Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise because I am concerned about the direction of this country and the fundamental and proper role of government.

I still remember reading and seeing the old films and seeing President Kennedy stand up and say, ``Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,'' and yet we seem to be moving in the wrong direction.

The furnace, the engine that is the United States of America, what makes America so great are the entrepreneurs, that entrepreneurial spirit. It is the American people who grab hold of things and make things happen; and yet at every turn I look and I see government getting in the way.

As I meet with entrepreneurs, as I meet with people who own businesses and employ people and have jobs, they don't sit back and say, boy, I wonder what the government is going to do to make my life better. The question that they ask is, what sort of hindrances are going to be in the way?

We've got to understand in this country that manufacturing is good; it's good to manufacture. We have to actually create and build things in the United States of America. We can't simply be a service-based economy. And yet at every single turn I see these radical environmentalists who want to get in the way and prohibit us from actually developing and creating something. I see this so-called cap and trade--I think it's more like a cap and tax, where we're going to simply tax our way out of our problems and say every piece of energy that we create in this country we're going to add a tax to it. That's not going to grow this country; that's not going to propel us forward.

We have created so many barriers to entry for the person who wants to start their own home-based business to the largest manufacturers that are in this

country. We have to empower these people, and that means getting government out of the way, creating life that's more simple.

Now, is there a role and responsibility for government to regulate certain things, for instance on Wall Street? Of course there is. Nobody has ever suggested that we just simply get rid of everything, but we have not streamlined the process.

Look, I'm a Republican. The President has said several things that I agree with, that I applaud him for--the ending of no-bid contracts, a push for earmark reform; he said he wants smaller government. I even like the fact that he put the Iraq appropriations into the base budget instead of these supplemental appropriations, and I applaud him for that. But it is imperative for the American people to hold their public leaders accountable for what they say they're going to do. I think that's all we ask. I've got a wife, I've got three kids. All I want them to do is I just want my kids to do what they say they're going to do.

And so when the President calls for appropriations without earmarks, and the very next day--the very next day--we get to vote on a bill with 8,500 earmarks in it, you just have to look at that and say, wait a second, the talk is good, but are we actually walking the walk? It's not yet happening.

We don't have time to wait anymore. We talk about smaller government. Well, we just passed the single largest spending bill in the history of the United States of America for $1 trillion--$1 trillion. We had just something like 13 hours to actually review it. Please, we have to be held accountable.

I'm a freshman. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the United States Congress. I didn't create this problem, but I am here to help clean it up. And for those of us that have been elected, entrusted by the people, the constituents within our districts, I say, please, hold us all accountable; raise expectations. It is not government, it is not government that is going to get us out of this; it is going to be the empowerment of the entrepreneur, it is going to be the empowerment of the American people that will drive and propel this country forward. It is always what has created the greatest success in the United States of America. It is the power that makes us the greatest country on the face of this planet. But we have to make sure that we keep government in check.

It's about smaller government, not bigger government. Please, I ask that we be united and fight for this cause, fight for the American entrepreneur. Keep government limited, keep it out of our way, and empower the American people.

Mr. Speaker, in the President's address to the joint session of Congress, he said unequivocally he was opposed to bigger government. Yet the President's budget does exactly the opposite. Big government is back and is bigger than before. Under the President's plan, the national debt will double to $20 trillion. We cannot sustain this; we cannot afford this, and we simply must say, ``No.''

The President said, ``If your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increase a single dime. I repeat: not a single dime.''

Yet the President's budget calls for significant tax increases that will be paid by every American, by 100 percent of us. Let us remember it is not the

government's money we talk about and spend. It is the American people's money. We cannot afford to continue to run this government on a credit card. We are going to have to do more with less, and that means finding ways to cut government spending.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

I am deeply concerned about the direction of this country. I know there are people out there that are suffering.

I recently had an opportunity go to the Payson City Chamber of Commerce and meet with small local business people. The Mayor was there, Mayor Burtis Bills, a wonderful gentleman. These people are all concerned about the economy. They all have their own businesses, from an auto repair shop, to a local flower business, to a home-based business that was just kicking off and won an award.

