Senator Chuck Grassley made the following comment about the President's budget proposal.

"After he was elected, President Obama said he knew the economy couldn't handle a tax increase.  Today, unemployment is still 8.3 percent, but the President wants to increase taxes $1.5 trillion.  An Obama tax increase would set the economy back and fuel more government spending.  It keeps America on the path of big deficits and record debt, all at the expense of the next generation.  When I asked the Federal Reserve Chairman during a budget committee hearing last week, he reiterated that the economy couldn't handle a tax increase.  So, again, the White House is choosing its reelection campaign over any attempt to start reducing the size of government and chart a course for private-sector job creation.

"Leadership by the Senate Majority Leader is just as lacking.  Earlier this month, Senator Harry Reid said he had no intention of allowing the Senate to consider a budget this year.  The Senate hasn't produced a budget for the last three years because Senator Reid doesn't want senators in his caucus to have to take difficult votes, also putting politics above the responsibility that's held by elected officials."

In case you missed it, over the weekend, Sarah Palin gave a rousing and inspiring speech at CPAC.  We here at the Tea Party Express were at CPAC along with Sarah Palin and were inspired by the words that she had for the crowd and America.

Sarah Palin Speaking at CPAC over the weekend

Sarah Palin reminds us that the conservative movement has not been brighter and that our job is not done.  We must keep fighting for the conservative ideals that made this country great!

With all of us fixated on the important presidential election, we cannot lose sight of the other goal that we have for this year - taking control of the Senate. This is just as important as winning the White House.  In order to further the conservative ideals that we all stand for, we must break the hold that Harry Reid and the obstructionist Democrats have on the Senate.

In order to do this, we are working hard to raise awareness of our campaign to take control of the Senate by electing REAL CONSERVATIVE LEADERS.

.

February 13, 2012

OBAMA FOR AMERICA TO LAUNCH IOWA TRUTH TEAM TO PROMOTE THE PRESIDENT'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND HOLD REPUBLICANS ACCOUNTABLE

CHICAGO, IL - Today, OFA IOWA will hold a press conference call to launch the Truth Team, a new effort by President Obama supporters to promote the President's achievements, respond to attacks on his record and hold the republicans accountable. The effort includes three websites, KeepingHisWord.com, KeepingGOPHonest.com, AttackWatch.com all available through Barackobama.com/truthteam and a network of state and local officials serving as truth team members, including Iowa Treasure Mike Fitzgerald, State Senator Jack Hatch, State Representative Tyler Olson and Former State Senator Steve Warnstadt.

The Truth Team is a network of supporters of the President who are committed to promoting the President's accomplishments, defending his record against unfounded attacks and holding the republicans responsible to their record.  The Truth Team websites will serve as a quick, comprehensive resource to help set the record straight and share that message with others, including fact checks on republican claims, personalized emails to friends and family and other social media tools.  This effort is part of the Obama campaign's commitment to engaging supporters at the grassroots level to spread the word about the President's record and help voters find the facts to pushback on Republican attacks.

WHO: Iowa Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, State Senator Jack Hatch, State Representative Tyler Olson and Former State Senator Steve Warnstadt. 

WHAT: Press Conference call to launch the Truth Teams, a new effort to promote the President's record and hold Republicans Accountable  

WHEN: February 13, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. CT. 

To RSVP to this event, please email  press@barackobama.com.

###

Measure Empowers Citizens to Enact Ethics Laws for Public Officials Through Popular Initiative and Referendum

CHICAGO - February 12, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today proposed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would allow state voters to enact ethics reforms through popular initiative and referendum. As Illinois today observes the 203rd anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln, Governor Quinn called for the passage of the Lincoln Amendment to give voters the power to directly implement stronger ethics laws for the first time in state history. This proposed amendment follows Governor Quinn's successful 2010 push for an amendment to the Illinois Constitution allowing for the recall of corrupt governors.

"There is no greater force than every day people banding together for a cause they believe in," Governor Quinn said. "Our citizens must always have a role in keeping our government honest and ethical."

Sponsored by Sen. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago), the amendment gives citizens the power to enact fundamental ethics reforms to local governments, school districts, and the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government by gathering 8 percent of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. The Lincoln Amendment would be limited to changes that establish and enforce ethical standards, including campaign finance reform, conflict-of-interest voting, pay-to-pay abuses, patronage abuse and misuse of taxpayer funds.

Currently, voters may only propose, by popular initiative, amendments to the Illinois constitution that deal with the structure and procedure of the General Assembly. If the Lincoln Amendment is approved this spring by the General Assembly, voters would have the opportunity to enact through referendum a permanent change in the Illinois Constitution during the November 2012 general election. Once approved by three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election, the Lincoln Amendment would become law, giving voters more power than ever before to improve honesty and integrity in government.

"As elected officials, we are accountable to the people we represent, and it is vital that their voices be heard," said Sen. Collins. "I am proud to sponsor this amendment, which will allow people to be even more involved in their government, and I would like to thank Governor Quinn for his support of ethics in government."

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has signed landmark campaign finance reform that instituted Illinois' first-ever limits on campaign contributions from candidates, political parties and political action committees. Governor Quinn also launched Appointments.Illinois.Gov, Accountability.Illinois.Gov and Data.Illinois.Gov to bring more transparency to state appointments, contracts and salary information and public data collected by state and federal agencies.

###