Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the people have spoken. They said stop the ridiculous spending, and with the YouCut proposal, they have said stop the ridiculous spending which incentivizes the wrong behavior and insults basic American values. Think about the old welfare system. Think about what it said in particular to the single mother out there. It said, Don't get a job, don't get married, have more children, and we will pay you more money. That's exactly the wrong kind of incentives you want to send in government policies, but that's exactly where the Democrats' proposal takes us back to.

Our amendment would change that. Our previous question would change that.

Democrats want to move back in the wrong direction. We think that it's completely the wrong way to go, particularly at a time, particularly at a time when we have a $1.4 trillion deficit, a $12 trillion national debt. It is the wrong thing to do.

You know, one of the things that makes our country so special, one of the things that makes America the greatest Nation in history is this simple little concept: parents make sacrifices for their children so that when they grow up, they have life better than we did. And when they, in turn, become adults and become parents, they'll do the same things for their kids. Each generation in this country has done that for the next.

Now we find ourselves with the policymakers, where the political class is making decisions that say spend now, focus on the moment, and send the bill to somebody else. And it is wrong. It is wrong to trap people in this welfare system. It is wrong to keep spending and spending. It is wrong for future generations of Americans, and that's why, Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question.

Where is the budget?

I thank the gentleman for yielding, thank him for taking the time to do this Special Order this evening on a critical, critical issue.

You know, April 15, by law, the Congress is supposed to have a budget resolution in place. We're supposed to have a document that actually places the parameters, sets the framework for all the spending that the Federal Government plans to do. And yet, here we are, 5 weeks later, still no budget. And, frankly, all the talk from the Democrats in Congress is that they're not going to do a budget resolution.

Look, families have to do a budget. Small business owners have to do a budget. Local school boards do a budget. Village councils do a budget. Mayors and city councils, States, everyone has to do a budget. But somehow the Federal Government, the biggest spender of money in the world, is not going to put a plan together.

Who'd have ever thought we'd see this day? I mean, think about this past year. Who would have ever imagined we'd see the things that we have witnessed from this Congress? Talk about a VAT tax, talk about a-- you know, a $1.4 trillion deficit. Did you ever think we'd see that in America, a $12 trillion national debt?

And again, the talk of not even putting a budget together.

Look, when the President--part of the reason I think the Democrats don't want to actually do that document and show the American people where they plan on spending their money is because the budget we got from the White House was so ridiculous. The budget from the White House that the President sent to Congress, sent to the Budget Committee, we heard testimony from the various Federal agencies. The budget they sent, by Budget Director Orszag's own testimony, was unsustainable because it ran deficits anywhere from 7 to 10 percent of GDP each and every year of the 9-year budget window. And so it's no wonder they don't want to deal with that document. It's no wonder they don't want to put together their own budget.

But, frankly, you shouldn't be able to take a pass. Families, taxpayers, business owners out there, they don't get to take a pass. They have to put their budget together, and the Federal Government should do no less.

You know, last year the RSC offered a balanced budget, a budget that actually got to balance. We're working on that document again. We plan to bring it forward. We plan to lay out there what a balanced budget looks like, what fiscal responsibility looks like. We plan to do what families and small business owners have to do.

So it's a troublesome day. It's a sad day today when we have here the Congress of the United States not doing their responsibility and not putting together a budget document.

I yield back.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I just want to pick up where the gentlelady from Tennessee was talking about. She says it's irresponsible not to do a budget. It most certainly is. Thirty-four days and counting. April 15, here we are May 19, 34 days the Federal Government hasn't done what the law tells us we are supposed to do in putting a budget resolution together. It is irresponsible, it is arrogant.

It is arrogant to not go through the markup, not have the debate, not have the hearings, not put that out there so the American taxpayer, the American family, the American small business owner can see how in fact this government plans in fact to spend their money.

But it is not just irresponsible, it is not just arrogant, it is immoral to do what this government is doing. It is just plain wrong to tell future generations of Americans, to tell our children and our grandchildren you are going to have to deal with a $12 trillion debt and counting and growing. You are going to have to pay that back. That is just plain wrong.

