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THAT.
THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW THAT.
AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR
LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES IN
MAKING THAT CLEAR TO THE WORLD
AND TO ISRAEL'S ENEMIES.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS YIELDS BACK
HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
MADAM SPEAKER, I
CONSUME.
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
WE HAVE HAD A GROUP
OF SPEAKERS COME DOWN TO THE
FLOOR, INCLUDING THE MAJORITY
LEADER, THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP, THE
CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, AND A
NUMBER OF OTHER MEMBERS TO TALK
ABOUT OUR SOLIDARITY WITH
U.S.-ISRAEL
RELATIONSHIP, THE BIPARTISAN
NATURE OF IT.
THE IMPLICATION WHICH I HEARD IN
THE LAST SPEAKER THAT THIS IS
NOT A VIEW SHARED BY THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
I JUST WANT TO RISE AND INDICATE
HOW LONG SUCH AN IMPLICATION IS.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES HAS INDICATED THAT THESE
BONDS ARE UNBREAKABLE.
HE HAS RAISED THE LEVEL OF
SECURITY, COOPERATION,
INTELLIGENCE SHARING TO
UNPRECEDENTED HIGH LEVELS
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
ISRAEL.
HE IS LEADING THE INTERNATIONAL
EFFORT TO GET IRAN TO ABANDON
ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.
HE HAS STOOD WITH ISRAEL IN THE
WAKE OF THE REPORT, IN THE WAKE
EFFORTS IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION TO DEMONIZE AND
DELEGITIMATIZE ISRAEL AND IN THE
CONTEXT OF VIEWING RESOLUTIONS
WHICH UNFAIRLY SINGLE OUT ISRAEL
ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES.
ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS UNFOUNDED AND SEEKS TO
UNDERCUT THE VERY BIPARTISAN
NATURE OF THE SUPPORT THAT IS SO
ESSENTIAL TO THIS RELATIONSHIP.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK--
IF I COULD
RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE.
I YIELD BACK
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
THANK YOU SO
MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF THE REMAINING
TIME.
I THANK MY GOOD FRIEND FROM
CALIFORNIA, MR. BERMAN, FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP ROLE IN BRINGING THIS
BILL TO THE FLOOR TODAY.
I THANK OUR MAJORITY LEADER, MR.
CANTOR, AS WELL AS THE MINORITY
MR. HOYER.
THIS BILL BEFORE US, MADAM
SPEAKER, THE UNITED
STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY
COOPERATION ACT IS AN IMPORTANT
ONE.
IT SENDS A CLEAR SIGNAL AND A
CLEAR MESSAGE THROUGHOUT THE
WORLD TO OUR FRIENDS AND TO OUR
ENEMIES THAT THE UNITED STATES
STANDS FOURSQUARE WITH OUR
INDISPENSABLE ALLY, THE
DEMOCRATIC JEWISH STATE OF
ISRAEL.
THIS BILL IS A REAFFIRMATION OF
OUR STAUNCH COMMITMENT TO
ISRAEL'S SECURITY, ITS RIGHT TO
SELF-DEFENSE, AND ITS RIGHT TO
EXIST.
IT IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR
FRIENDSHIP WITH ISRAEL THAT HAS
SERVED US SO WELL FOR THE LAST
64 YEARS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO
SERVE US WELL FOR MANY
GENERATIONS TO COME.
AND IT IS A PLEDGE THAT THE
UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL
CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER WILL
ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES TO OUR
COMMON SECURITY SO THAT WE CAN
ENSURE A SAFE, PROSPEROUS, AND
FREE FUTURE FOR BOTH OF OUR
AND WITH THAT, MADAM SPEAKER,
NATIONS.
I'M PLEASED TO YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF OUR TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HER TIME.
THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
4133 AS AMENDED.
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 --
THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
ON THAT I
REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING
THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
UNTIL COUNTED.
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20,
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS
QUESTION WILL BE POSTPONED.
I ASK
THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE
HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY IT ADJOURN
TO MEET AT 9:00 A.M. TOMORROW.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20,
PROCEEDINGS ARE RESUME ON
MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES
PREVIOUSLY POSTPONED AND VOTES
WILL BE TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING
ORDER.
H.R. 2072 BY THE YEAS AND NAYS.
BY THE YEAS AND NAYS.
THE FIRST ELECTRONIC VOTE WILL
BE CONDUCTED AS A 15-MINUTE
VOTE.
