John Fleming RSS Articles

Fleming Applauds Passage of Religious Liberty Amendment in Senate Committee

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., and Senator Mike Lee (UT) released the following statement about their companion religious liberty amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Fleming amendment, which passed the House Armed Services Committee on a bipartisan vote, was included in the House-passed NDAA, and the Lee amendment passed the Senate Armed Services Committee on a bipartisan vote.

"The First Amendment rights of our military members must be protected, and I am delighted that Republicans and Democrats on the Armed Services Committees of both the House and Senate have voted to ensure those protections," said Fleming. "These bipartisan votes strongly reaffirm the vision of our Founding Fathers that free speech, including that which expresses one's religious beliefs, must not be compromised. Even when there is conflict in ideas, more speech is always preferable to limitation of speech."

“For many of our men and women in uniform, their faith and religious beliefs are what sustain them through the enormous pressures and stresses of the battlefield,” said Lee. “If an environment is created where those service members feel that expressing their religion could be found in violation of military policy and grounds for reprimand, it will have an unsettlingly negative effect on our military. Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line everyday in order to protect our constitutionally guaranteed rights, including the expression of our beliefs. Congress must ensure that we are protecting them as well. “

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming: Obama got a warrant for the whole country

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement today after the revelation that the Obama Administration has been gathering the phone records of customers of Verizon:

“President Obama got a warrant for the whole country. Add the National Security Agency to the arms of the Executive Branch that are actively digging into the private lives of ordinary Americans who have done nothing wrong. Abuse of power is this administration’s legacy. Congress must revisit the laws that have been used to allow such tyranny. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which was meant for national security, has become just another tool in the hands of an administration that is consolidating power by gathering private information, and our security has been used as the pretense for this heinous intrusion.”

Fleming Offers Amendment to Protect Religious Liberty of Military Members

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement about a religious liberty amendment he will introduce during today’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“The men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms should not have their own religious freedom jeopardized during their military service. Steps to protect the religious liberties of our Armed Forces were taken in last year’s NDAA, but troubling reports indicate that the military may be focused only on protecting beliefs of service members and not the exercise or expression of those beliefs. My amendment is necessary to ensure that men and women of faith will not be discriminated against in the Armed Forces, and will be free to exercise their religious beliefs.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming Warns of Potential Harm from Flood Insurance Changes

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement today after sending a letter to David Miller, the Associate Administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration:

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is poised to implement changes to flood insurance policies that have the capacity to destroy communities in Louisiana. That’s why I wrote today to Associate Administrator David Miller, urging him to visit Louisiana and observe the potential for devastating economic ramifications. We need a sustainable and fiscally-responsible National Flood Insurance Program that protects businesses and homeowners.”

Fleming also announced today his co-sponsorship of H.R. 2199, legislation to temporarily delay a flood insurance premium adjustment that would cause exorbitant premium increases. Fleming said, “Ultimately, I want to see a flood insurance program that can stand on its own without taxpayer subsidies. However, under the current scenario, Louisianians who, in good faith, bought or renovated their homes to meet government insurance standards are now being put in an untenable situation that could cost some their homes. It’s appropriate for government to remedy a potentially harmful condition that it created.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming, Vitter Press State to Remedy Camp Minden Munitions

Thu, 30 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., and U.S. Senator David Vitter have sent letters to Governor Bobby Jindal and Major General Glenn Curtis of the Louisiana National Guard urging them to make it a priority to remedy the munitions issues at Camp Minden. Fleming and Vitter got the Army to offer assistance for the problem that had gone undetected by state officials.

"We've been engaged since we were made aware, and have been working closely with the Army to clarify their role," said Fleming. "Now that the immediate safety concerns are being addressed, it's time to move quickly to deal with the remaining explosives."

“This is a long-term safety concern that needs immediate attention from the state,” Vitter said. “Significant Army assistance could be provided if the state reacts in a timely and appropriate way.”

Last year Louisiana State Police discovered a large amount of explosives that had not been properly stored by a defense contractor, Explo Systems. The Department of Defense was reluctant to agree that they had necessary authority. After intervention from Fleming and Vitter, the Army has sent their Explosives Safety Board to evaluate and provide recommendations.

Below is the text of letters Vitter and Fleming sent to Gov. Jindal and Maj. Gen. Curtis.

