ron Hatfield has declared himself the "champion of smalls business" and said that he will do everything in his power to push legislation that will empower small business owners to be able to make ends meet, while growing the economy and providing jobs.

"A bill I recently introduced called the Small Business Paperwork Amnesty Act is a small step towards ending unnecessary regulations against small business" said Congressman Hatfield, "but ask every business owner here if they feel like being able to have a reprieve when they file their federal paperwork to make sure they got it right, instead of getting fined, is a 'small deal'".

The legislation which was introduced last week, will forgive businesses for their first offence if they did not file paperwork properly, and it is Ron Hatfield's hope that this piece of legislation will receive bipartisan support.

Further questions may be addressed to the Offices of Congressman Ron Hatfield.

Aye

Hatfield Comments on Panama Canal Situation

Washington, D.C.- After Cuban planes were spotted in Panama after the controversy of the United States not handing over the Panama Canal per its obligations via International Treaty, President Grayson contacted the President of Panama to work out a deal to prevent any hostilities.

Congressman Hatfield supported Grayson's approach to peace.  "This is what happens when we entangle ourselves in foreign treaties and alliances" said the Congressman, "I applaud the President for not being quick on the trigger and supporting diplomacy through peace to figure out this situation.  Now, while I fully expect this situation to be resolved diplomatically, I implore the President to remember that in future crises, not to forget that it is up to Congress to declare war, not the President.  I'm just glad peace reigns today."

Congressman Ron Hatfield also introduced legislation yesterday that will shut down the Federal Reserve system to return the country to better economic stability.

Further questions may be addressed to the Offices of Congressman Ron Hatfield.

Mister Chairman,

Long have a few elites in Washington assumed that they knew what was best when it came to teaching kids spread across this great country, and to assume that the challenges to education are the same in California are the same as they are in New Hampshire or Texas.  With the stagnation of education that is occurring across this country, it's time that we gave the power back to the people that are much closer to the children who are being taught in these education systems, instead of someone who could potentially be thousands of miles away.  I whole-heartily support this education bill.

I yield.

Name: Ron Hatfield (R-NH-1)

Party: Republican

Interviewing Agency: New Hampshire Union Leader

"My biggest concern about the housing market is the potential for a looming crash.  Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Home Loan Bank Board are all artificially distorting the housing market that will create a bubble that is going to burst one day or another.  Also worrying is the fact that these Government Sponsored Enterprises by law can be bailed out of their bad decisions with over $2 billion.  This line of credit is is a promise on behalf of the government to engage in a massive unconstitutional and immoral income transfer from working Americans to holders of GSE debt.  As a lover of the Constitution and smaller government, I cannot abide by this, which is why I've sponsored the Free Housing Market Enhancement Act."

Congressman Hatfield Chosen to be on the House Policy Committee

Washington, D.C.- A new member of the House Policy Committee entered chambers today.  Congressman Ron Hatfield had been chosen by House Minority Leader B. Byron Baudin of New York.  The Congressman joins Congressman Jack Terrus of Michigan, among others, to represent the Republican Party in the committee.

"It is an honor to be chosen for this position and I am going to make both my state and party proud" said Congressman Hatfield.  "I will continue to focus on improving the financial systems and commerce here in this great nation."

Meanwhile, Congressman Hatfield introduced another bill today called the Free Housing Market Enhancement Act that will restore the free market in relation to housing by removing special priviledges to the government sponsored enterprises Fannie May and Freddie Mac.

Further questions may be addressed to the Offices of Congresman Ron Hatfield.

Name: Ron Hatfield

State: New Hampshire

Majority/Minority: Minority

Congressman Ron Hatfield:

"While no one argues that children should be going to schools that are falling apart, I still feel that the President is keeping half promises from his speech.  Where are the bills that are going to remove the debt that our children face?  I'm still waiting for the President's plans for a "debt-free" America, instead of bills that are just going to raise government spending."

Congressman Ron Hatfield

"Look, a lot of the riff raff about nominations is about flexing muscles and reminding the President of another party that the other party still has some power.  Mrs. Braun certainly has some questions that she needs to answer for before she can be confirmed, but I see her being confirmed.  There are certainly worse candidates out there, and she understands the needs to balance the budget and the HUD is a Department that could use some balancing."

