Thompson Votes to Halt 1099 Small Business Reporting Requirement

March 3, 2011



Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard an original cosponsor of H.R. 4, a measure repealing the authority of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to require that businesses report every expense they incur over $600, voted in favor of the bill earlier today. Passage of H.R. 4, which gained unanimous support from House Republicans and 76 Democrats, comes as federal courts continue to challenge the new law, with most recently a U.S. District Court ruling the health care law unconstitutional. Thompson issued the following statement after final passage:

“Many of my initial concerns are now becoming a reality as this law has caused great uncertainty for businesses. The 1099 requirement would be death by a 1000 paper cuts for Pennsylvania’s small businesses. Any typical small business in a given year may have hundreds of vendors and be faced with thousands of transactions, and these burdensome regulations hamper job growth and undermine our path to economic recovery. I’ve championed repeal of the 1099 requirement since its enactment, and passage of H.R. 4 is a critical step in providing relief to small businesses in the 5th District and boosting economic recovery, job retention, and creation in Pennsylvania and across the country.”

An outspoken Member of Congress regarding the importance of the 1099 repeal, Thompson during the 111th Congress co-sponsored H.R. 5141, to repeal the 1099 portion of the health care bill, and also joined with colleagues on the House Small Business Committee in sending a letter to Douglas Shulman, Commissioner of the IRS, expressing opposition to the mandate. As a member of House Education & Workforce Committee, a key committee of jurisdiction regarding federal health care policy, and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, Thompson continues to work in the House to advance commonsense health care reforms that reduce cost, promote choice, and improve the quality of health care delivery to more Americans.

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A Visit from Congressman Thompson

February 22, 2011
reprinted with permission
Ridgway School District

Today a group of students from the high school met with Congressman Thompson and discussed agriculture policy with him. The idea of meeting with the Congressman started in December when a group of students watched the movie Food Inc.

The movie is an expose about how the food that Americans consumes is produced and the companies that control the production. The goal of this project is to get students involved in the democratic process and learn how to attempt to change the world in which they live. Immediately after the movie, students were debriefed in small groups and given a chance to discuss what they had just watched. Following the movie, a second meeting was arranged for the students to meet with local farmers and discuss how farmers on a “small scale” produce their commodities. Last week the students met with four local farmers and asked them questions about small-scale food production. Since the students have raised many questions about how the Federal government can impact food production, Congressman Thompson was invited to talk to the group. The Congressman graciously accepted.


The Congressman began by giving the students an overview of his work on the Agricultural Committee in the House of Representatives. He discussed the process involved in learning about farm policy and some of the bigger issues facing the government as it relates to farm policy. The Congressman then took questions from the students. The “Q&A” was a great opportunity for the students to interact with someone that will help shape agricultural policy. Finally, the Congressman encouraged the students to become involved in our great democracy. He offered specific suggestions on how students can (and should) become involved in letting their politicians know their view on different subjects.


Today’s event is part of the “RASD Celebration” that is occurring over the next two weeks. The school district thanks the Congressman for coming to the school to talk with the students. I would also like to thank the adults in the school that have been instrumental in providing this opportunity for our students. Rena Urmann, Mrs. Vargas, Ms. Schaut and Amy Goode have spearheaded this project and have done a wonderful job. Great job!

ACTE Announces Reps. Langevin & Thompson to Co-Chair CTE Caucus

ACTE Announces Reps. Langevin & Thompson to Co-Chair CTE Caucus

News Date: February 01, 2011

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced today that Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) are the new co-chairs of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus. The CTE caucus, initiated in 2007 by former Congressmen Phil English (R-PA) and Brian Baird (D-WA), has raised the visibility and value of CTE on Capitol Hill.

“Reps. Langevin and Thompson understand the critical role CTE plays in educating and training our future workforce and keeping America’s economy moving in the right direction,” said ACTE Executive Director Jan Bray. “They know that without CTE, business and industry cannot maintain or increase its competitiveness. We are honored to have them co-chair the caucus, and they have the opportunity to educate Congress and their communities about the impact of CTE.”

The CTE Caucus will continue to focus its agenda on job creation and training. Along with recruiting new members to the caucus, Reps. Langevin and Thompson are working to recognize CTE Month in February and participate in other CTE Month events.

“We must be creative and proactive about workforce development in our country, and that includes making sure educational opportunities are not only affordable and available for our students, but geared for the cutting edge fields of the 21st century,” said Langevin. “In order to strengthen the pipeline for these jobs, we need to engage all of our nation’s schools, businesses, universities and other invested partners in a common goal, and I look forward to working with Rep. Thompson and ACTE to that end.”