THE REMAINING ELECTRONIC VOTE
WILL BE CONDUCTED AS FIVE-MINUTE
VOTE.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS ON
THE VOTE -- IS THE VOTE ON THE
MOTION OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM
CALIFORNIA, MR. MILLER, TO
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
2072, AS AMENDED, ON WHICH THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE
OF THE BILL.
H.R. 2072, A BILL TO
RE-AUTHORIZE THE EXPORT-IMPORT
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE
QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE
BILL AS AMENDED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS WILL BE A 15-MINUTE VOTE.
A 15-MINUTE VOTE.
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY
PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON THIS
VOTE THE YEAS ARE 330.
THE NAYS ARE 93.
2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING
RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE
OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE
VOTE ON THE MOTION OF THE THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA, MS.
ROS-LEHTINEN, TO SUSPEND THE
RULES AND PASS H.R. 4133, AS
AMENDED, ON WHICH THE YEAS AND
NAYS ARE ORDERED.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE
OF THE BILL.
H.R. 4133, A BILL TO
EXPRESS THE SENSE OF CONGRESS
REGARDING THE UNITED
STATES-ISRAEL STRATEGIC
RELATIONSHIP TO DIRECT THE
PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT TO CONGRESS
REPORTS ON UNITED STATES'
ACTIONS TO ENHANCE THIS
RELATIONSHIP AND TO ASSIST IN
THE DEFENSE OF ISRAEL, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
THE
QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE
BILL AS AMENDED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE
REPRESENTATIVES.
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY
PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON THIS
VOTE THE YEAS ARE 411.
THE NAYS ARE TWO.
NINE RECORDED AS PRESENT.
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.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
MEMBERS, PLEASE VACATE THE WELL.
GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA
RISE?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
BE DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER
CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4967, AND
ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE
CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
H.R. 4967, A BILL TO
PREVENT THE TERMINATION OF THE
TEMPORARY OFFICE OF BANKRUPTCY
JUDGES IN CERTAIN JUDICIAL
DISTRICTS.
IS
THERE OBJECTION TO THE
CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL?
THE BILL IS
ENGROSSED, READ A THIRD TIME,
PASSED, AND THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
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 H.R.
5326, AND THAT I MAY INCLUDE
TABULAR MATERIAL ON THE SAME.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, I
HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
THE
GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 643
AND RULE 18, THE CHAIR DECLARES
THE HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE HOUSE ON THE STATE OF
THE UNION FOR THE FURTHER
CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5326.
WILL THE GENTLELADY FROM
MICHIGAN, MRS. MILLER, KINDLY
RESUME THE CHAIR.
THE HOUSE IS IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
5326, WHICH THE CLERK WILL
REPORT BY TITLE.
A BILL MAKING
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE AND
JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED
AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEN THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE ROSE EARLIER THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR.
SOUTHERLAND HAD BEEN DISPOSED
OFF AND THE BILL HAD BEEN READ
THROUGH PAGE 101 LINE 10.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT AT THE DESK.
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
CORRECT.
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
ORDER.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR.
THE AMENDMENT THAT WE OFFER
TODAY --
THE GENTLEMAN WILL
SUSPEND.
AMENDMENT.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. CHAFFETZ OF UTAH.
AT THE END OF THE BILL BEFORE
THE SHORT TITLE INSERT THE
FOLLOWING, SECTION, NONE OF THE
FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE BY THIS ACT
MAY BE USED IN CONTRAVENTION OF
PARAGRAPH 1, 2, OR 3 OF SECTION
1001-A OF TITLE 18 UNITED STATES
CODE.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
UTAH FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR.
ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE HAVE IS
THE INVESTIGATION OF FAST AND
FURIOUS.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT
UNFORTUNATELY WE ALL ASK OUR
BORDER PATROL AGENTS OP PATROL
SERVING THIS NATION, HE WAS
KILLED WITH WEAPONS THAT WERE
DISTRIBUTED UNDER A PROGRAM
CALLED FAST AND FURIOUS.
THIS IS A SAD CASE OF GOVERNMENT
GONE AMUCK, MAKING TERRIBLE,
AWFUL, DEADLY DECISIONS.
THE ADMINISTRATION KNOWINGLY AND
WILLINGLY ALLOWING GUNS TO WALK
FROM GUN SHOPS CONTRARY TO WHAT
U.S. LAW IS, ALLOWING NEARLY
2,000 WEAPONS TO BE RELEASED OUT
KNOWING THESE WEAPONS WOULD BE
GIVEN TO THE CARTELS.
