Rehberg, Unsurprisingly, Votes for Big Oil Tax Breaks Again

by: Matt Singer

Thu May 05, 2011 at 09:58:13 AM MST

Two predictions:

1. Montana newspapers won't have time to cover this on their news pages since reporting is underfunded.
2. Montana opinion pages will give him space to talk about how he firmly believes everything must be on the table, despite all evidence being to the contrary.

Will Rehberg's Record Match His Rhetoric on Oil and Gas Subsidies?

by: Matt Singer

Wed May 04, 2011 at 13:46:41 PM MST

Rehberg SOP, as if on cue.

by: Rob Kailey

Tue Feb 15, 2011 at 16:44:54 PM MST

Dennis Rehberg has always called a good fight, and then left it to others.  That's what he does, and that's why he's actually 'written' next to nothing in his decade in the House. He's a piggy-backer, the guy who buys the next round (and drinks both, apparently.)

The other night, Rehberg announced that he's running for the Senate against Jon Tester.  This was not a surprise; it hasn't been for a quarter year or more.  What also isn't a surprise is that he would say something so stupid as to call for federal judges to be on the endangered species list.  Yup, that's what he did before the Montana legislature.

But here's the key to this concern.  He did so while attacking the Endangered Species Act.

U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg R-Mont., speaking to the Legislature on Monday, attacked the policies of the Obama administration, defended states' rights and said a federal judge in Montana belongs on the Endangered Species Act for his ruling on wolves. [...] "My job as your congressman to defend the states' rights principle in Washington," he said. That means keeping Washington off people's backs, such as ending federal management of the grey wolf population here in Montana, he said to applause. He blasted "environmental obstructionist" for finding a federal judge in Missoula, Donald Molly (sic), whom he didn't identify by name, who ruled that the wolf had to remain on the Endangered Species list. "When I first heard his decision, like many of you I wanted to take action immediately," Rehberg said. "I asked: how can we put some of these judicial activists on the Endangered Species list?"

The two-sentence provision directs Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to reissue a 2009 rule that took wolves off the endangered list in Montana, Idaho and parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah. The reinstated rule "shall not be subject to judicial review," according to the provision.

It was added to the budget bill by Rep. Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican who chairs the appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Interior Department.

Let me be clear.  Some legislation is necessary to break the gridlock concerning wolf management.  I, for one, would prefer it not come from the Republicant House.  Regardless, this rider is likely to pass, and guess who signed on without ever having to do a damned thing for it.  Rehberg?  Was that your guess?  How clever you are.  That's what he does.  He co-opts the loathsome efforts of others and then hides while touting his bravery.  Meanwhile, he relies on us lefties to attack our own for doing what is up-front and clearly owned by Montana representatives when it's the same damned thing.  Rehberg is vastly more an acolyte of Max Baucus then Jon Tester is or was.

~sigh~

Is it a lawsuit? How is the city insured?

by: Matt Singer

Wed Jul 14, 2010 at 11:50:56 AM MST

One of the Congressman's questioners was Jason Wiener, a member of the city council, who also clarified that Montana cities are by-and-large self-insured, so despite saying that the costs here will be borne by an insurance company, it seems pretty clear that they'll hit the services of Billings (like the Fire Department) at a time of difficult funding of municipal services.

This is the real problem with lawsuits like this. A lawsuit over some temporary property damage threatens to undermine fire services whose first priority is to save lives.

Update -- A commenter asks if critics of Rehberg's lawsuit here would deny access to the courts for people. I'm seriously torn here. I'm not really sure that fire departments should ever be liable for negligence in a situation where there was neither structural damage nor human injury. Fire departments are asked to juggle a lot of competing demands. They really should prioritize protection of human life. As with so many questions, the answer here can't either be "lawsuits GOOD!" or "lawsuits BAD!" but what makes for reasonable lawsuits. I'll also note that I don't really have a problem with a country where someone can file this claim. But that doesn't mean that the rest of us shouldn't be free to discuss the details, especially when the action was undertaken by a public figure who works for us.

