However, over the past few days I reminded myself why, five years ago, I wanted to chair the Republican Party in Camden County. I did then — as I do now — simply want to help Republicans get elected in Camden County. In these five years, the Party has made significant progress in both gaining elected positions and fundraising; however, the cowardly personal attacks have made it apparent to me that as long as I remain Chair, these disgruntled, cowardly detractors will stand in the way of this year’s Republican candidates up and down the ballot.

I cannot, in good conscience, subject our candidates — who start with an uphill battle as it is — to any further challenges to their campaigns. Unfortunately, those who have chosen to malign me have made my presence a distraction to the men and women who truly want to represent our Party and serve the taxpayers as candidates for public office.

I will use the remaining few days of my Chairmanship to schedule a County Committee meeting to elect a successor and prepare for the transition. CCGOP Vice Chair, Shelly Lovett, will preside over that meeting and nominations for Chairman can be made by Committee members from the floor.

During this journey I have formed many wonderful new friendships and memories for which I am truly grateful. I will miss the opportunity to fight for good government as well as form new relationships with like-minded conservatives in the future. I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive over the last five years and who worked hard and sacrificed so much for the chance to obtain a Republican majority in Camden County.

Sincerely,

Richard A. DeMichele, Jr.

Council President Rose Fitzgerald and Mayor Scott Alexander

Mayor Scott Alexander announced a 6% decrease in the Municipal property tax levy, the largest decrease of this size in 30 years. The Mayor also announced that based on the School District and County holding their tax levy increases within the 2% cap criteria set by Governor Christies’ toolkit, the Borough would experience a blended tax reduction for the 3rd year in a row, the first 3-year concurrent reduction in 69 years.

The Mayor’s policies are focused on running the Borough like a business with an emphasis on growing revenues, controlling expenses, optimizing operations and enhancing services.

“Running the Municipality like a business changed the old way to the new way, and we are experiencing the benefits,”

said Mayor Alexander.

The municipality put in place a self-imposed cap in 2008, then tough big decisions were made around that discipline.

In 2011, total expenses are down 0.2%, while pension, healthcare and insurance expenses are up 15.1%. Mandated expense increases have been offset by newly created reoccurring revenue streams. The Municipality shifted its focus to revenue generation in 2009 with the economic development Project Garnet leading the way. New revenues are being created by building rentals, recreational programs, economic development and other fees.

At the same time Haddon Heights has invested in its departments, staff and infrastructure. Specific strategic departmental expense line items are up in 2011. Haddon Heights hired new police officers and a new head of public works in 2010, and invested into key projects like information systems, roadwork programs and sewer maintenance.

“One of our key objectives has been to strategically redistribute cash from former wasteful spending to initiatives that will continue to build savings and enhance resident services,”

said Mayor Alexander.

It is important to note that the historic decrease does not include the use of any Project Garnet proceeds. Proceeds from the sale of former public works land will be available for budgeting starting in 2012.

“Based on the new way of running the Borough like a business, there is little reason not to have additional tax reductions in 2012 and beyond. When Governor Chris Christies’ healthcare reforms are put into place, tax control will be even more consistent,”

says the Mayor.

Chris Christie

The New York Times Magazine recently did an article on our Governor.  The article talked in part about Chris Christie’s YouTube monologue moments.  Below is a quote form the article.

“The argument you heard most vociferously from the teachers’ union,” Christie says, “was that this was the greatest assault on public education in the history of New Jersey.” Here the fleshy governor lumbers a few steps toward the audience and lowers his voice for effect. “Now, do you really think that your child is now stressed out and unable to learn because they know that their poor teacher has to pay 1½ percent of their salary for their health care benefits? Have any of your children come home — any of them — and said, ‘Mom.’ ” Pause. “ ‘Dad.’ ” Another pause. “ ‘Please. Stop the madness.’ ”

By this point the audience is starting to titter, but Christie remains steadfastly somber in his role as the beseeching student. “ ‘Just pay for my teacher’s health benefits,’ ” he pleads, “ ‘and I’ll get A’s, I swear. But I just cannot take the stress that’s being presented by a 1½ percent contribution to health benefits.’ ” As the crowd breaks into appreciative guffaws, Christie waits a theatrical moment, then slams his point home. “Now, you’re all laughing, right?” he says. “But this is the crap I have to hear.”