Congressman Langevin believes education is important, and America should invest in programs that promote new employment and train students for future jobs, as well as ensuring easier access to higher education.

“Strengthening and expanding our skilled workforce is paramount to preserving our nation’s technical job base and remaining globally competitive, “said Thompson. “During the 112th Congress, we must ensure our priority as a nation is sustainable job creation and economic growth. The CTE caucus will serve to educate lawmakers on the importance of our technical workforce and advance policies that improve skilled labor education and support tech-related small business job growth.”

Congressman Thompson received the Committee for Education Funding 2009 New Member award. He wrote an opinion editorial asking for an increased investment in CTE and it was published in The Hill.

For more information about the CTE Caucus, please visit ACTE’s Web site.

ABOUT ACTE
The Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. It provides advocacy, public awareness and access to information, professional development and tools that enable members to be successful and effective leaders. Founded in 1926, ACTE has more than 27,000 members including teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels

Fraternity Honors Rep. Thompson

Mike Hricik
Collegian Staff Writer
reprinted with permission

House Representative Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) has been around farms for quite some time.

Alpha Zeta, Penn State’s oldest agricultural fraternity, inducted Thompson Thursday night as an honorary brother for his contributions to agriculture. Present at the celebration were members of fraternity, alumni and College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members.

Thompson grew up on a dairy farm in Howard Township and has continued his involvement in agriculture by becoming one of its prominent public defenders representing the 17-county fifth district in Congress. He has pledged to improve the agricultural environment, especially for dairy farmers.

“Everything that we eat, everything that we clothe ourselves with comes from farms,” Thompson said.

In only his second term as congressman, Thompson acts as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry, part of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Alpha Zeta is an honorary co-educational, professional society with 28 members in Penn State’s Morrill chapter, said House Manager Orry Pratt.

After a dinner celebrating Thompson’s induction, the congressman said it was a privilege to become an honorary member of Alpha Zeta with former fraternity brothers, including former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower.

“I am truly, truly honored,” he said.

Dinner was followed by a question-and-answer session with the congressman, with topics ranging from being a Boy Scout to dealing with dirty politicians.

Pratt (junior-animal sciences) said honoring Thompson was a “no-brainer.”

“He’s taking the lead in Congress with agricultural industries,” he said.

Alpha Zeta Chapter Templar Shawn Beam said the chapter’s trustees and executive council voted unanimously to induct Thompson.

“He’s done so much for the fifth district and we wanted to recognize him for that,” Beam (senior-marketing) said.

Numerous Alpha Zeta chapter graduates and faculty members from the College of Agricultural Sciences were present at the event, including the college’s dean Bruce McPheron.

McPheron said he is often on the phone with Thompson discussing agricultural and environmental issues. He said he admires the work Thompson’s accomplished as a congressman in only his second term.

“The representative has always really been interested in agriculture,” McPheron “This is a great opportunity to honor his contributions to the field."

Thompson Votes To Support Review Of Burdensome Federal Regulations, Condemns Impact Of EPA On Rural Farms

February 11, 2011 3:19 PM



Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson today voted in support of H. Res. 72, a resolution directing House committees to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations and orders from agencies of the Federal Government, with respect to their effect on jobs and economic growth. The resolution passed the full House of Representatives by a vote of 391-28. Thompson issued the following statement upon final passage:

“The EPA’s onerous regulatory burdens will have devastating economic impacts on the 5th District and rural communities across America. Small towns, rural farms and ranches will be forced to meet arbitrary requirements and be punished for the federal government’s unwillingness to recognize the environmental gains from voluntary conservation practices at the state and local levels. We must build on the practices and knowledge of local communities to strengthen American agriculture, and passage of H. Res. 72 is a positive step towards removing the cloud of uncertainty this Administration’s burdensome regulatory requirements have cast over rural America.”

As Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry, during today’s debate Thompson spoke on behalf of the House Agriculture Committee regarding federal regulations under the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the economic impact on the agriculture industry and rural economies.

Congressman Thompson Sworn in to 112th Congress; Will Focus on Deficit Reduction and Economic Growth

January 5, 2011

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, took the oath of office as a Member of the 112th Congress. Vowing to put great focus on deficit reduction, Thompson said:

“The Congress and the Administration under President Barack Obama has over the last three fiscal years borrowed about $3.7 trillion. That is more than the entire accumulated national deficit for the first 225 years of U.S. history.

“It means we have a $14.2 trillion national debt. It went up by $1 trillion just in the last seven months. The ‘debt’ is the accumulated national deficit. If you divide that number by the population, each citizen now owes more than $45,000. To continue along those lines is unimaginable. We must look at targeted consolidations, cuts or sunsets to programs in the next two years and make government work better for the American people.”

