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IRREVERSIBLE HEALTH PROBLEMS.
I WORKED FOR 35 YEARS.
WE LEAVE THE LAST UNITS OF
THIS PROGRAM.
IT WILL TAKE TO THE U.S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES,
GABBLING IN BRIEFLY.
REPRESENTATIVES.
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]
THE
HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE
A COMMUNICATION FROM THE
SPEAKER.
THE SPEAKER'S ROOM,
WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 30,
2011.
I HEREBY APPOINT THE HONORABLE
TED POE TO ACT AS SPEAKER PRO
TEMPORE ON THIS DAY.
SIGNED, JOHN BOEHNER, SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
THE
PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY OUR
CHAPLAIN CONROY: LET US PRAY.
DEAR GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS
FOR GIVING US ANOTHER DAY.
WE ASK YOUR SPECIAL BLESSING
UPON THE MEMBERS OF THIS
PEOPLE'S HOUSE.
AS SO MANY AMERICANS HAVE
COMMUNICATED TO THEM THIS PAST
WEEK, THERE IS GREAT CONCERN
FOR OUR FUTURE.
GIVE ALL MEMBERS WISDOM,
PATIENCE, DISCERNMENT AND
COURAGE TO USE THE INFORMATION
THEY HAVE, THE BROADER
UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATIONAL
CONCERNS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY
THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO LEAD
THIS NATION INTO A BALANCED AND
SECURE FUTURE.
GRANT A DOUBLE PORTION OF A
GREAT PROPHET'S SPIRIT.
BLESS THEM, O GOD, AND BE WITH
THEM AND WITH US ALL THIS DAY
AND EVERY DAY TO COME.
MAY ALL THAT IS DONE BE FOR
YOUR GREATER HONOR AND GLORY.
AMEN.
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.
MR. SPEAKER.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
MR. SPEAKER,
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1,
I DEMAND A VOTE ON THE
SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE
JOURNAL.
THE
QUESTION IS ON AGREEING TO THE
SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE
JOURNAL.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
MR. SPEAKER.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
ON THAT MATTER I
WOULD ASK FOR A RECORDED VOTE.
DOES
THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA ASK
FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS?
I DO INDEED.
THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
THOSE FAVORING A VOTE BY THE
YEAS AND NAYS WILL PLEASE RISE.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE
20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS
QUESTION ARE POSTPONED.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL
BE LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MINNESOTA, MR. PAULSON.
ALL IN THE
GALLERY, PLEASE JOIN IN THE
PLEDGE.
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.
THE
CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN UP TO 15
REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE
SPEECHES ON EACH SIDE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA RISE?
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE
AND EXTEND.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
LAST WEEKEND IN EDEN PRAIRIE,
MINNESOTA, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE
OF ATTENDING A 5-K RUN IN
REMEMBRANCE OF U.S. MAJOR VOISE
WHO LOST HIS LIFE WHEN HIS
OFFSPRING HELICOPTER TRAGICALLY
WENT DOWN IN AFGHANISTAN.
AND NOW HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS
HAVE FOUND A WAY TO HONOR HIS
LIFE AND SACRIFICE THROUGH AN
ANNUAL EVENT THAT IS NOW USED
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO STUDENTS
AT EDEN PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL
WHERE RANDY GRADUATED IN 1985.
IN ADDITION TO THIS
SCHOLARSHIP, HIS RUN SEEKS TO
RAISE AWARENESS OF THE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR MEN AND
WOMEN IN UNIFORM THAT THEY MAKE
EVERY DAY TO KEEP AMERICA FREE.
THE MAJOR MAY NOT LIVE US BUT
HIS MEMORY LIVES ON THROUGH HIS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND HIS
COMMUNITY AND THROUGH THE
SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE LOCAL
HIS VALUES.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, I
ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
AS CONGRESS
STRUGGLES TO COME UP WITH THIS
DEAL OVER GOVERNMENT DEBT, WE
ALL KNOW THAT ALL WE HAD TO DO
WAS RAISE THE DEBT CEILING, AND
THE CHAOS THAT THE COUNTRY IS
BEING THROWN INTO IS NOT
NEEDED.
RAISE THE DEBT CEILING.
PROTECT THE U.S.
AND THEN DEBATE HOW TO CUT OUR
DEBT AFTERWARDS.
THE GAME INVOLVES THE RATING
SERVICES.
IN PARTICULAR, STANDARD &
POOR'S.
RATING AGENCIES HELP PUT THE
U.S. ECONOMY IN THE DUMPER IN
2008.
DODD-FRANK WAS THE FIRST EFFORT
TO HOLD RATING AGENCIES
ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IN FACT THEY
SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO
CIVIL FRAUD CHARGES AS WELL AS
REVOCATION OF THEIR LICENSES AT
THE S.E.C.
JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER
DODD-FRANK PASSED, STANDARD &
POOR'S STRIKES BACK WITH A
THREAT TO DOWNGRADE U.S. DEBT,
A DOWNGRADE WHICH WOULD COST
U.S. TAXPAYERS BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN EXTRA INTEREST
PAYMENTS.
WHEN WE WORK TO RAISE THE DEBT
CEILING WE SHOULD ALSO RAISE
QUESTIONS ABOUT STANDARD &
POOR'S.
MAYBE IT'S TIME TO DOWNGRADE
STANDARD & POOR'S TO JUNK
STATUS.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM MICHIGAN RISE?
CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE
AND EXTEND.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM MICHIGAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, I'M
GOING TO TELL A STORY THAT
HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEK WHICH I
THINK IS A VIVID DISPLAY OF THE
HUMAN SPIRIT AND HEROISM AS
WELL.
THERE'S A FELLOW NAMED MICHAEL
TRAPP WHO HAD A LUCKY WEEK.
HE WAS FLYING HIS CESSNA
AIRPLANE FROM NEW YORK TO
WISCONSIN AND UNFORTUNATELY HAD
ENGINE PROBLEMS.
THE RADIO TRAFFIC -- AIR
TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER LOST
CONTACT WITH HIM AND HE CRASHED
HIS AIRPLANE IN LAKE HURON.
I REPRESENT A DISTRICT IN
MICHIGAN.
THIS FELLOW CRASHED HIS
AIRPLANE -- I WOULD SAY
FORTUNATE CRASHED HIS AIRPLANE
RIGHT AT THE TIP OF THE THUMB
HERE.
SO THE COAST COMPARED WAS
HAVING A FULL SEARCH AND
RESCUE.
THE MARINE DIVISION IS OUT
LOOKING FOR HIM.
A DAY WENT BY.
THE NIGHT WENT BY.
COULDN'T FIND THIS FELLOW.
SOME VERY, VERY GOOD FRIENDS OF
MINE, DEAN AND DIANE PETTIPRIN
WHILE BOATING IN THEIR BOAT AND
DIANE SEES A FELLOW WAVING HIS
SOCK IN THE MIDDLE OF LAKE
HURON AND THEY SAVED THAT MAN'S
LIFE.
AND I JUST THINK WITH
EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN
WASHINGTON HERE THIS WEEK, IT'S
GOOD FOR US TO TAKE A MOMENT
AND THINK ABOUT THE HUMAN
SPIRIT AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
CHARITABLE AND CARING HEARTS.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK.
THE
TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
RISE?
I ASK UNANIMOUS
FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND'S
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, A
LOT OF THE COMMENTATORS HAVE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE DEBT
CREEL, THE MARKET, THE --
NUMBER.
WHAT WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT
IS PEOPLE.
PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HELP FROM A
INTERESTED.
AMERICANS ARE TIRED OF WATCHING
WALL STREET SPECULATORS,
C.E.O.'S AND BIG CORPORATIONS
CALL ALL THE SHOTS.
PEOPLE MADE COMMENTS THAT
UNDERSTAND -- FOCUSES ON MAKING
THEIR LIVES BETTER.
UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF
POLITICS IN WASHINGTON AND
EXTREME IDEOLOGY, THAT'S NOT
HAPPENING.
MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE
INTERPRETATION TO TAKE APART
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID TO PAY
FOR YET ANOTHER TAX CUT FOR THE
MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES
AND TO PRESERVE SUBSIDIES FOR
BIG OIL COMPANIES.
THEY'VE DECIDED OUR CURRENT
ECONOMY IS THE FAULT OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE AND NOW THEY'RE
GOING TO EMPTY MIDDLE-CLASS
POCKETS TO PAY FOR IT.
THE TALK IN WASHINGTON NOW IS
DRIVEN BY IDEOLOGY THAT REALLY
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COST
SAVINGS OR PRESERVING THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
WHAT REALLY IT IS ABOUT IS WHO
SUFFERS AND WHO DREAMS AND
IDEOLOGY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
JOB CREATION AND SOCIAL
SECURITY AND MEDICARE AREN'T
WORTH PAYING FOR ANYMORE.
IT'S TIME WE SPEND OPPORTUNITY
AND PROTECT THE MIDDLE CLASS.
IT'S TIME TO FOCUS ON THE REAL
CRISIS IN AMERICA, THE JOBS
CRISIS.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE
AND EXTEND.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, LED BY
THE POSITIVE LEADERSHIP OF
SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER, HOUSE
REPUBLICANS PASSED THE BEST
BIPARTISAN SOLUTION TO THE DEBT
CEILING LAST WEEK, THE CUT, CAP
AND BALANCE ACT OF 2011.
LIBERALS IN THE SENATE CHOSE TO
HIDE AND HAD A TABLING VOTE TO
TH AVOID A CURRENT VOTE ON THE
ISSUE.
