| 00:00:00 | none | [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE] [CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT NATIONAL CABLE SATELLITE CORP. 2009] WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 22, 2009. I HEREBY APPOINT THE HONORABLE TIM HOLDEN TO ACT AS SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE ON THIS DAY. SIGNED, NANCY PELOSI, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. |
| 00:00:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY OUR CHAPLAIN, FATHER COUGHLIN. CHAPLAIN COUGHLIN: LORD GOD, FATHER AND CREATOR OF ALL, THIS NATION IS SINGULAR AND POWERFUL . BY THE VERY FACT THAT CONGRESS BEGINS ITS WORK DAY WITH PRAYER SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND WORKERS OF THIS GREAT LAND. BY SEEKING YOUR PRESENCE IN MOMENTS OF PRAYER EACH DAY WE HUMBLY LAY BEFORE YOU OUR LIMITATIONS AND OUR HOPES. WE DISPLAY OUR OPENNESS TO YOUR CREATIVE LIGHT TO GUIDE US IN THE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE TO STAY THE COURSE OF GOVERNMENT OF YOUR FREE PEOPLE. BY BEING ATUNED TO YOUR POWER, OUR VISION IS EXPANDED AND OUR COMPASSION FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IS TURNED INTO ACTION. IN YOU AND WITH YOU AMERICA'S IDEALS ARE REALIZED AND EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL IS WITHIN REACH. BOTH NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN. |
| 00:01:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS APPROVAL THEREOF. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1 THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE LED BY THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MICHIGAN, CONGRESSWOMAN MILLER. |
| 00:01:44 | MRS. MILLER | PLEASE JOIN ME AND FACE THE FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. |
| 00:01:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN UP TO 15 REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES ON EACH SIDE OF THE AISLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? |
| 00:02:09 | >> | UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:02:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:02:16 | Baca, Joe | MR. SPEAKER, I AM TOUCHED BY THE UNWAVERING SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DURING THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. WE CONTINUE TO WORK HARD LAST WEEK. WE ALL PAID OUR TAXES. IN FACT, THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS ALSO PAID INTO OUR TAX SYSTEM THROUGH PAYROLL TAXES AND SALES TAXES. THERE ARE 12 MILLION TO 14 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THAT ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN THIS NATION TRYING TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. I STATE, A BETTER LIVES FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WE CANNOT FORGET THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED BY IMMIGRANTS WHO PRAYED FOR A BETTER LIFE, WHO WERE WILLING TO WORK HARD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. BY PROVIDING A PATH TO CITIZENS, NEW LEGAL IMMIGRANTS WOULD PROVIDE $400 BILLION STRENGTH TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT 50 YEARS. WE MUST BRING THIS WORKING POPULATION OUT FROM THE SHADOWS AND ALW THEM TO BECOME ACTIVE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO WORK WITH C.H.C. AND PRESIDENT OBAMA TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT WILL FIX THE ECONOMICS AND RESPECT ALL FAMILIES. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:03:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE? |
| 00:03:36 | Poe, Ted | REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:03:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:03:42 | Poe, Ted | MR. SPEAKER, WHEN THE BRITISH CROWN INITIALLY IGNORED THE BOSTON TEA PARTY IN 1733 AND REGARDED THE PARTICIPANTS AS RABBLE, AUTHORITIES THOUGHT NOTHING WOULD COME OF THE PROTEST. THEY, OF COURSE, WERE WRONG. EARLY AMERICANS WERE OBJECTING TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FOR NOT RESPONDING TO THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE. NOW, THIS YEAR TEA PARTIES, WHICH MEANS TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY, WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WHERE CITIZENS EXERCISED THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO, QUOTE, PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE. MOST PEOPLE SEEMED TO BE PROTESTING SPENDING AND TAXATION. THE CRITICS SAID NO ONE WOULD SHOW UP. THEY, OF COURSE, WERE WRONG. MANY IN THE MEDIA DID NOT WANT TO COVER THE EVENTS BECAUSE FRANKLY THEY WERE POLITICALLY OPPOSED TO THE IDEA SO THEY CALLED THE PROTESTERS COOKS AND EXTREMISTS. BUT THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS, NORMAL TAXPAYERS WHO WORK FOR A LIVING AND NOT BEHOLDEN TO GOVERNMENT GIVEAWAY PROGRAMS, SHOWED UP TO LET GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT CITIZENS DON'T LIKE GOVERNMENT SPENDING, THEY DON'T LIKE THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING SO MUCH OF THEIR MONEY, BORROWING MONEY FROM CHINA AND TAXING CITIZENS OUT OF EXISTENCE. GOVERNMENT WOULD DO WELL TO LISTEN, AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS. I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:04:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? |
| 00:04:52 | >> | MR. SPEAKER, TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 00:04:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:04:59 | MS. SANCHEZ | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 334 WHICH I INTRODUCED YESTERDAY. THIS RESOLUTION CALLS FOR THE RELEASE OF 118 VIETNAMESE CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, DETAINED OR HARASSED FOR SIGNING THE MANIFESTO ON FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN VIETNAM. THE MANIFESTO IS A PEACEFUL NONVIOLENT DECLARATION DEMANDING POLITICAL FREEDOM AND RESPECT FOR VIETNAM'S CITIZENS. HOUSE RESOLUTION 334 ALSO DIRECTS THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO ESTABLISH A COUNTRIES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN, A LIST TO CONDEMN THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM AND OTHER COUNTRIES FOR ENGAGING IN PARTICULARLY HARSH HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. VIETNAM'S ONGOING DENIAL OF ITS CITIZENS' FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND POLITICAL LIBERTIES IS UNACCEPTABLE. I INTRODUCED H.R. 334 TO MARK THE THREE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNING OF THE MANIFESTO AND TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO IMPROVE ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. IN MAY WE WILL HONOR THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND TO JOIN ME IN THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. |
| 00:06:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MICHIGAN RISE? |
| 00:06:29 | Miller, Candice | UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 00:06:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:06:36 | Miller, Candice | THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CONGRATULATE THE DETROIT FREE PRESS FOR WINNING THE PULITZER PRIZE IN THE CATEGORY OF LOCAL REPORTING. THROUGH OLD-FASHIONED HARD WORK AND INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, TWO COLUMNISTS HELPED UNCOVER EVIDENCE WHICH REVEALED CORRUPTION AT DETROIT CITY HALL. THE FREE PRESS' JOURNALISTIC PROWNESS HAD A TRADITION WHICH IS FIRMLY ROOTED IN AMERICA'S GREAT TRADITION OF A FREE PRESS. THE REPORTING OF SCHAEFER AND ELRICH AND THEIR WORK OF UNCOVERING THE TRUTH FOR THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT IS SOMETHING THAT THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY CAN BE PROUD OF. REGARDLESS OF ALL OF THE WAYS THAT THE MEDIA HAVE CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS, ONE THING THAT WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE IN AMERICA IS THE ABILITY OF A FREE PRESS, TO KEEP THE PUBLIC ACCURATELY AND HONESTLY INFORMED ABOUT ITS GOVERNMENT. CONGRATULATIONS TO "THE DETROIT FREE PRESS." YOU MAKE US ALL PROUD AND YOU TRULY EXEMPLIFY THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT. I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:07:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON RISE? |
| 00:07:39 | Blumenauer, Earl | TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:07:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:07:44 | Blumenauer, Earl | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. ONE OF THE GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS IN THE ENTIRE GLOBE IS THE SUPPLY AND QUALITY OF WATER. IN HONOR OF THE 39TH ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION, I'M PROUD TO INTRODUCE THE PAUL SIMON WATER FOR THE WORLD ACT OF 2009. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACT IS TO EMPOWER THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO THE PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL, POVERTY AND SECURITY THREATS PRESENTED BY MISMANAGEMENT AND SHORTAGE OF GLOBAL FRESH WATER. TODAY, ONE FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION RELICE ON WATER THAT IS POLLUTED OR INADEQUATELY SUPPLIED. THE -- IT IS THE WORLD'S GREATEST HEALTH PROBLEM, ACCOUNTING FOR TWO MILLION DEATHS AND HALF THE ILLNESSES IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. THE BIPARTISAN WATER FOR THE WORLD ACT BUILDS UPON THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR 2005 WATER FOR THE POOR ACT EXPANDING UNITED STATES FOREIGN ASSISTANCE CAPACITY, ELEVATING SUSTAINABLE WATER AND SANITATION POLICY AND INVESTING IN LOW-COST, HIGH-IMPACT SOLUTIONS. THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS THAT DIVIDE US HERE IN CONGRESS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER IS A COMMITMENT TO MAKE THE WORLD AND ITS ENVIRONMENT BETTER. AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF MY COLLEAGUES, CONGRESSMAN DONALD PAYNE, ROHRABACHER, BOOZMAN AND BERMAN IN JOINING ME ON THIS EARTH DAY TO ENACT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. |
| 00:09:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA RISE? |
| 00:09:06 | Fleming, John Calvin Jr. | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SPEAK TO THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:09:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:09:13 | Fleming, John Calvin Jr. | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO COMMEND LOUISIANA STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WILLIAMS WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THE 226TH MILE WALK FROM SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, A MAJOR CITY IN MY DISTRICT, TO THE STATE CAPITAL IN BATON ROUGE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR AUTISM AND CHILDHOOD OBESITY. AUTISM IS A SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH ONE IN 150 CHILDREN LIKELY TO HAVE SOME FORM OF THIS DISABILITY. REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS ALSO BROUGHT ATTENTION TO A SERIOUS FACTOR AFFECTING CHILDHOOD OBESITY. NUTRITION IN THE HOME, ESPECIALLY AMONG POOR FAMILIES, AND LET ME SAY PAIR THEYICALLY THAT FOR EVERY OBESED CHILD WE VERY LIKELY HAVE A FUTURE DIABETIC. AFTER COMPLETING HIS WALK, REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS MADE A PROMISE TO TALK TO CONGRESS AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING IN REGARDS TO THE FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING THEM TO BUY MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. AS A FAMILY PHYSICIAN, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH PATRICK WILLIAMS TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO BOTH OF THESE MEDICAL ISSUES. AND I YIELD BACK MY TIME. |
| 00:10:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEVADA RISE? |
| 00:10:30 | >> | PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 00:10:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:10:36 | MS. TITUS | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY ON EARTH DAY AS A MEMBER OF THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT CAUCUS, THE SO-CALLED GREEN DOGS, TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO HELP BUILD A NEW GREEN ECONOMY. INVESTING IN HOMEGROWN AMERICAN RENEWABLE ENERGY WILL CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW AMERICAN JOBS THAT CANNOT BE SHIPPED OVERSEAS. IN MY STATE OF NEVADA, A THRIVING RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY WILL HELP DIVERSY OUR LOCAL ECONOMY WHICH WE SO DESPERATELY NEED. WHETHER IT IS THE RESEARCHER IN THE LAB DEVELOPING NEW GENERATION BIOFUELS OR THE ELECTRICIAN ON THE ROOF INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS, THESE JOBS WILL STAY RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE CURRENTLY LOSING CLEAN ENERGY JOBS AND MARKET SHARE TO CHINA, GERMANY, KOREA AND OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO ENSURE THAT WE MAKE THE INVESTMENTS NECESSARY TODAY TO HELP CREATE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS FOR TOMORROW. THANK YOU. |
| 00:11:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TENNESSEE RISE? |
| 00:11:51 | Blackburn, Marsha | TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO |
| 00:11:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:11:57 | Blackburn, Marsha | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WELL, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IS MOVING FORWARD ON THE CHANGE THAT THEY'VE PROMISED, AND LAST WEEK THE E.P.A., THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, MOVED FORWARD TO REGULATION CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT WITH OR WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT. AND THIS WEEK THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE IS HOLDING HEARINGS ON CAP AND TAX LEGISLATION AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LEARNING. THE RENEWABLE REQUIREMENTS IN THE BILL ARE ENTIRELY UNREALISTIC. CURRENTLY 3% OF OUR ELECTRICITY THAT IS GENERATED IS BY RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND THE CHAIRMAN'S BILL IS MANDATING 25% BY 2025. THAT WOULD REQUIRE 20,000 MEGAWATTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TO COME ONLINE EVERY YEAR UNTIL 2025. THAT IS FAR ABOVE WHAT THE PROJECTIONS ARE, THE GOVERNMENT-GENERATED PROJECTIONS. SO OUR QUESTION IS, ARE WE SADDLING OUR STATES AND OUR ENERGY CONSUMERS WITH UNREALISTIC DEMANDS AND MANDATES THAT PROHIBITEDLY HIDE PRICES? WELL, BASICALLY THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP PRESENTS A CHOICE. WE CAN ACQUIESCE TO BAD REGULATION THAT WILL HAVE CERTAIN DISASTROUS IMPACTS ON OUR ECONOMY OR WE CAN LEGISLATE AN EVEN HARMFUL SYSTEM. BASICALLY, MR. SPEAKER, IT'S AS THOUGH WHEN FACED WITH A HEDGE WE ARE TAKING IT AND OPTING TO SHOOT OURSELVES IN THE CHEST. I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:13:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 00:13:26 | >> | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:13:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:13:32 | MRS. DAHLKEMPER | THEN SENATOR GAYLORD JOHNSON FROM WISCONSIN ESTABLISHED A DAY IN WHICH THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY COULD DEMONSTRATE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCES WE HAVE, A HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT. TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS CONTINUE ON THIS TRADITION EVERY APRIL 22, A DAY WE CALL EARTH DAY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMITMENT OF CITIZENS WHO USE THIS DAY TO DO THEIR PART. WHETHER PLANTING A TREE, PICKING UP LITTER OR TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN WHAT THEY CAN DO EACH DAY TO BETTER THE WORLD. EVERY ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IS PLAYING A CRUCIAL ROLE AS WE WORK TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE AS A NATION AND AS A WORLD. MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PROPONENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT. IN FACT, I FOUND AND OPERATED THE LAKE ERIE ARBORETUM IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, AND I TRIED TO IMPART UPON MY CHILDREN IN MEETING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY. AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I'M PROUD TO CONTINUE THIS WORK AS WE TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS IN PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. WE'LL TRY TO HELP IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT BY SECURING FRESH, CLEAN WATER FOR ALL AMERICANS. TO THIS END, I'M PROUD TO ATTACH MY AMENDMENT TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION. THANK YOU TO ALL AMERICANS AND THOSE AROUND THE WORLD. |
| 00:14:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 00:14:56 | >> | TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 00:14:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:15:02 | Thompson, Glenn "G.T." | MR. SPEAKER, I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY WITH A MESSAGE FROM A FEW OF MY CONSTITUENTS. THIS IS A PETITION SIGNED BY HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN ONE OF THE MANY TEA PARTIES THAT TOOK PLACE THIS PAST WEEK IN MY DISTRICT. NOT ONLY DO I AGREE WITH THEIR MESSAGE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS OVERSTEPPED ITS BOUNDS AND CONTINUES TO SPEND, TAX AND BORROW TOO MUCH, I'M PROUD OF THESE FOLKS THAT TOOK A STAND. I CAME TO WATCH IN JANUARY TO BE A PART OF DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, AND TODAY I CAN SAY THAT I'M PROUD OF MY CONSTITUENTS THAT SPOKE OUT AND ARE DISPLEASURED WITH THIS BROKEN PROCESS THAT WE CALL WASHINGTON. PROUD THAT THEY EXERCISED THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. YOU SEE, MR. SPEAKER, WHAT OCCURRED THIS PAST WEEK IS DEMOCRACY. IT'S WHATURE FOREFATHERS ENVISIONED WHEN DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION AND LATER THE BILL OF RIGHTS. IT'S WHAT OUR SOLDIERS FIGHT FOR EACH AND EVERY DAY. MR. SPEAKER, IT IS THE AMERICAN WAY. WITH THAT I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM TEXAS FOR HIS ASSISTANCE AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. . |
| 00:15:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO RISE? |
| 00:16:02 | MR. PERFECT MUTTER | TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:16:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:16:05 | Perlmutter, Ed | I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE AND MOURN THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL TRAGEDY IN LITTLETON, COLORADO. ON APRIL 20, 1999 THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO AND ACROSS OUR NATION LEARNED ABOUT THE SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE WHICH TOOK 13 LIVES THAT DAY. MY FRIEND, CONGRESSMAN COFFMAN, REPRESENTS COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL. I REPRESENT AN AREA WHERE MANY OF THE FAMILIES ATTENDED COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL. ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS PLAYED SOCCER WITH -- AGAINST A GIRL WHO WAS KILLED AT COLUMBINE. OUR NEIGHBORS HAD A NEPHEW WHO WAS KILLED AT COLUMBINE. IT WAS A TRAGEDY THAT AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITY DEEPLY AND AFFECTED THIS COUNTRY DEEPLY. BUT FROM A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY SUCH AS THAT, WITH UNSPEAKABLE EVIL AND VIOLENCE, WE HAVE SEEN THE GROWTH OF A COMMUNITY, THE COMING BACK TOGETHER OF A COMMUNITY, AND WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THIS TERRIBLE VIOLENCE. THERE'S A MEMORIAL NOW BUILT TO THE HONOR OF THE VICTIMS AT CLEMENT PARK NEAR WHERE I LIVE. IT SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE LOSS BUT ALSO OF THE GROWTH WE CAN DEVELOP FROM THAT POINT ON. IT WAS A TERRIBLE DAY IN COLORADO 10 YEARS AGO. BUT IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE RISEN FROM THOSE ASHES, SO TO SPEAK, WE HAVE FIVE KIDS WHO ATTENDED COLUMBINE THAT YEAR WHO ARE NOW TEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. THERE IS GROWTH IN THIS COUNTRY. WE DEAL WITH EVIL FROM TIME TO TIME. BUT WHEN WE COME BACK TOGETHER, WE ARE STRONGER NATION FOR IT. I KNOW MY COMMUNITY IS STRONGER FOR THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY THAT WE SUFFERED 10 YEARS AGO. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:17:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE? |
| 00:17:56 | >> | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 00:17:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:18:07 | Olson, Pete | MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY I WAS PROUD TO INTRODUCE H.R. 1981, THE TAXPAYER CONSCIENCE PROTECTION ACT OF 2009. THIS BILL WILL REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL STATE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH IN THE STATES TO DOCUMENT WHETHER THEY ARE PROVIDING ANY FEDERAL FUNDS THEY RECEIVE THROUGH MEDICAID TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT PERFECT FORM, PROMOTE, OR REFER FOR ABORTIONS. NO MATTER WHERE YOU STAND ON THE QUESTIONS OF LIFE, THIS BILL WOULD PROTECT THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT THAT EVERY AMERICAN TAXPAYER SHOULD ENJOY. AND FRANKLY, SHOULD EXPECT. THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHETHER THEIR MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON ACTIVITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THEY ARE MORALLY OPPOSED. THIS ADMINISTRATION, THIS CONGRESS HAS PLEDGE ADD NEW ERA OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY. THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY FOR MILLIONS OF PRO-LIFE AMERICANSER WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE DARK REGARDING WHETHER AND HOW MUCH OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING FUNNELED TO APPORTION PROVIDERS. ONLY BY SHINING THE LIGHT OF DAY ON THIS AREA OF GOVERNMENT CAN WE ENSURE THAT FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS DO NOT FUND MORE OBJECTIONABLE PRACTICES. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK MY TIME. |
| 00:19:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? |
| 00:19:24 | >> | UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE. |
| 00:19:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:19:28 | Costa, Jim | THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO COMMEMORATE THE 94TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. WHICH WAS THE FIRST GENOCIDE OF THE 20TH CENTURY. SADLY, THAT TEMPLATE HAS BEEN A CYCLE THAT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. IN THIS CASE, IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY HISTORY THAT FROM 1915 TO 1923 THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE SYSTEMATICALLY KILLED AN ESTIMATED 1.5 ARMENIANS AND DROVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS INTO EXILE FROM THEIR ANCESTRAL HOME. PRESIDENT OBAMA MADE PROMISES DURING HIS CAMPAIGN THAT HE WOULD FINALLY RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. IT IS VITAL TO OUR NATION AND OUR FOREIGN POLICY THAT WE ACCURATELY REFLECT HISTORY. IN MY DISTRICT, IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA IS HOME TO THOUSANDS OF ARMENIAN AMERICANS, MANY WHO ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SURVIVORS. WE ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE START OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. I'M HOPEFUL WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEN TO BRING JUSTICE TO MY ARMENIAN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. WE KNOW THAT GENOCIDE SADLY CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. THE UNITED STATES CANNOT CONTINUE A POLICY OF DENIAL REGARDING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. I'D ENCOURAGE THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 252 TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OUR NATION. |
| 00:20:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 00:20:56 | Pitts, Joseph | UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:20:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:21:00 | Pitts, Joseph | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO BRING TO THE MEMBERS' ATTENTION A REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, SECRETARY NAPOLITANO, ENTITLED RIGHT WING EXTREMISM, CURRENT ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CLIMATE FUELING RESURGENCE IN RADICALISM AND RECRUITMENT. ON PAGE 2 UNDER KEY FINDINGS, THE FOOTNOTE STATES, RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM IN THE UNITED STATES CAN BE BROADLY DIVIDED INTO THOSE GROUPS, MOVEMENTS ADHERENCE THAT ARE PRIMARILY HATE ORIENTED BASED ON HATE OF PARTICULAR RELIGIOUS, RACIAL, OR ETHNIC GROUPS AND THOSE THAT ARE MAINLY ANTI-GOVERNMENT, REJECTING FEDERAL AUTHORITY IN FAVOR OF STATE OR LOCAL AUTHORITY OR REJECTING GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY ENTIRELY. IT MAY INCLUDE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO A SINGLE ISSUE SUCH AS OPPOSITION TO ABORTION AND IMMIGRATION. ON PAGE 7, UNDER DISGRUNTLED MILITARY VETERANS, THEY ARE LISTED AS HAVING POE TENSION TO BOOST THE CAPABILITIES OF THE EXTREMISTS. MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS THE SAME CABINET MEMBER WHO WILL NO LONGER USE THE WORDS TERRORIST OR WAR ON TER REMEMBER. WHO NOW WANT -- WAR ON TERROR. WHO NOW WANT TO CALL OUR EX-MILITARY TERRORISTS. |
| 00:22:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO ADDRESS THEIR REMARKS TO THE CHAIR. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN RISE? |
| 00:22:31 | >> | UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 00:22:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:22:41 | >> | MR. SPEAKER, FIRST I RISE TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON LEE FOR HER LEADERSHIP OF HER RESOLUTION TODAY HONORING SOJOURNER TRUTH. AS THE CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTING BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, I RISE ON BEHALF OF A COMMUNITY THAT IS PROUD OF ITS CITIZEN, SOJOURNER TRUTH, WHO LIVED HER LAST 26 YEARS THERE. MY HOMETOWN WAS HOME TO A PILGRIM, BOURNE INTO SLAVE RAY, UNABLE TO READ OR WRITE. WHO TRAVELED THE COUNTRY ELOQUENTLY CONFRONTING THE INJUSTICES OF SLAVERY IN THE UNEQUAL TREATMENT OF WOMEN. SHE SPOKE TRUTH TO POWER AND SHE CHANGED THE WORLD. HER LIFE IS TESTIMONY TO THE ENDURANCE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. EVERY DAY THAT I COME TO WORK IN MY OFFICE, I SIT ACROSS FROM A PORTRAIT OF SOJOURNER TRUTH THAT HANGS ON MY WALL. IT LIFTS ME AND IT GROUNDS ME AND I KNOW THAT THE MEMORIAL IN EMANCIPATION HALL ALONG WITH A MONUMENT IN HER RESTING PLACE IN BATTLE CREEK WILL DO THE SAME FOR THE MILLIONS OF CITIZENS WHO VIEW THEM OVER THE YEARS TO COME. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:23:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO RISE? |
| 00:23:56 | >> | PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 00:23:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:24:01 | Polis, Jared | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO HIGHLIGHT AND SUPPORT THE MANY COMMUNITIES, VOLUNTEERS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND INDIVIDUALS CELEBRATING EARTH DAY AND EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT. FOR 39 YEARS EARTH DAY HAS REMAINED AN ANNUAL OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND OURSELVES OF OUR DAILY ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY. OUR NATION HAS EXPERIENCED AN ENVIRONMENTAL RENAISSANCE OF LATE WITH BUSINESS, POPULAR CULTURE, AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, GETTING GREEN, AND BECOMING GALVANIZED BY THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. THE INDUSTRIES AND COMMUNITIES IN MY DISTRICT IN COLORADO ARE ON THE FRONTLINES OF A CHANGING CLIMATE FRFMENT A SHRINKING I ASK SEASON AND FEWER TOURIST DOLLARS TO INCREASED THREAT OF WILDFIRE AND WATER RESOURCES STRETCHED THINNER, IT HAS A LOT RIDING ON HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. MR. SPEAKER, I COMMEND ALL THOSE WHO WILL WORK, VOLUNTEER, TEACH, AND LEARN ABOUT THE WAYS WE CAN PROTECT OUR EARTH AND ECONOMY. I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF ALL THOSE WHO WORKED TO MAKE EARTH DAY EVERY DAY AND UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT OUR COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES ARE FIRMLY ROOTED IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:24:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT RISE. |
| 00:25:04 | >> | REQUEST PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:25:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:25:08 | Yarmuth, John | FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHEN I WAS HOME INTO MY DISTRICT I HEARD FROM MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS WHO WERE JUSTIFIABLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF DEFICITS THAT WE FACE, THE BORROWING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO, AND THE SPENDING THAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO IN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET THAT WE APPROVED RECENTLY. YOU KNOW, THOSE WHO HAVE SOUGHT TO MAYBE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FEAR HAVE SAID, NOBODY EVER BORROWS THEIR WAY TO PROSPERITY. OH, REALLY? IN FACT, VIRTUALLY EVERYONE WHO HAS GROWN WEALTHY IN THIS CONTRY, EVERY CORPORATION, ANY INDIVIDUAL HAS BORROWED TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE FACE A CHOICE. WE FACE A CHOICE OF HAVING A DYSFUNCTIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, OF HAVING AN ENERGY SYSTEM THAT MAKES US INSECURE AND DAMAGES OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND HAVING AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT RELEGATES OUR CITIZENS TO A DISMAL FUTURE. WHAT WE ARE COG IN THE BUDGET -- DOING IN THE BUDGET WE PASSED IS TO BORROW, YES, BUT INVEST IN THOSE VERY IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT WILL GUARANTEE A BRIGHTER LIFE FOR OUR SOCIETY AND OUR PEOPLE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DO. I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:26:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, THE CHAIR WILL POSTPONE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS TODAY ON MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON WHICH A RECORDED VOTE OR THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED OR ON WHICH THE VOTE INCURS OBJECTION UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20. RECORD VOTES ON POSTPONED QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN LATER. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 00:26:36 | Langevin, James | MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 339, AS INTRODUCED. |
| 00:26:43 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 00:26:46 | Langevin, James | HOUSE RESOLUTION 339, RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE HIJACKING OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA, THE KIDNAPPING OF CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS BY SOMALI PIRATES, THE RESCUE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS BY UNITED STATES NAVY SEALS AND THE KRUSE OF THE U.S.S. BANEBRIDGE, U.S.S. BOXER, U.S.S. HALYBURTON, AND THE PATROL SQUADRON, VP-8 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 00:27:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND, MR. LANGEVIN, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR. COFFMAN, ARE EACH IS RECOGNIZED FOR 20 MINUTES. |
| 00:27:22 | Langevin, James | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS WITHIN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS ON THE RESOLUTION. |
| 00:27:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:27:36 | Langevin, James | MR. SPEAKER, I'M HONORED TO RISE THIS MORNING TO RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF SOME TRUE HEROES DURING THE HYDROGENING -- HIJACKING OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA AND THE AFTERMATH. I WATCHED AS THE UNDEAL UNFOLDED FROM THE INITIAL ATTACK TO THE CREW'S QUICK RESPONSE AND FROM THE CAPTAIN'S SELFLESS SACRIFICE TO THE NAVY'S BREATHTAKING RESCUE. TODAY I HOPE ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING AND THANKING THE MANY BRAVE AMERICANS WHO PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. FIRST LET ME THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT, MY FRIEND, PETER WELCH, FOR SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT. I'M HONORED TO SPONSOR THIS RESOLUTION WITH HIM. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN SKELTON AND RANKING MEMBER MCHUGH FOR WORKING WITH US TO BRING THIS RESOLUTION SO QUICKLY TO THE FLOOR. THE STORY OF THE MERCHANT MESSLE MAERSK ALABAMA IS MIRACULOUS NOT JUST FOR THE SAFETY RETURN OF ITS ENTIRE CREW BUT ALSO FOR THE INCREDIBLE BRAVERY AND PROFESSIONALISM DISPLAYED BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE U.S. NAVY AS WELL AS CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS WHO GAVE HIMSELF UP TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF HIS CREW. WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE STORY BY NOW. ON APRIL 8, A GROUP OF ARMED SOMALI PIRATES HYDROGENED THE NORFOLK, VIRGINIA BASED MAERSK ALABAMA, A U.S. FLAG CARGO SHIP, THE FIRST SUCH ATTACK ON A U.S. VESSEL IN MODERN HISTORY. CAPTAIN PHILIPS ANDRIES HISS CREW WERE DELIVERING A LIFE SUSTAINING USAID SHIPMENT OF FOOD AID TO KENYA, SOMALIA, AND UGANDA WHEN THE SHI CAME UNDER ATTACK. . CAPTAIN PHILLIPS OFFERED HIMSELF UP IN RETURN FOR THE SAFE RELEASE OF HIS CREW AND SHIP. THE FOUR PIRATES THEN FLED WITH CAPTAIN PHILLIPS ON AN 18-FOOT LIFE BOAT. AFTER RECEIVING THE STRESS CALL, THE UNITED STATES FIFTH FLEET DISPATCHED A MARITIME AIRCRAFT TO LOCATE AND MONITOR THE MAERSK ALABAMA IN AID AND DISPATCHED THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE TO THE SCENE. THEY UNDERTOOK EFFORTS TO MONITOR CONDITIONS ON THE LIFE BOAT, AND ALONG WITH THE U.S.S. HALYBURTON PREVENTED THE PIRATES FROM ESCAPING. AT ONE POINT CAPTAIN PHILLIPS ATTEMPTED AN ESCAPE BY DIVING INTO THE OCEAN BUT WAS LATER RECAPTURED. WHEN IT APPEARED THAT THE CAPTAIN WAS LIFE WAS IN DANGER, THE NAVY SEALS DREW IN THEIR TRAINING AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THEIR COURAGE AND TOOK DECISIVE ACTION TO END THE STANDOFF AND SAVE THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. MR. SPEAKER, THE RESOLUTION BEFORE US TODAY RECOGNIZES THE AVERY OF THE CAPTAIN AND THE CREW OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA AND CONGRATULATES THE NAVY SEALS AND THE CREWS OF THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, BOXER, HALYBURTON AND PATROL SQUADRON VP-8 FOR THEIR DECISIVE ACTION IN ENSURING THE SAFE RETURN HOME OF ALL CONCERNED. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK CONGRESSMAN WELCH FOR HIS WORK ON THIS LEGISLATION AND ASK ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR ITS PASSAGE. THANK YOU. AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:30:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO. |
| 00:30:59 | Coffman, Mike | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 339. I AM PLEASED TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUE, PETER WELCH, AND JIM LANGEVIN, AS WELL AS THE MANY CO-SPONSORS OF THIS RESOLUTION IN EXPRESSING THE PRIDE OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS, THE CREW OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA AND THE PROFESSIONALISM AND SKILL OF THE CREWS OF THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, U.S.S. BOXER, U.S.S. HALYBURTON, PATROL SQUADRON 8 AND THE U.S. NAVY SEALS. ON APRIL 8, 2009, IN WHAT HAS NOW BECOME A WELL-KNOWN STORY, A GROUP OF ARMED SOMALI PIRATES HIGH JACKETED THE NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, BASED MAERSK ALABAMA WHICH IS A CARGO SHIP SAILING UNDER THE U.S. FLAG. THEY WERE ON A MISSION TO DELIVER OVER 8,000 METRIC TONS OF VITAL FOOD AID TO KENYA, SOMALIA AND UGANDA. THIS FOOD AID HAD BEEN PROVIDED BY U.S. TAXPAYERS THROUGH THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. IT WAS HIGHLY IRONIC THEN THAT THE SOMALI PIRATES TARGETED A VESSEL DESTINED TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THEIR HOME COUNTRY. WHEN THE BALM CAME UNDER ATTACK -- WHEN THE ALABAMA CAME UNDER ATTACK IT WAS THE FIRST SUCH ATTACK ON A U.S. FLAG VESSEL IN MODERN HISTORY. BUT THE SURPRISE THAT THE CREW OF THE ALABAMA MUST HAVE FELT DID LITTLE TO DETER POSITIVE ACTION ON THEIR PART. THE CREW OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA OVERPOWERED ONE OF THE PIRATED ATTACKERS AND THE SHIP'S COMMANDER, CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS, OFFERED HIMSELF UP IN RETURN FOR THE SAFE RELEASE OF HIS CREW AND SHIP. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS COURAGEOUS ACTIONS IS A CREDIT TO HIM, HIS 20 YEARS OF MARITIME EXPERIENCE , HIS ALMA MATER, THE MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY, AND HIS HOMETOWN OF UNDERHILL, VERMONT. FOR THE -- FOUR OF THE SOMALI PIRATES FLED WITH CAPTAIN PHILLIPS TO AN 18-FOOT LIFE BOAT AND SET OFF FOR THE SOMALI COAST. THE LENGTH OF THE SOMALI COASTLINE IS VAST. ROUGHLY THE SAME LENGTH AS THE ENTIRE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THE UNITED STATES. DESPITE THE DILIGENT EFFORTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE U.S.-LED COMBINED TASK FORCE 151, COUNTERPIRACY OPERATIONS, MILITARY VESSELS CANNOT BE EVERY PLACE AT ONCE. AS A RESULT, THE NEAREST U.S. SHIP AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS MORE THAN 300 NAUTICAL MILES AWAY. IN RESPONSE TO THE DISTRESS CALL FROM THE MAERSK ALABAMA, THE UNITED STATES' FIFTH FLEET IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT TO LOCATE, POSITIVELY IDENTIFY AND MONITOR THE MAERSK ALABAMA TO DRKT THE CLOSEST U.S. NAVY SHIP TO THE RESCUE. THE UNITED STATES NAVY DESTROYER U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, WHICH HAD BEEN PATROLLING THE REGION DUE TO INCREASED PIRATE ACTIVITY, SOON ARRIVED. THE BAINBRIDGE, UNDER COMMAND OF U.S. NAVY COMMANDER FRANK CASTIANO, MONITORED THE CONDITIONS ON THE LIFE BOAT AND PREVENTED THE PIRATES FROM ESCAPING. COMMANDER CSTIANO WAS THE ON-THE-SCENE COORDINATOR FOR THE COMBINED RESCUE EFFORTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HOSTAGE NEGOTIATORS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVY. WHILE BEING HELD BY PIRATES, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS ATTEMPTED A DARING ESCAPE. DIVING INTO THE OCEAN AND TRYING TO SWIM SAFELY BEFORE BEING CAPTURED, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS' ORDEAL CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED. THE PIRATES HELD HIM AT GUN POINT FOR FIVE DAYS UNTIL U.S. NAVY SEALS WHO HAD QUICKLY DEPLOYED TO THE SCENE ONBOARD THE U.S. BAINBRIDGE RESCUED CAPTAIN PHILLIPS DEMONSTRATING THEIR EXTRAORDINARY VALOR AND SKILL. THE CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE BAINBRIDGE WERE SUPPORTED BY TWO ADDITIONAL U.S. NAVY SHIPS. THE U.S.S. HALYBURTON, AND THEY ASSISTED THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE WITH THEIR RESCUE OPERATION. BY ENSURING THE PILOTS WERE BLOCKED IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO REACH THE SOMALI COAST. THE U.S.S. BOX, ASSISTED IN THE RESCUE -- BOXER, ASSISTED IN THE RESCUE OPERATION BY STANDING BY FOR MEDICAL SUPPORT WHICH WAS THANKFULLY NOT NEEDED IN THIS OPERATION. IT IS ALSO REMARKABLY TO NOTE THAT THE NAMESAKE FOR THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE IS CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE, ONE OF THE UNITED STATES EARLIEST NAVAL OFFICERS WHO BECAME THE COUNTRY'S MOST FAMOUS PIRATE HOSTAGE. IN OCTOBER, 1803, CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE WAS IN COMMAND OF THE U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA, A 36-GUN FRIG OTT ON A COMMISSION -- FRIGETTE ON A MISSION. FOLLOWING AN UNFORTUNATE GROUNDING OF THE PHILADELPHIA ON A SHALLOW REEF NEAR SHORE, CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE AND HIS CREW OF 300 WERE TAKEN HOSTAGE AND HELD IN CAPTIVITY FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. WHEN CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE FINALLY RETURNED TO THIS COUNTRY HE CONTINUED TO SERVE IN THE U.S. NAVY AND WENT ON TO DISTINGUISH HIMSELF IN THE WAR OF 1812. NOW 200 YEARS LATER PIRATES CONTINUE TO OPERATE ALONG THE COAST OF AFRICA AND A U.S. NAVY SHIP NAMED IN HONOR -- IN HIS HONOR HAS PLAYED A -- SUCH A CRITICAL ROLE IN THWARTING THEIR EFFORTS. IN CONCLUSION, I URGE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS PRESIDENT OBAMA TO APPLY BOTH PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT MEANS TO COMBAT PIRACY. WHILE THE U.S. MILITARY CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT DETERRENCE ON PIRACY AND PLAY A KEY ROLE IN DISRUPTING PIRATE ATTACKS, A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND THROUGH MILITARY FORCE ALONE. I ALSO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO ADOPT HOUSE RESOLUTION 339 TO RECOGNIZE THE BRAVERY OF THE CREW OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA, COMMEND CAPTAIN PHILLIPS WHO SELFISHLY -- SELFLESSLY PLACED HIMSELF IN HARM'S WAY TO HELP HIS CREW, THE CREWS OF THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, BOXER, HALYBURTON, PATROL SQUADRON 8 AND THE NAVY SEALS ON THE SCENE FOR THEIR DECISIVE ACTION THAT RESULTED IN THE RESCUE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. AND JOIN ALL AMERICANS IN EXPRESSING GREAT RELIEF THAT THE CREW HAS RETURNED HOME SAFELY. MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:39:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND. |
| 00:39:13 | Langevin, James | MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD AS MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI, MR. SKELTON. |
