Floor Statements

Only in Washington can we have the debate over how desperately New York and the U.N. needs $100 million, while simultaneously arguing that not giving that money to the U.N. would not result in any savings for the U.S. taxpayer. If money is vital in one account, how can it be worthless in another?

The truth is that CBO is restrained in its analysis; and because of those rules it is forced to observe, it reached the conclusion that having the U.N. repay the U.S. $179 million would have no impact on our balance book. How can getting $179 million from the U.N. not be counted as savings? Does any person who has ever balanced a checkbook believe this to be true? Of course not.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from California for hosting us out there recently at the Reagan library. What an inspiration it was to be at the Reagan library and to understand what President Reagan did and the man, Ronald Reagan, did for liberty, not just in the United States but also around the world.

Today, I join my colleagues in honoring one of my true heroes, Ronald Reagan. It's fitting that we pay tribute to Reagan during a time when conservatives are once again waging battle against dangerous and out- of-control Federal spending. President Reagan understood the dangers of government expansion all too well. In his famous ``A Time for Choosing'' speech, he called America to action because, ``If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last stand on Earth.'' This was our ``rendezvous with destiny.''

As we in the Congress who uphold Reagan's values continue toward that rendezvous with destiny, we should keep Reagan's thoughts about government at the forefronts of our minds.

As I walk the Halls of Congress, his words reverberate in my ears every day that ``man is not free unless government is limited.'' You have to wonder what Reagan would say to out-of-control government growth as we see in this administration.

I learned a lot about politics from President Reagan, and one particular quote has resonated with me about how we should live our lives. He said that ``We should not carry a banner of pale pastels but of bold colors which makes it unmistakably clear where we stand on the issues.''

I've always tried to live my life that way, so let me be bold today and say, in honor of President Reagan, I believe in God; I believe in the United States Constitution; I believe that government spends too much money, borrows too much money, and indebts the American people; and I believe that by protecting liberty in this country that our Nation once again will be a shining city on the hill.

When President Reagan spoke of that shining city, it inspired Americans to greatness. It inspired them to strive for something that is beyond comprehension at times. He spoke about a new day in America. I think that honoring President Reagan and remembering what he did inspires me as a Congressman and others to help us, once again, be a shining city for America, a shining city for liberty, a shining city for those who believe in freedom. Let us once again strive for a new day in America.

Thank you, Mr. Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a grassroots movement that is currently taking place all across our great Nation, the celebration of National School Choice Week. In many States across the country, events are being held to promote school choice as a commonsense idea that gives every parent the power and freedom to choose what's best for their children's education.

Here in Washington, D.C. we've seen the positive impact of injecting free-market principles into the educational system. While the previous Congress chose to decide against innovation, I sincerely hope this new Congress will see fit to remember that every child is important and that every child learns differently.

Across this Nation, we are seeing proposals for school choice expansion in places like Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Indiana and others. In my home State of South Carolina, I'm pleased to see that legislators in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle have introduced a bill that would give opportunity to all children in South Carolina to attend the school of their choice.

It is imperative that we empower parents with the ability to choose the best educational experience for their child, whether it is public, charter, private, or home school.

May God bless our children, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

The first time I stood on the floor to speak, I spoke to read the United States Constitution. Now I rise to defend this great document that I carry with me every day by advocating for the repeal of the unconstitutional health care bill, ObamaCare.

Let me convey the thoughts and feelings of the people from my home State, South Carolina.

To the last Congress I ask: Where in this document, the United States Constitution, or in the writings of our Founding Fathers leads you to believe that we as free Americans should not be able to choose and pick our own doctors? What leads you to believe that the government takeover of health care is even constitutional? And why didn't you listen to the millions of Americans who yelled at the top of their lungs that we don't need or want the government to be in control of our health care decisions?

I think it's time we return this House to the people, and we can start by repealing the job-killing, socialistic, and out-of-touch health care bill.

Madam Speaker, let me preface my remarks by saying I barely know Gabby. As a freshman Member of the House, I was sworn in last week with a lot of colleagues I hope to get to know over the coming days. But I rise today in concert with my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to express the sadness and grief that all in our country feel over the loss of life in Tucson this past weekend.

The citizens of South Carolina mourn with our Nation, and we lift up in prayer the family and friends of the victims in Arizona. Much of the coverage and attention has been centered around our wounded colleague, Gabby. My family and I join in praying for her healing, and for the others who have been wounded.

I also want to celebrate the lives of the six who were lost: 9-year- old Christina Taylor Green, an inspiration to us

all; Judge John Roll; congressional staffer Gabriel Zimmerman; Pastor Dorwan Stoddard; Dorothy Morris; and Phyllis Schneck.

While we mourn their loss, we also remember what they meant to their families, their friends, and to their communities. I join with all of my fellow Americans in honoring their lives and in praying that God's comfort may rest upon their families. May God bless them and may He continue to bless America.

``To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water; to raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years.''