Starting Warchest: #300,000

Name: Ron Hatfield (R-NH-1)

Party: Republican

Interviewing Agency: The Hippo- Manchester Edition

"I do believe it is time that we start to unwind from the overburdening economic regulations that were set in the 1930's.  There is an economic crisis that will be coming to America, and it is coming soon, unless we allow the free market to react appropriately.  One of the ways that we can do this is to stop regulating gold. The Federal Government constantly seeks to artificially adjust gold prices by buying mass quantities of gold, or selling them, on a whim.  Also, there are plenty of unnecessary regulations on gold that we simply do not need.  It is to this end that I've written the Monetary Freedom and Accountability Act to allow gold to be valued at its actual intrinsic free market value, not what some elitist in Washington wants it to be."

Congressman Ron Hatfield,

"I'm ecstatic that we have some bipartisan support for once in the Senate, and I'm sure that support will carry on into the House.  I'm glad to see both Republicans and Democrats care so much for basic constitutional protections, and I especially applaud my Democratic colleagues for supporting this bill."

Congressman Hatfield Reminds President to Keep Promises of a Debt-Free America

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Ron Hatfield of New Hampshire at a speech in Washington today reminded the President that he said that he envisioned a debt-free America for our children.  Currently, only spending bills have been pushed into the House of Representatives, and yet the Democrats have not offered to put forward any bills to cut spending in order to escape from the current debt that the nation faces.

"I truly believe that we can indeed be debt free", said Ron Hatfield, "I do hope that the Democrats, against their very nature, offer up some spending cuts in order to streamline the Federal Government and so that we can relieve the debt burden on our future generations."  Congressman Hatfield stated that he was sure the GOP would be pushing bills that would reduce spending.  The Monetary Freedom and Accountability Act, recently sponsored by Congressman Hatfield, will limit the regulation and purchase of Gold in order to inflate prices, hoping to lift some of the burden of debt on the United States.

"At the very least, I wish the Democrats would try to raise taxes when they introduce spending bills" said Hatfield, "At least that way the citizens will know how much these programs will cost them directly, and will give them more tools to fight against an increase of our debt coming from our own Federal Government."

Further questions may be addressed to the Offices of Congressman Ron Hatfield.

Congressman Ron Hatfield:

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have a President like President Grayson who continues to do nothing and hide than have a President that wants to intrude on liberties and increase the size of the Federal Government.  I was worried by his speech, specifically speaking about a "debt-free America".  How will he accomplish this? By raising taxes?  Surely the Democrats aren't advocating cutting spending now are they?

 Congressman Ron Hatfield (R-NH-1)

"Listen, I think it's great that federal workers get the opportunity to take care and be with their families are able to be compensated for it.  However, it clearly was rushed and has already sent contractors in a frenzy, and the implementation was poorly thought out and is an example of how the Federal Government intruding on markets tend to cause more harm than good."
 

Congressman Hatfield Proposes Legislation to End Cuban Embargo

(Washington-D.C.)- Congressman Ron Hatfield of New Hampshire today introduced legislation to end the trade and travel embargo against Cuba which would effectively allow the normalization of relations between the two nations.  "It's high time that we start treating our neighbors to the South like they are neighbors" said Hatfield at a recent event with Cuban emigres who supported the legislation.  "They may not have a perfect civil rights record, but that isn't going to improve by building walls and telling them to change or else we won't trade with you."

Part of Ron Hatfield's plan prevents federal spending in Cuba, specifically using things like trade banks and forgiving Cuban debt and the like.  "I understand that not all Americans support the Cuban Government, neither do I." said Ron, "that doesn't mean that people shouldn't be allowed to visit Cuba or to buy and sell to Cubans.  To that end we shouldn't be spending tax-payer's money to bolster their regime.  I think it's only fair.  Not to mention, the Federal Governent shouldn't be willy nilly spending money anyways."

If passed, the Act will go into place 60 days after signed by the President.  Congressman Hatfield said that he is hopeful that he can get bipartisan support on the measure and is glad that Congressman Jack Terrus, a Republican, has already cosponsored the bill.

Further questions may be addressed to the Offices of Congressman Ron Hatfield.