I URGE LIBERALS TO JOIN
CONSERVATIVES TO VOTE FOR A
SOLUTION THAT WILL CREATE JOBS
AND STOP THE PRESIDENT WHO IS
STUCK ON TAX INCREASES TO
DESTROYING JOBS.
THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE A
PLAN.
HE EVEN ADMITS HE'S BLUFFING.
SADLY, THIS WAS FURTHER AVAILED
YESTERDAY WHEN THE GROSS
TO BE STAGNANT.
ADDITIONALLY THE FRONT PAGE
HEADLINE TODAY OF "THE
WASHINGTON POST" PROCLAIMS,
QUOTE, ECONOMIC GROWTH AT NEAR
STAND STILL, END OF QUOTE.
THE PRESIDENT SHOULD CHANGE
COURSE AND WORK FOR BIPARTISAN
PROPOSALS TO CREATE JOBS AND
PRESERVE THE NATION'S CREDIT
RATING.
IN CONCLUSION, GOD BLESS OUR
TROOPS AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET
SEPTEMBER 11 AND THE GLOBAL WAR
ON TERRORISM.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
MEMBERS ARE ADVISED TO REFRAIN
FROM MAKING INAPPROPRIATE
COMMENTS ABOUT THE SENATE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS RISE?
I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THERE IS
ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR THIS
RECKLESS, UNPATRIOTIC BEHAVIOR
ON THE PART OF THE REPUBLICANS.
THE LOOMING DEFAULT CRISIS
COULD BE RESOLVED IN FIVE
MINUTES BY SIMPLY RAISING THE
AS WAS DONE SEVEN TIMES UNDER
BUSH AND 18 TIMES UNDER RONALD
REAGAN.
THIS IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
THE REPUBLICANS LED BY THEIR
TEA PARTY RADICALS ARE
DETERMINED TO CRIPPLE
GOVERNMENT AND TO DESTROY
MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND SOCIAL
SECURITY WHILE LEAVING
UNTOUCHED A HAIR ON THE HEAD OF
MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES
AND CORPORATIONS THAT PAYS ZERO
IN TAXES.
I SAY TO THE REPUBLICANS, STOP
IT.
SENIORS CALL SOBBING ABOUT
THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS.
OUR SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN
REPEATEDLY ASK ADMIRAL MULLEN
YESTERDAY, WILL WE GET PAID?
WILL OUR FAMILIES GET OUR
CHECKS?
SHAME ON THE REPUBLICANS FOR
MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
IN BATTLE, WHEN YOU
ACCIDENTALLY SHOOT YOUR OWN,
IT'S CALLED FRIENDLY FIRE.
WHEN YOU DELIBERATELY SHOOT
YOUR OWN IT'S CALLED FRAGGING.
REPUBLICANS, STOP FRAGGING THE
AMERICAN ECONOMY AND THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
AND I YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM TEXAS RISE?
I ASK PERMISSION TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. SPEAKER, IN THIS
TIME OF MONEY CRISIS, WE TALK
ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE NEED
REVENUE.
CONGRESS SEEMS TO BE ADDICTED
TO TAXATION AS A FORM OF
REVENUE, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER
WAY TO RAISE REVENUE.
DID YOU KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, THAT
27% OF THE LAND OWNED IN THE
UNITED STATES IS OWNED BY UNCLE
SAM?
52% OF IT IN THE WEST IS OWNED
BY UNCLE SAM.
HOW MUCH IS THAT?
THAT'S THE SIZE OF ALL OF
WESTERN EUROPE.
SO MAYBE WE OUGHT TO THINK
ABOUT UNCLE SAM SELLING SOME OF
THAT LAND TO AMERICANS.
NOT THE NATIONAL PARKS, NOT THE
WETLANDS, THE SENSITIVE AREAS,
BUT THAT LAND BY THE BUREAU OF
LAND MANAGEMENT THAT DOES NOT
-- IS NOT IN USE NOW.
WE'LL SELL SOME OF THAT AND IT
WILL BE REVENUE PRODUCING
BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO BUY IT WILL
PAY TAXES.
LOCAL TAXES GO TO SCHOOLS AND
HELP THOSE SCHOOLS.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT IN
THIS TIME OF RAISING REVENUE,
MAYBE UNCLE SAM CAN DO WITHOUT
27% OF ALL OF THE LAND IN
AMERICA.
LET AMERICANS OWN PART OF
AMERICA, NOT JUST THE FEDERAL
WAY IT IS.
I YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM VIRGINIA RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND
EXTEND.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. SPEAKER, AS
THE DEBATE ON AVOIDING A
DEVASTATING DEFAULT HAS
PROGRESSED OVER THE LAST
SEVERAL MONTHS, WE HEARD FROM
MANY HOUSE REPUBLICANS THE
COMPROMISE IS A DIRTY WORD, BUT
THE VOICES WE SHOULD BE
LISTENING TO ARE THOSE OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
WHAT THEY'VE SAID HAS BEEN LOUD
AND CLEAR.
