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COMMITTEE RISES.
MR.
CHAIRMAN.
MR. SPEAKER, THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION HAS HAD
UNDER CONSIDERATION H.R. 658 AND
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 189
I REPORT THE BILL BACK TO THE
HOUSE WITH AN AMENDMENT ADOPTED
IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE HOUSE ON THE STATE OF THE
UNION REPORTS THAT THE COMMITTEE
HAS HAD UNDER CONSIDERATION THE
BILL H.R. 658 AND PURSUANT TO
HOUSE RESOLUTION 189 REPORTS THE
BILL BACK TO THE HOUSE WITH AN
AMENDMENT ADOPTED IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
UNDER THE RULE THE PREVIOUS
IS THERE A SEPARATE VOTE
DEMANDED ON ANY AMENDMENT TO THE
AMENDMENT REPORTED FROM THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE?
IF NOT, THE QUESTION IS ON
ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT IN THE
NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTED AS
AMENDED.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS AGREED TO.
THE QUESTION IS ON ENGROSSMENT
AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL.
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THIRD READING.
A BILL TO AMEND TITLE
49 UNITED STATES CODE TO
AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
FOR FISCAL YEARS 2011 TO 2014,
TO STREAMLINE PROGRAMS, CREATE
EFFICIENCIES, REDUCE WASTE, AND
IMPROVE AVIATION SAFETY AND
CAPACITY THE, PROVIDE STABLE
FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL
AVIATION SYSTEM, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
MR. SPEAKER.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY
FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I HAVE A MOTION TO
SPEAKER.
IS THE
GENTLELADY OPPOSED TO THE BILL?
FORM.
GENTLELADY QUALIFIES.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE
MISS LORE REATA
SANCHEZ OF CALIFORNIA MOVES TO
RECOMMIT THE BILL 658 TO THE
COMMITTEE WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO
REPORT THE SAME BACK TO THE
HOUSE FORTHWITH WITH THE
FOLLOWING AMENDMENT.
IS
THERE OBJECTION TO DISPENSING
WITH THE MOTION TO READ THE
AMENDMENT?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I RESERVE A POINT OF ORDER.
A POINT
OF ORDER IS RESERVED.
IS THERE OBJECTION TO DISPENSING
WITH THE READING?
SEEING NONE, THE GENTLELADY FROM
CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER, THE
HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE
YEAL IS CORRECT.
SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLELADY WILL SUSPEND.
THE GENTLELADY MAY PROCEED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS COUNTRY IS IN
AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME WITH
GROWING THREATS ABROAD AND
INTENSE PARTISAN RANCOR HERE IN
THIS CHAMBER.
BUT AT THIS TIME AND AT THIS
MOMENT, MR. SPEAKER, MY FINAL
AMENDMENT TO THE F.A.A.
AUTHORIZATION OFFERS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO BRIDGE THESE
DIVIDES AND TO HELP ADD ONE MORE
COMPONENT TO SECURE OUR
HOMELAND.
I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO REMEMBER
OUR DARKEST MOMENT, OUR VERY
VULNERABLE MOMENT, THE MORNING
OF SEPTEMBER 11.
I KNOW HOW VULNERABLE I FELT
THAT DAY WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF
WOULD HIT.
WOULD IT BE OUR CAPITOL?
WOULD IT BE THE GOLDEN GATE
WOULD IT BE THE SEARS TOWER?
AND I ALSO REMEMBER THE ERIENESS
OF FOUR, FIVE DAYS WITH NO
PLANES IN THE SKY.
THE UNCERTAINTY WE ALL FELT.
FROM RICHARD REID TRYING TO
BLIGHT A BOMB ON HIS SHOES TO
THE CHRISTMAS DAY BOMBING --
MR. SPEAKER, THE HOUSE IS NOT
IN ORDER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE GENTLELADY MAY PROCEED.
TO THE CHRISTMAS
DAY BOMBING ATTEMPT TWO YEARS
AGO, OUR SKIES HAVE LONG BEEN A
TARGET FOR TERRORISTS.
THIS FINAL AMENDMENT TO THE
F.A.A. RE-AUTHORIZATION WOULD
ENSURE THAT FEDERAL AIR MARSHALS
ARE DEPLOYED ON ALL HIGH-RISK
FLIGHTS FOR THE U.S.
THE
GENTLELADY WILL SUSPEND.
