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ACTION IS GETTING READY TO GET
UNDER WAY ON THE FLOOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US
THIS MORNING.
FLOOR.
THE HOUSE SPEAKER IS ON THE
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS
EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]
MONK MONK --
PURSUANT TO THE ORDER OF THE
CHAIR WILL NOW RECOGNIZE
HOUSE OF JANUARY 5, 2011, THE
MEMBERS FROM LISTS SUBMITTED BY
THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY
LEADERS FOR MORNING HOUR
DEBATE.
THE CHAIR WILL ALTERNATE
RECOGNITION BETWEEN THE PARTIES
WITH EACH PARTY LIMITED TO ONE
HOUR AND EACH MEMBER OTHER THAN
THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY
LEADERS AND THE MINORITY WHIP
LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES BUT IN
NO EVENT SHALL DEBATE CONTINUE
BEYOND 10:50 A.M.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA,
MR. WILSON.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE
TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H.R.
1473, A CONTINUING RESOLUTION
WHICH WILL FUND OUR GOVERNMENT
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR
TROOPS' FAMILIES FOR THE REST
OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND WILL
HELP GENERATE A BETTER
ENVIRONMENT FOR JOB CREATION.
WITH THIS -- WHILE THIS
AGREEMENT IS FAR FROM PERFECT,
MORE CUTS GOING FORWARD ARE
ABSOLUTELY NEEDED.
DISAGREEMENT IS A VICTORY FOR
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
AT $38.5 BILLION IN
CUTS, H.R. 1473 REPRESENTS THE
LARGEST SPENDING CUT SINCE
WORLD WAR II.
DOMESTIC SPENDING WILL ACTUALLY
FALL BY 4% THIS YEAR WITH THE
PASSAGE OF THIS C.R.
WE ACCOMPLISH THIS HISTORIC
CUTS JUST MONTHS AFTER
PRESIDENT OBAMA ASKED CONGRESS
FOR A SPENDING FREEZE.
THAT WOULD HAVE MEANT ZERO,
NADA, NILL CUTS IN SPENDING
THIS YEAR.
IN FACT, OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WILL SPEND $78.5 BILLION LESS
THAN WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA
PROPOSED THIS YEAR WITH THE
PASSAGE OF H.R. 1473.
THESE HISTORIC CUTS COULD NOT
BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE STRONG
AND CONSTANT SUPPORT OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, TO END THE
OUT-OF-CONTROL SPENDING IN
WASHINGTON.
THEIR VOICES WERE HEARD LOUD
AND CLEAR ON NOVEMBER 2.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL
TRANSLATE THE PEOPLE'S CALL TO
REIN IN SPENDING IN NONDEFENSE
SPENDING IN HISTORY.
WASHINGTON IS NO LONGER TALKING
ABOUT INSUFFICIENT CUTS IN
SPENDING.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH
WE SHOULD CUT SPENDING.
THIS IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S
VICTORY, AND THEY DESERVE THE
SUPPORT TO CHANGE OUR DEBATE.
THIS BILL IS ALSO A VICTORY FOR
MY HOME STATE OF TEXAS AND FOR
THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE 22ND
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHOM I
REPRESENT HERE IN WASHINGTON.
IMPORTANTLY, H.R. 1473 REPEALS
THE DOGGETT AMENDMENT, A
HEAVY-HANDED REGULATION THAT
WAS FORCING TEXAS AND ONLY
TEXAS TO VIOLATE ITS OWN
CONSTITUTION AND SPEND
EDUCATION FUNDS AS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT DICTATED WHILE
GIVING EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE
NATION THE FLEXIBILITY TO SPEND
THEIR FUNDS AS THEY SEE FIT.
THE DOGGETT AMENDMENT, WHICH
WAS INSERTED IN LAST YEAR'S
GOVERNMENT SPENDING BILL --
BAILOUT BILL, SINGLED OUT TEXAS
BY ATTACHING UNCONSTITUTION
RESTRAINTS TO $830 MILLION IN
FUNDING.
NO OTHER STATE FACED SUCH
TREATMENT.
TEACHERS ACROSS TEXAS HAVE
FACED THE THREAT OF LOSING
THEIR JOBS WITH THIS EXPECTED
SHORTFALL IN EDUCATION MONEY,
BUT PASSAGE OF THIS BILL WILL
RIGHT THIS EGREGIOUS WRONG FOR
THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.
TAXES IS MEASURED IN A MEANS
THAT WE WILL HAVE SUCCEEDED IN
REDUCING SPENDING TO PREBAILOUT
STIMULUS LEVELS.
NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET WILL RESULT
IN HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN SAVINGS OVER THE
NEXT SEVERAL DECADES.
WE WILL SET THE STAGE FOR THE
REAL CHALLENGE THAT COMES NEXT,
CUTTING TRILLIONS OF SPENDING
THROUGH THE NEW REPUBLICAN
BUDGET.
BUT TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
YEARS WASHINGTON WILL BEGIN TO
TIGHTEN ITS BELT JUST AS
FAMILIES ACROSS AMERICA DO
EVERY DAY.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF
IMPORTANT FIRST STEP FORWARD IN
CHANGING THE CULTURE OF
SPENDING AMERICA IS OPEN FOR
BUSINESS AGAIN.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE
FOR H.R. 1473.
