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YOU TO YOU BOTH FOR TALKING TO
US ABOUT YOUR "WEEKLY STANDARD"
THAT DOES IT FOR "WASHINGTON
JOURNAL."
CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR.
DEFAZIO, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
WELL, I WAS
INITIALLY VERY SUPPORTIVE OF
THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSED
BUFFETT TAXED BASED ON THE
PREMISE THAT NO MILLIONAIRE OR
BILLIONAIRE SHOULD PAY A LOWER
TAX RATE THAN A CHECKOUT CLERK
AT THE ALBERTSON'S SUPERMARKET
OR A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER THAT
ONLY EARNS $40,000 A YEAR.
SEEMED FAIR TO ME.
BUT THEN I STARTED LISTENING TO
THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.
IT'S PRETTY HEAVY.
IT REALLY GIVES YOU PAUSE TO
THINK WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A
GOOD IDEA FOR OUR COUNTRY.
IT'S CLASS WARFARE.
IT WILL HURT JOB CREATION.
YOU KNOW, THESE ARE ARGUMENTS
-- IT WON'T RAISE MONEY.
THESE ARE ARGUMENTS THAT IS
CERTAINLY VERY TELLING.
IN FACT, I HAVE SOME DIRECT
QUOTES FROM ONE REPRESENTATIVE.
THIS IS REALLY THE DR.
KEVORKIAN PLAN FOR OUR ECONOMY.
IT WILL KILL JOBS, KILL
BUSINESSES, YES, EVEN KILL THE
HIGHER TAX REVENUES.
THE SUICIDAL TAX INCREASERS
HOPE TO GAIN.
AND ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE.
CLASS WARFARE MAY WIN POLITICAL
CAMPAIGNS BUT IT DOESN'T SPUR
ECONOMIC GROWTH, RAISING THE
CAPITAL GAINS TAX RATE MAY
GARNER POLITICAL CAPITAL BUT IT
WILL NOT CREATE ANY JOBS.
THEN FINALLY, OF COURSE, WHEN
ARE WE GOING TO GET IT?
WE DON'T HAVE A REVENUE
PROBLEM.
WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM.
THOSE ARE HEAVY CRITICISMS.
AND JUST THINK IF THEY PROVED
TRUE WHAT A DISASTER IT WOULD
NOW, OF COURSE, THESE
CRITICISMS ALL WERE LEVELED IN
1993 THE LAST TIME WE HAD A
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT PROPOSE
THAT MILLIONAIRES AND
BILLIONAIRES SHOULD PAY A FAIR
RATE OF TAXES IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE FIRST ONE WAS FROM
REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTOPHER ***,
A TOTAL IDIOT WHO RAN THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION WHILE WALL STREET
GAMBLED OUR ECONOMY INTO THE
TANK.
AND HE SAID THE PART ABOUT
KILLING JOBS AND WE WOULDN'T
GET JOBS AND WE WOULDN'T GET
HIGHER REVENUES.
WELL, ACTUALLY WITH THE CLINTON
TAX INCREASES WE DID GET HIGHER
REVENUES, WE DID BALANCE A
BUDGET, WE DID PAY OFF DEBT AND
WE HAD 3.8% UNEMPLOYMENT AND WE
WERE ASKING THE JOB CREATORS,
THE MILLIONAIRES AND
SHARE.
I GUESS CHRIS WAS WRONG.
LET'S SEE, THE SECOND ONE WAS
FROM FORMER REPRESENTATIVE
PRICE FROM OHIO ABOUT POLITICAL
CAPITAL NOT CREATING ANY JOBS.
WELL, WE ALREADY ADDRESSED
WE HAD 3.8% UNEMPLOYMENT.
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO CREATE A
SINGLE JOB SO FAR THIS YEAR?
NOTHING.
IN FACT, THEY HAVE ELIMINATED
JOBS, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S
BECAUSE WE WANT TO GIVE THE JOB
CREATORS A BREAK.
WE DON'T WANT TO TAX THEM.
ALL TO PROTECT TAX CUTS.
AND THEN FINALLY THE FINAL
QUOTE ABOUT WE HAVE A REVENUE
PROBLEM -- WE DON'T HAVE A
REVENUE PROBLEM, WE HAVE A
SPENDING PROBLEM IS FROM
THEN-REPRESENTATIVE BOEHNER,
NOW SPEAKER BOEHNER.
NOW, OF COURSE, OUR TAXES ARE
AT 15% OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC
PRODUCT, CONSIDERABLE LOWER
THAN THE PERCENT OF TAXES THAT
WERE LEVIED IN THE REAGAN ERA.
AND THOSE, YOU KNOW -- WE DO
HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM.
$5 TRILLION OF TAX CUTS OVER
THE LAST DECADE.
$5 TRILLION.
$5,000,000,000,000 OF TAX CUTS
HEAVILY ORIENTED TOWARD THE JOB
CREATORS, THE MILLIONAIRES AND
THE BILLIONAIRES.
WHERE ARE THE JOBS.
WHERE ARE THE JOBS?
IT DOESN'T WORK.
FIRST IT WAS EIGHT YEARS OF
BUSH TAX CUTS, THEN TWO YEARS
OF BUSH-OBAMA TAX CUTS AND NOW
WE HAVE OBAMA'S FURTHER TAX
TAX CUTS DON'T CREATE JOBS.
NOW, I THINK ACTUALLY -- NOW
I'VE CONSIDERED THEIR
ARGUMENTS, THE PRESIDENT'S
RIGHT.
BILLIONAIRE HEDGE FUND
SPECULATORS ON WALL STREET.
LET'S THINK ABOUT IT.
THEIR RATE OF TAXATION IS 15%
ON BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF
INCOME.
YEAR, WHOA.
MORE THAN TWICE THAT.
ARMY CAPTAIN JUST BACK FROM
DEFENDING AMERICA IN
AFGHANISTAN, WHOA, MORE THAN
TWICE THAT.
WHO GIVES MORE VALUE TO THE
THE PAIR SITE ON WALL STREET
WHO'S SPECULATING AND DRIVING
UP THE PRICE OF OUR FUEL AND
MAKING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
ARMY CAPTAIN OR
THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, THE
REAL JOB CREATORS?