The Honorable Bobby Jindal

Governor, State of Louisiana

Post office Box 94004

Baton Rouge LA, 70804

May 29, 2013

                We are writing to you in order to stress the priority state officials should place in taking the necessary steps to remedy the remaining munitions issues at Camp Minden.

                As you are aware, last year Louisiana State Police discovered an astounding amount of explosives that had not been stored properly in relation to a Department of Defense (DoD) contract with a private contractor, Explo Systems. The company failed to adhere to proper safety standards and managed to go undetected by state officials until a separate explosion unrelated to the M6 propellant occurred.

                Initially, the Army seemed to take the general position that that they lack the necessary authority to assist. It is our understanding that the Congressional Delegation's intervention with the Army has changed that. The Explosives Safety Board sent by the Department of the Army to evaluate the situation and provide initial recommendations is currently preparing further guidance. Significant Army assistance could be provided if the state reacts in a timely and appropriate way.

                Louisiana state officials have previously requested assistance from the DoD to find storage for the excess M6 propellant. From our understanding, there are currently a number of potential solutions to address the remaining materials in storage. Certain actions by the DoD will require that the Governor’s office submit formal requests to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

            Notwithstanding pending local legal action, we ask that state officials submit to the Army what is required so that the Army may be of assistance absolutely as soon as possible.

            As we move forward to find a solution please keep our offices informed as to the progress of this situation. In the meantime, thank you for your ongoing and continued attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

___________________                                ___________________

David Vitter                                        Dr. John Fleming

United States Senate                          United States Congress

CC: Louisiana National Guard

Major General Glenn H. Curtis

The Adjutant General

Louisiana National Guard

6400 St. Claude Avenue

Jackson Barracks

New Orleans, LA 70117

May 29, 2013

                We are writing to you in order to stress the priority state officials should place in taking the necessary steps to remedy the remaining munitions issues at Camp Minden.

                As you are aware, last year Louisiana State Police discovered an astounding amount of explosives that had not been stored properly in relation to a Department of Defense (DoD) contract with a private contractor, Explo Systems. The company failed to adhere to proper safety standards and managed to go undetected by state officials until a separate explosion unrelated to the M6 propellant occurred.

                Initially, the Army seemed to take the general position that that they lack the necessary authority to assist. It is our understanding that the Congressional Delegation's intervention with the Army has changed that. The Explosives Safety Board sent by the Department of the Army to evaluate the situation and provide initial recommendations is currently preparing further guidance. Significant Army assistance could be provided if the state reacts in a timely and appropriate way.

                Louisiana state officials have previously requested assistance from the DoD to find storage for the excess M6 propellant. From our understanding, there are currently a number of potential solutions to address the remaining materials in storage. Certain actions by the DoD will require that the Governor’s office submit formal requests to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

            Notwithstanding pending local legal action, we ask that state officials submit to the Army what is required so that the Army may be of assistance absolutely as soon as possible.

            As we move forward to find a solution please keep our offices informed as to the progress of this situation. In the meantime, thank you for your ongoing and continued attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

___________________                                ___________________

David Vitter                                        Dr. John Fleming

United States Senate                          United States Congress

CC: Louisiana Governor’s Office

Fleming Works to Halt IRS Audits

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement today about his Halt the IRS bill (H.R. 2045), which would suspend the ability of the Internal Revenue Service to start new audits for a period of six months:

“New reports of IRS targeting surface each day, even as those who were supposed to be in charge refuse to answer questions, deny culpability, and claim there was nothing illegal about the agency’s actions. According to one new report, 90% of returns that claimed an adoption tax credit were given additional review and nearly 70% of all the adoption credit claims were audited. There are unique challenges and high costs involved in adoption, and the tax credit is intended to provide a degree of balance that encourages adoption. Unfortunately, the IRS appeared to target the very families who chose to adopt children.

“Congress must continue to hold hearings to get to the bottom of the IRS misconduct, but we must also disarm the agency by suspending its power to launch new audits. The time has come to turn the IRS upside down, shake out all the corruption and wrongdoing, and transform how we do federal taxes.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming Introducing Bill to Suspend IRS Authority to Audit

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement to announce that he will introduce legislation this week entitled “Audit the IRS,” a bill that would suspend the authority of the Internal Revenue Service to conduct new audits:

“Today I'm calling on Congress to halt the audit authority of the IRS until Congress has had a chance to get to the root of the misconduct within that agency. For years the IRS has been using the power of the audit as a political weapon. Consequently, Congress must act to disarm the IRS. We’re seeing the tip of the iceberg. Tea party groups, conservative professors, opinion makers who dared to speak out against Obama, and even Billy Graham were targeted for interrogations that dug into private records, seeking information on everything from donor names to Facebook posts. The IRS has breached the trust of the American people and its misuse of the authority to audit must be stopped while Congress investigates the breadth of this scandal.