I THANK THE SPEAKER AND YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA,
MR. ALTMIRE, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MADAM SPEAKER,
FOUR YEARS AGO I BEGAN TO
EXPRESS MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROGRAM
THAT C.M.S. PROPOSED FOR
DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO
SAVE MONEY AND TO CUT WASTE,
FRAUD AND ABUSE FROM THE
MEDICARE PROGRAM BUT THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM
HAS BEEN FRAUGHT WITH PROBLEMS.
THIS ISSUE IS OF PARTICULAR
IMPORTANCE TO ME BECAUSE THE
PITTSBURGH REGION, WHICH I
REPRESENT, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
NINE REGIONS CHOSEN BY C.M.S.
TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPETITIVE
BIDDING PROCESS.
IT BECAME CLEAR THAT C.M.S. DID
NOT FORESEE THE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD RESULT
INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT
PATIENTS COULD LOSE THE
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP THEY'VE
DEVELOPED WITH THEIR LOCAL
PROVIDER.
IN TURN COMPROMISING THEIR
QUALITY OF CARE.
OR THE POSSIBILITY THAT SMALL
SUPPLIERS, WHICH MAKE UP WELL
OVER 90% OF THE NATION'S
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDERS,
THE NEW MARKET.
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN
I ALSO REALIZED THAT WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA WOULD BE
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY
COMPETITIVE BIDDING BECAUSE OF
OUR LARGE MEDICARE POPULATION
AND THE GROWING MEDICAL DWOICE
INDUSTRY THAT IS A -- DEVICE
INDUSTRY THAT IS A KEY TO OUR
REGION'S ECONOMY.
AFTER A POOR START TO THE
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROGRAM IN
2008, CONGRESS INTERVENED AND
HELPED INTRODUCE TO DIRECT
PASSED LEGISLATION THAT I
C.M.S. TO DELAY THE PROGRAM FOR
18 MONTHS.
CRITICAL FLAWS IN THE INITIAL
BIDDING PROCESS PRODUCED FEWER
COMPETITORS, FEWER HOME CARE
SERVICES AND A SUBSTANTIAL
DECREASE IN THE QUALITY OF CARE
OFFERED TO SENIORS AND
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
CONGRESS ALSO INSTRUCTED C.M.S.
TO REDESIGN THE PROGRAM TO
AVOID THESE PROBLEMS WHEN IT
CONDUCTED THE REBID.
LAST FALL, C.M.S. LAUNCHED THE
REBID AND THIS PAST JANUARY THE
PROGRAM WENT INTO EFFECT IN THE
NINE REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY,
INCLUDING WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF
IMPLEMENTATION, THE WORST FEARS
EXPRESSED BY PATIENTS,
PROVIDERS AND MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE HAVE BEEN REAL ITHESED.
IT'S CLEAR THAT DESPITE THE
DELAY, NO SIGNIFICANT
IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO
THE PROGRAM OR THE PROCESS.
PROVIDERS WHO HAVE SERVED
BENEFICIARIES FOR YEARS ARE
CLOSING THEIR DOORS AND
PATIENTS HAVE BEEN LEFT
CONFUSED AN UNSURE WHERE TO
TURN FOR THEIR CARE.
WHILE C.M.S. WILL HOPE THAT
THEY WILL HAVE QUALITY MEDICAL
SUPPLIES AND SERVICES AND
IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
THE PAYMENTS, THE RESULTS
SO TWO WEEKS AGO C.M.S.
SUGGEST OTHERWISE.
ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD DELAY
THE SECOND ROUND THE
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROGRAM FOR
SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE SUMMER OF
2013.
ADDITIONALLY, THE CHIEF
MEDICARE EXPERT AT THE
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
RECENTLY SAID THE C.M.S.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS IS
SEAR OUSLEY -- SERIOUSLY
FLAWED.
THE ROUND TWO DELAY DOES
NOTHING TO HELP THE
BENEFICIARIES AND SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE ALREADY
BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY
ROUND ONE.
THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE A
BAD DEAL FOR SENIORS AND SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS.
THAT'S WHY I JOIN WITH MY
COLLEAGUE FROM PENNSYLVANIA,
GLENN THOMPSON, TO INTRODUCE
LEGISLATION TO REPEAL THE
D.M.E. COMPETITIVE BIDDING
PROGRAM.
OUR BILL WOULD FULLY REPEAL THE
PROGRAM IN A BUDGET-NEUTRAL
MANNER, NOT ADDING ONE PENNY TO
THE FEDERAL DEFICIT.
TO DATE WE HAVE 75 BIPARTISAN
CO-SPONSORS AND OVER 30
ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT HAVE
ENDORSED OUR LEGISLATION.
I CANNOT SUPPORT THE D.M.E.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROGRAM
WHEN IT HAS BECOME EVIDENT THAT
THE PROGRAM WILL UNRAVEL THE
D.M.E.'S SMALL BUSINESS
COMMUNITY AND COMPROMISE
QUALITY OF CARE FOR SENIORS AND
OTHERS WHO RELY ON DURABLE
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT DEVICES.
I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON TO ADVANCE
THIS LEGISLATION AND I WOULD
ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN US IN
THIS EFFORT TO REPEAL D.M.E.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING.
THE
CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MRS.
BIGGERT, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
AND I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE
THIS APRIL AS FINANCIAL
LITERACY MONTH.
EACH YEAR MY GOOD FRIEND AND
FELLOW CHAIR OF THE HOUSE
FINANCIAL ON ECONOMIC LITERACY
CAUCUS, MR. HINOJOSA, AND I
WORK TO BRING FINANCIAL
LITERACY MONTH TO CAPITOL HILL.