I mean one of the things that makes our country so special, one of the things that makes America the greatest Nation ever is the simple concept that parents make sacrifices for their children so that when they become adults they have life better than we did. And then they in turn do it for their kids, and each generation has done it for the next, and we get to be America, the greatest Nation ever, the highest standard of living in human history. And now for the first time we have the political class in this town telling the next generation, telling future generations, You know what, we are going to live for the now, we are going to spend for the moment, we are going to live for the moment, and we are going to send the bill to you.

It's not just arrogant and irresponsible; it is wrong. It is just plain wrong. This money has to be paid back. Way back in one of my first economics classes in college we learned a simple thing: There is no free lunch. You have to pay it back. Somebody's got to pay this back. And it shouldn't be put on the backs of our kids and our grandkids.

Think about where we are at today. And as we talked about the budget that the Democrats are proposing, the budget that the President sent to Capitol Hill makes matters worse. But where we are at today, we have to pay this year $200 billion just in interest on the debt. Within a couple years the interest payments alone will be a billion dollars a day. So it is not just arrogant and irresponsible, it is immoral. It is just plain wrong to do this.

That's why, because they are addicted to spending, they don't want to actually make cuts like we do in our budget. That's why they don't want to do this process. That's why they don't want to have a budget. And it is just, as I said, it is just plain wrong. And I appreciate the gentleman taking this hour to talk about this most fundamental issue, this most basic issue, and let people understand what in fact is really going on with their government today.

With that I would yield back.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to share positive stories about young people from my congressional district who overcome adversity. Today, I am pleased to share the stories of seven such individuals.

Nella Blackford, St. Peter's High School. Coping with many physical difficulties stemming from the effects of spina bifida and numerous surgeries, Nella is an inspiration to everyone at her school, where she participates in the volleyball and softball programs. She is undertaking an advanced placement courseload and was active in her school's spring musical.

Steven Broeske, Clear Fork High School. Steven has earned the respect of his peers and teachers for the selfless way he deals with cystic fibrosis. He prides himself on his independence and goal-oriented work ethic, carrying a demanding workload in the classroom and dedicating countless hours to his school's Future Farmers of America chapter.

Jackie Bucksbaum, Ontario High School. Jackie's positive attitude in dealing with a lymphatic disorder is a model to her fellow students, who admire her leadership skills. Although challenged recently by medical emergencies and some family-related setbacks, she maintains an aggressive academic schedule and plans to continue her studies at the University of Findlay.

Christian Lauber, Madison Comprehensive High School. Despite the physical challenges presented by cerebral palsy, which he has dealt with since birth, Christian is active in numerous sports. He also enjoys participating in his school's media and technology programs and plans to study business and computer technology in college.

Michael Lupo, Mansfield Senior High School. Michael has worked through many autism-related difficulties in recent years with the assistance of family members and his teachers. He excels as a mainstreamed student--especially in his mathematics and science classes--and routinely ranks in the top ten percent of his class.

Timothy Ritchey, Lexington High School. Tim was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma earlier this year and has been undergoing monthly chemotherapy treatments. Although he has missed many school days as a result, he has kept up-to-date on his studies and continues to work in his school's athletic department. Tim plans to study nursing.

Travis Stone, Crestview High School. In addition to his many academic achievements, Travis has amassed 73 career wins as a four-year varsity starter on the wrestling team--all this despite a birth defect that affected the development of his arms and hands. He received the 2010 Team Attitude Award and was ranked third in his conference.

Madam Speaker, the Rotary Club of Mansfield, Ohio, will present these seven students with the McGowan Courage Award on May 11. I am proud to join the Rotary in acknowledging their significant achievements and wishing them continued success in everything they do.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the outstanding contributions of Dr. DeBow Freed. Dr. Freed is departing the presidency of the University of Findlay after serving in that office for nearly seven years.

DeBow Freed's distinguished service is a shining example to everyone in the field of higher education. He is a 1946 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, to which he returned as a physics instructor at the conclusion of more than two decades of Army service. He also earned nuclear science and nuclear engineering degrees from the University of Kansas and the University of New Mexico.

