Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Georgia's most successful public servants, Governor Nathan Deal.

Governor Deal has led our State with grace and tenacity for the last 8 years, and his time in office has been marked by years of success for our State. In fact, since 2014, Georgia has been ranked the best State in the Nation to do business. That distinction is a direct result of Governor Deal's leadership, his focus on economic development, his investment in statewide workforce development initiatives and training programs, and a shear desire to see our fellow Georgians succeed. His commitment has, in fact, led to more and better jobs for my fellow Georgians and produced a workforce that is second to none in the world.

Governor Deal and his wife, Sandra, are headed to a much-deserved retirement, some rest, and an awful lot of fun. We wish them the best. I know all Georgians offer their gratitude as well.

Governor Deal, thank you for making Georgia a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Congressman Mac Collins. Mac represented the good people of Georgia's Third District, including myself, in this Chamber for a decade.

He was a real champion for the working men and women of America, and his life was an example of the American Dream. He started with nothing and built an amazing business and a wonderful life for his family.

In 1964, Mac enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard and, like so many brave men and women before him, he donned the uniform to defend the freedoms we hold so dear.

From there, Mac went on to serve Georgians at the local and State level before coming to Washington to represent the Third District of Georgia.

After this lifetime of service, Mac passed away shortly before Thanksgiving at the age of 74. As we reflect on Congressman Mac Collins' life and mourn his passing, let us strive to follow his example and honor a lifetime of public service.

He lived the scripture, Luke 22:26: ``The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bravery of the LaGrange Fire Department.

In the early hours on the morning of Labor Day, the department received a call for a house fire. As firefighters battled the blaze, the flames were so hot that their fire hose melted in two.

Firefighters were trapped in the house. Luckily, everyone made it out. But six of those firefighters suffered severe burns and injuries: Pete Trujillo, Jordan Avera, Jonathan Williamson, Josh Williams, Jim Ormsby, and Sean Guerrero. All are on the mend, but they suffered very, very severe injuries.

These brave men and women put their lives on the line every single day to keep our loved ones safe in an emergency with no expectation of recognition for their heroism. But today, I would like us all to pause and think about the tough work that they do and the danger that they put their lives in. I would like us all to thank them and extend our deepest gratitude to these firefighters and all of those around the Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1635 because our country is facing a student debt crisis.

In fact, nearly 580,000 student borrowers defaulted on their loans in just the last year. This debt crisis has been created, in part, because students and their parents aren't given the full information they need to make informed decisions about paying for college.

Right now, only students receiving Federal loans are required to receive financial counseling. Even then, they only receive counseling when they take out their first loan and upon graduation. That means that countless students are signing up for thousands of dollars in loans and arriving on campus before they have received any advice about these major financial choices.

This is just wrong. Our young people should not be left in the dark as they make decisions that will impact their lives for years after graduation.

That is why I am supporting H.R. 1635, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act, which would make sure that students know all of their funding options, including grants, work study, and scholarship assistance, before taking out loans.

The legislation would also ensure students and parents receive financial aid counseling before they sign on the dotted line.

Higher education should be a stepping-stone to success, not a financial drag on our students' futures. By giving students and their parents the best information possible to make financial decisions, we can ensure students are prepared for a bright future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of H.R. 2353. It has been a year since this House passed reauthorization, and I am thrilled the Senate finally took action to pass the bill earlier this week.

This legislation is vital to supporting career and technical education, such as apprenticeship programs, all across my district.

As I have spoken with folks back home, I have heard time and time again from businessowners the importance of training a new generation of skilled workers. Many of the current employees are nearing retirement age, and these businessowners are facing an ever-shrinking pool of skilled labor.

I also see students seeking more opportunities other than a 4-year degree.

CTE programs are a solution for both of these groups, and I am proud that there are so many examples of this in the Third District of Georgia.

In fact, today, Kathy Carlisle from the THINC Academy in LaGrange, Georgia, testified in front of the Education and the Workforce Committee. Dr. Carlisle shared how THINC has contributed to a community revitalization success story and what happens when the local leaders of the business community and innovative educators come together.

