Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, a little more than a week ago this House passed a continuing resolution with $100 billion in spending cuts. Not only was this an important step towards reining in our Nation's paralyzing deficits, it also sent a clear signal to job creators that House Republicans are determined to foster an economic environment where certainty and confidence can return to the marketplace.

When a young family looks for a new neighborhood, they examine a variety of factors. They might ask about how safe it is. They might want to know about the school system or whether their neighbors are friendly. The broader question being: What is the environment like?

Job creators take a similar approach when they decide whether it's safe to invest capital, expand their businesses, and hire new workers in America. Just as a family is not going to choose a neighborhood with overflowing sewers and a high crime rate, a business owner is not going to expand and invest in an economic environment marred by debt-fueled uncertainty that will increase the costs to run their business. After all, deficits are just deferred tax payments that eventually come due.

We must ensure that America is the most attractive and safest place to start a business, take risks, and invest capital. It is essential that we send a clear signal to American businesses that both parties are committed to removing the barriers to job growth and economic development.

Republicans believe--and I would argue the American public believes-- that cutting spending is a crucial step in that process.

Yesterday, Mark Zandi released a study which argued that the Republican spending cut plan would cost jobs. I am sure Mr. Zandi is a nice enough person, but in recent years, he hasn't seen a spending increase he didn't like. He was the Democrats' go-to guy when they were looking for an economist to endorse the stimulus, and he even endorsed a second stimulus package after the initial $1 trillion package was signed into law. So before my Democrat colleagues start touting Mr. Zandi's report, I suggest they look at his record on the so-called stimulus.

By merely debating spending cuts for the past few weeks, this body engaged in a process that many feared was obsolete. Some have said Republicans are trying to cut too much, others, that we are not cutting enough; and, indeed, we still have a long way to go to get our deficits and debt under control.

But what no one can dispute, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that we are serious about cutting spending. In addition to the $100 billion in cuts Republicans have offered over the next year, we have also made clear that our upcoming budget will include serious, commonsense entitlement reforms.

All of these efforts have one goal in mind: producing an environment conducive to economic growth and job creation. House Republicans are doing what we were sent here to do, and that's precisely what our job creators need: clarity and decisive leadership

from their government, not mixed messages and delayed action.

Offered By: Mr. Quayle

Amendment No. 224: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

I thank the gentleman from California for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 188.

I can think of no one more worthy of this honor than Judge John Roll. Naming a Federal courthouse after Judge Roll won't make the pain of his passing any easier for his family and close friends, but it will help ensure that his exceptional legacy and final act of heroism will never be forgotten. While the painful memories of the Tucson tragedy will eventually begin to fade, there will always be a John M. Roll United States Courthouse in Yuma.

Madam Speaker, John Roll's job was to look out for the people of Arizona. That's what a good judge is supposed to do. And John Roll was a great one. We've heard from friends and colleagues about how fair he was in the courtroom and how he worked to make sure that Arizona's judicial system--with its ever-growing caseload--was working efficiently for the people. And it was no surprise, Madam Speaker, when we learned that Judge Roll died while helping to save the life of Ronald Barber, one of Congresswoman Giffords' staff members. So even at the very end, Madam Speaker, Judge Roll was doing what he did every day before that--looking out for the people of Arizona.

For your service to our great State and this country, Judge Roll, we offer our deepest thanks. We will never forget you or the other good Americans who passed away on that terrible day.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2.

Last year, behind closed doors and against the will of the American people, the Democratic majority of the 111th Congress passed a bill that fundamentally changes the doctor-patient relationship. They passed a bill that will increase the cost of health care and explode our national debt. They passed a bill that expands the scope of government well beyond the parameters set forth in the Constitution.

The genius of our Constitution is that this document didn't set forth what the government must do for us, but rather what the government can't do to us. Requiring every individual to enter into a commercial contract certainly falls within the realm of what the government can't do to us.

The people in my district understand this, just as they understand that our health care system needs sensible, patient-centered reforms that will reduce costs and increase access. Unfortunately, the health care bill that was passed will increase costs and increase our national debt. Yes, those who drafted the bill tried to conceal the true costs from the American people. But if you look beyond the accounting gimmicks, that bill increases our debt by $701 billion over the next 10 years.

It is time to get our country back on the right track, and H.R. 2 is a necessary step to fulfilling that mission.

I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 32 and to honor the victims of the senseless act of violence that took place in Tucson on Saturday. All Arizonans and all Americans mourn the six souls that lost their lives. They will never be forgotten.

They were model citizens, actively engaged in their community and with their government, just chatting with their Representative on a Saturday morning.

Mr. Speaker, peaceful discourse and participation is a precious part of our society and one of the things that makes our country great. We must not allow an act of violence to inhibit the free exchange of thoughts and concerns.

The six that lost their lives died because they loved America. They wanted to be involved in the process. In recent days, we have heard their inspiring stories from family and friends. We shouldn't have to wonder what the future had in store for them. They are the friends, neighbors, and colleagues that our communities depend upon.

Mr. Speaker, we pray for our friend and colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. That she survived her wounds is a miracle but no surprise to those who know her and admire her spirit, determination, and conviction.

Congresswoman Giffords was attacked while doing her job to the best of her ability. She wasn't in an ornate congressional hearing room or on the floor of the House. She was back home on the sidewalk of a supermarket listening to the concerns of her constituents. That too, Mr. Speaker, is what makes this country great. That, too, must never change.

In our great State of Arizona, there is much to mourn after Saturday's tragedy. But make no mistake, there are also many things that elicit great pride.

We are proud of the brave civilian and professional first responders whose quick response time and decisive actions prevented more loss of life and greater injury. We are proud of the amazing work performed by the surgeons and the medical teams at the University of Arizona Medical Center, whose skill and expertise shined during trying times.

And above all, Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the six who perished and of Congresswoman Giffords, all of whom were simply doing their duty as good Americans: they as active citizens and she as their worthy Representative.