THE DRUG CARTELS.
KNOWING GIVING THESE GUNS TO
THESE VERY IN VARIOUS --
NEFARIOUS CHARACTERS WHERE WE
HOPE THEY WOULD POP UP AND FIND
OUT WHO IS USING THESE GUNS.
THERE ARE TRAGIC DEATHS AND
CONSEQUENCES TO WHAT HAPPENED.
WHAT SHOULD BE TOTALLY
UNACCEPTABLE ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE AISLE IS THE IDEA AND NOTION
THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WOULD KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY
LIE TO CONGRESS.
SENATOR GRASSLEY HAS PRESENTED
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE A
LETTER DIRECTLY TO ATTORNEY
GENERAL HOLDER AND ATTORNEY
GENERAL HOLDER -- MADAM CHAIR,
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
CORRECT.
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE IN ORDER.
MEMBERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE
THEIR CONVERSATION OFF THE
FLOOR.
MEMBERS AND STAFF ARE ADVISED TO
TAKE THEIR CONVERSATION OFF THE
FLOOR.
AND THE COMMITTEE WILL BE IN
ORDER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
SENATOR GRASSLEY
DIRECTLY GAVE TO ATTORNEY
GENERAL HOLDER CONCERN
EXPRESSED IN A LETTER THAT
THERE WERE GUNS LOCKING.
IT'S A TERM, AN EXPRESSION
SAYING WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME
IN UNDER STRAW PURCHASING,
WHICH IS ILLEGAL, IT'S TO BUY
ELSE.
GUNS FOR WEAPONS FOR SOMEBODY
DESPITE WHAT THE A.T.F. AND
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WERE
DOING, THEY ALLOWED THESE
PURCHASES TO HAPPEN IN THE GUN
SHOPS AND LET OUT IN THE
GREATER ARIZONA AREA AND
ALLOWED THESE GUNS TO WALK.
THE CONSEQUENCES HAVE BEEN
ABSOLUTELY TRAGIC.
WE HAVE A DEAD BORDER PATROL
AGENT.
THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT
ESTIMATES 300 PEOPLE DIED IN
MIX CON.
VERY FEW OF THESE GUNS HAVE
BEEN RECOVERED.
THERE WILL BE CRIMES COMMITTED
WITH THESE WEAPONS IN ALL
LIKELIHOOD FOR YEARS TO COME.
WHAT IS TOTALLY AND WHOLLY
UNACCEPTABLE, I THINK TO THIS
BODY AND THE INTEGRITY, DESPITE
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, THAT
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WOULD
KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY PRESENT
A LETTER BACK TO CONGRESS ON
FEBRUARY 4 THAT WAS SO
INACCURATE, IT WAS SO WRONG AND
ESSENTIALLY THEY LIED TO
CONGRESS AND IT TOOK MONTHS AND
MONTHS AND MONTHS TO GET TO THE
POINT WHERE THEY FINALLY TO TO
RE-SEND THAT LETTER, WHERE THEY
HAD TO ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A
FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED PROGRAM AT
ITS VERY CORE.
DOCUMENTS.
NOW, WE'VE BEEN SEEKING
WE'VE BEEN SEEKING INFORMATION.
WE'VE ISSUED SUBPOENAS.
BELIEF.
WE'VE BEEN PATIENT BEYOND
BUT WE'VE MOSTLY BEEN STONE
WALLWALLED.
THAT INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN
-- STONEWALLED.
THAT INFORMATION HAT NOT BEEN
FORTHCOMING.
WHAT THAT INFORMATION SAYS IS
THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE
FEDERAL FUNDS, TAXPAYER DOLLARS
TO KNOWINGLY, WILLFULLY SKIRT
THE LAW AND LIE TO CONGRESS.
NOW, ON FEBRUARY 4, I WANT TO
REMIND MEMBERS, FEBRUARY 4,
2011, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LIED TO CONGRESS ABOUT THE
TACTICS USED IN FAST AND
FURIOUS BY CLAIMING FEDERAL
AUTHORITIES MAKE, QUOTE, EVERY
EFFORT TO INTERDICT WEAPONS
THAT HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND
PREVENT THEIR TRANSFER TO
MEXICO, END QUOTE.