IN THAT EFFORT WE ARE JOINED BY
OUR LONGTIME SENATE ALLIES,
SENATOR AKAKA AND SENATOR ENZI.
IT IS A WAY TO HOE CASE THE
LATEST TREND IN FINANCIAL AND
ECONOMIC LITERACY.
THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, THE HOUSE
IS TAKING AN UNDERSTANDABLE
BREAK FROM DEBATING COMMENATORY
RESOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO FOCUS
BUDGET.
ON PRESSING ITEMS LIKE THE
NONETHELESS, I WANT TO TAKE
OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO ASK MY
COLLEAGUES TO TAKE PART IN
FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH.
IT IS A TIME WHEN FINANCIAL
ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES AND OTHERS WORK
TOGETHER TO PROTECT CONSUMERS
AND PREPARE OUR CHILDREN TO
PROSPER IN TODAY'S
SOPHISTICATED MARKETPLACE.
FOR EXAMPLE, FROM APRIL 17
THROUGH 23, AMERICA'S CREDIT
UNIONS WILL HOLD NATIONAL
CREDIT UNION YOUTH WEEK WHICH
FOCUSES ON TEACHING YOUNG
AMERICANS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF
SETTING GOALS AND TEACHING THEM
TO REACH THEM.
IN A PARALLEL EFFORT, THE
AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
EDUCATION FOUNDATION HELD --
APRIL 12.
TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY ON
IT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT DURING
WHICH AMERICA'S BANKING
PROFESSIONALS HAVE VOLUNTEERED
TO TEACH MONEY SKILLS TO FOUR
MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE.
MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS A TREND
WE OUGHT TO APPLAUD, ONE THAT I
KEN URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
PARTICIPATE IN IN JOINING THE
FINANCIAL LITERACY CAUCUS.
MEMBERS AND THEIR STAFFS CAN
ALSO JOIN US THIS FRIDAY IN THE
CANNON CAUCUS ROOM FROM NOON TO
3:00 FOR A FINANCIAL LITERACY
FAIR FEATURING INFORMATION FROM
55 OF THE NATION'S LEADING
FINANCIAL LITERACY
ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE
JUMP-START COALITION, JUNIOR
ACHIEVEMENT AND THE COUNCIL FOR
ECONOMIC EDUCATION.
MADAM SPEAKER, TOO MANY
AMERICANS CONTINUE TO ENTER THE
WORK FORCE UNPREPARED TO BUY A
HOME, SAVE FOR RETIREMENT.
OUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ARE NOW
SCORING LOWER ON FINANCIAL
LITERACY THAN THEY HAVE DURING
ANY YEARS SINCE 2000.
AND YET ACCORDING TO A 2009
SURVEY FROM THE COUNCIL FOR
ECONOMIC EDUCATION, ONLY 34
STATES REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
TO INCLUDE PERSONAL FINANCIAL
IN THEIR EDUCATION STANDARDS
FOR STUDENTS K-12.
THESE ARE TROUBLING NUMBERS,
AND THAT IS WHY WE MUST WORK
TOGETHER TO GIVE AMERICANS THE
TOOLS THEY NEED TO PREPARE
AGAINST ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY,
RECOGNIZE DECEPTIVE PRACTICES
AND BUILD CREDIT AND MAKE
DOZENS OF OTHER DAY-TO-DAY
FINANCIAL DECISIONS.
THESE ARE SKILLS THAT EVERYONE
MUST LEARN TO PROSPER IN
TODAY'S COMPLEX MARKETPLACE AND
THAT'S WHAT FINANCIAL LITERACY
MONTH IS ALL ABOUT.
SO I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES
WHO ARE INTERESTED TO LEARNING
MORE TO JOIN US THIS FRIDAY
FROM NOON TO 3:00 IN THE CANNON
CAUCUS ROOM FOR OUR FINANCIAL
LITERACY DAY FAIR.
AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK HER
TIME.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR.
GUTIERREZ, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
MADAM SPEAKER, I
RISE TODAY TO TALK ONCE AGAIN
ABOUT PUERTO RICO, BUT THIS
TIME IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
I RISE TO NOTE THAT THE
GOVERNOR LUIS FORTUNO OF PUERTO
RICO SAID SOMETHING THAT I CAN
AGREE ABOUT, SPEAKING ABOUT A
PROPOSED GAS PIPELINE, THE
GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO SAID WE
CANNOT CONTINUE TO DEPEND ON
FOSSIL FUELS.
HE WENT ON TO SAY TYING US DOWN
TO NATURAL GAS FOR 30 YEARS
WOULD BE A GRAVE MISTAKE.
HE WAS REFERRING TO THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A NATURAL GAS
PIPELINE ON AN ISLAND WHERE
BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, MOUNTAINS
AND RAIN FORESTS ARE BOTH
IRREPLACEABLE NATURAL RESOURCES
AND PART OF THE ECONOMIC ENGINE
THAT HELPS TOURISM.
MR. FORTUNO SPOKE THOSE WORDS
TWO YEARS AGO.
NOW HE CHANGED HIS MIND.
NOW HE ENTHUSIASTICALLY
SUPPORTS GAS PIPELINES BUT A
MUCH BIGGER, MORE ENVIRONMENTAL
LOEDIS RUPTIVE AND MORE
EXPENSIVE PIPELINE.
AND HOW DO CONSTRUCTION OF THIS
GIGANTIC SUPERSIZED PIPELINE IS
BEING HANDLED IS WHY I MUST
SPEAK ABOUT.
