This morning, Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) questioned U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The hearing was on the subject of Attorney General Holder  and the Department of Justice’s involvement in Operation Fast and Furious.

Holder refused to take responsibility or be held accountable when asked extremely pointed questions from Congresswoman Buerkle. Buerkle began her questioning by replaying video from a previous hearing where the victim’s family requested answers to serious questions regarding Operation Fast and Furious. Buerkle then pointedly asked Attorney General Holder “How many more Border Patrol Agents would have to die as part of Operation Fast and Furious for you to take responsibility?”

“The Attorney General’s testimony today was disgraceful. His continued deflection of accountability and denial of any knowledge of Operation Fast and Furious is shameful. If he, as head of the Department of Justice, is not accountable, then who is? How bad does a situation have to be, how many people have to be killed, before Mr. Holder believes he should be held accountable? If he had no knowledge of the program that is under his purview, then he is grossly incompetent,” said Rep. Buerkle.

“Throughout Congress’s investigation into Operation Fast and Furious, Attorney General Eric Holder has been consistent. He has been consistently callous toward the victim’s family, consistently inaccurate in the information he has provided to Congress, consistently not taken responsibility for his role, and or consistently dodged difficult questions. I once again demand his resignation, because whether he is accountable incompetent he has utterly failed in his responsibilities as Attorney General.”

Watch video as Congresswoman Buerkle questions AG Eric Holder on the Fast and Furious operation.

SYRACUSE – Tuesday, Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle posted her campaign finance report for the 4^th quarter of 2011. Buerkle’s FEC filings show Buerkle raising a total of $224,401, easily making this the strongest fundraising quarter her campaign has ever posted, dating back all the way back to the 2010 election.

“This strong showing indicates the level of excitement and support that is building for our campaign,” said Congresswoman Buerkle. “As we continue to fight for sound pro-growth policies that create jobs, more and more central New Yorkers join our effort.  I am thankful for all of their support.”

Buerkle’s report was highlighted by 598 contributions for the three month reporting period. Of those 598 contributors, 399 of them contributed $100 or less during the reporting period.

It’s hard to believe that January is almost over. Spring is just around the corner and I want to provide you with a quick update of what has been going on in Washington and out on the campaign trail.

State of the Union

 Last week, President Barack Obama delivered his 2012 State of the Union Address to Congress and the Nation. President Obama had an opportunity to present a bold vision and strong leadership, yet he resorted to re-election rhetoric.

While President Obama says he wants to create jobs and improve our economy, he continues to stand in the way of dozens of jobs bills passed by the House. He claims that our nation should become energy independent, but instead he blocked a project that would have decreased our country’s dependence on foreign oil and created 100,000 jobs at the same time. Worst of all, President Obama showed no signs of taking steps toward fiscal responsibility. Instead he simply called for more taxes on hard-working Americans and gave us more class warfare rhetoric.

Over 1,000 Days and Still No Budget

Last Tuesday marked the 1,000^th day since the Democratic Senate passed a budget. Passing a budget is a legal requirement of Congress and in April 2011 the House passed a bold plan to restore our nation to fiscal responsibility. The Senate’s failure to pass a budget is a dereliction of duty.

In 2012, we have an opportunity to send the Senate a message that Americans take fiscal responsibility seriously. You and your family must abide by a budget, why can’t Congress?

Out and Around the District

Last was a busy one, as I attended multiple celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. I also had the pleasure of joining members of our Vietnamese community at their New Year celebration. Lastly, it was an honor to participate in the Syracuse March for Life as well as speak at the National March for Life. A special thanks goes out to Jane Pigott for organizing a great event and for the countless individuals who work to spread the pro-life message through love and compassion.

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this Thanksgiving, I appreciate the opportunity to tell you how grateful I am to the people of New York’s 25th Congressional District.  It truly is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Let us pause and reflect on the bounty and goodness of this Nation.  We have so much to be thankful for as Americans.

We are grateful for our military – for all who serve and for all who have served to keep us safe. We are grateful to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are thankful for the exceptional nation that we live in, truly the greatest in the history of the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

On January 5, 2011, I was sworn in as your Representative and have spent the past 10 months working hard to meet with my constituents. I have met thousands of you – business owners who create jobs as well as create wealth for our District. I have toured businesses and heard what obstacles government continues to place in the way of success. I have met with our healthcare providers, our farmers, our educators – many of the people who help make our District so wonderful. I have hosted several town halls and have had the opportunity to meet so many of you and more importantly hear your concerns and issues.

While in Washington I voted to repeal the Healthcare law and although the Senate has not acted on our bill, the House continues to work to dismantle this legislation that passed against the will of the American people and continues to reveal how very flawed the law is. As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on health, I have worked to ensure that all of our veterans receive the benefits they so richly deserve.

I ask for your continued support as we pursue policies for the United States of America that are consistent with our Constitution and will protect our great Republic for our children and grandchildren.

As always, I am honored to be your Representative in Congress. May god bless our military, the men and women who are in harm’s way, their families, our veterans and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. And may god bless the United States of America.

Ann Marie

P.S. Please like me on Facebook.

Table and numbers courtesy of The Post-Standard.

Maffei Continues Effort to Throw Out Votes of the People He Claims to Represent

“I think it makes sense to count every ballot.”
Congressman Dan Maffei

“Both Dan Maffei and Ann Marie Buerkle show up for work at the Capitol in Washington”
Mark Weiner – The Syracuse Post-Standard – Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Congressman Dan Maffei told the Syracuse Post-Standard that it, “…makes sense to count every ballot,” while in reality he is actively working to throw out hundreds, perhaps thousands, of legally cast eligible absentee ballots cast by citizens he represents in New York’s 25th Congressional District.

FACTS:
In Cayuga County – Congressman Maffei has attempted to throw-out 29 legally cast, eligible absentee ballots – representing 24% of the total absentee ballots received by the county.

In Monroe County – Congressman Maffei has attempted to throw out 164 legally cast, eligible absentee ballots – equaling 13% of the total absentee ballots received by the county.

In Wayne County – where the absentee ballot review is currently underway – Congressman Maffei has already objected to over 100 legally cast, eligible ballots received by the county.

“The Maffei campaign on Monday said it was only objecting to marks found on the ballot envelope and on the ballots and noted that challenges will be reviewed by a state Supreme Court judge.”

“Maffei’s post-election survey raises questions”
Jill Terreri – The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle – Tuesday, November 16, 2010

FACTS:
In Cayuga, Monroe and Wayne Counties – Dan Maffei has cast objections to absentee ballots based upon individual voters’ absentee ballot applications.  The law is clear – objections against absentee applications are not allowed under established law.

In Holblock v. Albany County Board of Elections, the Second Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals ruled that it violated a voter’s Constitutional right to vote to invalidate an absentee voter’s ballot that was issued by the Board of Elections in spite of technical deficiencies on the application.

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