AND THEY DENY THAT THEY
FACILITATED THE ILLEGAL SALE OF
GUNS TO MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WITHDREW THE FEBRUARY LETTER
BECAUSE IT WAS FILLED WITH
MISLEADING, FICTITOUS AND FALSE
STATEMENTS.
THE FAST AND FURIOUS WAS,
QUOTE, FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED
OPERATIONS.
WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS YOU SHOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO USE TAXPAYER
FUNDS TO KNOWINGLY AND
WILLFULLY SUBVERT CONGRESS.
YOU CAN'T LIE TO CONGRESS AND
USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DO IT.
ITS APPROACH.
SURE THAT CAN BE BIPARTISAN IN
ALL WE ASK IS FOR THE TRUTH.
IN FACT, THERE WAS MORE THAT A
DOZEN, IN FACT, MORE THAN TWO
DOZEN MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY SERVING IN CONGRESS WHO
SENT A LETTER TO THE WHITE
THE IDEA AND
THE NOTION THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE OPEN
AND FORT RIGHT IN PROVIDING
THIS INFORMATION TO -- FORTH
RIGHT IN PROVIDING THIS
INFORMATION TO CONGRESS.
IT HAS NOT BEEN ACCURATE.
IN FACT, IT WAS A LIE.
AS WE LOOK TO BRIAN TERRY WHO
SERVED THIS COUNTRY, WE OWE IT
TO HIM AND TO HIS FAMILY TO GET
TO THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED
IN FAST AND FURIOUS.
AND NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD
EVER BE USED TO KNOWINGLY,
WILLFULLY LIE TO CONGRESS.
WS AS A BODY, AS AN
INSTITUTION, DESERVE TO GET TO
THE BOTTOM OF THIS.
WE HAVE NOT HAD ALL THESE
ANSWERS.
AND ON MARCH 25, MARCH 25 OF
2011, PRESIDENT OBAMA STOOD
BEFORE IN AN INTERVIEW AND TOLD
THE WORLD THEY WOULD HOLD
SOMEBODY RESPONSIBLE, THAT ERIC
HOLDER WASN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR
THIS AND THAT THEY WOULD HOLD
SOMEBODY RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE
SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
TO DATE, MADAM CHAIR WOMAN,
THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.
A PROMOTION
AND A BONUS.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT NEVER,
EVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
I ASK MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS
AMENDMENT.
WE SHOULD DO SO IN A BIPARTISAN
WAY AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE
OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
PENNSYLVANIA.
I RISE TO STRIKE
THE GENTLEMAN IS
THE LAST WORD.
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THERE'S NOTHING IN
THE GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT THAT
I THINK ANYONE COULD DISAGREE
WITH.
THE AMENDMENT DOESN'T SPEAK
ABOUT ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER.
IT DOESN'T SPEAK ABOUT ANY
PARTICULAR MATTER THAT'S BEEN
REFERENCED IN THE COMMENTS ON
THE FLOOR.
IT JUST SAYS THAT YOU CAN'T USE
DOLLARS AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS
ACT TO GIVE MISINFORMATION TO
THE CONGRESS.
I THINK EVERY MEMBER SHOULD
SUPPORT THIS.
I THINK, HOWEVER, I WANT TO --
I THINK MANY MEMBERS WOULD
SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THESE
ACCUSATIONS THAT ARE BASELESS.
IN FACT, THEY'VE BEEN
INVESTIGATED AND THERE'S NO
EVIDENCE THAT THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL PROVIDED ANY
MISINFORMATION TO THE CONGRESS.
IN FACT, HE'S TESTIFIED SEVEN
TIMES.
HE'S PROVIDED THOUSANDS OF
DOCUMENTS, AND WHAT WE DO KNOW
IS THAT THIS CONGRESS UNDER
REPUBLICAN CONTROL AND A
REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION
STARTED ENDEAVORS TO TRACK
ILLEGAL GUNS THAT WERE VERY
SIMILAR TO THE OPERATION THAT'S
BEEN REFERRED TO AND SOME OF
THOSE GUNS FELL INTO THE WRONG
HANDS.
BUT TO ATTACK FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT THAT'S TRYING TO
CATCH BAD GUYS WHO ARE
OPERATING STING OPERATIONS,
EVEN WHEN THEY GO POORLY, I
THINK IS JUST THE WRONG PLACE
FOR FEDERAL LAWMAKERS TO BE.