THE RULING PARTY WOULD RATHER
PEOPLE NOT NOTICE THAT MR.
FORTUNO AND GOVERNOR FORTUNO
HAVE OPPOSITE POSITIONS ON THE
SAME GAS PIPELINE.
AND SO THEY ARE WORKING HARD TO
MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD UNDER
THE COVER OF NIGHT.
EVERY DAY THE RULING PARTY
ANSWERS THIS QUESTION.
IF YOU WANT TO UNDERTAKE AN
ENVIRONMENTAL LOEDIS AST RUSS
AND UNPOPULAR PROJECT HOW WOULD
YOU GO ABOUT DOING IT?
HERE'S THE RULING PARTY'S
ANSWER.
YOU CIRCUMVENT THE DUTIES,
AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STUDIES, AVOID THE PERMITTING
AND LNG PROCEDURES AND TAKE
EVERY STEP POSSIBLE TO
ELIMINATE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND
PUBLIC SCRUTINY.
HOW DO YOU PROCEED WITHOUT
THESE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS AND
INFORMATION?
WELL, IF YOU'RE THE GOVERNMENT
OF PUERTO RICO AND WANT TO
BUILD PIPELINES THROUGH FORESTS
AND LAKES AND RIVERS AND ACROSS
CRITICAL GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS IN
PUERTO RICO YOU WOULD AMEND THE
LAW DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH
NATURAL RESOURCES SO YOU CAN
BYPASS THE NORMAL PERMITS AND
PUBLIC PROCESS.
WHAT THE RULING PARTY DOES IS
DECLARE AN ENERGY EMERGENCY ON
THE ISLAND.
THIS GOVERNMENT'S ENERGY
EMERGENCY ALLOWS THE PIPELINE
TO PROCEED DESPITE WARNINGS
FROM THE SIERRA CLUB, THE U.S.
.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.
DESPITE REST DEPARTMENTS'
CONCERNS IT WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED
BY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES, DESPITE
THAT IT'S NEAR AN EARTHQUAKE
FAULT AND THERE HAVE BEEN 2,500
SEISMIC EVENTS IN THE LAST THREE
YEARS ON THE ISLAND AND ONE JUST
FELT ALL OVER THE ISLAND TWO
DAYS AGO, THE SELF-DESCRIBED
ENERGY EMERGENCY ALSO HELPS HIDE
THE FACT THAT YOU GIVE IT A $10
MILLION CONTRACT TO A PAL OF THE
GOVERNOR WHOSE NO EXPERIENCE AT
CONSTRUCTING GAS PIPELINES.
HE DOES, HOWEVER, HAVE
EXPERIENCE SKIING WITH THE
GOVERNOR.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY YOU RUN A SLICK
TAXPAYER FUNDED P.R. CAMPAIGN
THAT RENAMES THE GREEN WAY, SO
INSTEAD OF SPEAKING TO HUGE
FINANCIAL HUMAN AND
ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS, THIS ORR
WELLIAN AD CAMPAIGN -- ORWELLIAN
AD CAMPAIGN CALLS A GAS PIPELINE
OVER THE MOUNTAIN AND THROUGH
THE WOODS AND RIVERS A GREENWAY.
LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE I THINK IT
WOULD BE BETTER TO BE NAMED TO
SCREEN AWAY.
A MAGICAL CLEANSER THAT YOU
APPLY TO YOUR FORESTS AND RIVERS
AND LAKES AND IT MAKES THEM GO
AWAY ALONG WITH THE MILLIONS OF
GREEN TAX DOLLARS.
HERE'S AN EVEN MORE HONEST NAME
FOR THIS PROJECT, THE WRONG WAY.
BECAUSE IT'S WRONG TO SPEND THE
PEOPLE'S MONEY ON A PROJECT THEY
DON'T WANT, HAVEN'T BEEN
APPROPRIATELY STUDIED, AND AS
THE NEWSPAPER HAS SHOWN IN A
SERIES OF REPORTS, CANDIDATE
FORTUNO WAS RIGHT, GOVERNOR
FORTUNO IS WRONG.
IT'S TIME TO SHINE SOME LIGHT ON
THIS MATTER.
I HAVE ASKED A FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION ACT REQUEST TO EVERY
AND ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT
HAVE ACRESSED THE PIPELINE IN
PUERTO RICO.
I WILL RELEASE THE RESULTS SO
THE PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEY ARE
GOVERNMENT IS MEETING WITH, WHAT
DOCUMENTS EXIST, AND WHAT
STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE TO SHOW
THE NEED.
FURTHERMORE, I HAVE URGED THE
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO DENY
PERMIT REQUEST FOR PIPELINE
UNTIL EXPERTS TESTIFY, PERMITS
ARE APPLIED FOR, COMMUNITY
MEETINGS ARE HELD, AND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES ARE
DONE.
MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE
THE CASE FOR THIS PROJECT IN THE
LIGHT OF DAY.
BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE ASKING FOR
A VERDICT WITHOUT PRESENTING THE
FACTS TO THE PEOPLE FIRST.
IT'S TIME THEY STOP DOING THINGS
THE VIA VARE DAY WAY AND START
DOING THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.
[SPEAKING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
BRACKBRACK
--
[SPEAKING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
THE
CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLELADY
FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. CHU, FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
TODAY I WANT TO HONOR A
MAN FOR HIS MANY YEARS SERVING
STUDENTS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEM.