ACCORDING TO NBC JOURNAL POLL,
53% OF INDEPENDENTS AND
REPUBLICANS WANT REPUBLICAN
LEADERS TO COMPROMISE.
ACCORDING TO THE
ABC/"WASHINGTON POST" POLL 70%
OF ALL AMERICANS SAY THAT HOUSE
LEADERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN WILLING
TO COMPROMISE.
ACCORDING TO ONE UNIVERSITY
POLL, 67% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE
THE DEBT CEILING COMPROMISE
SHOULD BE A BALANCE BETWEEN
SPENDING CUTS AND REVENUE.
YES, REVENUE.
ACCORDING TO THE GALLOP POLL,
57% OF AMERICANS WANT A
COMPROMISED PLAN.
THAT'S REPUBLICANS.
AND ACCORDING TO THE CBS NEWS
POLL, 78% OF AMERICANS WOULD
RATHER HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT
THEY DON'T FULLY SUPPORT THAN
ALLOW THE COUNTRY TO DEFAULT.
MR. SPEAKER, IT'S LONG PAST
TIME WE STARTED LISTENING TO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND REACH A
COMPROMISE TO AVOID A NATIONAL
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND
MY REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN.
MR. SPEAKER, THE ADMINISTRATION
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE AND
THEIR POSTURING SHOW WHAT
AMERICA KNOWS.
WE ARE BEING NEITHER LED NOR
GOVERNED.
YET, IN THEIR POLICY
IRRESPONSIBILITY THEY REMAIN
UNITED IN THEIR PARTY UNITY.
ON THE RIGHT TAKE NOTE.
IT IS UNWARRANTED AND
ININJURIOUS FOR A REPUBLICAN TO
CALL A TEA PARTYIER A HOBBIT AS
IT IS FOR A TEA PARTYIER TO
CALL A REPUBLICAN A RHINO.
WE CANNOT UNITE AMERICA IF WE
DIVIDE THE MOVEMENT.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE TIME HAS COME
FOR THE TEA PARTY TO GROW UP
AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO
WAKE UP AND COME TOGETHER TO
SERVE AND SAVE THIS GREAT
NATION.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN YIELDS
BACK HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
"THE WASHINGTON
POST," THE UNITED STATES IS A
LOT LIKE A RICH BUSINESSMAN WHO
OWNS TWO HOMES, MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN STOCK BUT IS IN DEBT
BECAUSE HE TALK TO OUT A BIG
LOWELL LOAN TO BUY A PRIVATE
PLAN.
HERE WE ARE TO PROTECT TAX CUTS
FOR MILLIONAIRES AND BILLION
AIRS, THE JOB CREATORS, $4
TRILLION OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS,
LOOPHOLES FOR CORPORATE JETS,
YOU KNOW, FOR PRIVATE JETS, FOR
THE OIL COMPANIES, HEDGE FUND
BILLIONAIRES, TO CONTINUE TAX
CUTS THAT HAVEN'T CREATED A
SINGLE JOB, WE'RE GOING TO CUT
REAL INVESTMENT THAT WOULD
CREATE JOBS.
WE'RE GOING TO REDUCE INVESTMENT
IN TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE 35%.
THAT'S A MILLION JOBS GONE.
LAST WEEK YOU CUT OFF THE
F.A.A., 0,000 PRIVATE SECTOR
JOBS -- 90,000 PRIVATE SECTOR
JOBS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE PRIVATE SECTOR
BUSINESSES.
THOUGHT YOU LIKED SMALL
SO WE'RE NOT ONLY GOING TO CUT
THERE, WE'RE GOING TO CUT
STUDENT LOANS, WE'RE GOING TO
CUT SCHOOL NUTRITION,
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, SOCIAL
SECURITY AND MEDICARE ALL SO THE
BILLIONAIRES CAN KEEP CRUISING
AT 40,000 FEET IN THEIR PRIVATE
SUBSIDIZED, TAX SUBSIDIZED JETS,
ABOVE THE TURBULENCE.
THE VIEW LOOKS GOOD FROM UP
THERE AND MAYBE YOU'LL GET A
RIDE.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS RISE?
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE
AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNMENT
HISTORY FOR FOUR YEARS.
FOR A BILL TO BECOME A LAW IT
MUST PASS BOTH CHAMBERS, THEN IT
MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT.
THE HOUSE HAS NOW PASSED TWO
BILLS WHICH RAISE THE DEBT
CEILING, CUT SPENDING AND
ADDRESSES A BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
THIS HISTORICAL REFORM FOR THE
FIRST TIME TIES A DEBT INCREASE
TO A CUT IN SPENDING.
IT IS LONG PAST TIME FOR THE
SENATE TO PASS SOMETHING, THEIR
NEGLIGENCE THREATENS THE FISCAL
HEALTH OF THIS NATION.