WILL THE HOUSE PLEASE BE IN
ORDER.
LE THE GENTLELADY MAY PROCEED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THIS FINAL AMENDMENT TO THE
F.A.A. AUTHORIZATION WOULD
ENSURE THAT FEDERAL AIR MARSHALS
ARE DEPLOYED ON ALL HIGH-LEVEL
RISK FLIGHTS FOR U.S. AIRLINES.
FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS OUR
GREATEST THREATS FROM AL QAEDA
AND OTHER TERRORIST
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE
SYSTEMATICALLY TARGETED OUR
PASSENGER AIRLINES.
THE FACT THAT ONLY PERCENTAGE OF
THE HIGHEST RISK PASSENGER
FLIGHTS ON U.S. AIRLINES HAVE A
FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL SHOWS THE
AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WE STILL
NEED TO DO.
IF THE RECENT ATTEMPTED ATTACKS
I SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER HAVEN'T
CHANGED YOUR MIND, --
THE
GENTLELADY MAY PROCEED.
IF THE RECENT
ATTEMPTED ATTACKS I SPOKE ABOUT
EARLIER HAVEN'T CHANGED YOUR
MIND, THEN LET ME REMIND YOU
ABOUT THE INSTABILITY IN THE
MIDDLE EAST WE FACE RIGHT NOW.
THE CHRISTMAS DAY BOMBER
RECEIVED HIS TRAINING IN YEMEN,
A COUNTRY NOW MARRED WITH
PROTESTS THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL
TO BECOME EVEN MORE UNSTABLE AND
MORE DIFFICULT.
DO WE WANT MORE CHRISTMAS DAY
I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
AS WE ARE NOW ALL AWARE, OUR
COUNTRY'S ENGAGED IN COMBAT
OPERATIONS OVER THE SKIES OF
LIBYA.
NO ONE DOUBTS THAT COLONEL
GADDAFI'S DAYS ARE NUMBERED AND
WE WILL ALL BE BETTER OFF WHEN
THERE IS ONE LESS DICTATOR IN
THIS WORLD.
SOME OF THE YOUNGER MEMBERS IN
THIS CHAMBER TODAY MAY NOT
REMEMBER, BUT COLONEL GADDAFI
HAS A HISTORY OF ATTACKING THE
UNITED STATES.
22 YEARS AGO PAN AM FLIGHT 103
TOOK OFF FROM LONDON EN ROUTE TO
NEW YORK WHEN A BOMB EXPLODED
AND IT KILLED 270 PEOPLE, 189 OF
THOSE WERE AMERICANS.
I BELIEVE WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER
ATTACK LIKE THAT.
NOT NOW AND NOT EVER.
MY COLLEAGUES, I URGE YOU TO
JOIN ME IN VOTING FOR MY
AMENDMENT TO THIS BILL AND TO
ENSURE THAT WE HAVE MORE FEDERAL
AIR MARSHALS ON THE HIGHEST RISK
FLIGHTS.
IT HAS NO LINES, THERE ARE NO
PARTY LINES ABOUT THIS, THIS IS
WHAT WE SHOULD DO TOGETHER.
MR. SPEAKER, AS A SENIOR MEMBER
OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY
COMMITTEE, I HAVE DEDICATED MOST
OF MY YEARS IN THIS CONGRESS TO
ENSURE THAT WE PROTECT OUR
BORDERS, THAT WE PROTECT OUR
AIRSPACE, AND THAT WE PREVENT
ATTACKS LIKE THIS ONE.
MR. SPEAKER, I'M HERE TODAY TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE FULFILL THAT
DEDICATION THAT I KNOW ALL OF MY
COLLEAGUES IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE.
I ASK MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
TO SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT THAT
WILL ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FEDERAL
AIR MARSHALS ON HIGH-RISK
FLIGHTS.
WHEN WE END OUR TIME HERE IN THE
PEOPLE'S HOUSE, WHEN WE LOOK
BACK AND WE ASK, WHAT DID WE DO?
WHEN WE ASK OURSELVES WHAT WAS
OUR PURPOSE I WOULD LIKE TO BE
ABLE TO SAY WE CAME TOGETHER AND
WE PROTECTED THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
IT'S OUR SOLEMN OBLIGATION IN
THIS CONGRESS TO DO ALL THAT WE
CAN TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY.
WE OWE IT TO THOSE THAT WE
REPRESENT.
