Tag Archives: Bruce Poliquin

Mar 4 2016

ITC Votes Unanimously in Favor of Maine Manufacturer after Letter from Collins, King, Pingree, and Poliquin Supports Investigation

ITC Votes Unanimously in Favor of Maine Manufacturer after Letter from Collins, King, Pingree, and Poliquin Supports Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Trade Commission (ITC) voted unanimously today to continue its investigations on certain amorphous silica fabric (ASF) from China that are allegedly being subsidized and sold in the United States at unfair prices, which is harming the hard-working men and women at Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. (AMI). Last month, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to the ITC in support of the investigation.

 

“This unanimous decision by the ITC is extremely encouraging for AMI and hard-working men and women employed there,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin. “U.S. trade laws are designed to protect American workers against the type of unfair competition alleged in this case.  We will continue to monitor the investigations at the ITC and the Department of Commerce and stand with Maine workers against all unfair trade.”

 

As noted in the Senators’ and Representatives’ letter to the ITC, according to AMI, its profitability and growth potential have been negatively affected by Chinese trading practices, which allow producers to sell ASF at artificially low prices.  AMI asserts that the illegally subsidized ASF from China caused the volume of imports of Chinese ASF to increase by more than 150 percent between 2012 and 2014.

 

Today’s decision from the ITC will permit the U.S. Department of Commerce to continue its investigations on imports of ASF from China.  The preliminary countervailing duty ruling is due on or about April 14, 2016, and the preliminary antidumping duty rulings are due on or about June 28, 2016.
A copy of the letter is available HERE.

Mar 3 2016

Poliquin Sends Letter to Entire Republican Conference, Suggests 14 Reforms to Improve Health Care System

Poliquin Sends Letter to Entire Republican Conference, Suggests 14 Reforms to Improve Health Care System

Congressman Poliquin highlights needed health care improvements as GOP Task Force begins its work

 

WASHINGTON – This week, Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, delivered a letter to the entire Republican Conference highlighting important reforms to the Affordable Care Act, known as ObamaCare.

 

Poliquin attached his letter from May 2015 to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, which outlines 14 suggested reforms to the health care law.

 

Poliquin delivered his reforms to the Republican Conference in light of the newly created Task Force on Health Care Reform’s launch last week.

 

In his letter to his colleagues, Congressman Poliquin writes:

 

“I strongly advocate for these changes based on many conversations with Maine residents and small business owners, who have described their experiences with the job-killing mandates and smothering costs of a government-run health insurance market.

 

“As our Conference engages in thoughtful debate on a replacement for ObamaCare, I ask that we seize this opportunity to institute common sense and free market health care policy for American Families.”

 

 

In May 2015, Congressman Poliquin sent a letter to then-Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Chairmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and John Kline (R-MN) expressing his concerns with ObamaCare and offering 14 free-market solutions to the President’s health care law.  Congressman Poliquin’s  reforms include:

  • Require hospitals and doctors to provide patients with the estimated costs of health care services and procedures so they can shop for the best care at the lowest price. This will reduce monthly health insurance premiums by driving down the underlying cost of health care.
  • Allow insurance companies to share savings with patients when services and procedures of comparable quality are purchased outside of the health care plan’s network at below average costs.
  • Allow individuals, families, and businesses to shop across state lines for the health insurance plans that fit their needs and pocketbooks.
  • Remove the mandates for unnecessary and expensive health care services and procedures to be covered by all health insurance plans.
  • Allow affordable high-deductible and low- premium health care policies to be offered by insurance companies.
  • Allow small businesses and other organizations to band together while negotiating the purchase of the health insurance plans that best meets their needs at costs they can afford.
  • Allow insurance companies to charge much less for health care plans sold to younger individuals and those who make healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Require insurance companies to provide coverage to individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
  • Require health insurance plans to be portable when workers change jobs.
  • Allow states to establish reinsurance pools that provide affordable health insurance to those who need high levels of health care services.
  • Allow health insurance policies to be purchased with pre-tax dollars.
  • Expand the use of tax-free health saving accounts by allowing the funds to pay for monthly premiums as well as out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Allow families to buy primary health care services directly from their doctors of choice, and then purchase inexpensive high-deductible policies to insure against catastrophic illness.
  • Do not allow the IRS to fine or penalize individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance.