The direction that we're taking with our Federal government I believe is an impediment to the success of those people. As I looked them in the eye, I didn't have anything to tell them that the stimulus or this budget would truly help them with. This budget takes from the American people; it doesn't give more of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And fundamentally, that's what we here in the United States Congress are supposed to be doing. It's about who is going to control the destiny of our country.

I believe in less government. The President says he believes in less government. But when you look at the budget, it's more government, it's more government spending.

I'm mystified when they make the argument----

If the gentleman would yield.

You know, as we look at this, I liken it to a house. The furnace has gone out; it's the middle of the winter and the furnace has gone out. So what are we going to do? Well, we've been off redecorating the kitchen and we've remodeled the basement and we bought new drapes. We did everything except fix the furnace. And that furnace is the American entrepreneur, it's that man or woman who is going to start their local business. And you've got to look at the stimulus and say, what's in it for them? Less than 1 percent was tax cuts for that type of person, less than 1 percent.

We said we were going to build roads and bridges and rebuild America; yet only 3.4 percent of that stimulus actually went to those types of activities.

So I think you have to look at it through the lens of the American entrepreneur, the small businessman who's truly going to create that job. How are they going to grow their business from 10 to 20 employees? I visited with somebody in my office earlier today who had 64 employees. The question for us is how are they going to get to 100? And it's not more government. It's not funding these outrageous programs that are going to do nothing for that local entrepreneur.

Mr. Speaker, this week the people of Utah mourned the passing of a beloved community leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Larry H. Miller's life is an inspiration to all of us who care about families, our communities and our country.

Larry Miller was an extraordinary businessman, building more than 80 companies, including his auto business from one dealership in 1979 to 39 today. His business holdings expanded with the 1985 purchase of the Utah Jazz and later the Salt Lake Bees and the creation of the Miller Motorsports Park.

Perhaps more important than his business success was his charitable work, much of it unseen and anonymous. Through his Larry H. Miller Charities, Miller provided for thousands, funded campus sports facilities, and established a training center for entrepreneurs, as well as a facility for public safety training.

Larry H. Miller had a profound impact upon the State of Utah, and his works will continue to be a positive force in countless lives. I honor his accomplishments, his example, his philanthropy, and wish nothing but the best for his family, and hope they understand the deep gratitude Utah shares for a truly honorable man.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 110, congratulating the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XLIII and becoming the most successful franchise in NFL history with their record sixth Super Bowl title.

Mr. Speaker, the Steelers 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009, marked a truly historic moment in NFL history in several ways. The victory marked the sixth Super Bowl win for the Steelers, giving them more Super Bowl titles than any other team in the history of the National Football League. It also gave rise to a new nickname for the storied franchise that has many nicknames, ``Sixburgh.''

This is the first Super Bowl win for Coach Mike Tomlin, who became the youngest coach in NFL history to win the championship game. In only his second season as the Steelers head coach, he joins the ranks of other legendary Steelers coaches, Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.

This epic win came against a dangerous and surprising underdog. This is the first appearance in franchise history for the Arizona Cardinals. The unlikely Super Bowl contender shook off their reputation as being one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL. The Cardinals soared through the NFC playoffs, which ended with a convincing win over the heavily fortified Philadelphia Eagles.

In a game marked by miraculous receptions and tremendous plays, who could forget one of the most exciting, and longest, plays in Super Bowl history? With Arizona on the Pittsburgh 2 yard line, poised to take a 14-10 lead with 18 seconds left in the first half, Pittsburgh linebacker, James Harrison, the NFL's defensive MVP, picked off Kurt Warner's pass at the Pittsburgh goal line. Harrison rumbled and stumbled 100 yards for a Steelers touchdown and a 17-7 half-time lead.