WE CAN BY LEFTYING A FAIR RATE
OF TAXES -- LEVYING A FAIR RATE
OF TAXES, THE BUFFETT TAX, THE
BEST INVESTOR IN THE COUNTRY
WHO THINKS THIS IS THE BEST
DIRECTION WE CAN GO, WE CAN
BOTH CREATE JOBS, STABILIZE THE
ECONOMY, GET DOWN THE DEFICIT
AND CONTINUE TO FUND CRITICAL
PROGRAMS.
IRONICALLY IN THE GRAND DEAL
THAT WAS ADOPTED BACK HERE A
MONTH AGO THAT I VOTED AGAINST,
IT WAS ONE SPECIFIED CUT.
ONE CUT SPECIFIED IN THAT BILL.
GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID.
THAT'S BECAUSE AT THE COUNTRY
CLUB THEY CAN'T MEET ANYBODY
WHO CAN'T PUT THEIR KIDS
THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOOLS.
WE NEED DOCTORS.
WE NEED OTHER PROFESSIONALS.
WE NEED TO HELP THE NEXT
GENERATION.
WE NEED MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
POMPEO, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT HOW
OUR PRESIDENT HAS
SYSTEMATICALLY AND RELENTLESSLY
INDUSTRY.
YOU KNOW, SINCE ONE OF THE FEW
LAST GREAT MANUFACTURING GEMS
LEFT IN AMERICA.
IT CREATES 1.2 MILLION JOBS.
THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME WAS
SPEAKING ABOUT JOBS.
1.2 MILLION JOBS IN AMERICA AND
$150 BILLION WORTH OF INCOME
EXPORTS.
THIS INDUSTRY IS ENORMOUSLY
IMPORTANT TO MY DISTRICT, BUT
NOT JUST MY DISTRICT, THE AIR
CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, BUT ALL
THESE ARE GOOD JOBS.
THESE ARE MIDDLE-CLASS JOBS.
THERE ARE JOBS FOR MACHINISTS
AND WELDISTS AND PURCHASING
PEOPLE WHO MAKE SOME OF THE
FINEST AIRPLANES IN THE WORLD.
BUT INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING THE
GENERAL AVIATION INDUSTRY AND
WELCOMING THOSE JOBS, THE
PRESIDENT HAS ATTACKED IT.
AT THE VERY LEAST HE COULD JUST
LEAVE IT ALONE, BUT THIS IS
PART OF HIS LARGER CLASS
WARFARE EFFORT.
USERS.
HE CALLS THEM CORPORATE FAT CAT
JET OWNERS AT EVERY TURN.
BUT IT'S NOT IMPACTING THE
PEOPLE WHO IS USING THOSE AS
BUSINESS TOOLS.
IT'S IMPACTING THOSE WHO BUILD
THOSE AIRPLANES.
THEY'RE PRODUCTIVE.
THEY'RE WORKING TO GROW THEIR
BUSINESSES AND GROWING JOBS.
HIS RHETORIC KILLS SALES OF
AMERICAN MANUFACTURED GOODS AND
WITH THEM THE JOBS THAT ARE
CREATED WHEN THOSE AIRPLANES
ARE BUILT.
YOU KNOW, HE'S ATTACKED IT IN
MULTIPLE WAYS.
MOST RECENTLY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION ISSUED SOMETHING
A PROGRAM WHICH HAS LONG
ENSURED BASIC PRIVACY RIGHTS
FOR GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT
USERS BY ALLOWING THEM TO OPT
OUT BEING TRACKED BY EVERYONE
WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION BUT
ON AUGUST 2 THE F.A.A. CHANGED
THAT RULE AND SAID, NO, NOW
ANYONE WITH AN INTERNET
CONNECTION CAN VIOLATE THE
PRIVACY RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO
AIRPLANE ACROSS
THE COUNTRY UNLESS THEY OPT OUT
AND STATE A SECURITY THREAT.
IT WILL FACILITATE SERIOUS
VIOLATIONS OF PRIVACY AND IT
DOESN'T CREATE JOBS IN AMERICA.
I'VE INTRODUCED A PIECE OF
LEGISLATION CALLED THE BAR ACT,
ALONG WITH KANSAS SENATOR PAT
ROBERTS, AND I'D URGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THAT
LEGISLATION.
IT WILL CREATE JOBS IN AMERICA.
AND NOW THE PRESIDENT MOST
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AS PART OF
HIS EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE
DEFICIT, USER FEES ON GENERAL
AVIATION AIRCRAFT.
OVER $100 PER FLIGHT.
NOT TO MENTION THE ENORMOUS
BUREAUCRACY IT WILL TAKE TO
COLLECT THESE SET OF TAXES.
AT A TIME WHEN AMERICA HAS GOT
UNPLOIT OF 1-6 OR MORE, IT'S
NOT TIME TO TAX PEOPLE TO GET
FROM TOE PICO TO DES MOINES, TO
GET TO SMALL TOWNS, TO SUPPORT
AMERICAN MANUFACTURING.
THIS PRESIDENT WANTS TO PUT
TAXES ON GENERAL AVIATION
USERS.
-- TOPEKA TO DES MOINES, TO GET
TOWNS, TO SUPPORT
AMERICAN MANUFACTURING.
THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO PUT
TAXES ON GENERAL AVIATION
USERS.
THIS PRESIDENT MISTAKES
HARDWORKING PEOPLE TO FOLKS WHO
ARE LOOKING FROM SOMETHING FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
ALL WE ASK IS TO BE LEFT ALONE.
WE DON'T WANT THE BAILOUTS THAT
THE CITY OF DETROIT RECEIVED
AND THAT THE AUTOMOTIVE FOLKS
RECEIVED.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR TAX
ALL WE'RE ASKING IS YOU RESPECT
THE HARDWORKING PEOPLE OF
KANSAS AND THOSE WHO BUILD THE
FINEST AIRPLANES IN THE WORLD.
WE HAVE $ TRILLION IN
ADDITIONAL DEBT AND A LOSS OF
TWO MILLION JOBS UPPED THIS
DON'T GIVE US A BAILOUT.
DON'T GIVE US A HANDOUT.
WE DON'T WANT SPECIAL FAVORS.
SIMPLY, LIEVEN US ALONE --
LEAVE US ALONE TO CREATE GOOD
MIDDLE-CLASS, HARDWORKING
RIGHT IN AMERICA.
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO DIRECT
THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR.
BLUMENAUER, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
LAST WEEK IN A SPEECH BEFORE
THE ECONOMIC CLUB OF
WASHINGTON, SPEAKER BOEHNER HAD
USED THIS TRIED AND TRUE
REPUBLICAN APPLAUSE LINE,
EXCESSIVE REGULATIONS ARE
MAKING IT HARDER FOR OUR
ECONOMY TO CREATE JOBS.