Rehberg on Billings landmark: "You're looking at my rims"

by: MTDems

Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 14:18:29 PM MST

But Congressman Dennis Rehberg is quick to point out that the rims don't belong to the people of Billings.

"I actually own the rims that overlook the city," Rehberg told a crowd of supporters last winter.  "When you're driving up Shiloh Road you're looking at my rims."

Watch it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Rehberg owns a lot of land, that's true.  That's why he's one of the wealthiest members of Congress.

But his claim the rims are his?  That's interesting, given the rims are home to private houses, sprawling Zimmerman Park (owned by the people of Yellowstone County) and Swords Park (owned by the people of the City of Billings).

So exactly how much of the rims does Dennis Rehberg own?  How much of it has been subdivided like other ex-ranching land he owns?

Rehberg says of his rims, "I've been paying taxes on it for five generations."

That's about how long Billings taxpayers have been paying firefighters to respond to dangerous emergencies, like the 2008 wildfire that swept through his subdivision.  Now Rehberg is suing Billings firefighters because he thinks they breached their "duty of care."  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

You can read the entire complaint here:  http://tinyurl.com/26crthv.  The City of Billings, of course, disputes the lawsuit.

Apparently Dennis Rehberg is feeling the heat, because he later sent out a statement claiming he has "deepest respect for firefighters and the danger­ous work they do."

That's a nice thing to tell voters when you're feeling the heat.  But like his claim of owning the rims, it rings hollow, doesn't it?

Denny Rehberg on Oil.

by: hannah montana

Thu Jun 17, 2010 at 17:20:03 PM MST

* Offshore drilling (it's "exciting")

* How offshore drilling doesn't really cause negative environmental impacts:

"...during the entire Hurricane Katrina, there was not one bit of spillage on the offshore drilling rigs..."

"...[the rigs] are so stable..."

"...there was more petroleum leaking naturally out of the earth than could ever leak out of any of the offshore platforms..."

* He also criticizes coastal cities who have "inner city poor" for their opposition to offshore drilling.

In a press release two days ago, Rehberg says we should continue to keep drilling for oil here at home,

"where the will to protect the environment meets the technological ability to make it happen."

What on earth does that mean? It's a mind-boggling statement. Last time I checked, oil's been pouring into the Gulf for about eight weeks now.

Seems like it was the (lacking) "will to protect the environment" that got us into this one, while our (lacking) "technological ability" is, at least so far, preventing us from finding a solution.

Even if offshore drilling can be made safer with stricter environmental regulations, I sure as hell don't want this guy in charge...or speaking on behalf of Montana.

A VERY Cynical Prediction

by: Rob Kailey

Thu Jun 10, 2010 at 15:47:58 PM MST

A prediction:
We know that scandals don't have to be real.  They can be fabricated at the drop of a hat.  So, the key to political success is to avoid any ammunition for the other side.  Dennis Rehberg has turned that into an art form.  How many debates did he have with French?  With Otjen?  None?  Typical.  The debates he has with his opposition are always based on party identity, and always geared to venue.  He panders to ideology, knowing that his supporters believe ideology trumps fact.  Always.  He will lie based on audience, well documented in the liberal blogs.  He will change stance at the drop of a question.  Well documented ion liberal blogs.  And he will avoid any factual conflict at all.  And then he will win.

Here's the real prediction. Dennis Rehberg will campaign on listening to the common man, when he hasn't done it for ten years.  He will be promoted and lauded for that by the press and alternative media, with the absence of any critique that he hasn't listened to the common man in 10 years.  He will, in speaking, contradict himself at least twice, and lie more times than any can predict.  And none of it will matter.  Because ideologues, just love the idea of an advocate even if they haven't any clue what they love about that advocacy.  Dennis Rehberg is a richie rich supporter of white male privilege, and that's what the ideologues really truly and dearly love.  He will lie to them profusely, and it won't matter because it will allow them to lie to themselves.