I'M IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND EVEN IF THEIR
POLICIES AND IN THIS PARTICULAR
WAY WERE WRONG AND THEY'VE BEEN
CORRECTED, ONCE THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL KNEW ABOUT IT, HE
STOPPED IT.
EVERYONE IN THE LINE OF
RESPONSIBILITY HERE HAVE BEEN
REMOVED.
SO WHEN THE GENTLEMAN SUGGESTS
ON THE FLOOR THAT NO ONE HAS
LOST THEIR JOB, THAT'S ENTIRELY
INACCURATE.
I DO WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT.
WE SHOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM AND TO
ATTACK CAREER A.T.F. AGENTS WHO
ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES TRYING
TO CATCH BAD GUYS ALONG THE
BORDER I THINK IS THE WRONG WAY
FOR US TO PROCEED JUST BECAUSE
WE WANT TO GO AT THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
NOW, IF THERE'S AN ELECTION AND
THERE IS A CHANGE IN
PRESIDENCY, THE OTHER SIDE WILL
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
GET A CHANCE TO NAME AN
UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION, THE
TOSHE GENERAL SERVES AT THE
PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT AND
THE PRESIDENT MADE IT CLEAR
THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER
AND I THINK IN MANY PEOPLE'S
MINDS, ONE OF THE BEST THAT
EVER SERVED IN THIS POSITION,
AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU
THINK ABOUT THE POLITICAL
APPOINTEES IN THE DEPARTMENT,
TO ATTACK CAREER A.T.F. AGENTS
FOR DOING THEIR JOB WHILE THEY
RISK THEIR LIVES ON BEHALF OF
AMERICAN CITIZENS I THINK IS
THE WRONG THING TO DO.
BUT I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT.
THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS
AMENDMENT AT ALL CONNECTED TO
THESE BASELESS ALLEGATIONS.
NONE OF WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVED
AND I THINK IT'S WRONG TO COME
TO THE HOUSE, SAY THEY LIED TO
THE CONGRESS, WHEN IN FACT
THERE'S NOTHING IN THE RECORD
THAT SUGGESTS THAT WHATSOEVER.
SO WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE
LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF
THE AMENDMENT.
I THINK ACCURACY AND
TRUTHFULNESS IS ESSENTIAL IN
ANY OVERSIGHT PROCESS AND THE
AMENDMENT REQUIRES THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT AND ALL FEDERAL
AGENCIES FUNDED BY THIS BILL
PROVIDE ONLY FORTHRIGHT AND
CONGRESS.
TRUTHFUL REPRESENTATIONS TO
WITH THAT I ASK FOR AN AYE VOTE
AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF
MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST
WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIRWOMAN.
I WAS NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT
FAST AND FURIOUS.
I WILL NOT STAND
HERE WHILE INSINUATIONSES ARE
LEVELED.
I WORKED FOR THE DONELL D.O.J.
FOR SIX YEARS.
I WORKED WITH A.T.F. FOR 16
YEARS.
I'LL PUT THE RESPECT THAT I
HAVE FOR FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL
PROSECUTORS UP AGAINST ANYBODY
IN THIS BODY.
IT MAY WELL BE THAT THE
DOCUMENTS WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN
CLEAR ALL THE SENIOR D.O.J.
OFFICIALS.
HOW WILL WE POSSIBLY KNOW THAT
DOCUMENTS?
IF HE CONTINUES TO WITHHOLD
SO, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN, LET ME
ASK THIS -- TO THE AVERAGE
CITIZEN WHO GETS A GRAND JURY
OR A SUBPOENA FOR
DOCUMENTS OR TO COMPEL THE
PRESIDENTS, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
IF THEY IGNORED IT?
MADAM CHAIRWOMAN, WHAT HAPPENED
IF YOU GOT A JURY SUMMONS AND
YOU DECIDED YOU WEREN'T GOING
TO SHOW UP?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE
AVERAGE CITIZEN IF THEY GOT A
SUBPOENA FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE AND THEY JUST DECIDED
TO IGNORE IT?
AND THEIR DEFENSE WAS, WELL, WE
GAVE YOU SOME DOCUMENTS.
THERE ARE 70,000-SOMETHING
DOCUMENTS THAT THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL HAS.
WE HAVE 1/12 OF THAT.
THERE ARE ENTIRE CATEGORIES OF
DOCUMENTS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE.
WE DO NOT HAVE A SINGLE EMAIL
FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
THE UNITED STATES AFTER
FEBRUARY 14, 2011.
