Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) not only for his friendship but also for being with us today as we approach the floor on H. Res. 1776.

Mr. Speaker, just last week, I stood right here to do a rule and pointed out that my Democrat colleagues continue to use an unprecedented restrictive and closed process on the House floor, and I am here today to tell the same story.

At least this is very consistent behavior. For 2 years, we have had nothing but closed rules, and here we are today, in fact, in the same place, except what we are doing here today, again, is discussing a long-term continuing resolution, a resolution that went nowhere in the Senate. Yet we are here again today, doing another continuing resolution so that our government does not shut down on Saturday.

Last week, the Rules Committee, under Democrat leadership, reported out an unprecedented long-term martial law rule. They gave themselves 11 days to bring up any bill under a rule that same day, and just yesterday, they reported out an additional martial law rule through Christmas Eve. This only continues the backroom, closed deals that have been pursued throughout the 111th Congress.

What was promised to be the most ``open, honest, and ethical'' Congress by Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she took the gavel has turned into the most closed, one-sided Congress in history. We tax too much. We spend too much. We regulate too much. We listen too little.

Mr. Speaker, the American people asked for changes in 2008, and they got something that was far worse. In 3 weeks, that will change; but until then, I am here to discuss another closed rule for another continuing resolution.

This day continues to bring about more overspending, which has been a common theme of the last two Congresses--not just another CR but another omnibus. The underlying legislation is a CR to keep the government running until Tuesday. That is true. The Democrats provided no budget this year, and the President has not signed one appropriations bill into law this year. So this legislation and the rule is just another tactic to keep the government running until the majority can figure out its next priority. Well, I assure you it will be all about spending.

Over the past 3 years, nondefense, non-Homeland Security and non- Veterans Affairs discretionary spending has increased by a staggering 88 percent. In the meantime, the Nation's debt has risen to $13.5 trillion. There have been yearly record deficits since our friends, the Democrats, took the majority and record unemployment. The unemployment rate has now been

at or above 9.5 percent for 18 consecutive months.

Republicans want to take spending levels back to 2008, which would save American taxpayers nearly $100 billion in the first year. I think the American people are fed up with taxing, borrowing, spending, closed rules, and more rules and regulations than we have seen in the past 4 years, which has brought us nothing but more unemployment, higher debt and a monster deficit. Americans have called for an end to the reckless spending and for a new era of fiscal discipline. Yet it continues to fall on deaf ears even today.

This country needs leaders who are willing to make tough financial decisions and fiscal decisions that will bring back our economy, stability, job growth--not just more of the same taxing and spending.

Mr. Speaker, as if continuing the spending levels from 2010 weren't enough, my colleagues on the Democrat side of the aisle are here, acting only today to await a possible Senate omnibus bill that has a total price tag of $1.1 trillion more to be spent in the next 10 months. That's not called ``running the government.'' Running the government has already been taken care of. This is $1.1 trillion.

When will the majority recognize that this simply cannot and should not continue? When will the Democrats understand that taxing and spending and putting our children in an unfavorable position for their futures will not be tolerated?

In true fashion, I know, the Democrats have an agenda, and they need to continue it until the very end, and that is what they are doing. They have shut out Republican ideas for the past 4 years. They continue to shut out the American people. Continuing on the path of reckless government spending will only put us, our children, and our future in debt. Congress must do better.

So, on behalf of my party, the Republican Party, we are on the floor today to recognize H. Res. 1776. We are going to oppose this rule. We are going to oppose the additional spending, and we promise to do better.

Just last week, I stood right here to do a rule and pointed out that my democrat colleagues continue to use an unprecedented, restrictive, and closed process on the House floor, and here I am again to tell the same story. In fact, last week I was standing here before you Mr. Speaker discussing a long term Continuing Resolution--a resolution that went nowhere in the Senate. Yet, here we are again today, doing another Continuing Resolution so our government does not shut down by this Saturday. Week after week my friends on the other side of the aisle continue to bulldoze their massive spending agenda through the floor of the House with no Republican input, and no regular order. Last week the Rules Committee, under Democrat leadership, reported out an unprecedentedly long martial law rule. They gave themselves eleven days to bring up any bill under a rule the same day, and just yesterday they reported out an additional martial law rule through Christmas Eve. This only continues the backroom, closed deals they have pursued throughout the 111th Congress.

What was promised to be the most ``open, honest and ethical'' Congress by Speaker Pelosi when she took the gavel, has been the most closed, and one-sided Congress in history. The American people asked for change in 2008 and they got something far worse. They received a Democrat Congress that doesn't listen to the American people, and a Congress that acts on their own interest and not the interest of the American taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, in three weeks that will change. But until then, I am here to discuss another closed rule for another Continuing Resolution. The legislation before us continues to over-spend--a common theme over the last two Congresses.

The underlying legislation is a CR to keep the government running until Tuesday. The Democrats provided no budget for this year and the President has not signed one appropriations bill into law--so this legislation and rule is just another tactic to keep the government running until the Majority can kick the responsibility to the Republicans next Congress.

Over the past three years, non-defense, non-homeland security, and non-veterans affairs discretionary spending has increased by a staggering 88 percent. In the meantime, the nation's debt has risen to $13.5 trillion, there have been yearly record deficits since the Democrats took the Majority, and the unemployment rate has been at or above 9.5% for 18 consecutive months.

This CR does almost nothing to reverse this trend and instead continues the unsustainable, high rate of spending passed the Democrat Majority last year. This includes more spending for many federal agencies that received massive increases with the Democrat Stimulus bill in 2009. My Republican colleagues and I have pledged to cut non- security spending back to the fiscal year 2008 levels which would save American taxpayers nearly $100 billion in the first year.

