Heath Shuler

Rep. Shuler Statement on H.R. 9

2012-04-19T17:28:08Z

Washington, DC – Today U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) released the following statement prior to the House vote on H.R. 9:

“H.R. 9 is one of the most fiscally irresponsible, flagrantly hypocritical pieces of legislation House Republican leadership has brought to the floor in the 112th Congress. At a time when House leaders claim to be serious about reducing the debt and balancing the budget, this bill adds $46 billion to our deficit and perpetuates the culture of reckless spending that put us in the fiscal situation we are in today. A more effective and fiscally responsible way to provide tax relief to small businesses would be to pass the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission plan, which would lower tax rates, broaden the base, and simplify the tax code. Passing Simpson-Bowles would strengthen the economy over the long term, provide greater certainty to small businesses, and reassure markets and credit agencies—none of which is achieved by today’s misguided bill.”

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Rep. Shuler Landmark Sportsmen's Legislation Passes House

2012-04-18T18:27:42Z

Washington, DC --- Last night the House passed H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012, with strong bipartisan support by 274 to 146. Rep. Shuler and other leaders of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus crafted and introduced the landmark legislative package to protect and advance opportunities for sportsmen across the country.

“As a lifelong outdoorsman and Vice Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I was proud to see this unprecedented pro-sportsmen legislation pass the House with bipartisan support,” said Rep. Shuler. “Outdoor traditions like hunting and fishing are not only an important part of our mountain heritage in Western North Carolina, they help fund critical conservation efforts. This bill will help preserve our national sporting heritage and provide much-needed funding to protect our public lands.”

H.R. 4089 is a compilation of four separate bipartisan sportsmen’s bills (H.R. 2834, H.R. 3440, H.R. 991, and H.R. 1558) that promote and advance America’s hunting and recreational fishing and shooting heritage. The bill recognizes the integral role that sportsmen play in the management and conservation of our nation’s public lands and natural resources. Revenue from hunting and fishing licenses and excise taxes on sportsmen’s equipment provide millions of dollars a year to wildlife conservation and management initiatives. H.R. 4089 will help maintain this revenue stream.

The bill is currently under consideration in the Senate.

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Rep. Shuler Deficit Reduction Amendment Met with Bipartisan Support

2012-03-22T15:40:03Z

Proposal to FY2013 House Budget Calls for Balanced Approach to Fiscal Reform

Washington, DC – On Wednesday evening during markup of Chairman Paul Ryan’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Budget in the House Budget Committee, U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) offered an amendment calling for a balanced approach to deficit reduction that includes both spending cuts and tax reform. The amendment received bipartisan support from members of the House Budget Committee, falling just one vote short of passage.

“To responsibly address our fiscal challenges, we need a budget that puts all options on the table and takes a rational, comprehensive approach to deficit reduction,” said Rep. Shuler. “Crafting a balanced budget that puts our country on a long-term fiscally sustainable path cannot be done along party lines, and I was encouraged to see both my Democratic and Republican colleagues come together in a show of support for my amendment. This is a step in the right direction for achieving meaningful, bipartisan compromise down the road.”

Since January 2011, Rep. Shuler has been working to reach a long-term deficit reduction solution with the “Go Big” Coalition, a bipartisan group of more than 150 House and Senate Members from across the political spectrum. Rep. Shuler and other leaders of the “Go Big” Coalition are currently in the process of crafting a comprehensive deficit reduction package based on the recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Fiscal Commission. This legislation is expected to be completed by early spring.

“Over the past year the ‘Go Big’ Coalition has made tremendous progress in bringing Democrats and Republicans together on the issue of deficit reduction, and last night we saw promising signs that even more Members of Congress are ready to embrace a balanced, bipartisan approach to fiscal reform,” said Rep. Shuler. “I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reach the comprehensive deficit reduction solution we need to put stability back in the economy and move our country forward.”

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Rep. Shuler Statement on Retirement

2012-02-02T21:34:31Z

Last week I spent a lot of time at home with my family discussing the possibility of running for governor of North Carolina. This time of reflection and prayer gave us the opportunity to talk about the best course of action for us as a family moving forward. It was during this time that I reached the decision not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.

This was not an easy decision. However, I am confident that it is the right decision. It is a decision I have weighed heavily over the past few months. I have always said family comes first, and I never intended to be a career politician. I am ready to refocus my priorities and spend more time at home with my wife Nikol and two young children.

I have experienced no greater honor than serving the people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District over the past five years. I am proud of the work that my office has done to give Western North Carolina a voice in Congress and make life better for the people who entrusted me with the privilege of representing them in Washington. I am also proud of the work we have accomplished with the Blue Dog Coalition to put our country on a sound fiscal path and promote civility and common-sense solutions amid the divisive, highly-partisan political climate in Washington.

Though my time in Congress will come to an end after this year, my work to move our state and country forward will not. Reducing our $15 trillion national debt and crafting bipartisan solutions to the many problems facing our nation remain my highest priorities. Leaving Congress will give me the opportunity to focus my time and energy on these initiatives without the constant demands of a re-election campaign.

I am grateful for the many close friendships I have made with my colleagues in the Blue Dog Coalition and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. I thank the people of Western North Carolina for placing their faith and confidence in me as their elected representative. I thank my colleagues and mentors in Washington who have helped me along the way. Most of all, I want to thank Nikol, Navy, Island, my entire family, friends, supporters, and staff, without whom my career in Congress would not have been possible. May God bless you all and continue to bless Western North Carolina.

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Rep. Shuler Statement on New Job Creation in Henderson County

2012-01-25T20:20:38Z

Washington, DC --- Today U.S. Representative Heath Shuler released the following statement after the announcement that Chico, California-based craft brewing company Sierra Nevada has selected Henderson County as the site for its major East Coast expansion:

“This is outstanding news for local workers and the regional economy. There is no better place to do business than Western North Carolina, and I am thrilled that Sierra Nevada has recognized this by choosing Henderson County to be home to its East Coast expansion. This project will provide a much-needed economic boon to our local manufacturing and tourism industries now and for years to come. I commend state and local officials for their work to foster the economic environment necessary to secure these good-paying new jobs.”

The Sierra Nevada facility in Henderson County is expected to create approximately 95 jobs.

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Rep. Shuler Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

2012-01-25T03:41:52Z

Washington, DC --- U.S. Representative Heath Shuler released the following statement tonight in response to President Obama's State of the Union address:

“Tonight the President outlined a blueprint to rebuild the economy, revitalize American manufacturing, and put our country on a long-term fiscally sustainable path. The President is right that we must do more to level the playing field for American workers, reward companies that keep and create jobs here in the United States, and pass an agenda that helps our small businesses succeed. He is also right that we must go bigger than the $2 trillion in cuts and savings Congress has already implemented and pass a comprehensive, balanced deficit reduction plan that includes reforms to the tax code and entitlement programs. The President’s bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Fiscal Commission has already laid out the framework for such a plan --- $4 trillion in comprehensive cuts and savings over the next 10 years and long-term reductions in spending. I am currently working with a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers to turn this framework into legislation and give Congress the opportunity to pass a substantive deficit reduction plan that the President can sign into law.

“As President Obama said in his speech tonight, our nation is great because we built it together. I am hopeful that both Democrats and Republicans in Congress will heed the President’s call to action and work together in a bipartisan manner to rebuild our economy, pay down our debt, and move our country forward.”

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