This bill will continue these opportunities, increasing funding, and giving States more flexibility to implement innovative programs.

Most importantly, a diverse group of members from our community from all socioeconomic backgrounds stand on the edge of success, and this will help get them there.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing this bill pass, and I urge everyone to support it.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from California for leading this Special Order.

What a year and half it has been since I came to Congress. There have been a lot of positive things that have gone on, and I think Americans feel that they are better off now.

If you listen to the media and the rhetoric, you wouldn't know it. Every time I travel home and I talk to the folks in the Third District of Georgia, I get this sense of optimism, this reality that they are doing better. Their wages are up. There are more job opportunities. They are doing better. They feel safer, and they feel more secure.

In spite of what you might have heard on TV and in the other parts of the media, more than 177 bills have been signed into law in the 115th Congress. That is the most of any Congress at this point since 2008. The results are clear: Americans are better off.

I have heard from small businesses like Shred-X in Griffin, Georgia; Custom Truck and Body Works in Woodbury, Georgia; and Emma Hill Manufacturing in LaGrange, Georgia. All of these businesses are making investments. They are expanding. They are being more productive. Most importantly, they are hiring more people, and they are investing in their people with higher wages and better training. Families are doing better throughout our district.

But these businesses are doing more than simply investing in their people and in their businesses. They are investing in their communities. So our communities are becoming more helpful.

All of this is a result of a tax reform bill, a better regulatory environment, and a changing attitude in education that ensures that people pursue their talents and not just a degree. They are involved in making sure that they are able to make a living in viable careers for a long period of time.

It is not just the economy that is making us more secure. We have invested heavily in our military, and we have fully funded our men and women serving this Nation. Most importantly, when they returned home, we have made the changes in the VA that, over time, will make sure that they have the benefits that they have earned and, quite candidly, that they deserve.

We have also made investments in many other areas. Think about what we have been able to accomplish with human trafficking. We are beginning to take steps to really change how we view addiction and the opioid crisis. We are making progress, and that is making Americans better.

So it is easy to get caught up in the news of the moment, to get clouded from the really good things that are happening. But we are here to remind America that things are better now because of the work that we have done in this House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I want to talk about our pro-growth policies that are working for the American people.

Throughout this year, I have met with small-business owners, college students, seniors, and folks all across my district to hear how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has impacted them. Time and again--time and again--I hear the same story: People have more money in their pockets. Their businesses are doing well. Their utility bills are lower. Their small businesses are expanding. Their economic outlook is better than it used to be. And we are headed in the right direction.

Employers are now investing not only in their businesses but, more importantly, in their people. These benefits are not just limited to my district in Georgia. Our economy is booming across this great Nation, and Americans across this country are reaping the benefits of comprehensive tax reform.

Thanks to our pro-growth policies, we are finally seeing true economic recovery, and America is on a path to being the best place in the world to do business once again.

Our work isn't done. We still have work to do. And we will continue to fight for the American worker and American business while we make this the greatest place in the world to do business. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to do just that.

It is mind-boggling to me, when you look around this great Nation and you see the success, that we actually have Members of this body who want to take that success away from this country and want to take money out of the American people's pockets and bring it right back here to Washington, D.C. That is a thought process that I think is wrong, and I don't understand it.

We need to keep fighting for the American family, the American worker, the American business, so that this country continues to be the best place in the world to do business. Tax reform is an example of how we get that done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, after 6 months, it is clear that tax reform is working for the American people.

Since President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law in December, we have seen Americans reap the benefits of a growing economy. The numbers don't lie.

Here are just a few of the things that we have seen in the last 6 months: 1 million jobs have been created; the unemployment rate is at its lowest point in 18 years; and consumer confidence is at its highest point in over 17 years.

The naysayers can continue to claim that tax reform isn't working for everyday Americans, but, given these numbers, I find that hard to believe. In reality, tax reform is helping America be the best place in the world to do business, and I look forward to continuing to work here in the House with my colleagues to give all Americans the opportunity to succeed in this thriving economy.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment

No. 168 to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank, first of all, Chairman Thornberry for working with me on this amendment to provide a clear legislative direction for the GSA's new e-commerce portal provider system for commercial off-the-shelf sales.