The American people are fed-up with the tax, borrow and spend policies of the past 4 years, which has brought nothing but unemployment, debt and deficit. Americans have called for an end to reckless spending and a new era of fiscal discipline, yet it continues to fall on deaf ears here today. This country needs leaders that are willing to make the tough fiscal decisions that will provide economic stability and job growth, not just more of the same.

In true fashion, my democrat colleagues continue to push their own agenda on the American people. They have shut out Republicans over the past 4 years, and they continue to shut out the American people. Continuing on the path of reckless government spending, will only put the U.S. further in debt burdening future generations. Congress must do better for the American people. I oppose this rule.

Mr. Speaker, you have heard me say it over and over, but the American people we promised an ``open, honest and ethical'' Congress, and that is not what they have received. Congress only received the text of this legislation a few hours ago. American's have called for transparency and bipartisanship and have only seen a secretive dictatorship.

I ask my colleagues to vote no on the rule. Vote ``no'' to stop the reckless fiscal policies that Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats have pursued over the last 4 years. It is time to end the idea of Big Government and Big Spending.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1776 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1776.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

House Resolution 1776 provides a closed rule for the consideration of H.J. Res. 105, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the joint resolution shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions of the joint resolution. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit the joint resolution with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of approving a continuing resolution to maintain a level and consistent funding stream for our government.

This resolution is aptly numbered ``1776,'' a patriotic number for a patriotic bill that will allow government to continue its normal operations until midnight, on Tuesday, to give the Senate a chance to complete its deliberations.

I could take this opportunity to share the frustration of our colleagues at the inability of the Senate to complete its work in a timely manner; but in the spirit of the season, Mr. Speaker, I will simply say that we must pass this continuing resolution to allow the Senate to continue its important work and deliberations to create either a longer term continuing resolution or an omnibus appropriations package that will allow the regular business of government to keep the people of America safe to continue.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I could certainly discuss how the House has passed two appropriations bills this year--the Transportation-HUD appropriations bill and the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, while the Senate has not passed a single appropriations measure. Last year, the House passed all of the appropriations measures.

I could certainly also discuss how, in the 12 years that the Republicans controlled the House, there were a number of years when not a single regular appropriations measure was enacted by October 1--in 1996, in 2002, and in 2003. In fact, in those 12 years, CRs were enacted 84 times.

Again, Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of the season, in the spirit of charity, and in the spirit of our colleagues' desire to complete their work in this body, I will simply say that it is critical for the basic functions of government to continue over the next 5 days, particularly during this travel season.

Where would we be on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year if we cut off funding for our air marshals, which the failure of this bill would ensue?

Just yesterday, I was proud that this body passed and sent to the President a bill to keep taxes low for all Americans. I supported this bill, along with 139 of my Democratic colleagues and 138 of my Republican colleagues. In voicing their support for the legislation, many of our friends on both sides of the aisle cited the need for certainty and stability.

Well, Mr. Speaker, this bill before us today provides certainty and predictability for the basic functions of the Federal Government until next Tuesday, at midnight, by which point we will undertake a longer term continuing resolution or other measure to allow for the basic functions of government to continue.

I call upon my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, December 14, I requested and received a leave of absence for December 16 and December 17, 2010.

For the information of our colleagues and my constituents, below is how I would have voted on the following votes I missed during this time period.

On rollcall 640, On Motion to Suspend the rules and pass S. 841, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 641, On Motion to Suspend the rules and pass S. 3860, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 642, On Motion to Suspend the rules and pass S. 3447, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 643, Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 4853) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, H. Res. 1766, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 644, On Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 1766, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 645, On Motion to Suspend the rules and pass S. 987, To protect girls in developing countries through the prevention of child marriage, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 646, On Agreeing to the Levin Agreement, H.R. 4863, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 647, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amdt to the House to the Senate Amendment H.R. 4853, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 648, Honoring the accomplishments of Norman Yoshino Mineta, H. Res. 1377, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 649, An act to enact certain laws relating to public contracts as title 41, United States Code, ``Public Contracts'', H.R. 1107, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 650, Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, H.R. 6523, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 651, An act to establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges, H.R. 628, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 652, Providing for the sine die adjournment of the second session of the One Hundred Eleventh Congress, H. Con. Res. 336, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 653, Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, H. Res. 1776, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 654, GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, H.R. 2142, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 655, Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act of 2010, H.R. 5510, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 656, Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act, S. 3874, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on December 17, 2010. If I were present, I would have voted on the following:

H. Res. 1377, Honoring the accomplishments of Norman Yoshio Mineta-- rollcall #648: ``yea.''

Senate Amdt to H.R. 1107, To enact certain laws relating to public contracts as title 41, United States Code, ``Public Contracts''-- rollcall #649: ``yea.''

H.R. 6523, Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011--rollcall #650: ``yea.''

Senate Arndt to H.R. 628, To establish a pilot program in certain U.S. district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges--rollcall #651: ``yea.''

H. Con. Res. 336, Providing for the sine die adjournment of the second session of the One Hundred Eleventh Congress--rollcall #652: ``yea.''

H. Res. 1776, Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011 and for other purposes--rollcall #653: ``yea.''

H.R. 2142, GPRA Modernization Act of 2010--rollcall #654: ``yea.''

H.R. 5510, Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act of 2010--rollcall #655: ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably detained and missed the votes on:

Adjournment Resolution (H. Con. Res. 336--Sine Die Adjournment) Although H. Con. Res. 336 passed by a vote of 196-153, I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 652.

H. Res. 1776--Rule providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 105-- Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011. Although H. Res. 1776 passed by a vote of 184-159, I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 653.

H.R. 2142--Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act of 2009 to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council. Although H.R. 2142 failed under a suspension vote by a vote of 212-131, I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 654.