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News Articles on Congressman Chenoweth

Social Security
The Economy
Medicare
Taxes
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Social Security

Chenoweth, Republican Freshmen announce plan to protect Social Security

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), along with U.S. Rep. David Mcintosh (R-Indiana) and Mark Neumann (R-Wisconsin), today introduced legislation that will prevent the federal government from diverting money from the Social Security Trust Fund to offset budget shortfalls.

"I've said since my first day in Congress that this government should not be allowed to raid trust funds -- especially the Social Security Trust Fund -- in order to make our budget deficit look smaller," said Chenoweth. "The Social Security Act of 1935 promised working Americans that if they paid a portion of their paycheck into the trust fund, the money would be there to help when they retired. Right now, the fund is a bunch of IOU's."

The Social Security Act of 1996 will require that all payroll taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) be deposited directly into the Social Security Trust Fund. Currently, the federal government "borrows" Social Security funds to help offset the $5.2 trillion national debt. The government replaces borrowed funds with non-negotiable Treasury bills, with the goal of paying the trust fund back with real assets at some point in the future.

Chenoweth to Redefine Disability

BOISE ID. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), thinks Americans should not receive Social Security disability benefits just because they are alcoholics, drug addicts or even children with attention deficit disorder.

"I was one of five in my freshman class that pushed to take drug addicts and alcoholics out of the 'disabled' category," the Idaho Republican told a Boise women's club.

The next step, she said, is to "look at children with attention deficit disorder."

Alcoholics and drug addicts no longer will be eligible for Social Security benefits as of January as a result of legislation passed by Congress last spring.

The move will save an estimated $2 billion over the next five years.

A spokesman for the Social Security Administration said 440 Idaho residents receive Social Security disability or SSI benefits because they are addicted to drugs or alcohol.


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The Economy

Chenoweth wins 1996 Thomas Jefferson award for Economic Growth

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), was presented with the 1996 Thomas Jefferson Award for her votes on tax, budget and regulatory policy.

"Long term prosperity for working families in this nation will not come from bureaucratic government programs, but from a healthy business community," said Chenoweth.



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Medicare

Chenoweth says President must join Congress to save Medicare

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), said that President Clinton's Medicare Board of Trustees 1996 report will show that Medicare is on a faster collision course with bankruptcy than thay origianlly predicted.

"The Trustees 1996 report will show that Medicare's hospital fund will spend about $29 billion more than it takes in in 2001 if the system isn't changed," said Chenoweth. "Early estimates show that the hospital fund will owe $86 billion more than it has in 2002, and by 2006, the deficit could be more than 400 billion. These numbers are expected to be confirmed by the Trustees' report."

Chenoweth said the situation will continue to worsen as the Baby Boomers generation begins to move toward retirement.



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Taxes

Chenoweth votes for small business tax relief

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), voted in favor of a measure which provides regulatory relief to small businesses and bolsters the ability of small business to hire more workers. She voted against a companion bill today that would decrease the availabilty of entry level jobs.

"Small businesses in Idaho and around this nation are the life blood of the American economy," said Chenoweth. "They deserve a break from the over-zealous government regulations and oppressive taxes, because when small businesses prosper, they are able to hire more workers."


Chenoweth gets recognition for taxpayer-friendly votes

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), has won the Taxpayers' Friend award from the Taxpayers Union (NTU) for her votes in the 104th Congress to ease tax burdens on Americans and balance the federal budget.

"You had one of the best scores in the U.S. House of Representatives in our rating," wrote David Keating, Executive Vice-President of NTU, in a letter to Chenoweth. "If every member of Congress cast spending votes as carefully as you did, we would have a balanced federal budget, lower taxes, and a healthier economy."


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Small Business

Chenoweth receives "Thank You" from small businesses

WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), recently received the thanks of Jack Faris, President of the National Federation of Independent Business. In a letter distributed to all NFIB members Faris praised Chenoweth's efforts in support of small business.

Faris states that "Big Labor Bosses in Washington" are attempting to make Chenoweth "pay a heavy price for doing the right thing for business." Chenoweth has consistenly voted for small business, including voting for "Product Liability Reform", "Small Business Health Care Reform" and against the "Employer Mandate in Immigration Bill."

"Small businesses in Idaho and around this nation are the life blood of the American economy," said Chenoweth. "They deserve a break from the over-zealous government regulations and oppressive taxes, because when small businesses prosper, they are able to hire more workers."


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