BUT THEN HE FOLLOWED UP WITH A
REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE.
LAST MONTH FEDERAL AGENTS
RAIDED GIBSON GUITAR FACTORIES
IN TENNESSEE.
GIBSON IS A WELL-RESPECTED
AMERICAN COMPANY THAT EMPLOYS
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.
THE COMPANY'S COSTS WERE $2
MILLION TO $3 MILLION.
WHY?
BECAUSE GIBSON BOUGHT WOOD
OVERSEAS TO MAKE I GO TARS IN
AMERICA.
SERIOUSLY.
WELL, SERIOUSLY, MR. SPEAKER,
YOU WERE SERIOUSLY -- WELL, NOT
NECESSARILY YOU.
I KNOW YOU CAN'T WRITE ALL YOUR
SPEECHES, BUT YOU WERE DONE A
DISSERVICE BY YOUR SPEECH
WRITERS WHO COULD HAVE DONE A
LITTLE MORE RESEARCH ABOUT THE
BACKGROUND OF WHAT WAS
HAPPENING THERE.
BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WAS INVOLVED WITH ENFORCING THE
LACEY ACT WHICH ACTUALLY MAKES
IT EASIER TO PROTECT AMERICAN
JOBS AND MANUFACTURE HERE AT
IN 2008 I WAS PLEASED TO BE
PART OF LEADING AN EFFORT,
WORKING WITH THE BUSH
ADMINISTRATION IN A BIPARTISAN
FASHION TO AMEND THE LACEY ACT
WHICH BARS TRADE IN ILLEGALLY
HARVESTED SPECIES TO INCLUDE
TRADE IN ILLEGALLY HARVESTED
TIMBER.
ILLEGAL LOGGING THREATENS SOME
OF THE WORLD'S RICHEST AND MOST
VULNERABLE FORESTS BUT MORE
IMPORTANT IT THREATENS TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF JOBS RIGHT HERE IN
THE UNITED STATES.
OVER 50 TRADE ASSOCIATIONS,
NONPROFITS, UNIONS REPRESENTING
THE ENTIRE RANGE OF THE U.S.
ECONOMY SIGNED STATEMENTS
SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT TO
THE LACEY ACT AND ITS PROPER
IMPLEMENTATION.
THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.
PEOPLE WHO CHEAT BY KNOWINGLY
USING WOOD PRODUCTS THAT ARE
BROUGHT ILLEGALLY OVERSEAS COST
AMERICAN JOBS.
THE ESTIMATE WAS OVER $1
BILLION EVERY YEAR IN LOST
OPPORTUNITIES AND LOWER PRICES
BECAUSE OF THE ILLEGAL LOGGING.
WE WANTED TO INCREASE AMERICAN
JOBS HERE AT HOME SO WE CREATED
A MECHANISM SO THAT PEOPLE
WOULD HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO STOP
CHEATING, TO STOP COMPETING
UNFAIRLY AGAINST AMERICAN
BUSINESSES THAT ARE FOLLOWING
THE RULES.
IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT
IN 2009 WHEN GIBSON WAS FIRST
TO THE ATTENTION OF THE
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN A
PROCESS STARTED BECAUSE OF
CONCERNS THAT THEY MAY HAVE
TAKEN ILLEGAL TIMBER FROM
MADAGASCAR ON THE FLOOR OF THE
HOUSE OVER 400 REPRESENTATIVES
VOTED IN FAVOR OF A RESOLUTION
I HAD CONDEMNING ILLEGAL
LOGGING IN MADAGASCAR.
WE FIND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE
RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES
WHO UNDERSTAND THIS DYNAMIC.
THE SUCCESS OF THE LACEY ACT
RESTS ON A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE
REWARDING COMPANIES THAT FOLLOW
THE LAW WHILE SHEDDING LIGHT ON
BAD ACTORS.
IT ENSURES THAT AMERICAN
BUSINESS USING FOREIGN WOOD,
LIKE GUITAR MAKERS, PAY
ATTENTION TO THE SOURCES OF
THEIR WOOD.
WE HAD VERY POWERFUL
TESTIMONIES OF WHAT HAPPENED IN
ILLEGAL LOGGING.
IT DOESN'T JUST DESTROY FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS AND THREATEN A
SCARCE AND DWINDLING SUPPLY OF
RARE SPECIES OF WOOD, IT
DESTABILIZES THOSE COUNTRY.
THE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE
TRAFFIC OF ILLEGAL TIMBER, THEY
THREATEN, THEY CORRUPT AND
SOMETIMES THEY KILL AND IT IS
POSSIBLE TO FIGURE THIS OUT.
PEOPLE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.
PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE ATTENTION.
GUITAR MAKERS ARE STRONGLY
SUPPORTIVE OF THE LAW.
I QUOTE, I THINK THE LACY ACT IS
A WONDERFUL THING.
I THINK ILLEGAL LOGGING IS
APPALLING.
THE COMPANY'S C.E.O., CHRIS
MARTIN SAID, IN A RECENT
INTERVIEW.
IT SHOULD STOP.
IF THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO STOP
UNSCRUPULOUS OPERATORS, I'M ALL
FOR IT.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS SERIOUS
BEING ABLE TO HAVE PROTECTIONS
TO PROTECT AMERICAN
MANUFACTURERS FROM UNFAIR
COMPETITION BY PEOPLE WHO SKIRT
CHEAT, IS
IN EVERYBODY'S INTEREST.
LET'S LET THE PROCESS UNDERGOING
-- ONGOING RIGHT NOW WORK ITS
WAY OUT.
LET'S SEE IF THERE'S A PROBLEM.
BUT BY ALL MEANS WE OUGHT TO
PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE
LACY ACT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO
SAVE THESE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
JOBS HERE AT HOME AND THE
THANK YOU.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR.
NUGENT, FOR TWO MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE
TODAY TO EMPHASIZE ONE MORE TIME
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T
CREATE JOBS.
IT'S SMALL BUSINESSES AND
ENTREPRENEURS.
YOU JUST HEARD MY FRIEND TALK
ABOUT GIBSON GUITARS.
AND VILIFY GIBSON GUITARS
BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED WOOD FROM
A FOREIGN OPERATOR.