“What’s especially stunning is that the President, the Attorney General, and the IRS are all suggesting that this was not a coordinated attack on conservative groups or individuals. No one was in charge directing this effort. Instead, they claim this was just the misguided work of low-level employees. If that’s true, then our worst fears about the IRS may be true: countless IRS agents are going rogue and using their government-backed power to carry out personal and political vendettas. I'm not convinced that’s the case, and Congress needs to investigate to find out who authorized this policy.

“With the IRS poised to begin enforcement of Obamacare, Congress must act quickly and decisively to investigate this scandal. My bill will suspend the authority of the IRS to perform any new audits for 180 days, stopping the threat of coercion and intimidation while Congress carries out its full responsibility to examine how audits were misused and who is responsible for any criminal actions. Audits should not be allowed to resume until we complete a Congressional audit of the IRS and can assure the American people that this kind of government strong-arming won’t happen again.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming: We just might be witnessing the most corrupt administration in a generation.

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement about the scandals involving Benghazi, the IRS, and the Department of Justice:

“Maybe no one is safe. Four diplomatic lives are lost in Benghazi and the president calls it 'a side show.' Conservative activists were targeted by the White House's IRS and the president acts dumb on the matter, even though he joked about auditing his enemies in 2009. And now the mainstream media had phone records seized by the White House's Department of Justice, but Attorney General Eric Holder is claiming ignorance and blaming a deputy.

“Abuse of power is now rampant in this administration. It's time for accountability, from the president on down. Attorney General Holder has a persistent history of putting politics before justice. If he will not resign he should be fired. Today.

“Congress must now ramp up, even more aggressively, our oversight duties to protect the innocent and their civil liberties, which are being threatened constantly by this White House. I'm calling on the Speaker, Chairman Camp and Chairman Issa to put all their resources into getting to the bottom of these damaging scandals. A fully functioning democracy is at stake if we fail to do our duty on these matters.

“This Congress must not rest until we get answers and accountability for the American people. It’s time people go to jail for these misdeeds.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming and Scalise Raise Religious Freedom Concerns with Defense Secretary Hagel

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., and Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel expressing their concerns and raising questions about a meeting between Pentagon officials and Michael “Mikey” Weinstein to discuss religious freedom in the military. The letter outlines Weinstein’s well-documented disparaging remarks about Christianity and questions the Pentagon’s reasoning for accepting the meeting.

“Mikey Weinstein has characterized Christians as ‘monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans,’ and has compared men and women of faith in the military to the Taliban and Al Qaeda,” said Fleming. “Since this meeting occurred in April, the Pentagon has sent mixed signals that are raising questions about the religious freedom of the men and women who fight to protect that freedom for all Americans. We need answers about this meeting, and any others, that might infringe on the freedom of all of our Armed Forces to live out their religious beliefs without fear of punishment.”

“The actions and derogatory comments made by Michael Weinstein highlight his questionable judgment and disrespect towards those of the Christian faith,” Scalise said. “The fact that Pentagon officials met with Mr. Weinstein raises serious questions and concerns about the Pentagon's approach to finalizing religious protection regulations. It is critical that Pentagon officials provide much-needed answers to the thousands of Christians that serve in our armed forces and clarify the nature and intent of the meeting.”

The letter drafted by Rep. Fleming and Rep. Scalise can be read here. Fifty-nine House members have signed the letter.

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.

Fleming on Gosnell Abortion Verdict

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement about the conviction of late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell:

“About one-million babies are aborted each year in the United States. Today, justice was served for three who were brutally killed after they were born alive. Tragically, we can’t begin to imagine how many other babies were killed by Gosnell, and how many women suffered because of his callous and horrific actions. As a Planned Parenthood representative in Florida indicated in April, the abortion industry seems to want to live by its own rules when it comes to babies born alive in botched abortions.

“There are countless more babies who should be alive today, but whose lives were cut short in similar late-term abortion procedures. The Gosnell case should provoke a national awakening on the lengths some will go to end an unwanted life.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.