ONCE THEY DO WE CONFERENCE THE
BILLS WHICH IS WHERE COMPROMISES
ARE THEN RESOLVED.
OR WE CAN PICK UP THEIR BILL.
BUT UNTIL THEN THE WORLD WAITS.
AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF
MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON RISE?
MINUTE.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OREGON IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MR. SPEAKER,
LAST NIGHT WE HEARD THE SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE, JOHN BOEHNER, TALK
ABOUT HOW HE STUCK HIS NECK OUT
AND OFFERED NEW REVENUES.
WELL, IF SO, INSTEAD OF CHASING
THE MOST EXTREME FEW TEA PARTY
MEMBERS OF HIS CAUCUS TO CRAFT
AN EVEN MORE UNREALISTIC
PROPOSAL, WHY DOESN'T HE WORK
WITH 193 DEMOCRATS TO LEAD
CONGRESS TO THE BALANCED
APPROACH THAT AMERICANS WANT?
NEW REVENUE WOULD ALLOW BASIC
TAX REFORMS, CLOSING EXPENSIVE,
UNJUSTIFIED LOOPHOLES AND MAKE
THE TAX CODE MORE FAIR AND
SIMPLE.
WE CAN THEN CORPORATE ON
SENSIBLE REDUCTIONS IN LONG-TERM
SPENDING WHERE THERE IS ALREADY
BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT FOR
AGRICULTURE REFORM, DEFENSE AND
HEALTH CARE.
IF JOHN BOEHNER IS SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE INSTEAD OF SPEAKER OF
THE TEA PARTY WE CAN START DOWN
THIS PATH OF FISCAL STABILITY.
ANSWERED THIS ARTIFICIAL CRISIS
-- AND END THIS ARTIFICIAL
CRISIS.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, REQUEST
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND
EXTEND MY REMARKS.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OHIO IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MR. SPEAKER, FOR FAR TOO LONG
NOW PREVIOUS CONGRESSES HAVE
TREATED INCREASES TO AMERICA'S
DEBT CEILING AS TEMPORARY
PROBLEMS, TO BE DEALT WITH LATER
WELL, IT'S NOW LATER ON AND WE
HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS VERY
SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO AMERICA'S
FISCAL HEALTH.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE NOW
THE DEBT LIMIT CRISIS WHILE
CUTTING TRILLIONS FROM THE
DEFICIT.
TODAY THE HOUSE
WILL VOTE DOWN THE REID
PROPOSAL.
THE REID PROPOSAL IS FULL OF
BUDGET GIMMICKS THAT THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE QUITE
FRANKLY FED UP WITH.
NOT ONLY IS THE REID PLAN DEAD
ON ARRIVAL IN THE HOUSE, IT
APPEARS TO BE DEAD ON DEPARTURE
FROM THE SENATE.
I URGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO
VOTE AGAINST THE REID PLAN TODAY
BECAUSE IT'S TIME FOR EVERY
MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO JOIN HOUSE
REPUBLICANS IN PRODUCING NOT A
DEAL BUT A SOLUTION TO THIS DEBT
CRISIS.
ONE THAT MAKES REAL SPENDING
CUTS, ONE THAT ESTABLISHES REAL
SPENDING CONTROLS, ONE THAT
FORCES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS AND ONE
THAT DOESN'T RAISE TAXES ON
AMERICAN FAMILIES AND JOB
CREATORS.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE?
ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE
AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I RISE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE
DEFAULT CRISIS.
AND UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE STILL
TALKING ABOUT GIVING AMERICA THE
GREEN LIGHT TO PAY HER BILLS.
BECAUSE THE PLAN THIS BODY
PASSED JUST LAST NIGHT HAS SINCE
FAILED IN THE SENATE.
HERE WE ARE AGAIN, MY FRIENDS,
HERE WE ARE AGAIN WASTING
ANOTHER DAY AS THE DEADLINE
LOOMS EVEN CLOSER.
AND WHILE THE PLAN PASSED IN
THIS BODY LAST NIGHT MIGHT HAVE
BEEN GOOD POLITICS, IT'S NOT
GOOD GOVERNMENT.
MY CONSTITUENTS ARE TIRED OF IT,
I'M TIRED OF IT AND ACTUALLY
ANYONE WHO WATCHED THE NIGHTLY
NEWS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS IS
TIRED OF IT.
WASHINGTON LOVES TO KICK THE CAN
THAT'S HOW WE GOT HERE IN THE
FIRST PLACE.
THIS IS OUR MOMENT BUT WILL WE
SEIZE IT?
WE NEED A PLAN, NOT ANOTHER
REPUBLICAN MANIFESTO --
MANIFESTO AND THERE ARE BETTER
PLANS OUT THERE, PLANS THAT
WOULD CREATE JOBS BECAUSE THE
BIGGEST CRISIS AMERICA FACES
RIGHT NOW IS A JOBS CRISIS.
PLANS THAT WILL PROTECT MEDICARE
AND SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID
AND PLANS THAT RELY ON A FAIR
APPROACH BETWEEN SPENDING CUTS
AND ASKING THE MOST FORTUNATE
AMERICANS TO PAY THEIR FAIR
SHARE.
MR. SPEAKER, WE MUST COMPROMISE
AND PASS THAT PLAN, THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE AND OUR ECONOMY ARE
COUNTING ON US.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK, MR.
SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
AFTER YESTERDAY'S ACTION HERE ON
THE HOUSE FLOOR, WE HAVE SENT
NOT ONE BUT TWO REAL SOLUTIONS
TO THIS DEBT AND SPENDING CRISIS
OVER TO THE SENATE.
THE SENATE'S YET TO TAKE ACTION
ON ANYTHING.
THE PRESIDENT
SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
ALL WE HEAR FROM THE PRESIDENT
SPEECHES.
A SPEECH IS NOT A SOLUTION TO
THE PROBLEM.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HEAR ALL OF
THIS FOOLISHNESS ABOUT CORPORATE
JET OWNERS AND MILLIONAIRES AND
BILLIONAIRES.
IF THE PRESIDENT GOT HIS WAY, IF
THE PRESIDENT CONFISCATED EVERY
DOLLAR FROM CORPORATE JET OWNERS
AND MILLIONAIRES AND
BILLIONAIRES, HE HIMSELF KNOWS
THAT WOULDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
AND YET WHAT YOU HAVE IS A
SPENDING PROBLEM IN WASHINGTON.
YOU DON'T SOLVE A SPENDING
PROBLEM BY SENDING EVEN MORE
SPENDING TO WASHINGTON.
SO THAT THEY CAN BLOW EVEN MORE
MONEY.
WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED TO DO IS
NOT A BALANCED APPROACH, WE NEED
A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO
OUR CONSTITUTION SO THAT YOU CAN
FINALLY INVOKE ACCOUNTABILITY IN
WASHINGTON, TO SOLVE THE
SPENDING PROBLEM.
JOB-KILLING TAXES, MORE TAX
INCREASES, THAT ONLY GIVES
WASHINGTON MORE MONEY TO SPEND.
INSTEAD OF FACING THE PROBLEM,
WE HAVE GOT TO STOP IGNORING THE
PROBLEM, THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO
AND ADDRESS THE REAL SPENDING
CRISIS IN WASHINGTON.
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
ONE MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, LAST NIGHT THE
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THIS
HOUSE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF A
VERY DANGEROUS.
AND I'M NOT TALKING
ABOUT THE PERNICIOUS CUTS THAT
WOULD DAMAGE THE LEAST FORTUNATE
IN OUR SOCIETY, I'M NOT TALKING
ABOUT AN ILL-CONCEIVED BALANCED
BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WOULD
SURELY RESULT IN OUR DEFAULT, WE
SHOULD DEBATE THOSE THINGS AND
PEOPLE OF GOODWILL WILL DISAGREE
ON HOW WE DO THEM.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PROVISION
THAT WOULD BRING US BACK IN SIX
MONTHS TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION
AGAIN.
WHILE AMERICANS LOSE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN THEIR RETIREMENT
OUR MARKETS FACE UNCERTAINTY.
WE WILL DO THIS IN SIX MORE
MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE
REPUBLICANS.
NOW, I'M A HOUSE DEMOCRAT, DON'T
LISTEN TO ME ON THIS, LISTEN TO
"THE WALL STREET JOURNAL"
EDITORIAL PAGE.
THAT MOUTHPIECE OF MALICIOUS
MALARKEY WROTE, REPUBLICANS ARE
NOT LOOKING LIKE ADULTS TO WHOM
VOTERS CAN ENTRUST THE
GOVERNMENT.
MR. SPEAKER, ACCORDING TO "THE
WALL STREET JOURNAL" EDITORIAL
PAGE, THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MICHIGAN RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT
TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I'M
HERE TO OFFER THIS HOUSE TODAY A
PLAN ON HOW REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS CAN COME TOGETHER,
AVOID A GOVERNMENT DEFAULT AND
DO IT IN A WAY THAT REALLY HELPS
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
LET'S CUT THE TRUE DEBT THAT'S
CRUSHING AMERICANS TODAY AND
IT'S NOT THE FEDERAL DEBT.
AMERICANS ARE UNDERWATER ON
THEIR MORTGAGE, BURDENED BY
STUDENT LOANS, MAXED OUT ON
CREDIT CARDS.
IF WE HELP AMERICANS CUT THEIR
OWN PERSONAL DEBT THIS WILL FREE
UP MONEY WHERE PEOPLE CAN
RESPONSIBLY BUY THINGS.
BUSINESSES WILL HAVE TO HIRE
MORE PEOPLE.
THAT'S HOW YOU CREATE MORE JOBS.
BY HELPING AMERICANS BECOME
DEBT-FREE.
MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN YIELDS
BACK HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I THANK YOU,
MR. SPEAKER.
THIS MORNING WE JOINED TOGETHER
TO EXPRESS OUR COMMITMENT TO ONE
NATION.
UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE IN A
COLLAPSE AND A CRISIS BECAUSE WE
ARE, AS MY GOOD FRIEND FROM
MICHIGAN SAID, DRAWN AND
STRANGLED BY THOSE IN THE TEA
PARTY WHO BELIEVE THAT AMERICA
IS -- BELONGS TO ONLY ONE GROUP.
WELL, I STAND HERE TODAY TO SAY
THAT WE MUST NOT TAKE TO THEIR
WORDS THAT SAYS DO NOT
SURRENDER.
YOU DON'T SURRENDER WHEN YOU
WALK ON -- WORK ON BEHALF OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
YOU WONDER WHY THE ECONOMY IS
SLOW, BECAUSE IT IS STRANGLED BY
LACK OF ACTION.
LET'S JOIN TOGETHER IN A
BIPARTISAN WAY TO LIFT THE DEBT
CEILING.
IF NOT THE PRESIDENT HAS
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO LIFT
THE DEBT CEILING AND GET MEMBERS
TO MOVE FORWARD AND THIS COUNTRY
TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THE
401-K'S, SOCIAL SECURITY,
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.
MR. SPEAKER, WE ARE ONE NATION,
WE SHOULD REPRESENT THE PEOPLE
OF THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE WE
CAN CREATE JOBS, WE CAN MOVE THE
ECONOMY AND WE CAN SHOW THE
WORLD THAT AMERICA IS RUN BY
ADULTS AND WE STAND FOR THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE I STAND FOR ONE NATION
PEOPLE.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE RISE?
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN
FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR
ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
SOMETIMES ART IMITATES LIFE,
SOMETIMES LIFE IMITATES ART.
I THINK TODAY LIFE IS IMITATING
ART.
I OFTEN REFLECT ON MOTION
PICTURES AND LEARN FROM THEM AND
WHEN I CAME UP HERE IT WAS MR.
SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON.
BUT CURRENTLY I'VE BEEN THINKING
ABOUT BLAZING SADDLES.
REMEMBER BLAZING SADDLES, MEL
BROOKS AND RICHARD PRIOR, THEY
DID A MOVIE.
THEY HAD A CITY CALLED ROCK
RIDGE, ALL-WHITE CITY OF LAWLESS
PROBLEMS AND THE GOVERNMENT
APPOINTED A HANDSOME, SHARP,
YOUNG BLACK MAN TO BE THE
SHERIFF.
RIDGE.
HE WENT THERE ANSWERED WANTED
THE TOWNS FOLK TO HELP HIM
PREPARE TO BEAT OFF THE THUGS
AND HAVE A BETTER CITY.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO JOIN HIM.
HE SAID, YOU DO IT FOR RANDOLPH
SCOTT.
AND THEY WOULD HAVE DONE IT FOR
RANDOLPH SCOTT AND REALIZING
THAT, THEY HELPED THE SHERIFF.
THE REPUBLICANS, WELL, THERE'D
DO IT FOR GEORGE BUSH AND THEY
DID IT FOR GEORGE BUSH A LOT.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
LIFE IMITATES ART.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MR. SPEAKER, ON AUGUST 3 THE
UNITED STATES WILL HAVE $306
BILLION IN OBLIGATIONS AND $173
BILLION TO ADDRESS THOSE
OBLIGATIONS.
AT THAT MOMENT IF THE DEBT
CEILING IS NOT RAISED OUR NATION
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS
HISTORY WILL DEFAULT ON ITS
OBLIGATIONS.
THE COST OF BORROWING FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES, HOME MORTGAGES,
STUDENT AND AUTO LOANS WILL ALL
INCREASE.
DEL THIS WILL HIT
HARD EVERY AMERICAN AND COULD
PUSH THIS ECONOMY INTO ANOTHER
RECESSION.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT A
SERIOUS AND BALANCED APPROACH TO
AVOID DISASTER AND DEAL WITH
THEIR NATION'S DEBT PROBLEM.
THEY WANT CONGRESS TO WORK IN A
BIPARTISAN WAY, TO CREATE JOBS
AND NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT.
THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN SHORT-TERM
BILL DOES NOTHING TO CREATE
ECONOMIC CERTAINTY NECESSARY FOR
SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH.
INSTEAD IT WILL KEEP THE THREAT
OF DEFAULT ALIVE FOR MONTHS AS A
CONTINUING DRAG ON THIS ECONOMY.
WE NEED A REAL, LONG-TERM BILL
TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC STABILITY
AND CERTAINTY.
WE NEED A BALANCED BILL THAT
PROTECTS SOCIAL SECURITY AND
MEDICARE AND WE NEED A
BIPARTISAN BILL THAT CAN PASS
QUICKLY TO PREVENT DEFAULT.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, I'M GRATEFUL.
I HEARD THERE WAS A
QUESTION ABOUT WHAT KIND OF
OPTION WE PROVIDED FOR THE
UNITED STATES AND WHAT CAN WE DO
TO GET AMERICA OUT OF THIS
CRISIS?
AND I KNOW THE ANSWER.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CHOICES ON
THEIR DEBTS, MR. SPEAKER.
IF YOU TALK TO THEM I HOPE
YOU'LL RECOMMEND THESE.
JUST LOOK ON THE DESK IN FRONT
OF THEM.
THEY HAVE THREE GOOD SCHOICES.
YOU WANT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO
THIS CHALLENGE?
10 YEARS, LOOK AT THE HOUSE
BUDGET PLAN WE SENT TO THE
SENATE IN APRIL.
10 YEARS WE CAN SOLVE THIS
CRISIS.
10 YEARS OUT INTO THE FUTURE,
CUT $6 TRILLION OUT OF THE
BUDGET, PUT AMERICA ON TRACK
TOWARD FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
10 YEARS TOO LONG?
MR. SPEAKER, LAST WEEK WE PASSED
CUT, CAP AND BALANCE.
18-MONTH SOLUTION TO THIS
PROBLEM.
18-MONTH SOLUTION.
CUT SPENDING, CAP SPENDING,
BALANCES THE BUDGET.
TWO YEARS TOO LONG?
LOOK AT WHAT WE SENT OVER LAST
SIX MONTHS.
SIX MONTHS.
IT ALSO CUTS, CAPS AND BALANCES,
A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION ON THE
DEBT CEILING.
MR. SPEAKER, WHEN YOU TALK TO
THE SENATE, PLEASE TELL THEM,
SIX MONTHS, TWO YEARS, 10 YEARS,
THE HOUSE HAS ACTED ON ALL OF
THOSE, THEY SIT IN THE SENATE
BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM HAWAII RISE?
I REQUEST UNANIMOUS CONSENT
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM
HAWAII IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER,
PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW
WHAT YOU VOTED FOR.
I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IT WASN'T
FOR.
IT WASN'T FOR SENIORS, IT
WASN'T TO PROTECT MEDICARE AND
IT WASN'T TO PROTECT THOSE WHO
NEED IT THE MOST, THOSE ON
MEDICAID.
SO I ASK YOU AGAIN, AT WHAT
PRICE?
PEOPLE SPEAK TODAY ABOUT CUT,
CAP AND BALANCE.
AND WE KNOW THE AMENDMENT THAT
CAME AT THE 11TH HOUR WAS ON
THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.
SO WHAT IS THIS BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT THAT YOU HAVE PUT SO
MUCH FAITH IN?
IT IS NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE THINK
IT IS AND, MR. SPEAKER, I
BELIEVE YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION
TO TELL PEOPLE THAT THE
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
DOESN'T MEAN YOU SIMPLY CAN
SPEND ONLY WHAT YOU TAKE IN.
IT MEANS YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO
SPEND ONLY WHAT YOU TAKE IN
UNLESS 3/5 OF US SAY YOU CAN
SPEND MORE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE
THINK IT IS.
GOT TO STOP THIS FACADE.
AS WE SAY IN HAWAII, STOP THE
SHIBAI, MR. SPEAKER.
TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO
KNOW.
TELL THEM AT WHAT PRICE YOU ARE
HOLDING THIS ALL UP.
I YIELD BACK MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND
EXTEND.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
MR. SPEAKER, I
RECEIVED A CALL YESTERDAY FROM
A SENIOR CITIZEN IN MY DISTRICT
THAT DISTURBED ME GREATLY.
IT TORE AT MY HEART TO HEAR
THAT FEAR IN HER VOICE AS SHE
BEGGED ME TO DO ALL THAT I CAN
TO PROTECT SENIOR CITIZENS.
AND I SHURD HER I WOULD.
SHE -- AASSURED HER I WOULD.
SHE TALKED HOW HARD SHE WORKED
DURING HER LIFE AND SHE KEPT
HER PART OF THE BARGAIN, AND
NOW SHE EXPECTS HER GOVERNMENT
TO DO THE SAME.
IT REALLY BOTHERS ME TO HEAR
SOME PEOPLE SUGGEST THAT POOR
AMERICANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS
WHO GET CHECKS FROM THE
GOVERNMENT ARE FREELOADERS.
EVERYBODY IN CONGRESS THAT GETS
A CHECK FROM THE CONGRESS CAN
COUNT THEMSELVES AS BEING
DIFFERENT.
WE NEED TO STOP, REGROUP AND
THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING.
WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT ALL
THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLAYED BY
THE RULES AND NOW WE WANT TO
CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE GAME.
MR. SPEAKER, THAT IS WRONG, AND
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE
1, THE CHAIR DECLARES THE HOUSE
IN RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL