Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor from the bill, H.R. 1380.

Mr. Speaker, recently the President said this about our most recent new jobs numbers that were greatly disappointing: ``People and the markets are still skittish and nervous, and so they pull back because they're still thinking about the traumas of just 2\1/2\ years ago.''

Mr. Speaker, I want the President to know that American entrepreneurs and job creators are not looking to the past. Entrepreneurs and job creators by their very nature are looking to the future, and all they see, Mr. Speaker, is the perfect storm of uncertainty based on the President's fiscal policies: They see an EPA that is a hindrance--not a partner--in job creation; they see a nationalized health care that's creating uncertainty about health care costs and where that's going; they see a mountain of debt that continues to grow each and every day; and they see local bankers who aren't hiring local account executives to reach out to small business owners, but they're hiring those account executives to go out and look at regulations that are just continuing to pour down on our small banks.

Thomas Friedman wrote this in the New York Times this weekend; he said: The epidemic of uncertainty is one of the principal problems undermining U.S. job growth today.

We can do better, Mr. Speaker. Let's support and unlock the greatest job-producing engine the world has ever known: the American small business owner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important milestone in the history of an organization that has been a leader in the national effort in marine science education, conservation, and research--the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

Since 1986, the Aquarium has been educating our youth, saving the lives of marine mammals and sea turtles, and spurring economic growth in the region. During the past 25 years, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has attracted 11 million guests, including one million students, making it the Commonwealth of Virginia's most popular non- historical, nonprofit tourist attraction.

The Aquarium has been instrumental in educating our future generations with its unique experiences involving live animal displays, interactive science exhibits, marine science programs, the country's only interactive Seal Splash activity, and boat trips.

The Aquarium's Ocean in Motion vehicle has transported live marine animals to visit over 337,000 school students in 78 cities and counties in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee to offer hands-on activities related to watersheds and key ocean literacy concepts. The vehicle has also traveled to the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Commerce to allow federal workers to learn hands-on.

In addition to its education initiatives, the Aquarium leads the way in conservation efforts through its renowned Stranding Program by responding to marine animals along the East Coast and providing an impetus for numerous research projects on seals, dolphins, right whales and endangered sea turtles.

The Virginia Aquarium has been influential in attracting economic development to the region with winter whale-watching trips which result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct spending to the regional economy. Out-of-town tourists who visit the Aquarium spend more money and stay longer in the area. The Aquarium is a key partner in the resort area's master plan for the retail, cultural, maritime, and natural environment, serving as an economic engine for the region and the state.

Congratulations to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center on this 25 year anniversary and for the education, conservation, and economic contributions to the region. We all look forward to many more years of inspiring work.

Mr. Speaker, it is with pride and admiration that I offer my thanks and recognition to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman McKeon for yielding, and I rise in strong support of House Resolution 292.

I object to the U.S. military intervention in Libya, and my friend and colleague from Virginia actually has far more confidence in the intent and the purpose of the rebels than I do. I've heard in testimony in the Armed Services Committee from multiple top leaders in our country that we simply don't know enough about the rebels, and in my view not one single provision of the War Powers Resolution has been met that would legitimize the President's intervention in Libya.

Since President Obama announced the military strikes, Secretary of State Gates admitted that Operation Odyssey Dawn ``was not a vital national interest to the United States.''

This legislation, the Boehner resolution, reflects and meets the deep obligation we have to support our troops and to uphold the Constitution.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the participants of Virginia's Area 2 Special Olympics competition in Virginia Beach on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

These talented and hardworking individuals deserve our honor and our congratulations as they compete and use the skills they have worked hard to develop and finesse. My wife and I consider it a high honor to attend Saturday's event, and today, I want to acknowledge each competitor.

2011 Virginia Beach Special Olympics--Athletes

Daniel Alexander, Douglas Allred, Lara Amerson, Angela Anglen, Tyler Baird, Patrick Baker, Robert ``Drew'' Barnum, Tony Barrett, Kelly Bateman, Wanda Beasley, Scott Bedzik, Patrick Beil, Maggie Bell, Maggie Bellamy, Robert Bentley, Eddie Beslanovits, Katie Blind, Michael Borza, Brian Boyd, Scott Boyd, Catlin Boylan, Meghan Boylan, Jessica Boyle, Malcolm Boykins, Amy Bozeman, Kelly Bradshaw, Ronnie Bray, Charles Bryant, Ashley Buffington, Jason Buky, Barry Bunch--Emeritus, Matthew Burk, Jason Burnett, Daniel Boyter, Stephen Bradby, Lucius Brown, Tim Brown, Phillip Cabral, Richard Cameron, Anne Carey, Joe Carleaf.

Dianna Cashman, Randy Christie, Catherine Clayton, Mark Clowes, Dianna Cobb, Jay Coffield, Sharon Coffield, Chad Conner, Chris Cook, Samuel Corprew, Stephen Cox, Brian Cullipher, Collin Cunningham, Michael Daniel, Norman Derreberry, Michael Dickins, Claud ``CR'' Divers, Chandler Doebler, Kristen Dowdy, Neal Doyle, Kunta Drake, Nicholas Driscoll, Rachel Drake, Steven Durica, David Englin, Matthew Earnest, Sherie Elling, Edward Engelman, Samantha Errico, Richard Evans, Max Everton, Christian Felder, Lori Felts, Jackie Ferebee, Donte Fleming, Lynne Foster, Lisa Garrison, David Gaynor, Ross Goldman, Adam Golt, Brandon Gonzales.

Phillip Gonzales, Jada Goodson, Donna Gregory, Luke Grossman, Michael Hackforth, Eric Hardin, Vanessa Harmon, Christopher Harper, Alvin Harrell, Thomas Harrell, Jeremy Harwood, Wendi Harwood, Sherri Haunton, Daniel Haynie, Brian Heald, Patrick Hennessy, Rachel Higgins, Savannah Hinegardner, Marie Hock, Troy Hoeg, Timmy Howard, Jeffrey Hutton, Gavin Ingham, Elizabeth Jackson, Haley James, Elaine Jeffers, Kelly Jones, Kenneth Johnson, Kelli Johnson, Michael Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Hartley Jordon, Maya Jubilee, Christopher Kemp, Robert Klausmeyer, Sonia Knight, Heather Knapton, Ryan Knapp, Anna Kopf, Robert Lang, Tamara Langill.

Paul Lapke, Al Lassiter, Darlene Laurent, Joey Layton, Michelle Levine, Kathleen Lewis, Anna Llewellyn, Michael Loeb, Peter Lorts, Peter Luke, Jamie Lynch, Jose Maisonave, Dominic Marinello, Damon Martone, Mark Masiko, Jonathan Maurici, Benjamin Meade, Reginald Mercer, Sarah Mielke, Charlton Miles, Amy Miller, Joe Milligan, Korben Mishoe, Eldric Mitchell, Meredith Monahan, Stacy Monroe, Melissa Moore, Nathaniel Morell, James Morter, Jean Marie Murphy, Darrin Moaton, Nicholas Morton, Joel Myers.

Darryl McCain, Ian McCullough, Scot MacEachen, Jillian MacGregor, Michael McKay, Kathryn McLaughlin, Blair McLaren, Kate McLig, Thomas McMahan, Kelly Nolan, Melanie Norris, Eric Nunn, Douglas Oatley, John Orr, Darwin Peele, Hannah Peelen, Celeste Perry, Monica Perry, Patricia Phillips, Patty Piggott, John Polfus, Michele Pollard, (Helen) Page Powell, Grant Prakalapakorn, Sudan Ra II, John Ramsey, Rufina Ann Rector, Jeff Regan.

Amber Richard, Alexander Ripley, Tyler Robertson, Antonio Rodriguez, Cathia Romero, Cindy Romero, Jessica Rosengrant, Melissa Rowe, Errick Ruffin, John Russell, Brian Ryland, Theresa Salvato, Jennifer Savell, Katherine Schmidt, Michael Shank, Megan Shephard, Michael Shepherd, Timothy Sherman, David Simpkins, Kandie Skinner, Thomas Skinner, Andre Smith, Earl Smith, Jr., Ian Smith, Joshua Smith, Lamar Smith, Phillip Smith, Steven Smith, Hannah Spruill, Andrew Statz, John Steele, Colleen Stefonowich, Gretchen Stott.

Brooke Stowell, James Strickland, Charles Silfies, David Sutton, Brian Taylor, Donald Taylor, Raymond Taylor, James Thacker, Joshua Thacker, Travis Thereault, James Thomas, Michael Thornton, Stephen Todd, Julie Touhey, Raeleen Toupin, Harold Vanwart, William Velazguez, Timothy Voigtsberger, Alexander Ward, Stefanie Ward, Robert Webb, Todd Weeks, Melissa Weisbrodt, John Wells, Bryan Welker, Bruce Wielenbeck, Lynda Whedbee, Randolph Whitehurst.

Stephanie Whitlow, Jerri Williams, Dyshawn Williams, Jonathan Winfree, Savoyie Winstead, Vincent Woodhouse, Dylan Woodruff, Troy Green, Warren H. Lombard III, William Mason, Stephen Bradley, Reginald Turnage, Shekida Williams.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter a statement into the Record on behalf of my constituent, Dr. Israel Zoberman. Dr. Zoberman is the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is also the president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors.

Dr. Zoberman asked me to enter the following remarks into the Record regarding the 63rd anniversary of the State of Israel. Dr. Zoberman's statement follows:

The 63rd Anniversary of the State of Israel is celebrated

against the backdrop of the monumental eruptions of Biblical

proportions in the Arab world, further highlighting the

uniqueness of the Jewish state in the Middle East where the

historical Jewish people came to make a difference for the

entire human family, through its transforming gifts of the

spirit and unparalleled endurance.

The unfolding events make it amply clear that Israel is a

flourishing and enviable democratic oasis surrounded by a

vast wilderness that is crying for change. We are witness to

an amplified echo of the ancient Israelites' inspiring saga

of the Exodus, ironically from Egypt's House of Bondage,

instructing humanity through the ages to uphold freedom and

responsibility as non-negotiable divine gifts worthy of

sacrifice.

This most noble mandate of replacing degradation with

dignity is reverberating throughout a troubled and stagnant

Arab world that has for so long been lagging behind the

West's progress, suffering from long-standing neglect

manifested in poverty, illiteracy, and the lack of economic

and social mobility, under authoritarian rule of fear and

intimidation with corrupt leaders unaccountable for the

public welfare. All that is being challenged in a world

becoming an interconnected and interdependent global village

with sophisticated communication that can mobilize the masses

like never before.

However, there is a looming threat that extreme groups such

as the Muslim Brotherhood and Al Qaeda will take advantage of

the unrest for their own purposes, for they loathe a

representative democracy and the West as a whole, rejecting

the idea and presence of a Jewish state. After all, democracy

thrives best with well-developed democratic institutions

requiring time and experience, which rely upon progressive

education that respects and fosters human rights as well as

women's rights anchored in law.

The peace treaties that Israel established with both Egypt

and Jordan should be enhanced and fortified by responding to

Israel's yearning for closer cooperation in all endeavors in

a context of a``warm'' peace. This historic crossroads is an

opportune and urgent time for all Arab and Muslim states to

finally join Israel in peace to transform in tandem the

Middle East, that the cradle of Western civilization may be

renewed as a flowing source of Shalom's blessings. Let the

campaign cease to de-legitimatize and demonize the only

sovereign Jewish state in the world through economic and

culture boycotts, utilizing the twin evils of anti-Semitism

and anti-Zionism. The attempt to thus divert attention from

the Arab states' dire predicaments of bankrupt regimes has

pointedly proven fruitless and counter-productive.

It should be amply clear now that Israel is the only

democratic and stable ally that the United States enjoys in a

critical part of the world, through a special bond reflecting

shared values and commitments, and whose steadfast

preservation and cultivation is essential for both model free

nations with heroic legacies leading pluralistic societies.

In the present complex scenario Iran's dangerous role

should not be lost as it is poised to take advantage of the

transitional uncertainty of the Arab world. Iran's tyrannical

theocracy, whose leaders are Holocaust deniers, remains a

mortal threat to the free world, still insisting on acquiring

a nuclear capability to conclude what Pharaoh began and

Hitler almost accomplished.

Iran's proxy, Hamas, refusing to release Israeli soldier

Gilad Shallot who is both an Israeli and French citizen,

after more than five years in isolated captivity, the cold-

blooded murder of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar,

including an infant, the bombing in Jerusalem, and the

relentless rocket and mortar, also on a school bus, from

Gaza, do not reflect peaceful Palestinian intentions. Let

Hezbollah, Iran and Syria's proxy in Lebanon, know along with

all of Israel's adversaries, that the Jewish state will fight

to ensure that its divine promise of survival is never

withdrawn, even as it struggles for Shalom's sake of healing,

hope and harmony.

Thank you so much. I appreciate the gentleman yielding, Judge Carter, for your leadership on this topic and also Representatives Gohmert and Kingston for their leadership on this.

I will say this: As the son of an Iwo Jima veteran and as the proud father of a third-generation marine, it is deeply troubling to me that we are even having to discuss how and if our men and women in uniform are going to be compensated.

A failure of leadership, Mr. Speaker, has left us in this precarious position, and it is deeply troubling to me that we are having to address it tonight, the confusion that's out there. Just today, the White House said that military personnel would not be paid.

Now, Mr. Speaker, this is failed leadership. How could it possibly be that the message from our Commander in

Chief is that it's very likely if this shutdown occurs that our men and women in uniform would not be compensated?

This week, a senior Department of Defense official said that our troops would be paid for a week but not for 2 weeks. Just yesterday, the Pentagon spokesman said that the Department had not issued any direction to the services about implementing a shutdown. And he really skirted the question of how a shutdown would affect the pay of our servicemembers.

Mr. Speaker, this lack of clarity is not only unnecessary, it's unconscionable. Brave men and women--Americans--are around the globe, and they are putting their lives at risk fighting for our freedom and our way of life. I just got back from a trip to Afghanistan, and it's just unbelievable to think that a young corporal in Helmand province would have to speak or somehow communicate to his wife about whether he is going to get paid or not.

Our men and women in uniform deserve our unwavering support from this Congress. If our military is not paid, Mr. Speaker, I believe that Members of Congress and the Commander in Chief should not be paid, not one nickel. My office gets calls every day from spouses of our military. They are concerned and understandably so.

Let's be clear on this, Mr. Speaker. The genesis of this crisis that we're in is because the Democratic leadership last year had the Presidency, had the Senate and had the House, and failed to pass a budget. Not only was this a failure in leadership; I truly believe it's nothing less than an abdication of the responsibility that was entrusted to them by the American people.

So here we are debating last year's budget. And as a result, we have this climate of uncertainty. And as an entrepreneur, I know that it's holding back job creation. As a result, we are operating under a continuing resolution which each and every service chief has said is hurting the readiness of our military.

I truly believe we are a nation at serious and increasing risk because of our failure to manage our finances properly. Indeed, that is why I ran for this office. I am proud to be a Republican tonight because we have proposed a path toward fiscal stability that would keep the government open.

It has been pointed out, rightfully so, the Senate has failed to move on that proposal, preferring apparently to allow the government to close and not pay our men and women in uniform. That is not acceptable. We must achieve stability and funding. I stand ready to work with any Member on the opposite side of the aisle here, and I know my colleagues do as well.

This is so important. We must do what is right. The Senate must act. I truly believe that the House has met its responsibilities, starting with H.R. 1. We have worked every day to resolve this. We must pass a defense appropriations bill for the sake of our troops and our national security.

I encourage every American to let their Senators and our President know that they want our troops paid on time. I thank the gentleman for this time. I appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the single largest loss of members of the National Guard since World War II.

Ten years ago last week, the Virginia Beach community and, really, the entire country suffered a tremendous loss when 21 National Guard members perished when their helicopter crashed in southern Georgia during a rainstorm. Eighteen of those members were from Camp Pendleton's Red Horse Guard Unit in Virginia Beach, and it included my good friend Paul Cramer.

My constituent Elayne Schmuckler reached out to our office to share her brother's story. Richard's honorable legacy lives on today, as does the legacy of every guardsman who perished on that flight.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families today on this somber anniversary. The selfless service of their

loved ones and their service to our country will not be forgotten.

May God bless them and comfort them.

I thank my friend and the gentleman from South Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, as a business owner for more than 20 years, I know firsthand that excessive tax paperwork and compliance matters are already major expenses to our small businesses. And the new reporting requirements included in the health care law will substantially increase those costs. These new requirements impose yet another burden on small businesses forcing them to devote more resources to filing taxes instead of going out and doing what they do best, which is to create jobs.

You know, in Virginia alone, small businesses make up nearly 98 percent of all business establishments and account for----

No, I will not. The gentleman's question that he is persistent with is not germane.

And account for more than 75 percent of new job growth. And according to a study by the Small Business Administration, the cost of complying with the Tax Code is 66 percent higher for small businesses as compared to large businesses.

You know, these reporting requirements are a classic example of laws that are passed by people who have no clue what it means to go out and create a job and that put precious capital at risk. They're created, these laws, by people who have never met with a banker and have been told by a banker, ``No, I can't help you.''

So this bill, H.R. 4, is a step in the right direction to help our small business owners. I strongly urge my colleagues to stand with me in voting in favor of it.

I thank my good friend for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Forbes Joint Forces Command Amendment. The establishment of a combatant command requires a literal act of Congress. It follows, then, that the closure of a combatant command should involve thoughtful analysis that is shared with this body for comment. The closure of Joint Forces Command fails on that important count. Either no such analysis has been conducted or it is being withheld.

Mr. Chairman, the absence of data that supports the closure of a combatant command is simply unacceptable. Accordingly, this cost neutral amendment delays its closure.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of the Forbes Joint Forces Command amendment.

Mr. Speaker, when future generations look back at the 112th Congress, they should be able to remember us as the Congress that made the tough decisions that got our economy back on track and restored America to greatness. That's why I fully support the commitment to cut at least $100 billion from the President's budget. We're a country that is over $14 trillion in debt, which is placing every American, regardless of political party, at serious and increasing risk.

We're borrowing more than 40 percent of what we're spending, and my 2-year-old grandson is already $45,000 in debt. And to say that our spending is simply unsustainable, that doesn't quite capture in my mind the gravity of our situation.

To meet the deep obligation that we have to pass on to the future generations the blessings of liberty and freedom, we must act now and act decisively. That's why I'm here this morning to emphatically ask that this Congress, in this session, works together to find our way to $100 billion in cuts.

I thank my colleague from California.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution today.

We gather here to remember the innocent people whose lives were cut tragically short by the horror that unfolded in Arizona on Saturday. We also gather to honor and pray for our colleague, Representative Giffords, and the others wounded in that attack.

It was a real privilege for me to participate in the reading of the Constitution with Gabby, and I anxiously look forward to her return to the House floor.

Joined by so many in Virginia's Second District, I offer my heartfelt condolences to all of those affected by this

tragedy. I commend the citizens, the first responders, and the health care professionals who bravely worked to protect and save lives.

We are blessed to live in a country where freedom and the opportunity to peacefully assemble and petition our elected officials, even at a grocery store, is a cherished right. We uphold that right today, and we stand united in condemning this senseless act of violence.

My wife, Teri, joins me and all of this body in praying for those who lost their lives, for those who were wounded and their families.

May God bless America and bring peace to America.

Amendment 14: ``All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.''