My amendment would strengthen supplier data protection requirements and express the sense of Congress that implementation of this program will be done in a manner that enhances competition.

I fully support the committee's efforts to reform the procurement process to increase efficiency and reduce waste for the Federal Government, and most importantly, the taxpayers.

However, there are still some unanswered questions regarding the implementation of the program.

Moving forward, I believe that there is still important work to be done to ensure that the portal results in robust competition from a broad range of suppliers, which is vital to achieving the efficiencies and cost savings that the committee is seeking.

The American people have told us over and over again that they do not want the Federal Government picking winners and losers, and I fully agree. We do an amazing job around here sometimes of creating very large monolithic monopolies as unintended consequences.

Mr. Chairman, I want to make sure that we don't do that with this important reform.

While my amendment takes steps to improve data safeguards, I remain concerned about the anticompetitive efforts of concerns from suppliers, both large and small, regarding the baseline data access between competitors.

Whether a small business or a multinational corporation, private companies are fiercely and understandably protective of their proprietary data.

Competition requires willing competitors, and competitors expect a level playing field, a playing field on which the referee is not also a player on the other team.

Promoting competition in this program requires that we continue to listen to and, more importantly, address the concerns of potential suppliers.

My amendment is a step in the right direction, but there is more work to do, and I look forward to continuing to work with the chairman in good faith to improve this system to make sure that it is achieving the results that we truly know that it can.

Mr. Chairman, today, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of amendment No. 168, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Carter from Georgia's First District, for organizing this hour to honor one of Georgia's great leaders, former United States Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller.

Governor Miller's leadership in our State led to the creation of something that we hold near and dear to our hearts, and that is the HOPE Scholarship. This scholarship program has helped generations of young Georgians build a bright future for themselves, and that, in turn, has led to a stronger State for our people.

In addition to the HOPE Scholarship and many other policy accomplishments, Governor Miller truly embodied the term ``public servant.'' He devoted his life to serving our fellow Georgians and sought to leave our State better than he found it.

At his funeral, Governor Miller's grandson read a list of 14 life lessons that the Governor had written to mark his 70th birthday. This list included a number of important lessons that he wanted to pass along to his family and to others, and it included such things as reminding folks not to smoke, that it killed his friends way too early. It reminded people to be polite, to be on time.

One of the lessons that struck me in particular and I think really describes how Zell Miller sought to live his life reads this:

Search for your niche. It may take years, although often it

occurs early in life. There is something out there that you

can do better and easier than everybody else. You will have a

knack or talent for it. Find it. It is there. And when you

do, others will beat a path to your door to get you to do it

for them.

Governor Miller certainly found his niche in his lifetime, and that niche was serving his fellow Georgians. Using his talents, he created a program that helped thousands of students achieve their dream of a college education, a legacy that will live on through each successive class of HOPE scholarships.

We are eternally grateful for his service and his commitment to our great State and to ensuring that future generations will have greater opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pratt & Whitney in Columbus, Georgia for being named the Large Manufacturer of the Year by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Technical College System of Georgia. With a longstanding presence in Muscogee County, Pratt & Whitney employs nearly 2,000 workers engaged in overhauling aircraft engines and forging jet engine parts and is currently investing more than $450 million to grow its facility and create 500 new jobs in Columbus.

Additionally, the company has partnered with Columbus Technical College and Georgia Quick Start to provide world-class advanced training to meet the growing needs of the Geared Turbofan and F-135 production lines. As a corporate citizen, Pratt & Whitney has actively engaged in supporting the community by donating over $500,000 annually to support STEM labs for local schools and build scholarship and internship programs. I commend Pratt & Whitney for this distinguished honor and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5446. This commonsense legislation makes a targeted but important reform to protect American small businesses by ensuring that the rules for seizure of perishable goods are restricted only to goods that are, in fact, perishable.

