Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

Had I been present I would have voted ``Aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 6 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1004), ``Aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 7 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1015), ``Aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 8 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 991).

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 and on the morning of Wednesday, December 16, 2009.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 971 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 894); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 972 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 1517); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 973 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3978); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 974 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 971); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 975 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 2194); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 976 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 150); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 977 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1472).

On December 16, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 978 (on agreeing to H. Con. Res. 223, providing for the sin die adjournment of the first session of the 111th Congress); ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 979 (on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 973); ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 980 (on agreeing to H. Res. 973; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 981 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 160).

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor during the week of Monday, December 7, 2009, to Friday, December 11, 2009.

For Tuesday, December 8, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 931, on motion to instruct conferees regarding H.R. 3288; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 932, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to Con. Res. 199; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 933, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 206; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 934, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 940; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 935, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 845; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 936, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 2278; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 937, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 915; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 938, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 907.

For Wednesday, December 9, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 939, on ordering the previous question to provide for consideration of H.R. 4213; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 940, on agreeing to H. Res. 955); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 941, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3951; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 942, on motion to table appeal of the ruling of the chair regarding H.R. 4213; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 943, on passage of H.R. 4213; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 944, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 3603; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 945, on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 956; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 946, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 86.

For Thursday, December 10, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 947, on ordering the previous question to provide for consideration of the Conference Report to H.R. 3288; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 948, on agreeing to H. Res. 961, which provides for consideration of the Conference Report to H.R. 3288; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 949, on agreeing to the Conference Report to H.R. 3288; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 950, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4017; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 951, on agreeing to H. Res. 962; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 952, on agreeing to H. Res. 964, which provides for consideration of H.R. 4173; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 953, on agreeing to the Frank amendment No. 1 to H.R. 4173; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 954, on agreeing to the Sessions amendment to H.R. 4173; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 955, on agreeing to the Lynch amendment to H.R. 4173; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 956, on agreeing to the Murphy (NY) amendment to H.R. 4173; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 957, on agreeing to the Frank (MA) amendment to H.R. 4173; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 958, on agreeing to the Stupak amendment to H.R. 4173; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 959, on agreeing to the Stupak amendment to H.R. 4173.

For the morning of Friday, December 11, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 960, on agreeing to the Kanjosrki amendment to H.R. 4173; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 961, on agreeing to the McCarthy (CA) amendment to H.R. 4173; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 962, on agreeing to the Peters amendment to H.R. 4173.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Monday, December 14, 2009.

Had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 969 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 779), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 970 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 942).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert G. Kiggans of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and fellow alumnus of the Citadel, for a lifetime of distinguished leadership and service to the citizens of our State and our country. From his early days as a cadet at the Citadel to his current position as chief operating officer and president of the South Carolina Research Authority's, SCRA, Federal Sector, Bob has led an exemplary life and maintained a steadfast work ethic. His contributions to South Carolina and the United States in the fields of advanced computer and data technologies, program and technical management, manufacturing technologies, and command and control systems is recognized internationally. He is the embodiment of what makes America strong.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the Citadel--where he excelled in both academics and athletics, achieving All-Time Lettermen status as a member of the men's basketball team--Bob earned his master's degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Upon graduation, Bob served his country as a navigator on B-52 model aircraft with the United States Air Force, operating from bases in Southeast Asia. He also directed advanced computer technology programs for the Air Force Strategic Command, SAC, including the development of a multi-million dollar automated executive information system, as well as other assignments. Having served his country with distinction, Bob retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. After his military experience, Bob served as the deputy director of the Information Science and Technology Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, assistant for program integration with the Department of Defense Joint Program Management Office. In addition to the foregoing achievements, Bob was appointed by the Department of Commerce to serve as head of the U.S. Delegation to the international Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Steering Committee and worked as a research fellow with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

After serving his country in both a uniform and civilian capacity, Bob entered the private sector where he has worked for a variety of companies and nonprofit corporations including Cincinnati Electronics and the first president of the Advanced Technology Institute, ATI, a world leader in distributed technology management and affiliate of his current employer, the South Carolina Research Authority. Since its establishment in 1983, SCRA has fostered entrepreneurial development, introduced technological advancements, and supported countless industry leaders and small businesses throughout South Carolina and the Nation.

Through hard work and dedication, Bob has made significant contributions to our country's information technology and manufacturing technologies. His distinguished leadership and service has been invaluable, and for this I applaud him. His dedication to his family, friends,

and colleagues should stand as an example of what we should all hope to be. I join Bob's colleagues at the South Carolina Research Authority, the citizens of our State, and his wife, Penny, his daughters and grandchildren in commending Robert G. Kiggans for his lifetime of service to South Carolina and this great Nation. May God bless them all.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 and Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

For Tuesday, December 1, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 911, on motion to suspend the

rules and agree to H.R. 3029; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 912, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 727; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 913, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3667.

For Wednesday, December 2, 2009, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 914, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 494; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 915, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 129; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 916, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 861; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 917, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 897; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 918, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3634; ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 919, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 515; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 920, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 197; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 921, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 1242; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 922, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3980.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 and Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

For Tuesday, November 17, 2009, I ask that the Record reflect that had I been present I would have voted ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 892 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3360), ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 893 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 842), ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 894 (on approval of the Journal), ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 895 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 891).

For Wednesday, November 18, 2009, I ask that the Record reflect that had I been present I would have voted ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 896 (on agreeing to H. Con. Res. 214, which provides for a conditional adjournment of the two Houses), ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 897 (ordering the previous question on the Rule for H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009), ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 898 (on agreeing to H. Res. 909, which provides for consideration of H.R. 3791), ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 899 (on agreeing to the Perlmutter Amendment to H.R. 3791), ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 900 (on agreeing to the Flake Amendment to H.R. 3791), ``Aye'' on rollcall vote No. 901 (on passage of H.R. 3791).

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Monday, November 16, 2009.

Had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 889, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1314; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 890, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3539; ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 891, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to HR. 3767.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Monday, November 2, 2009 and Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Had I been present on Monday, November 2, 2009, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 832 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 1168), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 833 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 291), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 834 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 509).

Had I been present on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 835 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to HR. 3949), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 836 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 398), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 837 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H Res. 866), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 838 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 867), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 839 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3157), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 840 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 736).

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

Had I been present on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 841 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 884), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 842 (on agreeing to H. Res. 884, which provides for consideration of H.R. 3639), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 843 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 858), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 844 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 839).

Mr. Speaker, this bill is a massive government takeover of our health care.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong opposition to this so-called Democrat health care reform package.

I do believe health care reform is necessary. However, what this looming health care legislation essentially amounts to is a Government takeover of the health care system, which will result in devastating consequences for families and small businesses across the country.

This massive Government expansion will cost nearly $1.3 trillion, which is offset with job-killing tax increases. Small businesses will be hardest hit by these tax increases, which will total to a staggering $729.5 billion. This will be especially devastating in my home State of South Carolina, where small businesses represent 97 percent of the State's employers. According to the Heritage Foundation, 8,700 of South Carolina's small businesses will be required to pay this new, burdensome tax.

Currently, my State is trying to recover from a recession that has swept the entire country. South Carolina is struggling with double digit unemployment rates. This legislation will place unnecessary burdens on our small businesses, which will result in even more job losses. However, my State is not the only area that will be affected negatively by this legislation.

Today, it was announced that our Nation's current unemployment rate is 10.2 percent. With our national unemployment rate at a 26-year high, why are Democrats pushing for a Government takeover of health care which will only stifle job creation?

Furthermore, as a firm believer in the sanctity of life, I am appalled by provisions in this bill that allow for the Government funding of abortions. I adamantly oppose allowing any Government funding of abortions because it endangers the lives of unborn children across the nation.

Since I oppose this legislation, I tried to find ways to work with the majority to illustrate my concerns with what I believe is a reckless bill. However, when I tried offering amendments my efforts were declined by the Democrat-controlled House Rules Committee.

This is a broad sweeping bill that will have ramifications on our economy and Government solvency for years to come. Since health care is in need of reform, I would have liked to work with the Democrats so that we could approach health care reform in a bipartisan matter--so that we could create solutions that are in-line with most Americans' opinions.

Mr. Speaker, people across this Nation are scared and they are in need of leadership. Many are worried that they will not be able to keep their current coverage, and they should be. In South Carolina, some studies estimate that up to 178,889 individuals could lose their current coverage.

They are in need of comprehensive reform that does not harm the economy and actually facilitates a system that will keep our citizens healthy.

That is why I support the Republican alternative. This Republican plan fixes our country's health system in a creative way that requires less Government involvement and taxes. Furthermore, this plan results in zero job losses, zero medicare cuts, and zero tax increases.

We in Congress should be working together to achieve real reform-- making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans without dramatically expanding the Federal Government and imposing billions of dollars in taxes on American families and businesses.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the House passed version of the Conference Report 111-316, to accompany

Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose this so-called Democrat reform package. I know and I believe that health care reform is necessary. However, the looming health care legislation will only hurt American families and have devastating effects on our Nation's small businesses, especially like the ones in South Carolina.

This massive government expansion will cost nearly $1.3 trillion, which is offset by job-killing tax increases. Small businesses will be hardest hit by these tax increases, which will total a staggering $730 billion. This is especially troubling in South Carolina, where small businesses make up 97 percent of the businesses there.

According to the Heritage Foundation, 8,700 South Carolina small businesses will be required to pay this new

burdensome tax. This will surely result in more job losses in my State, where unemployment right now, Mr. Speaker, is 11.6 percent.

Please, colleagues, stand with me and fight this government takeover of our health care.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Thursday, October 22, 2009 and Friday, October 23, 2009.

On Thursday, October 22, 2009, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 798 (On ordering the previous question), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 799 (on agreeing to H. Res. 846, which provides for consideration of H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 800 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 797), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 801 (on Agreeing to the Broun (GA) Amendment to H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 802 (on Agreeing to the Kaptur Amendment to H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 803 (on Agreeing to the Klein (FL) Amendment to H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 804 (on Agreeing to the Titus Amendment to H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 805 (on Agreeing to the Heinrich Amendment to H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 806 (on Agreeing to the Himes Amendment to H.R. 3585), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 807 (on passage of H.R. 3585), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 808 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 175), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 809 (On ordering the previous question on H. Res. 853), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 810 (on agreeing to H. Res. 853, which provides for consideration of H.R. 3619), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 811 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 836)

On Friday, October 23, 2009, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 812 (on agreeing to the Kratovil amendment to H.R. 3619), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 813 (on passage of H.R. 3619).

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 772 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to HR. 3689); ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 773 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to HR. 3476); and ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 774 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 659).