Thompson cited his committee assignments as key to many of the major issues during the new Congress. The issues include jobs, the economy, domestic energy production and agriculture and regulatory mandates.

“I worked hard during the 110th Congress to attain my new committee assignments. I have added the Natural Resources Committee this year and that committee has jurisdiction over much of our domestic energy production,” said Thompson. “I remained on the Agriculture Committee and have been named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry. And, I will continue my work on the Education and Labor Committee.”

Thompson has voiced concerns that, “The federal government, through the Environmental Protection Agency will make attempts at further regulating carbon emissions, agricultural and waste water runoff into the Chesapeake Watershed, and domestic energy production in the Allegheny National Forest. These mandates will have grave consequences for our local economies and local governments. My job will be to advocate for our local interests and ensure the federal government does not overreach, as it so often does.”

After the initial swearing-in of the new Congress, a vote took place on the election of the Speaker of the House. Thompson’s vote was number 218, which, coincidentally, was the vote that gave John Boehner, R-Ohio, the number of votes needed to become the new Speaker. The final tally for Boehner was 241 Republican votes.



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Thompson Votes to Prevent Largest Tax Increase in History, Extends Tax Relief to All Americans

Washington, D.C. -

December 17, 2010

Economists differ on how to stimulate the economy and move the country back into job-creating prosperity. But most agree that raising taxes in a poor economy is a bad idea and does not lead to job creation.



If the House and Senate had not acted the week before Christmas, on January 1st, your tax rates would have reverted to the high rates in effect back in 2001. An average middle-income family would have their taxes go up by $1,540. Even the lowest income bracket taxpayers, 88 million Americans, would have received, at minimum, a tax increase of $503. Unfortunately, there are too many people who could not have absorbed such costs.



In total, taxes would have gone up $3.9 trillion over the next ten years—a job-killing increase. Now, there is a two-year reprieve.



What was at stake?



Without the vote:

* The death tax would have increased to a rate of 55 percent with a low exemption amount of $1 million. Under the new package the tax will be a flat rate of 35 percent with an exemption of $5 million per person.
* The Alternative Minimum Tax would have been extended to 15 million taxpayers.
* The tax rate on capital gains would have risen from 15 percent to 20 percent. The tax rates on dividends would have risen from 15 percent to being taxed as ordinary income.
* The “1603 Renewable Energy Grants” would have expired.

The legislation also extended unemployment benefits at their current level for 13 months. Everyone agrees that the jobless need this assistance. But, as I have said before, if it is important enough to do, it is important enough to pay for it. Unfortunately, there was no money in the bill to pay for this extension.



In addition the payroll tax holiday provides less revenue to the Social Security program. The Democrats insisted on an employee-side payroll tax cut of about two percent. The deduction goes from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of income, which for a household making $50,000 (median for PA) a year, means a savings of $1,000. That equals about $112 billion next year that will not be going into the Social Security program.



Although I objected to both of these provisions, I supported the entire package with the knowledge that the Senate and the Presidency are still controlled by the Democrats.

Thompson Named Chairman of House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson learned from House Agriculture Committee Chairman-Elect Frank Lucas that he will lead the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry for the upcoming 112th Congress, beginning January 5th, 2011.

Last week, Thompson was made aware, that in total he will have three committee assignments for the 112th Congress. He had retained seats on the House Agriculture and the House Education & Labor Committees, in addition to a new appointment on the House Natural Resources Committee.

In response to the news that he was named Chairman for the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry, Thompson said, “I am honored that Chairman Lucas and my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee have recognized my commitment to our nation’s farmers and agricultural sector. This appointment will be great for the people of the 5th District and Pennsylvania, as I will have more input toward the issues affecting our lives on a daily basis – from the Commonwealth’s family farms to Marcellus Shale, to the Allegheny National Forest and Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”

The jurisdiction of the Conservation, Energy & Forestry Subcommittee will include soil, water, and resource conservation; the small watershed program; energy and bio-based energy production; rural electrification; and forestry in general.

An announcement earlier today from Agriculture Committee Chairman-Elect Frank Lucas of Oklahoma stated:

“Our Subcommittee Chairmen have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring the success of American agriculture and rural economies. They are ready to join me in addressing the challenges that farmers, ranchers, and small businesses face across rural America. The next year will be an exercise in educating our freshmen members on both sides of the aisle, providing oversight of the administration, and building a strong working relationship as we prepare to reauthorize the farm bill in 2012.”


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