WE OWE IT TO THOSE ON PAN AM
FLIGHT 103.
AND WE OWE IT TO THOSE ON THE
ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11.
ESPECIALLY
ESPECIALLY WE OWE IT TO THE
26,000 PASSENGERS WHO FLY OUR
AMERICAN SKIES EVERY DAY.
I ASK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER
SIDE TO VOTE FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
WE MUST PROTECT THESE COUNTRY --
THIS COUNTRY'S SKIES.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MR. SPEAKER, I WITHDRAW MY
RESERVATION.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S RESERVATION IS
WITHDRAWN.
THIS AS PROPOSED.
THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN --
THE
GENTLEMAN VOICED FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
THIS IS BASICALLY A PROCEDURAL
TACTIC AND I AM VERY OPPOSED TO
THIS.
I HAVE SERVED AS A
FEDERAL FLIGHT DECK OFFICER
FLYING FOR THE AIRLINES.
AND IF THIS WAS TRULY AN
IMPORTANT ISSUE, THIS HAS BEEN
AN OPEN PROCESS, THIS WOULD HAVE
TIME.
FURTHERMORE, THE SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION HAS NO AUTHORITY
OVER U.S. AIR MARSHALS.
THE F.A.A. IS CURRENTLY
OPERATING UNDER 18 EXTENSIONS,
MR. SPEAKER.
IT IS TIME TO GET THIS DONE.
WE COME HERE TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE AND NOT TO RECOMMIT.
THIS IS AN EXTENSION THAT HAS
NOT BEEN FORMALLY RE-AUTHORIZED
SINCE 2003 AND I URGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR THIS SO
THAT WE CAN GET THE F.A.A. UNDER
WAY AND GET TRANSPORTATION AND
BUSINESS FLYING AGAIN.
THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE
BROUGHT A BILL HERE TODAY THAT
REFORMS THE NECESSARY PROGRAMS,
IT PROTECTS AIR SAFETY AND SAVES
THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
AVIATION ACCOUNTS FOR 9.3% OF
OUR G.D.P.
IT'S DONE FOUR YEARS OF DELAYS,
FOUR YEARS OF PEOPLE LOSING
THEIR JOBS, IT GETS PEOPLE BACK
TO WORK AND STOPS THESE DELAYS.
VOTE AGAINST THE M.T.R. AND I
WOULD RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
TIME.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN YIELD BACK?
I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
ALL TIME HAVING EXPIRED, WITHOUT
OBJECTION THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
IS ORDERED AND THE QUESTION IS
ON THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
NOES HAVE IT.
MR. SPEAKER.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY
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
UNTIL COUNTED.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 AND CLAUSE
9 OF RULE 0, THE 15-MINUTE VOTE
ON THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT WILL
BE FOLLOWED BY A FIVE-MINUTE
VOTE ON PASSAGE OF THE BILL IF
ORDERED, ORDERING THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION OR ON HOUSE RESOLUTION
194 AND ADOPTION OF HOUSE
RESOLUTION 194 IF ORDERED.
THIS WILL BE A 15-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
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 184.
THE NAYS ARE 235.
THE MOTION IS NOT ADOPTED.
THE QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF
THE BILL.
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
AYES HAVE IT.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS.
ON THAT I ASK FOR THE YEAS
A
RECORDED VOTE HAS BEEN
REQUESTED.
THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE
WILL RISE.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE
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 223.
THE NAYS ARE 196.
THE BILL IS PASSED.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE
VOTE ON ORDERING THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 194
ON WHICH THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE
OF THE RESOLUTION.
HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER
24, HOUSE RESOLUTION 194,
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR
CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL H.R.
1255, TO PREVENT A SHUTDOWN OF
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE
QUESTION IS ON ORDERING THE
RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC
DEVICE.
THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY 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
THIS 230, THE NAYS ARE 187, THE
PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED.
THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF
THE RESOLUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
MR. SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.
MR. SPEAKER, ON
THAT I ASK THE YEAS AND NAYS.
A
RECORDED VOTE IS ORDERED.
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, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
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 229, THE NAYS
ARE 187.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND
WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I MEAN GEORGE.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
194 I CALL UP THE BILL H.R. 1255
AND ASK FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
H.R. 125, A BILL TO
PREVENT A SHUTDOWN OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
194, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA,
MR. WOODALL, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR.
CLYBURN, EACH WILL CONTROL 30
MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.
MR. SPEAKER, I
YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY LEADER,
THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR.
THE
MINUTE.
I THANK THE SPEAKER.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM
GEORGIA.
MR. SPEAKER, MR. SPEAKER, THE
THE
GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY PROCEED.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, AS WE DEBATE THE
SPENDING, WE NEED TO BE HONEST
WITH THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY
ABOUT THE CURRENT FISCAL STATE
OF AFFAIRS.
AMERICA AVERAGES NOW
TRILLION-DOLLAR DEFICITS.
WE BORROW NEARLY 40 CENTS OF
EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND.
GIVEN THE FISCAL CLOUT THAT
HANGS OVER OUR COUNTRY, IT IS
RECKLESS TO ASSUME WE CAN LIVE
PAIN-FREE FOREVER.
SOONER OR LATER SOMETHING HAS TO
TO GIVE FAMILIES AND BUSINESS
CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR FUTURE
WON'T BE PLAGUED BY INFLATION,
HIGHER TAXES AND HIGHER INTEREST
RATES, OUR MAJORITY VOWED TO
MOVE FORCEFULLY TO CUT SPENDING.
MR. SPEAKER, THE HOUSE IS NOT IN
ORDER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY PROCEED.
WE MADE CLEAR THAT
ONLY BY PUTTING FEDERAL SPENDING
ON A SUSTAINABLE TRAJECTORY
COULD WE CREATE THE CONDITIONS
NECESSARY FOR GROWTH AND JOB
CREATION.
DURING OUR THREE -- THREE MONTHS
IN THE MAJORITY, WE HAVE
DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISE.
SIX WEEKS AGO AFTER 47 HOURS OF
DEBATE, WE PASSED H.R. 1, TO
FUND THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND
SAVE TAXPAYERS $61 BILLION
RELATIVE TO CURRENT SPENDING.
IN A MORE OPEN PROCESS THAN THE
HOUSE HAD SEEN IN FOUR YEARS WE
ALLOWED THE OTHER PARTY TO OFFER
COUNTLESS AMENDMENTS AND OVER
THE PAST MONTH WE PASSED TWO
CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS THAT HAVE
CUT $10 BILLION IN SPENDING.
ALL ALONG, MR. SPEAKER, WE
PRACTICAL PARTICULARLY BEGGED
PRESIDENT OBAMA AND SENATE
DEMOCRATS TO GET SERIOUS AND
COME TO THE TABLE WITH A
LEGITIMATE PROPOSAL.
BUT WE GOT NOTHING IN RETURN.
NO LEGISLATION, NO CREDIBLE PLAN
TO CUT SPENDING.
MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO UNDERLINE
THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT WANT A
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
YET AS SENATE DEMOCRATS REFUSE
TO PASS A BILL, THAT UNSETTLING
PROSPECT NOW LOOMS EVER LARGER
WHICH IS WHY THEY MUST ACT.
TODAY WE ARE BRINGING A BILL TO
THE FLOOR THAT MAKES CLEAR THAT
CONTINUED INACTION ON THE PART
OF SENATE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IS
SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.
FINALLY THIS BILL ALSO ENSURES
THAT GOING FORWARD, SHOULD THERE
EVER BE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN,
THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE
PRESIDENT WILL NOT GET PAID.
IF WE CAN'T DO OUR JOB, WHY
SHOULD WE GET PAID?
MR. SPEAKER, FUNDING THE
GOVERNMENT AT THE LEVELS PASSED
BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS MIGHT NOT
BE WHAT SENATOR REID WANTS, BUT
SURELY EVEN HE WOULD AGREE THAT
IT'S A BETTER ALTERNATIVE THAN
SHUTTING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT
THIS BILL AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, TO BEGIN THIS
DEBATE I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO
THE DISTINGUISHED DEMOCRATIC
DEMOCRATIC WHIP.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN
FOR YIELDING.
APRIL FOOL'S, AMERICA.
THIS IS A JOKE, AMERICA.
THIS IS NOT REAL, AMERICA.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, MR. WOODAL
OF GEORGIA SAYS IT'S NOT REAL,
IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS THE
SENATE.
HE MADE THAT VERY CLEAR.
THE MAJORITY LEADER JUST SAID IF
THE SENATE WON'T TAKE WHAT WE
GIVE THEM WE'RE GOING TO SHUT
DOWN THE GOVERNMENT.
THAT'S WHAT HE JUST SAID.
THE CASE.
THE LAST TIME THE GOVERNMENT
SHUT DOWN WAS NOT WHEN WE HAD A
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND A
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.
BUT WHEN WE HAD A DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENT AND A REPUBLICAN
CONGRESS.
THEY SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT IN
1995 AND 1996.
THEY SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT
OVER CHRISTMAS, AS A MATTER OF
THE GRIVERAGE WHO STOLE THE
GOVERNMENT'S OPERATIONS FOR
ALMOST THREE WEEKS.
WE'RE ABOUT TO DO IT AGAIN.
MR. WOODALL WHO HAS BEEN HERE
NOW A FEW MONTHS WAS 10 YEARS
OLD WHEN I CAME TO THE CONGRESS
OF THE UNITED STATES.
HE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT THE
THIS $14 TRILLION OF DEBT.
I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE, I TELL MY
FRIEND, 30 YEARS, BUT DURING THE
COURSE OF THOSE 30 YEARS
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS HAVE
SIGNED BILLS SPENDING $4.8
TRILLION IN DEFICIT SPENDING.
DURING THE COURSE OF THE CLINTON
ADMINISTRATION WE HAD A SURPLUS,
AS THE GENTLEMAN PROBABLY KNOWS.
NOW HE WILL SAY PRESUMABLY
BECAUSE WE HAD A REPUBLICAN
CONGRESS.
BUT OF COURSE THE REPUBLICANS
NOT ONLY TOOK THE CONGRESS BUT
THEY TOOK THE PRESIDENCY.
IN 2001.
AND THEY RAN UP $2.5 TRILLION OF
DEFICIT AND INCREASED THE
NATIONAL DEBT BY 150%
NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT
THEY INHERITED A PROG --
PROJECTED $5.6 TRILLION SURPLUS.
AND NOW THEY'VE PASSED THIS
APRIL FOOL'S JOKE ON AMERICA.
THE GENTLEMAN, WHO IS ONE OF THE
CO-SPONSORS SAYS WON'T PASS THE
THE SENATE.
BUT THEY PRETEND IN THEIR
LANGUAGE WHAT IS CLEARLY
CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION.
BECAUSE THEY SAY, IF IT DOESN'T
PASS, THE PROVISIONS OF H.R. 1,
THE BILL THEY'VE SENT TO THE
SENATE, PASSED BY THE HOUSE ON
FEBRUARY 19, 2011, ARE HEREBY
ENACTED INTO LAW.
IN OTHER WORDS, WE'RE GOING TO
DEEM IT BASSED.
LET ME TELL WHAT YOU ERIC CANTOR
SAID ABOUT DEEMING IT PASSED.
MALFEES ANT MANNER.
DISCHARGE -- TO NOT DISCHARGE
THE DUTIES OF THEIR OFFICE.
AND THEN SPEAKER BOEHNER SAID
THIS ABOUT THESE DEEMING PIECES
OF LEGISLATION WHICH THIS IS.
HE SAID IT WAS A SCHEME AND
PLOT.
THAT SET A PRECEDENT THAT WAS,
QUOTE, ONE OF THE MOST
OUTRAGEOUS THINGS THAT HE SEEN
SINCE HE HAD BEEN IN CONGRESS
AND ERRONEOUSLY CLAIMED THAT IT
NEVER HAPPENED IN AMERICAN
HISTORY.
IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE.
THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED, WHERE
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TOOK THE POSITION IF YOU DON'T
PASS WHAT WE WANT, OURS GOES
INTO LAW ANYWAY.
I'M SURE OUR TEA PARTY FRIENDS
ARE SHOCKED BECAUSE THEY WILL
FIND NOWHERE IN THE
CONSTITUTION, MY FRIENDS, DOES
THAT PROVIDE FOR.
FURTHERMORE, MIKE PENCE SAID THE
PROCEDURE LIKE THIS, HE SAID,
DENOUNCED DEEM AND PASS AND,
QUOTE, TRAMPLING ON THE
TRADITIONAL RULES OF THE HOUSE
AND THE SENATE AND EVEN ON THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
MICHELLE BACHMANN, APPARENTLY
MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
SAID THIS, THE DEEM DEEM AND
PASS, QUOTE, IGNORED THE
CONSTITUTION AND WARRANTED THE
SPEAKER.
QUOTE, THERE SHOULD BE PEOPLE
THAT ARE CALLING FOR IMPEACHMENT
OFF OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
THIS RESOLUTION -- CAN I HAVE AN
ADDITIONAL ONE MINUTE?
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN.
SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
WHICH SAYS CONTRARY TO THE
CONSTITUTION, IF THE SENATE
DOESN'T ACT, THIS BILL BECOMES
LAW.
NOBODY ON YOUR SIDE SURELY
BELIEVES THAT THAT CAN HAPPEN.
NOBODY BELIEVES THAT THAT JOKE
THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PLAY ON
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON APRIL
FOOL'S DAY WILL BE BELIEVED BY
ANY OF THEM.
AND MY FRIENDS DO NOT TELL ME
ABOUT YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THE
DEFICIT BECAUSE THE DEFICIT
DURING MY PERIOD OF TIME EXCEPT
FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS TRYING TO
DEAL WITH THE DEEP DEPRESSION IN
WHICH THE LAST ADMINISTRATION
LEFT THIS ECONOMY, DON'T TRY TO
TELL ME THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE DEBT, THE $14 TRILLION
OF DEBT.
SURELY MY FRIEND KNOWS THAT'S
IF MY FRIEND DOESN'T KNOW IT, I
WOULD BE GLAD TO SET UP A TIME
WHEN WE CAN DEBATE THAT ISSUE
AND ANY -- IN ANY FORM HE
CHOOSES BECAUSE THE FACTS BELIE
HIS REPRESENTATION.
MY FRIENDS, REJECT THIS BILL,
REJECT THIS BILL BECAUSE IT IS A
FRAUD ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.
REJECT THIS BILL BECAUSE IT'S AN
ATTEMPT TO SHIFT BLAME FROM THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSING
A BILL THAT CAN IN FACT PASS NOT
TO SAY TO THE SENATE OUR WAY OR
NO WAY AND WE WILL SHUT DOWN THE
GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT
THIS BILL SAYS.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.
FROM GEORGIA.
I YIELD MYSELF 15
SECONDS TO SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM
VIRGINIA ABOUT WHOM I SAY
REGULARLY BACK HOME AS A
REPUTATION -- I'M SORRY,
WE HAVE VIRGINIA ON MY MIND
PARDON ME, MR. HOYER.
OUR FRIEND FROM VIRGINIA.
STATE.
I TELL SFOKES BACK
HOME HAS A GREAT REPUTATION FOR
FAIR DEALINGS.
TREMENDOUSLY DISAPPOINTED BY
THAT CHARACTERIZATION OF THE
I'D LIKE TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES
TO THE BILL SPONSOR TO SET THE
RECORD STRAIGHT ON WHAT THE BILL
IS.
I THANK YOU FOR HIS
OBSERVATION AND REGRET HE
THOUGHT IT WAS A
THOUGHT IT WAS ACCURATE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
YIELDING.
YES, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
CONVERSATION IN WASHINGTON ABOUT
THE PROSPECT OF A GOVERNMENT
SHUTDOWN.
WHILE I REALIZE THERE ARE SOME
IN THIS CONGRESS WHO MIGHT
PREFER THAT OPTION, I AM NOT ONE
OF THEM.
LET ME JUST ADD OUR LEADER IS
NOT ONE OF THEM.
FRANKLY, WE THINK IT'S
IRRESPONSIBLE.
OUR CONSTITUENTS DID NOT SEND US
TO WASHINGTON TO SHUT DOWN THE
THEY SENT US HERE TO MAKE IT
MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE.
AND THAT'S PRECISELY WHAT HOUSE
REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN DOING.
EXAM THE FACTS.
WHEN THE CURTAIN CAME UP ON THIS
CONGRESS, WE WERE ALREADY THREE
MONTHS INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR.
WITH NO BUDGET AND ON A
TEMPORARY SPENDING PLAN THROUGH
EARLY MARCH, THIS HOUSE WENT TO
WORK CRAFTING LEGISLATION THAT
WOULD FUND GOVERNMENT FOR THE
REST OF THIS FISCAL YEAR WHILE
DELIVERING ON OUR PLEDGE TO CUT
SPENDING.