The Rehberg camp will go negative first; I'm expecting within another month.  But it won't be Richie Rich doing it, and it won't be critically examined.  When that is questioned, and it will be, the response will be that McDonald went negative first by questioning the actual stances and votes of Dennis Rehberg.  You see the disconnect, I'm sure.  IOKIYAAR.

Yes, the drunk ass dirty stain on the toilet paper wins this in a landslide.  "The Left" will pat themselves on the back because they took out another DLC tool, who wasn't a progressive, wanting progress and all.  The right will stupidly crow about their awesome victory over the "arrogant lefties".  (To the dim like those in conservoland, that would be ironic.  And it will happen.)  

And the great cycle of life continues.

If there is one thing we might learn from this escapade in idiocy, it is what Rehberg's intentions are for 2012.  That will be worth a look.

Analyis of Rehberg's False Statements on the Deficit This Week

by: Montana Cowgirl

Sun May 23, 2010 at 21:43:06 PM MST

For example, his third most ridiculous claim in the questionnaire was:

I am a fifth-Generation Montana rancher from Billings.

When in reality, we know that Rehberg is a wealthy trust-funder who inherited millions then turned the family ranch into a subdivision.  In fact, Rehberg is so used to the finer things in life that he tried several times to stick us with the $54 million dollar bill for elite luxury gulf-stream jets to fly lawmakers around. The ultimate luxury perk, these jets are powered Rolls-Royce engines and feature divans that transform into double beds, telephones, pop-up 26 inch LCD monitors, fax machines, DVD players, multiple oversized restrooms and a full service galley.

His second most ridiculous claim was this:

Yet, in just one year of controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, national Democrats have quadrupled the national deficit as a share of the economy.

THE FACTS:  

During rehberg's first term in office, the deficit as a share of the economy quadrupled, during his second term it more than doubled again.  In fact, under Dennis Rehberg's watch (not even including the last year he mentions above) the national deficit has increased by 1000% (ten times) as a share of the economy. You can see it for yourself here.  

Oh, and under Obama's first year in office, the deficit has nowhere near quadrupled.

I'll present his most ridiculous claim in a future post.  

Anti-Incumbent Sentiment Hits Home - Rehberg opponent says votes made him an "Enemy of the State"

by: Montana Cowgirl

Thu May 20, 2010 at 05:22:19 AM MST

In Montana, we need look no further for an answer than to the members of Rehberg's own party.  It looks like Republicans are finally catching on to Reherg's duplicity, and they are mad.

Speaking on a Tea Party community television interview, Rehberg opponent Mark French says:

"The incumbent has embraced socialized medicine programs and these types of unconstitutional bills and its killin' us.  If you are going to swear an oath of office you can't be voting for these types of things or you make yourself an enemy of the state."

The comment came after the Tea Party interviewer asked French if we could "role back the budgets to pre-Bush."

It appears that this leading tea-bagger has realized that Rehberg may have voted against the Obama spending, but he voted for every single budget that George Bush put forward. These budgets spent more money than in any eight year period in the history of Congress--creating trillions of dollars of debt. George W. Bush may have been many things, but he was not a fiscal conservative and he and Denny Rehberg spent money like drunken sailors. Rehberg is no conservative. He ran up five trillion dollars worth of deficit.

French also criticizes the Patriot Act and Rehberg's vote in favor of it.  What he doesn't mention in the show, but does appear in his campaign literature, is that Rehberg "the incumbent" voted for the greatest attempt at invasion of privacy the Federal Government has ever made, the Real ID Act, the law which allowed the Federal Government to track americans using a federal ID card that we'd all have to carry.   The State Legislature, including every single Republican, had to step in and pass a law forbidding the state from complying with what their top officeholder, Denny Rehberg, had voted for. (HR 1268, became law 2005.)

Rehberg's Latest Lie Totally Exposed

by: Montana Cowgirl

Tue May 11, 2010 at 19:47:05 PM MST

"The staff members "were not working."

Rehberg's hack "doesn't believe it" because it is a blatant lie.  

Some friends of mine from DC were in town this weekend visiting, and over dinner we were talking about local politics.  Both friends had worked for members of Congress in years past--one for more than 10 years.  They found the recent story about Rehberg, the accident and the alcohol issues "absolutely mind-blowingly ludacris."  
 
They filled me in on what it means to work for a member of Congress and why Rehberg's actions then and now are indefensible.  
 
The part of the latest Rehberg story infuriated them the most was the claim that the staff "weren't on the clock."  They told me that when they were staffing their "member," they were always on the clock - and not just because they are salaried. It was their job to stick to her or him like glue, no matter the time, place or situation.  That's they whole reason they were hired.
 
They said it doesn't matter whether or not it was a "working dinner."  When a staffer is with the "member" - s/he is working.  Reporters are welcome to ask this of any congressional staffer anywhere.  Apparently, this is how it is in every state.  Period. End of story.

Second, Rehberg has a responsibility for his staff, he shouldn't put them in dangerous situations where they really can't walk away.  He obviously doesn't want to admit his staffers were obviously staffing him, because according to the Department of Labor: 

"Employers also have a general duty under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to provide their employees with work and a workplace free from recognized, serious hazards."

What kind of choice were those two staffers offered?  Get in the boat being driven by a drunk, or abandon the Congressman, embarrassing him in front of Barkus, and then figure out how to get back to Bigfork on foot?  Risk their jobs?

Rehberg put his staff in serious danger and he has never taken responsibility for it. Apparently, in no other state would Rehberg have been allowed to get away with this.  But here in Montana, when you combine Rehberg's absurd sense of big-fish-in-a-small-pond entitlement, with a compliant editorial corps that wants its reporters to function as stenographers rather than journalists, you get a big ol' liar and the merry band of liars with whom he's chosen to surround himself.

Red-Ink Rehberg's Duplicity Will Catch Him in the End

by: Montana Cowgirl

Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 17:24:02 PM MST

As a multi-millionaire with a penchant for spending money like a drunken sailor in his personal and political life, Rehberg has always tried to find his pretend "conservativeness" by appealing to the outer limits of the political stratosphere.  Since he can't claim to be a fiscal conservative,  the fight is now on between Denny Rehberg and his primary opponent as to who is more of a right-wing nut job.

The fight started when a Paultard pretending to be Democrat (Dane Clark) was spotted distributing literature in support of Mark French, the Republican candidate for Congress challenging incumbent Rep. Denny Rehberg.

The Flathead Beacon picked up the story. What they didn't write, is that last year he ran as a Repub in the primary against Bruce Tutvedt
and has served as a contact on the Paultard forum DailyPaul.com.   As to why he is out to dupe voters by running as Democrat, Clark is silent.  But the fact that a Paultard was campaigning against Rehberg caused Rehberg to get defensive.

All of a sudden I look like the moderate and that never happens," Rehberg said. "I feel a little uncomfortable."

Rehberg got so nervous someone wouldn't think he was a nut-job that he sought the endorsement of Doctor Paul himself. Rehberg tweeted they are "working together."

Only a complete dimwit like Dennis Rehberg would think it was a good idea to pander to these extremes, and far as I am concerned, abject lunatics to try to cover for his reckless spending in Congress.  

Even if they don't find out about his duplicity now, Rehberg will pay a price for it in the general election and when he runs for Governor in 2012--when he'll have to answer to the great center of the state.

Really?! Rehberg Campaign Email Extolls Montanans on 'Virtue'

by: Montana Cowgirl

Thu Mar 25, 2010 at 20:24:25 PM MST

"Being a responsible citizen" and "caring for your family."

Dennis Rehberg talking about 'virtue' is like Tiger Woods talking about fidelity.