The fact that we are having to even comment or debate on the fact that a small business in Texas was destroyed by the actions of an IRS agent that determined that bridal dresses were perishable is unconscionable, and it should not happen, and it should not have happened then; and I agree with my colleague from New York that it should never happen again, and this legislation will help ensure that.

Now, I don't think we have to explain to anybody that, since these bridal gowns are not perishable, why is this bill even necessary? But it is a shame that we have had agents use this particular piece of legislation to actually leave a family destitute because of their actions of selling bridal dresses under the guise that they were perishable.

This legislation tightens up the law to eliminate the language that the IRS agents in Dallas and others across the country have used to justify their overreaching use of same-day sale provisions. H.R. 5446 makes an important step to prevent the IRS from redefining these words to suit their own purposes, threatening the livelihoods of American small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to sponsor this legislation to strength protections for small businesses and job creators, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the balanced budget amendment. This much- needed constitutional amendment would finally hold Washington accountable to the same standards that every American family faces, and that is a balanced budget.

I stand here in awe today listening to my colleagues from the other side of the aisle stand here and lecture about fiscal responsibility. The gentleman from Maryland, the minority leader, stood in the well and said, if you want to balance a budget, just do it.

Well, the House Budget Committee did it, and do you know what? The number of Democrats who voted for it could stand on this desk in a thimble. There weren't any.

When it comes to the time for fiscal responsibility and having an honest conversation about the meaningful safety net programs that our Nation depends on and values, we don't need the harsh rhetoric down there. Every single Republican and Democrat should have an honest conversation about the future of those programs and where we are, and shame on the other side for using it as a scare tactic.

Without a balanced budget amendment, this body has proven, since 1974, that only four times has it had the foresight and the political courage to put forth a budget and pass appropriations bills, and it has only balanced in just a few of those.

Enough of the rhetoric. It is time to come to the table and have the discussions. If you want to balance the budget, join with us. Don't accuse us of not doing it. Your vote shows that you didn't do it.

Enough is enough. It is time to have an honest conversation. If those programs are so important, then we as a nation need to decide how we are going to pay for those, and we do know that they are.

We can no longer stand here and have the kind of rhetoric and the kind of misinformation that is being spewed out by the other side. It is time to take our fiscal responsibilities serious, pass a balanced budget amendment, because without it, this Nation has been able to hide behind debt, and we have hidden the real cost and the real pain from the American people, and enough is enough.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is helping folks around the United States and throughout the Third District of Georgia.

In fact, over 400 major companies across our great Nation have announced bonuses, pay raises, and new investments in their businesses and communities that will offer benefits to over 4 million Americans. I am thrilled that a number of great Georgia companies are included in this; such as, Columbus, Georgia-based, Aflac and Total Systems Services; as well as companies like Home Depot, Carl Black, Yancey Bros., Cox Enterprises, SunTrust, and United Parcel Service, just to name a few. These are all major companies in my home State of Georgia that are making investments in their people and their industries so that they can better serve their customers, and it is paying big dividends.

It is always exciting to hear about these announcements from major employers around the State, but the benefits of tax reform are not just felt by employees at major corporations, they are being felt by the job creators here on Main Street and right here in Georgia's Third District. Two that I will highlight at some point tonight will be Shred-X in Griffin, Georgia, and Custom Truck and Body Works in Woodbury. Both of these businesses are expanding and hiring more workers, and this is a great story for the State of Georgia and the Third District. We are awfully proud of them.

The positive impacts of tax reform have been felt by millions more Americans just this month as the updated withholding tables took effect. As employers implemented these tables, Americans across the country have seen these tax cuts reflected in bigger paychecks. This means keeping more of your hard-earned money to spend as you see fit. I have long said that Americans know how to spend their hard-earned money far better than the bureaucrats here in Washington. I look forward to seeing how our economy continues to improve.

Mr. Speaker, our next speaker is my good friend Paul Mitchell. Representative Mitchell has become a dear friend and does a wonderful job of representing Michigan's 10th District. I want to thank him for setting up these Special Orders to tell the truth about tax reform and how it is helping Americans.