RAMON RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HE WAS
RETIRING AS SUPERINTENDENT OF
THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
DURING HIS DISTINGUISHED 55-YEAR
CAREER IN EDUCATION, HE HAS
SERVED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS IN LOS ANGELES, SAN
FRANCISCO, SAN JOSE, PASADENA,
AND NEW YORK CITY.
I HAVE THE GREAT PRIVILEGE TO
WORK WITH RAMON LAST YEAR WHEN
THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT PASSED A RESOLUTION
CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE
PASSAGE OF THE DREAM ACT.
BUT RAMON WAS NOT ONLY A
SUPERINTENDENT AND ADVOCATE, HE
WAS A TEACHER IN MY DISTRICT AND
SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE U.S.
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION UNDER
PRESIDENT CLINTON.
A LIFELONG EDUCATOR, RAMON HAS
TAUGHT AT EVERY LEVEL IN THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM,
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOLS.
AND HAS SHAPED EDUCATION POLICY
AS A CONSULTANT TO EVERY ENTITY
FROM STANFORD UNIVERSITY TO THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
RAMON CAME TO THE LOS ANGELES
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AT A
TIME OF GREAT CHALLENGE, YET HE
WAS ABLE TO IMPROVE SCHOOL
SAFETY, INCREASE ATTENDANCE, AND
REDUCE THE DROPOUT RATE.
RAMON HAS HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY
RECORD OF SERVICE AND HE CHANGED
THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF
CHILDREN.
AND ALTHOUGH HE WILL BE GREATLY
MISSED, WE MUST ALL CONTINUE THE
MISSION HE STRIVED FOR DURING
HIS 55-YEAR CAREER AND THAT IS
TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD
RECEIVES A QUALITY EDUCATION.
THE
GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK HER TIME.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR.
DEUTCH, FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
TOMORROW MY REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES WILL BRING A 2012
BUDGET TO THE FLOOR OF THE
HOUSE.
A BUDGET THAT ROLLS BACK
GENERATIONS OF PROGRESS AND
QUITE SIMPLY ENDS MEDICARE AS WE
KNOW IT.
50 YEARS AGO BEFORE MEDICARE AND
MEDICAID WERE SIGNED INTO LAW,
AMERICANS PREPARING TO RETIRE
FACED TREMENDOUS UNCERTAINTY.
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE WAS
SIMPLY OUT OF REACH.
SAVINGS PUT AWAY DURING YEARS OF
EMPLOYMENT COULD BARELY COVER
THOSE BILLS IF THEY COULD COVER
THEM AT ALL.
SENIORS WERE FORCED TO RELY ON
THEIR OWN CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM
FAMILIES.
WHO WERE STRUGGLING TO RAISE
TO PAY FOR MEDICAL CARE.
WHEN THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF
FAMILY AND RELATIVES WAS NOT AN
OPTION, ELDERLY AMERICANS FOUND
THEMSELVES WITH A CHOICE OF A
LIFE WITHOUT THE CARE OF DOCTORS
OR LIFE OF DESTITUTION.
THIS WAS THE STATUS QUO BEFORE
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID WERE
SIGNED INTO LAW AND THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE FOUND IT UNACCEPTABLE.
WE BELIEVED THEN AS WE BELIEVE
NOW THAT WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT
SENIORS, CHILDREN, AND THE
PERMANENTLY DISABLED, THE MOST
VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY, HAVE
ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE.
IT WAS THIS SENSE OF SHARED
RESPONSIBILITY THAT CONGRESS
CODIFIED IN 1965 THROUGH THE
CREATION OF MEDICARE AND
MEDICAID, AS PRESIDENT LYNDON
JOHNSON SAID AS HE SIGNED THIS
HISTORIC LEGISLATION, NO LONGER
WILL OLDER AMERICANS BE DENIED A
HEALING MIRACLE OF MODERN
MEDICINE.
NO LONGER WILL ILLNESS CRUSH AND
DESTROY THE SAVINGS THAT THEY
HAVE SO CAREFULLY PUT AWAY OVER
A LIFETIME SO THAT THEY MIGHT
ENJOY DIGNITY IN THEIR LATER
YEARS.
TODAY 45 MILLION SENIORS DEPEND
BENEFITS.
ON MEDICARE'S GUARANTEED QUALITY
NOW THIS YEAR AS IN EVERY YEAR
WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE
OF A BUDGET DEBATE.
AT TIMES BOTH REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS CAN BE ACCUSED OF
HYPERBOLE.
HOWEVER IT IS NO EXAGGERATION TO
SAY THAT THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET
HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR
TOMORROW ABANDONS AMERICA'S
SENIORS AND DOES AWAY WITH THE
CONCEPT OF GUARANTEED MEDICARE
BENEFITS.
IT IS NO OVERSTATEMENT TO SAY
THAT IT HANDS MEDICARE OVER TO
THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
INDUSTRY AND IT IS NO LIE TO SAY
THAT THIS PLAN ENDS MEDICARE AS
WE KNOW IT.
THIS BUDGET IS NO PATH TO
PROSPERITY, FOR SENIORS IT IS A
PATH TO THE POORHOUSE.
YOU CAN CALL IT PREMIUM SUPPORT,
YOU CAN CALL IT A VOUCHER, YOU
CAN CALL IT A COUPON, YOU CAN
CALL IT THE GOLDEN TICKET IF
YOU'D LIKE, BUT CHANGING THE
NAME WON'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT
THIS REPUBLICAN PLAN WILL FORCE
AMERICA'S SENIORS TO HAND OVER
MOST OF THEIR INCOME TO
AMERICA'S INSURERS.