Excuse us if we have some trouble taking Rehberg's new-found focus on 'virtue' seriously in light of his long record of sucking cash from disgraced and convicted con men like Abramoff and Davison and VECO execs, using his influence to slip unjustified contracts to members of team Abramoff, and packing his staff with low-lifes.

Rehberg has also been spotted at Bobcat games with the man at the center of the Bozeman prostitution scandal that the national news program Nightline said had political links. (Rehberg donor Bill Martel.) It is unknown on what other outings Rehberg has accompanied Martel.

For these reasons, and so many others, it's unlikely that anyone's going to be asking Dennis Rehberg for a lesson on "virtue."

Vogel Should Take a Lie Detector Test

by: Montana Cowgirl

Mon Mar 22, 2010 at 11:13:51 AM MST

Now, the character of yet another of Rehberg's inner circle has been called into question by the law.  Vogel, is trotting out the tired framed by political enemies conspiracy theory.  I guess it's everyone else who is lying, not him.  Vogel, a former cop, should know there is a simple way to prove whether or not he's lying.

It's called a lie detector test.

Since Dennis Rehberg appears to lack the moral fortitude to do so himself, let's call on Randy Vogel to voluntarily submit to questions about his recent activities with the assistance of a lie detecter test.
 
Rehberg has a real problem here.  Again and again, the character judgements of this public servant are proved to be unworthy of the office to which the people had elected him. In each of these cases, it was about more than the specific wrong-doing of Rehberg's close advisors and backers, his associates and staff. It was about a clear violation of the public's trust.

Those who seek to be public figures, elected or appointed staff, have a moral obligation to the communities from which they come and which they (are supposed to) take pride in representing. This obligation is simple: If you seek to be a role model, act like one.

Be transparent and honest. And, most of all, demand integrity of yourself and your advisors out of respect for those who look to you as an example.

Top Rehberg Staffer's Crimes Revealed Including Poaching, Obstructing Police and More

by: Montana Cowgirl

Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 06:59:56 AM MST

Randy Vogel, hired by Rehberg last month as Rehberg's top staffer (replacing former state director Dustin Frost who suffered severe head injuries following the boating accident involving Rehberg, a GOP legislator, and lots of alcohol and is leaving to "become a private consultant"), must appear in court next Tuesday where he will face allegations of poaching and obstructing a police officer, among other charges.

This is the third Republican busted for poaching in recent memory, others include Republican legislator Scott Boggio and Legislative Fiscal "analyst" Terry Johnson.

It is not yet known what effect this most recent poaching scandal will have on Rehberg's and other Republican's electoral chances this fall, but it can't be good.

It's also interesting that Rehberg didn't fire this individual, but instead allowed him to "place himself on voluntary leave."  

UPDATE: Pogie at Intelligent Discontent has a great analysis of Vogel's pathetic "defense" here.

Thanks for nothing, Rehberg

by: John_Firehammer

Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 13:14:44 PM MST

We had decent attendance, lots of sympathetic car honks and some great media coverage. But, as the bill moves on to the Senate, I wanted to highlight just what Rehberg voted against. Here's a rundown, from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, affects.

In Montana, the Affordable Health Care for America Act approved by the House would:

   * Provide coverage for 126,000 uninsured Montanans.
   * Protect up to 900 Montana families from going bankrupt due to illness or injury.
   * Provide health care coverage to 22,000 Montanans who are now denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions.
   * Improve employer-based health care coverage for 564,000 Montana residents.
   * Allow 36,200 Montana small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage for their employees.
   * Reduce health insurance costs for about 34,900 Montana small businesses.
   * Improve Medicare for 162,000 beneficiaries.
   * Reduce the national deficit by more than $30 billion over the next decade and provide a budget surplus for the next 20 years.

Sure, not all of us are happy about all aspects of the bill. But this is could good stuff. Here's hoping Max and Jon will work hard for a bill that does as much or more for Montana.

--John Firehammer
Montana communications director
Change That Works

ENDA up for House Education and Labor Committee vote, Senate bill gains co-sponsors

by: Jamee Greer

Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 15:37:06 PM MST

The Human Rights Campaign breaks the news:

The Human Rights Campaign can now confirm the House Education and Labor Committee will vote on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. on legislation to end the widespread practice of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  The vote was noticed moments ago.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017), introduced by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), would prohibit employment discrimination, preferential treatment, and retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by employers with 15 or more employees.

Why are businesses with 15 or fewer employees still allowed to legally bias their hiring and termination decisions on someone's real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity? I'm waiting on the Quarterly Census of Emoployment and Wages report from The Montana Department of Labor and Industry to find out what number of Montana's small businesses currently have 15 or fewer employees. Judging from my past experience as a small business organizer, I'd think that a sizable number of businesses fall under this 15 employee quota.

I am still reading more on what this bill means for the LGBT community, and what we can expect. But a serious question I have is can a business fire an employee because they are black or jewish if they have under fifteen employees?

Update: Major federal employment discrimination law, which covers only "race, color, religion, sex or national origin," only protects employees at businesses with more than fifteen employees. State and local protections often serve to protect employees at smaller businesses.

Pending its passage at the federal level, it's still going to be important to work towards adding protections for all LGBT employees in Montana regardless of the number of coworkers they have. While the Equality Project is beginning a campaign to pass local non-discrimination ordinances in several Montana cities, much like what just passed in Salt Lake City, Kalamazoo and Ft. Worth, it seems like a critical component to leave out such a large number of business owners and legitimize discrimination.

Some very good news is that the legislation will protect the transgender community from workplace discrimination, which is legal in 38 states right now, including Montana.

The Senate's counterpart bill has almost fifty sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. Neither Sens. Baucus or Tester are listed as co-sponsors yet.

Past communications with Rep. Rehberg show he's opposed to ending workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. I'd like to know where his three Democratic opponents, Dennis McDonald, Tyler Gernant and Melinda Gopher, stand on the issue as this important bill moves forward.

Update: Montana's Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) shows that there are 29,831 small businesses with fewer than 15 employees in Montana. While a portion of these businesses might be made of the self-employed, many will stil be allowed to make hiring or firing decisions based on someone's real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Rehberg's Ideas Don't Amount to Much

by: Montana Cowgirl

Thu Oct 22, 2009 at 05:56:55 AM MST

This week's Queen City News says "not much":

[I]t seems like the five-term congressman could be coming up with better ideas than trying to increase the number of snowmobiles and snowcoaches allowed in Yellowstone, stopping the Montana Department of Transportation from producing "self-congratulatory" signs noting that construction projects are paid for by stimulus funds, and permitting transportation of legal firearms on Amtrak trains. Which, and more important, how many people do his proposals really benefit?

Editor Cathy Siegner also notes how odd it is that Rehberg has been so supportive of Barkus throughout this ordeal.  Check out her take.

Rehberg Lies to Montanans Again

by: MTboots

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 15:47:52 PM MST

http://montanademocrats.org/no...

Rehberg Opposes Homeland Security, then Claims Credit

Rep. Rehberg sets new bar for political hypocrisy

HELENA - Rep. Dennis Rehberg's bizarre pattern of voting against Montana projects and then claiming credit for them continued this week when he voted against new Homeland Security funding, then immediately took credit for the bill's passage.  

Last week, Rehberg voted against the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which contained much-needed and long-awaited funds for Emergency Operations Centers in Butte and Whitefish.  The very same day, Rehberg sent a press release boasting he had secured the same funds he voted against minutes earlier.

"Rep. Rehberg's actions are at the height of hypocrisy, as he tries to be for and against something in the very same day," said Kate Downen, spokeswoman for the Montana Democratic Party. "At some point, he's going to have to level with the people of Montana and be honest about what he does or doesn't support. He can't have it both ways."

Rehberg wove his path of deception throughout the state of Montana, where he misled the Great Falls Tribune into writing a story about the funds, as if he'd supported them every step of the way.