While Pittsburgh largely outplayed Arizona for most of the game, the hopes of the Cardinals fans took flight when Kurt Warner hit receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a 64-yard touchdown pass putting the Cardinals up 23-20 with 2:37 left in the game. But those hopes came crashing to the ground when Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, engineered a 78- yard drive culminating in a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, who made a stunning, acrobatic catch with 35 seconds left to give the Steelers the lead and, after a stalled Cardinals drive, their historic sixth Lombardi trophy.

Regardless of who you were rooting for, this was widely regarded as one of the greatest Super Bowl games in recent memory, and the fans at home agreed. According to Nielsen Media Research data, the game had 151.6 million viewers, which made it the most-viewed program in television history.

With that, I would like to congratulate the owners of the Steelers, the great Rooney family, my colleague, Mr. Rooney, from Florida, the coaches and players as well as ``Steeler Nation'' and the legions of Terrible Towel waving fans in Pittsburgh and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the State of Florida (Mr. Rooney).

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Tim Murphy).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my distinguished colleague from the State of Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Illinois an additional minute.

None.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 110, and yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of this resolution, urging the support of the American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day.

In 1963, Congress required the President to proclaim February as American Heart Month in an effort to bring awareness and to urge Americans to join the battle against today's number one killer, heart disease.

Heart disease has and remains the leading cause of death in the United States of America. Its tragic grip encompasses men, women and children of every age and race in every State in our Nation. Approximately one in three adult Americans have one or more types of heart disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart disease.

There are currently 106 million Americans diagnosed with high blood pressure. A staggering 66 percent of adult Americans are overweight or are obese, and 43 million Americans are at risk for heart disease because of smoking. All of these lifestyles, among many others, have a direct impact on heart disease, therefore, making it imperative that we should sound the alarm and should remain supportive of heart disease awareness programs. By exercising regularly, by avoiding tobacco, by limiting the consumption of alcohol, by following a nutritious diet and by monitoring high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we can all work to decrease the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Although heart disease does not care what you wear, which is a slogan used by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as part of American Heart Month, February 6 is National Wear Red Day, a day when people across the United States wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness.

Studies show that women tend to receive delayed emergency heart care compared to men because their symptoms are less recognized; although, women account for more than half of the total heart disease deaths. There are currently a number of initiatives that are underway to raise awareness of the dangers of cardiovascular disease in women. However, the challenging work of promoting awareness continues as cardiovascular disease increases in the country.

While encouraging all citizens to take advantage of regular screenings and to consult their doctors about reducing the risks for heart disease, I am proud to do my part through the support of this resolution. It is also important that we support organizations such as the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and many other organizations that celebrate National Wear Red Day. American Heart Month in February is an effort to educate the public, to promote awareness and to fund the research of this serious disease.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of New York, Mr. Lee.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H. Res. 112. I congratulate my colleague, Mr. Lee, for his important work on this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

It is a personal honor, thrill and privilege to stand in this body at this time and to recognize such an American hero. I rise today to pay honor and

tribute to the life of Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, on the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Born in modest circumstances in Hardin County, Kentucky, this great man went on to have a profound effect on the life and times of this Nation for over two centuries. President Lincoln's service to his country began in 1832 when he served with distinction and was elected to the rank of captain in an Illinois militia company in the Black Hawk War.

After completing his military service, he was elected to the State legislature in 1834 where he served the citizens of Sangamon County until 1840.

In 1846, President Lincoln moved on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving one term before he decided not to seek reelection and return to the private sector as a lawyer.

Spurred by the turmoil that gripped the Nation after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, Mr. Lincoln decided to reenter the public arena, lending his clarion voice to the causes of liberty.

Notably, while addressing the opponents of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in Peoria, Illinois in July 1854, the then former Congressman Lincoln declared, ``No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.''

Four years later in 1858, Mr. Lincoln continued to be troubled by the practice of slavery, and wrote, ``As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.''

In the following year, in a letter to Massachusetts Representative Henry L. Pierce, Mr. Lincoln wrote: ``Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.''

Abraham Lincoln's views clearly resounded with the American people, and he was elected the President of the United States in 1860 during the national crisis that would ultimately lead to the Civil War in America. Abraham Lincoln's singular vision that the Union must be preserved guided this Nation through some of its darkest days. Reelected in 1864, Mr. Lincoln lived to see the end of the war and the abolishment of slavery.

Sadly, only 6 weeks into his second term, the President was shot and killed at Ford's Theater.

Two hundred years after he was born, this humble man of great courage and conviction continues to be one of our country's most beloved statesmen.

To this very day, he continues to symbolize through his writings and deeds the promises of liberty, equality, and humility first put forth in our founding declaration.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers at the moment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H. Res. 139.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of this bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building.''

Born on January 12, 1965, in Bibb County, Georgia, Yvonne Ingram- Ephraim--or ``Von'' as she was known by those close to her--was a generous and passionate member of the community.

Having grown up in Hancock County, she graduated from high school in 1982 before continuing her education at Macon Technical College. Driven by a desire to serve her country, she took time off from her education to enlist in the United States Air Force Reserve.

After basic training, she continued her academic pursuits at Fort Valley State College where she earned a bachelor's in home economics and a master's in elementary education. Her thirst for knowledge unquenched, in 1997 Von received her Educational Specialist degree in Elementary Education from Troy State University.

After graduation, she returned to Hancock County where she worked as a teacher and assisted part time at the family business, the Ingram Brothers Funeral Home, as a funeral director apprentice and staff member.

Always devoted to her community, Yvonne became active in politics through the Hancock County Democratic Executive Committee. In 1992, she became the first African American elected to serve on the city council and later served as Mayor pro-tem for the City of Sparta.

Throughout her life, Von nourished a tremendous connection to her faith. Joining the Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church at a very young age, she remained an active member of the church throughout her life. In December of 2000, Yvonne married the love of her life, Reverend Michael G. Ephraim, Senior.

Sadly, in April of 2007, Von passed away. This devoted wife, mother, and friend will forever be remembered for her loving generosity to those around her.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that the accomplishments and qualities of this wonderful citizen will not soon be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 663. I have no additional speakers.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 738. I appreciate the good work and the action of the Congress and believe that this act will actually encourage better government which our citizens certainly support.

I also want to thank the men and women who are serving in these prisons. They go underappreciated and, in my opinion, undercompensated. That's why it gives me so much frustration as I see the out-of-control spending that this Congress is willing to pass forward.

I read about $88 million for an ice-breaking ship in the polar region, and yet we're not taking care of the men and women who are there in the prisons protecting us against these criminals; $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. I just physically do not understand why this government, which is $10 trillion in debt, which already has a $3.1 trillion budget, a budget that over the course of the last 12 years has doubled, that there is not enough financial constraint because we need to take care of those men and women who are there protecting us in those prisons.

And while this act will go a long way to helping us understand what's happening within the system, I just am so frustrated and fed up with the Federal Government that cannot rein in spending as this so-called stimulus package has $400 million for the Centers of Disease Control to screen and prevent STDs--there does not seem to have the priorities in place that we need as a Federal Government--$75 million for smoking cessation activities.

Again, I think the American people demand limited government, fiscal discipline, which seems to be lacking in this Congress as the Democrats push forward, this liberal spending that we continue to see time and time again. $10 million to inspect canals? $10 million to inspect canals. I was actually glad to see a bill out there that actually had the word ``millions'' instead of ``billions.''

Now this bill, this act, that we look at today, H.R. 738, Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2009, will go a long ways to making government better, but please let's take care of the men and women who are serving us; and let's take get rid of this excessive spending, rein in spending. We can't be all things to all people, but let's make sure that we do those things that matter most to the American people and get rid of this stimulus bill and get rid of the excessive spending that does nothing but put us further and further into debt.

I congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). This is a great piece of legislation.

There are too many of our fellow citizens who don't feel the safety and security that the rest of America feels. They feel the weight of somebody watching them or pestering them. They are worried about that when they go to the grocery store, they are worried about that when they go to the gas station. There's a feeling that sinks in on you that all too many people recognize. And this will address the stalking component of it. It's something that I think the rest of America also feels when they look at our economy and what this Congress is failing to do. It's failing to be responsible with the people's money. It's not the government's money.

As we look at $10-plus trillion debt and a so-called stimulus bill that I think most of us recognize will not stimulate the economy, we can only look at that and recognize that it's our children and grandchildren that will be burdened with this debt. That they will have to pay it.

We are $10 trillion in debt. Last year, we paid $429 billion just in interest on that debt. And the people that I talk to, the people from Utah and from around the country that are peppering us with information and feedback, are absolutely fed up. They don't want to have that burden. And every time we spend a dollar, a dollar we don't have, and can't afford, we create a burden upon the American family.

$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. It will do nothing to stimulate our economy. Absolutely nothing. $650 million for the conversion to digital television, for goodness sake. We don't have the money to do that. $13 million for research related to volunteer service; $70 million for a support computer for climate research; $524 million to create, ``388 jobs in the United States'' through the State Department Capital Investment Fund.

Madam Speaker, while I rise in support of the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, I have to say that I have been reading the polls and I have been listening to the people who have called in. And they have come in from across the Nation. They do not believe because they know that this stimulus package that is moving forward will not grow jobs.

We want to spend $100 million to reduce the hazards of lead-based paint. It is time we do get serious about what is going on in this country. More government spending, deficit spending, is not the way to our future. It is absolutely not the way to our future. We are running this government on a credit card, and it is wrong.

The people can't live their lives on a credit card, and those who do are in trouble. It is a sinking, deep-seated feeling. And those of us here representing our States, we all care passionately about this country. Nobody has a monopoly on pride. Nobody has a monopoly on patriotism. We all want to do what is best for our country.

But I am also here to say that all of this spending is not the way we are going to solve our problems. When government comes in and picks winners and losers, there are too many people who lose.

I am a freshman here. I am first to tell you the Republicans who had the

House, the Senate and the Presidency, they blew it. But we also have to come to grips that it is this House of Representatives that over the last 2 years has controlled the United States Congress. They are the ones who have spent the money. They are the ones who have control. And there is plenty of blame to go around. The question is how are we going to move forward?

When you look down this laundry list, $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems, everybody knows that is not going to get somebody a job.

We need a game changer in this country. Putting more money onto our credit cards is not the way we are going to solve our problems.

This laundry list of things that passed this body and that the Senate is contemplating, $200 million for public computer centers at a community college is not going to grow our economy; $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas, probably a worthy project, but we have a $3.1 trillion budget.

There is $13 million for research related to volunteer service. We need a game changer in this country. We need to look at tax policy, and we need to look at those things that are actually going to grow this economy.

We have a $3.1 trillion budget in this country. We have offered stimulus packages. We have offered bailouts. Maybe the way to grow our economy is not to try to spend every dollar that comes before this body. It is the American people's money. It is not our money.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to comment about a growing concern among my constituents. They are concerned about our unwillingness to hold ourselves and others accountable.

As the Senate debates the $1 trillion stimulus package, my constituents are begging us to consider the consequences. Every American knows about consequences. They pay them all the time. But they're beginning to wonder if Congress knows about consequences. The continued commitment to deficit spending exacts a huge price upon this country. Yet, it is not nearly enough discussion about the consequences.

It's easy to ignore the consequences. It's easy to pretend they don't exist. It's easy to get caught up in short-term fixes that ignore long- term results. But we weren't elected to do the easy thing. We were elected to make tough choices. We cannot be all things to all people.

It's time to turn things around. If we're serious about change, we have to get serious about accountability.

I'm concerned that Congress has been sending the wrong message to the American people. Consider what they see on a daily basis. They see Wall Street exploiting people, breaking rules and ruining lives. For the offenders, the consequences are minimal. But there is a price. The American people get stuck paying it.

They see financial gurus allegedly ripping people off, and consequences are minimal. But there's a price and the victims pay it.

They see tax evaders nominated to serve the highest offices in our government and, oops, there doesn't seem to be much after of a consequence. But there's still a price. The American government pays it, as we undermine our own credibility.

Now the American people see a government spending trillions of dollars of borrowed money. Congressional leadership is telling them there won't be a consequence. But they know better, and so do we.

We need to join the President's calls to raise our standards. In his inauguration speech, the President said, ``Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held accountable, to spend wisely, reform bad habits and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between people a government.''

If we are truly going to restore that ``vital trust'' we must demand and expect accountability. We have to tell the American people the truth.

The American people know what happens when you borrow too much. They know what happens when you spend too much. And they're worried. They should be. And so am I.

Over the past 12 years our Federal budget has doubled and we are now more than $10 trillion in debt, with long term obligations close to $100 trillion. We are a Nation in debt. We have record numbers of individuals filing for bankruptcy.

Where is the self-restraint, the personal pride, the honor that is our heritage?

We haven't even passed the majority of the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2009. We are operating our government on an extension. Yet, the first priority of this Congress is to pass an emergency stimulus bill.

Last week, all the House Republicans and some brave Democrats voted against this so-called stimulus. I was and am fundamentally opposed because it does not solve the underlying challenges eroding our economy. We all want our economy to thrive, but the bill currently in debate in the United States Senate does not make the fundamental changes we deserve and we need.

The so-called stimulus was sold as a jobs bill. Tell me, how do the following expenditures drive our economy forward? $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, $150 million for the Smithsonian, $400 million for global warming research, another $2.4 billion for carbon capture demonstration projects, $600 million for the Federal Government to buy automobiles, $650 million on the top of the billions already doled out to pay for digital TV conversion coupons, $1 billion for the follow up for the 2010 census. And the list goes on.

We need a game changer. Massive spending bills do not represent change because it is merely more of the same. Setting aside money we don't have to pay for projects we can't afford is not change.

The economic crisis we face provides a historic opportunity for us to show America that we get it.

When I speak with business interests in my State, I hear the same request over and over, and it doesn't matter if it's a small business or a big business. From the sole proprietor who owns a graphics shop, to the trucker I spoke with that has 12 employees, to the medical device company that employs nearly 1,000 people in my district, the call is unanimous. They want us to demonstrate accountability. They want us to live within our means. They want us to quit borrowing from our enemies and taxing generations that are yet unborn.

This country needs a game changer. Let us understand the consequences, and let us live within our means.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise in support of this resolution.

Fiscal discipline, limited government, accountability, these are things that the American people demand and that we deserve.

It's interesting to me that we have a $3.1 trillion budget and somehow that's not enough to stimulate the economy. Our government spending is so out of control that we added since January, 2007, roughly $2.8 billion per day to our national debt. Certainly, if deficit spending was the way to our prosperity, we would be experiencing quite a revival.

It's not the way to succeed. Putting more money on the government credit card is not the way to succeed.

I have been opposed to the TARP. I wasn't around here to vote for it originally. I'm a freshman. But I can tell you the people I chat with are fundamentally opposed to this because it's fundamentally flawed. It will not solve the underlying challenges.

We need to look at debt. We need to look at tax relief. We need to look at the fact that manufacturing is good in this country, and we need ways to improve the economic atmosphere for manufacturing in this country. But throwing more money at it is not the way to solve this problem.

I appreciate the time. I would urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Foxx resolution.

Madam Speaker, some among us believe that government holds the keys to our prosperous future. Some have argued that only government can solve our challenges.

I beg to differ. Our freedom, our liberty, indeed, our ability to live as free people and thrive is directly proportionate to the limiting of government in our lives and in our pocketbooks.

We established a Constitution to ``secure the Blessings of Liberty.'' Our country was founded on the principle of limited government.

Let us not mistake the need for a more promising economic future as an

excuse to allow further encroachment of government in our lives. Let us seize this moment in time to secure our liberties by limiting our government. More government, more taxes, more spending of the people's money will not solve our challenges. Securing liberty will.

The United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the planet, but liberty, not bigger government, will allow us to prosper.