MAYBE INSTEAD OF PREMIUM SUPPORT
THIS PLAN SHOULD BE CALLED
INSURANCE COMPANY PROFIT
ASSISTANCE.
BY THE TIME THE REPUBLICAN PLAN
BEGINS DISTRIBUTING COUPONS TO
SENIORS IN 2022, MOST RETIREES
CARE.
WILL BE UNABLE TO AFFORD HEALTH
AFTER ALL, THESE COUPONS WILL BE
WORTH ONLY 32% OF THE INSURANCE
BILL.
ACCORDING TO THE NONPARTISAN
ANALYSTS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET OFFICE, IN LESS THAN TWO
DECADES A PRIVATE HEALTH
INSURANCE PLAN AS GOOD AS
$30,000.
MEDICARE WILL COST ABOUT
UNFORTUNATELY THE REPUBLICAN
VOUCHER THAT WILL BE SET OUT
UNDER THIS BUDGET PLAN WILL ONLY
BE WORTH $9,700.
THIS MEANS THERE WILL BE AN
INSURANCE BILL WORTH ABOUT
21,000 SITTING IN THE MAILBOXES
OF AMERICA'S SENIORS.
THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN IS NO
WORK OF GENIUS.
IT JUST SHIFTS THE BURDEN OF
RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
SENIORS AND CALLS IT A DAY.
THROUGH MEDICARE AMERICANS MADE
A MORAL COMMITMENT AS A PEOPLE
TO ENSURE THAT SENIORS ARE NOT
BANKRUPTED BY A HIP REPLACEMENT
OR DIABETES MEDICATION.
LIKEWISE WITH MEDICAID WE MADE A
MORAL COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT
ELDERLY NURSING HOME PATIENTS,
IMPOVERISHED CHILDREN, THE
PERMANENTLY DISABLED, AND
NEEDIEST IN OUR SOCIETY CAN
AFFORD BASIC CARE.
IN FACT, 2/3 OF ALL MEDICAID
SPENDING GOES TO CARING FOR
OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.
THE COSTS OF LONG-TERM CARE LIKE
IN REHABILITATION CENTERS AND
.
NURSING HOMES IS PROHIBITIVE.
MEDICAID SERVES AS A LIFELINE
FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AND IT IS
NOT AN EXPENSIVE PROGRAM.
COMPARED TO PRIVATE SECTOR
HEALTH CARE COST, MEDICAID IS
CHEAP, GROWING HALF AS FAST.
THE G.O.P. PLAN CUTS MEDICAID
WHEN PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS
CAN BARELY AFFORD TO TREAT THESE
PATIENTS BECAUSE OF SUCH LOW
REIMBURSEMENT RATES.
IT'S NO MYSTERY WHY MEDICAID IS
BEGINNING TO STRAIN STATE AND
FEDERAL BUDGETS.
WITH SO MANY AMERICANS OUT OF
WORK ENROLLMENT IN MEDICAID HAS
SKYROCKETED AS MORE AND MORE
FAMILIES COME TO RELY UPON THIS
SAFETY NET.
I SAID IT BEFORE AND I'LL SAY IT
AGAIN, MEDICAID IS NOT TOO
EXPENSIVE.
PEOPLE ARE TOO POOR.
THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED
ON CREATING NEW JOBS.
100 DAYS INTO THIS NEW
REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND NOT A
SINGLE JOBS BILL.
MADAM SPEAKER, THIS PLAN IS NOT
A PRICE THAT I'M WILLING TO PAY.
WE CAN DO BETTER.
WE WILL DO BETTER.
AMERICA'S SENIORS ARE WATCHING.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA,
MR. KISSELL, FOR FOUR MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR.
FROM THE TIME THAT I FIRST CAME
TO CONGRESS I HAVE CONTINUED TO
BE A STRONG SUPPORTER OF OUR
SEENORS' ISSUES.
TODAY -- SENIORS' ISSUES.
TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF
ANOTHER ISSUE THAT OUR SENIORS
ARE FACING TODAY, THE ISSUE OF
THE FUTURE OF MEDICARE.
WE MUST STAND BY THOSE WHO STOOD
BY US.
AS THEY ENTER INTO THEIR SENIOR
YEARS.
AND WE MUST BE STRONG IN MAKING
SURE THAT MEDICARE STAYS AS A
SOLID MEDICAL SAFETY NET FOR OUR
SENIORS.
MADAM SPEAKER, WE HAVE HEARD A
LOT ABOUT THE GREATEST
GENERATION.
THAT GENERATION THAT FAULT WORLD
WAR II AND WORKED IN THE
INDUSTRIES AND RAISED FAMILIES
AND CAME BACK AND DID SO MUCH TO
MAKE AMERICA THE GREAT NATION AS
WE KNOW TODAY.
BUT, MADAM SPEAKER, AMERICA IS A
GREAT NATION, HAS BEEN FOR MANY
YEARS, AND WILL BE FOR MANY
YEARS TO COME AND THERE'S NOT
JUST ONE GREATEST GENERATION.
THERE IS A CONTINUE YUME --
CONTINUUM OF GREAT GENERATIONS.
I GREW UP IN A VERY SMALL TOWN
IN NORTH CAROLINA.
AND MY HEROES WERE THOSE PEOPLE,
MANY OF WHICH FOUGHT IN WORLD
WAR II, FOR THOSE TEACHERS AND
THOSE STORE KEEPERS AND THOSE
PEOPLE IN A SMALL TOWN THAT
RAISED MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND
MYSELF AND LOOKED AFTER US
WHETHER IN THE SCHOOL OR
CHURCHES OR WHERE IT MIGHT BE.