 

This year, Speaker Ryan announced the creation of six committee-led task forces within the Republican Conference to focus on and develop an agenda for major priorities for Congress.

 

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Click HERE to see a PDF version of Congressman Poliquin’s letter to the Republican Conference.

Click HERE to see a PDF version of Congressman Poliquin’s May 2015 letter to Chairmen Ryan, Kline and Upton.

Mar 2 2016

WARNING: IRS Scams Continue to Harm Mainers

WARNING: IRS Scams Continue to Harm Mainers

Congressman Poliquin’s offices in Lewiston, Bangor and Presque Isle are here to help victims of IRS fraud

 

LEWISTON – Phone scams from IRS impersonators continue to exploit taxpayers in Maine at alarming rates. These ongoing attacks have directly harmed countless individuals in Maine’s Second District, most of which are seniors.  Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s offices in Lewiston, Bangor and Presque Isle are available as resources to anyone who has been targeted or suspects that he or she has been targeted by these scam artists.

 

“It is despicable to me that there is an entire illegal industry today that exploits so many honest, hardworking citizens,” said Congressman Poliquin.  “It is especially disturbing that these scam artists target our seniors in particular, who are more likely than anyone else to fall victim to these criminals.”

 

When answering phone calls, it is important to remember that the IRS will NEVER:

  • Call to demand immediate payment or call about taxes owed, without first having mailed you a bill.
  • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
  • Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
  • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  • Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

 

Also, be aware that IRS scams by email are up 400% this season.  Remember to take the proper precautions to defend against misleading and harmful emails from scammers.

 

Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s Offices:

 

  • Lewiston: 784-0768 or visit 179 Lisbon Street
  • Bangor: 942-0583 or visit 6 State Street, Suite 101
  • Presque Isle: 764-1968 or visit 631 Main Street, Suite 2

 

For additional information on how to defend against identity theft, please visit https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection.

 

Congressman Poliquin has worked hard in Congress to combat scams against Mainers, especially our seniors.  In February, Poliquin introduced the Senior $afe Act in the House, which will provide important protections for seniors to combat investment fraud, an enormous abuse of the investment market that exploits about one-fifth of investors aged 65 or older.  Poliquin’s bill is companion legislation to Senator Susan Collins’ bill in the Senate.

Mar 1 2016

Poliquin Stands Up for Maine Jobs and Maine-Made Products

Poliquin Stands Up for Maine Jobs and Maine-Made Products

Congressman Poliquin testifies in front of the House Armed Services Committee supporting the use of quality American products for our Military Men and Women

 

WASHINGTON – Today, Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, testified before the House Armed Services Committee to advocate for the use of the Berry Amendment, a provision which requires the Department of Defense to use American-made products when available.  In addition, Congressman Poliquin thanked the Committee for its work to include an additional DDG-51 ship in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act to be manufactured at Bath Iron Works, employing more than 6,000 Mainers from across our State.

 

Congressman Poliquin testifies before the House Armed Services Committee. Click HERE to watch the Congressman’s testimony.

 

After the hearing, Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:

 

“I urge the Committee to implement the Berry Amendment and to require the Department of Defense to use materials that are made here in America, specifically the top-of-the-line athletic shoes that are manufactured in Maine’s Second District” said Congressman Poliquin. “Our businesses and workers in Maine produce the best shoes in America and provide more than 900 jobs for hardworking Mainers.”

 

Congressman Poliquin enters the House Armed Services Committee hearing room sporting his own American-made athletic shoes.

 

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Attachments area

Preview YouTube video 20160301 Member Day – National Defense Priorities from Members for the FY 2017 NDAA (ID: 104597)

20160301 Member Day – National Defense Priorities from Members for the FY 2017 NDAA (ID: 104597)