By J.J. Smith. U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) has announced that he is seeking re-election for his 16th term in office as U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Texas, continuing his commitment to create jobs, cut taxes, grow the economy and rein in government spending.

At 86 years and seven months old, Hall is the oldest member of the U.S. House, but appears to still be going strong, as evidenced by his frequent trips back and forth to his home district from the nation’s capital.

Hall was first elected in 1980 as a conservative Democrat, and switched to Republican Jan. 5, 2004. Only 19 House members have served longer than Hall has. 

“These are difficult times for all Americans,” Hall said. “Folks in my district in Northeast Texas are very concerned about the direction of our country.  If Republicans stay together, the mid-term elections could produce leaders who will promote sound economic policies and get our economy growing again.”

“In the 111th Congress, I voted against all of the government bail-outs, the mammoth health care bill, and the cap and tax energy bill, and I am committed to standing in the way of further tax increases and government takeover of private businesses.”

“Spending is out of control, and unless we work toward a balanced budget, our children and grandchildren will be left with an unsustainable debt that will cripple prosperity for generations to come.”

As the Ranking Republican of the influential Committee on Science and Technology, plus a longtime member of the prestigious Committee on Energy and Commerce, Hall says he has continued to push for innovation and global competitiveness, a robust space program, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, and an energy policy that promotes free market principles and reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil.

“We have worked hard developing clean coal technology, ultra-deep drilling technology, research and development in alternative fuels, and oil exploration that is friendlier to the environment.” 

“Using new technologies would increase America’s energy independence, create good-paying jobs and help bolster the economy.”

“As the Dean of the House, I have seniority on the right committees for Texas, and I want to use my experience and influence on behalf of the citizens of the Fourth District.” 

“I have strong support from the folks in Northeast Texas, and I will continue to work hard on their behalf.”

Before being elected to the House, Hall served in the Texas State Senate from 1962-1972, and as Rockwall County Judge from 1950 to 1962.

He has three sons: Hampton, Brett and Blakeley, plus five grandchildren. Brett Hall is the U.S. District Judge in Rockwall.

For more information, see his campaign website at RalphHall.com and his Facebook page.

By J.J. Smith. After hearing President Obama’s prime-time speech at West Point Military Academy last night, U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) announced this morning he is pleased that President Obama seems to have listened to General Stanley McCrystal’s recommendations and ordered an increase of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

“I am pleased that the President seems to have listened to the recommendations of General McCrystal and has ordered an increase of troops to Afghanistan,” said Hall.

“It is essential that we listen to the input of our generals on the ground, and I know when I visited Iraq it was important to hear first-hand what General Petraeus was seeing on the battlefield.”

Hall added that the increase in troop levels is essential but he is opposed to an artitrary withdrawl date as proposed by the President.

“The increase in troop levels is essential to success, though I am against an arbitrary withdrawal date that emboldens our enemies and undermines our efforts.”

“The fight against terrorists in Afghanistan is important to the future security of America and will hopefully prevent another 9-11, and we look forward to the day when we can welcome home those serving on the battlefield.”

Hall said he believes that we should pay for the increase by reigning in spending rather than through new taxes.

“Some have suggested that we pay for the war through new taxes – in addition to spending trillions of dollars on government-run health care or cap-and-trade bills that tax all forms of energy.”

We face a future that already will saddle our children and grandchildren with enormous debt, and we cannot afford to add to their burden.  We need to try to pay for the war efforts by reining in spending and strengthening the economy – not by creating new government-run programs.”

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) joined 175 Republicans and 39 Democrats to vote Saturday against the passage of H.R. 3962, legislation that may critics say will radically reform the Nation’s health care delivery system.

Despite the opposition, the bill passed by two votes, 220-215, as one Republican from a predominantly Democrat district in Lousiana also voted for it.

“This bill passed the House despite the concerns of millions of Americans who voiced their views in town hall meetings across the country and in letters, phone calls, emails, and faxes to their Representatives in Congress,” said Hall. 

“My position has always been to represent the views of my constituents – and they have been solidly against this government takeover of health care.”

In a speech to the U.S. House of Representatives Saturday, Hall said, “This bill is a generation killer, and the targets are your grandchildren and mine. My fourth district in Texas is 100-1 against this bill and I believe my district is a good composite of other districts around this county.”

Hall closed his speech by reminding all members, “Remember who sent you here and vote their wishes. The American people have memories that will survive the actions of today’s vote.”

Hall explained that he agrees with his constituents that health reform is needed, but that the best solution is not in the form of H.R. 3962.  