AN OPERATOR THAT VIOLATED THE
LAW OF ANOTHER COUNTRY AND
BROUGHT THAT WOOD TO AMERICA FOR
GIBSON GUITARS.
ONE OF THE OLDEST AMERICAN
PRODUCERS OF GUITARS TODAY.
GIBSON GUITARS EMPLOYS PEOPLE IN
AMERICA.
GIBSON GUITARS HAS DONE THINGS
THAT MAY BE REPREHENSIBLE TO
OBVIOUSLY TO THOSE THAT ARE
EMPLOYED BY THEIR COMPANY, IT'S
NOT.
AS WE MOVE ALANG, -- ALONG, WE
NEED TO REMEMBER ABOUT WHAT JOBS
ARE CREATED BY SMALL
MANUFACTURERS.
WHAT IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
SUPPOSED TO DO?
THIS FELLOW GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY
RAIDED GIBSON GUITARS, TOLD THEM
TO CLOSE DOWN THEIR LINES, LAY
PEOPLE OFF WORK, OR, HEY, THEY
HAVE A BETTER IDEA.
WHY DON'T YOU JUST MOVE YOUR
OPERATION TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.
THAT'S WHAT THIS
ADMINISTRATION'S MESSAGE IS TO
MANUFACTURERS AND THE JOB
CREATORS IN AMERICA.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, JUST GO
COUNTRY.
TAKE THOSE JOBS AND GIVE IT TO
SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THAN
AMERICANS.
I THINK WE ARE JUST WRONG-HEADED
IN OUR APPROACH.
WE LOOK AT REGULATIONS AS AN END
ALL TO EVERYTHING.
JUST NOT COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CREATING JOBS
IN AMERICA, I HAVE BEEN ACROSS
MY DISTRICT AND I ASKED THE
SMALL JOB CREATORS, SMALL
BUSINESSES WHAT CAN WE DO IN
D.C. TO HELP YOU?
AND THEY SAID, MR. CONGRESSMAN,
JUST GET OUT OF OUR WAY.
ALLOW US TO DO THE THINGS THAT
WE NEED TO DO TO CREATE JOBS
HERE IN AMERICA.
AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT, MR.
WELCH, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, THE HOUSE THIS WEEK
WILL TAKE UP A BILL CALLED THE
TRAIN ACT.
THAT ACRONYM STANDS FOR
TRANSPARENCY AND REGULATORY
ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS ON THE
NATION.
WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO VERY
SPECIFICALLY IS DELAY THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF TWO VERY
IMPORTANT CLEAN AIR ACT
STANDARDS THAT PROTECT HUMAN
HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
NOW, WE CAN HAVE A LOT OF
ARGUMENT ABOUT PROPER
REGULATION, WHICH ONES ARE GOOD,
WHICH ONES ARE BAD.
BUT CAN WE REALLY ARGUE ABOUT
THE NECESSARYITY OF TAKING
APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO PROTECT
THE AIR WE BREATHE?
THE CLEAN AIR ACT HAS BEEN VERY
SUCCESSFUL IN IMPROVING AIR
QUALITY AROUND THIS COUNTRY.
OBVIOUSLY MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE
BUT THE TWO PROVISIONS THAT ARE
THE SO-CALLED
TRAIN ACT ARE, ONE, REGULATION
THAT REGULATES CROSS STATE AIR
POLLUTION.
NOW, IF YOU LIVE IN ONE STATE
AND THERE IS A COLEBURNING PLANT
IN ANOTHER STATE, THE -- COAL
BURNING PLANT IN ANOTHER STATE,
THE LAW MEANS THE POLLUTION WILL
FOLLOW THE PATH THAT THE AIR
TRAVELS.
PEOPLE IN THE STATE ON THE
RECEIVING END OF POLLUTED AIR
OUGHT TO HAVE SOME PROTECTION.
THIS HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON
HEALTH.
AND IT IS NOT AS THOUGH YOU CAN
HAVE APPROPRIATE REGULATORY
SAFETY WITHOUT HAVING THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE SOME
ROLE SINCE AIR DOES TRAVEL,
ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF PHYSICS,
NOT ACCORDING TO AN ACT OF
CONGRESS.
A SECOND PROVISION IS THE POWER
PLANT EMISSIONS OF MERCURY
LIMITATION.
MERCURY IS A KNOWN CARCINOGEN,
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO OUR
HEALTH, PARTICULARLY OF INFANTS.
AND THE SUCCESS THAT WE HAVE HAD
IN LIMITING MERCURY POLLUTION
HAS HAD DRAMATIC IMPACT,
POSITIVE IMPACTS ON OUR HEALTH.
WHY?
WHY WOULD WE DELAY THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF A MERCURY
REGULATION THAT IS GOING TO HAVE
SIGNIFICANT AND IMMEDIATE
BENEFITS?
THERE MAY BE SOME COST TO THIS,
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE COST IN
LIVES?
WHAT ABOUT THE COST IN HEALTH
CARE EXSPEN BYE TURES --
EXPENDITURES BY ALLOWING
POLLUTION TO OCCUR?
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DO SOMETHING
AND PRICE IT CHEAPLY BY IGNORING
WHAT THE EXTERNAL IMPACTS OF
ALLOWING SOMETHING TO BE
THEORETICALLY CHEAP, IN TERMS OF
LIVES LOST, IN TERMS OF HEALTH
CARE EXPENSES INCURRED, WE ARE
NOT SAVING ANYBODY MONEY.
WE ARE MAKING SOME MONEY FOR THE
OWNERS OF THE POLLUTING ENTITY,
BUT WE ARE NOT MAKING MONEY FOR
SOCIETY AND WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT
PROTECTING IT.
WE HAVE TO HAVE CAREFUL
REGULATION.
WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE WILLING TO
LOOK AT THEM.
TO GET RID OF THINGS THAT DON'T
MAKE SENSE AND AREN'T GETTING
THE JOB DONE, BUT WE ALSO NEED
PROPER REGULATION, AND WHEN IT
COMES TO HEALTH AND SAFETY,
CLEAN AIR, MERCURY, THOSE ARE
TWO PROVISION THAT IS SHOULD NOT
BE DELAYED.
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD DO THAT.
IT'S HARMFUL TO OUR HEALTH T
WOULD BE HARMFUL TO OUR ECONOMY.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLELADY FROM WYOMING, MRS.
LUMMIS, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY WITH A
HEART THAT IS BOTH HEAVY AND
FULL OF PRIDE.