I WANT YOU TO ASK YOURSELF HOW
MANY EMAILS YOU HAVE SENT AND
RECEIVED TODAY.
AND THE NUMBER IS ZERO FROM
FEBRUARY 4, 2011, UNTIL PRESENT
AND CONGRESSMAN CHAFFETZ IS
EXACTLY RIGHT.
A DEMONSTRABLY FALSE
LETTER SENT TO A MEMBER OF
CONGRESS, AND THEN THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THAT I
ACTUALLY VALUE ITS REPUTATION.
WE HAVE TO HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE THAT PEOPLE WILL
RESPECT, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE TOOK THE UNPRESS KENTED
-- UNPRECEDENTED STEP OF HAVING
TO WITHDRAW A LETTER SENT TO A
MEMBER OF CONGRESS BECAUSE IT
WAS DEMONSTRABLY FALSE.
ON FEBRUARY 4, 2011, THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON
LETTERHEAD MAILS A DEMONSTRABLY
FALSE LETTERHEAD DENYING A
TACTIC CALLED GUN WALKING ON
THE VERY SAME DAY THE CRIMINAL
CHIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA IS IN MEXICO ADVOCATING
FOR THE TACTIC OF GUN WALKING.
AND SOMEHOW WE CAN'T ASK THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO TELL
WHO KNEW WHAT WHEN, AND THE
GENTLEMAN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AISLE, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN
PUNISHED.
SAID EVERYONE HAS BEEN
BEEN PUNISHED.
MADAM CHAIRWOMAN, NO ONE HAS
THERE HASN'T BEEN A DEMOTION.
THERE HASN'T BEEN A FIRING.
THERE HASN'T BEEN A SANCTION.
THERE HASN'T BEEN A FROWNY FACE
ON A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
THERE'S BEEN NOTHING.
SO I WANT TO SAY WHAT I SAID
YESTERDAY, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN.
THIS IS NOT JUST SNORE -- NOT
JUST ANOTHER APPOINTMENT IN
SOMEONE'S CABINET.
THIS IS NOT ANOTHER APPOINTEE.
THIS IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
JUSTICE.
THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF
IF THEY CANNOT COMPLY WITH A
LAWFULLY EXECUTED SUBPOENA THEN
THERE SHOULD BE SANCTIONS JUST
LIKE THERE WOULD BE FOR ME OR
YOU.
SO I URGE SUPPORT FOR
REPRESENTATIVE CHAFFETZ'S
AMENDMENT.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
TIME.
YES, MADAM.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
TEXAS.
MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST
WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
THANK MADAM CHAIRMAN.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS
AMENDMENT BECAUSE I'M SEEING
WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE AN
ALARMING TREND IN GOVERNMENT
RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE HAIRY IN FAST AND
FURIOUS, THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE FAILING TO COOPERATE
WITH MULTIPLE COMMITTEES OF
THIS CONGRESS.
RIGHT NOW AS WE
SPEAK THERE IS AN OVERSIGHT
MEETING OVER THE WASTE AND
ABUSE OF DOLLARS WAREHOUSING
SECURITY EQUIPMENT IN DALLAS,
TEXAS.
WE ARE SITTING HERE TODAY WHILE
WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO ARE TRYING
TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THIS
GOVERNMENT BEING RETALIATED
AGAINST.
FAMILIES, LIKE AGENT BRIAN
TERRY, WHO WAS A VICTIM OF THE
FAST AND FURIOUS SCANDAL, AGENT
JAMIE ZAPATA WHO WAS KILLED IN
MEXICO, AND THE FAMILIES OF
MANY MEXICAN CITIZENS WHO WERE
KILLED AS A RESULT OF THESE GUN
RUNNING OPERATIONS WITH THESE
WEAPONS.
THIS IS AN ALARMING TREND IN
GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAVE TO PUT
A STOP TO.
WE DO NOT NEED TO BE FINANCING
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
OUR EMPLOYEES, THE PEOPLE'S
EMPLOYEES.
WE DO NOT NEED TO BE PAYING
THEM TO STALL, TO LIE, TO
MISLEAD.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEN AN
EMPLOYEE ACTS THIS WAY, WE HAVE
A REAL QUICK SOLUTION.
THEM.
WE QUIT PAYING THEM AND WE FIRE
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S A LITTLE
GOVERNMENT.
