Washington, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06), who recently tied as the most conservative woman in the House of Representatives for 2015 according to the American Conservative Union, has now been recognized by another major grassroots conservative organization for her commitment to individual liberty and free-market principles. FreedomWorks bestowed Congressman Black with its annual “FreedomFighter Award” based on her voting record in 2015. In its scorecard, FreedomWorks specifically cited Congressman Black’s votes to repeal Obamacare, repeal the death tax, oppose reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank, and oppose last December’s massive omnibus spending bill. Congressman Black earned a score of 90 percent from FreedomWorks in 2015 and her 2016 score currently stands at a perfect 100 percent. Black released the following statement upon receiving the award:

“I have long appreciated FreedomWorks’ leadership in fighting back against big government policies – whether they are proposed by Democrats or Republicans – and in working to engage citizens in the major policy battles of our time. I am grateful to receive this award by such a respected organization within the conservative movement because it affirms that I match my rhetoric with my record. Any Member of Congress can give a conservative speech, but few have consistently voted to uphold conservative principles, even when it means voting opposite of party leadership. I am proud to be counted among that group,” said Congressman Diane Black.

FreedomWorks CEO Adam Brandon added, “FreedomWorks and our community of 5.7 million freedom-loving activists thank Rep. Black for her commitment to constitutionally limited government and pro-growth economic policies. There is a lot of work ahead to reduce regulatory burdens, enact fundamental tax reform, and cut spending, but we know that Rep. Black will be there fighting in the trenches for freedom with us.” To learn more about FreedomWorks, click HERE.

The American Conservative Union (ACU) has named the next “Conservative in the Spotlight,” a distinction awarded to an elected official who acts boldly to defend conservative principles. This month’s award is proudly presented to Tennessee’s Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey.

“Lt. Governor Ramsey has played an instrumental role in not only enacting conservative legislation, but also ensuring that conservatives are elected into office,” said ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp. “More than any other elected official in the country, Lt. Governor Ramsey is responsible for creating a conservative supermajority in a legislative body. He is an example to his fellow legislators and for all citizens on how to defend conservative principles.”

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey’s career is marked by a devotion to limited government, government transparency, and traditional values. Ramsey made history in 2007 when he became the first Republican Senator appointed as the Speaker of the State Senate in 140 years and, in Tennessee, the Senate Speaker is first in line to succeed the Governor and is given the title of Lt. Governor. Ramsey’s 2015 ACU rating of 92% for his votes in the Senate reflect his consistent devotion to conservative principles. Once in office, Ramsey worked hard to pass legislation that embodies conservative values including unemployment reform, the elimination of Tennessee’s Hall income tax and the replacement of Common Core. Tennessee is now the least indebted state in the nation and boasts AAA ratings from all three credit ratings agencies. These tremendous fiscal accomplishments are a direct result of Ramsey’s leadership.

Dedicated to educating and electing the next generation of leaders, Ramsey led his party in 2014 to an extraordinary 28 to 5 supermajority in the Senate. Ramsey’s efforts were also critical to achieving Tennessee’s state house supermajority as well as the first Republican majority on the state’s Supreme Court.

Ron Ramsey understands that government doesn’t create jobs and that economic growth can only come from the private sector. He has won awards in the private sector for his career as an auctioneer, and has been recognized as a real estate broker from the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Tri Cities Business Journal. His decision to step down as Lt. Governor and not run for re-election to the Senate in 2016 reflects conservative values, and a personal belief in self-imposed term limits. Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey will leave a record that he can be proud of and ACU is proud to name him our next “Conservative in the Spotlight.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) recently held a send-off lunch honoring her U.S. Service Academy appointees for the class of 2020. Congressman Black released the following statement thanking her appointees for choosing a career in military service:

“This year’s U.S. Service Academy appointees represent Tennessee’s best and I am extremely proud of each of them. By applying and accepting this appointment, these young men and women have chosen to serve their country, protect our liberties, and ensure that freedom is carried on for the next generation. I look forward to keeping in touch with these students and hope that, at some point in the future, they will come back home to our district and tell prospective academy students and parents about their experiences as a military academy graduate,” said Congressman Black.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) welcomed middle Tennessee World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington D.C. this week as part of a visit with Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee. The 25 veterans hailed from across middle Tennessee and included a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, a soldier who served in Normandy on D-Day, and multiple veterans of two wars. Congressman Black released the following statement:

“Coming from a family of veterans, it is a special privilege for me to welcome these Volunteer State heroes to our nation’s capital and to the memorials built in their honor. As I shook the hands of these brave patriots, I was reminded of why we call theirs the ‘greatest generation,’” said Congressman Diane Black. “The Honor Flight program is a truly worthwhile cause. By providing veterans with this all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C., it gives them the tribute they never asked for, but that they are certainly due. I am grateful to Board Chairman Claude Morse, Sgt. Maj. Larry Williams (Ret.), Lana Bradford, and everyone at Middle Tennessee Honor Flight who work to make these meaningful events possible.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) has been honored with the “Award for Conservative Excellence” from the American Conservative Union (ACU), the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization. The award is the ACU’s highest honor and reflects Congressman Black’s 96% conservative rating for 2015. Upon bestowing Congressman Black with the award, the ACU specifically noted her work to defund Planned Parenthood. Congressman Black released the following statement:

“The award ceremonies and scorecards in Washington D.C. are many, but this honor from the American Conservative Union is deeply meaningful to me because it confirms that I have done exactly what I said I would,” said Congressman Diane Black. “Whether it has been my votes to defund Planned Parenthood, halt our refugee resettlement program, or oppose last year’s bloated omnibus bill, Tennesseans know that I match my conservative rhetoric with a conservative record, and I’m grateful to have that recognized by such a respected organization as the ACU.”

Note: The American Conservative Union is best known for founding and hosting the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) outside of Washington D.C.

By Rep. Diane Black

President Obama has made it clear that, as he runs out the clock on his lame-duck Presidency, he is not slowing down. From his dangerously flawed Iran nuclear deal, to his efforts to “normalize” relations with the hostile Cuban regime, to his attempts to unilaterally disarm Americans of their 2^nd Amendment rights – this is a President who intends on making the most of his final months to advance his liberal priorities.

Missing from the President’s to-do list, however, is any substantive action to keep Americans safe in the age of ISIS and homegrown terrorism. Instead, this Administration has sacrificed national security on the altar of hyper-political correctness. From Paris, to Brussels, to San Bernardino, the world is seeing the consequences of what happens when America leaves a gaping leadership vacuum in the global war on terror.

The first Constitutional role of government is to “provide for the common defense.” So maybe it’s time our government actually started doing it. After all, if Tennesseans don’t feel safe going about their day-to-day lives, not much else matters. I believe safeguarding our homeland security and keeping Americans from harm requires three key steps.

First, we have to keep terrorists off U.S. soil in the first place. That means halting our refugee resettlement program. We all have compassion for our neighbors overseas who are oppressed by radical, Islamic regimes but our compassion must be matched with wisdom. There is nothing compassionate about endangering American lives by allowing an influx of refugees across our borders without sufficient screening processes in place.

With my support, the House passed the SAFE Act of 2015; legislation requiring our nation’s top intelligence officials—including the FBI Director, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Director—to unanimously certify each refugee from Iraq and Syria before they are able to enter the United States. This is an important first step, but we can’t end our efforts there.

That is why I joined more than 40 of my colleagues on a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking them to temporarily suspend funding for the refugee resettlement program in this year’s government funding bills. It is also why I voted against last December’s omnibus bill that continued to throw taxpayer money at the refugee resettlement program without making needed reforms.

Second, the United States must revise its visa waiver system. Created under the Reagan Administration as a way to promote tourism, this program allows citizens of 38 allied countries to visit our country for up to 90 days without going through the sometimes arduous process of obtaining a visa.

Last December, I joined with a majority of my colleagues in the House to pass the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act – legislation requiring that, no matter where a person lives, if they have traveled to terrorist hotspots like Iran, Iraq, or Syria in the last five years, they are ineligible for a waiver. The bill also lets the Department of Homeland Security act quickly and unilaterally to suspend another country’s participation in this program if we determine that they have become a safe-haven for terrorists.

Finally, something the President and I agree on: the need for Congress to authorize increased attacks against ISIS by passing an authorization for use of military force, also called an “AUMF.” But the details of what this measure should look like are where the President and I diverge.
In February of last year, the President submitted an unacceptably weak proposed AUMF to Congress. His plan would tie the hands of military commanders and, by banning the use of ground troops, it would signal to our enemies exactly what the United States won’t do to ensure their defeat. Ask any veteran and they’ll tell you – that’s not how you win a war.

That is why I am cosponsoring H.J. Res. 33, a resolution offered by Congressman Adam Kinzinger, an Air Force veteran, which offers a new, strengthened AUMF that would eliminate any and all restrictions on the actions our government can take to degrade and destroy ISIS.

In the time that remains, President Obama would be wise to remember that his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief is to “we the people” – not the Ayatollah in Iran, the Castros in Cuba, or the Democratic National Committee in Washington D.C. If the President wants to seal a political legacy to be remembered by, let me suggest he try this one: protecting the country he was sworn to serve.

Award based on 2015 Voting Record that reflects full-spectrum support of issues important to conservatives

(WASHINGTON DC) — The American Conservative Union Foundation (ACU) Awarded Tennessee State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver earlier this week with the “Award for Conservative Excellence” for her commitment to upholding conservative principles during the 2015 General Assembly. Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver achieved a 100% rating on the 2015 ACU scorecard. The ceremony was held at the Tennessee State Capitol’s Legislative Library and featured remarks from Speaker Beth Harwell (100% ACU Rating), Majority Whip Timothy Hill (92% ACU Rating), ACU Executive Director Dan Schneider, and ACU Vice Chairman Carolyn Meadows.

“It was an honor to recognize Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver with an ACU Award for Conservative Excellence,” said Schneider. “Other groups that rate legislators focus on a single issue, like guns or tax policy. ACU’s ratings are unique in the sense that they are the only means of determining if a legislator is a full-spectrum conservative who has stood up for Ronald Reagan’s vision for economic opportunity, transparency in government, and a strong culture based on traditional values. Earning our award means that Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver stood for the principles that make America the world’s best hope for freedom for all,” added Schneider.

ACU aims to educate voters about how closely their elected officials adhere to the ideas of America’s founding, and how their elected officials compare to other across the country by rating all 50 state legislatures. ACU researches and selects a wide range of bills that reflect a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We select bills that focus on former President Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd Amendment, religious freedom, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency.

During this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Tennessee was recognized for having the most conservative legislature in the country. This is the first year that the ACU presented the “We the People” award for the most conservative state legislature. Tennessee had an overall average of 80.5% with the second most conservative state, Idaho, averaging 73%. Remarkably, every Republican leader in the Tennessee legislature earned the Award for Conservative Excellence, the only legislature in the country whose leadership achieved such high marks. For more information and to learn more about the ACU Ratings visit: http://acuratings.conservative.org/.