AS THESE PEOPLE THAT TOOK CARE
OF US BECOME SENIORS AND THEY
CONTINUE THIS THROUGHOUT THE
NATION FOR GENERATIONS TO COME,
WE MUST TAKE CARE OF THOSE THAT
TOOK CARE OF US.
I WAS A HISTORY TEACHER, HIGH
SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER FOR THE
SEVEN YEARS BEFORE COMING TO
CONGRESS.
AND I ALWAYS TOLD MY STUDENTS
THAT YOU'RE NOT STUDYING HISTORY
BY LOOKING AT PAGES IN A BOOK OR
LOOKING AT OLD PICTURES OR
PAINTINGS OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT
BE.
YOU ARE STUDYING ABOUT PEOPLE TO
HAVE A STORY.
AND WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT
THESE ARE PEOPLE, JUST AS WE
TALK TODAY ABOUT OUR SENIORS AND
MEDICARE, WE CANNOT FORGET THAT
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK
CARE OF US.
THEY CANNOT BECOME JUST
POLITICAL BARGAINING CHIPS AND
POLITICAL THEORIES.
THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE.
THEY HAVE REAL STORIES.
AND I WANT TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT
TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE ESPECIALLY
IMPORTANT TO ME, MY MOM AND DAD.
MY DAD GREW UP IN THAT SAME
SMALL TOWN I DID IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
WENT AND FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II.
WON A BRONZE STAR.
CAME BACK, WORKED IN THE POST
OFFICE, AND WAS HAPPY JUST TO BE
A PART OF HELPING IN THOSE WAYS
THAT I TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.
MY MOM GREW UP IN CARROLL COUNTY
IN HUNTINGTON, TENNESSEE, CAME
TO NORTH CAROLINA AS A TEACHER
AND TAUGHT MANY GENERATIONS AND
SHE'S 96 YEARS OLD.
HER BIRTHDAY BEING LAST MARCH,
THE 18TH.
THESE ARE THE HEROES, THESE ARE
THE STORIES THAT WE KNOW THAT
ALL OF US HAVE WHETHER OUR
PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS, GREAT
GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS AND UNCLES,
WHATEVER THEY MAY BE, WE CANNOT
FORGET ABOUT THEM AS
INDIVIDUALS.
WE CANNOT FORGET ABOUT THEIR
STORIES.
AND WE CANNOT LET THEM BECOME
JUST POLITICAL BARGAINING CHIPS.
THE QUESTION THAT WE MUST ASK,
MADAM SPEAKER, IS WHY DID WE
NEED MEDICARE IN THE FIRST
PLACE?
WHAT IN OUR SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK,
THAT DIDN'T CARE OF OUR SENIORS,
INTO BEING?
THAT REQUIRED MEDICARE TO COME
AND WE KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT,
AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO HAVE
THAT GUARANTEE OF A STRONG
SUPPORT STRUCTURE WHEN OUR
MEDICAL NEEDS FOR OUR SENIORS
MUST BE MET THIS WAY, WE MUST
STAND BY OUR SENIORS.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS.
MATSUI, FOR FOUR MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO
VOICE MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO
THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN AND
ITS EFFECT ON AMERICA'S SENIORS.
I BELIEVE WE MUST ADDRESS THE
NATIONAL DEFICIT BUT I BELIEVE
WE CAN DO IT IN A RESPONSIBLE
MANNER THAT DOES NOT HINDER OUR
FRAGILE ECONOMY AND DOES NOT
.
RISK IMPORTANT PROGRAMS.
I SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC
PROPOSAL TO REDUCE OUR NATION'S
DEFICIT AND WITHOUT HURTING
AMERICA'S SENIORS AND
SACRIFICING THEIR HEALTH AND
FINANCIAL SECURITY.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE REPUBLICAN
PLAN IS IRRESPONSIBLE.
IT WOULD HURT AMERICA'S SENIORS
WHILE GIVING ENORMOUS TAX
BREAKS TO THE TOP 2% OF THE
WEALTHIEST AMERICANS.
IT DOES NOTHING TO CREATE JOBS
BUT GIVE BILLIONS IN CORPORATE
LOOPHOLES AND SUBSIDIES TO BIG
MOST NOTABLY, THE REPUBLICAN
OIL.
PLAN WILL LITERALLY END
MEDICARE.
AND WHILE THIS MAY BE A NEW
PLAN, THESE ARE NOT NEW IDEAS.
THE REPUBLICANS' 2012 BUDGET
ATTEMPTS TO DO TO MEDICARE WHAT
PRESIDENT BUSH WANTED TO DO TO
SOCIAL SECURITY IN 2005,
PRIVATIZE IT AND SEVERELY CUT
BENEFITS.
MADAM SPEAKER, CAN YOU IMAGINE
IF WE HAD PRIVATIZED SOCIAL
SECURITY IN 2005?
THE WAY THE REPUBLICANS WANTED
TO DO JUST BEFORE THE BIGGEST
FINANCIAL COLLAPSE SINCE THE
GREAT DEPRESSION.
DO WITH MEDICARE?
IS THAT WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE WALL
STREET CONTROL THE FAITH OF OUR
SENIORS.
THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WOULD
CONVERT MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER
PROGRAM THAT FORCES SENIORS TO
BUY COSTLY PRIVATE INSURANCE
PLANS.