In Mr. Mitchell's district, people who are making the median household income will see a tax cut of just over $1,500.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell).

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, one of the most important and recognizable companies in the Third District of Georgia is Aflac.

Aflac was one of the first companies to announce benefits to its employees. Shortly after Christmas, Aflac announced that they would increase their investments by $250 million in the U.S., increase the company's 401(k) match for employees, and make a one-time contribution of $500 to each employee's account. This is a long-term investment in Aflac's employees and into the United States economy. Our new Tax Code helps companies like Aflac to reinvest in their workers and their communities.

Mr. Speaker, my next speaker is Mr. Palmer, who represents the Sixth District of Alabama. Households earning the district's median income would see a tax break of $1,534.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer).

Mr. Speaker, as I said early on, we are seeing tremendous growth in businesses both large and small. Previously I highlighted a great American company, Aflac, but an example of a small company that is seeing the benefits of tax reform is a company called Shred-X in Griffin, Georgia.

Shred-X is a small business offering paper shredding and recycling services to approximately 3,000 clients throughout Atlanta and central Georgia, and they are using their tax savings to invest in their business. They are planning on buying a new truck and hiring a potential employee.

Now, for a company like Shred-X, that is a true small business that employs ten people, the addition of one truck and another employee makes a big difference. Shred-X owner Cade Joiner told me: ``This is just one practical example of how tax reform is helping us here on Main Street.''

It is really exciting to see our small-business owners really beginning to see the benefits of tax reform and beginning to see the benefits with their employees as well

Mr. Speaker, my next guest is Mr. Buddy Carter. Representative Carter has been an outspoken advocate for the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He represents a district where the median household income in the First District of Georgia will see an average savings of $1,220.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, as we go through tonight and begin to highlight some of the benefits of tax reform, we have talked a lot about a large business such as Aflac, a small business such as Shred-X, but this is having an effect on individual families as well.

I have heard from people all over Georgia's Third District who are telling me that it is having an impact in their paychecks, and that is helping their families.

Robert from Thomaston wrote in to my office to say that he had checked his check, and he had more money in his retiree account statement on his military pension because of tax reform, and this is helping him meet his monthly financial goals.

Erin from LaGrange told me that she has $132 more in each paycheck. She said, while it may not seem like a lot to some, it is her money and every little bit helps.

These are just two of the millions of Americans who are seeing larger paychecks because of comprehensive tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, if anyone is not sure if tax reform is helping them, I want to encourage them to check their check, see how much more money they are saving each and every month.

Mr. Speaker, my next guest is the distinguished gentleman from Georgia's 12th District, Mr. Rick Allen. Mr. Allen represents a very broad swath of the eastern part of our State. The median income family in his district will receive a tax savings of $875 a year thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Augusta, Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for those great words.

As I mentioned earlier, another great company in the Third District of Georgia is a company called Total System Services, as we refer to it, TSYS.

Right in Columbus, Georgia, TSYS is a major credit card processor and employs thousands of people in our area. Because of tax reform, they were able to give their employees a bonus, and, just as importantly, they have been able to invest in their business to grow at a more profitable rate and continue to return the benefits to the community.

I have heard a lot of folks talk about tax reform being just crumbs, but to middle class Americans in my district, if you talk about crumbs, it is not about tax reform.

Tax reform is making a difference in middle American lives every single day. It is helping families make their ends meet--they are going on the vacation that they have worked so hard for--or to invest in their home.

These tax cuts are making a difference. Companies like TSYS, that are returning these benefits to their employees and making investments in their business, are continuing to do their part to make this Nation the most competitive place in the world to do business.

Mr. Speaker, I now call on my colleague from Georgia, Representative Loudermilk. Representative Loudermilk represents Georgia's 11th District. The median household income in his district will see an average savings of $1,780.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia's 11th District. The gentleman is right, if we get the Federal Government out of the way, great things happen.

As I mentioned earlier, another small company that is now doing big things as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is Custom Truck & Body Works in Woodbury, Georgia. This small company creates specialty vehicles for first responders. They had been hoping to grow their business, but they felt hampered by a burdensome Tax Code. After tax reform passed, they were finally able to move on with a building expansion, able to hire new workers, and give their current employees additional benefits.