Does the transcript sound familiar?  It should.  Below is a video of the Governor in Gloucester Township and his famous “Crap I have to Hear” moment.

 this video has in excess of 148,000 YouTube hits.

Over the past few days, you may have received unsolicited, dishonest emails calling for my resignation as CCGOP Chairman.  Don’t be surprised if you receive a couple more.  When you do, consider the source. 

Yours truly,

Rick DeMichele
Chairman CCGOP

 Republicans Are Taking The Lead

To Solve Fiscal Crises

While Democrats Literally Run From The Problem

Chris Christie

 

 

THE FEDERAL BUDGET

 

REPUBLICANS LEAD: On Saturday, The Republican-Led House Of Representatives “Made Good On Its Pledge” And Passed Continuing Resolution Containing $60 Billion In Spending Cuts. “The House early Saturday approved a huge package of spending cuts, slashing more than $60 billion from domestic programs, foreign aid, and even some military projects, as the new Republican majority made good on its pledge to turn the grassroots fervor of the November elections into legislative action to shrink the size and scope of government. The vote, of 235 to 189, was a victory for the large, boisterous class of fiscally conservative Republican freshmen that is fiercely determined to change t he ways of Washington and that forced party leaders to pursue far bigger cuts than originally planned.” (David M. Herszenhorn, “House Votes To Cut $60 Billion, Setting Up Budget Clash,” The New York Times, 2/19/11)

•  The Cuts Were $100 Billion Below President Obama’s Budget Request For The Year. “The House on Saturday passed a Republican bill that cuts federal spending by $61 billion below current levels, or $100 billion below President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2011. Obama’s budget was never enacted.” (Mike Lillis, “Schumer: GOP Puts Congress On Course For Inevitable Government Shutdown,” The Hill, 2/20/11)

THE DEMOCRAT RESPONSE: Obama Threatened To Veto The House-Passed CR, Which Could Cause A Government Shut-Down. “The Continuing Resolution (CR) bill currently on the House floor would keep the government operating past March 4. Some version of the CR is needed to avoid a shutdown since the Democratic-led Congress failed to pass a budget last year. Congress in December passed a stopgap funding bill to keep the government operating through March 4. … The Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday issued a statement indicating that Mr. Obama will veto the CR bill as it stands …”  (Stephanie Condon, “Is a Government Shutdown in March on the Table?” CBS News, 2/16/11)

•  Democrats Actively Talk About A Government Shutdown, Hoping To Have “Political Edge On The Issue.” “Senate Democrats are talking about a possible government shutdown more than Republicans, a sign that Democrats are confident they have the political edge on the issue. Senate Democrats have met with senior White House officials in preparation for an intense clash with Republicans over government spending levels and a proposal to increase the national debt ceiling. The three highest-ranking Senate Democratic leaders warned on Thursday that a shutdown is a real possibility.” (Alexander Bolton, “Government Shutdown On The Lips Of Senate Democrats, Not Republicans,”  The Hill, 2/4/11)

 

 

  

THE DEBT CRISIS

 

REPUBLICANS LEAD: Republicans Have Vowed “To Include Entitlement Reforms In Their Forthcoming Budget.” ”House Republican leaders vowed Tuesday to include entitlement reforms in their forthcoming budget to help begin the ‘adult conversation’ on reform that President Obama said he desired. ‘Our budget will lead where the President has failed, and it will include real entitlement reforms so that we can have a conversation with the American people about the challenges we face and the need to chart a new path to prosperity,’ House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a joint statement with the rest of the GOP leadership team and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R- Wis.).” (Michael O’Brien, “GOP Vows Its Budget Will Include Plans For Entitlement Reform,” The Hill, 2/15/11)

 

THE DEMOCRAT RESPONSE: A Senior Democrat Aide Called Republicans “Suckers” For Offering To Show Leadership On Entitlements. “‘They are suckers,’ said one senior Democratic Congressional aide of the House GOP plans to release the first detailed proposals to reduce entitlement spending. ‘They have painted themselves into a corner.’” (Glen Thrush, “Has Obama Set GOP Entitlement Trap?”  Politico, 2/16/11)

