For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2009

– With Economic Crisis, State Officials Bring Necessary Perspective to Washington – 

ALEXANDRIA, VA – As the 111th Congress was sworn in today, 13 new members of Congress who formerly served as Republican state legislators became part of the national solution to the significant issues facing our country. With the debate over an unprecedented stimulus package awaiting members of Congress, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, pointed out the importance of the voice of those with state experience during this economic crisis.

“We are encouraged that an additional thirteen commonsense, Republican leaders with state legislative experience were sworn in to Congress today and will make sure that the policies set forth in Washington encourage economic prosperity for the future of our country,” said Scott Ward, RSLC President. “These state leaders are well aware of how policies handed down from Washington can negatively impact the positive work being done in the states. With talk of a trillion dollar stimulus package coming from the national Democratic leadership, these individuals will fight to make certain that what happens in Washington doesn’t turn into a government deal to nowhere for the states.”

“We’re once again reminded that today’s state leaders are tomorrow’s future. The RSLC works vigorously to elect those who reflect the ideas and principles of the American people,” added Ward. “It is important to send individuals to represent us in Washington with this experience and background, and we congratulate them as they take the oath today to work for their constituents back home.”

The newly-sworn-in Republican members of Congress who served as state legislators are as follows:

Senate:

Idaho – ex-State Senator, Lt. Gov. James Risch

House:

California 4th – State Senator Tom McClintock

Colorado 6th – ex-State Senator Michael Coffman

Florida 15th – State Senator William “Bill” Posey

Illinois 18th – State Rep. Aaron Schock

Kansas 2nd – ex-State Senator Lynn Jenkins

Kentucky 2nd – State Senator Brett Guthrie

Louisiana 6th – State Senator Bill Cassidy Minnesota 3rd – State Rep. Erik Paulsen

Missouri 9th – ex-State Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer

New Jersey 7th – State Senator Leonard Lance

Ohio 7th – State Senator Steven Austria

Wyoming At-large – ex-State Senator Cynthia M. Lummis

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.

The RSLC has over 70,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including: reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies. During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.