ON SEPTEMBER 14, FORMER U.S.
SENATOR MALCOLM WALLUP PASSED
AWAY AT THE AGE OF 78.
SENATOR WALLUP BROUGHT TO THE
CONGRESS HIS CONSIDERABLE
INFLUENCE, OUTSPOKEN
CONSERVATISM, AND KEEN
INTELLIGENCE.
THE WORD STATESMAN ONLY BEGINS
TO SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF
MALCOLM WALLUP'S
ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
OF SERVING IN THE WYOMING
LEGISLATURE FOR SEVERAL TERMS,
HE WAS ELECTED TO THE UNITED
STATES SENATE IN 1976, A SEAT HE
HELD FOR 18 YEARS.
IN THE SENATE, HE SERVED ON
NUMEROUS COMMITTEES.
HE WAS THE RANKING MEMBER OF
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES,
AND WAS THE FIRST NONLAWYER IN
THE HISTORY OF THE SENATE TO
SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE.
HIS EFFORTS ON THE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE LED TO THE ENACTMENT
OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL
PARENTAL KIDNAPPING STATUTE,
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM BEING
ABDUCTED OVERSEAS BY
NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS.
THROUGH HIS WORK ON FINANCE,
CONGRESS CUT INHERITANCE AND
GIFT TAXES IN 1981, WHICH AMONG
OTHER THINGS ENSURED THAT
RANCHING FAMILIES COULD CONTINUE
THEIR OPERATIONS UPON THE DEATH
OF A FAMILY BUSINESS PARTNER.
ALSO A TIRELESS PROMOTER
OF FREE-THROW -- FREE TRADE,
MAKING NUMEROUS TRIPS ABROAD TO
PROMOTE GATT TO REDUCE TARIFF
BARRIERS.
DUE TO HIS SERVICE ON THE
INTELLIGENCE AND ARMED SERVICES
COMMITTEE, SENATOR WALLUP SERVED
ON THE HELSINKI COMMISSION WHICH
WAS CHARGED WITH NEGOTIATING A
NUMBER OF COMPLEX ARMS CONTROL
TWO, AND THREE.
SENATOR WALLUP WAS ONE OF THE
FIRST PERSONS OUTSIDE OF THE OLD
SOVIET UNION TO MEET WITH
ALEXANDER SHOTS NEEDSIN WHILE HE
WAS STILL A PRISONER IN THE
GULAG.
IN THE COWBOY STATE, SENATOR
WALLUP WAS A CHAMPION OF
PROTECTING THE PERSON WAY OF
LIFE, INCLUDING AN AMENDMENT TO
THE 1980 CLEAN WATER ACT
PROHIBITING FEDERAL USE OF STATE
WATER RIGHTS AND AN AMENDMENT TO
THE SURFACE MINING CONTROL ACT
THAT DIRECTED THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO COMPENSATE OWNERS
MINERAL RIGHTS FOR THE LOSS
OF THE RIGHT TO MINE.
SENATOR WALLUP WAS ONE OF THE
FIRST LEGISLATORS TO LEAD THE
CHARGE AGAINST THE WAR ON THE
WEST WHICH SUBORDINATED STATES'
RIGHTS AND SEVERELY LIMITED
MULTIPLE USE OF OUR PUBLIC
LANDS.
IN 1984 THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR
PARTNERED WITH DEMOCRAT JOHN
BREAUX OF LOUISIANA TO AUTHOR
THE WALLUP-BREAUX SPORT FISHING
RESTORATION ACT.
TO PROMOTE BOAT SAFETY AND FISH
HABITAT CONSERVATION, ALONG WITH
ENHANCING FISHING OPPORTUNITIES,
INCLUDING THOSE OF THE
HANDICAPPED.
SENATOR WALLUP WAS ALSO
COMMITTED TO EDUCATION AND
VOLUNTEERISM.
IN 1979, CONGRESS PASSED ITS
LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE
CONGRESSIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM,
WHICH IS PRIVATELY FUNDED AND IS
THE ONLY VOLUNTEER AWARD GIVEN
IN THE NAME OF CONGRESS.
HAVE THE
MOST ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN
THAT PROGRAM.
UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM
CONGRESS, SENATOR WALLUP FOUNDED
FRONTIERS OF FREEDOM, A
CONSERVATIVE THINK TANK
PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM,
FEWER FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AND
SMALLER GOVERNMENT.
HE WAS A MAN OF SUPREME
INTEGRITY, INCREDIBLE INTELLECT,
AND QUICK WIT, HUMBLE TO A
FAULT, AND EXCEEDINGLY KIND.
I AM TOLD HE ALWAYS HAD TIME TO
ASK A CAPITOL HILL ELEVATOR
OPERATOR OR POLICE OFFICER ABOUT
THEIR FAMILY ON HIS WAY TO A
VOTE.
HE HAD A TREMENDOUSLY DEVOTED
STAFF, MANY OF WHOM WORKED FOR
HIM FOR THE FULL 18 YEARS OF HIS
TENURE IN THE SENATE.
FINALLY MALCOLM WALLUP WAS A
DESCENDENT OF A ENTREPRENEURIAL
PIONEER FAMILY.
SENATOR WALLUP'S GRANDFATHER
SERVED NOT ONLY IN ENGLAND'S
PARLIAMENT BUT THE WYOMING
LEGISLATURE.
THE FIRST POLO FIELD IN THE
UNITED STATES WAS BUILT ON THE
FAMILIAR RANCH AT BIG HORN,
WYOMING.
SENATOR WALLUP WAS A MAN BLESSED
WITH FOUR WONDERFUL CHILDREN,
MANY GRANDCHILDREN, AND HIS
WIFE, ISABELLE.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
HIS FAMILY.
IN THEIR TIME OF SADNESS, LET
THEM BE COMFORTED IN THE
KNOWLEDGE THAT WYOMING STANDS
STRONG TODAY BECAUSE OF SENATOR
WALLUP'S UNTIRING LOVE OF AND
COMMITMENT TO OUR GREAT STATE.
MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS.
WOOLSEY, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER,
YESTERDAY WAS A TRULY HISTORIC
DAY IN OUR COUNTRY'S STRUGGLE
FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL PEOPLE.
LEADERS OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY SENT A NOTICE TO SOLDIERS
SERVING AROUND THE GLOBE THAT
SIMPLY SAID THE FOLLOWING, AND I
QUOTE, TODAY MARKS THE END OF
THE LAW'S REPEALED.
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD DAY AND
LESBIAN SOLDIERS MAY SERVE IN
OUR ARMY WITH THE DIGNITY AND
RESPECT THEY DESERVE.
OUR RULES, REGULATIONS, AND
POLITICS WILL APPLY UNIFORMLY
WITHOUT REGARD TO ***
ORIENTATION, WHICH IS A PERSONAL
AND PRIVATE MATTER.
MR. SPEAKER, 18 YEARS AFTER THIS
HIDEOUS POLICY WAS FIRST
IMPLEMENTED, IT IS NOW GONE.
AND THE THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS
WHO ARE SHAMEFULLY DISCHARGED
UNDER DON'T-ASK, DON'T-TELL MAY
APPLY RE-ENLISTMENT.
TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE
SERVICE AND SACRIFICE HAS MADE
US SO PROUD, WE SAY AS OF
YESTERDAY, YOU NO LONGER HAVE TO
LIVE A LIE.
TO THEM WE SAY, YOU NO LONGER
HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN YOUR
YOUR PATRIOTISM.
TO THEM WHO HAVE HAD THE COURAGE
TO DO RIGHT BY AMERICA, WE NOW
SAY, YOUR NATION NOW HAS THE
COURAGE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT BY
YOU.
AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT JOSH
SIGNIFICANT FREED, A LEADER
AMONG GAY AND LESBIAN SERVICE
MEMBERS, DESCRIBED THE
OPPRESSIVE NATURE OF THIS POLICY
IN THIS WAY.
HE SAID, IT CONSUMES YOUR
THOUGHT PROCESS.
IT CONSUMES YOUR FUTURE BECAUSE
OF THE FEAR OF GETTING CAUGHT.
MR. SPEAKER, IT'S
INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO ME THAT
ANYONE IN PARTICULAR BRAVE
SELFLESS MEMBERS OF OUR MILITARY
SHOULD LIVNI DAY IN FEAR OF
BEING CAUGHT.
THIS STEP IS HUGELY WELCOMED AND
LONG OVERDUE.
OPPOSED BY AN OVERWHELMING
MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BECAUSE IT
VIOLATED THE VALUES WE CLAIM TO
STAND FOR AS A NATION.
IT WAS NOT ONLY TEARING AT OUR
MORAL FABRIC, IT WAS UNDERMINING
OUR MILITARY READINESS AND
NATIONAL SECURITY AS WELL.
AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE ASKING SO
MUCH OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS,
PUTTING THEM ON THE FRONTLINES
OF TWO WARS, WE OWE THEM.
AT THE VERY LEAST AND WE HAVE
FINALLY BROUGHT THEM THE DIGNITY
OF DISCRIMINATION-FREE
WORKPLACE.
I SALUTE PRESIDENT OBAMA AND I
SUPPORT OUR MILITARY BRASS FOR
THEIR LEADERSHIP IN REVERSING
THIS INJUSTICE.
I SALUTE THE MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS, DEMOCRAT AND
REPUBLICAN, WHO VOTED FOR THE
REPEAL.
AND, OF COURSE, WE ALL OWE A
DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO
SERVED WITH HONOR AND
INTEGRITY, THOSE WHO DEFENDED
AMERICA'S RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
EVEN THOUGH AMERICA WOULDN'T
AFFORD THEM THE SAME RIGHTS AND
FREEDOM.
SO, MR. SPEAKER, NOW THERE WILL
BE NO SANCTION, BIGOTRY OR HOME
PHOBIA IN THE ARMED FORCES OF
THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.
OUR MILITARY WILL ACCEPT
EVERYONE WHO DEMONSTRATES THEIR
FITNESS TO DESERVE, THEIR
SEXUALITY WILL BE IRRELEVANT.
THEY MAY BE AS OPEN ABOUT IT OR
AS DISCREET ABOUT IT AS THEY
CHOOSE.
GOOD RIDANS TO DON'T-ASK,
DON'T-TELL, OUR COUNTRY WILL BE
STRONGER, SAFER AND FAIRER
WITHOUT IT, AND WHILE WE
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS BY
ELIMINATING THIS WRONG-MINDED
POLICY, LET'S TAKE THE NEXT
STEP AND SUPPORT ALL OF OUR
TROOPS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR
*** ORIENTATION, BY BRINGING
THEM HOME FROM IRAQ AND
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PUERTO RICO, MR.
PIERLUISI, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER, THE
COMING MONTHS REPRESENTED A
DEFINING MOMENT FOR OUR NATION.
RESPONSIBLE LEADERS FROM BOTH
POLITICAL PARTIES UNDERSTAND
THAT WE MUST COME TOGETHER ON
BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
TO CREATE JOBS FOR MILLIONS OF
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS AND TO PUT
OUR NATION ON THE PATH TO
FISCAL STABILITY.
PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS TRANSMITTED
THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT TO
CONGRESS AND I HOPE ITS KEY
COMPONEEBTS WILL BE ENACTED
INTO LAW.
THE SUPERCOMMITTEE HAS BEGUN
ITS WORK OF PROPOSING
RESPONSIBLE WAYS TO GROW OUR
ECONOMY WHILE REDUCING OUR
DEFICITS.
THE WORK THAT LIES AHEAD WILL
NOT BE EASY, BUT IT MUST BE
WITH THIS I RISE THIS MORNING
TO DISCUSS THE PUERTO RICO
INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACT WHICH
I WILL INTRODUCE TOMORROW.
THE BILL IS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT
INVESTMENT TO PUERTO RICO AND
TO CREATE JOBS ON THE ISLAND
WHERE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
OVER THE LAST DECADE HAS
CONSISTENTLY STOOD SIX TO SEVEN
PERCENTAGE POINTS ABOVE THE
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
THE BILL WILL HAVE REVENUE FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TO
PROMOTE JOB CREATING INVESTMENT
IN THE 50 STATES WHERE
UNEMPLOYMENT NOW EXCEEDS 9%.
THIS BILL IS ENDORSED BY PUERTO
RICO'S GOVERNOR, LUIS FORTUNO,
THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES AND
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
AT THE OUTSET, IT'S IMPORTANT
TO EXPLAIN WHY I'M PROMOTING
LEGISLATION OF THIS SORT.
LIKE THE STATES, THE U.S.
TERRITORY OF PUERTO RICO FACES
SERIOUS ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.
HOWEVER, THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
OF PUERTO RICO HAVE PROVEN TO
BE STRUCTURAL AND CHRONIC, NOT
CYCLICAL AND TEMPORARY.
I BELIEVE THAT PUERTO RICO'S
ECONOMY WILL NEVER UNLEASH ITS
TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL UNDER ITS
CURRENT POLITICAL STATUS.
AND I SUPPORT STATEHOOD FOR THE
ISLAND IN PART BECAUSE HISTORY
SHOWS EVERY TERRITORY THAT
JOINS THE UNION EXPERIENCES
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN ITS
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND STANDARD
OF LIVING.
HOWEVER, UNTIL A MAJORITY OF
PUERTO RICO'S PEOPLE EXPRESS A
DESIRE FOR STATEHOOD AND
CONGRESS WELCOMES THE ISLAND AS
A FULL MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN
FAMILY, IT IS INCUMBENT UPON ME
TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO
STRENGTHEN THE ISLAND'S ECONOMY
WITHIN THE SEVERE CONSTRAINTS
IMPOSED BY THE CURRENT
TERRITORIAL STATUS.
MY ASPIRATION FOR PUERTO RICO
IS THAT IT WILL ENJOY THE
POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
EQUALITY THAT ONLY STATEHOOD
OFFERS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
THE DAY WHEN IT WILL NO LONGER
BE NECESSARY FOR PUERTO RICO'S
LEADERS TO PETITION THE U.S.
CONGRESS FOR CUSTOMIZED,
ISLAND-SPECIFIC LEGISLATION TO
ENCOURAGE JOB-CREATING
INVESTMENT AND TO COMPENSATE,
AT LEAST SOMEWHAT, FOR THE
COUNTLESS WAYS IN WHICH OUR
POLITICAL STATUS DOES DAMAGE TO
BUT UNTIL THAT DAY ARRIVES, WE
MUST BE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE
PRESENT AS WE ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT
THE FUTURE.
TO EXPLAIN THE BILL, A LITTLE
BACKGROUND IS IN ORDER.
CURRENTLY NEARLY ALL OF THE
LARGE U.S. FIRMS THAT CONDUCT
BUSINESS IN PUERTO RICO ARE
ORGANIZED AS CONTROLLED FOREIGN
CORPORATIONS, C.F.C.'S.
THEY ARE TAXED IN THE FORM OF A
A PROCESS KNOWN AS
REPATRIATION.
C.F.C.'S IN PUERTO RICO AND
FOREIGN COUNTRIES HAVE LITTLE
INSENT TIFS TO REPATRIATE
BECAUSE THOSE EARNINGS ARE
SUBJECT TO FULL FEDERAL
TAXATION.
AS A RESULT, BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN C.F.C.'S EARNINGS
REMAIN IN FOREIGN BANKS WHERE
THEY GENERATE NO FEDERAL
REVENUE AND CREATE NO AMERICAN
JOBS.
MY LEGISLATION SEEKS TO
INTEGRATE PUERTO RICO COMPANIES
INTO THE U.S. TAX SYSTEM.
IT WOULD AUTHORIZE BUT NOT
REQUIRE COMPANIES THAT ARE
INCORPORATED IN PUERTO RICO AND
THAT EARN AT LEAST 50% OF THEIR
INCOME ON THE ISLAND TO OPERATE
AS DOMESTIC U.S. COMPANIES.
THE BILL WOULD PROMOTE
CONSISTENCY AND UNIFORMITY BY
BRINGING THE TREATMENT OF --
OVER ANY ELECTING PUERTO RICO
COMPANY IN LINE WITH THE
CURRENT TREATMENT OF A PUERTO
RICO INDIVIDUAL UNDER SECTION
CODE.
SPECIFICALLY, A COMPANY WOULD
BE SUBJECTED TO FEDERAL
TAXATION ONLY TO WORLDWIDE
INCOME EXCEPT ON THE INCOME IT
EARNINGS IN PUERTO RICO.
BECAUSE IT IS A DOMESTIC RATHER
THAN A FOREIGN FIRM, THE
CORPORATION COULD DISTRICT ITS
EARNINGS TO THE U.S. PARENT IN
THE FORM OF A DIVIDEND UNDER
SECTION 243 OF THE TAX CODE
WHICH ALLOWS THE PARENT TO
DEDUCT THE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT
OF DIVIDENDS DEPENDING ON THE
STAKE IN THE SUBSIDIARY.
IT IS NOW MORE LIKELY TO BE
BROUGHT BACK INTO THIS COUNTRY
WHERE THEY MAY BE SUBJECT TO
REDUCE BUT STILL HAVE A FULL
LEVEL OF TAXATION UNDER SECTION
243 AND USE TO CREATE JOBS IN
AMERICA.
NOTED
UNDER THIS LEGISLATION,
ELECTING COMPANIES WILL
GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND
JOB CREATION IN THIS COUNTRY.
I SUPPORT -- I HOPE MY
COLLEAGUES WILL SUPPORT THIS
BILL.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR.
GRIJALVA, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THIS SUMMER I TOOK PART IN THE
SPEAK OUT FOR GOOD JOBS NOW,
REBUILDING AMERICAN DREAM TOUR.
THOUSANDS OF CONCERNED
AMERICANS PACKED ROOMS ACROSS
THIS COUNTRY TO SHARE THEIR
STORIES OF HARDSHIP,
UNEMPLOYMENT AND STRUGGLE.
FROM THESE STORIES MY
COLLEAGUES IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AND I WROTE
THE REBUILD AMERICAN JOBS
FRAMEWORK WHICH OUTLINES HOW WE
WILL PUT AMERICA BACK TO WORK
AND GET OUR ECONOMY MOVING
AGAIN.
I WANTED TO TAKE SOME TIME
TODAY TO SHARE SOME OF THE
STORIES AND REALITIES THAT WE
HEARD ON THIS TOUR.
MY FIRST STORY IS FROM ONE IN
MY STATE OF ARIZONA.
SHE SAYS, I WAITED MORE THAN 30
YEARS TO FINALLY RECEIVE A
MODEST INHERENTANS FROM MY
GRANDMOTHER'S PROPERTY.
I USED MONEY TO MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS ON MY HOME THAT MY
HUSBAND AND I WERE BUYING AND
TO OPEN MY OWN CHILDCARE
IT HAPPENED THAT THAT YEAR I
OPENED IS THE SAME YEAR THE
ECONOMY FAILED.
I STRUGGLED TO HOLD ON, BUT
WHEN THE NEW GOVERNOR OF
ARIZONA STRIPPED AWAY CHILDCARE
SUBSIDIES AND AT THE SAME TIME
RAISED LICENSING FEES BY 200%,
I LOST NEARLY ALL OF MY
I LIVED IN A TOWN THAT RELIED
ON HOSPITALITY JOBS WHICH
COUPLED WITH ALL ELSE CRIPPLED
THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND FORCED ME
OUT OF BUSINESS.
MY HUSBAND WAS LAID OFF FROM
THE CABINET MAKING JOB AND NOW
AFTER STRUGGLING OUR HOME IS IN
FORECLOSURE AND SET FOR
AUCTION.
EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR HAD
FINALLY TAKEN SHAPE JUST TO BE
RIPPED AWAY.
I HAVE SINCE LEFT MY HUSBAND
AND NOW SEARCHING FOR A JOB IN
CALIFORNIA.
I HAVE BEEN APPLYING AND
SENDING RESUMES FOR SIX MONTHS
AND HAVE HAD ONLY TWO
INTERVIEWS.
I'M 50 YEARS OLD, SLEEPING ON
MY SISTER'S COUCH WITH NOTHING
TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN MY
I SUPPOSE I SIMPLY WON'T HAVE
THAT PLEASURE.
THE FINAL -- THE OTHER STORY
COMES FROM ONE OF FLORIDA.
I LIVE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.
I WORK FOR THE LARGEST HOSPITAL
CORPORATION IN THE WORLD.
I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER JOB TO MAKE
ENDS MEET.
I HAD A DAUGHTER THAT WAS BORN
PREMATURE.
THE ECONOMY GOT BAD.
I LOST MONEY FROM THE OTHER
JOB.
TOOK TIME OFF TO CARE FOR MY
WIFE AND BABY AND UNABLE TO
MAKE FULL PAYMENTS TO CHASE FOR
THE MORTGAGE, THEY EVENTUALLY
FORECLOSED MY HOME.
OUT.
CHASE GOT MONEY FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MY HOUSE
AND THEY GOT MY HOUSE.
DO I OWE THEM MONEY IF THEY
SELL MY HOUSE FOR LESS THAN I
OWE?
IS THAT FAIR?
HAVE I WORKED HARD SINCE I WAS
-- I HAVE WORKED HARD SINCE I
WAS 15 YEARS OLD.
I HAVE PROVIDED FOR MY FAMILY,
GLADLY PAID MY TAXES.
IS THAT FAIR?
AND THE NEXT STORY IS ALSO FROM
TOM.
WELL-OFF FINANCIALLY.
I HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT DEAL
OF RESEARCH ON THE ECONOMY AND
THE HISTORY OF THESE UNITED
I BELIEVE THE MIDDLE CLASS HAS
SUFFERED VERY MUCH IN THE PAST
30 YEARS.
THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT SHIFT OF
WEALTH.
HOWEVER, MY GREATEST CONCERN IS
FOR THE PRESENT ECONOMY.
WE NEED TO PUT PEOPLE BACK TO
WORK.
THE SECOND STIMULUS IS NEEDED
BUT INDIRECTLY AT THE JOBLESS.
MUCH OF THESE FUNDS SHOULD BE
GIVEN TO STATES FOR IMMEDIATE
RELIEF, TEACHERS, POLICE,
FIREFIGHTERS AND MANY OTHERS
HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS PLUS
OTHERS THAT HAVE TO MAKE --
HAVE TO -- AND CREATE JOBS IN
INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR ROADS.
THOSE UNEMPLOYED SHOULD
BE RETAINED, RETRAINED TO DO
USEFUL WORK WHILE THEY ARE
UNEMPLOYED.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE
DEMANDING WE DO SOMETHING TO
GET AMERICA BACK TO WORK.
THESE WERE JUST THREE OF THE
STORIES WE HEARD, AND I HOPE
THAT WE LISTENED AND I HOPE
THAT ALL OF CONGRESS LISTENS.
THE URGENCY IS JOBS, THE DEMAND
FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS
JOBS, AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS
TO PROVIDE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF
EMPLOYMENT AND A SECURE FUTURE
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
SCOTT, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO
URGE PRESIDENT OBAMA TO TAKE A
STRONG STANCE AGAINST THE
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITIES'
EFFORTS TO SEEK UNILATERAL
THE UNITED NATIONS.
MR. SPEAKER, ISRAEL IS OUR
ALLY, AN ALLY THAT HAS PROVEN
TIME AND AGAIN IN DEVOTION TO
FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, PEACE AND
ECONOMIC STABILITY.
INDEED, MR. SPEAKER, ISRAEL IS
OUR GREATEST ALLY IN THE
TURBULENT MIDDLE EAST AND WE
NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS
TO RESOLVE THEIR ISSUES WITH
THE PALESTINIANS.
THE PRESIDENT MUST SHOW THAT
AMERICA IS RESOLUTE IN SUPPORT
OF ISRAEL AND HE'S DETERMINED
THAT WE FIND REAL SOLUTIONS FOR
PEACE IN THE MIDEAST.
MR. SPEAKER, SOLUTIONS BETWEEN
ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS
WILL COME THROUGH GOOD FAITH
NEGOTIATIONS AND COOPERATION.
SOLUTIONS AND PEACE COME
THROUGH BOTH SIDES SITTING AT
THE TABLE WITH EQUAL
DETERMINATION TO REACH AN
AGREEMENT.
I HOPE THAT THE PRESIDENT
REALIZES ALL OF THIS AND THAT
HE WILL SHOW AMERICA'S SUPPORT
FOR ISRAEL AND BE A STRONG
VOICE FOR PEACE REACHED THROUGH
NEGOTIATIONS AND PARTNERSHIP.
THE PRESIDENT SHOULD MAKE CLEAR
TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
THAT THE WAY TO A BRIGHT AND
STABLE FUTURE FOR THE
PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL BE
THROUGH TALKING TO ISRAEL, NOT
UNILATERALLY SEEKING STATEHOOD
THROUGH THE U.N.
I URGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES IN
THIS HOUSE AND THE MEMBERS OF
THE SENATE TO JOIN ME IN THIS
CALL AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME, MR.
SPEAKER.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
SEEING NO FURTHER DEBATE,
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE
1, THE CHAIR DECLARES THE HOUSE
IN RECESS UNTIL NOON TODAY.
AND CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO TR A MEASURE