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Congress

As I See It: CD8 horse race for the roses has more thorns than blooms

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 12:01am

By Bill Hess

Herald/Review

Win, place and show.

What better way to describe the race for Congressional District 8’s roses?

The field for the race is already known, as is one of the top three — who will come in third.

Riding a nag for show will be Charlie Manolakis, wearing the green silks, naturally of the Green Party.

But will it be the person wearing the red silks of the Republicans — Jesse Kelly — or the blue of the Democrats — Ron Barber — who will win, with the other just placing.

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As I See It: Americas future depends on voters

Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:01am

By Bill Hess

The special primary race to watch is the Republican runoff on Tuesday.

Vying for the GOP nomination to seek a win to fill the unexpired term Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords are four Republicans — former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords are State Sen. Frank Antenori, Jesse Kelly, Martha McSally and Dave Sitton.

Waiting to take the Republican winner on is Democrat Ron Barber, Giffords former district manager.

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McSally: Government needs to step up

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 12:10am

Cochise County veterinarian and rancher Dr. Gary Thrasher poses questions to congressional candidate Martha McSally during her visit to the United States/Mexico border Friday. (Photo by Mark Levy)

Bill Hess

Herald/Review

Saying the border between the United States and Mexico is a critical matter of national security because of its larger implication as a route into America for terrorists and other criminals, Republican congressional candidate Martha McSally said the U.S.“is going the wrong way in addressing the issue.”

Speaking to more than 20 people who gathered on Jack Ladd’s ranch, which borders the international boundary, McSally said she had completed a tour of the border with Jack’s son, John, as the guide.

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Military Update: Retiree health fees, RX co-pays in bulls-eye of defense cuts

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 11:59pm

By Tom Philpott

Out-of-pocket health care costs for military retirees and for users of the TRICARE retail pharmacy network would jump next October if Congress approves President Obama’s fiscal 2013 budget request delivered Monday.

Annual active duty pay raises also would be impacted, but not until January 2015 when raise caps would begin and last three years. The 2015 raise would be half of a percentage point, to be followed by a 1 percent across-the-board raise in 2016 and a 1.5 percent raise in 2017, if Congress accepts the administration’s plan to dampen compensation growth.

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State Senator Paula Aboud to seek congressional seat

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 9:13am

The Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review

State Senator Paula Aboud of Tucson Monday announced her campaign for Congress for the regular fall election in Congressional Distict No. 2, the term to start in January 2013. Aboud made her announcement by video, and will be conducting a telephone town hall conversation with the voters in the newly drawn congressional district Monday night. The new CD2 contains the majority of Pima County and all of Cochise County.

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Military Update: Fears of a “hollow force” are unfounded, lawmakers told

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 12:10am

Tom Philpott

The Sierra Vista Herald

The Congressional Research Service has a message for those who suggest planned defense budget cuts and military compensation curbs will return America to the “hollow force” era of the 1970s.

Such references, in light of current force quality and the amount of money used to modernize weapons, infrastructure and benefit programs over the past decade, might be deemed “inappropriate,” CRS advises in a new report, “A Historical Perspective on ‘Hollow Forces.’ ”

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Quest for Giffords’ seat under way

Antenori, Kelly speak in Sierra Vista

Sun, 02/05/2012 - 12:01am

Congressional District 8 candidate Jesse Kelly addresses the audience at the Cochise County Republican headquarters in Sierra Vista on Saturday. (Mark Levy • Herald/Review)

By Bill Hess

Herald/Review

SIERRA VISTA — One Republican believes his legislative experience will give him the edge in a special congressional race while another GOP hopeful thinks his narrow loss to a former congresswoman in 2010 will make him the winner.

Although two candidates for the GOP nod to run for a vacant congressional seat were basically nice in their comments about each other, there was a dig from one about the other having moved to Texas and just returning to Arizona to run.

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Our View: Hoping for common sense

Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:10am

The Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review

Expect lots of chest thumping this week in Washington as the Senate picks up a bill that would deter members of Congress from realizing financial windfalls from information they obtain while doing the public’s work.

So, what spurred this sudden attack of common sense among our professional politicians?

Was it the obvious recognition that it is wrong to realize personal profits from information that is only obtained from a position of legislative power? Has Congress changed its character and made integrity the centerpiece of its new behavior?

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Possible BRAC leaves fort in flux

Area’s future could hinge on Department of Defense proposal

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:10am

Bill Hess

Herald/Review

One of the proposals for the Department of Defense to cut costs is having a Base Realignment and Closure round in fiscal year 2013, which begins on Oct. 1.

While there is a possible impact on Fort Huachuca, exactly what it could be — closure, reduction of missions or new units being assigned — is unknown.

The BRAC possibility is leading the co-chair of the Arizona Military Affairs Commission and former president of the Fort Huachuca 50 Tom Finnegan of Sierra Vista to issue a call to arms to not only defend the post but other military installations in the state.

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Our Readers’ Views: Restructure the Congress

Thu, 01/26/2012 - 11:59pm

To the Editor:

There has been some talk recently by some of the Republican presidential candidates of cutting the number of congressmen if they should get elected.

Not being a lawyer or political scholar, I wouldn’t know if this would be possible or even legal; but if it were possible, my suggestion would be to leave the number of congressmen as they are, but limit their terms and days in session.

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