“We desperately need common-sense reforms that rein in health care costs and make quality health care available and affordable for our citizens,” Hall said.  

The Republican substitute amendment, which Hall supported, would reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years and would reduce health insurance premiums for small businesses, individuals, and employer coverage. 

Some of the main provisions of the Republican bill include allowing states to establish interstate compacts, medical liability reform, fraud prevention, increasing federal funding for high-risk pools, and improving Health Savings Accounts. 

 The motion failed to pass by a vote of 176 to 258.

“H.R. 3962 is the largest reform of health care since the introduction of Medicare, and it will impact every American citizen and business,” Hall said. 

“As this moves forward to a House-Senate Conference, I will continue to be an advocate for my constituents and represent their interests in this process.”

By J.J. Smith. U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) issued a statement today opposing Pres. Obama’s proposed government-run healthcare system reform, at the same time revealing that he has been working for months on an alternative health care reform plan which he hopes will soon receive bipartisan support.

The 15–term Congressman wrote that, to be a success, a health care plan must ensure quality, while remaining affordable and accessible for every American.

He added that medical decisions must be made by patients and their doctors, not “government bureaucrats,” plus the focus should be on prevention, wellness and disease management programs, while developing new treatments and cures.

Rep. Hall wrote that he will vote against Pres. Obama’s reform, just as he voted against his federal stimulus and bailout, as well as the cap and trade bill, because neither he nor his constituents across Texas Fourth Congressional District want such legislation.

“My constituents were 100 to 1 against a bailout and also against a cap-and-trade bill. When you receive a message that emphatic, those of us elected to represent should listen and act affirmatively,” his statement read.

“Those who are elected as representatives should represent. I will continue to listen to my constituents, seek their views and represent their interests.”

Rep. Hall said he believes “we need to curb government spending, eliminate waste, and return as soon as possible to a balanced Federal budget,” plus “grow our way out of the recession by focusing on efforts to strengthen small businesses.” 

He also supports an American Energy Act that will “provide energy independence, create more good-paying jobs and promote a cleaner environment, without imposing a national energy tax.”

In his statement, he explained why he opposes the Democrat-led legislation.

“I oppose proposed healthcare reform that will lead to a government-run healthcare system and penalize small businesses with oppressive taxes, threatening their very survival.”

“I opposed the cap-and-trade energy plan that will lead to higher energy prices for every household and more job losses, and will do little to improve the environment.”

“I opposed the “stimulus” bill, which turned out not to stimulate the economy. Instead, we have seen unemployment rise to almost 10 percent and the Federal debt explode.  The stimulus could endanger an entire generation of young Americans.”    

“These policies, introduced by a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress, mark a fundamental shift toward more taxation, more government intervention, and more debt.  The American people deserve better.” 

Following is the text of his statement:

Increase Healthcare Access and Preserve Choice

There are common sense reforms that could make health care more affordable, reduce the number of uninsured Americans and increase quality at a price our country can afford – while making sure that Americans who like their health care coverage can keep it. 

I have been working for months on a plan, listening to the American people, talking to doctors and patients, collecting input, studying and debating ideas. This process has resulted in the broad outline of a health care reform plan that I’m hoping will receive bipartisan support. 

For a health care plan to be a success it needs to ensure quality, affordable and accessible health care coverage for every American.  We must ensure that medical decisions are made by patients and their doctors, not government bureaucrats.  We also need to focus on improving Americans’ lives through effective prevention, wellness and disease management programs, while developing new treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases. 

We cannot allow politicians and special interests to stand between patients and the care they need. The American people deserve the freedom to choose the health care that is best for their families.

Grow the Economy

We need to grow our way out of the recession by focusing on efforts to strengthen small businesses and get the economy growing again by putting America back to work.  At the same time, we need to curb government spending, eliminate waste, and return as soon as possible to a balanced Federal budget. 

The Congressional Budget Office notes that elevated deficits combined with the potential for inflation from our current practice of “printing money” will penalize savings, investment and income, while increased taxes could slow economic growth.  If we don’t reduce the unprecedented pace of government spending, the result will be a permanent expansion of government spending that will necessitate further taxation, lead to continuing economic stagnation, make it far more difficult to balance the budget and will increase our deficits to an unsustainable level that will impoverish many future generations of Americans.

Achieve Energy Independence

I support an “all of the above” American Energy Act that will provide energy independence, create more good-paying jobs and promote a cleaner environment, without imposing a national energy tax.  I support more domestic exploration for oil, oil shale and natural gas, more nuclear energy, and more research and development for alternative fuels and alternative technologies.  As the Ranking Member of the Science and Technology Committee and a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, these are my goals.