THE RESPONSE FROM THE SENATE,
NOT SO FAST.
SO WE KEPT GOVERNMENT
OPERATIONAL WITH A TWO WEEK
CONTINUING RESOLUTION IN HOPES
THAT THE SENATE WOULD REALIZE
THE SENSE OF URGENCY THAT
ACCOMPANIES OUR FISCAL SITUATION
, AND IN THAT TWO-WEEK SPAN OF
TIME, THE RESPONSE, NOT
INTERESTED.
AGAIN, THIS HOUSE WENT TO WORK
CRAFTING ANOTHER TEMPORARY
MEASURE THAT FUNDS GOVERNMENT
THROUGH NEXT WEEK.
AND MY FRIENDS' -- AND MY
FRIENDS, PATIENCE IS WEARING
THIN, NOT JUST MINE AND OF MY
COLLEAGUES, BUT THE PATIENCE OF
AMERICANS.
IN OUR COLLECTIVE OPINION,
TIME'S UP.
MR. SPEAKER, WE ALL AGREE THAT
WE HAVE SOME BIGGER FISH TO FRY.
PRESSURE ON THE STATUTORY LIMIT
ON DEBT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE
2012 BUDGET LOOM VERY LARGE
RIGHT NOW FOR THIS COUNTRY.
INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THESE
ISSUES CRITICAL TO OUR
STRUGGLING ECONOMY, HERE WE ARE
MIRED IN PARTISAN GAMESMANSHIP
OVER FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT FOR
THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR.
DID WE COME HERE TO FISH OR DID
WE COME HERE TO CUT BAIT?
THIS BILL SIMPLY PUTS THE CLOCK
IN ACTION ON THIS PROCESS.
I AM HOPEFUL MY COLLEAGUES WILL
AGREE THAT THE TIME IS NOW TO
MOVE BEYOND 2011 SO THAT WE CAN
TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE BIGGER
CHALLENGES OF TRANSFORMING THIS
INSTITUTION AND RESTORING FISCAL
SANITY.
THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE SENT US
HERE TO DO AND EVERY DAY WE FAIL
TO DO THIS WORK, THE PEOPLE
LOSE.
WE HAVE BEEN CALLED EXTREME.
H.R. 1 WHICH PASSED IN THE EARLY
MORNING HOURS ON THIS FLOOR ON
FEBRUARY 19 CUTS AN ANNUAL -- ON
AN ANNUALIZED BASIS, $100
BILLION IN FEDERAL SPENDING.
THAT'S 1/16 OF THE DEFICIT.
1/16.
IS THAT EXTREME?
I DON'T THINK SO.
MR. SPEAKER, IT'S UNFORTUNATE
THAT PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA
TRYING TO FIND JOBS, TRYING TO
PAY THEIR MORTGAGES, AND TRYING
TO HAVE THE FUNDS TO PUT THEIR
KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE ARE
VICTIMIZED BY THIS FLAWED
POLITICAL PROCESS.
INSTEAD OF REMOVING THE
UNCERTAINTY FOR SMALL BUSINESS
AND JOB CREATORS BY CUTTING
SPENDING AND SHRINKING THE SIZE
AND REACH OF GOVERNMENT, WE ARE
PAYING GAMES WITH THE -- PLAYING
NATION.
IF THIS IS OUR BEST, OUR BEST
FALLS SHORT OF THE EXPECTATION
OF THOSE WE REPRESENT.
WE CAN DO BETTER.
WE SHOULD DO BETTER.
AND IF WE CAN -- IF ALL WE CAN
SHOW FOR OUR WORK IS A SHUT DOWN
OF THE GOVERNMENT, WE WILL HAVE
FAILED OUR CONSTITUENCY AND
SHOULD NOT BE PAID.
THE GAMESMANSHIP GOING ON RIGHT
NOW IS GAMBLING WITH AMERICA'S
FUTURE AND IT'S HARD TO MAKE
PROGRESS WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING ON
HOUSE MONEY.
H.R. 1255 FORCES MEMBERS TO HAVE
SKIN IN THE GAME.
AND IF PASSED BY BOTH CHAMBERS
AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT,
WE'LL HAVE THE PROPER MOTIVATION
TO SETASIDE THE RHETORIC AND
ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING
THAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA, A
CLIMATE FOR JOB CREATION.
NOT A GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT
THIS BILL SO WE CAN DO THE
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF