Marcy Kaptur

Congresswoman Kaptur's passion for agriculture goes back to her childhood. Her father owned a small grocery that prided itself on offering healthy fresh foods, often purchased directly from local farmers. The Kaptur grocery sold locally-grown food long before it became popular.

That experience underlies Congresswoman Kaptur's belief in forward-thinking farm legislation that eliminates wasteful subsidies, provides resources to strengthen local and regional food systems, and makes the necessary investments in agricultural research.

Congresswoman Kaptur's legislative efforts have focused on creating economic opportunities at the local level by supporting a sustainable model of agriculture.

Congresswoman Kaptur has been fighting for a "fair trade" policy since she came to Congress.

In the early 1990s, Congresswoman Kaptur joined House Majority Whip David Bonior and freshman Congressman Sherrod Brown in leading the House effort against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

America today sees the results of this failed policy: shuttered factories, depleted tax bases, and families out of work. NAFTA promised millions of good jobs for Americans, but we got the giant sucking sound that H. Ross Perot predicted.

NAFTA and similar agreements contributed to the devastation of our great manufacturing sector, which has lost a third of its workers since 1994 due in part to unfair trade. Multinational corporations rushed to low-wage countries to take advantage of cheap labor. Meanwhile, state-managed trade policy in nations such as Japan, Germany, and South Korea continued to keep out American-made products.

Working together, our businesses and labor organizations built Northern Ohio into an industrial powerhouse, always standing up for America, whether in war or peace. America's working men and working women and their families deserve a government that takes their side, not the side of big money. They deserve fair trade agreements that produce a level economic playing field, not a race to the bottom.

STEMMING JOBS LOSSES AND BALANCING OUR TRADE DEFICIT

We cannot sit by idly while American jobs are being shipped overseas, our manufacturing base is being eroded, our wages decline, and our economy is threatened by unfair trade agreements and ballooning trade deficits. Congress needs to take dramatic action to stop the downward economic spiral.

Two pieces of legislation by Congresswoman Kaptur address this issue directly:

The NAFTA Accountability Act (H.R. 191) would withdraw the U.S. from NAFTA unless the President renegotiates its terms to correct serious flaws. It would require the Administration to certify to Congress that since enactment NAFTA has resulted in: 

more jobs and higher living standards;

increased domestic manufacturing;

maintenance of health and environmental standards;

no increase in pollution near the border;

no increase in the importation of illegal drugs, and;

observance by Mexico of political and human rights.

Congresswoman Kaptur also introduced the Balancing Trade Act every Congress. This straightforward legislation requires the President to take the necessary steps to eliminate—or at least substantially reduce—any bilateral trade deficit that has totaled at least $10 billion annually for more than three consecutive years.

EXPANDING TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

We must support workers who have lost their jobs due to unfair competition. Congresswoman Kaptur has been a consistent champion of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which provides job training and other assistance to workers who have been laid off due to trade. Each year Congresswoman Kaptur strongly advocates for full funding of all of the TAA programs, including TAA for Workers, TAA for Firms, and the new TAA for Communities program, which will allow areas to receive federal funding to develop a strategy to diversify and strengthen their economy.

Out-of-control campaign spending has reached a truly dangerous level in our country. Our country's very future is at risk unless we achieve significant campaign finance reform. Special interests exert far too much power in Washington.

According to political scientist Lee Drutman, corporations spend about $2.6 billion a year on reported lobbying expenditures, measurably more than the approximately $2.2 billion available to Congress for everything from staff salaries to policy, budget, and legal research.

The opportunity for ordinary Americans with talent and dedication to win elections in our country is steadily disappearing. In 1982, the average race for the U.S. House seat cost $265,000, according to the Federal Elections Commission. Now a contested race will cost well over a million dollars, depending on the media market.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United represented a major step backward—allowing corporations and rich individuals to contribute unlimited sums of money without any accountability. Congress must enact strong campaign finance reform and end once and for all the current practice of allowing elections to be bought by the highest bidder.

Strengthening the economy and creating jobs has been Congresswoman Kaptur's top priority since she was first elected.

Northern Ohio's economy has been hit particularly hard as a result of unfair trade agreements, recklessness on Wall Street, and federal policies that benefit large corporations and the wealthy instead of the middle class.

While the numbers may show that we are no longer in a recession, the reality on the ground is quite different. There are still far too many individuals seeking work or are underemployed. Democrats and Republicans need to come together to focus on the American people's number one priority – creating jobs.

CREATING AMERICAN JOBS

In addition, Congresswoman Kaptur believes in leading by example. Kaptur is a champion of eliminating loopholes in the Buy America Act to ensure that Congress buys American made products when it procures products from the private sector. The bill also ends Buy America waivers for products that utilize an official insignia of the House, Senate, or Congress. If Congress is going to spend taxpayer dollars then it should support American workers.

STOPPING THE OUTSOURCING OF AMERICAN JOBS

Unbalanced trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) send American jobs overseas. Congresswoman Kaptur has consistently fought against these unfair agreements and will continue to fight against them in the future.

Beyond that, the U.S. should renegotiate trade agreements that do not give the American worker a fair chance in the global marketplace.

STRENGTHENING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING

The U.S. has been the world's leading in manufacturing for more than a century. Although manufacturing has declined in recent years, we are witnessing a turnaround due to a number of factors. American manufacturers have added thousands of jobs over the past three years, but we must continue to support this vitally important sector of the economy.

American manufacturing creates more value across the economy per dollar spent than any other sector. For every $1 of goods produced, manufacturing generates an additional $1.43 for the economy and each manufacturing job creates at least 2.91 more jobs in other sectors.

Small and medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of U.S. manufacturing, comprising 84% of manufacturers, and employing 51% of the manufacturing workforce. However, often due to limited resources, many lack access to technical assistance and information needed to solve challenges and identify opportunities for growth.

As a member of the bipartisan House Manufacturing Caucus, Congresswoman Kaptur is always looking for ways to help manufacturing remain a source of good-paying, sustainable American jobs.

THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

Few industries are more important to Ohio than the motor vehicle industry, or auto industry. It is responsible for one in every eight jobs in Ohio. Despite the crisis of 2008-2009, the industry has rebounded strongly.

When the crisis hit, Congresswoman Kaptur was one of the first lawmakers urging congressional action to save the American automobile industry. Now the industry is rebounding and creating thousands of jobs in the industrial heartland.

The best way to strengthen the auto industry is to support the middle class and improve our economy by supporting American manufacturing, stopping outsourcing, investing in renewable energy, and renegotiating unfair trade agreements.

I am pleased to provide you with information to help you connect with local healthcare resources that can provide enrollment assistance for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While my office does not have the expertise to enroll people in the healthcare marketplace, we are happy to refer you to resources that will help you enroll and/or answer your questions.

You may also visit healthcare.gov or call the toll-free ACA consumer helpline at 1(800) 318-2596 to get your marketplace questions answered. Or you can call United Way's 211 Line find out about enrollment assistance in your area.

If you would prefer to talk to someone locally about signing up for health insurance, please see some of the options available to you below (more local healthcare resources can be seen at healthcare.gov):

SANDUSKY AREA:

United Way Port Clinton-Sutton Center: 419-734-6645

1854 E. Perry St, #300, Port Clinton, OH 43452

 

TOLEDO AREA:

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department: 419-213-4100

635 N. Erie St. Room 27, Toledo, OH 43604

Things you need to know

What is a Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange?

A Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange is a new way that Americans can compare and shop for health insurance. US citizens and others who are legally in the US can sign up for health insurance through the Marketplace. You cannot be turned down, and you may even be able to get help paying for your new insurance.

Open Enrollment is currently closed. However, you can still get coverage if you experience certain life changes: getting married, having a baby, losing other coverage, moving, or if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.

Do I have to sign up for health insurance?

You do need to sign up if you have no insurance, or if you are losing your coverage, or you are not eligible to be covered under an affordable, quality employer plan. If you don't have insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage, you may have to pay a fee when you file your taxes.

You do not need to sign up if you care covered by Medicare, Medicaid for Elderly, Blind or Disabled, the VA health program, or a good and affordable insurance through your job or your spouse's job.

Young adults can stay on their parents' insurance until they turn 26, but they can also go to the Marketplace to see if they can get a less expensive insurance.

How much does it cost?

It does not cost anything to apply and learn what insurance plan options you qualify for, what the plans will cost per month, and what financial help you can receive.

Once you know your options, you can decide what health insurance plan is best for you and your budget.

You may qualify for a discount and/or tax credit from the federal government. The amount of financial assistance is calculated when you sign up.

What information do I need to sign up?

ID information for all members of your family (age, social security numbers, or legal permanent resident/green card or visa numbers).

Income for all family members – this is because you will have to estimate your 2014 family income to get your financial assistance (pay stub or tax forms, or other documents showing income).

Information about insurance offered through your job or your spouse's job, even if you don't take that insurance, including how much it costs for a single plan.

Important things to keep in mind after signing up:

You must pay your premiums (the amount you pay for your insurance) every month to keep your coverage.

Watch for information about the health insurance plan you select, such as a membership card or new member letter, which will help you get started with your new plan.

Report any changes in family income or number of people in your family by calling the Health Insurance Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596.

Health care, specifically health insurance coverage for all, mental health care, and medical liability coverage for healthcare providers, is one of the most important domestic policies today.

The Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, puts consumers in charge by ensuring access to quality, affordable health care. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that the law will provide coverage to 32 million more people, or more than 94 percent of Americans, while lowering health care costs over the long term.

This historic legislation will reduce the deficit by $210 billion over the next ten years, with $1.2 trillion in additional deficit reduction in the following 10 years.

Although people share different views about the proper course of reform, the Affordable Care Act is a responsible approach to the challenges of the 21st Century and will repair much of what needs fixed so that our country remains strong and competitive.

Northern Ohio's geographic positions provide us with many strategic economic opportunities. At the western end of the district, the transportation links between the Port of Toledo and the St. Lawrence Seaway System, the intersection of Interstates I-75 and I-80/I-90, and one of the nation's six busiest rail centers offer tremendous opportunities. These assets are investments in the future of the region. Construction of the I-280 Veterans' Glass City Skyway, rehabilitation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza (Central Union Terminal) rail station, and expansion of Toledo Express Airport have increased the viability of the Northwest Ohio region.

Converting local public transit and other public vehicle fleets to renewable energy would enhance our reputation as a center for alternative energy development. This effort is enabled through the University of Toledo and its University Transportation Center, which was secured in the highway bill. The transportation center pursues research and the development of the next generation of transportation professionals.

Assuring that our nation has a 21st century transportation system to meet our ever-increasing needs is critical in maintaining our economy. Investing in a modern high-speed passenger rail system is essential to securing the future economic development of our region and the nation.

DEFENDING AMERICA AND PROTECTING THE HOMELAND

As a member of the Defense Subcommittee of House Appropriations, Congresswoman Kaptur is guided by two major themes: guaranteeing national security and restoring energy independence. Congress must make sure our servicemen and servicewomen are the best trained and best equipped soldiers in the world. We must provide the most modern defense systems and equipment for our forces, including Guard and Reserve units.

It is also critical that our government secure the defense industrial base and recapture key defense technologies from foreign outsourcing.

RESTORING AMERICA'S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Northern Ohio is the "#1 Green Energy Community" in the U.S. and our technology and experience in alternative energy allow us the opportunity to showcase projects that restore our nation's energy independence.

We hope to lead our nation's efforts to secure energy independence at all U.S. military bases and installations. That leadership is on display at the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo. Its 783-kilowatt solar electric generation plant last year provided an annual utility savings of $150,000 and used 99.7% local content—which means jobs in the community.

Congresswoman Kaptur has championed creation of a federal policy on strategic metals. A $90 million beryllium plant in Elmore, Ohio is a prime example of public-private partnership. The Department of Defense and Materion Corporation (formerly Brush Wellman) collaborated on the factory with federal funding under Title III of the Defense Production Act.

BUY AMERICA LEGISLATION

Congresswoman Kaptur has always supported strong Buy America provisions in defense legislation in order to support the defense industrial base, which is critical to our nation's national security.

Buy America provisions help small companies, such as tool and die manufacturers, foundry operators and machinists in Northern Ohio, compete with larger defense contractors on Pentagon contracts.

Federal & State Veteran Benefit Books and General Information Sites for Veterans

These are booklets that every veteran be able to access. They cover everything from VA health care issues, to educational issues, and service connected disability ratings among other issues. The first link is the VA's general website and the final link will help veterans better understand how the Affordable Healthcare Act will impact those veterans using the VA healthcare system.