•  The Reason Republicans Must Now Take The Lead Is Because When Given The Chance To Show Leadership With His Own Budget, Obama “Chose Instead To Duck” Behind “The Sort Of Budgetary Gimmicks He Once Derided.” “Having been given the chance, the cover and the push by the fiscal commission he created to take bold steps to raise revenue and curb entitlement spending, President Obama, in his fiscal 2012 budget proposal, chose instead to duck. To duck, and to mask some of the ducking with the sort of budgetary gimmicks he once derided.”  (Editorial, “President Obama’s Budget Kicks The Hard Choices Further Down The Road,” The Washington Post, 2/15/11)

OHIO

 

REPUBLICANS LEAD: Ohio Gov. John Kasich “Is Determined To Transform State Government Into A Smaller, Less-Expensive And, He Assures, More-Efficient Entity.” “A seismic shift in the way state government operates and serves its citizens is at hand, provoked by a set of circumstances unique in recent history, including widespread recognition that the status quo isn’t working and cannot be sustained financially. The recession has ravaged state resources, and a new Republican governor with hefty GOP majorities in the General Assembly is poised to seize the moment, determined to transform state government into a smaller, less-expensive and, he assures, more-efficient entity. ‘I really believe this is our chance,’ Gov. John Kasich said. ‘If we miss this opportunity, I’m not sure we’ll have another try.’” (Joe Hallett, “Statehouse Lobbyists Seem To Get Kasich’s Message,” The Columbus Dispatch, 2/7/11)

•  Ohio Republicans Introduced Bill That Would Encourage Merit-Based Raises And Allow Non-Union Members To Refuse To Pay Dues. “The Ohio proposal, sponsored by Republican Sen. Shannon Jones, would abolish collective bargaining rights for state workers and restrict teachers, firefighters, police, university employees and local workers in their bargaining abilities. Unions would lose the ability to negotiate salary schedules and step increases in favor of merit-based raises. Unions would be barred from requiring non-members covered by their contracts to pay dues.” (Patrick Preston, “Kasich On Senate Bill 5: ‘I Am Very Optimistic,’” NBC4i, 2/21/11)

THE DEMOCRAT RESPONSE: “Thousands Of Demonstrators” Including Former-Democrat Governor Marched On The State Capitol To Protest The Bill. “In Ohio, where the state Senate is considering a similar law known as SB5 that would eliminate collective bargaining for many state workers, thousands of demonstrators, some carrying signs that read ‘Kill SB5′ or ‘Stop SB5′ packed the lawn outside the state Capitol. Among the protesters was former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a Democrat who lost the election last year to Republican John Kasich, who supports the measure.” (Jeff Mayers, “Democrats Flee Wisconsin To Protest Union Curbs,” Reuters, 2/17/11)

 

WISCONSIN

 

REPUBLICANS LEAD: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Has Offered A Bill That Would Save State Taxpayers $330 Million.  “Walker offered the bill to help shore up the state’s finances in advance of a budget to be delivered Tuesday that is expected to include major cuts in areas like aid to local schools and governments.  He first wants the budget repair bill passed to help clear up a $137 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30 and ease solving a deficit of more than $3 billion over the next two years. The cuts to benefits would save taxpayers nearly $330 million through mid-2013.”  (Jason Stein, Patrick Marley, and Steve Schultze, “Walker Calls For Senate Dems To End Their Boycott And Vote,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/17/11)

• “[The Plan] Would Also Require Government Workers, Who Currently Contribute Little Or Nothing To Their Pensions, To Contribute 5.8% Of Their Pay To Pensions, And Pay At Least 12.6% Of Health-Care Premiums, Up From An Average Of 6%.”  (Kris Maher And Douglas Belkin, “in Wisconsin Fight, Officials Search Capitol For Democrats,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/17/11)

THE DEMOCRAT RESPONSE: Senate Democrats Literally Fled The State To Avoid Being Forced To Do Their Jobs. ”State Sens. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) Jon Erpenbach (D-Fitchburg) said Thursday all 14 Senate Democrats had left Wisconsin Thursday to avoid being forcibly returned to the Capitol to vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed elimination of public worker bargaining rights. … Wisconsin lawmakers could be forcibly returned to the Capitol by Wisconsin police or state troopers — if they had stayed in Wisconsin, he said.” (Steve Schultze, “Senators Left Wisconsin To Avoid Forced Return To CApitol,” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s “All Politics” Blog, 2/17/11)

 

NEW JERSEY

 

REPUBLICANS LEAD: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Vetoed Democrat-Passed Budget Containing Tax Hikes And Eventually Won Passage Of His Budget That Included Major Cuts In Spending. “This year, when New Jersey Democrats proposed a tax surcharge on income above $1 million, the state faced a possible government shutdown if Christie did not relent. … He added, ‘so what happened? They sent me that tax increase, I vetoed it, immediately, within the first 30 seconds they handed it to me, I handed it right back to them. And then they passed my budget.’ After a months-long fight, Democrats in New Jersey reluctantly agreed in June to a $29.3 billion budget, along the lines of wha t Christie had proposed, that included $800 million in cuts to education and eliminated or reduced the funding of dozens of programs and agencies.” (Perry Bacon Jr., “N.J. Gov. Chris Christie Becoming A National Hero Of GOP,” The Washington Post, 10/30/10)

•  “The governor called the state legislature into an emergency session and pushed through a 2% cap in annual increases of property-taxes, which have risen 70% in the past decade in New Jersey. He halted popular projects, including a multibillion-dollar train tunnel to Manhattan.” (Monica Langley, “Governor Christie’s Ultimate Test,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/22/10)

•  Christie Introduced Bill To Tie Teacher Pay To Performance And End The Awarding Of Tenure After Three Years. “On Sept. 28, nine months after taking office, Mr. Christie unveiled his plan to revamp schools. He pushed for linking teachers’ raises and job security to ‘teacher effectiveness and student performance,’ instead of the current system of rewarding seniority and advanced training. He called for an end to New Jersey’s practice of awarding tenure after only three years.” (Monica Langley, “Governor Christie’s Ultimate Test,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/22/10)

THE DEMOCRAT RESPONSE: The NJ Teachers Union Aired Ads And Held 35,000 Person Rally Critical Of Christie, And One County Chapter President Sent Around Private Memo Praying For Christie’s Death. “Ms. Keshishian ordered up a series of counter-punches to the governor’s charges. The NJEA shifted money from ‘Pride in Public Education’ spots to 30-second ads critical of Mr. Christie. … NJEA led its members and other community and labor groups in a rally, dubbed ‘Standing Up, Standing Together.’ About 35,000 members gathered at the state capitol in Trenton. … In April, Joe Coppola, president of the Bergen County Education Association, a county union chapter, emailed a memo to members with a closing prayer: ‘D ear Lord, this year you have taken away my favorite actor Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer Michael Jackson and my favorite salesman Billy Mays.’ He concluded: ‘I just wanted to let you know that Chris Christie is my favorite governor.’ The private memo became public.” (Monica Langley, “Governor Christie’s Ultimate Test,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/22/10)

 

A Product Of  The RNC Research Department  www.GOP.com

Thank you to the over 140 people who made Tuesday’s Lincoln Day dinner a huge success.  Our guest, Congressman Runyan, reminded us why we sent the right person to Washington DC.  Enjoy the video above. We will post photos of the event at our Facebook page.

Congratulations to the newly elected Governor of the historically liberal state of Wisconsin. He may not be as visible and as vocal as his leftists opponents, but he is speaking loud and clear in regard to executive responsibility and respect for the taxpayer.

The fact that President Obama is weighing into this situation, once again, provides us with data to demonstrate that he is no centrist and that he does not respect the rights of individual States to act in their own behalf.

Union supporters from around the nation are showing up on the steps of the Wisconsin capitol in a show of solidarity for the overpaid and underperforming state workers. They are loud and attacking . This is bullying at its most primal. They make the Tea Party members seem like tepid tea drinkers.

The Democratic electors have fled to another State, revealing their unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. This is truly illustrative of cowards running away from a problem, that was created by them and people who think like them. Of course, if they chose to stay and vote their liberal tendencies, it would also be an example of their preference of advancing the status quo of insolvency as opposed to facing financial realities.

Once again, kudos to the Tea Party folks who came together about two years ago to fight back the tyranny of centralized state control.

Additionally, Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Chris Christie, who was the first Governor to stand up to greedy teachers and State employees who feel that the taxpayer owes them an above average lifestyle while they’re working as well as during their retirement. His courage, good sense, and clear communications  has helped to provide a spine transplant for elected leaders around the country.

March on!

Chris Christie

Advancing his vision for a New Normal in state budgeting, Governor Chris Christie today presented a $29.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2012 that cuts real spending for a second consecutive year. The Governor’s Budget proposal includes $200 million in focused tax cuts, provides additional property tax relief, increases school aid and funds a reformed state pension system, while preserving or increasing funding to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens. The Fiscal Year 2012 Budget marks a departure from the Trenton tradition of budgeting to meet deficit projections that embrace wish-list spending by legislators and assume continuous funding increases that irresponsibly ignore actual revenue sources and the fiscal health of the state. 

The Governor’s Budget – which reduces real spending by 2.6 percent from the current fiscal year – hits the reset button on the state budgeting process and starts with the refreshing assumption that budgeting and spending must be reality-based and zero-based. The New Normal means developing a bottom-up approach – establishing priorities and funding them based on revenue that is actually available and predictable versus the old approach of assuming every line item and program will automatically be funded at the same or higher level than prior years.

“The old way of budgeting and thinking must be stricken from our collective minds if we are to successfully emerge from this fiscal crisis with permanently reformed budgeting and spending habits,”

 Governor Chris Christie said. 

“This is a new paradigm for state government – a New Normal – that cuts and spends responsibly, incentivizes our local governments to do better with what our taxpayers entrust to them, and causes businesses to feel welcome and want to stay and expand or relocate to our state.” 

The Governor’s Budget proposal adheres to necessary spending and budgeting discipline, but also meets New Jersey’s most vital spending priorities.  Among those priorities in the budget:

• Increases education aid to every school district in New Jersey by a total of $250 million;

• Fulfills the statutory commitment to make a $506 million payment to a reformed state pension fund, representing the first funding to the defined benefit plans since fiscal year 2009;

• Provides $200 million in job-creating, strategic tax cuts that are responsible and sustainable;

• Doubles funding for the Homestead Rebate to provide direct property tax relief in the form of a property tax credit under the newly named Homestead Benefit program;

• Protects municipal aid and keeps funding at fiscal year 2011 levels to help towns meet the new 2 percent property tax cap (while decreasing by 10 percent the category of Special Transitional Aid to cities, in keeping with the Governor’s pledge to end cities’ reliance on the aid as they adopt best-practices budgeting to improve fiscal and management reforms); and

• Increases and secures New Jersey hospital funding by a total of $20 million, and increases funding for student financial aid by the same amount.

The Governor’s Budget takes all possible steps to maintain the safety net for New Jersey’s most vulnerable and at-need individuals and families.  From prescription drug aid for seniors to helping low-income tenants stay in their homes, the Governor’s Budget includes billions of dollars and:

• Preserves critical spending and fully funds the fiscal year 2011 increases to the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and Senior Gold Prescription Assistance Programs without increases in co-pays or eligibility – keeping it one of the most generous such benefit programs in the nation;

• Allocates $20.4 million to help the developmentally disabled lead richer, happier lives through new community placement and services, and funds day programs and other services; similarly, the budget continues and expands funding for the requirement that the state expand the number of residential and community settings for New Jersey’s mentally ill;

• Preserves the current level of support for higher education, after years of cuts, while increasing student aid programs by $20 million and providing $15 million for capital improvements at community colleges;

• Provides resources to keep 4,300 low-income citizens in their homes and apartments, including $25 million from the New Jersey Affordable Housing Agency Trust Fund and $9 million from the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency; and

• Avoids an increase in NJ Transit fares and expands bus service to select growth markets.

The damage caused by years of fiscal mismanagement, coupled with the lingering effects of the national recession, will continue to restrain state spending for years to come. The reality is that the New Normal of the current economic and fiscal climate necessitates more painful choices in how the state allocates finite taxpayer dollars.  Facing up to those realities, the proposed budget continues on the path of making difficult, often painful choices in nearly every department.  Funding in even worthwhile, popular programs is reduced or eliminated in order to fund priorities.

Governor Christie will continue to insist that the shared sacrifice be spread among state employees as well, including in payment of a fair share of medical costs.  By increasing co-payments and premiums to levels still below what federal employees pay, the state will save $323 million that will be used to pay for other critically important programs – and prevent increases in some of the highest sales, income and property taxes in the nation.

Finally, to pave the way for the best possible outcome for our state and its people as we deal with the New Normal and emerge from recession, the Governor intends to better position our businesses and attract new ones with tax cuts, reform and incentives to spur job growth and business expansion. To that end, he proposes a comprehensive but phased-in program of $2.5 billion in job-creation incentives over the next five years.  As part of the program, Governor Christie is proposing for Fiscal 2012  tax cuts and reforms resulting in approximately $200 million in savings for businesses. 

The package outlined by the Governor increases the state’s competitiveness in a responsible and sustainable manner by providing critical tax reform and incentives across a variety of tax-policy areas, including: loss carry-forward relief for small businesses, a reduction of the S-corporation minimum tax, increasing the credit allowed for research and development investments, exemptions for business software technology reinvestment, increasing funding for economic development programs, and the phasing-out of the Technology Energy Facility Assessment to provide needed relief from New Jersey’s already-high energy costs.

Governor Christie has committed to only putting in place tax cuts and incentives that are paid for within the context of a Constitutionally-balanced state budget.  By providing for a phase-in of the program, the fiscal impact rises with the expected expansion of the state’s economy while minimizing the impact on the state budget each year.

The budget proposal, a representation of the Governor’s commitment to maintain fiscal discipline, also outlines a bold reform agenda to take on the big issues facing New Jersey, including the Governor’s comprehensive reform plans to restore fiscal sanity to out-of-control pension and health benefits systems, make 2011 the Year of Education Reform to bring the opportunity of a high-quality education to every child, and the pro-growth, responsible package of tax reforms and incentives to create Jersey Jobs and increase New Jersey’s competitiveness, as outlined above.

Chris Christie

Today we will be Live Blogging  Chris Christie’s budget address.  This post will be updated throughout the day so check back often.

Date line:

12:08. Just arrived in Trenton. On my way to the NJ Republican State Committee for a quick meeting.

1:06. Just finished a great meeting with NJGOP Chair Sam Rain. Now a quick lunch then off to the State House.

1:50 In the State House now. Saw Barbara Keeshan going through security. Should be interesting.

2:08 House is open for session.

2:11 Loud applause for Governor Christie’s entrance.

2:15 history of closing budget gaps without raising taxes.

Can’t start by fully funding every every line item. Time for zero based budgeting.

2:16 More painful cuts this year and in the years to come.

This year we have new priorities.

2:18 We continue to reduce spending.

Pension reform needed now.

Increase education aid in every school district.

2:23 Governors across the US face budget issues.

This is a moment for real change. The change will come from the states … lead by NJ.

2:28 NJ is a national model for fiscal restraint.

2:29 We are putting an end to one shot gimmicks.

2:30 Everyone in government needs to be held accountable. If they don’t perform they don’t get the peoples money.

2:32 Medicaid needs to be reformed.

This budget has 200 million dollars in tax cuts.

We are cutting taxes without running a deficit to create jobs.

2:40 This budget will continue put tax payers first.

We need to keep our pension system solvent to protect the workers who earned their retirement.

Pension and health care costs are killing New Jersey economy.

2:45 With reform we can double property tax rebates for the middle class. Governor challenges Dem leadership to get it done.

Health benefit reform is needed to cut property taxes.

2:48 Because of hard choices made last year the Governor is restoring 250 million is school aid.

We are also increasing funding for charter schools.

2:56 We will hold the line on higher education funding. No further cuts.

2:58 The nation is looking to NJ to make good decisions. Pass this budget. There is no turning back.

3:05 The chamber is clearing out.