I got to see the impact on this business firsthand on a recent visit to their facility in Woodbury, Georgia. Everyone was excited about the company's growth, and it really brought home, for me, the difference the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was already making in the Third District of Georgia.

Next is my colleague from Alabama, Congressman Mike Rogers. Congressman Rogers represents Alabama's Third District. We are neighbors along the Georgia- Alabama line, and the median family household in his district will see a tax cut of almost $1,000.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama for his remarks and for taking the opportunity to share some of the great things that are happening just across the State line to our neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons that tax reform was so important to me, and one of the things that I campaigned so hard for is growing up in a community where we lost our manufacturing backbone, where we lost our job base.

We saw families just begin to lose everything. They began to lose their homes, their cars, their small family businesses. We saw a generation move away from our communities to look for better opportunities because the jobs simply weren't there.

I know that every single job is important. So every time that we are able to do something in this great Nation to create the environment, where this is the best place on the planet to do business, and we can grow jobs, it is good for our communities; it is good for our friends; it is good for our families; it is good for our neighbors. It makes our community stronger.

One of the things about tax reform that is so important to remember is not simply about lowering the rates, but it is about helping American families, because now companies are now making decisions based on their employees and what is best for their bottom line, not arcane provisions that exist in the Tax Code.

So every time that I hear someone from the other side say, ``All we did was give a tax break,'' I think it is being disingenuous. I think, quite candidly, it shows a lack of willingness to dig down into what this tax reform is really about; and that is changing how American companies operate so they can be very competitive on the world stage, so that they can make this place the greatest place in the world to do business and hire more of our friends and our family members, your neighbors, in the best-paying jobs on the planet.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to call on my colleague from Georgia's Seventh District, Congressman Rob Woodall. Congressman Woodall is on the Budget Committee, on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and on the Rules Committee. I thank Congressman Woodall for his leadership on those committees. I thank the gentleman for the opportunity that he has spent with me as a freshman guiding me along the way. I know that the folks back home truly appreciate his efforts, because, as a result of tax reform, families making the median income in his district receive a $1,866 increase in their paychecks as a result.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia's Seventh District (Mr. Woodall).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia's Seventh District for his remarks. Well said.

Mr. Speaker, as I close out tonight, I first want to thank all of my colleagues who joined us here tonight to share some of the amazing stories from their districts and their States about what is happening as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It is clear that this is having a real impact. The benefits are clearly more than just crumbs. They are meaningful to every single family.

I think one of the things that I see--and I am beginning to see more and more of--is not just simply that an employee is getting a bigger paycheck, which is great, but that enthusiasm that they have; because not only are they being rewarded for the job well done, but they are now seeing new opportunities because of growing businesses that they never had before.

It is exciting and it is wonderful to see our friends, our family, and our neighbors, the people who we care about, who we represent, being affected in a positive way. As our economy grows and as we do things here to put more and more back into our communities in the forms of people's freedoms for them to make livings and to raise their children and to do with their family what they feel like is best, I see a bright future for this Nation.

Just looking right now, 4 million people just recently receiving bonuses on top of their tax cuts, it has been a huge impact. It is making a difference. This is a promise that was made and it is a promise that has been kept.

And because of our growing economy, we will have a chance to keep our other promises: our promise to defend this Nation against foreign invaders, our promise to make sure that our important safety nets are there in the future, making sure that we can keep every promise made to our seniors in terms of Social Security and Medicare, making sure that we can keep our promises to the men and women of the armed services who were willing to die for our freedoms.

We can keep our promises to our children to make this Nation a wonderful and great place for them because we are beginning to have the resources that we need to tackle one of the most important challenges that we will ever face, and that is the $21 trillion in debt that we have burdened future generations with. A growing economy gives us the resources to do just that, and I cannot wait to see what this future looks like because I know that it is strong, I know that it is bright, and I know that it is right because we will be able to keep our promises.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.