IT ASKS SENIORS, HALF OF WHOM
HAVE LESS THAN $19,000 A YEAR
IN TOTAL INCOME, TO PAY MORE
AND GET LESS.
IF THIS PLAN WERE PUT IN PLACE,
THE NONPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET OFFICE HAS ESTIMATED
THAT THE AVERAGE SENIOR WOULD
END UP PAYING NEARLY THREE
TIMES MORE OUT-OF-POCKET
EXPENSES.
MEANWHILE, THE HEALTH CARE LAW
ENACTED LAST YEAR IS ALREADY
HELPING TO CLOSE THE GAP IN
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
KNOWN AS THE DOUGHNUT HOLE AND
HAS ANNUAL EXAMS AND PREVENTIVE
SERVICES.
BUT THE REPEAL OF THE HEALTH
CARE LAW WOULD ELIMINATE THESE
BENEFITS.
MADAM SPEAKER, THESE BENEFITS
FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS ARE
MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE
LIVES OF MY CONSTITUENTS.
I RECENTLY HEARD FROM A
71-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO
SACRAMENTO WHO REQUIRES SEVERAL
EXPENSIVE DRUGS TO MAINTAIN HER
HEALTH.
IN OCTOBER OF 2010 SHE WAS
WORRIED ABOUT HER ABILITY TO
PAY FOR HER MEDICATION BECAUSE
SHE FELL INTO THE COVERAGE GAP.
BUT SHE WAS RELIEVED TO LEARN
THAT SHE WILL GET $250 IN 2010
AND THAT 50% OF HER COSTS WOULD
BE REIMBURSED THIS YEAR AND
EVEN MORE REIMBURSED IN THE
FUTURE.
BUT NOW REPUBLICANS WANT TO
PULL THE RUG FROM OUT UNDER OUR
SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WHAT'S ASTONISHING TO ME THAT
IN ADDITION TO PRIVATIZATION OF
MEDICARE, THE REPUBLICAN PLAN
ALSO GOES AFTER MEDICAID.
INSTEAD OF MAKING REAL REFORM
TO THE PROGRAM, THE REPUBLICAN
BUDGET CALLS FROM CONVERTING
MEDICAID INTO A BLOCK GRANT
PROGRAM.
BUT THAT WAS SHARPLY REDUCE
FUNDING FOR SENIORS AND
LOW-INCOME AMERICANS ON
MEDICAID SO THAT IT WOULD NOT
KEEP UP WITH HEALTH CARE COSTS.
MEDICAID HELPS KEEP OUR SENIORS
IN THEIR HOMES AND HELPS THEM
AFFORD NURSING HOMES IF THEY
NEED THEM.
BUT THE REPUBLICAN PLAN RELEASE
SENIORS ON THEIR OWN AND
IGNORES THE PROMISE THAT A
COUNTRY HAS MADE FROM ONE
GENERATION TO ANOTHER.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE FEDERAL
BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT OUR
AMERICAN VALUES THAT HAVE BEEN
PASSED DOWN FOR GENERATIONS,
WHERE SENIORS EARN THE BENEFITS
THAT THEY PAID INTO AND HAVE
BEEN PROMISED AND ARE ABLE TO
ENJOY THEIR RETIREMENT AFTER
WORKING HARD IN THEIR CAREERS.
THAT IS WHY I WILL CONTINUE TO
FIGHT FOR PROTECTING THE
DIGNITY OF AMERICA'S SENIORS
AND PROTECT THEM AGAINST THE
DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF THE
REPUBLICAN BUDGET PROPOSAL.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR.
RANGEL, FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A
MINUTE AND A HALF.
AS WE ARE ABOUT TO
CLOSE THIS PART OF THE
LEGISLATIVE MORNING,
EXPRESSIONS OF BELIEF, I WOULD
JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT FOR A
DECADE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID
WE CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND
REPUBLICANS.
WELL, I THINK THAT IS OVER.
THAT THE REPUBLICANS IN THEIR
LINED PROJECTED BUDGET HAVE
MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THERE
IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A
TREMENDOUS DEFICIT, THAT THE
INTEREST IS JUST BLOCKING OUT
PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE TO
SUPPORT.
WHILE IT'S ABUNDANTLY CLEAR
THAT THERE IS AN EMERGENCY THAT
WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, THE
REPUBLICANS' METHOD OF DOING
THIS THROUGH THE RYAN BUDGET IS
TO LOOK FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE
PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE, THE POOR
THAT ARE SICK, THE OLDER PEOPLE
THAT ARE SICK, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
THAT ARE TRYING TO GET AN
EDUCATION.
IT SEEMS TO ME IF WE TAKE A
LOOK AT THE ALTERNATIVE AND
INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE
GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS, TO MAKE
CERTAIN THAT EDUCATION IS A
PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING,
INVESTING IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
SO AS WE PAY OFF THE DEBT WE
ARE STILL INVESTING FOR THE
FUTURE, THIS IS WHAT THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S ALL ABOUT.
AND, MADAM SPEAKER, I TRULY
BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT AMERICA IS
ALL ABOUT.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
I THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE
1, THE CHAIR DECLARES THE HOUSE
IN RECESS UNTIL 11:00 A.M.
THE HOUSE RETURNS FOR
LEGISLATIVE WORK AT 11:00
EASTERN.
MEMBERS WILL START WITH THE
DEBATE RULES FOR CONSIDERING THE
2012 REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN FOR
ABOUT AN HOUR.
FOLLOWING THAT VOTE, THE HOUSE
TURNS TO THE 2011 FEDERAL