MORE COMPLICATED HERE IN THE
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET TO A
CABINET LEVEL OFFICIAL.
YES, WE HAVE OUR REMEDIES, WE
HAVE COB TEMPT OF CONGRESS, WE
HAVE -- WE HAVE CONTENT OF
CONGRESS, WE HAVE CRIMINAL
PROSECUTION, AND IN THE CASE OF
A CABINET LEVEL POSITION LIKE
MR. HOLDER IT COULD GET TO
IMPEACHMENT DEPENDING ON WHAT
WE FIND OUT.
THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THE
ULTIMATE REMEDY THERE.
THERE IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE
FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY IS MONEY.
WE HAVE GOT TO CUT OFF THE
MONEY TO THE EMPLOYEES LIKE
ERIC HOLDER WHO STONEWALLED AT
BEST AND LIE MORE LIKELY.
WE NEED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
WHO OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKES.
YOU KNOW, MY COLLEAGUE HERE,
MR. GOWDY, WAS TALKING ABOUT
THE FACT THERE'S NOT A SINGLE
EMAIL AFTER A CERTAIN DATE FROM
MR. HOLDER.
I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE CHAIR
AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT
WHAT GETS YOU IN THIS COUNTRY
NINE TIMES OUT OF 10 IS THE
COVER-UP.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WILLING
TO LIVE WITH THE MISTAKE, BUT
THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO LIVE
WITH A LIAR.
AND THIS AMENDMENT CUTS OFF
FUNDING TO THE LIARS IN OUR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
SUPPORT THIS BILL AND I YIELD
BACK THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME.
MADAM CHAIR, I RISE TO
STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
YOU KNOW, I'M FROM ARIZONA
AND I AM PROUD TO RISE IN
SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT
BECAUSE NO OTHER STATE HAS
SUFFERED THE CONSEQUENCES LIKE
WE HAVE IN ARIZONA AND WILL
CONTINUE TO.
LET'S LOOK AT
THE RAMIFICATIONS OF WHAT
TRANSPIRED HERE.
WE DIDN'T ALLOW GUNS TO WALK.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE.
AND WE STILL DON'T
KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AND YET
ARIZONA WILL SUFFER THE
CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE GUNS ON
OUR SIDE OF THE BORDER.
AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE
OTHER ASPECT.
WHAT ABOUT THE MEXICAN PEOPLE?
WHERE IS THE OUTCRY?
WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?
HERE WE HAD THE HISPANIC PEOPLE
WHO HAVE LOST OVER 300 PEOPLE
TO THIS -- TO THIS IMPROPRIETY
AND IT WAS OVERSIGHT BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.
I AM GLAD THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING
IS DEFUNDING THIS ASPECT, TO
MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT
AND WRONG AND HOLD PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE COVERUP THAT
OCCURS.
BUT THINK ABOUT IT.
HAVE WE EVER SEEN SOMETHING OF
THIS ATROCITY?
WE ACTUALLY OVERSTEPPED THE
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT.
OVERSIGHT AND SOVEREIGNTY OF THE
WHAT WE NEED IS WE NEED ANSWERS.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED THE
ANSWERS, THE FOLKS FROM ARIZONA
NEED THE ANSWERS AND WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE
ACCOUNTABLE ARE HELD PERFECTLY
TO THAT STANDARD LIKE EVERYBODY
ELSE.
YES, WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE
DOCUMENTATION.
THEY'VE SAID WE'VE SEEN THE
DOCUMENTATION AND EVERYBODY'S
BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
THAT'S WRONG, ABSOLUTELY WRONG.
TAKE IT FROM SOMEBODY FROM
ARIZONA WHO'S HAD TO LIVE UNDER
THIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT
ABOUT THE BRIAN KERRY FAMILIAR?
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OVERSIGHT OF
THIS EGREGIOUS OPERATION, DID IT
HAVE TO TAKE THE LIFE OF A BRAVE
SOLDIER?
THAT'S WHAT IT TOOK TO EVEN COME
TO THIS SITUATION.
IT CANNOT BE REPEATED.
ABSOLUTELY IT CANNOT BE
REPEATED.
AND I'M GLAD THAT MY COLLEAGUE
HAS OFFERED THIS AMENDMENT TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT GIVE
FUNDING FOR THOSE IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND IF
LETTER OF THE LAW.
THEY DO, THEY'RE HELD TO THE
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH
CAROLINA.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN RISE?
MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST WORD.