In addition, The Homeland Security Appropriations Act also provides billions for more border security infrastructure, more Customs and Border Patrol officers, and assistance to firefighters and other first responders.

"Unfortunately for Montanans, their lone Congressman has been living in this alternate reality for some time, running all over Montana, cutting ribbons at facilities he voted against funding," said Downen. "Politics has no place when it comes to providing new jobs and security for Montanans."

OTHER PROJECTS DENNIS REHBERG VOTED AGAINST, THEN CLAIMED CREDIT FOR...

   * After Rehberg voted against the 2009 Appropriations Bill and $285,000 in funding for Missoula's Poverello Center, he attended a press conference and tried to say he really supports the Poverello Center.

   * Rehberg tried to tell Montanans he protected the " Last Best Place" slogan for Montana, yet he voted against it when he voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

   * Rehberg wants Montanans to think he secured funding for rural Montana water systems like the St. Mary's Rehabilitation Project, Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Water System and the Rocky Boy's/North Central Regional Water System.  But he voted against them when he voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

   * Rehberg agreed funding for critical projects like Benefis Health Care in Great Falls and the Kalispell Bypass is "great news," but he voted against them the next day when he voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

Rehberg Caught Pretending to Support Breast Cancer Awareness While Voting to End Mammogram Coverage

by: Montana Cowgirl

Thu Oct 08, 2009 at 00:00:01 AM MST

Congressman Rehberg's hypocrisy reached his Facebook page yesterday when he posted his support for Breast Cancer Awareness month on Facebook.  (Note: You must be a "fan" to see the post.") In reality, Rehberg voted to deprive Montana women of the mammography benefit that makes a patient aware of breast cancer.

If you are looking for someone who epitomizes hypocrisy, look no further than Representative Rehberg.  Montana's lone Congressman voted for H.R. 525 to allow insurance companies not to honor Montana's legal requirement that mammograms be covered, and has recently reiterated his support for allowing insurance companies to purchase insurance across state lines (and therefore ignore Montana laws that assure our benefits).

This is not the first time Congressman Rehberg has tried to take credit for things he voted against.  Most recently, Rehberg made several attempts to claim he understood the need for good-paying jobs in Montana and set up press conferences to take credit for recovery projects in Montana, even though he opposed the jobs and recovery measure. 
 

The Chronicle Tells Rep. Rehberg He Missed the Mark on Sign Debate

by: MTboots

Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 15:44:22 PM MST

Editorial

Published 10/1/2009

    Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg's disapproval of expensive highway signs identifying projects paid for with economic stimulus money is understandable. After all, the signs could be viewed as just so much chest-beating on the part of partisan government officials.

  But it looks like Rehberg may have taken aim at the wrong target.

  The distinctive-looking, multicolored signs are posted along highways where federal economic stimulus money is being used to complete highway work. The text is simple: "Recovery Reinvestment," an abbreviation of the full name of the bill that authorized a more than $700-billiondollar economic stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year.

  Rehberg's took his ire over the signs so far as to complain in writing to no less than Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. But a spokesman for the Federal Highway Administration said that, while the agency approved the design of the sign, states make the decision on where or even if to use them and that the states are not required to use the signs at all.

  Jim Lynch, the director of the Montana Department of Transportation and apparently the person Rehberg should have been scolding, said the Recovery Reinvestment signs are no different than the orange signs that routinely mark taxpayer-funded highway projects and are just a form of transparency that allows citizens to see where their tax dollars are going.

  A Rehberg spokesman countered that Recovery Reinvestment signs are a one-shot deal, while the orange signs can be recycled with new dollar figures on them. And Rehberg argued on the floor of the House last week that, "[t]hese signs provide no jobs or long-term investment in our economy." Tell that to company that   makes the Reinvestment Recovery signs - and its employees.

  There's plenty of room for debate over the wisdom of some of Congress' and the administration's efforts to get the economy back on its feet by spending big federal bucks. But the sign brouhaha seems like little more than a distraction from the issues that Congress should be debating.