| 00:39:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:39:25 | Skelton, Ike | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H.RES. 339, AND I THANK MY FRIENDS, CONGRESSMAN LANGEVIN AND WELCH FOR INTRODUCING THIS BILL AND THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS SUBJECT. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS' BRAVE LEADERSHIP IN DEFENSE OF HIS CREW AND SHIP, ALONG WITH THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY ALLOWED FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF THE CREW OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE VESSEL MAERSK ALABAMA. BOTH CAPTAIN PHILLIPS AND HIS CREW'S ACTIONS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THE BRAVERY THAT IS PRESENT IN OUR AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINES. I COMMEND THE SAILORS IN THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE AND THE U.S.S. HALYBURTON AS WELL AS THE NAVY SEALS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE LENGTHY STANDOFF WITH THE SOMALI PIRATES. ON EASTER SUNDAY, EVERY AMERICAN CAN BE PROUD AND THANKFUL FOR THE COMMITMENT AND EXCELLENCE OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS. THE ACTIONS OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM HIGHLIGHT THE PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION PRESENT IN OUR NAVY SERVICE MEMBERS. THIS DEMONSTRATES THE CRITICAL NEED FOR THE HIGH LEVEL OF TRAINING THESE SAILORS ARE GIVEN WHICH ALLOW THEM TO SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCT SUCH A HIGH RISK AND COMPLICATED OPERATION. I'VE LONG WARNED OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL PIRACY. THIS LAST MONTH I CALLED FOR AND CHAIRED A FULL ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING ON INTERNATIONAL PIRACY ON THE HIGH SEAS. THE INHERENT DANGER IN ALLOWING THESE TYPES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES TO GO UNCHECKED IS EVIDENT THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY. WE SEE PRIME EXAMPLES OF THIS WHEN WE LOOK AS FAR BACK AS THE DAYS OF THE BARBERY PIRATES WHEN THEY WERE DEFEATED IN ALGIERS OR THE STRAITS OF MALACCA WHERE IT TOOK THE COMBINED FORCES OF MALAYSIA, INDONESIA AND SINK POUR WORKING TOGETHER TO -- AND SINGAPOR WORKING TOGETHER. THEY WERE DEALING WITH CRIMINALS WHOSE SOLE OBJECTIVE WAS MONETARY GAIN. AND WHEN FACED WITH A SUPERIOR FORCE THEY RETREATED. THE PIRATES OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA ARE NO DIFFERENT. HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE PIRATES OF THE PAST THEY'LL ONLY RETREAT AS FAR AS THEY ARE PUSHED, ESTABLISHING A WORKING GOVERNMENT IN SOMALIA IS THE BEST SOLUTION. BUT THIS IS THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION. THE SHORT TERM, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION ALREADY OPERATING IN THE AREA USES ITS SUPERIOR FORCE TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE THESE PIRATES INTO THE SAFE HAVENS WHERE THEY ARE OPERATING. THIS WILL ONLY BE THE ONLY WAY TO CONVINCE THESE CRIMINALS THAT THE RISK NOW OUTWEIGH THE REWARDS. THE AUTHORITIES NEEDED TO CONDUCT SUCH OPERATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED IN THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1846 AND 1851. I ALAW THE COMMITMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT ADDITIONAL WORK MUST BE DONE TO ADVANCE THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL COALITION'S OPERATING IN THE -- COALITIONS OPERATING IN THE REGION. JUST THIS WEEKEND WE ARE REMINDED OF THE IMNENS OF THE ONGOING -- EMASSISTANCE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS. HOSTAGES WERE FREED BY FORCES BUT THEY WERE RELEASED DUE TO THE LACK OF A DETAINMENT POLICY WITHIN THE NATO TASK FORCE. UNITED STATES MUST ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR COALITION PARTNERS TO ADOPT A SINGLE SET OF RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND AUTHORITIES, OF ENCOURAGEMENT OF SECRETARY CLINTON'S CALL ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HOLD THESE CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE AND I AGREE WITH HER COMMENTS ABOUT PURSUING THE PIRATES' SANCTUARIES ALONG THE SOMALIA COAST. DENYING THE ABILITY OF THE PIRATES TO OPERATE ONSHORE IS THE BEST SOLUTION FOR STOPPING THESE ATTACKS IN THE SHORT TERM. UNTIL THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DECIDES THAT IT WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE PIRACY IN ANY WAY WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF AND THE MERCHANTS OPERATING IN THE SURROUNDING WATERS IN SOMALIA WILL CONTINUE TO BE AT RISK. MR. SPEAKER, WE WILL NOT FORGET THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF OUR UNITED STATES NAVY, THE UNITED STATES NAVY SEALS AND THE BRAVE MEN ABOARD THE MAERSK ALABAMA. WE SENT A CLEAR SIGNAL TO THE PIRATES THAT SUCH AN AA BRAZEON ATTACK ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE ADMINISTRATION TO FIND A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO THE ONGOING PIRACY PROBLEM, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN WORK WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN, MR. LANGEVIN, AND MR. WELCH, FOR THEIR FORESIGHT IN OFFERING THIS RESOLUTION. I YIELD BACK. . |
| 00:44:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO. |
| 00:44:18 | Coffman, Mike | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER COMMENT ON THE ISSUE OF PIRACY AND HOW WE ADDRESS THIS IN THAT I FEEL THAT THERE IS A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION AVAILABLE TO US. RIGHT NOW IN TRYING TO PATROL 1.1 MILLION SQUARE MILES OF OCEAN, WE HAVE DEPLOYED A CARE TER STRIKE GROUP AND AN ADDITIONAL COMBINED TASK FORCE. AND IT IS SLEDGEHAMMER GOING AFTER A FLY WHEN ALL WE NEED IS A FLY SWATTER. I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDER PLACING A SMALL DETACHMENT OF UNITED STATES MARINES OR SAILORS WITH WEAPONS ABOARD A U.S. FLAGGED MERCHANT SHIP SAILING THROUGH THESE WATERS. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE PER DAY SAILING THROUGH THE GULF OF AIDEN, SO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RESPONSE WAS THAT WE ARE STRETCHED IN RESOURCES AND IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DEPLOY A SQUAD OF MARINES OR EQUIVALENT OF SAILORS ABOARD THIS ONE U.S. FLAGGED MERCHANT SHIP GOING THROUGH THE GULF OF AIDEN ON A DAILY BASIS. YET WE ARE GLOYING -- DEPLOYING OVER 10 SHIPS ON A DAILY BASIS IN THESE WATERS, WHICH REQUIRE FAR MORE RESOURCES THAN A SMALL DETACHMENT OF U.S. MARINES OR SAILORS. THE PRECEDENT FOR THIS IS CERTAINLY DURING WORLD WAR II WHEN WE DID SO TO PROTECT OUR U.S. FLAGGED MERCHANT SHIPPING. I BELIEVE THE SITUATION EXISTS TODAY WHERE WE HAVE CAUSE TO DO SO. AND THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AS PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON SAW FIT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE -- I'M SORRY, CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE DURING THE FIRST IN 1803 WHEN CAPTAIN BANE RIDGE WAS IN COMMAND OF THE -- BAINBRIDGE WAS IN COMMAND OF THE U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA. PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON SOUGHT THAT THE ACTIONS OF THE BARBERRY PIRATES AS AN ACT OF WAR. I VIEW THE CONDUCT OF THE SOMALI PIRATES AS THE SAME. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:47:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND. |
| 00:47:08 | Langevin, James | I'M PLEASED TO YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THIS MEASURE, THE GENTLEMAN |
| 00:47:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT IS |
| 00:47:18 | Welch, Peter | THANK YOU. I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM RHODE ISLAND. I THANK THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMAN SKELTON AND MY COLLEAGUE, MR. COFFMAN. WE HAVE HEARD ELOQUENT STATEMENTS ABOUT THE URGENT PROBLEM OF PIRACY AND WHAT THE UNITED STATES HAS TO DO. I'D LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, ABOUT HIS HOMETOWN OF UNDERHILL, VERMONT. WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS BEHIND THIS EXTRAORDINARY RESCUE OPERATION CONDUCTED BY THE UNITED STATES NAVY? MR. SPEAKER, UNDERHILL IS A SMALL TOWN IN OF VERMONT IN THE SHADOW OF OUR LARGEST MOUNTAIN, MOUNT MANSFIELD, ABOUT 2,800 PEOPLE LIVE THERE. THE CENTER OF LIFE IS THE COUNTRY STORE, THE UNDERHILL COUNTRY STORE WHERE PEOPLE GO FOR THEIR MORNING COFFEE, TO HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. NEIGHBORS KNOW NEIGHBORS. AND THE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN UNDERHILL KNEW THE PHILLIPS FAMILY, KNOW THE PHILLIPS FAMILY VERY WELL. IT TURNED OUT THAT IN THAT WEEK WHEN CAPTAIN PHILLIPS WAS A HOSTAGE, ALL OF THE ACTIVITY, ALL OF THE CONVERSATION IN UNDERHILL OF COURSE WAS TOTALLY ABOUT HIM, ABOUT HIS WIFE, ANDREA, ABOUT MARIAH AND DAVID, THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTER, BOTH IN COLLEGE. AND LIFE IN SOME WAYS WENT ON IN THE ORDINARY COURSE. DAVID WENT OVER TO A NEIGHBORS AND DID HIS MORNING CHORES. IT'S WHAT HE SAID HIS DAD WOULD HAVE WANTED. THE NEIGHBORS DID WHAT NEIGHBORS DO IN UNDERHILL AND DO IN VERMONT AND COMMUNITIES ALL AROUND THIS COUNTRY WHEN ONE OF THEIR OWN IS IN PERIL. THEY HELPED OUT. THEY BROUGHT OVER FOOD. THEY CHECKED IN ON THEIR NEIGHBORS. THEY GAVE PRIVACY AND RESPECT TO ANDREA AND THE FAMILY WHILE THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THIS OR DEAL. -- ORDEAL. IT'S ALSO A STORY ABOUT AN EXTRAORDINARY SEAMAN, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, WHO I THINK AS MUCH AS HIS BRAVERY IMPRESSED ALL OF US, HIS MODESTY IMPRESSED ALL OF US AS WELL. HE INSISTED THAT HE WAS NOT THE HERO. LET ME USE HIS OWN WORDS THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RECITE WHEN HE RETURNED. I'M NOT A HERO. THE MILITARY IS. THE CARGO SHIP SKIPPER RICHARD PHILLIPS TOLD REPORTERS. I'M A SMALL PART. I'M JUST A BIT PART IN THIS STORY. I'M A SEAMAN DOING THE BEST CAN I LIKE ALL OTHER SEAMEN OUT THERE. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS INSISTED ON GIVING ALL CREDIT TO EVERYONE ELSE, HIS CREW, THE EXTRAORDINARY NAVY SEALS, THE UNITED STATES NAVY. NOT TAKING ANY OF THE CREDIT FOR HIS HEROICS UPON HIMSELF. WHY IS IT THAT HE IS THAT WAY? OFTENTIMES IT'S SAID THAT A HERO IS A PERSON WHO IS ORDINARY BUT FACED WITH EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, DOES EXTRAORDINARY THINGS. CERTAINLY CAPTAIN PHILLIPS FITS THAT DESCRIPTION. BECAUSE WHEN FACED WITH THIS DANGER, HE PUT HIMSELF AND HIS LIFE ON THE LINE TO SAVE HIS CREW. IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY ACT IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT WHEN YOU REFLECT ON IT, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY. HE WAS A SEAMAN DOING HIS BE JOB. AND MAYBE WHAT HE'S REMINDING US , ALL OF US IN AMERICA, IS THAT IT IS DOING OUR JOBS DAY IN AND DAY OUT. WHAT'S REQUIRED OF US THAT MAKES US ALL HAVE IT WITHIN OUR REACH TO BE HEROIC. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS HAS AS HIS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY THE WAY HE DEFINES IT AND THE WAY THE LAW OF THE SEA DEFINES IT TO PROTECT HIS CREW. AND ON SOMEDAYS PROTECTING HIS CREW MAY BE THAT HE HAS TO GUIDE HIS SHIP THROUGH TROUBLED WATERS. BUT ON ANOTHER DAY WHEN HIS SHIP WAS SEIZED BY PIRATES, PROTECTING HIS CREW MEANT TURNING OVER HIS LIFE, HIS SAFETY TO THE PIRATES IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS CREW. FOR HIM THAT WAS JUST AN ORDINARY MATTER OF FACT DECISION. HE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THAT WAS HIS JOB. IT'S WHAT HE SIGNED UP TO DO. AND WHEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRED HE MAKE THAT DECISION, HE DID. AND THAT'S WHAT'S SO INSPIRING I THINK TO SO MANY OF US ABOUT CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. HIS MATTER OF FACT WAY IN WHICH HE WENT ABOUT BEING A CAPTAIN IN THE MERCHANT MARINE. IT'S THE SAME ATTITUDE HE DISPLAYS AS A DAD WHEN HE'S HOME WITH THE JEALOUS GUARDING OF HIS TIME WITH HIS FAMILY THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM SO THAT HE CAN I ASK AND PLAY BASKETBALL -- SO HE CAN SKI, AND PLAY BASKETBALL, AND DO OTHER THINGS WITH HIS KIDS AND FRIENDS. HE'S KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY AS JUST ANOTHER GUY. THAT'S THE PERSON HE WANTS TO RETURN TO BE. THE INSPIRING STORY HERE IS ALL UP AND DOWN THE LINE WHEN A CAPTAIN WAS FACED WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY DECISION, HE MADE IT AS THOUGH IT WAS JUST AN ORDINARY DECISION. WHEN ONE OF AMERICA'S OWN SHIPS ON THE HIGH SEAS WAS IN PERIL, OUR NAVY RESPONDED AS THEY WERE TRAINED TO DO. WHEN ONE OF THE HOSTAGES, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, WAS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF LOSING HIS LIFE, THESE NAVY SEALS WHO HAD TRAINED QUIETLY, RERENTLESSLY AND EFFECTIVELY DID WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF THEM. AND THEY WENT ON TO LIVE THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. SO THIS ACT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY ACT OF HEROICS BECAUSE OF HOW CAPTAIN PHILLIPS MADE THIS AN ORDINARY DAY IN HIS LIFE. ALL OF US OF COURSE ARE THRILLED ABOUT THE SAFE RETURN OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS TO UNDERHILL, VERMONT. THE REUNIFICATION OF THE FAMILY. BUT WE ARE ALSO VERY PROUD OF OUR NAVY, WE ARE PROUD OF THE NAVY SEALS, AND ALL PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS DOING THE JOBS THEY WERE TRAINED TO DO, DOING IT SUCCESSFULLY, THEN GOING ON ABOUT THEIR LIVES WITHOUT REQUEST FOR FAME OR FAVOR. I YIELD BACK. |
| 00:53:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND. |
| 00:53:30 | Langevin, James | MR. SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, ONE OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. NYE . |
| 00:53:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 00:53:45 | Nye, Glenn | I RISE TODAY TO COMMEND THE ACTIONS OF ALL THE BRAVE AMERICANS WHO BROUGHT ABOUT THE SAFE RESCUE OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA. I HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR TO REPRESENT NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, THE HOMEPORT OF THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, THE FIRST SHIP TO RESPOND AFTER THE ALABAMA WAS ATTACKED AND HER CAPTAIN TAKEN HOSTAGE BY PIRATES. IN PARTICULAR, I WOULD LIKE TO APPLAUD THE QUICK, DECISIVE, AND EFFECTIVE ACTION TAKEN BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE BAINBRIDGE AND HER COMMANDING OFFICER, COMMANDER FRANK CASTELANNO. THROUGHOUT HIS 23 YEARS IN THE NAVY, HE HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AND HONOR. AND HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS REWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS. AS CAPTAIN OF THE U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, HE SKILLFULLY MANAGED THE RESCUE OF THE MAERSK ALABAMA, ENSURED THE SAFETY OF HER CREW, AND LED THE HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION WITH THE PIRATES. AND ON APRIL 12 WHEN CAPTAIN PHILLIPS' LIFE WAS IN DANGER, THE COMMANDER DID NOT HESITATE, HE GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT FOR OUR SEALS TO TAKE ACTION. OVER THE FOUR DAYS OF THE RESCUE OPERATION AS THE WORLD WATCHED, THE COMMANDER AND THE WOMEN AND MEMBER OF THE BAINBRIDGE MADE US ALL PROUD AND REMINDED US WHY THE U.S. NAVY IS SECOND TO NONE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:55:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND. |
| 00:55:03 | Langevin, James | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO AGAIN COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE, MR. WELCH, FOR HIS SPONSORSHIP OF THIS RESOLUTION, PROUD TO JOIN WITH HIM. THIS TRULY IS A STORY OF REMARKABLE HEROISM AND BRAVERY. AGAIN RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS AND HIS CREW ON -- AND IN PARTICULAR THE NAVY SEALS AND ALL NAVAL VESSELS AND SAILORS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ENTIRE EFFORT. THEY TRULY ARE WELL TRAINED AND IT SHOWED IN THE TRAINING PAID OFF. ON A PERSONAL NOTE I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR ALL OF OUR MERCHANT MARINERS. BOTH MY GRANDFATHER AND MY GREAT UNCLE WERE BOTH MEMBERS OF THE MERCHANT MARINE CURING THE WORLD WAR II -- DURING WORLD WAR II. I KNOW THE SACRIFICES THESE MERCHANT MARINES GIVE IN THEIR DAILY LIVES DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO MAKE SURE CARGO MOVES SAFELY AROUND THE WORLD. THIS IS TRULY A GOOD NEWS STORY, BUT CLEARLY WE HAVE WORK TO DO IN STOPPING PIRATE ACTIVITIES IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING EFFORT. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS TYPE OF SITUATION NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. AGAIN, MY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES INVOLVED IN THIS RESOLUTION, PARTICULARLY MR. WELCH. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME AND YIELD BACK. |
| 00:56:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 339. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. |
| 00:57:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 00:57:26 | >> | MR. SPEAKER, MORPH TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R. 749. |
| 00:57:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 00:57:33 | THE CLERK | UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 34, H.R. 749, A BILL TO AMEND THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971 TO PERMIT CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICE TO DESIGNATE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO DISBURSE FUNDS ON THE AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES OF THE CANDIDATE IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF THE CANDIDATE. |
| 00:57:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRAIDY, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. MCCARTHY, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 00:58:02 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE MATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 00:58:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:58:12 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:58:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:58:16 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I SUPPORT OF H.R. 749, A BILL TO AMEND THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT. THIS BILL WILL ALLOW FEDERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES TO DESIGNATE SOMEONE TO DISBURSE THEIR CAMPAIGN FUNDS IN THE EVENT OF THEIR DEATH. THE CANDIDATE WOULD SIMPLY FILE AND APPROPRIATE FORM WITH THE F.E.C. AND COULD CHANGE IT AT ANY TIME. H.R. 749 WILL ASSURE CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL OFFICE THAT THE FUNDS RAISED BY THEIR CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR EXPRESS WISHES AFTER THEY ARE DECEASED. H.R. 749 IS A COMMONSENSE FIXED ELECTION TO THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT. IT WILL PROVIDE CLEAR DIRECTION TO CAMPAIGN TREASURES WHO FACE A WIDE RANGE OF CONFLICT AND CONFUSING STATE LAWS. I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:59:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. . |
| 00:59:11 | McCarthy, Kevin | I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT H.R. 749 WHICH WILL PERMIT EACH FEDERAL CANDIDATE TO DESIGNATE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IN THE EVENT OF THE CANDIDATE'S DEATH WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISPERSEMENT OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS. EVERY PRIVATE CITIZEN WHO DECIDES TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC OFFICE IS DRIVEN BY ISSUES THAT INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE THEM TO WANT TO SERVE. OFTEN THOSE ISSUES OUTLINE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAMPAIGN FOR THEIR IDEAS. THIS BILL WILL ENSURE THAT EVERY FEDERAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPOINT A TRUSTED INDIVIDUAL TO DISTRIBUTE CAMPAIGN FUNDS AFTER THEY HAVE PASSED. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H.R. 749. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:59:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 00:59:58 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:00:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:00:04 | McCarthy, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO YIELD AS MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME, WALTER JONES, THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA. |
| 01:00:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:00:14 | Jones, Walter B. Jr. | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN AND THE RANKING MEMBER FOR REINTRODUCING THIS BILL AND MOVING IT TO THE FLOOR. LAST YEAR WE PASSED THIS BILL AT THE END OF THE SESSION AND WENT OVER TO THE SENATE AND THE SENATE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MOVE THE BILL. IT WAS EXPLAINED BY CHAIRMAN BRADY AND MCCARTHY THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BILL. THERE ARE TIMES IN A PERSON'S PUBLIC LIFE THAT THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT THE TIME THAT THEY MIGHT BE CALLED BY GOD. AND THIS HAPPENED TO MY FATHER, AS A MATTER OF FACT. AND I WANT TO EXPLAIN THE STORY WITH MY FATHER. THIS WILL BRING IT TO AN END FROM MY STANDPOINT OF WHY I INTRODUCED THIS BILL. TO HELP ALL THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE TO HELP INCUMBENTS AS BOTH HAVE SAID BEFORE ME. MY FATHER FINISHED HIS 26 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN 1993. AND HE ACTUALLY DIED THAT YEAR, IN THE FALL OF THAT YEAR. AND AS WE FOUND OUT HE WAS ONE OF THE LAST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT COULD ACTUALLY TAKE THE CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT AND USE IT FOR PERSONAL REASONS. AS BEEN EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND MR. MCCARTHY, THAT HAS CHANGED. NOW THOSE FUNDS CAN BE GIVEN TO A CHARITY, CAN BE GIVEN TO A POLITICAL PARTY OR WHATEVER THE INDIVIDUAL DECIDES TO DO. WELL, IN MY FATHER'S SITUATION, THE TREASURER, A WONDERFUL MAN, TOM PARISH, A LAWYER, WHO WAS HANDLING MY FATHER'S ACCOUNT -- CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT. WHEN MY FATHER PASSED, THEN THE ATTORNEY IN FARMVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE I'M FROM, WHERE MY FATHER WAS FROM, THE ATTORNEY WHO WAS HANDLING THE ESTATE CALLED THE TREASURER AND SAID WE NEED TO TRANSFER THOSE FUNDS TO CONGRESSMAN WALTER JONES SR.'S ACCOUNT AND THE TREASURER SAID, NO, THIS CANNOT HAPPEN. BY LAW I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISPERSEMENT AND I BY LAW CANNOT TRANSFER THE MONEYS. SO ANYWAY, IT WAS RESOLVED. NOW AS WE KNOW AS HAS BEEN STATED THAT THE CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT SHOULD A MEMBER OF CONGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OR SENATE PASS ON THEN THE TREASURER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISBURSING THOSE MONEYS. WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS ALLOW THAT CANDIDATE OR THAT INCUMBENT SITTING MEMBER OF CONGRESS SHOULD THAT PERSON BE CALLED BY GOD THAT THEN THE FAMILY MEMBER THAT THEY DESIGNATE WILL BE ABLE OR A FRIEND -- IT COULD BE A FRIEND -- BUT THE FAMILY MEMBER WOULD BE ABLE TO DISBURSE THOSE MONEYS KNOWING THE WANTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS -- INDIVIDUAL. I THINK THIS IS A BILL THAT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR A FAMILY SHOULD THAT MEMBER DIE WHILE HE OR SHE IS SERVING IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OR SENATE OR BE A CANDIDATE. MR. CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MOVING THIS BILL AGAIN. I WANT TO MOVE THE SENATE IF THIS SHOULD PASS THE HOUSE. I THANK MR. MCCARTHY. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK MY TIME TO MR. MCCARTHY. |
| 01:03:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELD BACK OR RESERVE IT. |
| 01:03:06 | MR. MCCARTHY | I'D LIKE TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR HIS WORK BUT YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:03:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM BALANCE. |
| 01:03:18 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND ALSO LIKE TO THANK WALTER JONES FOR THIS MAKES SENSE RESOLUTION TO -- IN FAVOR AND PASS THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 01:03:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 749. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 01:03:52 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1679. |
| 01:03:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 01:04:00 | THE CLERK | H.R. 1679, A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF LOST INCOME FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 30 DAYS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 01:04:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRADY, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. MCCARTHY, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:04:24 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATTER ON THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 01:04:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:04:37 | Brady, Kevin | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:04:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:04:42 | MR. BRADY | THIS WILL REPLACE LOST INCOME FOR MILITARY RESERVISTS WORKING FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHEN THEY ARE ACTIVATED FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS. I INTRODUCED THIS BILL AFTER DISCUSSION WITH SEVERAL HOUSE EMPLOYEES WHO ALSO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES. WHEN THEY ARE CALLED UP THESE MEN AND WOMEN MUST LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES, HOMES AND JOBS OFTEN FOR AN UNDETERMINED AND UNPREDICTED AMOUNT OF TIME. WHILE ON ACT OF DUTY THESE MEN AND WOMEN EARN THE WAGES OF FULL-TIME SERVICEMEN AND FORFEIT THEIR REGULAR SALARIES. MANY COMPANIES HAVE HELPED FAMILIES BY PAYING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE USUAL SALARY AND THEIR ACTIVE DUTY PAY. THIS BILL WILL DO THE SAME THING FOR HOUSE EMPLOYEES. IT REQUIRES THE C.A.O. TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPLEMENT FOR HOUSE EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY'RE ACTIVATED UNVOLUNTARILY. THIS DEVOTES THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF HOUSE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT ONLY SERVE AS STEWARDS OF OUR DEMOCRACY AT HOME BUT AS A DEFENDER ABROAD. I THANK THE RANKING MEMBER, MR. LUNGREN, AND MR. MCCARTHY AND NOW MR. HARPER HERE FOR WORKING WITH US ON THIS LEGISLATION. I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT IT AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:05:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:05:47 | MR. MCCARTHY | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:05:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:05:55 | McCarthy, Kevin | AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT H.R. 1679. THE HOUSE RESERVIST PAY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2009. I CONGRATULATE CHAIRMAN BRADY FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN INTRODUCING THIS BILL. I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT ANY MEASURE THAT WILL ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN PLACED UPON OUR MILITARY FAMILIES. THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, BOTH ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVISTS, MAKE MANY SACRIFICES TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM. WHEN CALLED UPON TO ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVISTS ARE ASKED TO SPEND TIME AWAY FROM HOME, TO SELFISHLY PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY AND IN MANY CASES ACCEPT A SALARY THAT IS LESS THAN WOULD NORMALLY BE EARNING IN CIVIL LIFE. THE GAP IN PAY EXPERIENCE OFTEN CAUSES UNDO HARDSHIP TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND INCREASES THE ALREADY HEAVY BURDEN. I AM PLEASE THAT HAD THIS LEGISLATION WILL EMPOWER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO DO ITS PART TO ELIMINATE THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR THOSE MEN AND WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING H.R. 1679. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:06:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:07:00 | Brady, Kevin | I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND ASK FOR A RECORDED VOTE. |
| 01:07:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1679. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE -- FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 01:07:20 | Brady, Kevin | I ASK FOR A RECORDED VOTE. |
| 01:07:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | DOES THE GENTLEMAN ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS? |
| 01:07:25 | Brady, Kevin | YES. |
| 01:07:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IF FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 01:07:49 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R. 586. |
| 01:07:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 01:07:57 | THE CLERK | H.R. 586, A BILL TO DIRECT THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT A JOINT PROJECT AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE TO COLLECT VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS OF PERSONAL HISTORIES AND TESTIMONIALS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 01:08:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRADY, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. MCCARTHY, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:08:26 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:08:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:08:38 | Brady, Kevin | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:08:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:08:44 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 586 WHICH WOULD CREATES THE CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY PROJECT. THE BILL DIRECTS THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AND THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE THROUGH THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO COLLECT AN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT. THIS JOINT VENTURE WILL COLLECT AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS BY PARTICIPANTS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS THAT INDIVIDUALS STAND UP FOR THEIR RIFES AND BELIEFS AND PURSUE JUSTICE THROUGH PEACEFUL ACTION. MANY WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT DID SO AT A GREAT PERSONAL SACRIFICE. THEIR ACTIONS WERE HEROIC AND TIRELESS AND CHALLENGING THE PRACTICE OF RACIAL SEGREGATION TO THE NATION. THEY CHALLENGED THE STATUS QUO AND WON EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS. MUCH OF THIS HISTORY HAS NEVER BEEN WRITTEN DOWN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THOSE WHO WERE THERE. AS THESE PIONEERS AGE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO DOCUMENT THIS SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN KNOW THEIR TESTIMONY. THIS WILL ENSURE THE RECORDS OF AN IMPORTANT PERIOD IS NOT LOST. AND, MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:09:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF THEIR TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:09:46 | MR. MCCARTHY | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:09:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:09:53 | McCarthy, Kevin | I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT H.R. 586, A BILL THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THE COLLECTION AND RESERVATION OF EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT FROM THOSE WHO LIVED THROUGH IT. IT WILL ALLOW FUTURE GENERATIONS TO BOTH LEARN AND BE INSPIRED BY THE SACRIFICE OF THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE THEM. WHILE SOME STORIES OF PROMINENT CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED THERE ARE MANY LESSER KNOWN EXPERIENCES AND ACCOUNTS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO THE CAUSE AND LESSONS WE IN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN LEARN. NOW IS THE TIME TO COLLECT THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO STOOD UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS AND FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROVIDE FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH A RICH COLLECTION OF ORAL ACCOUNTS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVED THROUGH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. AND I STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:10:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:10:45 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:10:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 586. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 01:11:07 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT |
| 01:11:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 01:11:34 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE RESOLUTION H.CON. RESOLUTION 86. |
| 01:11:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 01:11:42 | THE CLERK | HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 86, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF EMANCIPATION HALL IN THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER FOR THE UNVEILING OF A BUST OF |
| 01:11:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRADY, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. MCCARTHY, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:12:02 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:12:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:12:15 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:12:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:12:20 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, THIS BILL AUTHORIZES THE USE OF THE EMANCIPATION HALL IN THE CAPITAL VISITOR CENTER FOR THE UNVEILING OF A BUST OF SOJOURNER TRUTH. BORN ISABELLA BUMFREY IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, SOJOURNER TRUTH IS ONE OF THE LASTING ICONS OF THE DARK AGES OF SLAVERY AND AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL OF THE RESILIENCEY OF THE HUMAN TRUTH. A SLAVE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, SHE ESCAPED TO FREEDOM IN 1826, A YEAR BEFORE THE NEW YORK EMANCIPATION ACT WAS PASSED. IN 1843 SHE CHANGED HER NAME TO SOJOURNER TRUTH CITING A RELIGIOUS AWAKENING. SHE PREACHED RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE, GENERAL EQUALITY. SOJOURNER TRUTH LASTING LEGACY IS NOW BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE FORM OF A BUST COMMISSION BY CONGRESS. IT SERVES AS A REMINDER TO CAPACITY TO CHANGE AND TO ENDURE. I URGE PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION TO HONOR HER HISTORY. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:13:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA REHE SERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:13:20 | MR. MCCARTHY | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:13:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:13:27 | McCarthy, Kevin | I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE EMANCIPATION HALL HONORING SOJOURNER TRUTH. SHE WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY, EMANCIPATED AND SPENT HER LIFE FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. IN 1843 WHILE IN HER MID 40'S SHE TOLD HER FRIENDS THAT SHE HAD BEEN CALLED BY THE SPIRIT. SHE CHANGED HER NAME TO SOJOURNER TRUTH AND EMBARKED ON A JOURNEY OF ACTIVISM. UPON HER DEATH MORE THAN 40 YEARS LATER, MRS. TRUTH TRAVELED THE COUNTRY PREACHING ABOUT ABOLITION, WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE AND HUMAN RIGHTS. THE INCLUSION OF THIS WORK IN THE COLLECTION OF ARTS AND ARTIFACTS OF THE CAPITAL AND THE DISPLAY OF THE BUST IN THE CAPITAL VISITOR CENTER FILLS THE GAP IN THE REPRESENTATION OF HISTORIC AMERICANS THAT CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE BETTERMENT OF THIS COUNTRY. I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN WHO GENEROUSLY OFFERED THIS BUST AND PEDESTAL AS A DONATION TO THE COLLECTION OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:14:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:14:28 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I NOW LIKE TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS, MS. SHEILA JACKSON LEE, THE AUTHOR OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 01:14:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. . |
| 01:14:41 | Jackson Lee, Sheila | FIRST LET ME THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND WE APPRECIATE HIM BEING THE EPITOME OF THE MAYOR OF THIS GREAT COMMUNITY. I THANK THE MANAGER OF THIS LEGISLATION AS WELL. I RISE TODAY, MR. SPEAKER, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN WE REFLECT ON HISTORY, IF WE DO NOT TELL THE TRUTH OF HISTORY, IT IS LOST. IT GIVES ME A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO COME AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINS AND THE STORY OF THE PLACING OF SOJOURNER TRUTH, AN ABOLITIONIST AND SUFFRAGETTE IN THE HALLS OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. BORN IN 1797, PASSING IN 1883 SHE WAS TRULY A HISTORICAL FIGURE. AND SHE WAS THE VISION OF DR. C. DELORES TUCKER, THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS OF BLACKWOMEN. AS WE LOOK TO THE EARLY YEARS OF MY COMING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, OF THE WOMEN WHO WERE CHARACTERIZED AND SCULPTURED AS SUFFRAGETTES. WHEN I CAME THE STONED SCULPTURE WAS IN THE BASEMENT OF THIS PLACE. IT WAS THE LEADERSHIP OF THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS, CAROLYN MALONEY, THEN THE CHAIR, AND OTHERS WHO WANTED TO LIFT THAT STONE WOMEN'S SCULPTURE THAT REPRESENTED THE WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN SUFFRAGETTES TO A PRESENCE OF RESPECT. WE JOINED IN THAT. WOMEN OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ALL ETHNIC AND RACIAL BACKGROUNDS. BUT WE NOTICED ONE DIFFERENCE, THE PRESENCE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH WAS NOT THERE. THAT BECAME THE CAUSE OF C. DOLORES TUCKER, THE PRESIDENT, LATE PRESIDENT, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN. SO WE WORKED AND WORKED. I OFFER MY APPRECIATION TO THE NOW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI, WHO WAS SENSITIVE TO THIS AND HAS HELPED US TO HOLD THIS WONDERFUL CEREMONY NEXT WEEK. I OFFER MY APPRECIATE TO THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, THE HONORABLE JUANITA MILLENDER-MCDONALD, CONGRESSWOMAN DIAHANN WATSON, AND THE MANY WOMEN WHO UNDERSTOOD OUR PLEA TO RESPECT SOJOURNER TRUTH. I'M DELIGHTED TO HAVE CARRIED THE INITIAL LEGISLATION AND TO HAVE JOINED WITH MY SISTERS IN HELPING TO PROPOSE THE FUNDING FOR THIS SCULPTURE. WE MANAGED TO DO THIS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT WAS GIVEN TO US OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD. AND TO RECOGNIZE A WOMAN THAT COULD BE BOTH A SUFFRAGETTE AND ABOLITIONIST. ON THIS DAY, APRIL 28, WE WILL HONOR THE IDEA OF FIGHTING FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY INTERTWINED, A WOMAN. MIGHT I ALSO SUGGEST TO YOU THAT THERE IS NO AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN SCULPTURE IN THE ENTIRE BODY OF THIS UNITED STATES CAPITAL. THERE IS ONE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND A FEW PICTURES. WE HOPE TO SEE SOON THE STATUE OF ROSA PARKS. SO WE ARE MAKING HISTORY ON APRIL 28. AGAIN WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THIS. MIGHT I SHARE WITH YOU THE WORDS OF THIS YOUNG WOMAN, SOJOURNER TRUTH, WHO EXPLAINED WHAT BEING A SLAVE WAS ALL ABOUT. SHE WAS A POWERFUL SPEAKER AND SHE WOULD TELL LISTENERS OF HOW SOME SLAVES WERE KEPT COWED AND AFRAID TO ACT BY BEATINGS. SOMETIMES WITH SPIKES, STICKS, AND CHAINS. SHE HERSELF AS A TEENAGER HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO THE BARN BY HER MASTER ONE AFTERNOON FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON AND TIED UP BY THE WRISTS. THEN HE TORE THE SHIRT FROM HER BACK AND WHIPPED HER WITH A BUNDLE OF STICKS UNTIL HER BACK BLED. IN A VOICE CONTEMPORARIES DESCRIBE AS RICH AND DEEP, SHE DESCRIBED HOW SHE REFUSED TO GIVE HIM THE SATISFACTION OF SCREAMING BY CLITCHING HER FISTS SO HARD HER FINGERNAILS DREW BLOOD FROM HER PALMS. SHE OFTEN SAID, OR SHE WAS HEARD TO HAVE SAID WHEN SHE WAS RECOGNIZED BY A SPEAKER IN THE FRONT OF THE ROOM BY SAYING, YES, SIR, WHAT DO YOU WANT. AND SHE SAID, AIN'T I A WOMAN? REGAL WITH A DEEP VOICE AND COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT. SO I'M DELIGHTED THAT THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. C. DOLORES TUCKER PROVIDED US WITH THE SOJOURNER TRUTH CREW SAY. WE THANK OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT, AND WE CERTAINLY THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO WORKED WITH OUR OFFICE FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY. MIGHT I ALSO THANK THE SENATE SPONSOR WHO WAS A CHAMPION, SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, NOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WHO WORKED WITHOUT TIRING TO PROVIDE US THE PARTNERSHIP ON THIS LEGISLATION. ARLEN SPECTER, CARL LEVIN, SENATOR LOTT WERE GREAT CHAMPIONS OF THIS EFFORT. MR. SPEAKER AND TO THE CHAIRMAN, WHAT WE HAVE IS A FULFILLMENT OF THE DREAM. OF DR. C. DOLORES TUCKER, AND I'M SO GLAD I WAS NOT ONLY ABLE TO LEGISLATE OR PROVIDE THE LEGISLATION FOR HOLDING THIS CEREMONY, BUT THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION TO PASS THIS HOUSE AND THIS SENATE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE US -- AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. |
| 01:19:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:19:56 | Jackson Lee, Sheila | IN ORDER TO PROVIDE US WITH THE PRESENCE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH IN THE BODY OF THIS UNITED STATES CAPITOL. AGAIN WE COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN BRADY. WE THANK HIM AGAIN FOR HIS GENEROSITY AND THE RANKING MEMBER, AND I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE WILL NOW DO IS TELL THE COMPLETE AND FULL STORY THAT SUFFRAGETTES CAME IN MANY DIVERSE FORMS. THAT OF AN EX-SLAVE, AN ABOLITIONIST, AND PERSON WHO ADVOCATED FOR THE FREEDOM AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN. HOW PROUD I AM TO STAND HERE AS THE AUTHOR OF THE ORIGINAL LEGISLATION IN THE NAME AND TRIBUTE TO DR. C. DOLORES TUCKER AND AS WELL THE LEGISLATION THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CELEBRATE THIS ON APRIL 28, PAY PARITY DAY, 2009. THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR ASSISTANCE IN ALL OF THIS. MAY WE BE BENEFITED BY THE HISTORY THAT HAS BEEN EXPANDED IN THE CAPITAL. I YIELD BACK. |
| 01:20:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:20:54 | Brady, Kevin | I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR HER REMARKS. |
| 01:20:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 86. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE. |
| 01:21:21 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, MORPH TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS RESOLUTION S.J. RESOLUTION 8. |
| 01:21:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. |
| 01:21:28 | THE CLERK | SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 8, JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN AS A CITIZEN REGENT OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. |
| 01:21:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRADY, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI, MR. HARPER, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:21:47 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:21:55 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:21:57 | Brady, Kevin | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:21:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:22:00 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, S.J.RES. 8 WOULD APPOINT DAVID RUBENSTEIN AS ONE OF THE PUBLIC REGENTS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. THE BOARD OF REGENTS HAS NOMINATED HIM TO JOIN THEIR RANKS AND LEGISLATIVE -- LEGISLATION APPOINTED HIM HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY ALL MEMBERS WHO SERVE ON THE BOARD. HE'S A CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CARLYLE GROUP, ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMENTS. HE HOLDS AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY AND LAW DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO. BEFORE CO-FOUNDING THE GROUP OVER 20 YEARS AGO, HE HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND ON CAPITOL HILL. HE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. HE SERVES ON THE BOARD OF THREE OF THE NATION'S THREE MOST PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS THE KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS. THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH HIM BEFORE BRINGING THIS NOMINATION TO THE FLOOR. WE APPRECIATE HIS THOUGHTS REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE INSTITUTION AND WE ARE CONFIDENT HE WILL BE A POSITIVE ADDITION TO THE BOARD. I URGE THE PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:23:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI. |
| 01:23:13 | Harper, Gregg | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:23:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:23:18 | Harper, Gregg | AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVID RUBENSTEIN TO BE A CITIZEN REGENT OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. COMMITTEE MEMBERS RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MR. RUBENSTEIN, CO-FOUNDER OF THE CARLYLE GROUP, WE DISCUSSED THE HEIGHTENED EXPECTATION AND INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD AS IT CONTINUES TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE INSTITUTION. CURRENTLY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION IS COMPRISED OF 19 MUSEUMS AND HOSTED OVER 25 MILLION VISITORS LAST YEAR, ROUGHLY FIVE TIMES THE NUMBER OF VISITORS THAT CAME TO THE U.S. CAPITOL. IN ADDITION TO CURRENT FACILITIES, THE INSTITUTION IS SLATED TO BREAK GROUND ON THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINGERPRINT FRINGE HISTORY AND CULTURE IN 2012, A PROJECT ESTIMATED TO COST $500 MILLION. JUST LAST YEAR, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE CONSOLIDATED NATURAL RESOURCES ACT OF 2008, WHICH ESTABLISHED A COMMISSION TO STUDY THE CREATION OF A NATIONAL MUSEUM DEDICATED TO THE ART, CULTURE, AND HISTORY OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SMITHSONIAN LIKE EVERY OTHER GROWING COMPLEX ORGANIZATION FACES UNIQUE OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES. YET THE INSTITUTION'S CORE MISSION FIRST ARTICULATED BY JAMES SMITHSON IN 1825 TO BE AN ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFICULT FUSION OF KNOWLEDGE STILL STANDS THE TEST OF TIME. THROUGH HIS PHILANTHROPY, MR. RUBENSTEIN HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED A COMMITMENT TO JAMES SMITHSON'S ORIGINAL VISION. WHEN THE LAST PRIVATELY OWNED COPY OF THE MAGNA CHARTA BECAME AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE, MR. RUBENSTEIN BROUGHT THIS PRICELESS ARTIFACT AND PERMANENTLY LOANED IT BACK TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. MR. RUBENSTEIN'S INDISPUTABLE DEAD DEAD CASE TO PHILANTHROPY COUPLED WITH HIS KEEN BUSINESS SENSE WILL BE A WELCOMED ADDITION AT THE INSTITUTION AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE SMITH SONIA'S BOARD OF REGENTS. THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:25:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:25:16 | Brady, Kevin | I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:25:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 8. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS APASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE? |
| 01:25:40 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE RESOLUTION, H.CON. RESOLUTION 101. |
| 01:25:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION. |
| 01:25:47 | THE CLERK | HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 101, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF A STATUE OF RONALD WILSON REAGAN FROM THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA FOR PLACEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. |
| 01:25:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRADY, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. LEWIS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:26:07 | MR. BRADY | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND TO INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:26:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:26:17 | Brady, Kevin | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:26:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:26:21 | MR. BRADY | MR. SPEAKER, THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF A STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR AN UNVEILING CEREMONY. TITLE 2 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE ALLOWS FOR EACH STATE TO CHOOSE NO MORE THAN TWO STAWS TO -- STATUES TO REPRESENT THAT STATE. STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAS CHOSEN TO REPLACE THE STATUE OF THOMAS STAR KING. THE 3450U STATUE REPRESENTS RONALD REAGAN WHO SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1981 UNTIL 1989. I URGE THE HOUSE PASS THIS RESOLUTION FOR THE CEREMONIAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATUE. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:26:55 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:26:59 | MR. LEWIS | THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SPENT A LITTLE TIME AROUND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BESIDES YOUR HAIR TURNING GRAY IS THAT I'M NOW THE SENIOR REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE DELEGATION AND EVERYBODY HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF CARRYING THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE. SO, MR. SPEAKER, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE H.CON.RES. 101 TO ACCEPT THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN FROM THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA FOR REPLACEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. THIS BILL AUTHORIZES THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO USE THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL ON JUNE 3, 2009, FOR A PRESENTATION CEREMONY. THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL SHALL DISPLAY THE STATUE IN THE ROTUNDA. THE CURRENT STATUE OF THOMAS STAR KING WILL BE RELOCATED IN A -- TO A SUITABLE PLACE IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. I AM HONORED TO HAVE BOTH KNOWN AND WORKED WITH RONALD REAGAN, BOTH WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR AND OF COURSE AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. ONE OF THE GREAT LEADERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY, RONALD REAGAN. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD ARE UNPARALLELED SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR II. THERE IS NO MORE COLD WAR. THERE IS NO MORE BERLIN WALL. THERE IS NO WORLDWIDE THREAT OF COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN. WHEN THE HISTORY OF OUR TIME IS WRITTEN, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PRESIDENT REAGAN WILL SIGN -- SHINE OUT. HE MADE AMERICA THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY ONCE AGAIN AND BROUGHT THE BREATH OF FREEDOM TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAD SPENT DECADES UNDER THE YOLK OF TYRANNY. HIS MEMORY WILL LIVE ON AMONG ALL THE FREEDOM LOVING PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. MR. SPEAKER, A STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN IN THE U.S. CAPITOL IS A FITTING TRIBUTE TO ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LEADERS OF OUR TIME. I URGE SWIFT PASSAGE OF H.CON.RES. 101. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. . |
| 01:29:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:29:11 | Brady, Kevin | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:29:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:29:16 | MR. LEWIS | I YIELD AN HOUR AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. I YIELD SUCH TIME AS YOU MIGHT CONSUME. |
| 01:29:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS MUCH MIAMI AS HE MAY CONSUME. -- TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:29:30 | MR. DREIER | I THANK MY FRIEND FOR YIELDING ME THIS TIME. I RISE TO JOIN ME IN STATING WHAT A TREMENDOUS ACTION WE ARE TAKING BY BRINGING THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN TO THE CAPITOL. WE'RE SORRY THAT OUR COLLEAGUE, THE DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION, MR. LUNGREN, COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY BUT I KNOW THAT HE AND OUR COLLEAGUE, KEN CALVERT, HAVE WORKED LONG AND HARD TO GET US TO THIS DAY. AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT THING. IT'S VERY FITTING, I THINK, THAT AS WE JUST THREE MONTHS AGO MARKED THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF RONALD REAGAN'S PRESIDENCY THAT WE LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AS WE DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT EXIST. CLEARLY THE HALLMARK OF THE REAGAN PRESIDENCY AND HIS PHILOSOPHY WAS A VERY STAUNCH BELIEF IN THE POWER OF FREE MARKETS AND FREE PEOPLES. THIS BELIEF LED PRESIDENT REAGAN TO INCREASE AMERICAN PROSPERITY AND AS MY COLLEAGUE, MR. LEWIS, HAS JUST POINTED OUT, CHAMPIONED THE CAUSE OF DRAUKS AND POLITICAL -- DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL FREEDOM TO A HALT. AS WE LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY THERE ARE MANY DEMAGOGUES WHO HAVE POUNCED ON OUR ECONOMIC CRISIS TO ADVANCE WHAT IS ANTI-FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES. THEY TRY TO EXPLOIT THE AGE ZITES AND UNCERTAINTIES OF THE -- ANXIETIES AND UNCERTAINTIES OF THE CURRENT SITUATION BY CLAIMING THAT ECONOMIC FREEDOM LED TO THE DOWNTURN WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH TODAY. AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE NANNY STATE VIEW OF GOVERNMENT. MR. SPEAKER, THEY CLEARLY IGNORE THE TRUE CAUSES OF THE CRISIS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY. REGULATORS WHO FAILED TO DO THEIR JOBS, INDIVIDUALS WHO BORROWED IRRESPONSIBLY, AND BANKS THAT LENT IRRESPONSIBLY, GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO INTERFERE IN THE HOUSING MARKET AND ARTIFICIALLY DRIVE UP DEMAND, UNCHECKED GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES THAT BEHAVED RECKLESSLY, THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT LED TO THE FAILURES THAT -- THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, NOT THE FAILURE OF THE FREE MARKET. AND THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT RONALD REAGAN'S VISION WAS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE, AND I BELIEVE PASSIONATELY THAT WE SHOULD AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE, PROVIDE THE PRESCRIPTION THAT RONALD REAGAN DID IN 1981 BY BRINGING ABOUT BROAD ACROSS THE BOARD MARGINAL RATE REDUCTION TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH BECAUSE GROWTH IS THE SINGLE BEST WAY FOR US TO DEAL WITH THE ECONOMIC CRISIS THAT WE HAVE, WITH THE DEBT THAT'S BEEN ACCUMULATED, AND TO DEAL WITH THE NECESSARY FEDERAL SPENDING THAT IS OUT THERE. MR. SPEAKER, ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT RONALD REAGAN WAS KNOWN FOR WAS HIS SENSE OF OPTIMISM. SO I GOT TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE FEMBENTLY IF RONALD REAGAN IF HE WAS HERE TODAY THAT OUR ECONOMY IS GOING TO RECOVER. I THINK IT'S GOING TO RECOVER IN SPITE OF NOT BECAUSE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING HERE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND HERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., BUT WE'RE GOING TO RECOVER BECAUSE WE ARE AMERICAN NOW, AT THE BASE OF THIS STATUTE THAT IS GOING TO BE IN -- STATUE THAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE GREAT ROTUNDA UNVEILED, AS MR. LEWIS SAID, ON JUNE 3, THERE IS -- THERE ARE THREE GREAT STATEMENTS AND THEY ALL COME DOWN TO THE SIMPLE DIRECTIVE THAT REAGAN HAD AND THAT IS AMERICA'S BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD OF US. AND BY VIRTUE OF THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REMAIN OPTIMISTIC, USING THAT REAGAN SPIRIT AS WE DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES THROUGH WHICH VIRTUALLY EVERY AMERICAN IS GOING TODAY. AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND I THANK MY FRIEND FOR YIELDING. |
| 01:33:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:33:36 | Brady, Kevin | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:33:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:33:42 | MR. LEWIS | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD WHATEVER TIME HE MIGHT CONSUME TO THE MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, KEN CALVERT. |
| 01:33:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS MUCH MIAMI AS HE MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:33:52 | Calvert, Ken | I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF HOUSE RES. 101, PROVIDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN FOR THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA FOR PLACEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO JOIN ME IN THE ORIGINAL LETTER REQUESTING THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO BRING THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN TO THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. A SPECIAL THANKS TO CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH FOR LEADING THE EFFORT AND CARRYING THE RESOLUTION. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION FOR BRINGING THE STATUE TO THE CAPITOL. AND ARTIST CHRIS FAGAN, WHO DID A REMARKABLE JOB IN SCULPTING THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN. IN AN EFFORT TO BRING THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN TO THE NATION'S CAPITOL IS ONE OF MY GREATEST PRIVILEGES. PRESIDENT REAGAN HELPED SHAPE MY POLITICAL VIEWS AS A YOUNG MAN AND AS A CO-CHAIR OF HIS RIVERSIDE COUNTY CAMPAIGN BACK IN THE DAY. I WAS, OF COURSE, VERY PROUD TO SEE HIM SUCCEED IN BECOMING THE 40TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. AS WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY STRUGGLING WITH HARDSHIPS AND CONFLICT, PRESIDENT REAGAN WAS CONFRONTED WITH A TROUBLING ECONOMY AND UNCERTAIN TIMES. NOT JUST AS GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA BUT LATER AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. IN BOTH CASES HIS CHARACTERISTIC OPTIMISM AND CAN-DO ATTITUDE HELICOPTER MEET THE CHALLENGES. RONALD REAGAN WAS ELECTED THE 33RD GOVERNOR IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN 1967. AND DURING HIS ADMINISTRATION LED CALIFORNIA TOWARD A CREATIVE SOCIETY. ONE THAT, QUOTE, TURNS AWAY FROM INCREASING RELIANCE ON GOVERNMENT AND LEADS TOWARD RENEWED RESPECTS FOR AND GREAT IRRELEVANCE ON THE COMMON SENSE OF THE PEOPLE, END QUOTE. AS PRESIDENT HE INHERITED THE ECONOMY FACING DOUBLE DIGIT UNEMPLOYMENT AND INFLATION. PRESIDENT REAGAN INITIATED SWEEPING ECONOMIC REFORMS, DEEP ACROSS THE BOARD TAX CUTS, AND IMPLEMENTED SOUND MONETARY POLICIES TO CONTAIN INFLATION. HIS POLICIES RESULTED IN BRINGING THE ECONOMY OUT OF RECESSION AND TURNING IT TO THE LARGEST PEACE TIME ECONOMIC BOOM IN AMERICAN HISTORY. THE COUNTRY ALSO FACING THE CONTINUATION OF A 35-YEAR-LONG COLD WAR, PRESIDENT REAGAN IN HIS FAMOUS JUNE, 1982 SPEECH IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT DESCRIBED, QUOTE, A PLAN AND A HOPE FOR THE LONG TERM, THE MARCH OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY WHICH WILL LEAVE IT IN HISTORY AS LEFT OTHER TIERNEYS OF THE FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE, END QUOTE. FIVE YEARS LATER REAGAN DELIVERED HIS COURAGEOUS ADDRESS IN BERLIN NEAR THE INFAMOUS WALL AND DEMANDED MR. GORBACHEV, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL. IT WAS THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND ALSO SIGNIFICANT ANY FIND NEW RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA. MADAM SPEAKER -- MR. SPEAKER, THERE WAS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR ME TO NAME HERE BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT PRESIDENT REAGAN WAS A CALIFORNIAN, AN AMERICAN AND A PATRIOT. CALIFORNIA IS PROUD TO HAVE SUCH A LEADER AS BOTH GOVERNOR OF OUR STATE AND PRESIDENT OF OUR NATION WHO BROUGHT SO MUCH GREATNESS TO THE WORLD. TODAY, I ENCOURAGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION AND BRING THE STATUE OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN TO THE CAPITOL SO THAT VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CAN HONOR THE MAN WHO DECLARED AMERICA'S DESTINY IS TO BE A SHINING CITY ON THE HILL FOR ALL MANKIND TO SEE. AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:37:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUE TO RESERVE HIS TIME? |
| 01:37:26 | Brady, Kevin | YES. |
| 01:37:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE |
| 01:37:29 | MR. LEWIS | -- |
| 01:37:32 | Calvert, Ken | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONTROL THE TIME OF MR. LEWIS. |
| 01:37:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:37:37 | Calvert, Ken | IF THE GENTLEMAN HAS NO SPEAKERS, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. MCCARTHY, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:37:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM RECOGNIZE HIM? |
| 01:37:48 | Calvert, Ken | TWO MINUTES. |
| 01:37:50 | McCarthy, Kevin | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. KART QUART I'D LIKE TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR HIS WORK AND MR. LEWIS FOR HIS WORK. I ASK FOR SUPPORT OF H.CON.RES 101. PRESIDENT REAGAN WAS FIRST WE WILL KNOWN AS A BELOVED ACTOR. RONALD REAGAN WAS A TWO-TERM GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA AND THEN A TWO-TERM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. DURING HIS TIME IN OFFICE AS PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN TAMED INFLATION, REDUCED AMERICA'S TAX BURDEN AND FACED DOWN THE SOVIET EMPIRE DELIVERING MILLIONS FROM TYRANNY. SPEAKING AT THE BERLIN WALL ON JANUARY 12, 1987, PRESIDENT REAGAN CHALLENGED PRESIDENT GORBACHEV TO BRING DOWN THE IRON CURTAIN. REAGAN DELIVERED AND DECLARED, IF YOU SEEK PEACE, IF YOU SEEK PROSPERITY FOR THE SOVIET UNION AND EASTERN EUROPE, COME HERE TO THIS GATE, MR. GORBACHEV, OPEN THIS GATE, MR. GORBACHEV, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL. UPON HIS DEATH IN 2004 WHEN RONALD REAGAN WAS LYING IN STATE IN THE ROTUNDA, GORBACHEV CAME AND PAID SILENT TRIBUTE TO HIS EARTH WHILE ADVERSARY. FITTINGLY IN THE SAME ROTUNDA, THE STATUE OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN WILL REMAIN PERMANENTLY. WITH A RING OF FRAGMENTS FROM THE BERLIN WALL EMBEDDED IN ITS PEDESTAL. PRESIDENT REAGAN ONCE SAID, THERE'S NO LIMIT TO WHAT A MAN CAN DO OR WHERE HE CAN GO IT HE DOESN'T MIND WHO GETS THE CREDIT. WHILE PLACEMENT OF THE STATUE IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA DOES NOT IN MY OPINION OFFER DUE CREDIT TO THE 40TH PRESIDENT IN RECOGNIZING HIM IN THIS MANNER, THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA ENSURE THAT RONALD REAGAN WILL HAVE A LASTING AND SYMBOLIC PRESENCE FOR THE COUNTLESS FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS VISITING THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FORMER FIRST LADY, NANCY REAGAN, AND THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION FOR THEIR TIRELESS WORK IN THIS TRIBUTE ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, KEN CALVERT AND JERRY LEWIS. THEY'VE BEEN A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS EFFORT. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:39:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:40:00 | Brady, Kevin | CONTINUE TO RESERVE. |
| 01:40:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUES TO RESERVE HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:40:06 | Calvert, Ken | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE NEWEST MEMBER FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, MR. MCCLINTOCK. |
| 01:40:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 01:40:17 | MR. MCCLINTOCK | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN CANNOT BE ARRIVING HERE AT THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL AT A MORE APPROPRIATE TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR NATION. IN THESE DIFFICULT DAYS WE NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES AS A NATION WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN IT TRULY WAS MORNING AGAIN IN AMERICA. THEY SAY IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN, AND RONALD REAGAN TOOK OFFICE AT A FAR MORE DIFFICULT TIME THAN THE ONE WE'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW. WE TEND TO FORGET DOUBLE DIGIT UNEMPLOYMENT, DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION, INTEREST RATES ABOVE 20%, MILE-LONG LINES AROUND GAS STATIONS, AMERICAN EMBASSIES SEIZED WITH IMPUNITY, AND AMERICAN MILITARY SO WEAK IT COULDN'T MOUNT A SIMPLE RESCUE MISSION. THE ARRIVAL OF THIS STATUE AND ALL THAT IT REPRESENTS IS A POTENT REMINDER THAT WHEN OUR NATION HAS DRIFTED OFF COURSE WE'VE ALWAYS FOUND OUR WAY BACK TO THOSE GRAND AND UNIQUELY AMERICAN PRINCIPLES OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, LIMITED GOVERNMENT AND FREE ENTERPRISE THAT DEFINE US AS A PEOPLE. IT'S TRUE, RONALD REAGAN WAS A GREAT COMMUNICATOR BUT AS WILLIAM SARASINO, RONALD REAGAN WAS NOT COMMUNICATING COOKIE RECIPES. HE WAS COMMUNICATING TRUTHS AND IT RESONATED THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND IT ULTIMATELY PRODUCED THAT BRIGHT MOMENT WHEN WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS INDEED MORNING AGAIN IN AMERICA. MAY THIS STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN REMAIN HERE ALWAYS AS A PROMISE THAT AMERICA'S GREATEST DAYS STILL LIE AHEAD AND THAT HER FOUNDING PRINCIPLES WILL ALWAYS SHINE AS A BRIGHT BEACON TOWARD A SAFE HARHOR IN THE STORMY TEMPEST WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED AND WE HAVE YET TO ENCOUNTER. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:41:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUE TO RESERVE HIS TIME? |
| 01:42:01 | Brady, Kevin | YES. |
| 01:42:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:42:06 | Calvert, Ken | MAY I INQUIRE AS TO HOW MUCH TIME IS REMAINING? |
| 01:42:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS 7 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING. AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA HAS 19 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 01:42:16 | Calvert, Ken | I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MR. HARPER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI. |
| 01:42:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 01:42:26 | Harper, Gregg | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I STAND BEFORE YOU TO SPEAK OF A STATESMAN WHOSE STATUE WILL STAND TALL IN THE HALLS OF THE CAPITOL, WHOSE CHARACTER AND SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY WILL LONG OUTLAST THE EIGHT YEARS OF HIS PRESIDENCY AND WHOSE POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON AMERICA WILL ENDURE FOREVER. I STAND BEFORE YOU TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT A STATESMAN WHO I HAVE LONG ADMIRED, THAT STATESMAN WAS OUR 40TH PRESIDENT, RONALD REAGAN. WHEN RONALD REAGAN TOOK OFFICE IN 1981, THE ECONOMY WAS STRUGGLING WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, HIGH INTEREST RATES AND AMERICANS WERE LOOKING FOR HOPE. PRESIDENT REAGAN BROUGHT COMMONSENSE VALUES TO THIS COUNTRY, TO WASHINGTON. HE REDUCED THE TAX BURDEN ON AMERICANS AND HELPED THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WERE STRUGGLING. HE GAVE US THAT CONFIDENCE AND HOPE THAT WE NEEDED AS A COUNTRY. HIS LEADERSHIP REACHED FAR BEYOND AMERICA AS HIS PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH APPROACH TOWARD REBUILDING OUR MILITARY AND SUPPORTING MISSILE DEFENSE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HELPED BRING AN END OF COMMUNISM IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, GIVING FREEDOM TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS EASTERN EUROPE. IT'S ALSO VERY PERSONAL TO MY FAMILY. MY 19-YEAR-OLD SPECIAL NEEDS SON LIVINGSTON HAS COLLECTED 45 RONALD REAGAN BOOKS SO FAR THAT HE HAS IN HIS OFFICE -- IN HIS ROOM AT HOME, AND HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING TO THE JUNE 3 CEREMONY. IT'S A SPECIAL EVENT FOR OUR FAMILY. THIS STATUE WILL BE A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THE HOPE HE GAVE US AS WE CONTINUE OUR RONDE VIEW WITH -- WITH HISTORY. |
| 01:44:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:44:09 | Brady, Kevin | CONTINUE TO RESERVE, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 01:44:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 01:44:14 | Calvert, Ken | I YLD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. POE. |
| 01:44:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 01:44:22 | Poe, Ted | I COME HERE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO A MAN. DURING HIS LIFE HE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD. HE WAS A FAN OF F.D.R. AND HIS NEW DEAL POLICIES. HE WAS A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT BUT BECAME A REGISTERED REPUBLICAN AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE MEDIA. DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A PERSON I'D PAY TRIBUTE TO. HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO AN ARMY OFFICER. HE SERVED AS 33RD GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND ALMOST SINGLELY HANDEDLY WON THE COLD WAR. HE HAD THE ETERNAL SENSE OF OPTIMISM. HE SUMMARIZED IT BEST IN THIS QUOTE, IT'S MORNING IN AMERICA. AND TODAY WE CONTINUE THE MEASURE WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE A STATUE OF RONALD REAGAN TO BE DISPLAYED HERE IN THIS CAPITOL. . IT'S A FITTING TRIBUTE, RONALD REAGAN COULD BE ARGUED AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN THE 20TH CENTURY AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE RONALD REAGAN WAS HERE. YOU CAN ASK THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN EASTERN EUROPE WHO ARE FREE TODAY AND HAD FREEDOM BECAUSE THAT WALL AS HE DEMANDED CAME DOWN. RONALD REAGAN USHERED IN A NEW ERA CALLED THE REAGAN REVOLUTION AS IT CAME TO BE CALLED AND SWEPT ACROSS EVERY ASPECT OF AMERICA. WHAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND JUDICIAL BRANCH. RONALD REAGAN PURSUED POLICIES THAT REFLECTED HIS PERSONAL BELIEF IN THE WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL. HE STOOD UP FOR THE LITTLE GUY. HE ADVOCATED SMALL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MORE POWER TO THE PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. HE BELIEVED IN THE SANCTITY OF THE CONSTITUTION, FEDERALISM, A BALANCED BUDGET, AND A STRONG MILITARY. HE ESTABLISHED POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH ALL OF THOSE BELIEFS. RONALD REAGAN ONCE SAID, EACH GENERATION GOES FURTHER IN THE GENERATION PRECEDING IT BECAUSE IT STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF THAT GENERATION. THAT STATEMENT IS TRUE. I BELIEVE OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN'S GRANDCHILDREN ARE BETTER OFF BECAUSE THEY ARE STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF THIS GREAT AMERICAN STATESMAN. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:46:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:46:22 | Brady, Kevin | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. SERVE THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 01:46:25 | Calvert, Ken | MAY I INQUIRE IF THE GENTLEMAN HAGS ANY SPEAKERS? |
| 01:46:28 | Brady, Kevin | NO. |
| 01:46:30 | Calvert, Ken | I'LL GIVE THE CLOSING REMARKS. IN CLOSING, JUNE 3 WILL BE A GREAT DAY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. A GREAT DAY FOR OUR STATE OF CALIFORNIA. CERTAINLY I BELIEVE A GREAT DAY FOR AMERICA AND FOR THE WORLD WHO APPRECIATED RONALD REAGAN'S LEADERSHIP. THIS WAS TRULY A REMARKABLE AMERICAN. SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO GATHERING TOGETHER WITH THE FORMER FIRST LADY AND WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO WILL COME FROM OUT THE UNITED STATES AND WORLD TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THIS GREAT MAN. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:47:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME OF THE THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 01:47:09 | Brady, Kevin | I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND YIELD BAG. |
| 01:47:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 101. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THIRDS THIRD, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE RISE? |
| 01:47:40 | >> | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1580, THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT, AS AMENDED. |
| 01:47:49 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 01:47:52 | Gordon, Bart | H.R. 158 O 0, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGGETCY TO AWARD GRANTS FOR ELECTRONIC WASTE REDUCTION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, AND PURPOSE. |
| 01:48:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MR. GORDON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. DIAZ-BALART, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 01:48:13 | Gordon, Bart | MR. SPEAKER, ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.R. 1580, THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 01:48:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 01:48:25 | Gordon, Bart | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:48:28 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:48:30 | Gordon, Bart | TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1580, THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT. THIS BILL REPRESENTS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD -- FORWARD ON A LARGE AND GROWING PROBLEM. EVERY YEAR AMERICANS SEND MILLIONS OF OLD CELL PHONES, TELEVISIONS, COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO LAND PHILS. MILLIONS MORE ARE STORED IN DESK DRAWERS, ATTICS BY CONSUMERS AND UNUSED OF -- UNSURE OF HOW TO GET RID OF THE OLD COMPUTER. THESE DEVICES ARE OFTEN DETERMINED -- TERMED AS ELECTRONIC WASTE. BUT WASTE IS HARDLY AN APPROPRIATE NAME FOR THESE SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS. MANY CAN STILL BE USED. ALL CAN BE REPSYCH TOLD RECOVER THEIR CONSTITUENT MATERIALS, AND AS THE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE LEARNED THROUGH A SERIES EVER HEARINGS, ELECTRONICS ALSO CAN CONTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS LIKE LEAD WHICH DO NOT BELONG IN LAND PHILS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REPORTED THAT NEARLY TWO BILLION ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS WERE SOLD BETWEEN 1980 AND 2004. UNFORTUNATELY, THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF NOW UNWANTED PRODUCTS, ONLY ABOUT 15% ARE RECYCLED. THERE ARE MANY HURDLES TO INCREASING THIS PERCENTAGE SUCH AS THE COST OF COLLECTING AND PROCESSING MATERIALS, AND THE LOW VALUE OF HAZARDOUS -- OR THE HAD ARDUOUS NATURE OF MANY OF THE RECOVERABLE MATERIALS. THE PURPOSE OF H.R. 1580 IS TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THERE IS THE BILL ADDRESSES OR IDENTIFIED THROUGH TWO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE HEARINGS HELD THIS CONGRESS AND LAST AND REFLECTS A CONSIDERABLE INPUT FROM THE ELECTRONICS PRODUCERS, MANUFACTURERS, RECYCLERS, REFURBISHERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEREST COMMUNITY. IT'S SUPPORTED BY A BROAD NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS RETAILERS COALITION, THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION, THE INSTITUTE OF SCRAP RECYCLED INSTITUTES. THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRONICS TAKE BACK COALITION, BEST BUY, AT & T, THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, LOWER EAST SIDE ECOLOGY CENTER, THE PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE AND NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEAK TRONICS RECYCLE, I'M ALSO PLEASED THIS BILL IS THE PRODUCT OF A BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION AND CONTAINS THE INPUT OF BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF OUR COMMITTEE. H.R. 1580 DIRECTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO FUND R & D THAT WILL ENABLE EFFICIENT AND AFFORDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING AND FIND OTHER MEANS OF REDUCING THE IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON OUR ENVIRONMENT. RESEARCH CAN FOSTER INNOVATION TO ENABLE MORE EFFICIENT RECYCLING, THE SELECTION OF MORE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY MATERIALS, BETTER WAYS TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT ELECTRONICS RECYCLING, AND METHODS TO DESIGN PRODUCTS FOR EASIER DISASSEMBLY AND RECYCLING. THE RESEARCH SUPPORTED BY H.R. 1580 WILL ALSO ASSESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OVER THE ENTIRE LIFECYCLE. THIS INFORMATION WILL ALLOW ELECTRONIC PRODUCERS, POLICYMAKERS, AND CONSUMERS TO MAKE WISE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS. SPECIFICALLY THE RESEARCH GRANTS AUTHORIZED BY THIS BILL REQUIRE UNIVERSITY OR GOVERNMENT-LED LABORATORIES TO WORK WITH ELECTRONIC PRODUCERS, RECYCLERS, OR RELATED FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES. THE GOAL OF H.R. 1580 IS TO ENSURE RESEARCH THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO THIS CHALLENGES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. H.R. 1580 ALSO AUTHORIZES THE E.P.A. IN CONSULTATION WITH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO FUND GRANTS THAT WILL GIVE ENGINEERING STUDENTS THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO INCORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO THEIR FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL ENDEAVORS. ELECTRONIC DEVICES HAVE BECOME INDISPENSABLE TOOLS FOR MODERN LIVING BUT THEY UNFORTUNATELY ARE A MODERN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM, TOO. RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION ARE A KEY COMPONENT TO ADDRESSING THIS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H.R. 1580. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 01:52:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 01:52:40 | Diaz-Balart, M. | THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:52:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:52:46 | Diaz-Balart, M. | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1580 AND YIELD MYSELF AGAIN AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 01:52:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:52:55 | Diaz-Balart, M. | I'M PLEASED THIS BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AND HAPPY THAT OUR COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF TECHNOLOGY POLCY. THE GOAL OF THIS BILL -- GOALS OF THIS BILL ARE COMMENDABLE AS WE STRUGGLE TO LIMIT THE POLLUTION AND THE WASTE AND THE A WASTE THAT IS BEING SENT TO OUR LAND PHILLS. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES TO CONSIDER WHEN WE ADDRESS DISPOSAL, RECYCLING, AND REUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT. FIRST WE MUST CONSIDER WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING. OBVIOUSLY ANOTHER CONSIDERATION IS THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE THAT ACCOMPANIES ELECTRONICS. FINALLY WE MUST BALANCE THE COST AND BENEFITS OF THE REGULATORY ISSUES WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH EXPORTS ECONOMIES. WITH EACH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE AND EACH REPLACEMENT, WE FACE THE QUESTION OF DISPOSAL OF THOSE OLDER PRODUCTS. THIS IS A COMPLEX SITUATION WHICH CREATES A VAST ARRAY OF OPINIONS ON POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS. NOW, DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IS NOT INSURMOUNTABLE. WITH THE RIGHT TYPE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, WE CAN INSTITUTE NEW WAYS OF TRACKING, OF SORTING, RECYCLING, AND REUSING ELECTRONICS. BY MAKING THEM LESS HAZARDOUS FROM THE DESIGN STAGE, BEGINNING, BEFORE THEY ARE BEING BUILT, ALLOW THEM TO DO LESS HARM WHEN WE DISPOSE OF THEM LATER ON IN LIFE. I THINK THIS LEGISLATION IS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS. THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS, MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPANIES, MANY OF THEM, THAT SEEK NEW USES FOR THESE PRODUCTS. WHICH OBVIOUSLY THEN REDUCES THE NUMBER OF THEM IN LAND PHILS. I'M GRATEFUL TO THE CHAIRMAN FOR INTERDUTIESING THIS LEGISLATION AND ALSO FOR HOLDING HEARINGS ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER. SO AGAIN LOTS OF TIMES WE HEAR THAT LEGISLATION GETS TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE NORMAL ORDER, REGULAR ORDER N THIS CASE NOT ONLY HAS THAT TAKEN PLACE BUT THE CHAIRMAN HAS HAD HEARINGS ON IT. NOW, AGAIN I ENDORSE THE CONCEPT BEHIND THIS BILL AND I BELIEVE CONGRESS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING BETTER DESIGNS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO INCREASE THEIR LIFE SPAN AND OBVIOUSLY MAKE THEM EASIER TO RECYCLE. BUT THERE ARE A FEW ASPECTS OF THIS BILL THAT STILL I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH. ONE SUCH CONCERN COMES FROM AN AMENDMENT OFFERED IN COMMITTEE REQUIRING THAT THE E.P.A. PUBLISH THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AUTHORIZED BY THIS BILL ON ITS WEBSITE. OF COURSE THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT AND WE SHOULD. BUT HERE'S THE CONCERN. THE COPYRIGHT PROTECTIONS OF THE RESEARCH PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE MAY NOT BE PRESERVED. WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT THIS IS ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE BILL FINALLY BE ACTED INTO LAW. I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE CHAIRMAN. ADDITIONALLY IT IS UNCLEAR FROM THE LANGUAGE IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE ENTITY FOR PROFIT ENTITY INCLUDED IN A CONSORTIUM WHERE THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTION FROM ALL FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES IS TO BE AT LEAST 10%, OR IF EACH NOT ---IF EACH FOR-PROFIT MEMBER IS TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST 10%. IT'S NOT CLEAR. SO I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF THE CHAIRMAN TO CLARIFY THIS AND REPORT LANGUAGE AND I HOPE THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO MODIFY THE LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE ITSELF IF NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED. AGAIN THE CHAIRMAN I KNOW ALSO HAS THE SAME CONCERN BECAUSE HE'S ADDRESSED IT, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT FURTHER. I BELIEVE THIS BILL TAKES STEPS TOWARDS ARDRESSING A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. AND I HOPE THAT THIS BILL AS IT MOVES FORWARD WILL BE -- WILL CONTINUE TO BE TWEAKED A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S EVEN BETTER. AGAIN I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET THE BEST POSSIBLE BILL, THE BEST POSSIBLE LEGISLATION OUT OF THIS. I COMMEND THE CHAIRMAN AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD THE REMAINING PART OF MY TIME -- I'M SORRY, I RESERVE. |
| 01:56:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 01:56:54 | Gordon, Bart | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. LET ME FIRST THANK MY FRIEND FROM FLORIDA FOR HIS CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE. I THINK MOST OF HIS CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN REPORT LANGUAGE, BUT THIS IS A CONTINUING PRODUCT. WE WANT TO GET THE BEST WE CAN. AND WE WASN'T WANT TO WORK WITH YOU AND COMPATRIOTS AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BILL AND GOOD BILL. NOW, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO MY FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. THOMPSON. MR. THOMPSON IS THE CO-CHAIR OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ELECTRONIC WASTE, MORE IMPORTANTLY REALLY IS THE LEADER IN CONGRESS ON THIS ISSUE. HE HAS BEEN A LONG-TIME ADVOCATE AND WE WELCOME HIS TIME. |
| 01:57:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:57:33 | Thompson, Mike | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND RECOGNIZING ME ON THIS BILL. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS, I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS MEASURE, H.R. 1580, AS THE CHAIRN NOTED, I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE SUBJECT OF ELECTRONIC WASTE OR E-WASTE SINCE I FIRST CAME TO CONGRESS. I WANT TO APPLAUD THE CHAIRMAN AND SCIENCE COMMITTEE'S WORK AND INTEREST ON THIS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. CHAIRMAN GORDON HAS BEEN A STRONG LEADER ON E-WASTE ISSUES AND HAS HELPED TO MOVE THIS ISSUE FORWARD. ELECTRONIC PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING IN A VERY, VERY FAST PACE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S CREATING AN EVER-GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL AND WASTE DISPOSAL BE PROBLEM. THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S OFTEN CHEAPER OR SOMETIMES COOLER TO BUY A NEW P.C. OR NEW CELL PHONE THAN TO UPGRADE AN OLD ONE. TODAY THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN OF A COMPUTER IS ONLY TWO YEARS. AMERICANS ARE DISPOSING OF 3,000 TONS, 3,000 TONS OF COMPUTERS EVERY DAY. THESE DISCARDED ITEMS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WIND UP IN LANDFILLS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WHERE THE WASTE IS A TERRIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM. A RECENT G.A.O. STUDY FOUND THAT MOST E WASTE -- E-WASTE EXPORTED FROM THE U.S. IS DISMANTLED UNDER UNSAFE CONDITIONS, OFTEN BY CHILDREN, USING METHODS LIKE OPEN AIR INCINERATION AND ACID BATHS TO EXTRACT COMPONENT METALS. . IT MAKES EWASTE A AS WELL. FIRST THIS BILL WILL ESTABLISH GRANT PROGRAMS TO STUD -- FUND STUDIES TO EVALUATE HOW TO MAKE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT EASIER TO RECYCLE ON THE FRUND HEAD END. AND SECOND, TRAIN ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN GREEN DESIGN. THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION WILL LAY AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE FOUNDATION FOR COMPREHENSIVE EWASTE LEGISLATION IN THE FUTURE. TRULY AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE. IF OBSOLETE COMPUTERS AND OTHER SUCH EYE TEAMS CAN BE DIVERTED FROM -- ITEMS CAN BE DIVERTED FROM THE WASTE STREAM AT THE OUTSET, HALF OF OUR BATTLE WILL ALREADY HAVE BEEN WON. AGAIN, I THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR GOOD WORK, I URGE SWIFT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:00:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:00:17 | >> | IF I MAY INQUIRE IF HE HAS FURTHER SPEAKERS. |
| 02:00:21 | >> | NO OTHERS. WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. |
| 02:00:27 | Diaz-Balart, M. | AT THIS TIME, MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:00:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 02:00:36 | Gordon, Bart | LET ME JUST CONCLUDE, MR. SPEAKER, BY SAYING THIS IS A GOOD BIPARTISAN BILL. AND I THANK MR. THOMPSON FOR HIS SUPPORT. I SAY HE HAS BEEN A LEADER ON THIS ISSUE AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:00:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1580 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE TITLE IS AMENDED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN RISE? |
| 02:01:14 | Gordon, Bart | I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION ACT OF 2009. |
| 02:01:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 02:01:23 | THE CLERK | H.R. 957, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND GRADUATE TRAINING IN ADVANCED ENERGY AND GREEN-BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES. |
| 02:01:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MR. GORDON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. DIAZ-BALART, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 02:01:42 | Gordon, Bart | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND TO INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.R. 957, THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 02:01:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 02:01:57 | Gordon, Bart | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:02:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:02:03 | Gordon, Bart | TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 957, THE GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION ANTH OF 2009 -- ACT OF TWIPE. FIRST I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. MCCAUL FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS LEGISLATION. THIS BILL AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION'S SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATED GRADUATE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH TRAINERSHIP PROGRAM. OR KNOWN AS IGRIT. AWARDS PREPARE STUDENTS BY INTEGRATING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN THE INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT ARE TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS OF NEARLY -- NEWLY EMERGING FIELDS AND NEW CAREER OPTIONS. THIS BILL ALSO AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION'S ONGOING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE ABILITY OF ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS. IN SUMMARY, THIS BILL ADDRESSES A CRITICAL NEED TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO UNIVERSITIES, TO UPDATE THEIR CRITERIA AND RESEARCH EFFORTS IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS AND IT IMPROVES THE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL. AND I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT H.R. 957, THE GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION ACT OF 2009, AND ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO COMMEND MR. MCCAUL FOR HIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:03:28 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:03:32 | Diaz-Balart, M. | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO SUPPORT H.R. 957 AND YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MIGHT CONSUME. |
| 02:03:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:03:41 | Diaz-Balart, M. | THANK YOU. I ALSO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BILL, H.R. 957, THE GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION ACT OF 2009. INTRODUCED BY MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE, MR. MCCAUL OF TEXAS. THIS IS A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE BY THE WAY PASSED IN THE 110TH CONGRESS BUT THE SENATE DID NOT TAKE IT UP BEFORE ADJOURNMENT. SIMPLY PUT THIS MEASURE ENCOURAGES THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO WORK WITH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATIONS OF ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO PRODUCE BUILDINGS THAT INCORPORATE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN GREEN ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES. OFTENTIMES ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS ARE NOT BEING CONSTRUCTED BUT NOT BECAUSE THE BUILDING PROFESSIONALS DON'T WANT TO DO IT OR THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA BUT PRIMARILY BECAUSE THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW AND THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S AVAILABLE. SO THIS MEASURE IS INTENDED TO CLOSE THAT GAP AND I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND MR. MCCAUL FOR HIS FINE WORK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT BILL AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:04:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 02:04:41 | Gordon, Bart | WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:04:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:04:51 | Diaz-Balart, M. | THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'D LIKE TO NOW YIELD AS MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. MCCAUL. |
| 02:04:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:05:03 | McCaul, Michael | I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA FOR YIELDING AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE FOR HIS DEDICATION, STRONG BIPARTISAN LEADERSHIP ON THIS COMMITTEE, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT AND FOR ALLOWING MY BILL TO GO OUT OF COMMITTEE ONCE AGAIN AND COME TO THE HOUSE FLOOR. AS THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED, IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY LAST CONGRESS OUT OF THE HOUSE. I HOPE IT DOES THE SAME THIS CONGRESS AND I HOPE THE SENATE WILL ACT ON IT THIS TIME. LIKE MANY OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT AMERICA'S DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN SOURCES OF ENERGY AND THE NATIONAL ACADEMY'S RISING ABOVE THE GATHERING STORM REPORT HASEKOWED THE CALLS OF MANY IN THE ACADEMIC AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR A GREATER NEED TO RECRUIT AND DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING TALENT TO WORK ON SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS. INCREASING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND DECREASING THE HARMFUL AFFECTS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION AND USE ARE CLEARLY AREAS OF LONG-TERM NATIONAL NEED. OUR RELIANCE ON IMPORTED ENERGY ONLY SERVES TO INCREASE OUR VULNERABILITY. TO EXTERNAL EVENTS IN THE ACTIONS OF REGIMES THAT ARE IN MANY CASES OPENLY HOSTILE TO THE UNITED STATES. ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN REDUCE THE NEED FOR ENERGY IMPORTS IS TO USE OUR ENERGY MORE EFFICIENTLY. BUILDINGS CONSUME MORE ENERGY THAN ANY OTHER SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY, INCLUDING INDUSTRY AND TRANSPORTATION. ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, AMERICAN BUILDINGS CONSUME 39% OF OUR NATION'S PRIMARY ENERGY AND 70% OF OUR ELECTRICITY. HOWEVER, ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING PRACTICES ARE STILL AT THE FRINGES OF THE BUILDING SECTOR. IN PART BECAUSE OF A LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES AND DESIGN AMONG BUILDING PROFESSIONALS. THAT'S WHY I INTRODUCED THE GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION ACT. THIS LEGISLATION AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, TO SUPPORT GRADUATE EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TO ADVANCE D.O.E.'S BROAD ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT MISSION. WORKING THROUGH N.S.F., D.O.E. WILL HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARCHITECTS TO PRODUCE BUILDINGS, INCORPORATING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES. IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DUPLICATIVE AND WASTEFUL PROGRAMS, THIS BILL ALLOWS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO COMBINE THEIR EFFORTS TO FIND WORKABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUES SURROUNDING BUILDING EFFICIENCY THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE MARKETPLACE. AND SPECIFICALLY H.R. 957 WILL AUTHORIZE D.O.E.'S OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND APPLIED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO N.S.F.'S SUCCESSFUL GRADUATE AND RESEARCH PROGRAM. THIS BILL ALSO AUTHORIZES THE D.O.E. TO CONTRIBUTE TO N.S.F.'S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT MORE EFFICIENT AND DURABLE BUILDINGS. SO, LET ME ONCE AGAIN THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR ALLOWING THIS TO COME FORWARD TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS INCREASING AMERICA'S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:08:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 02:08:21 | Gordon, Bart | WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:08:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. E GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:08:30 | Diaz-Balart, M. | THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I DO WANT TO JUST YIELD MYSELF 30 SECONDS. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO WORK WITH ALL MEMBERS OF HIS COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THAT HE GETS THE FINEST LEGISLATION POSSIBLE. HE GOES TO THE REGULAR PROCESS -- THROUGH THE REGULAR PROCESS, SOMETHING THAT UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT DONE AS MUCH AS IT SHOULD BE. I AGAIN WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THESE SECONDS TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR WORKING WITH ALL OF HIS COMMITTEE, ALWAYS BEING OPEN, HIS DOOR'S ALWAYS OPEN AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:09:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 02:09:08 | Gordon, Bart | LET ME FIRST THANK MY FRIEND FOR THOSE COMPLIMENTS AND LET ME ASK THAT YOU HOLD ME TO THOSE COMPLIMENTS. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO RUN THE COMMITTEE THAT WAY. IN CONCLUSION, LET ME ALSO THANK ONCE AGAIN MY FRIEND FROM TEXAS, MR. MCCAUL, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THIS ISSUE BEFORE US. WE PASSED IT LAST YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO PASS IT AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE BOTH NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS THROUGH THE OTHER BODY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND WITH THAT I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME OR RATHER I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:09:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 957. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL ISED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION -- -- THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION -- THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 02:09:57 | Diaz-Balart, M. | I REQUEST THE |
| 02:09:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. |
| 02:10:51 | >> | MR. SPEAKER, I ASK THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 247. |
| 02:10:55 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 02:10:59 | THE CLERK | HOUSE RESOLUTION 247. EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 22, 2009, AS NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS APPRECIATION DAY. |
| 02:11:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. TONKA, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. ELSE, WILL EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE |
| 02:11:22 | Tonko, Paul | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 247 INTO THE RECORD. |
| 02:11:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 02:11:36 | Tonko, Paul | I YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:11:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:11:41 | Tonko, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 247, TO DESIGNATE MARCH 22, 2009, AS NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS APPRECIATION DAY. ACROSS OUR GREAT COUNTRY QUALIFIED REHABILITATION COUNSELORS WORK TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO ACCESS EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES AND INDEPENDENT LIVING. ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LABOR AND STATISTICS, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 141,000 REHABILITATION COUNSELORS IN OUR UNITED STATES. WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND SUPPORT THAT IS RENDERED TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS, INCLUDING STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES, MEDICAL FACILITIES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY BUSINESSES. AS THE NUMBER OF VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES INCREASES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES STRUGGLE TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, THE NEED FOR QUALITY REHABILITATION COUNSELING DOES IN FACT CONTINUE TO GROW. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR WAS 14% COMPARED TO 8.7% FOR PERSONS WITH NO DISABILITY. OF EVEN GREATER CONCERN, ONLY 23% OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE CURRENTLY IN OUR LABOR FORCE. COMPARED TO OVER 70% OF THE GENERAL POPULATION. THESE ARE ALARMING STATISTICS. QUALIFIED REHABILITATION COUNSELORS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SOLUTION, AS THEY PROVIDE SERVICES CRITICAL TO IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES FOR FEMA WITH DISABILITIES -- FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE APPRECIATE THEIR HARD WORK AND THE DETERMINATION OF THESE PROFESSIONALS. VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL COUNSEL ON REHABILITATION EDUCATION, AND THE COUNSEL OF STATE ADMINISTRATORS OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, ADVOCATE FOR UP TO DATE EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR REHABILITATION COUNSELORS. AND THE COST -- BECAUSE OF THESE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS EAR -- ORGANIZATIONS' EFFORTS, THEY HAVE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED. ON MARCH 22 OF 1983, MARTHA WALKER, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL DOWN CENTRAL -- COUNCIL ON REHABILITATION EDUCATION, TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SELECT EDUCATION FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPRESSING THE NECESSITY FOR REHABILITATION COUNSELORS TO BE WELL QUALIFIED. HER HARD WORK LED TO THE ENACTMENT OF REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THAT REHABILITATION COUNSELORS HAVE PROPER TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS SO THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVE QUALITY REHABILITATION SERVICES. . THIS HOLIDAY CAN HONOR THE DEDICATED REHABILITATION COUNSELORS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TIRELESSLY TO PROVIDE QUALITY REHABILITATION SUPPORT. I WANT TO THANK PARTICULARLY REPRESENTATIVE SKELTON FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE AND BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION FORWARD. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:15:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:15:22 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:15:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:15:25 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 247, WHICH EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATING MARCH 22, 2009, AS NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS APPRECIATION DAY. I'M SURPRISED THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT REHABILITATION COUNSELORS DO AND THEY MIGHT BE WELLIZED -- ADVISED TO READ THE DOONSBURY COMIC STRIP WHERE FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS OR MORE THERE HAS BEEN ONGOING DISCUSSION HOW TO REHABILITATE VETERANS AND DESCRIBED THE WORK OF THE COUNSELORS. NEARLY ONE IN FIVE AMERICANS LIVES WITH SOME TYPE OF LONG LASTING CONDITION OR DISABILITY THAT REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REHABILITATION. REHABILITATION COUNSELORS HELP PEOPLE DEAL WITH A PERSONAL, SOCIAL, AND VOCATIONAL EFFECTS OF DISABILITIES. THEY COUNSEL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES RESULTING FROM BIRTH DEFECTS, ILLNESS OR DISEASE, ACCIDENTS, OR OTHER CAUSES. THEY EVALUATE THE STRENGTH AND LIMITATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS, PROVIDE PERSONAL AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING, AND RANGE FOR MEDICAL CARE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT. ALL OF THESE ARE INVALUABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED THE HELP. REHABILITATION COUNSELORS INTERVIEW BOTH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. EVALUATE SCHOOL AND MEDICAL REPORTS, AND CONFER WITH PHYSICIANS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, AND EMPLOYERS TO DETERMINE THE CAPABILITIES AND SKILLS OF THE INDIVIDUAL. THEY DEVELOP REHABILITATION PROGRAMS BY CONFERRING WITH CLIENTS WHICH OFTEN INCLUDE TRAINING TO HELP CLIENTS DEVELOP JOB SKILLS. REHABILITATION COUNTORS ALSO WORK TOWARD INCREASING THE CLIENT'S CAPACITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THESE PROFESSIONALS WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND ADVOCACIES GROUPS TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL BARRIERS THAT CREATE OBSTACLES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THEY ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFTEN ISOLATED WORLD OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND SCHOOL AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS. THEY EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. REHABILITATION COUNSELORS ARE EMPLOYED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, BY COMMUNITY HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS, AND HOSPITALS, AND IN STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POSITIONS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 141,000 REHABILITATION COUNSELORS IN THE UNITED STATES. ACCORDING TO THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GROW RAPIDLY AS MEDICAL ADVANCES HELP PEOPLE SURVIVE SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS. INCLUDING VETERANS RETURNING FROM BOTH THE AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQI WARS. REHABILITATION COUNSELORS PROVIDE A GREAT SERVICE TO THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES. THEY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO PARTICIPATE AS ACTIVE CITIZENS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS HELP MANY DISABLED AMERICANS COPE WITH THEIR LIFE ALTERING SITUATIONS. TODAY WE RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. I ASK FOR MY COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME |
| 02:18:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:18:51 | Tonko, Paul | I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI, MR. SKELTON, WHOM WE PRAISED IN OUR EARLIER COMMENTS FOR BRINGING THIS AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF REHABILITATION COUNSELORS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE HOUSE. WE APPLAUD HIM FOR HIS EFFORTS. WOULD RECOGNIZE HIM FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 02:19:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 02:19:12 | Skelton, Ike | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN SO MUCH FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN IN SUPPORTING H.RES. 247 , WHICH EXPRESS SUPPORTING THE MARCH 22 AS NATIONAL RIRBLINGS COUNSELOR APPRECIATION DAY. I WANT TO THANK MY FRIEND, PHIL BEGINNINGRY, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, FOR JOINING -- PHIL GINGREY, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, FOR JOINING ME IN OFFERING THIS RESOLUTION. IN MARCH 22, 1983, MARTHA WALKER OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED TESTIMONY TO MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE VALUABLE SERVICES PROVIDED BY QUALIFIED REHABILITATION COUNSELORS. DUE IN LARGE PARTS TO THE EVENTS OF THAT DAY, REHABILITATION COUNSELORS TODAY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PROPER CERTIFICATION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A HIGHER LEVEL OF SERVICE. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS ARE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS. THEIR GOOD WORKS HELP DISABLED AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN LIVING INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES. AN HONEST DAY'S WORK IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE TO MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO WANT TO WORK, JUST DON'T HAVE THE TRAINING, SUPPORT, OR TOOLS THEY NEED TO ENTER THE WORK FORCE. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS STEP IN TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICES THAT SUCCEED IN BRINGING THOUSANDS OF DISABILITY AMERICANS INTO THE WORK FORCE EVERY DAY. TODAY WE HAVE INJURED VETERANS SEEKING TO GAIN, RETAIN, OR REGAIN EMPLOYMENT. TODAY WE HAVE OLDER WORKERS STAYING IN THE WORK FORCE LONGER IN THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES. TODAY MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO PURSUE A CAREER. REHABILITATION COUNSELORS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING THEM TO REACH THEIR GOALS. I BELIEVE THE SERVICE IS WORTHY OF OUR RECOGNITION AND OUR THANKS. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 02:21:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:21:17 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | I RESERVE. UNLESS THE GENTLEMAN HAS NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. |
| 02:21:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME OF THE THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:21:24 | Tonko, Paul | WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ON OUR SIDE, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 02:21:28 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. |
| 02:21:30 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:21:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME OF THE THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:21:36 | Tonko, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, THE RESOLUTION BEFORE THE HOUSE IS ONE OF GREAT WORTH. OBVIOUSLY RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT REHABILITATION COUNSELORS PLAY IN THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THEY OPEN DOOR WAYS. THEY ABSOLUTELY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND COAX THE PROFESSIONALISM FROM THOSE WHO AMONGST US ARE IN THE RANKS OF THE DISABLED. WITH AN AWFUL LOT OF CONTRIBUTION TO BE MADE TO SOCIETY, THE REHABILITATION COUNSELOR IS A PARTNER IN THAT EFFORT. SO I ASK AGAIN WE MOVE FORWARD IN RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 02:22:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. |
| 02:22:16 | Tonko, Paul | I DO. |
| 02:22:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 247. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. |
| 02:22:40 | MR. TONKO | I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUND A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. AND MAKE THE POINT OF ORDER A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 02:22:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION BE WILL BE POSTPONED. |
| 02:24:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE? |
| 02:24:57 | Tonko, Paul | I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 336. |
| 02:25:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 02:25:03 | THE CLERK | HOUSE RESOLUTION 336, RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. |
| 02:25:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. TONKO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. EHLERS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:25:20 | Tonko, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 336 INTO THE RECORD. |
| 02:25:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 02:25:34 | Tonko, Paul | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:25:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:25:40 | Tonko, Paul | THANK YOU. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 336 WHICH ENCOURAGES ALL AMERICANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NUMEROUS RESOURCES, LIBRARIES MAKE AVAILABLE. ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, LIBRARIES HAVE DEVELOPED COMMUNITIES BY BRINGING PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONALS, AGES, AND SOCIOECONOMIC LEVELS TOGETHER TO ENJOY THE PLEASURES OF LITERATURE, MEDIA, AND NEW TECHNOLOGY. LIBRARIES FOSTER NATIONAL DISCOURSE ON INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AND PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL EQUITY ACROSS OUR GREAT NATION. NOT ONLY DO LIBRARIES PROVIDE FREE RESOURCES, BUT THEY PRESERVE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND INFORMATION, HIGHLIGHTING SOCIETAL ACHIEVEMENTS. TODAY WE HAVE OVER 123 LIBRARIES NATIONWIDE PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN CREATING VIBRANT ENERGIZED COMMUNITIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BIG READ IS A NATIONAL READING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REVITALIZE THE ROME OF IMMEDIATING IN AMERICA. 208 COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATE IN THE BIG READ PROM NATIONWIDE AND AMERICAN LIBRARIES PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE FOSTERING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. THERE IS ALSO THE ANNUAL NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL, SPONSORED BY OUR VERY OWN LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. REPRESENTATIVES FROM STATE LIBRARIES GATHER AT THE NATION'S CAPITAL TO PROMOTE READING AND LITERACY IN ALL OF OUR 50 STATES. LAST SEPTEMBER THE EIGHTH ANNUAL NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED TO PROMOTE READING TO CHILDREN, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES, ACTORS, AND FAMOUS WRITERS, AUTHORS, AND POETS. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IS ALSO THE GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE PUBLIC. AS THE LARGEST LIBRARY IN THE WORLD, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HOLDS MORE THAN 120 MILLION ITEMS ON APPROXIMATELY 530 MILES OF BOOKSHELVES. THE COLLECTIONS INCLUDE MORE THAN 18 MILLION BOOKS, 2.5 MILLION RECORDINGS, 12 MILLION PHOTOGRAPHS, 4.5 MILLION MAPS, AND 54 MILLION MANUSCRIPTS. THE MASSIVE RESOURCE PROVIDED BY THIS LIBRARY TO THIS COUNTRY IS INDEED A BIT OF INVALUABLE INFORMATION. NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK CONTINUES TO COMMEND LIBRARIANS WHO HELP THE PUBLIC INTERPRET THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION THEY NEED TO LIVE, TO LEARN, AND TO NAVIGATE THEIR WAY IN TODAY'S CHALLENGING AND COMPLICATED ECONOMY. BY PROVIDING FREE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND A SAFE PLACE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING, LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS HELP PEOPLE ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. WITH THAT SAID ULTIMATELY LIBRARIES HELP PEOPLE EXPLORE CURIOSITIES AND MAKE SENSE OF THIS COMPLEX WORLD. I DO WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE EHLERS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION FORWARD. AGAIN I WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TOWARD LIBRARIES FOR THEIR IMPORTANT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITIES. MR. SPEAKER, I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. I MOVE TO FURTHER RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:28:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:28:55 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:28:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. . |
| 02:29:04 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | I WANT TO RECOGNIZE CONGRESSMAN GRIJALVA WHO IS THE MAJORITY PARTY CO-SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION AND HE IS HAS A DEEP INTEREST IN LIBRARIES AS WELL -- HE HAS A DEEP INTEREST IN LIBRARIES AS WELL. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I'M A GREAT FAN OF LIBRARIES. FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE SERVED ON A CITY LIBRARY BOARD, ON A COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD, ON THE BOARD OF THE STATE LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN AND ALSO THROUGH MY SERVICE ON THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AND THEN ON THE COMMITTEE GOVERNING THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. BUT THE MAIN REASON IS THAT WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD, I WAS QUITE ILL AND COULD NOT ATTEND SCHOOL. THIS GAVE ME A LOT OF SPARE TIME AND I READ BETWEEN SIX AND EIGHT BOOKS A WEEK. AND I WAS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON THE LIBRARY FOR THOSE BOOKS. SO TWICE A WEEK I WOULD TRENL DOWN TO THE LIBRARY, WHICH WAS ONLY -- TREDGE DOWN TO THE LIBRARY WHICH WAS ONLY OPEN TWO DAYS A WEEK AND HAUL OUT A PILE BOOKS WHICH I COULD READ. SO I FULLY APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF LIBRARIES. ANOTHER FACTOR AS WELL, MY DAUGHTER MARLA IS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY IN MY HOME TOWN AND KEEPS ME FULLY INFORMED ABOUT LIBRARY AFFAIRS. SO I SAY ALL THIS IN PREFACE AS TO WHY I INTRODUCED THE RESOLUTION AND WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE LIBRARIES. FIRST SPONSORED IN 1958, NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK IS A NATIONAL OBSERVANCE SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AND LIBRARIES ACROSS THE STATE. THIS IS DONE EVERY YEAR IN APRIL. IT IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR NATION'S LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS AND TO PROMOTE LIBRARY USE AND SUPPORT. THE MID 1950'S, RESEARCH SHOWED THAT AMERICANS WERE SPENDING LESS TIME IN BOOKS AND MORE ON RADIO, TELEVISION AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. CONCERNED THAT AMERICANS WERE READING LESS, A NONPROFIT CITIZEN'S ORGANIZATION CALLED THE NATIONAL BOOK COMMITTEE FORMED IN 1954. THE COMMITTEE'S GOALS WERE AMBITIOUS AND RANGED FROM ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO READ IN THEIR INCREASING LEISURE TIME, AND DEVELOPING A STRONG AND HAPPY FAMILY LIFE. IN 1957, THE COMMITTEE DEVELOPED A PLAN FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK BASED ON THE IDEA THAT ONCE PEOPLE WERE MOTIVATED TO READ, THEY WOULD SUPPORT AND USE LIBRARIES. WITH COOPERATION FROM VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, THE FIRST NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK WAS OBSERVED IN 1958 WITH A THEME, WAKE UP AND READ. THIS YEAR'S THEME, WORLDS CONNECT AS YOUR LIBRARY, HIGHLIGHTS HOW LIBRARIES ARE NARROWING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE BY PROVIDING NO-FEE INTERNET ACCESS TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS FOR ACCESS TO DIGITAL AND ONLINE INFORMATION, INCLUDING EGOVERNMENT, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. AND I CAN VOUCH FOR THE BIG CHANGES IN LIBRARIES. LAST YEAR I VISITED MY DAUGHTER'S LIBRARY AND WHILE I SHOULD SAY THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND I WAS JUST AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPUTERS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT EVERY -- AND EVERY SINGLE COMPUTER WAS IN USE. I WOULD SAY THERE WERE AT LEAST 15 THERE AND PEOPLE WORKING ON THEM. THIS HAS BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION BECAUSE MANY WORKERS DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN COMPUTER AND THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE LIBRARY TO POLISH UP THEIR RESUME, LOOK ONLINE FOR JOBS AND SO FORTH. SO THE LIBRARIES -- LIBRARY'S USEFULNESS HASEN INED -- CONTINUED TO GROW OVER THE YEARS. LIBRARIES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THEY HELP US DISCOVER A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE, BOTH IN PERSON AND ONLINE. AND ARE A KEY PLAYER IN THE NATIONAL DISCOURSE ON INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM. AND THE EQUITY OF AC HE IS SESS. IN FACT, ACCORDING -- ACCESS. IN FACT, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS, LIBRARY USE WAS UP TO 1.3 BILLION VISITS LAST YEAR NATIONWIDE AMONG ALL TYPES OF LIBRARY USERS. CONTINUING A LONG-TERM TREND OF INCREASED LIBRARY USES. BUT RECOGNIZING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK, WE SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS, LIBRARY WORKERS AND SUPPORTERS ACROSS AMERICA. I ALSO SHOULD MENTION THAT WE SHOULD AT THIS POINT RECOGNIZE AND MENTION THE SUPPORT THAT ANDREW CARNEIGIE GAVE TO LIBRARIES INITIALLY. WHEN HE BEGAN GIVING AWAY S FORTUNE, MUCH OF IT WENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND YOU'LL FIND CARNEIGIE LIBRARIES ALL ACROSS THE NATION, INCLUDING IN MY HOME TOWN. I AM HONORED TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:34:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:34:09 | Tonko, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS ON OUR SIDE TO ADDRESS THE RESOLUTION. I WOULD ASK IF THERE ARE OTHER SPEAKERS FROM OUR OTHER SIDE? |
| 02:34:20 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:34:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:34:28 | Tonko, Paul | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I AGAIN DO WANT TO THANK MR. EHLERS FOR THE INSPIRATION TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LIBRARIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. THEY ARE INDEED A VERY VALUABLE COMPONENT OF THE EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS COUNTRY. THEY OBVIOUSLY PROVIDE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY, WITHOUT ANY SORT OF PREJUDICE. I'M REMINDED OF THE POWERFUL LIBRARY IN MY HOMETOWN OF AMSTER DAMN, NEW YORK, AND THE WONDERFUL -- AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK, AND THE WONDERFUL COUNTYWIDE SYSTEM WITH SEVERAL SITES WITHIN THEIR LIBRARY INFRASTRUCTURE. AND SO IT IS INDEED A VERY APPROPRIATE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTION THAT LIBRARIES AND MORE SPECIFICALLY, LIBRARIANS, MAKE TO OUR SOCIETY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY AND CHARACTER OF OUR SOCIETY. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I ENCOURAGE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:35:28 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 336. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES HE RISE? |
| 02:35:54 | Tonko, Paul | YES, MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULE IT'S A -- RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1824. |
| 02:36:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 02:36:05 | THE CLERK | H.R. 1824, A BILL TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO BEST BUDDIES, TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MENTORING PROGRAMS AND FOR. -- FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 02:36:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. TONKA, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. EHLERS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:36:24 | Tonko, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1824 INTO THE RECORD. |
| 02:36:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 02:36:38 | Tonko, Paul | I YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME, MR. SPEAKER, AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:36:43 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:36:45 | Tonko, Paul | THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1824, THE BILL WILL EXPAND THE IMPORTANT WORK OF BEST BUDDIES TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PUT AN END TO THEIR SOCIAL ISOLATION. BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL IS THE ONLY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES THROUGH A ONE-TO-ONE FRIENDSHIP WITH PEERS. PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE OFTEN EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY BECAUSE OF THEIR DIFFERENCES. SADLY, THE SOCIAL ISOLATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY RESEARCHERS. HOWEVER, OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, BEST BUDDIES HAS PROVEN SOMETHING THAT MOST OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED. THAT LASTING, MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIPS ARE THE KEY TO A BETTER LIFE. BUT FRIENDSHIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES DO NOT ALWAYS COME EASILY. OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, WHILE THIS POPULATION HAS GAINED MANY CIVIL RIGHTS, ATTITUDE NAL BARRIERS AND STEREOTYPES PERSIST. THIS IS SOMETHING BEST BUDDIES IS CHANGING. SINCE 1989, BEST BUDDIES HAS WORKED WITH 1,300 MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES. BEST BUDDIES VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY, CONTRIBUTES SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY THAT EQUATE TO MORE THAN $70 MILLION. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IS CRITICAL TO HELP BEST BUDDIES EXPAND THEIR EFFORTS TO ALL OF OUR 50 STATES. BULLYING CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM IN OUR SCHOOLS FOR MANY CHILDREN. A 2005 STUDY FOUND THAT A BEST BUDDY RELATIONSHIP IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER FREQUENCIES OF PEER VICTIMIZATION, BETTER ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR AND FEWER PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS FOR YOUTH. CLEARLY A FRIEND IS A POWERFUL THING. THROUGH ONE-TO-ONE MATCHES WITH PEERS WITHOUT DISABILITIES AS WELL AS SUPPORT OF EMAIL FRIENDSHIPS, CITIZEN PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND A JOBS PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES INTEGRATION INTO THE WORKPLACE, BEST BUDDIES EXPECTS TO IMPACT OVER 500,000 PEOPLE BY THE YEAR 2010. HOUSE RESOLUTION 1824 WILL ALLOW BEST BUDDIES TO CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT WORK THROUGH INCREASED PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS. IT SIMPLY AUTHORIZES THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT BEST BUDDIES TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER ASPECTS -- ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. BEST BUDDIES ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE SO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATED INTO OUR SCHOOLS, OUR WORKPLACES AND OUR GENERAL COMMUNITIES, THAT THEIR CURRENT EFFORTS AND SERVICES WILL GROW UNNECESSARY. I SHARE THAT VISION. MR. SPEAKER, ONCE AGAIN, I EXPRESS MY FULL SUPPORT FOR HOUSE RESOLUTION 1824 AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:40:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:40:08 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:40:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:40:16 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1824, THE BEST BUDDIES EMPOWERMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ACT. THIS BILL WOULD ALTOGETHER RICE FUNDING FOR BEST BUDDIES, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES MENTORS AND FRIENDS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. TO INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. I APPRECIATE MR. TONKOS COMMENTS ABOUT BULLYING. I HAVE INTRODUCED A BILL DEALING WITH BULLYING AND I GOT A LETTER FROM, NOT FROM ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS BUT SOME OTHER CONSTITUENTS OUTLINING A TERRIBLE SITUATION WHERE A YOUNG MAN WAS BULLIED SO SEVERELY HE DECIDED HE COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE AND COMMITTED SUICIDE AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. THAT'S A SORT OF TRAGEDY WE HAVE TO STOP AND BEST BUDDIES IS AN IMPORTANT WAY IN WHICH THAT CAN BE STOPPED. BEST BUDDIES WAS FOUNDED IN 1989 BY ANTHONY KENNEDY SHRIVER AS THE FIRST NATIONAL SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. SINCE THAT TIME, IT'S GROWN FROM ONE CHAPTER TO MORE THAN 1,400, EXCUSE ME, 1,400 MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. IT ALSO OPERATES PROGRAMS IN SIX CONTINENTS AROUND THE WORLD, WITH ADDITIONAL COUNTRY PROGRAMS UNDER DEVELOPMENT. BEST BUDDIES OFFERS SIX PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. BEST BUDDIES' CITIZENS PAIRS ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, WITH THEIR NONDISABLED WORKING PEERS. BEST BUDDIES' JOBS IS A SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, TARGETING HIGH-PAYING WHITE COLLAR JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. BEST BUDDIES' HIGH SCHOOLS PAIR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN ONE-ON-ONE FRIENDSHIPS WITH HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS. BEST BUDDIES' MIDDLE SCHOOLS PAIR STUDENTS WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS AND BEST BUDDIES' COLLEGES PAIR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WITH COLLEGE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS. AND THE SIXTH PROGRAM, EERVINGSBUDDIES IS A CUTTING-EDGE, ONLINE FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM. ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT RESEARCHERS, AN ESTIMATED SEVEN MILLION INDIVIDUALS, 2% OF THE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES, HAVE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHICH IMPAIR MAYOR IN ADAPTIVE SKILLS. THESE SKILLS, SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, SELF-CARE, HOME LIVING, SOCIAL -- SOCIAL SKILLS, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYMENT ARE DAILY LIVING SKILLS NEEDED TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS. THE THREE MAJOR KNOWN CAUSES OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE DOWN SIN DROLDROM, FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AND FRAGILE EGGS. WITH EARLY INTERVENTION, EFFECTIVE EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE SUPPORT INTO ADULTHOOD, MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE ABLE TO LEAD INDEPENDENT LIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. BEST BUDDIES ASSISTS IN THIS EFFORT BY BUILDING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BUDDIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. THE ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY OPERATES PROGRAMS IN 20 STATES, INCLUDING A BEST BUDDIES' COLLEGE PROGRAM AT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY WHICH IS IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, AS WELL AS FIVE OTHER UNIVERSITIES IN MICHIGAN. HOWEVER, THERE'S A GREAT NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR -- THERE ARE PROGRAMSES OPERATING IN ALL 50 STATES. THIS NEW AUTHORIZATION WOULD ASSIST THE ORGANIZATION IN GETTING DEDICATED FUNDING THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPANSION TO ALL 50 STATES. I WANT TO THANK MY GOOD FRIEND, MR. BLUNT, FOR HIS STRONG SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES THAT ASSIST STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND FOR INTRODUCING THIS LEGISLATION. I WILL GRANT HIM SOME TIME ONCE AGAIN. SO I AT THIS TIME RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:44:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:44:14 | Tonko, Paul | YES, MR. SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND, MR. HOYER, THE MAJORITY LEADER HOYER, OF THE HOUSE, WHO'S LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND I HAVE TO ALSO MAKE MENTION THAT WHEN IT COMES TO A BUDDY SYSTEM FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN, HELPING US NAVIGATE ON BEHALF OF OUR CONSTITUENTS, THERE IS A REAL FRIEND IN MAJORITY LEADER HOYER. I ASK, MR. SPEAKER, THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THIS GREAT LEADER FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 02:44:41 | Hoyer, Steny H. | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. . MR. HOYER:00 I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK FOR HIS KIND COMMENTS. I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. AIL EARNS ALSO OF COURSE MY DEAR FRIEND THE -- ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THIS HOUSE, MR. BLUNT, WHO HAS CO-SPONSORED THIS LEGISLATION WITH ME. SO MY NAME IS FIRST, BUT MR. BLUNT AND I HAVE WORKED ON THIS EFFORT TOGETHER BECAUSE WE BOTH BELIEVE IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ONE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE ADVANTAGED BY THIS PROGRAM. I'M PROUD THEREFORE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL SUPPORTING BEST BUDDIES, AN ORGANIZATION AS MR. EHLERS HAS POINTED OUT, DEDICATED TO THE SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. IT WAS FOUNDED SOME 20 YEARS AGO BY ANTHONY KENNEDY SHRIVER. BEST BUDDIES IS THE FIRST SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES. IT HAS ALREADY REACHED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS, BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES. A TOTAL THAT IS SET TO REACH A HALF A MILLION BY 2010. BEST BUDDIES, MR. SPEAKER, FOSTERS AND SUPPORTS FRIENDSHIPS AND MENTORSHIPS BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS FROM KINDKINDER GARTERS IN TO ADULT PROFESSIONALS. SPONSORING MORE THAN 1,000 VOLUNTEER-LED CHAPTERS AT SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES. NOT ONLY DO VOLUNTEERS GAIN VALUABLE LEADERSHIP TRAINING, THEY LEARN FIRSTHAND ABOUT THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. PARTICIPANTS WITH DISABILITIES LEARN THAT THEY ARE VALUABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES. CAPE ABLE, CAPABLE OF FORMING A WIDE RANGE OF REAL AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS. THIS LEGISLATION AUTHORIZES A TOTAL OF $10 MILLION FOR GRANTS, CONTRACTS OR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO BEST BUDDIES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN FISCAL YEAR 2010. ALONG WITH SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR EACH OF THE FOUR SECEDING FISCAL YEARS. THESE FUNDS WILL BE ENABLE THIS IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION TO REACH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE POTENTIAL VOLUNTEER AND PARTICIPANTS. PROMOTING THE CRUCIAL VALUES OF SHARED PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL EQUALITY. ALL OF US WILL BE ADVANTAGED BY THIS PROGRAM, NOT THOSE IMMEDIATE PARTICIPANTS ALONE, BUT ALL OF THOSE WHOSE COMMUNITIES WILL BE BETTER PLACES FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF THOSE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN BEST BUDDIES. I WANT TO THANK CONGRESSMAN BLUNT FOR CO-SPONSORING THIS BILL. HE AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS ON THIS EFFORT. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:47:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN. |
| 02:47:36 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI, MR. BLUNT. |
| 02:47:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:47:47 | Blunt, Roy | HE MAY HAVE AS MUCH TIME AS HE WISHES. . BLUNT: I THANK MR. EHLERS FOR YIELDING. I CERTAINLY WAS PLEASED TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUE FROM MARYLAND, THE MAJORITY LEADER, AS AN ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THIS BEST BUDDIES EMPOWERMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ACT. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT MR. HOYER AND I HAVE JOINED OUR -- WITH OUR COLLEAGUES TO COME TOGETHER IN A MEANINGFUL WAY IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA. WE ARE BOTH PROUD OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPORT AND EMPOWERMENT ACT IN 2004 THAT BECAME LAW DURING THE 108TH CONGRESS. THE SUCCESS STORIES OF HEALTHY ATHLETES, THE PROGRAM THAT EMERGED OUT OF THAT EFFORT, ARE REALLY THE GREAT RESULT OF WHAT WE DID AND THE REPORTS WE GET FROM SPECIAL OLYMPICS HAVE BEEN HEARTENING EVERY YEAR AS THEY -- THOSE ATHLETES COME TOGETHER. IT'S ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN SEVEN MILLION AND EIGHT MILLION AMERICANS LIVE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. IMPACTING NEARLY ONE IN EVERY 10 FAMILIES. FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS LIFE'S NOT ALWAYS WELCOMING. VERY RARELY IS IT EASY. PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE OFTEN EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY WHETHER THAT'S AT SCHOOL, IN THE WORKPLACE, OR IN THEIR COMMUNITIES SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT. SO I HAVE BEEN GLAD TO SUPPORT A PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT TODAY, BEST BUDDIES. IT'S BEEN MENTIONED IT WAS ORGANIZED 20 YEARS AGO BY ANTHONY SHRIVER, IT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP INTEGRATE PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY TO END THEIR ISOLATION, TO HELP THEM EMBARK ON PRODUCTIVE FULFILLINGING LIVES BY FINDING A BUD QUI -- BUDDY THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE DISABILITIES THEY HAD. IT WORKS WITH VOLUNTEERS TO ESTABLISH MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIPS WITH THEIR NONDISABILITY PEERS IN ORDER TO HELP INCREASE THE SELF-STEAM, CONFIDENCE, AND ABILITIES OF PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT'S ENHANCED THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS BY PROVIDING REAL AND SAFE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONE-ON-ONE FRIENDSHIPS AND NEW OPTIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT. THESE CAN OFTEN BE LIFE CHANGING EVENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND OFTEN ARE LIFE CHANGING EVENTS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. THIS IS OFTEN THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIFE THAT THEY HAVE HAD SOMEONE TO CALL THEIR FRIEND, SOMEONE TO BE THEIR FRIEND WHO DIDN'T HAVE DISABILITIES AND INTRODUCE THEM TO THE WORLD WITHOUT DISABILITIES. THIS BILL HELPS ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL IN A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT WAYS. IT AUTHORIZES THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION TO AWARD GRANTS OR CONTRACTS WITH BEST BUDDIES TO CONDUCT AND EXPAND ITS ACTIVITIES. IT HAS AN EYE ON INCREASING THE PARTICIPATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE OUTREACH PROGRAMS. THIS BILL WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD DISPELLING NEGATIVE HURTFUL STEREOTYPES AND MAKE CLEAR THE EXTRAORDINARY GIFTS THAT PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES NONETHELESS POSSESS AND WITH JUST A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE. MORE IMPORTANT, IT WILL HELP MOVE PEOPLE FROM INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES FROM THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY TO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY. I KNOW MR. HOYER, MR. EHLERS, MR. TONKO, AND I HOPE TO SEE THIS BILL ENACTED INTO LAW KNOWING IT WILL HELP RAISE THE HOPE AND DIGNITY OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND FURTHER EMPOWER THEIR FULL PARTICIPATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES PASS THIS BILL TODAY. WE INTEND TO WORK FOR ITS ENACTMENT INTO LAW AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE DIFFERENCE THAT THIS BILL, MR. SPEAKER, CAN MAKE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE. I YIELD BACK MY TIME. |
| 02:51:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK. |
| 02:51:30 | Tonko, Paul | WE HAVE NO OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MAJORITY THAT CHOOSE TO SPEAK ON THE MEASURE. SO I WOULD ASK IF THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN HAS OTHERS TO SPEAK FROM HIS -- |
| 02:51:43 | Ehlers, Vernon J. | MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS SIDE. I'LL BE HAPPY TO YIELD BACK. |
| 02:51:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 02:51:50 | Tonko, Paul | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE HOUSE RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE BEST BUDDIES IS AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REINFORCE THE EFFORTS MADE BY BEST BUDDIES AS THEY MOVE TOWARDS THE MISSION OF INTEGRATING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES INTO SOCIETY, INTO COMMUNITY IN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MEASURE. FOR THOSE REASONS I WOULD STRONGLY URGE SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND YIELD BACK MY TIME. |
| 02:52:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1824. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. |
| 02:55:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA RISE? |
| 02:55:07 | Spratt, John | PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 316, I CALL FROM THE SPEAKER'S TABLE SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NUMBER 13 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND I HAVE A MOTION AT THE DESK. |
| 02:55:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER. |
| 02:55:23 | Spratt, John | SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 13, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2010, REVISING THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 AND SETTING FORTH THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2011 THROUGH 2014. MR. SPRATT OF SOUTH CAROLINA MOVES TO STRIKE ALL AFTER THE RESOLVING CLAUSE AND INSERT THEREOF THE PROVISIONS OF HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 85 AS ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE. |
| 02:55:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS AGREED TO. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION AND AMENDMENT -- AS AMENDED IS AGREED TO. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA RISE? |
| 02:56:07 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 316, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE INSIST UPON ITS AMENDMENT TO SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 13 AND REQUEST A CONFERENCE WITH THE SENATE THEREON. |
| 02:56:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE HOUR. |
| 02:56:26 | Spratt, John | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME SO THAT MR. RYAN CAN PROCEED. |
| 02:56:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | DOES THE GENTLEMAN YIELD TIME? |
| 02:56:33 | Spratt, John | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:56:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | DOES THE GENTLEMAN YIELD HALF HIS TIME TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN? |
| 02:56:40 | Spratt, John | I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN, MY RANKING MEMBER, HALF OF THE ALLOCATED TIME, 30 MINUTES. |
| 02:56:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 MINUTES. |
| 02:56:50 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MR. SPEAKER, I BELIEVE I WILL RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND ALLOW THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO GET STARTED. |
| 02:56:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 02:57:05 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, BEFORE LEAVING HERE FOR THE SPRING VACATION, THE DISTRICT WORK PERIOD, THE HOUSE PASSED BY A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY SOME 233 AYES, THE RESOLUTION BEFORE US TODAY WHICH WE ARE MOVING TO GO TO CONFERENCE. WITH THAT RESOUNDING VOTE OF SUPPORT, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CONFERENCE CONCLUDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE BOTH MAY PROCEED WITH THE CONSIDERATION AND FLOOR DEBATE AND PASSAGE OF APPROPRIATION BILLS. I WOULD THEREFORE URGE WHILE RESERVING THE BALANCE OF MY TIME, I WOULD URGE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THIS RESOLUTION ORIGINALLY, VOTE NOW TO GO TO CONFERENCE SO WE CAN RESOLVE OUR DIFFERENCES WITH THE SENATE AND PUT BEHIND US ON A TIMELY BASIS THE BUDGET RESOLUTION FOR 2010. I RESERVE, MR. SPEAKER, THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:58:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 02:58:07 | Ryan, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FROM THE WELL OF THE HOUSE. MR. SPEAKER, WHAT WE ARE HERE TODAY IS TO MOVE THE PROCESS ALONG ON GOING TO CONFERENCE ON THE BUDGET RESOLUTIONS. I JUST SPENT THE LAST WEEK DOING 25 LISTENING SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH IS THE DISTRICT I'M PRIVILEGED TO REPRESENT. TALKING TO THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT ABOUT THE FISCAL FUTURE OF AMERICA. HOW WE JUST CHANGED -- WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF IN THE HOUSE PASSING A BUDGET RESOLUTION, THE OTHER BODY PASSING THEIR VERSION OF THE BUDGET RESOLUTION, THERE'S VERY LITTLE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET, THE HOUSE PASSED BUDGET RESOLUTION, AND THE SENATE BUDGET RESOLUTION. SO THEREFORE THIS MOVE TO GO TO CONFERENCE SHOULD NOT BE A VERY LENGTHY CONFERENCE BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO ARE VERY FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PROCESS CALLED RECONCILIATION. WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE OFTEN, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS. I SPENT A LOT OF MY TALKING WITH CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THEY THINK SORT OF WHEN YOU PASS A BUDGET RESOLUTION THE BUDGET RESOLUTION IS DONE ANDT'S PASSED. IT'S HOW IT WORKS IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURES WHICH IS A BUDGET IS A BUDGET AND PASSED AND EXECUTED. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS. NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS. . IS THE BUDGET RESOLUTION IS THE FISCAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S THE BLUE PRINTS OF WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK LIKE, HOW BIG IT SHOULD GET, WHAT IS THE FISCAL POLICY OF IT? SO WE'RE HERE DEBATING THESE BLUE PRINTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND THE BLUE PRINTS WERE APPROVED BY THE HOUSE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, BY THE SENATE AND NOW THE IDEA HERE IS TO OOTH OUT ANY DIFFERENCES, WHICH ARE VERY FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. AND THEN MOVE FORWARD TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPONENT PARTS OF THE BUDGET. SO ONCE THIS PROCESS IS DONE, THEN WE HAVE THE ARCHITECTURAL DIAGRAMS IN PLACE, THEN WE GO START BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED HERE. THE NEW CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION, NEW NATIONAL HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION, ALL THESE NEW SPENDING BILLS, THE TAX INCREASES. THAT'S WHERE CONGRESS GOES FROM HERE, WHICH IS ONCE THE BUDGET RESOLUTION'S DONE, START IMPLEMENTING THESE PIECES, THE GOAL OF WHICH IS BY THIS FALL ALL OF THIS IS IN LAW AND IS DONE. LET ME REITERATE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. JUST THE HUGE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED HERE. JUST WITH RESPECT TO THE COST OF GOVERNMENT, TO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS, OUR DEBT. THIS BUDGET PROPOSES MORE DEBT, MORE BORROWING UNDER THIS PRESIDENCY THAN ALL PRIOR PRESIDENCIES COMBINED. THIS BUDGET PROPOSES THAT OUR PUBLICLY-HELD DEBT, THE AMOUNT OF BONDS WE HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND SELL TO THE CHINESE, TO THE JAPANESE, TO OTHER PEOPLE TO CASH FLOW OUR GOVERNMENT, OUR DEBT WILL DOUBLE IN 5 1/2 YEARS AND TRIPLE IN 10 1/2 YEARS. WHAT'S MORE, WHAT THIS BUDGET SAYS WE OUGHT TO DO IS WE SHOULD CHASE EVER-HIGHER SPENDING, AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF NEW SPENDING WITH EVER-HIGHER TAXES. IT NOT ONLY PROPOSES THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN AMERICAN HISTORY, WHICH IS $1.5 TRILLION, TAXES ON ENERGY, TAXES ON INCOMES, ON SMALL BUSINESSES, ON THE VERY INVESTMENTS THAT MAKE UP OUR SAVINGS PORTFOLIOS, OUR 401-K'S, OUR PENSION PLANS, NO NOT ONLY ARE THOSE TAX INCREASES HUGE, THE SPENDING INCREASES ARE MUCH LARGER. AND SO WHAT THESE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS DO, WHAT THIS BLUE PRINT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS SENT TO CONGRESS, THAT CONGRESS IS NOT IN THE MIDST OF RUBBER STAMPING DO IS IT SAYS, LET'S HAVE THIS UNPRECEDENTED GUSHER OF NEW SPENDING, LET'S CHASE IT WITH HIGHER TAXES, THOSE TAXES NEVER QUITE CATCH UP WITH THE SPENDING AND THE RESULT IS AN UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN OUR NATIONAL DEBT. MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS HOW YOU END PROSPERITY IN AMERICA. NAME ME A GREAT COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE STANDARDS OF LIVING, INCREASE JOBS, INCREASE PROSPERITY, WHERE THEY INCREASE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, THE TAXES OF GOVERNMENT, THE BORROWING OF GOVERNMENT LIKE THIS. THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED SPENDING, TAXING AND BORROWING SPREE WHICH WE SIMPLY DO NOT STAND FOR, WHICH WE SIMPLY CAN'T GO ALONG WITH AND I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO ONE OTHER POINT. THIS UNPRECEDENTED BORROWING SPREE IS DONE IN THE FACE OF AN ALREADY BLEAK FISCAL FUTURE FOR THIS COUNTRY. THIS IS AN AD THAT'S BEEN TAKEN NOW THE MANY NEWSPAPERS ACROSS AMERICA BY THE PETER G. PETERSON FOUNDATION. A NONPARTISAN ADVOCACY GROUP THAT SAYS AMERICA SHOULD GET ITS FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. IT JUST SHOWS THIS TIP OF THE ICEBERG. TODAY'S ECONOMIC CRISIS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. WHAT THIS SAYS IS, RIGHT NOW, TO PAY THE BILLS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, RIGHT NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS THAT EVERYBODY HAVE COME TO KNOW, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, RIGHT NOW, THOSE THREE PROGRAMS ALONE SHOW US A $56 TRILLION UNFUNDED LIABILITY. WHAT THAT MEANS IS, FOR EVERYBODY IN AMERICA TODAY, MY MOTHER'S GENERATION, MY GENERATION, MY CHILDRENS' GENERATION, MY CHILDREN ARE 4, 5 AND 7 YEARS OLD, FOR US TO PAY THE BILLS OF ALL THE GOVERNMENT PROMISES THAT ARE BEING MADE TO THESE THREE GENERATIONS, TODAY WE WOULD HAVE TO SET ASIDE $OF A 56 -- $56 TRILLION, INVESTED AT TREASURY RATES, IN ORDER TO JUST MAKE SURE THESE PROGRAMS ARE SOLVENT. IT'S AN ENORMOUS FISCAL LIABILITY. RATHER THAN TACKLING THIS PROBLEM, RATHER THAN CONFRONTING AMERICA'S FISCAL WRECK THAT'S COMING, RATHER THAN GETTING US UNDER CONTROL, WHAT DOES THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION DO? IT MAKES IT WORSE. IT ADDS MORE DEBT ON TOP OF THIS DEBT. IT IS SAYING, NEVER MIND THE FACT THAT ALL THESE PROGRAMS ARE GOING INSOLVENT, NEVER MIND THE FACT THAT WE'RE NOT PREPARED FOR THE BABY BOOMERS, NEVER MIND THE FACT THAT TODAY THE PER HOUSEHOLD DEBT IS $483,000 PER HOUSEHOLD. FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN AMERICA, RIGHT NOW TODAY, THEY OWE $483,000 JUST TO PAY THE BILLS WE'VE ALREADY WRAPPED UP THAT ARE UNPAID FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE MAJORITY WANTS TO WHAT? NOT FIX IT, BUT MAKE IT WORSE. RATHER THAN GETTING SPENDING UNDER CONTROL, IT GOES OUT OF CONTROL. I MEAN, THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY THIS YEAR ALONE GETS $-- 124% INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGET. ON AND ON AND ON THE SPENDING GOES. RATHER THAN GETTING TAXES UNDER CONTROL, SO ENTREPRENEURS CAN KEEP MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN, SO SMALL BUSINESSES, THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF AMERICA, HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO GO BACK TO WORK TO HIRE PEOPLE, NOT TO LAY PEOPLE OFF, TAXES GO OUT OF CONTROL. AND RATHER THAN TACKLING THIS CHALLENGE OF DEBT, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? THEY'RE ACCELERATING OUR INCREASE OF DEBT. ACCELERATING THE FACT THAT $483,000 PER FAMILY ARE OWED TODAY AND MAKES IT MUCH, MUCH WORSE. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT IS FREEDOM. THE QUESTION REALLY BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TODAY IS, WITH THE GOVERNMENT TAKING MORE AND MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET, WITH THE GOVERNMENT GROWING AND MAKING MORE AND MORE DECISIONS HERE IN WASHINGTON, WITH THE GOVERNMENT MAKING THE DECISIONS ON HOW YOUR HEALTH CARE IS TO BE DELIVERED, RATHER THAN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR MAKING THE DECISION, WITH THE GOVERNMENT TAKING OVER THE ENERGY SECTOR, THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR, 25% OF OUR ECONOMY, WITH THE GOVERNMENT SAYING TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE MORE MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET IN ORDER TO PAY THE BILLS, IN ORDER TO BORROW THE MONEY, YOU HAVE LESS FREEDOM. AND THIS JUST SHOWS YOU HOW THE PRESIDENT AND THE MAJORITY HERE IN CONGRESS ARE PROPOSING A DRAMATIC AND RADICAL NEW INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT WAY BEYOND WHERE WE HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN. I ASK THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, BEFORE THIS BUDGET CAME DUE, WHAT WILL THE TAX RATES ON MY THREE CHILDREN HAVE TO BE IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FINANCE ALL THIS GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT THROUGH TAXES WHICH ULTIMATELY MUST HAPPEN? IF THE GOVERNMENT'S TO SPEND BEYOND ITS MEANS BY BORROWING, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK THROUGH HIGHER TAXES. AND THAT'S THE NEXT GENERATION. AND THE ANSWERS I GOT FROM THE NONPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE KEEP ME AWAKE AT NIGHT. AS I MENTION, I'M IN MY LATE 30'S. MY KIDS ARE 4, 5 AND 7 YEARS OLD AND WHAT THEY SAID IS REALLY SCARY. THEY SAID THAT BY THE TIME MY THREE KIDS ARE MY AGE, IN ORDER TO PAY THESE BILLS THAT THEY'RE RACKING UP FOR THEM, THE LOWEST TAX BRACKET IN AMERICA TODAY, THE 10% BRACKET, WOULD HAVE TO GO UP TO 25%. THE MIDDLE INCOME TAX BRACKET FOR MIDDLE INCOME TAXPAYERS WOD HAVE TO GO TO 66% INCOME TAX RATE AND THE TOP TAX BRACKET, THE ONE THAT THE SMALL BUSINESSES PAY WOULD GO TO 88%. THAT'S THE ENDING OF AMERICA. THAT'S THE END OF PROSPERITY. THAT IS SEVERING THE LEGACY OF THIS COUNTRY. AND THE LEGACY OF THIS COUNTRY IS THAT EACH GENERATION TAKES ITS CHALLENGES SERIOUSLY, FIXES THOSE PROBLEMS SO THAT THEY BEQUEATH ONTO THE NEXT GENERATION A MORE PROSPEROUS, A MORE SECURE AMERICA. WE ARE AT RISK FOR SEVERING THAT LEGACY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY. IF WE CON SIGN TO THE NEXT GENERATION THAT -- CONSIGN TO THE NEXT GENERATION THAT BURDEN OF DEBT, THAT INCREASE IN TAX RATES, THERE IS NO WAY WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICANS. BUT THE MATTER IS EVEN MORE URGENT THAN THAT. THE MATTER IS URGENT TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE IN THE WORST RECESSION WE'VE SEEN SINCE THE 1940'S. IT'S A GLOBAL RECESSION. AND THE QUESTION WE OUGHT TO BE ASKING OURSELVES -- SHOULD WE BE RAISING ALL THESE TAXES IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION? SHOULD WE BE RAISING THE ENERGY FEES ON CONSUMERS BY ANYWHERE FROM $1,600 TO $3,500 A YEAR IN A RECESSION? SHOULD WE BE RAISING TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH CREATE MOST OF OUR JOBS IN A RECESSION? SHOULD WE BE RAISING TAXES ON THE ASSETS THAT MAKE UP OUR PENSION PLANS, OUR CHILDREN'S 401-K PLANS, THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION PLANS, OUR I.R.A.'S, IN A RECESSION? OF COURSE NOT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S PRECISELY WHAT THE PRESIDENT AND THIS BUDGET DOES. THIS IS A HUGE MOMENT FOR AMERICA. IT'S A MOMENT WHERE AMERICA -- AND AMERICANS MAY NOT KNOW THIS BECAUSE THEY'RE GREASING THIS THICK THROUGH SO FAST -- IT'S -- THING THROUGH SO FAST -- IT'S A MOMENT WHERE AMERICA MAY ABANDON ITS TIMES IDEAS THAT BUILT THIS COUNTRY, THE IDEA THAT THE GOAL OF GOVERNMENT IS TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS AND EQUALIZE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL SO PEOPLE CAN STATE THEIR CLAIM AND MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR LIVES. AND REPLACE THAT WITH MORE OF A EUROPEANIZED NOTION, WHERE WE TRY TO MICROMANAGE THE RESULTS OF PEOPLE'S LIVES, WHERE PEOPLE ARE LESS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LIBBLET AND MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY. WE BELIEVE IN HAVING A SAFETY NET TO HELP PEOPLE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES. WE BELIEVE IN HAVING A SAFETY NET TO HELP PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE DOWN ON THEIR LUCK BUT WE REJECT THE PHILOSOPHY AND THE APPROACH OF THIS BUDGET WHICH SAYS WE NEED TO HAVE MORE THAN THAT. WE NEED TO HAVE A SOCIETY WHERE MORE AND MORE AMERICANS BECOME DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF FOR THEIR OWN WELL-BEING. WE WANT PEOPLE TO MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL. WE WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR LIVES. WE DON'T WANT TO LULL PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE BECOMING MORE AND MORE DEPENDENT UPON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE SEEN WHAT THOSE IDEAS DO. WE SEE THEM ON DISPLAY IN FOREIGN CAPITALS ALL AROUND THE WORLD. HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT, LOWER STANDARD OF LIVING, STAGNANT WAGES, DECAYING SOCIETIES. THAT'S NOT AMERICA. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS. IT'S NOT THE IDEA OF AMERICA. WE WANT THE IDEA OF AMERICA THAT WE'VE KNOWN FOR THE 20TH CENTURY TO BE THE IDEA OF AMERICA IN THE 21ST CENTURY. THAT'S WHAT THIS BUDGET IS ABOUT. THAT'S WHAT THIS BLUE PRINT OR ARCHITECTURE WE'RE DEBATING HERE TODAY IS REALLY ALL ABOUT. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:10:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:10:46 | Spratt, John | I WOULD REMIND MY FRIEND AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA CAME TO OFFICE LESS THAN 100 DAYS AGO. AND WHEN HE CAME HE FOUND ON THE DOORSTEP AWAITING HIM A BUDGET THAT WAS DEEP IN DEFICIT , BY ALL CALCULATION, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT LEAST $1 TRILLION OF THE DEFICIT WE ARE NOW STRUGGLING WITH. TRYING TO RESOLVE AND WORK DOWN IN THE BUDGET BEFORE US. $1. 3 TRILLION OUT OF A PROJECTED DEFICIT THIS YEAR OF $1.7 TRILLION. THE ECONOMY, THE WORST SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION, HAPPENED ON THE WATCH OF PRESIDENT BUSH. HE CAN'T ESCAPE IT. HE WAS IN OFFICE EIGHT YEARS AND IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDST OF HIS TENURE IN OFFICE. THE DEBT ACCUMULATION DURING THAT ADMINISTRATION DUE TO THE DEFICITS THAT STEADILY RACKED UP ALMOST EVERY YEAR SINCE THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, THE DEFICIT ADDED OVER $5 TRILLION TO THE DEBT OF THE UNITED STATES. AND TO DEAL WITH THE CONDITIONS IN OUR ECONOMY AND TO KEEP THIS ECONOMY FROM SLIPPING INTO A DOWNWARD DEATH SPIRAL, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TOOK SOME AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS AND I THINK RIGHTLY SO, SUCH AS THE TARP, DEALING WITH TROUBLED ASSET PROGRAMS. THEY UNDERTOOK A NUMBER OF THESE REMEDIAL ACTIONS AT SIGNIFICANT COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I DON'T FAULT THEM FOR THAT. THEY DID WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE ECONOMY FROM GOING DEEPER INTO THE RUT. BUT WE ARE HERE LIVING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT. ONE REASON WE HAVE THE -- THE MAJOR REASON WE HAVE A DEFICIT SO SWOLLEN IS NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN WITH THE ADOPTION OF THIS BUDGET, THIS BUDGET WORKS THE DEFICIT DOWN. IT'S BECAUSE OF WHAT DID HAPPEN DURING EIGHT YEARS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WHEN WE FINALLY ENDED UP WITH THE WORST RECESSION SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION. SO WE'RE DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION HERE TODAY AND WE HAVE A BUDGET WHICH BUILDS UPON THE BUDGET SENT TO US BY PRESIDENT OBAMA. IT TAKES THE DEFICIT FROM WHERE IT IS, $1.7 TRILLION THIS YEAR AND REDUCES IT TO $586 BILLION WITHIN FOUR YEARS. NOW I'D LIKE TO SEE IT GO FURTHER. BEYOND THAT. BUT WE'VE GIVEN THE HOUSE AND THE CONGRESS A FIVE-YEAR BUDGET THAT WILL PUT US ON A PATH DOWNWARD FROM $1.7 TRILLION TO $586 BILLION BY 2013 AND PERHAPS EVEN BETTER BY 2014. I THINK WE SHOULD GO FURTHER. WE'VE GOT TO GO FURTHER. I'LL BE E FIRST TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT O.M.B.'S PROJECTIONS OF THE 10 YEARS LYING AHEAD OF US, IN THE SECOND FIVE-YEAR PERIOD THAT HAVE 10-YEAR SPAN, IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME, THE DEFICIT STARTS GOING BACK UP AGAIN. WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. BUT WE CAN BEST MAKE THE POLICY THAT WILL ADDRESS THAT SECOND FIVE-YEAR PERIOD WHEN WE'RE OUT OF THIS ECONOMY, WE'RE STANDING ON FIRMER GROUND THAT WE ARE TODAY AND WE KNOW A BIT MORE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ECONOMY AND THE BUDGET THAN WE DO AT THIS POINT IN TIME. AND IN THE MEANTIME WHAT WE'RE DOING IN PRESCRIBING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS A BUDGET THAT WILL GO DOWN, DOWN, DOWN FROM $1.7 TRILLION TO $586 BILLION. I SAY THAT'S A RESPONSIBLE, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET. SO DID THE HOUSE. WHEN THIS MEASURE WAS BEFORE US, BEFORE WE LEFT FOR THE EASTER PASSOVER BREAK, WHEN THIS MEASURE WAS BEFORE US, THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, 233 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE VOTED TO PASS OUR RESOLUTION, OUR BUDGET RESOLUTION WHICH NOW COMES BEFORE US ON A MOTION WE GO TO CONFERENCE. MR. RYAN, HIS SIDE PRESENTED, THE REPUBLICANS PRESENTED TWO BUDGET ALTERNATIVES. ONE RECEIVED 137 VOTES -- 137 VOTES, THAT'S 80 VOTES LESS THAN A MAJORITY, 293 NOES. THE OTHER RECEIVED 111 VOTES. WE RECEIVED 233 VOTES. I THINK THE HOUSE HAS SPOKEN, SPOKEN RESOUNDINGLY. THEY READ THE DEBATE THEN. THEY DECIDED THIS IS A BETTER WAY TO GO. THIS IS A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET BECAUSE IT TAKES US OVER THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO A MUCH, MUCH LOWER BUDGET. SOMETHING WE CAN DO BECAUSE THIS BUDGET IS SWOLLEN, $1,287,000,000 IS UNTOLERABLE. IT'S SWOLLEN BY ACTIONS TAKEN THAT ARE COUNTERSICK LICKLE IN ORDER TO GET -- COUNTERCYCLICAL IN ORDER TO GET US OUT OF THE CHALLENGE. YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT TAX CUTS, BUT READ THE COMMITTEE REPORT AND YOU'LL SEE IN SHORT SUMMARY EXACTLY SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES OF THIS PARTICULAR BILL. IF YOU READ THE VERY LAST PAGE YOU'LL SEE THAT OUR BUDGET RESOLUTION CALLS FOR REDUCING REVENUES, TAX CUTS. PROVIDED UNDER THE C.B.O. BASELINE FORECAST OF THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES $613 BILLION OVER THE FIRST FIVE YEARS AND $1,480,000,000 IN TOTAL TAX REDUCTION. WE'VE BEEN TAUNTED IN THE PAST BY SAYING WHEN WE CAME TO POWER WE WOULDN'T CONTINUE THE MIDDLE INCOME TAX CUTS. WE WOULD ALLOW THEM TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2009, AS IT WOULD EXPIRE. WE CONTINUE THOSE TAX CUTS. THE 10% BRACKET, WHICH IS A BIG TAX CUTS FOR MANY WORKING AMERICANS, THE CHILD TAX CREDITS, AWFUL THESE PRESERVE AND EXTEND AND INCLUDING THE ESTATE TAX. WE SIMPLY SAY LEAVE IT IN PLACE AS IT IS IN 2009 OR 2010. THAT IS $3.5 PER DECEDENT EXEMPTION, $7 MILLION FOR A COUPLE, AWFUL THESE THINGS ARE IN THE PACKAGE BEFORE US. THAT'S WHY IT RECEIVED A RESOUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSE JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. AND WHY IT IS A BETTER CHOICE AND WHY WE NEED NOW TO FINISH THE WORK WE BEGAN TO GO ON TO CONFERENCE AND TO ADOPT A CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION WHICH WILL BE THE RULING LAW OF THIS -- FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 03:17:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 03:17:32 | Ryan, Paul | MAY I INQUIRE AS TO HOW MUCH REMAINS FROM THE TWO SIDES, MR. SPEAKER? |
| 03:17:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN HAS 18 MINUTES. AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA 22 1/2. |
| 03:17:42 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MR. SPEAKER, I WILL YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE VICE RANKING MEMBER OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. HENSARLING. |
| 03:17:49 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:17:54 | Hensarling, Jeb | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. I CAN THINK OF NO GREATER ACT OF IRRESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HERE AND NOW TO TAKE THIS BUDGET TO CONFERENCE. THIS IS A BUDGET THAT WILL PLACE MORE DEBT, MORE DEBT ON OUR NATION IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS THAN WAS RUN UP IN THE PREVIOUS 220. THAT'S RIGHT, MR. SPEAKER. THIS BUDGET, THIS BUDGET IS LAYING THE FRAMEWORK FOR MORE DEBT TO BE PLACED ON OUR NATION IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS THAN WAS PLACED IN THE PREVIOUS 220. NOW, I MUST ADMIT I FIND IT SOMEWHAT AMUSING THAT EVERY TIME ONE OF MY FRIENDS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, INCLUDING THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, COMES TO THE FLOOR TO DEBATE, THEY ALWAYS WANT TO PLAY THE BLAME GAME, MR. SPEAKER. THEY ALWAYS WANT TO POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEBODY ELSE. WELL, LAST -- AND THEY SPEAK OF, WELL, THERE'S THIS PROBLEM THAT WAS INHERITED. WELL, MAYBE THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA INHERITED BUT HE INHERITED IT FROM A DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED CONGRESS. WHEN THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER CONGRESS, THE DEFICIT STOOD AT $161 BILLION. NOW WE KNOW IN JUST TWO SHORT YEARS, TWO SHORT YEARS WE'RE LOOKING AT A BUDGET DEFICIT OF $1.8, A 10-FOLD INCREASE, MR. SPEAKER. YEAH, THAT'S A CHALLENGE INHERITED BY THE PRESIDENT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS. BUT TO BE FAIR TO THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS HE'S REALLY ONLY INHERITING A $1.3 TRILLION BUDGET DEFICIT FROM THEM. HE'S ADDING ABOUT HALF A TRILLION OF IT HIMSELF TO GET TO THE $1.8 TRILLION FIGURE. WHEN THE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF CONGRESS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STOOD AT 4.4%. NOW IT'S OVER 8%, ALMOST DOUBLE. WHEN THE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF CONGRESS THE DOW STOOD AT 12,400. I NEED NOT TELL ANYBODY IN THIS CHAMBER THAT IT'S DOWN ALMOST 40% NOW. NOW, I DON'T BLAME MY COLLEAGUES FOR EVERY SINGLE WOE THAT HAS -- THAT OUR NATION FACES TODAY, BUT THEY SEEMINGLY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY AND SEEMINGLY ARE MORE INTERESTED IN POINTING THE FINGER THAN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. AND WHEN THEY SO-CALLED TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ALL WE HAVE IS A BORROW, TAX AND SPEND BUDGET. BORROW, TAX AND SPEND. THAT'S WHAT THIS BUDGET IS ALL ABOUT. AND AS HISTORY AS MY GUIDE, MR. SPEAKER, NO NATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD HAS BEEN ABLE TO BORROW AND SPEND ITS WAY INTO PROSPERITY. MANY HAVE TRIED, INCLUDING OUR OWN. IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION, HENRY MORGAN THALL SAID, QUOTE, WE ARE TRYING TO SPEND MONEY. WE'RE SPENDING MORE THAN WE'VE EVER SPENT AND IT HAS NOT WORKED. AFTER EIGHT YEARS WE HAVE JUST AS MUCH UNEMPLOYMENT WHEN WE STARTED AND ENORMOUS DEBT TO BOOT. THAT WAS AFTER WORLD WAR II, AFTER 10 YEARS. WE REMEMBER JAPAN'S LAST DECADE. AN INDUSTRIALIZED ECONOMY NOT UNLIKE THEIR OWN THEY HAD A REAL ESTATE BUBBLE BURST ON THEM IN THE EARLY 1990'S. THEY PASSED EIGHT DIFFERENT SO-CALLED GOVERNMENT STIMULUS BILLS IN 10 YEARS. IN 10 YEARS THEY CREATED NO NEW JOBS, NO NEW ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND THEIR PER CAPITA INCOME WENT FROM SECOND, SECOND IN THE WORLD TO 10TH IN THE WORLD. NOW, HOW MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THAT NATION WERE NEVER ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE, NEVER ABLE TO START A NEW BUSINESS, NEVER ABLE TO OWN A HOME BECAUSE OF THE DEBT PLACED ON THAT NATION? AS "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WROTE ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE, AND LET ME SAY "THE NEW YORK TIMES," NOT RUSH LIMBAUGH, NOT "THE NATIONAL REVIEW," IN A RECENT ARTICLE THEY SAID, QUOTE, IN THE TWO DECADES JAPAN ACCUMULATED THE LARGEST PUBLIC DEBT IN THE WORLD. THIS HAS LED MANY TO CONCLUDE THAT JAPAN LEFT AN ENORMOUS TAX BURDEN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT GOES ON TO SAY, THE ARTICLE FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AMONG ORDINARY JAPANESE THE SPENDING IS WIDELY DISPARAGED FROM HAVING TURN THE NATION INTO A PUBLIC WORKS-BASED WELFARE STATE MAKING REGIONAL ECONOMIES DEPENDENT ON TOKYO FOR JOBS. MR. SPEAKER, WE NEED TO LEARN FROM OUR NEIGHBOR'S HISTORY, WE NEED TO LEARN FROM OUR OWN HISTORY. THIS IS A BUDGET THAT WILL NOT ONLY SPEND TOO MUCH AND TAX TOO MUCH BUT PLACE A LEVEL OF BURDEN OF DEBT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNCONSCIONABLE. EVEN PRIOR TO THIS HORRENDOUS BUDGET WE ARE ON TRACK TO HAVE TO DOUBLE TAXES, DOUBLE TAXES ON THE NEXT GENERATION JUST TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. THIS IS A BUDGET THAT WILL TRIPLE, TRIPLE THE NATIONAL DEBT IN JUST 10 YEARS AND RUN UP MORE DEBT IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS THAN THE PREVIOUS 220. NOW, MR. SPEAKER, I RARELY USE THE WORD IMMORAL IN POLITICAL DEBATE, BUT I THINK PLACING THAT LEVEL OF DEBT ON MY 7-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, MY 5-YARD LINE SON AND ALL THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA, THIS BUDGET SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN TO CONFERENCE. |
| 03:23:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:23:24 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CONNECTICUT, MS. DELAURO. |
| 03:23:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:23:35 | DeLauro, Rosa | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND A BUDGET THAT ADDRESSES OUR NATION'S PRIORITIES, CONFRONTS OUR ECONOMIC CRISIS TODAY AND MAKES CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR LONG-TERM GROWTH. WITH THIS BUDGET WE HAVE LAID OUT A CLEAR PATH TO CUT THE DEFICIT BY NEARLY 2/3, TO CUT TAXES FOR MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS. IT REDUCES WASTEFUL SPENDING WHILE MAKING LONG OVERDUE INVESTMENTS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK. THE TRUTH IS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT. FAILURE TO REFORM AND INVEST HAVE PRODUCED EIGHT YEARS OF THE SLOWEST GROWTH IN 3/4 OF A CENTURY. EVERY DAY I HEAR STORIES FROM MY CONSTITUENTS. A SINGLE MOTHER WHO LOST HER JOB AND THE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE THAT WENT WITH IT. NOW, SHE FIGHTS DAILY JUST TO MAKE SURE HER CHILDREN CAN GET THE CARE THEY NEED TO STAY HEALTHY. THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT IN A MARKET WHERE CREDIT HAS BECOME SO TIGHT SIMPLY MAKING PAYROLL IS NOT A SURE THING. THE STUDENT WHO EXCELLED IN SCHOOL WON'T BE GOING TO COLLEGE BECAUSE HE OR SHE CANNOT AFFORD IT. AND THE HOMEOWNER WHO WORKED AND SAVED AND DID EVERYTHING RIGHT BUT STILL FINDS HIMSELF OR HERSELF UNDERWATER ON THE VERGE OF FORECLOSURE. OUR NATION OWES ITS CITIZENS FAR BETTER. THERE WILL BE NO GROWTH, NO OPPORTUNITY AND NO JOBS UNLESS WE INVEST IN OUR FUTURE. WE CANNOT FIX OUR ECONOMY UNLESS WE TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TO CREATE JOBS, TRANSITION TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY, MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND IMPROVE EDUCATION. PURSUE TRUE REFORM, GET THE BIG THINGS RIGHT AND FOCUS ON OUR NATIONAL PRIORITIES. FOCUS ON HEALTH CARE BY ADDRESSING THE BURDENS THAT THE CURRENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PLACES ON FAMILIES. AIMING TO IMPROVE QUALITY, EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF HEALTH CARE IN ORDER TO CONTROL COSTS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO EXPAND ACCESS. THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WORK FOR EVERYONE, BUT ONE THING IS CLEAR. THIS IS OUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY. THIS BUDGET IS AN ESSENTIAL FIRST STEP TO ENSURE QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. IT GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO GIVE PEOPLE REAL CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR HEALTH CARE. THE CHOICE TO KEEP WHAT THEY HAVE NOW OR TO HAVE A NEW CHOICE OF A PRIVATE OR PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN. FOCUS ON EDUCATION, THE KEY TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. WHEN TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE NOT PREPARED TO COMPETE OR WHEN OUR REGION'S WORK FORCE DOES NOT MEET THE DEMANDS OF OUR EMPLOYERS, OUR ENTIRE NATION SUFFERS. THIS BUDGET INCREASES FUNDS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, CREATES A NEW TAX CREDIT TO HELP COVER COLLEGE COSTS AND RAISING THE PELL GRANT AWARD. FOCUS ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BECAUSE FROM RISING PRICES TO RISING TEMPERATURES TO THE DANGEROUS ACTIONS OF HOSTILE REGIMES ABROAD, ONE THING IS CLEAR. IF WE DO NOT TAKE ACTION, YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY, NOT TO MENTION THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, WILL FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. THIS BUDGET BUILDS A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING NEW ENERGY AND JOBS, MODERNIZING THE ELECTRICITY GRID TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT, SECURE AND RELIABLE, INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND HELPING MAKE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT. FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE TO CREATE JOBS TO TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY PROJECTS, MAINTAINING HIGHWAYS, REBUILDING BRIDGES, TRANSIT, WATER SYSTEMS. THIS BUDGET LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR OUR NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE BANK TO GIVE THESE PROJECTS THE PRIORITY THEY DESERVE AND THE LEVERAGE RESOURCES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR IMFACT -- IMPACT ALL TO CREATE NEW JOBS THAT CANNOT BE OUTSOURCED IN KEEPING OUR NATION COMPETITIVE. NO MATTER WHERE WE FOCUS OUR GOALS ARE CLEAR. TO MOVE FROM RECOVERY TO GROWTH. THIS BUDGET BUILDS ON THE POWERFUL DOWN PAYMENT WE MADE WITH THE RECOVERY PACKAGE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED INTO LAW THIS SPRING. MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND BEHIND THIS RESPONSIBLE BUDGET. IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF A STRONG ECONOMY. TRUE REFORM AND FUTURE GROWTH. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:27:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:27:52 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. ANDREWS, FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:27:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:28:01 | Andrews, Robert | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 03:28:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 03:28:08 | Andrews, Robert | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THIS DEBATE REALLY IS VERY TIMELY BECAUSE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN THE MINDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS THE ECONOMIC CRISIS. AND ALTHOUGH WE USE THE LANGUAGE OF THE BUDGET WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT HERE IS WHETHER TO ATO WANT OR NOT ADOPT A PLAN TO FIX THE ECONOMIC CRISIS FACING THE COUNTRY. LITERALLY THE MOTION WE'RE DEBATING RIGHT NOW IS WHETHER TO TRY TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SENATE ABOUT THAT PLAN. AND WE'LL TAKE A VOTE ON WHETHER TO GO FORWARD OR NOT. I HOPE EVERYBODY VOTES TO GO FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS. BUT I ASSUME, MR. SPEAKER, THE MINORITY'S NOT REALLY DEBATING THE PROCESS. THEY'RE DEBATING THE SUBSTANCE AND THAT'S GOOD AND THAT'S WELCOME. I THINK FOR US TO FIX THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS WE NEED TO DO THREE THINGS AND THE PRESIDENT HAS STEPPED FORWARD TO TRY TO DO THESE THREE THINGS. THE FIRST IS TO GET THE ECONOMY KICK-STARTED IN THE SHORT RUN. THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PUT CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BACK TO WORK, IT WOULD HELP FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS WITH THEIR DOWN PAYMENT FOR A NEW HOME, IT WOULD LET PEOPLE DEDUCT THE SALES TAX WHEN THEY BUY A CAR OR TRUCK, IT WOULD STOP THE HEMORRHAGING OF LAYOFFS FROM SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY BY A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN FEDERAL AID TO SCHOOLS. AND WE PASSED THAT. AND IT'S ABOUT TWO MONTHS OLD -- 2 MONTHS OLD AND WE'RE HOPING THAT IT WILL WORK. THE SECOND LEG OF RECOVERY IS TO STOP THE MELTDOWN OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM. YOU KNOW, THE TWO PARTIES CAME TOGETHER IN THE FALL AND PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL, VERY EASY TO VOTE AGAINST. TO TRY TO RESCUE THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND THE BANKING SYSTEM, NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF BANKS BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF BORROWERS AND DEPOSITORS AND ALL OF US WHO DEPEND UPON THE BANKING SYSTEM. AND THE NEW SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY HAS GONE FORWARD WITH A DIFFERENT VERSION OF HOW TO IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN AND IT'S PLAYING OUT IN THE MARKETPLACE. AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT PLAN WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. THE THIRD PIECE OF THE RECOVERY PLAN IS A LONG-TERM PLAN TO DEAL WITH THE LONG-TERM PROBLEMS OF THE COUNTRY. THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED A WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF BORROWING TOO MUCH MONEY TO RUN THE COUNTRY. AND WE PASSED IN THE HOUSE A BUDGET THAT CUTS THE DEFICIT BY 2/3. AND WE HOPE IT WILL STIMULATE THE ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT WILL PAY DOWN THE DEBT AS WE DID IN THE 1990'S. THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED A PLAN THAT WOULD START US TOWARD FIXING OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. TO CONTROL COSTS FOR BUSINESS AND FAMILIES SO THAT THE GROWTH OF HEALTH CARE COSTS IS REDUCED AND SUBDUED. THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED -- AND THAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET. THE PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED A PLAN TO DEAL WITH OUR ENERGY DEPENDENCY UPON IMPORTED FOREIGN OIL. AND ALTHOUGH THE SPECIFICS OF THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET, THIS HOUSE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WILL TAKE UP THAT DEBATE AND WILL EITHER PASS IT OR NOT. AND FINALLY THE PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT IMPROVING THE JOB SKILLS OF OUR WORKERS SO WE ARE MORE COMPETITIVE IN GLOBAL ECONOMIC COMPETITION WITH SOME MAJOR REFORMS IN THE WAY WE PAY FOR GETTING A COLLEGE OR HIGHER EDUCATION. NOW, YOU CAN DISAGREE WITH THE WAY THE PRESIDENT WENT ABOUT THESE OBJECTIVES. I THINK WHAT YOU CAN'T DO IS PROPOSE ESSENTIALLY NOTHING AS AN ALTERNATIVE AND I KNOW THERE WERE ALTERNATIVES ON THE FLOOR DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, BUT THE REALITY IS, THE MINORITY HAS KIND OF SET ITSELF UP HERE TO TELL US WHAT IT'S AGAINST. AND I RESPECT THAT -- ITS AGAINST. AND I RESPECT. THAT. WE'RE FOR SOMETHING -- AND I RESPECT THAT. WE'RE FOR SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT. WE'RE FOR SOMETHING THAT REDUCES THE DEFICIT BY 2/3. WE'RE FOR A PLAN THAT STOPS THE HEMORRHAGING FROM OUR POCKETBOOKS AND AMERICA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WE WANT TO DEBATE AND EVENTUALLY ADOPTION -- ADOPT A PLAN THAT WILL TERMINATE OUR ADDICTION TO IMPORTED OIL. WE'RE FOR A PLAN THAT RAISES THE SKILLS AND ASPIRATIONS OF EVERY WORKER, EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THIS COUNTRY. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE FOR. AND WE WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH THE OTHER BODY AND WITH THE PRESIDENT AND HOPEFULLY WITH THE OTHER PARTY IN A WAY THAT WILL IMPLEMENT A PLAN THAT WILL MAKE THIS ECONOMY RECOVER. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. SHOULD WE OR SHOULD WE NOT GO FORWARD WITH A PLAN THAT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY RECOVER? WE'VE LAID OUT OUR IDEAS. WE BELIEVE IN THEM. WE THINK THE TRACK RECORD SHOWS THAT THEY WORK. THERE REALLY ARE TWO COMPETING SETS OF IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO FIX THE ECONOMY. THE MINORITY BELIEVES THAT MASSIVE REDUCTIONS IN TAXES FOR THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS AND DEREGULATION OF THE ECONOMY WILL PRODUCE PROSPERITY FOR ALL. WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT. WE THINK THAT LOWER DEFICITS, INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, INFRASTRUCTURE, SENSIBLE REGULATION OF THE MARKETPLACE WILL PRODUCE PROSPERITY FOR ALL. THERE'S A RECORD, THERE'S A RECORD, MR. SPEAKER. THEIR MEGGED ODD, TRIED IN THE LAST -- METHOD, TRIED IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS HAS FRANKLY LED US TO THE ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE WE'RE EXPERIENCING TODAY. OUR METHOD, BY AND LARGE TRIED IN THE 1990'S, LED TO A VERY DIFFERENT RESULT. FOR EVERY ONE JOB -- I WOULD ASK THE GENTLEMAN FOR ONE MORE MINUTE. |
| 03:33:23 | Spratt, John | I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE LEFT? |
| 03:33:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | 13 1/2 MINUTES. |
| 03:33:30 | Spratt, John | I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE. |
| 03:33:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:33:35 | Andrews, Robert | I THANK THE CHAIRMAN AND THE SPEAKER. FOR EVERY ONE JOB THAT THEIR STRATEGY PRODUCED, OURS PRODUCED 108. FOR EVERY DOLLAR OF ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT THEIR STRATEGY PRODUCED, OURS PRODUCED $1.69. A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY DURING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS SAW THEIR PURCHASING POWER DROP BY $500. AT LEAST. COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS EIGHT YEARS AGO. I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME BUT I'LL TAKE SOME OF YOURS. AND FINALLY THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY DURING OUR STRATEGY BEING INVOKED SAW PURCHASING POWER FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES INCREASE BY OVER $5,000. THAT'S THE RECORD. THAT'S THE CHOICE. LET'S GET ON WITH IT. AND GO TO CONVERSATION. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:34:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 03:34:29 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW ENGLAND, -- NEW JERSEY, MR. GARRETT. |
| 03:34:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:34:39 | Garrett, Scott | I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY BECAUSE HE HAS MADE THAT SAME STATEMENT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON THE FLOOR WITH REGARD TO HOW MANY MORE JOBS WOULD BE PRODUCED UNDER THEIR BUDGET THAN UNDER THE PROPOSALS BY THE REPUBLICANS AND EACH TIME WHEN WE TRY TO ASK HIM WHERE HIS DOCUMENTATION FOR THAT, WHERE THE PROOF IS SO HE CAN PROVE IT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AS JUFT HAPPENED RIGHT NOW, HE HAS REFUSE -- JUST HAPPENED RIGHT NOW, HE HAS REFUSED TO DO SO. AND I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND IN KIND JUST AS YOU RESPONDED IN KIND TO ME, SO WHEN YOU'RE ON YOUR TIME, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THAT DOCUMENTATION. WE'D VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE IT. IT I ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY SAYS THE DEMOCRATS ARE PRESENTING TO US A DIFFERENT FORM OF BUDGET. ABSOLUTELY. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC I THINK IS OUTRAGED WITH THE TYPE OF BUDGET THAT THEY ARE PRESENTING. IT'S A BUDGET THAT SPENDS TOO MUCH, BORROWS TOO MUCH AND TAXES TOO MUCH. IT SPENDS MORE THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT OR ANY OTHER BUDGET THAT WE HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY. SO MUCH OF THE TIME THEY LAMENT THE FACT THAT WE ARE BROUGHT TO THIS TABLE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE BUDGETS OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. YET WHAT DO THEY DO? ON THE ONE HAND THEY'RE SAYING THAT PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS FAILED TO SPEND ENOUGH AND THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE TO SPEND MORE BUT ON THE OTHER HANDS THEY LAMENT THE FACT THAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION SPENT TOO MUCH. SO WHAT WAS IT? WAS THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION SPENDING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE? THEY SPEAK OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THE MOUTH. AND AS FAR AS BORROWING, THAT POOR CHILD THAT IS BORN TODAY, THAT POOR CHILD THAT IS BORN TODAY, HE WILL REALIZE THAT HE WILL BE BURNED -- BURDENED WITH OVER UPWARDS OF $35,000 IN DEBT BECAUSE OF THIS LEGISLATION. THAT'S ON TOP OF THE $57 TRILLION IN DEBT. SO THE CHILD BORN TODAY, BEFORE HE CAN EVEN THINK ABOUT PUTTING A FEW PENNIES AWAY OR HIS PARENTS OR HIS GRANDPARENTS CAN PUT A FEW PENNIES AWAY IN HIS PIGGY BANK, IF WILL YOU, TO START SAVING UP FOR HIS COLLEGE EDUCATION OR HIS MARRIAGE OR A NEW CAR, FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAVE TO START PUTTING AWAY PENNIES TO START PAYING FOR THE INDEBTEDNESS THAT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE IS CREATING. YOU KNOW, I CAME DOWN TO THIS FLOOR BECAUSE I HEARD THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE RESPONDING TO THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE RANKING MEMBER AND THE POINTS THAT YOU WERE MAKING AS TO WHEN YOU WERE SAYING THAT NOW IS NOT THE TIME WHEN WE ARE IN SUCH DIFFICULT EQUATIONS -- |
| 03:36:47 | Ryan, Paul | I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE. |
| 03:36:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:36:53 | Garrett, Scott | NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE PUTTING FURTHER BURDENS ON THE AMERICAN FAMILY. I APPRECIATE THAT I BELIEVE YOU YIELDED OR THE GENTLEMAN -- THE CHAIRMAN THEN RESPONDED BY SAYING, WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY WAS A BUDGET THAT SPENT TOO MUCH AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT BUDGET. WASN'T THAT THE RESPONSE THAT WE HEARD? |
| 03:37:11 | Ryan, Paul | YES. |
| 03:37:12 | Garrett, Scott | SO THE PROBLEM WAS, THE REASON WE'RE HERE TODAY, ACCORDING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WAS THAT THE PREVIOUS BUDGET, THE BUDGET WE'RE OPERATING UNDER RIGHT NOW, WAS SPENDING TOO MUCH. IS THAT WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE? |
| 03:37:24 | Ryan, Paul | THAT'S RIGHT. |
| 03:37:25 | Garrett, Scott | I WOULD ASK THEN, I WOULD YIELD SOME TIME TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, IF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE WOULD YIELD TO A QUESTION -- IF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE WOULD YIELD TO A QUESTION -- QUESTIONS -- YES, SIR. I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT. WE WERE JUST DISCUSSING THAT THE REASON I WAS AT THE FLOOR WAS IN PART RESPONSE TO YOUR COLLOQUY WITH THE RANKING MEMBER BEFORE AND YOU WERE SAYING THAT PART OF THE REASON WE'RE HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET PROBLEMS THAT YOU EXPERIENCED COMING INTO THIS ADMINISTRATION. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. |
| 03:38:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:38:05 | Ryan, Paul | I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. |
| 03:38:08 | Spratt, John | WE'RE CLEANING UP IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S EIGHT YEARS OF FISCAL POLICY THAT LEFT US $5 TRILLION DEEPER IN DEBT. |
| 03:38:16 | Garrett, Scott | I APPRECIATE THAT. YOU CAN TELL ME ONE QUESTION -- WHOSE NAME APPEARS ON THE CURRENT BUDGET THAT WE'RE OPERATING UNDER RIGHT NOW? WHO SUBMITTED THAT TO THIS CONGRESS? |
| 03:38:26 | Spratt, John | THE BUDGET BEFORE US NOW BEGAN WITH THE PRESIDENT'S SUBMISSION AS IT HAS SINCE 1921. |
| 03:38:30 | Garrett, Scott | NOT THE BUDGET THAT'S RIGHT BEFORE US, THAT WE'RE OPERATING UNDER RIGHT NOW, WHOSE BUDGET FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS COME BEFORE THIS HOUSE TO BE VOTED UPON? |
| 03:38:39 | Spratt, John | WE VOTED UPON IT HERE BUT WHO OCCUPIED THE WHITE HOUSE? WHO SENT US THE VOTE, WHO -- |
| 03:38:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. GAFERTGART -- |
| 03:38:48 | Garrett, Scott | 15 SECONDS. |
| 03:38:49 | Ryan, Paul | 15 SECONDS. |
| 03:38:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:38:53 | Garrett, Scott | THE POINT IS AND I APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN, THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS WE ARE OPERATING AND YOU A DEMOCRAT BUDGET. IT WOULD BE MR. SPRATT'S NAME THAT WOULD BE ON THE BUDGET THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING UNDER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HAS BEEN IN CONTROL OF THIS HOUSE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT A NEW ADMINISTRATION. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS THE BUDGETS THAT WE'RE SPENDING HAS COME FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 03:39:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:39:19 | Ryan, Paul | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT MR. HEN STARLING -- HENSARLING MANAGE OUR TIME FOR A MOMENT UNTIL I RETURN. |
| 03:39:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 03:39:27 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MS. SCHWARTZ. |
| 03:39:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:39:36 | Schwartz, Allyson | THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR YOUR IMPORTANT WORK. WHEN I WAS SWORN INTO CONGRESS IN 2005, I REACHED OUT AND WANTED TO SECURE A POSITION IN THE HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE. I DID SO BECAUSE I UNDERSTOOD THEN AS I DO NOW THAT BUDGETS ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. THE FEDERAL BUDGET IS NOT JUST ABSTRACT NUMBERS ON A PAGE. IT IS A REFLECTION OF OUR PRIORITIES AND OUR VALUES AND OF THE AMERICA THAT WE WANT TO LEAVE TO OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN. THE BUDGET PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MODIFIED BY THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS AND BEFORE US TODAY AND GOING TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, IS AN ECONOMIC ROAD MAP THAT ESTABLISHES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CONGRESS IS AUTHORIZED TO SPEND IN THIS YEAR'S APPROPRIATIONS BILL. IT DOES NOT SET THE LEVEL FOR A SPECIFIC PROGRAM AND IT DOES NOT CHANGE CURRENT LAW. BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE UNDERSTAND THIS. THE BUDGET LOOKS FORWARD. IT IS UNDERSTOOD HOW -- BUT BEFORE WE DO, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND WHAT WE INHERITED. THIS ADMINISTRATION, THIS CONGRESS, INHERITED FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION A RECORD DEFICIT OF $5.8 TRILLION. DOUBLING OF THE NATIONAL DEBT IN EIGHT YEARS. TRIPLING THE AMOUNT OF DEBT THAT'S OWED TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND AN ECONOMIC RECESSION THE LIKES OF WHICH MOST OF US HAVE NEVER SEEN. THE FACT IS THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESS ARE DEALING WITH ENORMOUS CHALLENGES AND THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PASS STRONG, RESPONSIBLE BUDGET THAT ADDRESSES THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES BEFORE US AND MAKES THE INVESTMENT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE FOR OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS. OUR BUDGET ESTABLISHES NEW, FISCAL FRAMEWORK. IT INCLUDES A LONG OVERDUE RETURN TO HONEST BUDGETING AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE BUDGET EMBRACES PRESIDENT OBAMA'S GOAL TO REBUILD OUR ECONOMY AND MAKE THOSE STRATEGIC TARGET INVESTMENTS IN HELPCATION -- HEALTH CARE AND ENERGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE TACKLE THE ANNUAL DEFICIT AND WE'VE LAID OUT AN AMBITIOUS MARKER THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO CUTTING THE DEFICIT IN HALF IN FIVE YEARS. FIRST AND FOREMOST THEN, WE HAVE AN HONEST BUDGETING PRACTICE. THE BUDGET PLANS FOR SPENDING IN WAYS THAT WE HAVE NOT SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE AND FOR THE EIGHT YEARS BEFORE FOR SURE, IT'S TALKED ABOUT SPENDING AND SETS OUT SPENDING FOR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, FOR DOMESTIC NATIONAL DISASTERS, FOR TAX RELIEF AND FOR OBLIGATED INDICTMENTS. TO THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND INVESTMENT PLAN, CONGRESS HAS ALREADY TAKEN ACTION, SIGNIFICANT ACTION, TO IMPROVE OUR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND WELL-BEING. AND THIS BUDGET BUILDINGS ON -- BUILDS ON THAT BY MAKING INVESTMENTS AGAIN IN EDUCATION, IN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND, YES, ON HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS. EACH OF THESE AREAS REQUIRES US TO FIND COMMON GROUND. AND THIS BUDGET ENSURES THAT WE ARE ABLE IN CONGRESS, WORKING IN THE SENATE, TO DEFINE THE SPECIFIC MEANS AND THE SPECIFIC WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS. TO COMPETE IN THE 21ST CENTURY GLOBAL ECONOMY, WE DO NEED AN EDUCATED AND SKILLED WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE AND THIS BUDGET PUTS RESOURCES AND EARLY INITIAL -- EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND BETTER ENABLES AMERICANS TO AFFORD TOOLING TO COLLEGE WITH STUDENT LOANS. OUR ECONOMIC AND NATIONAL SECURITY ALSO DEPENDS ON AMERICA BEING MORE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND THIS BUDGET SETS ASIDE A REVENUE NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND THAT CALLS OUT ON CONGRESS TO FIND A WAY TOWARD ENERGY INDEPENDENCE THROUGH ALTERNATIVE, HOME-GROWN, CLEANER ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY. AND, OF COURSE, IN HEALTH CARE. WE HAVE BOTH A MORAL AND ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND A UNIQUELY AMERICAN SOLUTION TO HEALTH CARE REFORM, TO CONTAINING COSTS, TO IMPROVING QUALITY, TO MAKING SURE THAT EVERY AMERICAN HAS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND AGAIN THERE'S A REVENUE-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND WITH RECONCILIATION LANGUAGE IN THIS BUDGET THAT CALLS ON US TO DO THE WORK IN THE NEXT YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS. THESE GOALS ARE SHARED BY MANY AMERICANS AND THEY ARE WITHIN OUR REACH IF WE ARE TO WORK TOGETHER. WE CANNOT CONTINUE THE POLICIES OF THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY WE DO BUDGETING, WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR INVESTMENTS, WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS BUDGET. PENNSYLVANIA AND CERTAINLY ALL AMERICAN FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES NEED CONGRESS TO WORK WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS AS HAS BEEN SET NOW THE THIS BUDGET, SIMPLY SAYING NO, SIMPLY SAYING WE SHOULD GO BACK TO THE POLICIES OF THE LAST EIGHT YEARS THAT GOT US IN THIS MESS IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. I CALL ON ALL OF US TO WORK TOGETHER, TO GO TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS CONFERENCE REPORT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT AMERICA'S STRONG, SAFE AND MORE ECONOMICALLY COMPETITIVE. THIS BUDGET DOES THAT. AND I SAY WE MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 03:44:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 03:44:32 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE ININ-- MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. MCHENRY. |
| 03:44:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 03:44:42 | McHenry, Patrick | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK MY RANKING MEMBER FOR YIELDING ME TIME AT THE IMPORTANT DEBATE OF THE DAY. TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET RESOLUTION. AND THE BUDGET PASSED BY THIS CONGRESS -- I VOTED NO -- INCREASES SPENDING AT A RAPID RATE. WE HAVEN'T SEEN SUCH A RAPID GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT SINCE JIMMY CARTER WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE 1970'S. BUT I THINK IT'S EQUALLY INTERESTING THAT WE'RE DEBATING THE BUDGET RESOLUTION TODAY BECAUSE JUST YESTERDAY PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCED THAT HE'S FINDING SAVINGS IN THE BUDGET. AND THEY ARE REDUCING -- TRYING TO FIND SAVINGS OF $100 MILLION UTE OF OUR -- OUT OF OUR BUDGET. WELL, TODAY THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION WILL SPEND -- WELL, IT'S OVER $3 TRILLION, AND SO THE SAVINGS THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ANNOUNCED IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A FAMILY OF FOUR, THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR IN THE UNITED STATES DECIDING NOT TO BUY A STARBUCKS COFFEE. JUST ONE DAY. NOT FOR THE YEAR. JUST ONE DAY. THE EQUIVALENT SAVINGS FOR A FAMILY IS ABOUT $1.25. ACTUALLY -- I DON'T EVEN THINK YOU CAN BUY A STARBUCKS COFFEE FOR $1.25 ANYMORE. BUT INSTEAD OF DOING THE HARD WORK OF PARING DOWN GOVERNMENT SPENDING, FINDING THOSE AREAS OF GOVERNMENT THAT ARE INEFFICIENT, INEFFECTIVE, THIS BUDGET SIMPLY TAXES TOO MUCH, IT SPENDS TOO MUCH AND IT BORROWS TOO MUCH. IN THE END WITH OUR BORROWING COSTS GOING UP AS GOVERNMENT WE'LL SEE INFLATION IN THE COMING YEARS. INFLATION THAT WILL ERODE SENIORS' ABILITY TO PURCHASE HEALTH CARE, INFLATION THAT WILL ERODE FAMILIES' CAPACITY TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN AND FUND THEIR EDUCATION. THESE THINGS ARE REAL. AND UNFORTUNATELY THOUGH A BUDGET DEALS WITH PEOPLE WE'RE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A MASSIVE TAX INCREASE IN THIS BUDGET. WE'RE GOING TO SEE CARBON CAP AND TRADE, A NATIONAL ENERGY TAX. WE'RE GOING TO SEE HEALTH CARE CHANGES WHERE THE GOVERNMENT TAKES MORE CAPACITY AND CONTROL AWAY FROM INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS AND DOCTORS AND PUTS IT IN THE HANDS OF GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS. AND OUR TAX DOLLARS WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP, OUR TAX RATES WILL GO UP. NOW, THIS IS NOT FOR THE RICH. IT'S FOR EVERYONE WHEN YOU HAVE THE TAX BILLS GOING UP THAT MUCH. WHAT I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO IS REJECT THIS MOTION TO GO TO CONFERENCE. I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND NOT INCREASE SPENDING TO THE RAPID TUNE THAT THIS BUDGET DOES. NOT TAX THEM MORE AND NOT BORROW MORE. AND WITH THAT I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:47:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:47:42 | Spratt, John | PURPOSE OF RESPONSE I YIELD 90 SECONDS TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY. |
| 03:47:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 90 SECONDS. |
| 03:47:50 | Andrews, Robert | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 03:47:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 03:47:56 | Andrews, Robert | MY NEIGHBOR FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. SPEAKER, ASKS THE SOURCE OF THE STATISTICS I USED. HERE'S THE ANSWER. THE ONE JOB IN THE -- FOR EVERY 108 IS THE SOURCES OF BUREAU OF LABOR AND STATISTICS. IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS CREATED WAS 2,000 PER MONTH. UNDER OUR STRATEGY IT WAS 217,000 PER MONTH. THE ECONOMIC GROWTH FIGURE IS FROM THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS. IT IS DERIVED BY LOOKING AT THE AVERAGE RATE OF G.D.P. GROWTH DURING THE 1990'S AND DURING THE SUNNY YEARS OF THE LAST EIGHT YEARS WE JUST ENDURED. AND THE SOURCE OF THE PURCHASING POWER OF MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES IS THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS AND THE BUREAU OF THE CRENSSUSS IS DERIVED THIS -- CENSUS IS DERIVED THIS WAY. I HAVE ONLY 90 SECONDS. |
| 03:48:42 | Ryan, Paul | IS IT NOT THE CASE THAT THE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED CONGRESS FROM 1995 TO 2000 APPROPRIATING THE TAX BILLS THAT CAME THROUGH CONGRESS THAT TIME? |
| 03:48:52 | Andrews, Robert | IT'S ALSO A CASE THAT EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTED AGAINST THAT PLAN THAT CREATED THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE SOURCE OF THE AVERAGE MEDIAN INCOME IS THE B.L.S. AND THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS IS DERIVED AT LOOKING AT THE REAL AMERICAN INCOME FROM WHEN THE PRIOR PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE TO WHEN HE LEFT AND THE SIMILAR COMPARISON IN THE 1990'S. WE'LL PUT IT IN THE RECORD. THOSE ARE THE FACTS. THEY'RE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THE MINORITY BUT THEY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. |
| 03:49:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 03:49:26 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. CULBERSON. |
| 03:49:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 03:49:35 | Culberson, John | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE TEA PARTIES THAT TOOK PLACE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ON APRIL 15 REPRESENTED THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF INTENSE FRUSTRATION AMONG TAXPAYERS AND AMERICANS OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE. EVERYONE IN AMERICA FEELS INSTINCTIVELY THAT THIS CONGRESS, THIS PRESIDENT IS SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY, GROWING THE GOVERNMENT TOO FAST. WE ARE ON THE BRINK, MR. SPEAKER, OF WHAT IS LITERALLY A FORK IN THE ROAD FOR THE UNITED STATES. WE WILL EITHER ON THE PATH LAID OUT BY THE BUDGET PROPOSED BY THE MAJORITY, THE LIBERAL MAJORITY AND I TRIED TO AVOID PARTY LABELS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF AMERICA BEING FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE ORIFICECALLY LIBERAL. THE SCAL LIBERAL MAJORITY HAS LAID OUT A BUDGET THAT WILL PUT AMERICA TO BECOME ARGENTINA. THE FISCAL CONSERVATIVE MINORITY LED BY MR. RYAN HAS LAID OUT A VERY THOUGHTFUL, FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE ALTERNATIVE. MR. RYAN RECOGNIZES, AS DO THOSE OF US IN THE MINORITY, THOSE FISCAL CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO LAY OUT THE ALTERNATIVES THAT AMERICA NEEDS A LITTLE DOSE OF DAVE RAMSEY, THE FINANCIAL GURU WHO IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES RECOMMENDS AND AS WE ALL KNOW YOU CAN'T PAY OFF BORROWED MONEY WITH BORROWED MONEY. DAVE RAMSEY QUITE CORRECTLY POINTS OUT WHEN YOU'VE RUN UP TOO MUCH DEBT YOU STOP AND THOSE TEA PARTIES ACROSS AMERICA, MR. SPEAKER, WERE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SPEAKING OUT AND TELLING CONGRESS, STOP IT. NO NEW TAXES, NO NEW DEBT, NO NEW SPENDING. AND ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO NEGLECTS THAT VERY -- THAT VERY SINCERE AND HEART FELT MESSAGE FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE THE NEXT ELECTION. THIS COUNTRY IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. AND LET'S DEAL WITH IT IN A THOUGHTFUL, FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE WAY BY CONTROLLING SPENDING, CUTTING SPENDING, CUTTING TAXES, LETTING AMERICANS KEEP MORE OF THEIR OWN HARD-EARNED MONEY, WHERE THEY WILL INVEST IT TO CREATE JOBS, CREATE WEALTH. AS WE KNOW HISTORICAL FACTS SHOW THAT KEEPING MORE OF MY OWN MONEY ALLOWS ME TO INVEST IT IN THE WAY I SEE BEST THAT WILL LEAD TO PERSONAL GROWTH. AMERICA NEEDS A STRONG DOSE OF DAVE RAMSEY'S GOOD MEDICINE. AND THAT'S WHY THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT BY MR. RYAN ATTEMPTS TO DO, IS GET AMERICA BACK ON A PATH TOWARD FISCAL PROSPERITY. IF WE DON'T ACT IN A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE WAY IMMEDIATELY, THE COMPTROLLER OF THE UNITED STATES HAS STATED IN A LETTER TO MY OFFICE LAST MARCH THAT IN A SHORT 12 YEARS AMERICAN -- THE AMERICAN TEA BILL IS THE SAFEST INVESTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD WILL BE GRADED AS JUNK BONDS. NOW, THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE ASSERTION FROM THE AUDITOR OF THE UNITED STATES, THE COMPTROLLER OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS THAT THE CUMULATIVE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES CREATED BY THIS CONGRESS ARE SO MASSIVE THAT IF WE DON'T STOP SPENDING, CONTROL SPENDING THE TEA BILLS BECOME JUNK BONDS. MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. SPEAKER, I URGE THE MEMBERS TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS. JUST SAY NO. THANK YOU. NO NEW SPENDING, NO NEW DEBT. SUPPORT MR. RYAN'S MOTION TO RECOMMIT. |
| 03:52:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:52:53 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME BUT I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:52:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 03:53:03 | Ryan, Paul | IS THE CHAIRMAN THE RIGHT TO CLOSE, DO I INFER HE HAS NO ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS? |
| 03:53:07 | Spratt, John | DOES THE GENTLEMAN HAVE FURTHER SPEAKERS? |
| 03:53:10 | Ryan, Paul | ONE SPEAKER. |
| 03:53:11 | Spratt, John | GO TO THAT SPEAKER AND THEN I'LL PROCEED TO CLOSE. |
| 03:53:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 03:53:17 | Ryan, Paul | I YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME -- 3 1/2 MINUTES -- |
| 03:53:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | 3 1/4 -- |
| 03:53:28 | Ryan, Paul | I YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHO DOESN'T WANT ALL THE TIME. |
| 03:53:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:53:39 | Foxx, Virginia | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I JUST RECOGNIZE THE ELOQUENCE OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS SOME TIME AT THE END. AND I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DEBT DAY JUST A MINUTE. I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOME THINGS, SOME FIGURES. WE DON'T HAVE A BAR GRAPH, WHICH WOULD SHOW A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT IN THE YEAR 2002, DEBT DAY OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2002. THIS YEAR DEBT DAY IS GOING TO OCCUR ON 4/26/09. DEBT DAY IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING RELATIVE TO THE REVENUE THE GOVERNMENT RECEIVES AND IS CALCULATED BY TAKING THE RATIO OF THE FEDERAL REVENUES TO THE FEDERAL OUTLAYS PROJECTED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE EARLIEST DEBT DAY WE HAVE EVER HAD IN THIS COUNTRY. IT'S IN LARGE PART DUE TO THE DEMOCRAT TRILLION DOLLAR STIMULUS SPENDING BILL, MORE THAN $400 BILLION OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL LOADED WITH 9,000 UNSCRUTINIZED EARMARKS AND ANOTHER $350 BILLION IN BAILOUT FUNDS DEMOCRATS HAVE GREEN LIGHTED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THIS IS AN ABOMINATION FOR THIS COUNTRY. WE SHOULD NEVER BE IN THIS SHAPE. JOHN ADAMS SAID THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO CONQUER A COUNTRY. ONE IS BY THE SWORD AND THE OTHER IS BY DEBT. WE ARE BEING CONQURD FROM WITHIN -- CONQUERED FROM WITHIN BY OUR OWN PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO SENSE OF SHAME, NO SENSE OF SHAME FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BECAUSE IN YEARS' PAST THEY'VE CRITICIZED REPUBLICANS. THEY TALKED ABOUT -- MAJORITY LEADER HOYER SAID $350 BILLION IN DEFICIT BACK ON MARCH 17, 2005, WAS WRONG. AND EVEN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MADE COMMENTS OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN 2005 THAT WE HAD A TERRIBLE DEFICIT. IT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT THEY HAVE PROPOSED TO US. AND AS I SAID, IT IS A SHAME. THIS BUDGET THAT THEY HAVE INCREASES SPENDING BY OVER $1 TRILLION IN OVER FIVE YEARS. IT INCREASES TAXES BY $1.2 TRILLION. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO WORK WITH US, AND THIS IS AN ABOMINATION. |
| 03:55:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:56:03 | Spratt, John | IRY SERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE. -- I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO |
| 03:56:08 | Ryan, Paul | I CONSUME THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME. MAY I INQUIRE, MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE TWO MINUTES LEFT, I BELIEVE, OR A MINUTE AND 30 SECONDS. |
| 03:56:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | A MINUTE AND A QUARTER. |
| 03:56:19 | Ryan, Paul | I YIELD MYSELF THE REST OF THE TIME. |
| 03:56:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:56:25 | Ryan, Paul | I'LL SIMPLY CLOSE THE PORTION OF OUR DEBATE BY SAYING THIS, LET'S ADMIT THAT BOTH PARTIES HAVE MADE MISTAKES IN THE PAST. THAT HAPPENED. THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THINGS WORSE OR ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER? IT IS SO CLEAR, SO OBVIOUS, JUST ABOUT ANY OBSERVER OUT THERE THAT PILING ON A NEW MOUNTAIN OF DEBT, A NEW GUSHER OF SPENDING AND THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN AMERICAN HISTORY IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER. IT'S GOING TO MAKE THINGS WORSE. NOW, THE ONE THING THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO GET OUT OF THIS, THEY GET A CHOICE. WE DISAGREE WITH THIS BUDGET, AND SO RATHER THAN JUST SIMPLY CRITICIZING, WE PROPOSED AN ALTERNATIVE, AN ALTERNATIVE THAT KEEPS TAXES DOWN AND HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES. AN ALTERNATIVE THAT CONTROLS AND CUTS SPENDING. AN ALTERNATIVE THAT GETS OUR DEBT UNDER CONTROL AND PUTS US ON A PATH TO PAY OUR DEBT OFF. IT IS A STARK DIFFERENCE THAN THIS BUDGET WHICH IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS BEING STEAM ROLLED THROUGH TO GIVE US THE LARGEST EXPANSION IN GOVERNMENT WE'VE SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, THE THIRD AND FINAL GREAT WAVE BUILDING ON THE NEW DEAL OF THE GREAT SOCIETY WHICH WILL GIVE US A LARGER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNLIKE WE HAVE SEEN IN THE HISTORY, IT DOUBLES THE DEBT IN 5 1/2 YEARS AND TRIPLES IN 10 1/2 YEARS. IT'S A BUDGET THAT GIVES US A HUGE TAX INCREASE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION. IT MAKES EVERYBODY PAY MORE FOR ENERGY. IT IS BORN UPON THE PHILOSOPHY THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST GROW FOR SOCIETY TO GROW. WE REJECT THAT IDEA. THAT'S WHY WE ARE NOT SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET. |
| 03:57:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 03:58:01 | Spratt, John | I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND REQUEST HOW MUCH IS LEFT. |
| 03:58:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR SIX MINUTES. |
| 03:58:08 | Spratt, John | MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE ARE. AS BOBBY JONES, THE GREAT GOLFER, ONCE SAID, YOU PLAY THE BALL WHERE IT LIES. AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION THIS SADLY IS WHERE THE BALL LIES. WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA CAME TO OFFICE LESS THAN 100 DAYS AGO AND REMEMBERING THAT I THINK EVERYONE WOULD HAVE TO FAIRLY CONCEDE THESE ARE NOT PROBLEMS THAT HE CREATED. WHEN HE CAME TO OFFICE HE FOUND ON THE DOORSTEPS OF THE WHITE HOUSE AWAITING HIM A BUDGET THAT WAS $1 TRILLION, NEARLY $800 BILLION IN DEFICIT FOR THIS YEAR AND SUBSTANTIALLY IN DEFICIT FOR THE FULL COMING YEAR. HE DIDN'T CREATE IT, HE DIDN'T ASKED FOR IT. IT WAS THRUST UPON AND LEFT OVER BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. HE FOUND AN ECONOMY IN CRISIS, AND HE FOUND THAT REMEDIAL STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN THAT COST THE COUNTRY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, A GOOD PORTION OF WHICH IS BEING SPENT OUT, THE TARP PROGRAMS IS AN EXAMPLE, THE TAKEOVER OF FREDDIE MAC AND FANNIE MAE IS AN EXAMPLE. ALL THESE COST SUBSTANTIAL SUMS AND THEY, POLICIES TAKEN BEFORE THIS ADMINISTRATION CAME TO OFFICE, THEY HAVE SWOLLEN THE DEFICIT TO UNPRECEDENTED SIZE OF $1,700,000,000 THIS YEAR. THE BUDGET THAT WE ARE PROPOSING, WHICH I NOW SEEK TO HAVE SENT TO CONFERENCE SO WE CAN WRAP IT UP, PUT IT TO BED AND MAKE IT ENFORCEABLE, IT IS A DEFICIT REDUCTION BUDGET. NOW, HOW CAN I SAY THAT? I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE SHOW CREDITABLY, I BELIEVE, THAT THE BUDGET DEFICIT DECLINED FROM $1,752,000,000 UNDER OUR RESOLUTION TO $586 MILLION IN THE YEAR 2013. IN FOUR FISCAL YEARS WE WILL REDUCE THE DEFICIT BY $1 TRILLION. HOW CAN WE DO THAT? ONE OF THE REASONS WELCOME DO IT IS QUITE A FEW OF THE ITEMS THAT HAVE SWOLLEN THE DEFICIT IN THIS AND NEXT FISCAL YEAR ARE NONRECURRING. . WHEN THEY ARE FINALLY PLAYED OUT THE PROBLEM OF DEFICIT REDUCTION WILL BE MUCH, MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE. THAT IS IF WE HAVE A PLAN IT WILL BE MANAGEABLE. WE CANNOT SIMPLY LEAVE IT TO SOME OPEN-ENDED PLAN. SO WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED HERE IS A PLAN THAT WILL SYSTEMATICALLY, METHODICALLY MOVE THE DEFICIT DOWN, DOWN, DOWN BY $1 TRILLION OFERTE NEXT FOUR, FIVE FISCAL YEARS. IT'S A DEFICIT REDUCTION BUDGET. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. BUT IT'S NOT SO COMMITTED TO DEFICIT REDUCTION THAT IT OVERLOOKS AND POSTPONES OTHER PRIORITIES. FOR EXAMPLE, NATIONAL DEFENSE WILL GROW BY 4%. A HEALTHY GROWTH RATE. THAT IS NATIONAL, INCLUDING ON WHAT IS SPENT ON SUPPLEMENTALS FOR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, WILL BE $680 BILLION NEXT YEAR. VETERANS, LET'S NOT FORGET OUR VETERANS. WE APPRECIATE THEM MORE THAN EVER. WE'LL PUT $5 BILLION MORE, RAISING IT TO $53 BILLION. HEALTH CARE REFORM, THIS BUDGET TACKLES ISSUES THAT OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE EITHER IGNORED, DODGERED, AVOIDED, OR FAILED TO IMPLEMENT. HEALTH CARE REFORM, TOUGH NUT TO CRACK, BUT IT TAKES IT ON. THE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. WE HAVE SEEN IT WITH THESE SPIKE IN ENERGY PRICES OVER THE LAST YEAR. THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO AND DO NOW. THIS BILL PROVIDES FOR THAT. EDUCATION. IF YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY TO A SMALL CHILD THE NEXT TIME YOU GO IN AN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM, YOU CAN GO TO COLLEGE. YES, YOU CAN. YOU CAN GO TO COLLEGE LIKE ANYBODY ELSE. YES, YOU CAN. YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT STRENGTHENS PELL GRANTS BY MORE THAN BILL WE PASS IN A LONG TIME TOO COME. THIS IS A DEFICIT REDUCTION BILL BUT A BILL WITH A CONSCIENCE. WITH PRIORITIES. THAT CAREFULLY LAID OUT HERE, CAREFULLY PROVIDED FOR HERE. THEREFORE I WOULD SUBMIT THAT EVERYONE INTERESTED IN EDUCATION, THE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE SHOULD TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS BILL. IT WILL BE SAID THAT WE HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY INCLUDED TAXES IN THIS BILL. IT'S NOT TRUE. READ THE COMMITTEE REPORT, READ C.B.O.'S REPORT. OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THERE IS A NET REDUCTION IN TAX REVENUES OF SOME $480 BILLION AND $1 TRILLION MORE THAN THAT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AFTER THAT. THERE'S DEFICIT REDUCTION LEFT HERE. THE MEAN PENALTY PROVISIONS, THE MIDDLE CLASS, MIDDLE INCOME TAX CUTS WE PASSED IN 2001 AND 2003 ARE FOR THE MOST PART RE-ENACTED BY THIS RESOLUTION. 233 MEMBERS, A SOLID MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE, LISTENED TO THE ARGUMENTS PRO AND CONAND DECIDED THIS IS THE BETTER WAY TO GO. I SUBMIT LETS STICK WITH THE COURSE WE SET FOR OURSELVES, LET'S ADOPT THIS BUDGET. SEND IT ON TO CONFERENCE WHERE WE CAN MAKE IT AN ENFORCEABLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:03:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. ALL TIME HAS EXPIRED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION IS AGREED TO. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN RISE? |
| 04:03:17 | Ryan, Paul | MR. SPEAKER, I OFFER A MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES. |
| 04:03:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE MOTION. |
| 04:03:22 | THE CLERK | MR. RYAN OF WISCONSIN MOVES THAT THE MANAGERS ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE AT THE CONFERENCE ON THE DISAGREEING VOTES OF THE TWO HOUSES ON HOUSE AMENDMENT -- |
| 04:03:30 | Ryan, Paul | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE MOTION BE CONSIDERED AS READ AND PRINTED IN THE RECORD. |
| 04:03:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 7 OF RULE 22, THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN MR. RYAN, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. SPRATT, EACH WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:03:50 | Ryan, Paul | I THANK THE SPEAKER. EARLIER THIS MONTH REPUBLICANS OFFERED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE A BUDGET THAT WOULD NOT ONLY FUND OUR PRIORITIES, BUT ALSO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION, GET THE FEDERAL SPENDING AND DEBT UNDER CONTROL, AND BEGIN THE CRITICAL REFORMS OF OUR LARGEST AND LEAST SUSTAINABLE ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS. AND THE REPUBLICANS BUDGET DID THIS ALL WITHOUT THE JOB-KILLING TAX HIKES THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE BUDGET WE ARE HERE DISCUSSING TODAY. THE BUDGET WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS TODAY, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DEMOCRATIC BUDGET, EXPLOITS THE FINANCIAL CRISIS TO RUSH THROUGH A SWEEPING EXPANSION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT AIMS AT ENSURING THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION DOESN'T TRIGGER A FAST TRACK PROCESS OTHERWISE KNOWN AS BUDGET RECONCILIATION TO JAM THROUGH A GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION, OR A CAP AND TRADE TAX THAT WILL HURT FAMILIES, KILL JOBS, AND PUT AMERICA AT A SEVERE COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE WITH CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. AS A BACKGROUND, THE HOUSE PASSED RESOLUTION INCLUDES RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THREE COMMITTEES. TWO OF WHICH, ENERGY AND COMMERCE AND WAYS AND MEANS, SHARE JURISDICTION OVER HEALTH CARE AND CAP AND TRADE. THESE RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTIONS TRIGGER FAST TRACK PROCEDURES LIMITING DEBATE AND AMENDMENTS ON A SUBSEQUENT RECONCILIATION BILL. IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S A WAY FOR CONGRESS TO SWEEP THIS LEGISLATION THROUGH, VERY LITTLE DEBATE, NO AMENDMENTS, GET IT INTO LAW WITHOUT THE PUBLIC SEEING WHAT'S HAPPENING. IN THE HOUSE, RECONCILIATION IS MUCH LESS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAS WHAT WE CALL RULES COMMITTEE. IT IS CRITICAL IN THE SENATE, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THERE LEGISLATION CAN BE JAMMED THROUGH WITH LITTLE DEBATE OR NO AMENDMENT. THE SENATE DOES NOT WANT RECONCILIATION. THE SENATE PASSED BUDGET RESOLUTION DID NOT INCLUDE SEC SILLATION -- RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTIONS, IN FACT IT INCLUDED A NUMBER AGAINST RECONCILIATION. THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT HOUSE CONFEREES TO RECEDE TO THE SENATE ON FOUR ITEMS. DROP RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTION FROM THE RESOLUTION. NUMBER TWO, ADOPT A SENATE PROVISION TO BLOCK LEGISLATION THAT ELIMINATES AMERICAN'S ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR HEALTH CARE PLANS OR CHOOSE THEIR OWN DOCTOR. NUMBER THREE, TO ADOPT A SENATE PROVISION THAT KEEPS RECONCILIATION FROM BEING USED FOR CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION. AND NUMBER FOUR, TO ADOPT A SENATE PROVISION THAT WILL PREVENT TAX FROM BEING RAISED TO EVEN HIGHER LEVELS THAN THAT THAT ARE ASSUMED IN THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION. TO REITERATE, THE SENATE DOES NOT WANT RECONCILIATION. THIS IS WHAT SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN SENATOR CONRAD SAID YESTERDAY ABOUT RECONCILIATION, QUOTE, ONCE YOU HAVE UNLEASHED RECONCILIATION YOU CAN'T GET IT BACK IN THE BARN. AND IT COULD BE USED FOR LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNINTENDED AT THIS MOMENT. PEOPLE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT VERY CAREFULLY, END QUOTE. CHAIRMAN CONRAD IS NOT ALONE. 28 SENATORS WROTE CHAIRMAN CONRAD URGING HIM NOT TO USE RECONCILIATION FOR CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION BECAUSE OF RECONCILIATION'S FAST TRACK PROCEDURES, QUOTE, WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION'S STATED GOALS OF BIPARTISANSHIP, COOPERATION, AND OPENNESS, CLOSE QUOTE. SENATOR BYRD, THE BEST AUTHOR WE HAVE AMONG US OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE AUTHOR OF THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS, SAID THIS, QUOTE, RECONCILIATION'S NOT DESIGNED TO CREATE A NEW CLIMATE IN ENERGY REGIME AND CERTAINLY NOT TO RESTRUCTURE OUR ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WOODROW WILSON ONCE SAID THE INFORMING FUNCTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF CONGRESS. HOW DO WE INFORM? WE PUBLICLY DEBATE AND AMEND LEGISLATION. WE RECEIVE FEEDBACK WHICH ALLOWS US TO CHANGE AND IMPROVE PROPOSALS, MATTERS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF OUR PEOPLE MUST NOT BE RUSHED THROUGH THE SENATE USING A PROCEDURAL FAST TRACK THAT THE PEOPLE NEVER GET A CHANCE TO COMMENT UPON OR FULLY UNDERSTAND, CLOSE QUOTE. BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, MADAM SPEAKER, AMERICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THE SPENDING THAT'S GOING ON HERE IN WASHINGTON. AND WE SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW WELL THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. LIKE JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE, LAST WEEK I HELD 25 LISTENING SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN WISCONSIN. MY DISTRICT BALLS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AMONG THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM. IT'S A GOOD MICROCOSM OF THE ATTITUDES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS NEW GUSHER OF SPENDING. THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT TAKING OVER HEALTH CARE. THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE INCREASED COSTS OF ENERGY. THE EFFECT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON OUR MANUFACTURING JOBS. AT ONE OF MY TOWN HALL MEETINGS, A WOMAN IN HER MID 60'S CAME UP TO ME AND SAID, QUOTE, IS CONGRESS GOING TO USE RECONCILIATION TO PUSH THROUGH ALL THIS GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION, CLOSE QUOTE? I WAS FLOORED BY THAT. I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER HEARD ANYBODY OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY TALK TO ME ABOUT RECONCILIATION. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THIS PROCESS. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT A SAY IN THIS. WHY ARE WE HERE? WE ARE HERE TO DELIBERATE. WE ARE THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES. SHOULD WE TAKE THIS LARGEST PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE SIZE AND REACH AND SCOPE OF OUR GOVERNMENT, THE LARGEST IN THE WORDS OF THE ADMINISTRATION SINCE THE NEW DEAL, AND JUST SWEEP IT THROUGH? WITH ALMOST NO DEBATE, WITH NO AMENDMENTS. STIFLING THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES OR NOT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE COULD CONFISCATE ABOUT 25% OF OUR ECONOMY, WITH LESS THAN 100 HOURS OF DEBATE AND NO AMENDMENTS. IT'S BAFFLING, IT'S MIND-BOGGLING THAT THIS COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT AMERICA. THIS IS NOT THE DELIBERATIVE PROCESS. AND THIS IS NOT A PROCESS THE SENATE ITSELF EVEN WANTS. SO THE QUESTION IS, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT NATIONALIZING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN AMERICA, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT BRAND NEW NATIONAL ENERGY TAX, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT TAX INCREASES AND SPENDING INCREASES, DOUBLING AND TRIPLING OUR NATIONAL DEBT, LET'S HAVE THAT DEBATE. LET'S NOT JUST SWEEP THE THING THROUGH. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PHILOSOPHY THAT IS AT PLAY HERE, MADAM SPEAKER, IS THIS. IT'S A PHILOSOPHY THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT. IT'S A PHILOSOPHY WE NEED TO DEBATE. THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIS BUDGET WITH ALL OF ITS CLASS WARFARE, WITH ALL OF ITS ACCUSATIONS IS THAT BASICALLY THEY ARE TELLING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THIS BUDGET, YOUR STATION IN LIFE IS STATIC. AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GROW GOVERNMENT TO HELP YOU COPE WITH IT. WE REJECT THAT. THAT IS NOT WHAT AMERICA IS ABOUT. THAT IS NOT THE IDEAL OF THIS COUNTRY. PEOPLE ARE NOT STUCK WITH THEIR CURRENT STATION IN LIFE. THE GOAL OF THIS COUNTRY, THE GOAL OF OUR GOVERNMENT IS TO HELP PEOPLE BECOME UPWARDLY MOBILE, TO GIVE PEOPLE THE TOOLS THEY NEED SO THEY CAN SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES. WE NEED TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS. TO GET THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR LIVES AND TO SEEK HAPPINESS AS THEY DEFINE IT FOR THEMSELVES SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T INFRINGE ON ANOTHER PERSON'S RIGHT TO DO THE SAME. THAT'S THE PHILOSOPHY THAT HAS TAKEN THIS COUNTRY SO FAR, MADE IT THE MOST PROSPEROUS NATION OF THE WORLD, ENVY OF THE WORLD, AND THAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY THAT IS BEING DEBATED RIGHT HERE WITH THIS BUNT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD IN-- BUDGET AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD CONTINUE OR NOT. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN 100 HOURS EVER DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT WE TRASH THIS PHILOSOPHY THAT BROUGHT OUR COUNTRY THIS FAR. WE SHOULD HAVE AMENDMENTS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO DO ALL OF THIS NEW GOVERNMENT. DO WE WANT EUROPE OR AMERICA SHOULD BE MORE THAN 100 HOURS OF DEBATES. WE MIGHT WANT CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT OR TWO TO THIS PHILOSOPHY. WITH THAT, MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:11:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:11:55 | Spratt, John | I YIELD MYSELF 2 1/2 MINUTES. |
| 04:11:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 2 1/2 MINUTES. |
| 04:11:59 | Spratt, John | MADAM SPEAKER, I THINK IT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR EVERYBODY, MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR, TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THE REPUBLICAN MOTION TO INSTRUCT IS. FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE FOUR ITEMS. FIRST OF ALL, THEY EFFECTIVELY WOULD MOVE TO DROP, DISCARD THE HOUSE RECONCILIATION PROVISIONS THAT DEAL WITH HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE, THAT'S HEALTH CARE REFORM, THAT'S AN ISSUE WE ARE LAUNCHING TO TRY TO ENCOMPASS AND PROVIDE SOME FORM OF HEALTH CARE TO THE 46 MILLION AMERICANS UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE IT. THIS WOULD THWART OUR PLANS TO MOVE ON THAT FRONT. AND EDUCATION, WHICH BASICALLY DEALS WITH PELL GRANTS AND GUARANTEES STUDENT LOANS TRYING TO PROVIDE THEM TO MORE STUDENTS AT A LOWER COST, WHY WOULD ANYBODY WANT TO THWART THOSE OBJECTIVES? SECONDLY, THEY WOULD REMOVE RECONCILIATION AS A VEHICLE TO ENACT CLIMACTIC CHANGE. WELL, THAT'S NOT EVEN A VISION IN THE HOUSE BUDGET. CAP AND TRADE IS NOT MENTIONED. NOT IN THE BUDGET RESOLUTION, NOT IN THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING IT. IT'S NOT MENTIONED. WE TOOK IT OUT. IT'S NOT SPECIFIED. THE RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTION TO WHICH THEY REFER GO TO THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND TO THE ED AND LABOR COMMITTEE AND TO THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, BUT NOT FOR PURPOSES OF DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. THAT IS NOT EVEN BREATHED ONE OF THE PURPOSES. IT'S NOT PART OF THE INTENTION. THESE INSTRUCTIONS GO TO HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. THIRDLY, TO RETAIN A SENATE JOINT -- SENATE POINT OF ORDER, AGAINST LEGISLATION, THAT QUOTE, ELIMINATES THE ABILITY OF AMERICANS TO KEEP THEIR HEALTH PLAN OR THE CHOICE OF A DOCTOR, I SUPPORT THAT. YOU SUPPORT THAT. WE ALL SUPPORT THAT. THIS BUDGET SUPPORTS IT. THE HOUSE SUPPORTS IT. IT'S TOTALLY UNNECESSARY. THIS IS CREATING A STRAWMAN AND KNOCKING IT DOWN BY CREATING AN ARGUMENT AS TO FACTS THAT SIMPLY DON'T EXIST. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN OUR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD IN ANY WAY IMPEDE THE CHOICE OF AMERICANS TO KEEP THEIR OWN HEALTH PLANS OR CHOOSE THEIR OWN DOCTOR. FINALLY, TO ELIMINATE CONGRESS' ABILITY TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE REFORM PACKAGES BY RESTRICTING FUTURE OFFSETS ONLY TO SPENDING CUTS. IN OTHER WORDS F. WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING WORTHY, WE THINK OF UNDERSTEAKING AND WE WOULD PROPOSE TO PAY FOR IT BY RAISING TAXES, LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. CIGARETTE TAXES, CHILDREN HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, WE PASSED A SECOND ITERATION OF THE CHIP BILL THAT WILL EXTEND MEDICAL COVERAGE TO MILLIONS OF AMERICAN WHO NEVER HAD IT, NEVER LIVED IN FAMILIES WHO COULD AFFORD IT. . WE COULDN'T HAVE THAT -- DONE THAT WITHOUT -- 30 ADDITIONAL SECONDS. |
| 04:14:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS. |
| 04:14:51 | Spratt, John | WE DID THAT BY INCREASING THE TAX OF A PACK OF CIGARETTES, A FAIR TRADEOFF. BUT WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO DO THAT AND SAY WE WERE STAYING DEFICIT NEUTRAL AND WELL WITHIN THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO USE THIS OFFSETTING REVENUE TO COVER THE COST OF THE PROGRAM. THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE THWARTED THAT PARTICULAR STRATEGY. SO THESE ARE FOUR DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT ARE PROPOSING NOW, THEY SHOULD BE DEFEATED, THIS MOTION SHOULD BE DEFEATED. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:15:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 04:15:27 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. WESTMORELAND. |
| 04:15:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:15:39 | Westmoreland, Lynn A. | THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. AND I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN AND HIS HARD WORK THAT HE'S PUT FORTH IN THIS BUDGET AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY SOON WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THE BUDGET THAT THE GENTLEMAN HAS PUT FORWARD IN A CLEARER WAY. I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT MY FRIEND FROM NORTH CAROLINA TALKED ABOUT ABOUT DEBT DAY. IT'S PRETTY TRFPLGT WE NEED TO MAKE THIS, MADAM SPEAKER, SO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRIPLING THE DEBT OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD, DOUBLING OUR DEFICIT. I THINK WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IN 1998 AFTER 365 DAYS WE HAD A SURPLUS AND THIS WAS DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. IN 2002 IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE SECOND OF SEPTEMBER THAT WE ACTUALLY STARTED BORROWING MONEY. AND IF YOU CAN IMAGINE WE WERE COMING OUT OF THE 9/11. IN 2003 IT WAS THE THIRD OF JULY -- I MEAN, THE 29TH OF JULY BEFORE WE STARTED BORROWING MONEY. 2004 IT WAS THE 27TH OF JULY BEFORE WE ACTUALLY STARTED BORROWING MONEY. AND, MADAM SPEAKER, THE PEOPLE NEEDS TO REALIZE WE HAD SPENT ALL THE MONEY WE HAD AND THEN WE STARTED PUTTING IT ON OUR CREDIT CARD. 2005, IT WAS AUGUST 14. 2006 IT WAS AUGUST 27. 2007 IT WAS SEPTEMBER 9. 2008 IT WAS THE FIFTH OF AUGUST. THIS YEAR IS THE 26TH OF APRIL. SO THE 26TH OF APRIL WE WILL BE FINISHED SPENDING THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE IN AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO START PUTTING EVERYTHING ON OUR CREDIT CARD. SO UNDERSTAND THIS THAT WITH JUST THAT SHORT OF A PERIOD OF TIME WE'RE OUT OF CASH. WE ARE SPENDING WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE. WE'RE SPENDING MONEY THAT OUR CHILDREN'S. AND I USED TO ALWAYS SAY THIS, THAT WE WERE PUTTING OUR CHILDREN IN DEBT, THE NEXT GENERATION. NOW, I HAVE TO INCLUDE OUR GRANDCHILDREN. WE'RE PUTTING OUR GRANDCHILDREN IN DEEP DEBT. AND SO WHAT ARE WE DOING? I KEEP LISTENING TO THE OPPOSITION, THE MAJORITY PARTY TALK ABOUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE GOT TO DO. AND THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEFICIT SPENDING. TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT. LET'S DO SOMETHING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. LET'S HAVE SOME FAIR, OPEN, HONEST DEBATE AND MAKE THIS TO WHERE WE CAN HAVE SOME AMENDMENTS. I REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 750,000 PEOPLE IN GEORGIA'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. YET I'M NOT ABLE TO OFFER ANY IDEAS THAT THE PEOPLE FROM MY DISTRICT MAY HAVE ABOUT THE BUDGET AND TOO MUCH SPENDING. MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO RUN A RAILROAD. AND WE NEED TO DO THINGS TO OPEN UP THE PROCESS. |
| 04:18:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:18:49 | Westmoreland, Lynn A. | WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE SPENDING OUR FUTURE. |
| 04:18:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:18:57 | Westmoreland, Lynn A. | AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:19:00 | Spratt, John | MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. BISHOP. |
| 04:19:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS YIELDED TO FOR HOW MANY MINUTES? |
| 04:19:09 | MR. BISHOP | THREE. |
| 04:19:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:19:14 | Bishop, Timothy "Tim" H. | THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. AND I THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR YIELDING, AND I THANK HIM FOR HIS REALLY EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP AS WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS. I WANT TO SPEAK FIRST IN OBVIOUSLY OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION TO INSTRUCT, AND I'M GOING TO FOCUS PRIMARILY ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THAT WITH RESPECT TO THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR. BUT BEFORE I DO WE SHOULD BE CLEAR THAT THIS -- THE ARGUMENT THAT'S MADE BY OUR FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE IS VERY MUCH A SITUATIONAL ARGUMENT. I DO NOT RECALL IN 2001 OR IN 2003 OR IN 2005 WHEN THE REPUBLICANS USED RECONCILIATION TO PUSH THROUGH POLICIES THAT INCREASED OUR DEFICIT OVER 10 YEARS BY ABOUT $1.8 TRILLION. I DON'T REMEMBER THEM SAYING THAT THEY NEEDED TO JAM THIS THROUGH. I DON'T REMEMBER THEM SAYING THEY NEEDED TO RUSH IT THROUGH. I DON'T REMEMBER HAVING THEM CHARACTERIZED IT AS SWEEPING THROUGH. THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE PASSING LEGISLATION THAT WAS RESPONSIVE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE FEEL WE ARE PASSING LEGISLATION THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE INTEREST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. LET ME SPEAK IN REFERENCES TO EDUCATION. WE -- IN REFERENCE TO EDUCATION. WE INTEND TO ENACT POLICIES THAT WILL SAVE $47 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS AND ALLOW US TO USE THAT -- PARDON ME -- OVER FIVE YEARS AND ALLOW US TO USE THAT MONEY TO HELP STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. PARTICULARLY NEEDY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SO THAT THEY CAN GET THEIR SLICE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. SO THAT COLLEGE ATTENDANCE CAN BE A REALISTIC AND REALIZEABLE ASPIRATION FOR THEM. WHO WANTS TO ARGUE AGAINST INCREASING THE PELL GRANT MAXIMUM? WHO WANTS TO ARGUE AGAINST INDEXING THAT MAXIMUM TO THE RATE OF INFLATION PLUS 1% SO THAT IT PRESERVES ITS BUYING POWER? I CERTAINLY DON'T, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE DON'T WANT TO EITHER. I WOULD HOPE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT A LOW OR MODERATE INCOME STUDENT AND SAY THAT YOU HAVE EVERY CHANCE TO HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AS A STUDENT IN THE TOP 1% OR 2% OF OUR NATION'S WEALTH. THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION AND THE LEGISLATION THAT WE WILL NEED TO PASS TO PUT IN PLACE THE LEGISLATIVE UNDERPINNING FOR THESE POLICIES WILL ALLOW US TO DO THAT. AND WHO DOESN'T WANT TO SAVE $94 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS, $47 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS BY HAVING THE GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER A STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM THAT THEY CAN RUN, THAT WE CAN RUN EVERY BIT AS EFFICIENTLY, EVERY BIT AS EFFECTIVELY AS THE PRIVATELY RUN PROGRAM NOW AND DO IT IN A FASHION THAT WILL BE INVISIBLE TO STUDENTS AND DO IT AS I SAY BY SAVING TAXPAYER MONEY TO THE TUNE OF $47 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS AND TAKING THAT MONEY AND PUTTING IT NOT HANDS OF NEEDY STUDENTS? THAT IS A WORTHY ASPIRATION. THAT IS AN ASPIRATION THAT DESERVES THE SUPPORT OF EVERY PERSON IN THIS CHAMBER AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL REALIZE THAT SUPPORT. CAN I HAVE ONE MORE -- |
| 04:22:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:22:27 | MR. BISHOP | I WILL YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. THANK YOU. |
| 04:22:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:22:33 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MADAM SPEAKER, I WILL YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE VICE MEMBER OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, MR. HENSARLING. |
| 04:22:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:22:49 | Hensarling, Jeb | AGAIN, THE LARGEST BUDGET IN AMERICAN HISTORY. TAXES TOO MUCH. NATIONAL ENERGY TAX. TAX ON SMALL BUSINESS, TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS. BORROWS TOO MUCH. GREATEST AMOUNT OF DEBT IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY. GOING TO RUN UP MORE DEBT, MORE DEBT IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS THAN IN THE PREVIOUS 220. BUDGET DEFICIT UP 10-FOLD IN JUST TWO YEARS UNDER THEIR WATCH. A CRUSHING LEVEL OF DEBT THAT PERHAPS I DON'T KNOW IF THE NEXT GENERATION WILL EVER RECOVER. IT BORROWS TOO MUCH, IT SPENDS TOO MUCH, IT TAXES TOO MUCH. AND THEN, MADAM SPEAKER, IT GETS WORSE FROM THERE. IT GETS FROM THERE. THIS THING CALLED RECONCILIATION, KIND OF THIS INSIDE THE BELTWAY TERM OF ART IS REALLY NOTHING MORE THAN A BUDGET SLEIGHT OF HAND THAT WILL FACILITATE CRAMMING THROUGH POLICIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE DEBATED ON THIS HOUSE FLOOR, IN THE SENATE UNDER REGULAR ORDER. THE SENATE ITSELF, MADAM SPEAKER, APPARENTLY DOESN'T WANT THIS IN THE BUDGET. AGAIN, SENATOR CONRAD, THE DEMOCRATIC BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HAS SAID, QUOTE, ONCE YOU UNLEASH RECONCILIATION YOU CANNOT GET IT BACK IN THE BARN. IT CAN BE USED FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT CAN BE COMPLETELY UNINTENDED AT THIS MOMENT. THAT IS THE DEMOCRATIC BUDGET CHAIRMAN. SENATOR BYRD, FRANKLY THE AUTHOR OF RECONCILIATION SAID, QUOTE, NOT DESIGNED TO CREATE A NEW CLIMATE IN ENERGY REGIME AND CERTAINLY NOT TO RESTRUCTURE OUR ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. I MEAN, RECONCILIATION MEANS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RECONCILE THEMSELVES TO A NEW NATIONAL ENERGY TAX IMPOSED BY THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY THROUGH THIS BUDGET SLEIGHT OF HAND. IT MEANS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RECONCILE THEMSELVES TO MORE JOB LOSS AS AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESSES ARE TAXED EVEN MORE AND HAVE TO LAY OFF EVEN MORE WORKERS. IT MEANS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RECONCILE THEMSELVES TO RATIONED HEALTH CARE WITH A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRAT HELPING CHOOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY EVEN RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE THAT THEY DESIRE. THAT'S WHAT RECONCILIATION IN THIS CONTEXT MEANS. NOW, IT WAS MEANT FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND IT'S BEING USED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS TO ACTUALLY SAVE JOBS, TO ACTUALLY SAVE HOPE, ACTUALLY SAVE THE FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND BE USED FOR BUDGET SAVINGS. IT'S BEING USED FOR A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PURPOSE. AND IF THESE IDEAS OF THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY ARE SO MERITORIOUS THEN WHY CAN'T THEY BE DEBATED IN REGULAR ORDER? THAT'S WHY I QUESTION. WHY USE THIS BUDGET SLEIGHT OF HAND. |
| 04:25:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:25:53 | Hensarling, Jeb | WE NEED TO REJECT THAT AND ACCEPT THIS MOTION. |
| 04:25:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:26:00 | Spratt, John | MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. BOYD. |
| 04:26:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 04:26:09 | Boyd, Allen | THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. AND I THANK MY FRIEND, THE CHAIRMAN, MR. SPRATT. MADAM SPEAKER, I'M ALWAYS INTRIGUED BY THE RHETORIC THAT COMES WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT BUDGETS. AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR A GENTLEMAN LIKE MR. SPRATT WHO'S NOT A RHETORICAL PERSON BUT A PERSON WHO WANTS TO GET PRACTICALLY GET THINGS DONE AND GET A BUDGET THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND HOW WE COLLECT AND SPEND OUR GOVERNMENT -- DO OUR GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS. MADAM SPEAKER, A BUDGET IS SUPPOSED TO BE A ROAD MAP THAT SHOWS WHERE YOU'RE GOING, HOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET THERE, WHAT'S YOUR PRIORITIES ARE, HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THOSE PRIORITIES AND UNFORTUNATELY OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND THE OTHER PARTY WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT. A BUDGET WAS USED AS A SORT OF RHETORICAL TOOL TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE GOING TO BALANCE A BUDGET BUT THEN THEY COME BACK A DAY LATER AND SAY, WELL, WE GOT ALL THIS EMERGENCY STUFF THAT WE DIDN'T PUT IN THE BUDGET WITH YOU WE KNEW ALL ALONG WE NEEDED TO DO. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU AN HONEST DOCUMENT WHICH IS AN HONEST ROAD MAP TO -- THAT EXPLAINS OUR SITUATION AND LAYS OUT AN AVENUE TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE. NOW, HONESTLY IT'S NOT A PRETTY PICTURE BUT IT'S AN HONEST PICTURE. WE HAVEN'T HAD AN HONEST PICTURE IN EIGHT YEARS. IT IS -- IT IS AN UGLY PICTURE WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBERS. BUT THE NUMBERS ARE HONEST AND IT LAYS OUT A ROAD MAP TO GET US OUT OF THIS ECONOMIC MESS THAT WE'VE -- THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS INHERITED. AND SO I'M PROUD OF MR. SPRATT AND THE WORK THAT HE'S DONE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR WORK IN PASSING THIS BUDGET. NOW, WHAT DOES THAT ROAD MAP SAY AND WHAT DOES IT DO? IT SAYS FIRST OF ALL WE ARE IN AN ECONOMIC MESS. REVENUE COLLECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE DONE, REVENUE COLLECTION IS DOWN. WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THAT. THAT WASN'T THE FAULT OF THIS SITTING PRESIDENT. IT WAS THE -- HE INHERITED THAT MESS. BUT WHAT IT DOES IS SAY THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST AND HAVE TO BE RESOLVED FOR US TO COME TO A BETTER PLACE. AND PRESIDENT OBAMA BELIEVES STRONGLY IN A COUPLE OF THINGS AND HE'S -- WE'RE TRYING TO OUTLINE IN HOW WE DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS IN THIS BUDGET. NUMBER ONE IS, HE THINKS THAT YOU CAN'T REALLY FIX THE ECONOMIC MESS UNTIL YOU DEAL WITH THE HEALTH CARE ISSUE. HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY IS A PROBLEM IN THIS NATION WHEN YOU HAVE 48 MILLION OR 50 MILLION PEOPLE WHO CANNOT ACCESS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. AND IT'S ALSO A PROBLEM IN THAT COSTS ARE RISING AT THE RATE OF 3% TO 5% ABOVE INFLATION. DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE OUT IT DOESN'T WORK TOO LONG. IT ONLY CARRIES US DEEPER INTO THE ECONOMIC MESS. SO HE SAYS WE GOT TO DEAL WITH THAT PROBLEM. AND THIS BUDGET LAYS OUT THAT AVENUE, THAT BLUEPRINT TO DEAL WITH THAT PROBLEM. SECONDLY, AND THIS IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR RELATIVE TO HOW WE GOT INTO THIS ECONOMIC MESS, AND THAT IS THE ENERGY CRISIS, THE ENERGY SITUATION. . WHEN YOU GOT A RUN-UP IN THE COST OF OIL TO $145 A BARREL WHEN IT HAD TRADITIONALLY BEEN BELOW 30, THAT WAS ONE OF THE CATALYST THAT IS TOOK US INTO THIS ECONOMIC COLLAPSE. AND WE HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME AS A NATION THAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ENERGY CRISIS. CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, ALL SORT OF INTERCONNECTED. THIS BUDGET ALSO LAYS OUT AN AVENUE OR ROAD MAP TO GET TO HOW -- TO GET TO THIS ENERGY LEGISLATION. DOESN'T GO INTO DETAILS. THE PRESIDENT HASN'T EVEN TALKED TOO MUCH ABOUT DETAIL. WANTS TO LEAVE THAT TO CONGRESS. I DO KNOW ONE THING. TO SOLVE THOSE TWO PROBLEMS, MADAM SPEAKER, IT HAS TO BE A BIPARTISAN WORK. MADAM SPEAKER, MR. RYAN KNOWS THAT, EVERY PIECE OF MAJOR LEGISLATION THAT'S EVER COME OUT OF THIS CONGRESS TO BE EFFECTIVE MUST BE BIPARTISAN. WE NEED BIPARTISAN COOPERATION AND SUPPORT. WE NEED CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS. WE AS A MINORITY NEED TO BE INCLUSIVE, BUT THE MAJORITY PARTY WHEN IT COMES TO THE TABLE NEEDS TO BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND NOT OBSTRUCTIVE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE AS BLUE DOGS WHO WE CONSIDER OURSELVES THE MOST FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE, CONSTRUCTIVE FOLKS IN CONGRESS, 51 OF US, AND I SERVE AS -- HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT GROUP FOR A LONG TIME. WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE. IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER. BUT UP TO THIS POINT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO -- OUR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN THWARTED. WE AGAIN THRUST OUT THAT OLIVE BRANCH TO WORK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. YOU CAN'T GET -- YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS ECONOMIC MESS WITHOUT DEALING WITH THE HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS AND ENERGY CRISIS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS NATION. |
| 04:31:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:31:14 | Spratt, John | I YIELD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. |
| 04:31:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS. |
| 04:31:19 | Boyd, Allen | IN THAT PROCESS, THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES HEALTH CARE REFORM, HE BELIEVES ENERGY REFORM, HE BELIEVES EDUCATION REFORM, AND THIRDLY -- FOURTHLY, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. AS THE FOLKS, MR. RYAN AND OTHERS HAVE SAID CONSISTENTLY, WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. IT'S SOMETHING WE COMPLETELY THREW OUT THE WINDOW OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO A PATH THAT LEADS US DOWN TO A BALANCED BUDGET. CAN'T GET THERE OVERNIGHT, BUT THIS BUDGET DEVELOPED BY MR. SPRATT AND WE'D LIKE TO GET IT IN A CONFERENCE MODE, WE'LL DO THAT. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:31:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:32:01 | Ryan, Paul | I YIELD MYSELF 30 SECONDS. |
| 04:32:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 04:32:04 | Ryan, Paul | THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, I AGREE WITH MUCH OF WHAT HE SAID. HE AND I ARE FRIENDS. WE BOTH LOVE TURKEY HUNTING. WE HAVE A LOT IN COMMON. AND THE GENTLEMAN WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID THAT THEY ARE USING HONEST NUMBERS. THEY ARE BEING CANDID WITH THEIR NUMBERS. THAT'S CORRECT. THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE IS SHOWING THIS BUDT RESOLUTION DOUBLES OUR PUBLICLY HELD DEBT IN 5 1/2 YEARS AND TRIPLES IT IN 10 1/2 YEARS. THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION RAISES TAXES ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BY $1.5 TRILLION, THE LARGEST IN AMERICAN HISTORY. THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION BRINGS OUR SIZE OF GOVERNMENT TO LEVELS WE HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE 1945 AT THE END OF WORLD WAR II. THE GENTLEMAN'S RIGHT WHERE HE SAYS TO GET BIG THINGS DONE WE OUGHT TO DO IT WITH BIPARTISANSHIP. ALL THE MORE REASON, MADAM SPEAKER, WHY WE SHOULD NOT HAVE RECONCILIATION. WHAT IS RECONCILIATION? IT'S A METHOD BY WHICH THE MAJORITY CAN FAST TRACK LEGISLATION THROUGH THE LAW WITHOUT ANY PARTICIPATION FROM THE MINORITY. IN ORDER TO HAVE BIPARTISANSHIP, YOU HAVE TO HAVE COLLABORATION. BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SIT DOWN, HAMMER OUT COMPROMISES, WORK TOGETHER TO PASS LEGISLATION. THAT IS NOT WHAT RECONCILIATION IS BEING USED FOR HERE. RECONCILIATION IS SAYING, ONE PARTY RULE, ONE PARTY CAN DO IT ALL. IN THE SENATE, NO FILIBUSTER, 50 VOTES PLUS ONE CAN GET IT THROUGH, NO AMENDMENTS, 100 HOURS OF DEBATE, DONE. NO INVOLVEMENT FROM THE MINORITY PARTY. IT IS THE PREROGATIVE OF THE MAJORITY TO DO THAT. THE MAJORITY HAS THE POWER AND THEY CAN DO THAT AND APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT TO MAKE SURE THAT RECONCILIATION DOESN'T OCCUR, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AGREE WITH THE SENATE, WITH THE MAJORITY PARTY IN THE SENATE THAT WE DON'T DO RECONCILIATION. UNFORTUNATELY I THINK THE TRUTH OF THIS MATTER IS BEING REVEALED HERE TODAY. AND WHERE WE ARE SEEING THIS MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE IS BASICALLY SAYING NO. WE ARE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE. WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A BIPARTISAN PROCEDURE. WE ARE GOING TO RAM THIS STUFF THROUGH WITH RECONCILIATION. YES, I YIELD. |
| 04:34:13 | Boyd, Allen | YOU MAKE A FAIR POINT. BUT I WOULD REMIND THE GENTLEMAN AGAIN THAT RECONCILIATION PROBABLY BEING INSISTED UPON BECAUSE OF THE OBSTRUCTIVE NATURE, THE JUST SAY NO NATURE OF THE MINORITY PARTY. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS SOME CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN THE PROCESS ABOUT HOW WE SOLVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. |
| 04:34:40 | Ryan, Paul | RECLAIMING MY TIME. I BELIEVE THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS VERY SINCERE IN WHAT HE SAYS ON THAT. I BELIEVE HE'S TRUE TO THAT. I'D LIKE TO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO INSERT IN THE RECORD A QUESTION AND ANSWER HAD WITH THE CHIEF COUNSEL OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ON THE MAJORITY STAFF DURING OUR MARKUP WHERE THE MAJORITY COUNSEL SAID THAT IF IN FACT RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTIONS DO GO TO THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE, WHICH THEY DO IN THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION, NOTHING STOPS THAT FROM GOING TOWARD CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION. LET'S BE VERY CLEAR HERE. |
| 04:35:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 04:35:10 | Ryan, Paul | RECONCILING TO THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE MEANS THE COMMITTEE -- |
| 04:35:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:35:15 | Ryan, Paul | ADDITIONAL MINUTE. CAN CHOOSE TO PUT IN THAT RECONCILIATION PACKAGE ANYTHING WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION. CAP AND TRADE, HEALTH CARE, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. THE POINT IS THIS, RECONCILIATION IN THE PAST HAS BEEN USED TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT, TO REDUCE TAXES, TO REDUCE SPENDING. TO CONTAIN THE GROWTH OF ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS. THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S BEING USED HERE TODAY. RECONCILIATION IS BEING USED HERE TODAY IN A NEW AND UNIQUE WAY TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE SIZE AND COST OF GOVERNMENT. TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE LEVEL OF TAXATION. TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE LIABILITIES UPON FUTURE GENERATIONS. THAT'S NOT ITS INTENT. DON'T LISTEN TO ME. LISTEN TO SENATOR BYRD, ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WHO HELPED WRITE THE LAW IN THE FIRST PLACE. LISTEN TO SENATOR CONRAD, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHO IS SAYING THIS IS NOT WHAT RECONCILIATION WAS EVER INTENDED TO BE USED FOR. PLEASE WE ARE SIMPLY SAYING JOIN US IN AGREEING WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE TO NOT HAVE RECONCILIATION SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES SPEAK THEIR MIND. SO WE CAN TRULY HAVE A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS, OPEN DEBATE. THAT'S WHY WE ARE TRYING TO DO THIS. |
| 04:36:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:36:29 | Spratt, John | MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MS. SCHWARTZ. |
| 04:36:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:36:35 | Schwartz, Allyson | THANK YOU. I THANK THE CHAIRMAN AGAIN FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY WORK AS CHAIR OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. LET'S BE CLEAR WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE. A LOT OF THIS I THINK TO THOSE WHO MIGHT BE LISTENING DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT A MOTION TO INSTRUCT IS AND WHAT RECONCILIATION LANGUAGE IS. SIMPLY PUT WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS A DECISION. ARE WE GOING TO TACKLE HEALTH CARE REFORM, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, AND EDUCATED REPAIRED WORK FORCE IN THE NEXT YEAR? WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS. THE BUDGET ALLOWS US TO DO THAT. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT DONE IN BIPARTISAN WAY. THE BUDGET SETS OUT LANGUAGE THAT SAYS, LET'S WORK ON THIS IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. IT'S OUT UNTIL SEPTEMBER, GIVES US MOST OF THE TIME TO DO THAT. ALL WE HEAR FROM THE OTHER SIDE IS, NO, LET'S NOT DO THIS. LET'S NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES. THE HIGH COST OF HEALTH CARE FOR OUR BUSINESSES. THE FACT THAT IT EFFECTS OUR ECONOMY AND JOB GROWTH. WE HAVE ALL HEARD FROM BUSINESSES THAT SAY, I WOULD HIRE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, A SMALL BUSINESSWOMAN SAID TO ME, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS. FAMILIES WITH STORY AFTER STORY OF FAMILIES THAT CAN'T PAY FOR NEEDED HEALTH CARE. WE KNOW IT IS TIME TO FIND A TRULY AMERICAN SOLUTION TO CONTAINING COSTS, IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS. IT HAS LONG BEEN A MORAL IMPERATIVE. IT IS NOW AN ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE AS WELL FOR OUR NATION'S PEOPLE AND OUR NATION'S BUSINESSES. LET ME SAY WHAT WE HEAR FROM THE OTHER SIDE IS JUST LET'S NOT DO IT. LET'S NOT DO IT. THEY WOULD RATHER DISCUSS PROCESS AND INSTEAD OF DEBATING THE ISSUE WHICH WE COULD DO, THEY ARE BUSY DISCUSSING PROCESS. WE HEAR IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. LET'S READ THE LANGUAGE IN THE RESERVE FUND. IT'S REVENUE NEUTRAL. WE'LL FIND THE MONEY TO DO THIS. WE'LL DEBATE THIS. THE COMMITTEES ARE HOLDING HEARINGS. WE ARE TALKING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. IT IS TIME FOR US TO FINALLY SET OUT THE PATH TO DO THIS. LET'S BE CLEAR. IN THE FIRST EIGHT WEEKS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, WE DID MORE ON HEALTH CARE THAN THE PRIOR EIGHT YEARS BEFORE. AND I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE. WE HAD LITTLE COOPERATION FROM THE OTHER SIDE TO GET IT DONE. IN SPITE OF OUR PRESIDENT AND OUR LEADERSHIP AND MANY OF US REACHING OUT TO THE OTHER SIDE. WHAT DID WE DO? WE MADE SURE THAT 11 MILLION CHILDREN OF WORKING FAMILIES WHOSE PARENTS SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD OR HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE COVERAGE HAVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. 11 MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN. I THINK THAT'S GREAT. WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD IN THIS COUNTRY HAS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. AND WE CAN. WE MOVED AHEAD ON FUNDING FOR N.I.H., FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, TO DO STEM CELL RESEARCH, TO FIND THE CURES AND TREATMENTS THAT ALL OF US KNOW FAMILY MEMBERS NEED FOR THE FUTURE. WE MADE SURE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED, WHO CAN'T AFFORD HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, GET A SUXDIER FOR THE NEXT -- SUBS CAN I FOR -- SUBSIDY FOR THE NEXT NINE MONTHS. FIRST TIME WE HAVE DONE THAT. IT IS CLEAR WE HAVE BEFORE US A CHOICE, DO WE ACTUALLY TACKLE HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR AMERICANS? |
| 04:39:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:39:46 | Schwartz, Allyson | THIS IS THE DECISION WE ARE MAKING. WE SAY WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD. THE OTHER SIDE SIMPLY IS SAYING NO. |
| 04:39:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:39:53 | Ryan, Paul | AT THIS TIME, MADAM SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. BROWN. |
| 04:39:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:40:00 | Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D. | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. I REQUEST UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 04:40:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 04:40:09 | Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D. | THIS BUDGET WE ARE CONSIDERING STEALS OUR GRANDCHILDREN'S FUTURE. WE ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH. WE ARE TAXING TOO MUCH. WE ARE BORROWING TOO MUCH. AND IT HAS TO STOP. MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. BOYD, FROM FLORIDA SAID WE HAVE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AS A NATION. I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. BUT THIS BUDGET IS BEING FORCED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IT'S A STEAMROLL OF SOCIALISM BEING SHOVED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND IT'S GOING TO STRANGLE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. IT'S GOING TO SLEIGH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- SLAY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, CHOKE THEM TO DEATH ECONOMICALLY. WE'VE GOT TO STOP IT. THE MAJORITY IS USING THIS RECONCILIATION IN A DICTATORIAL MANNER TO TRY TO FORCE THEIR PHILOSOPHY OF BIG GOVERNMENT, SOCIALISTIC GOVERNMENT, TOTAL CONTROL OF EVERYTHING. I AM A' -- I'M A MEDICAL DOCTOR, AND THE HEALTH CARE ISSUES WE HEAR, THE FORMER SPEAKER JUST PRIOR TO ME WAS TALKING ABOUT OFFERING HEALTH INSURANCE TO 11 MILLION CHILDREN. I WANT TO SEE EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE HEALTH CARE. PROVIDED TO THEM. IN FACT, THEY CAN TODAY, BUT THE HEALTH CARE POLICIES THAT ARE BEING FOSTERED BY THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY ARE GOING TO DESTROY THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THE COST IS GOING TO BE ENORMOUS. THE QUALITY THE CARE WILL GO DOWN. WE'LL HAVE TREMENDOUS RATIONING OF HEALTH CARE ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY. IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS OUT OF THE HANDS OF DOCTORS AND PATIENTS. AND IT'S GOING TO PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF FEDERAL BUREAUCRATS WHO HAVE NO MEDICAL TRAINING. AND IT'S MORALLY WRONG. WE'VE GOT TO STOP THIS. I RISE TODAY IN OBJECTION TO THIS DEMOCRATIC PROS SESS AND TO THIS DEMOCRATIC BUDGET. A BUDGET PROPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT IS GOING TO DESTROY OUR ECONOMY. WE'VE GOT TO STOP THIS STEAMROLLING. WE'VE GOT TO PUT UP SPEED BUMPS AND STOP SIGNS. THIS STEAMROLL IS GOING TO ROLL OVER DOCTORS AND PATIENTS AND IT'S GOING TO SMASH THEM. AND IT'S GOING TO DESTROY THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY. IT'S GOING TO FORCE THROUGH THE CAP AND TAX POLICIES THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THIS DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IS PROPOSING, IT'S GOING TO SEND JOBS OVERSEAS. IT'S GOING TO MARKEDLY INCREASE THE COST OF ALL GOODS AND SERVICES IN AMERICA -- FOOD, DRUGS. EVERY SINGLE SERVICE IN AMERICA WILL GO UP BECAUSE OF THE POLICY THAT'S BEING FORCED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO RISE UP AND SAY NO TO THIS BUDGET, TO THIS PROCESS, IT'S TOTALLY WRONG. WE ARE STEALING OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. WE'VE GOT TO STOP THIS. WE NEED TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT, BUT THIS MEARKEDLY -- |
| 04:43:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 04:43:20 | Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D. | FORCES THINGS DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE MUST STOP IT. |
| 04:43:23 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:43:26 | Spratt, John | I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. ANDREWS. |
| 04:43:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:43:34 | Andrews, Robert | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 04:43:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 04:43:38 | Andrews, Robert | THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR YIELDING. SEVERAL MILLION AMERICANS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS SINCE THE FALL. WE ARE SAYING LET'S GET TO WORK TO TRY TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. THE MINORITY IS SAYING, NO, NOT NOW. NOT THIS WAY. . WAGES HAVE GONE UP ONLY 1/3 AS FAR AS HEALTH CARE COSTS HAVE GONE UP FOR THE TYPICAL AMERICAN FAMILY IN THE LAST DECADE OR SO. AND WE'RE SAYING LET'S GET TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. AND IN THE PROCESS LET'S SAY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN CONVENIENT STORES AND GAS STATIONS AND MOWING LAWNS AND STORE CLERKS THAT THEY OUGHT TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE TOO FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. WE'RE SAYING LET'S GET TO WORK ON THAT. THE MINORITY IS SAYING, NO, NOT NOW, NOT THIS WAY. WE ALL SUFFER THE RAVAGES OF $4 GALLON GASOLINE LAST SUMMER. IT WILL PROBABLY GO BACK UP AGAIN BECAUSE WE'RE SO IMPACTED TO FOREIGN OIL OVERSEAS. WE'RE SAYING, LET'S GET TO WORK ON SOLVING THAT PROBLEM IN BUILDING WINDMILLS AND HYDROGEN ENGINES AND SOLAR FARMS AND OTHER IDEAS. MINORITY IS SAYING, NO, NOT NOW, NOT THIS WAY. THERE ARE AMERICAN FAMILIES WHOSE SONS OR DAUGHTERS ARE GOING TO COME HOME FROM SCHOOL TODAY AND RECEIVE THE THICK ENVELOPE THAT SAYS THEY GOT IN THE COLLEGE THEY'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO, AND THE PARENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SAY, NO, NOT NOW, NOT THIS WAY BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THE COST OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION. WE SAY, LET'S GET TO WORK ON SOLVING THAT PROBLEM BY MOVING $94 BILLION AWAY FROM CORPORATE WELFARE TO STUDENT FINANCIAL AID. LET'S GET TO WORK ON THAT. THE MINORITY SAYS, NO, NOT NOW, NOT THIS WAY. THIS IS A CHOICE BETWEEN YES AND NO. IT'S A CHOICE BETWEEN OPTIMISM AND PESSIMISM. IT'S A CHOICE BETWEEN WORKING ON THE COUNTRY'S PROBLEMS AND JUST WATCHING THEM METASTASIZE. WE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER. WE SHOULD DO IT TOGETHER, BUT WE SHOULD DO IT. SO I WOULD URGE A VOTE AGAINST THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT. I WOULD URGE THAT WE WORK WITH THE OTHER BODY AND GET STARTED ON THIS BUDGET AND STARTED ON SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:46:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:46:13 | Ryan, Paul | MADAM SPEAKER, MAY I INQUIRE AS TO HOW MUCH TIME REMAINS ON EACH SIDE? |
| 04:46:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN HAS NINE MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS 13 MINUTES. |
| 04:46:24 | Ryan, Paul | WILL THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA CARE TO CATCH UP? |
| 04:46:31 | Spratt, John | I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR. BLUMENAUER. |
| 04:46:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:46:43 | Blumenauer, Earl | THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THANK YOU, MR. SPRATT. THANK YOU FOR THE COURTESY IN PERMITTING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP PROVIDING TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A BUDGET BLUEPRINT THAT WAS REFLECTIVE OF THE CHALLENGE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA LAID BEFORE US ALL SCANT THREE MONTHS AGO IN HIS FIRST STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH. THE BUDGET OUTLINE WE HAVE BEFORE US IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEGISLATE. THERE ARE SOME THAT SAY SOME MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE SHOULDN'T BE LEGISLATORS. THEY SHOULD JUST BE COMMUNICATORS. THROWING UP SPEED BUMPS AND IGNORING THE REALITY OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE FACE THAT THE PRESIDENT INHERITED FROM A FORMER DYSFUNCTIONAL ADMINISTRATION THAT WAS ENABLED BY MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS WHEN THEY WERE IN CHARGE. MASSIVE BUDGET DEFICITS, SERIOUS PROBLEMS HOLLOWING OUT THE ECONOMY, A HOUSING BUBBLE THAT BURST, PROBLEMS OVERSEAS AND IGNORING, IGNORING THE PROBLEMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE NOT JUST IN THIS COUNTRY BUT GLOBAL LEADERSHIP. AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THREE SHORT MONTHS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS CONGRESS FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO ACTUALLY LEGISLATE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THERE IS A POSITIVE CHOICE THAT IS BROUGHT FORTH IN THE BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT WOULD BE UNDERCUT BY THE MOTION TO INSTRUCT TO GIVE ALMOST $100 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO STUDENTS INSTEAD OF BANKERS, TO STUDENTS INSTEAD OF BANKERS. IN STATES LIKE MINE WITH AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF OVER 12%, A STATE -- I KNOW MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND FROM SOUTH CAROLINA HAS A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. THERE IS HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN NORTH CAROLINA. WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HELP STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING PUTTING MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS, NOT INTO THE POCKETS OF BANKERS. THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION GIVES US MORE LEVERAGE TO DELIVER ON THAT PROMISE. IT IS A BLUEPRINT TO WORK WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE LEGISLATORS HERE WHO WANT TO LEGISLATE, NOT JUST TALK, TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE CHOICES TO AMERICAN FAMILIES DEALING WITH HEALTH CARE. ALREADY IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE PRESIDENT WE'VE ACTED TO EXTEND HEALTH CARE TO 11 MILLION CHILDREN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. WE'VE DEALT IN THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PACKAGE WITH BRIDGE FINANCING TO HELP THEM KEEP THEIR UN -- THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE IF THEY'RE LAID OFF. THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE PART OF A CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM THAT'S AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY WHO TAKE SERIOUSLY THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND LEGISLATE. I WOULD -- CAN I HAVE 30 SECONDS? |
| 04:50:00 | Spratt, John | ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:50:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:50:05 | Blumenauer, Earl | I APPRECIATE THAT. THERE IS A CONCERN THAT IS TALKED ABOUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN ABOUT RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTIONS DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. I'M ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE STRENGTHENED THE HAND OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THIS VITAL DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET AND THE HEALTH OF OUR ECONOMY TO GIVE MORE LEVERAGE TO DEAL WITH CARBON POLLUTION AND TO PUT MORE GREEN JOBS INTO THE ECONOMY AND MONEY IN THE HANDS OF CONSUMERS, NOT UTILITIES THAT ARE POLLUTING. BUT THAT'S NOT THERE. I WOULD STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO REJECT THIS MOTION AS THEY REJECTED AN ILL-CONSIDERED FIVE-YEAR FREEZE ON SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SPENDING ON BEHALF OF OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT THE REPUBLICANS OFFERED UP. WE REJECTED THAT WISELY, AND I'M PLEASED THAT MANY REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO ILL-CONSIDERED AND DRAW CONYUM. IT IS -- DRAW CONIAN. IT'S TIME -- DRACONIAN. IT'S TIME TO REJECT IT. |
| 04:51:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:51:18 | Ryan, Paul | MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF THREE MINUTES AT THIS TIME. |
| 04:51:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 04:51:26 | Ryan, Paul | LET ME SEE IF I CAN GO AT IT AT A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. UNDER RECONCILIATION, THE TOTAL DEBATE ON RECONCILIATION BILL HERE FOUR HOURS ON A BILL, ONE HOUR ON A CONFERENCE REPORT. IN THE SENATE 20 HOURS ON A BILL, 10 HOURS ON A CONFERENCE REPORT. THAT MEANS TOTAL DEBATE ON RECONCILIATION IN CONGRESS 35 HOURS. LET'S ASSUME THAT THEY BREAK UP THE BILL INTO THREE RECONCILIATION VEHICLES AS COULD BE THE CASE WITH THIS. 105 TOTAL HOURS, TOTAL HOURS OF DEBATE BETWEEN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE UNITED STATES SENATE. WOW. 105 TOTAL HOURS OF DEBATE IN THIS CONGRESS TO DETERMINE THE LARGEST AND MOST SWEEPING TRANSFORMATION IN OUR CONGRESS THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE THE NEW DEAL. THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS. THESE ARE THE WORDS OF THE ADMINISTRATION WHO CLAIM THAT IS THE AMBITION OF THIS BUDGET. WE ARE BEING PRESENTED WITH A NEW BUDGET, WITH SUCH AWESOME AMBITION, WITH SUCH ENORMOUS INCREASE IN SPENDING, TAXING AND BORROWING. A VIRTUAL TAKEOVER OF 25% OF OUR ECONOMY IN JUST THE HEALTH CARE AND ENERGY SECTORS ALONE. THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE WE HAVE SEEN EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY. THE LARGEST DEBT INCREASE PROPOSED UNDER THIS PRESIDENCY THAN ALL PRIOR PRESIDENCIES COMBINED. ALL RUSHED THROUGH WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE IN AS LITTLE AS 35 HOURS AND NO MORE THAN 105 HOURS OF DEBATE. IS THAT DEMOCRACY? NO. IS THAT WHAT RECONCILIATION WAS MEANT TO BE? NO. RECONCILIATION, THE SPIRIT AND THE IDEA BEHIND IT WAS TO GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER, WAS TO GET SPENDING AND BORROWING UNDER CONTROL, NOT OUT OF CONTROL. UNFORTUNATELY THIS RULE IS BEING TWISTED, CONTORTED, DISTORTED TO ACHIEVE THESE ENDS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO RAMROD IT THROUGH CONGRESS WITHOUT GIVING MANY VOICES TO IT WITHOUT HAVING ANY BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION AND JUST MOVING THROUGH THE GAUNT LET. THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS, MADAM SPEAKER, WHICH IS WHEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTED FOR CHANGE, AND I HEARD THIS AT MY 25 LISTENING SESSIONS, I DON'T THINK A LOT OF THEM THOUGHT THIS WAS THE KIND OF CHANGE THEY WERE VOTING FOR. THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE VOTING FOR THE KIND OF CHANGE TO MORE MORTGAGES ON THEIR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE VOTING FOR A BRAND NEW NATIONAL ENERGY TAX ON THEIR LIVELIHOODS, ON THEIR HEATING BILLS AND THEIR GAS BILLS AND THEIR ELECTRICITY BILLS. THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE VOTING FOR A NEW TAX ON THE MANUFACTURING JOBS IN AMERICA WHEN OUR OWN COMPETITORS IN CHINA AND INDIA WERE NOT DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES. THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE VOTING FOR THE LARGEST TAX INCRIES IN HISTORY. THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE VOTING FOR THE KIND OF CHANGE THAT GIVES US A SEA OF RED INK, A MOUNTAIN OF DEBT, A GOVERNMENT THAT'S THE BIGGEST WE HAVE SEEN IN A GENERATION. YIELDING MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS I WILL SAY -- |
| 04:54:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS. |
| 04:54:37 | Ryan, Paul | THAT THE WHOLE IDEA OF RAMMING ALL OF THIS GOVERNMENT, THIS GUSHER OF SPENDING AND TAXING AND BORROWING THROUGH IN AS LITTLE AS 35 HOURS OF DEBATE IS NOT DEMOCRACY. IT IS NOT THE WAY THIS HOUSE IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT THE MAJORITY AIMS TO DO AND THAT IS WHY WE AGREE WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING. |
| 04:54:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:55:04 | Spratt, John | MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. ETHERIDGE. |
| 04:55:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR |
| 04:55:12 | Etheridge, Bob | I ASK PERMISSION TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 04:55:16 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 04:55:19 | Etheridge, Bob | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. AND, MADAM SPEAKER, H.R. -- H.RES. 85 BUILDINGS ON THE WORK OF THIS CONGRESS HAS STARTED ON TO GET OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK, ADDRESSES THE CURRENT CRISIS AND BUILDS FOR FUTURE NEEDS. JUST SO FOLKS UNDERSTAND, A BUDGET IN CONGRESS IS NOT LIKE THE BUDGET WE THINK ABOUT. IT REALLY IS A FRAMEWORK. IT'S A BLUEPRINT. I'M SURE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TALK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE IN IT. BUT WHAT THEY DON'T SAY IS IT DOESN'T DO ANY OF THE THINGS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. WE'D LIKE FOR OUR FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE TO JOIN US. THIS REALLY SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN ISSUE. THE ISSUE OF GETTING OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK SHOULDN'T BE PARTISAN. THE ISSUE OF INVESTING IN EDUCATION FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE. THE ISSUE OF TWEAKS IN HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICAN PEOPLE, IN MY HOME STATE, ONE OF THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE UNINSURED IS THE LARGEST. THESE PEOPLE DON'T CARE WHO GETS IT FOR THEM. THEY WANT HEALTH CARE FIXED. AND CERTAINLY I REMEMBER $4 OIL -- $4 A GALLON GASOLINE THAT GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE. WE NEED TO FIX THAT. BUT THIS BILL LAYS OUT A PLAN TO CUT THE DEFICIT BY NEARLY 2/3 BY 2013 AND CREE -- CREATES JOBS IN AREAS I TALKED ABOUT, HEALTH CARE, CLEAN ENERGY AND IN EDUCATION. AND, YES, RECONCILIATION IS ABOUT GETTING A BUDGET IN BALANCE. THAT'S WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE USED IT FOR. WE USED IT FOR THAT LAST TIME. BUT I REMIND YOU THAT A BUDGET IS MORE THAN JUST A DOCUMENT. IT IS A STATEMENT OF OUR NATION'S PRIORITIES AND OUR VALUES. AND THIS BUDGET IS ABOUT THAT. IT'S ABOUT THE FUTURE. IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS AND IT'S ABOUT CREATING JOBS WITH INVESTMENTS AND REFORM IN HEALTH CARE, CLEAN ENERGY AND EDUCATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PREPARED FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY. OUR EFFORTS IN THIS BUDGET ARE ABOUT PROTECTING FAMILIES AND IS REALLY ABOUT THREE THINGS AND THREE THINGS ONLY -- JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT. AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY LOOKING TO US FOR HELP. YES, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP. AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO IT. IT TAKES THE FIRST STEP IN THIS -- IN RESTORING AMERICA'S FINANCIAL STRENGTH. AND WE WILL GET THERE BY GROWING OUR ECONOMY IN AREAS LIKE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND ENERGY WHICH WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR SUSTAINED RECOVERY AND GET OUR PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK. AND, YES, I'M VERY PLEASED THAT THIS BUDGET MAKES ROOM FOR THOSE AREAS BUT IT MAKES ROOM FOR CRITICAL INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN. FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS THE ECONOMY CHANGES AND GET AN EDUCATION SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE WAY FOR THEIR FAMILY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND VOTE AGAINST THE MOTION TO INSTRUCT. AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:58:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 04:58:37 | Ryan, Paul | I -- SEEING THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE AND WE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS, I'LL RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME SO THE CHAIRMAN CAN USE UP HIS TIME. |
| 04:58:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 04:58:53 | Spratt, John | DOES THE GENTLEMAN HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CLOSE? I YIELD ONE OF THE REMAINING MINUTES ON OUR SIDE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MS. SCHWARTZ. |
| 04:59:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 04:59:06 | Schwartz, Allyson | THANK YOU. JUST AS I LISTEN TO THIS DEBATE AND IT IS A DEBATE AND WHILE THE OTHER SIDE IS PRIMARILY DEBATING PROCESS AND THE CONCERNS THEY HAVE ABOUT HOW MUCH WE'LL BE ABLE TO BE HEARD, I WILL SUGGEST THAT THEY BE HEARD FOR SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR NATION, FOR GROWING THOSE JOBS THROUGH HEALTH CARE REFORM AND EDUCATION. THIS IS A MOMENT WHEN IN FACT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DID CALL ON US TO TAKE ACTION ON THESE CRITICAL ISSUES. THEY UNDERSTAND THE ENORMOUS CHALLENGES FACING THEIR OWN FAMILIES, THEIR COMMUNITIES AND OUR NATION, AND THEY ARE CALLING ON US TO TAKE ACTION, TO DO IT IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY BUT TO FACE AMERICANS' CHALLENGES, TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS IN OUR FUTURE. THAT'S WHAT THIS BUDGET DOES. IT SETS OUT A PATH FOR US TO TACKLE THESE MAJOR CHALLENGES. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO. WE'D LIKE TO DO IT IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO HAVE HOURS AND HOURS OF DEBATE BOTH HERE IN CONGRESS AND IN OUR COMMITTEES AND AT HOME AND THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND AMERICAN BUSINESSES ARE ARE COUNTING ON US. A VOTE FOR THIS BUDGET, A VOTE TO PROCEED IS A VOTE FOR AMERICA. THANK YOU. |
| 05:00:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. |
| 05:00:18 | Spratt, John | I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF MY TIME, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 05:00:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:00:24 | Spratt, John | LET ME SAY A FEW THINGS. WE'VE HEARD REPEATED ON THE FLOOR ARGUMENTS MADE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO WHEN THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION FIRST CAME TO THE FLOOR IN THIS WAS THE BIGGEST SPENDING BILL IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS SIMPLY THIS, SPENDING IS UNPRECEDENTEDLY LARGE. THE REASON IS, WE'RE EMERGING FROM -- WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF ONE OF THE WORST RECESSIONS SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND WE'VE TAKE BE REMEDIAL STEPS WHICH HAVE BEEN COSTLY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, QUITE A FEW OF WHICH WERE A LAUNCH UNDER THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. SO THAT HAS SWOLLEN THE TOTAL SPENDING AND THE TOTAL DEFICIT FOR THIS YEAR. BUT LISTEN TO THIS, TOTAL OUTLAYS FOR 2009, FISCAL YEAR 2009, TOTAL OUTLAYS, THE WHOLE BUDGET, $3.8 TRILLION. NEXT YEAR UNDER THIS BUDGET, TOTAL OUTLAYS WILL BE $3.5 TRILLION. YOU'VE ALREADY SAID REPEATEDLY SPENDING'S GOING UP. IT'S COMING DOWN. IT WILL COME DOWN FURTHER JUST AS WILL THE DEFICIT BECAUSE THIS IS A DEFICIT REDUCTION BUDGET RESOLUTION. WHICH REDUCES THE DEFICIT FROM $1.7 TRILLION TO $533 BILLION IN THREE OR FOUR FISCAL YEARS. THAT'S A MATTER OF TRUTH. IF YOU CARE TO TAKE THE TIME AND PICK UP A COPY OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT, YOU'LL SEE ON PAGE 5, THIS SIMPLE SENTENCE ABOUT THE TAX SITUATION. THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION CALLS FOR REDUCING THE REVENUES PROVIDED UNDER THE C.B.O.'S BASELINE FORECAST, REDUCING A $613 BILLION BETWEEN 2009 AND 2014 AND BY $1.4 TRILLION BETWEEN 2010 AND 2019. THESE ARE FACTS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN REFUTED. EVERY TIME WE'VE ASKED THE ARITHMETIC BE EXPLAINED, WE'VE NOT GOTTEN AN ANSWER. LET ME JUST SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT RECONCILIATION. RECONCILIATION HAS BEEN SINCE THE OUTSET OF THE BUDGET PROCESS IN 1974, A CENTRAL PART OF MAKING A BUDGET. IF YOU LISTEN TO THE ARGUMENT HERE ON THE FLOOR, WHAT YOU HEARD WERE A LOT OF RED HERINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT -- HERRINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS SUGGESTED THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO CHOICE. THIS WAS GOING TWOTH IN BETWEEN PATIENT AND THEIR DOCTORS OR PATIENTS ANDED THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND CHOOSING HEALTH INSURANCE. THERE'S NOTHING IN HERE, NOTHING WHATSOEVER, TO EVEN BREATHES A WORD ABOUT EITHER OF THOSE SUBJECTS. THERE'S TALK HERE THAT THIS WOULD DEAL WITH CAP AND TRADE, EVEN THOUGH WE TOOK CAP AND TRADE OUT OF THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST, REMOVED IT METLY, THE NOT SPOKEN OF OR MENTIONED -- MENTIONED THERE AND YOU HEARD BLUMENAUER ON THE FLOOR, HE'D LOVE TO SEE IT THERE BUT IT'S NOT. IT'S NOT THERE. BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE. IT WOULD ALSO, HOWEVER, FORCE THE PASSAGE OF THINGS WE THINK ARE WORTHY AND VITAL. CERTAINLY WE WANT TO IMPROVE HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN IN AMERICA. THINKING THAT THE THEIR BIRTH RIGHT IF IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN ATTAIN. AND WE DEFINITELY, DECIDEDLY, CLEARLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT 46 MILLION AMERICANS WHO DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION AND THEN TAKE OUT THE RECONCILIATION PROVISIONS WE WOULD HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME ASSURING OURSELVES THAT LEGISLATION TO THAT EFFECT WOULD BE PRODUCED ON A TIMELY BASIS. THAT'S WHAT RECONCILIATION IS ALL ABOUT. SIMPLY THIS, WE CAN SAY TO COMMITTEES OF JURISDICTION ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE THROUGH ACTION ON THE FLOOR BY A CERTAIN DATE DO A CERTAIN THING TO RAISE A CERTAIN SUM OF MONEY OR TO LOWER REVENUES BY A CERTAIN SUM. THAT DOESN'T GET THE BILL OFF THE FLOOR. YOU STILL GOT TO COMMAND THE MAJORITY ON THE FLOOR. THAT DOESN'T GET THE BILL OUT OF CONFERENCE. YOU STILL GOT TO CONFER WITH THE SENATE, WORK OUT YOUR DIFFERENCES AND GET IT PASSED AGAIN BY BOTH HOUSES. THEN YOU STILL HAVE TO GET THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN THE BILL. ALL THOSE HURTLES ARE STILL IN PLACE. IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OFF RUNNING TO THE RACES IF WE ADOPT THIS. WE SIMPLY ASSURE OURSELVES THAT CERTAIN ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. THEN FINALLY THERE'S SOME SEEMINGLY SIMPLE LANGUAGE HERE ABOUT OFFSET SAYING IF YOU WANT TO INCREASE A PROGRAM, YOU'VE GOT TO ACTUALLY CUT SPENDING OFFSET. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. I WAS ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF AND SUPPORTERS OF AND STILL AM SOMETHING WE CALL PAY-GO. BUT IF WE WANT TO PROVIDE THAT EVERYTHING MUST BE OFFSET BY COMMENTRY SPENDING DECREASES, YOU WILL KILL THE OPPORTUNITY WE'VE HAD TO PASS PROGRAMS LIKE SCHIP, THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, THE EXPANSION OF WHICH THE CREATION OF WHICH WAS ALLOWED BY USE OF TOBACCO TAXES AND CIGARETTE TAXES. SO THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT IS UNNECESSARY, UNWARRANTED AND IT WILL IMPEDE THE PASSAGE OF WHAT WE BELIEVE IS A GOOD BALANCE OF A GOOD BUDGET RESOLUTION. THEREFORE WE WOULD URGE ALL MEMBERS TO VOTE AGAINST IT. |
| 05:05:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN. |
| 05:05:35 | Ryan, Paul | MADAM SPEAKER, HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE REMAINING? |
| 05:05:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN HAS 5 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING. |
| 05:05:42 | Ryan, Paul | MADAM SPEAKER, I'LL YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:05:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. FOR SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:05:50 | Ryan, Paul | I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY FIRST OF ALL SAYING AND I COMMENT ON THIS A LOT, I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, MR. SPRATT. HE'S AN ADMIRABLE MAN WHO HAS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB. I'D LIKE TO HARKIN BACK TO A DAY WHERE BIPARTISANSHIP ON THE BUDGET WORKED. THE YEAR BEFORE I CAME TO CONGRESS, AND MR. SPRATT WAS A KEY PART OF THIS. THAT WAS THE 1997 BUDGET AGREEMENT. THAT'S WHEN RECONCILIATION WAS USED FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE AND THAT 1997 BUDGET AGREEMENT WHERE YOU HAD A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT AND A REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAME TOGETHER IN BIPARTISAN FASHION TO REDUCE SPENDING AND TO REDUCE TAXES. AND IT IS THAT BUDGET AGREEMENT THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR THE SURPLUSES THAT THEN OCCURRED AND FOLLOWED THAT HELPED US PAY DOWN DEBT. THE FACT IS, MADAM SPEAKER, THAT BOTH PARTIES SHOULD CLAIM CREDIT FOR THAT JOB AND THAT IMPROVEMENT IN OUR FISCAL SITUATION FOR BRINGING THOSE SURPLUSES, FOR BALANCING THE BUDGET AND FOR HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO DEBT REDUCTION. BOTH PARTIES DID THAT, BOTH PARTIES SHOULD GET CREDIT FOR THAT. BUT HERE WE ARE TODAY, TAKING THIS PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN USED TO GOOD EFFECT IN THE PAST, FULFILLING THE SPIRIT OF THE PROCESS, AND WE'RE JUST TURNING IT UPSIDE DOWN. LET'S REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF THIS. WE VERY WELL MIGHT HAVE, WITH LITTLE AS 35 HOURS OF DEBATE BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS AND NO MORE THAN 105 HOURS OF DEHE BAIT BECAUSE OF THIS FAST-TRACKED PROCEDURE, THE GREATEST TRANSPORTATION OF OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SINCE THE NEW DEAL. LET'S REVIEW THE ISSUES. TAXES. WHAT THIS BUDGET PROPOSES TO DO IS TO IMPOSE A NEW NATIONAL ENERGY TAX ON EVERYBODY WHO CONSUMES ENERGY, A TAX ON MANUFACTURING, A TAX ON COAL-BURNING STATES LIKE MY OPEN, A TAX THAT'S BAD FOR OUR ECONOMY. HIGHER TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES, HIGHER TAXES ON INVESTMENTS. HIGHER TAXES IN A RECESSION. WE PROPOSE AN ALTERNATIVE IN OUR BUDGET. WE SAID NO. LET'S NOT RAISE TAXES IN A RECESSION AND LET'S MAKE OUR BUSINESSES MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY SO WE CAN CREATE JOBS IN THIS RECESSION. THAT WAS REJECTED. NOW THEY'RE STEAMROLLING THESE TAX INCREASES THROUGH WITH VERY LITTLE DEBATE, VERY FEW AMENDMENTS. LET'S TALK ABOUT CAP AND TRADE. THE CHAIRMAN GAVE AN ARTICULATE DEFENSE FOR HOW CAP AND TRADE ISN'T HAPPENING HERE, IT'S NOT IN THIS BUDGET. THEN WHY IS ARE THEY MARKING UP CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION NEXT WEEK? THEY'RE HAVING HEARINGS NOW AND BRINGING IT TO THE FLOOR. HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH CAP AND TRADE. WE DON'T THINK IT WORKS. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A CARBON PROBLEM, HITTING OUR ECONOMY WITH THIS WHILE OUR VERY COMPETITORS IN CHINA AND INDIA WON'T DO IT WILL NOT EVEN REDUCE CARBON IN THE ATMOSPHERE. IT WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE CARBON BUT FROM CHINA AND INDIA. FOR EVERY ONE TON OF GREENHOUSE GASES WE REDUCE IN AMERICA, CHINA INCREASES THEIRS BY THREE OR FOUR TONS. WE LOSE OUR MANUFACTURING JOBS, THEY GET THE JOBS, THEY EMIT CARBON IN THE ATMOSPHERE, THERE'S NOR CARBON IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND AMERICA HAS LESS JOBS. HOW IS THAT A GOOD IDEA? WE PROPOSED AN ALTERNATIVE IN OUR BUDGET THE WE SAID, LET'S DRILL FOR OIL AND GAS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF IT. LET'S INVEST THE PROCEEDS OF IT IN A CLEAN ENERGY TRUST FUND SO WE INTVATE OUR WAY TOWARD A CLEAN -- INNOVATE OUR WAY TOWARD A CLEAN ENERGY SYSTEM, WIND, SOLAR, ALL THESE THINGS, FUEL CELLS. AMERICANS ARE INNOVATORS. LET'S NOT HIT OURSELVES WITH A HUGE ENERGY TAX THAT COSTS JOBS, LET'S INNOVATE OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM TO A CLEANER ENERGY ECONOMY. THAT'S OUR ALTERNATIVE. THAT WAS REJECTED AND NOW THIS CAP AND TRADE THING CAN GET SWEPT THROUGH WITH AS LITTLE AS 35 HOURS OF DEBATE. LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE. I JUST CAME FROM THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, ANOTHER COMMITTEE I SERVE ON, BEFORE COMING TO THE FLOOR HERE TODAY. WHERE THEY'RE DISCUSSING HOW IN THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT IS A GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN OPTION. PROBLEM IS IT QUICKLY BECOMES A GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN MONOPOLY. ONE OF THE LEADING HEALTH INSURANCES IN AMERICA ARE TELLING US THAT AS MANY AS 120 MILLION AMERICANS WILL LOSE THEIR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER THIS GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN OPTION. THIS IS GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE, IT MAY NOT SAY IT IN NAME, IT MAY NOT BE WHAT IT SAYS IT'S GOING TO DO TOMORROW, BUT IT IS CLEARLY WHAT ALL THE ECONOMISTS ARE TELLING US WHAT IT BECOMES. THE ADVOCATES ON THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE ARE ALREADY TELLING US WHY, WHY HAVE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE FIRST PLACE, LET'S JUST HAVE THE GOVERNMENT RUN IT ALL. SO CLEARLY THE INTENTION IS BEING MADE MADE KNOWN AND THIS CONFISCATION OF 17% OF OUR ECONOMY HE WILL RUN THROUGH CONGRESS WITH AS LITTLE AS 35 HOURS OF DEBATE. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. SHOULD WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA? LET'S HAVE A DEBATE IT ABOUT THAT. LET'S NOT HAVE 35 HOURS OF DEBATE. SHOULD WE IMPOSE THE LARGEST ENERGY TAX IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY ON OUR MANUFACTURERS, ON SENIORS, ON THE UPPER MIDWEST WHERE WE HAVE COLD WINTERERS OR SHOULD WE JUST RAP -- WINTERS OR SHOULD WE JUST RAM THIS THING THROUGH? SHOULD WE HIT OUR ECONOMY IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION WITH THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY, RAM IT THROUGH WITH NO AMENDMENTS WITH AS LITTLE AS 35 HOURS OF DEBATE? SHOULD WE TRANSFORM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE LARGEST TRANSFORMATION WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE THE NEW DEAL, WITH AS LITTLE AS 35 HOURS OF DEBATE? WE THINK NO. AND WE AGREE WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE WHO AGREE WITH US THAT THE ANSWER SHOULD BE NO. LET'S CONCUR WITH THE SENATE DEMOCRATS, LET'S PASS THIS MOTION TO INSTRUCT AND LET'S GIVE AMERICA DEMOCRACY A DEBATE. |
| 05:11:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. ALL TIME HAVING EXPIRED, WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO ININSTRUCT. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE NOES HAVE IT. THE MOTION IS NOT AGREED TO. |
| 05:11:48 | MR. RYAN | MADAM CHAIR. I OBJECT -- I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT. |
| 05:11:58 | >> | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. |
| 05:12:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, PROCEEDINGS WILL RESUME ON QUESTIONS PREVIOUSLY POSTPONED. VOTES WILL BE TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER, MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES WITH REGARD TO H.R. 1679 AND H.R. 586. MOTION TO INSTRUCT ON SENATE CONS REMAIN 13 AND MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON H.R. 957. THE VOTE ON H.RES. 247 WILL BE TAKEN TOMORROW. THE FIRST ELECTRONIC VOTE WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A 15-MINUTE VOTE. REMAINING ELECTRONIC VOTES WILL BE CONDUCTED AS FIVE-MINUTE VOTES. THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE VOTE ON THE MOTION OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BRADY, TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1679 ON WHICH THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 05:13:08 | THE CLERK | H.R. 1679, A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF LOST INCOME FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 30 DAYS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
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