He served as dean of Ohio's Mount Union College from 1969 until 1974, when Illinois's Monmouth College selected him as its president. At Monmouth, as would be true in his future assignments, Dr. Freed helped solidify the school's fiscal standing, increase enrollment, and strengthen ties between the campus and the local community.

In 1979, Dr. Freed was chosen to serve as Ohio Northern University's ninth president, a position he held for two decades. At ONU, he oversaw continual balanced budgets, bolstered the school's endowment funds, and supervised numerous renovation and construction projects--including the completion of a performing arts center that bears his name and that of his wife of 61 years, Catherine Moore Freed. Dr. Freed was elected president emeritus in 1999.

In 2003, Findlay's Board of Trustees invited Dr. Freed to accept the presidency on a temporary basis and assist in the search for a longer- term president. He quickly endeared himself to Findlay's students, faculty, and staff through his vision, integrity, and high personal standards. Because of his strong leadership and commitment to the school and the local community, the trustees asked him to remain in office.

The university has benefited tremendously from Dr. Freed's outstanding skills as a manager and educator. During his tenure, he has helped expand the school's academic offerings to include doctoral programs in pharmacy and physical therapy. He has overseen an increase in the number of full-time faculty members from 155 to 195. He is held in the highest regard by students, who appreciate his direct engagement with them and his dedication to their success.

Dr. Freed models the service to community that he encourages in others. He is a trustee of the Toledo Symphony and the Blanchard Valley Health Association, as well as a former chair of the Center of Science and Industry Foundation Board of Trustees.

Dr. Freed is insistent that he is not ``retiring,'' noting that retirement implies a departure. The students, faculty, and staff of the University of Findlay will never be far from his thoughts--just as he will never be far from theirs.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I offer my congratulations to Dr. DeBow Freed on a long and distinguished academic career. I wish him and his family every success as they move to a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, imagine this: The Democrats' health care bill will not reduce health care costs, but actually increase them. That's right. According to CMS, the costs will increase over $300 billion. It brings to mind Yogi Berra's line: this is deja vu all over again.

Of course, taxpayers and families knew this would happen. Any time you have a big government, Washington-based program, it always costs more than advertised. The CMS findings underscore what taxpayers and families across this country understand: we need to repeal this bill and replace it with the right kind of reform.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Elizabeth Trisler on winning the National Right to Life Committee's Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest. This contest offers young Americans the opportunity to speak on an issue of great importance to them and to our Nation--the right to life.

Public speaking is an essential skill and I commend Elizabeth for her eloquence and articulacy. Whether in politics, business, or education, the ability to speak with confidence is essential to success in the 21st-century world. Elizabeth's decision to use her ability in support of a great cause deserves the respect of her peers and elected officials.

I am pleased that Elizabeth is taking an interest in politics. It is always encouraging to see young Americans speaking out on issues important to them. Our democracy depends on engaged citizens exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. Her words should be a clarion call to a generation of Americans that life is a precious gift from God that we must all cherish and defend.

Elizabeth's achievement was recognized by the Ohio State House and State Senate, each of whom designated proclamations in her honor. Such an honor has become a tradition in my home State of Ohio, where honorary resolutions are presented at the beginning of sessions of the State legislature. Unfortunately, Elizabeth's recognition was delayed by partisanship and division.

Just 5 days before the award was scheduled to be presented, Elizabeth's State representative was informed that the House Speaker was cancelling the ceremony due to the political controversy surrounding abortion. This highly politicized decision sent the wrong message to our young men and women--that even in our legislative chambers, the way to deal with opinions with which we disagree is to ignore them.

After a 2-week controversy, the Speaker finally allowed Elizabeth to accept her award on the House Floor. I respect the Speaker's decision to withdraw his previously announced policy and allow for the significance of Elizabeth's achievement to be celebrated.

In conclusion, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing Elizabeth for her outstanding performance and having the courage to enter the public square and speak eloquently about one of the great moral issues of our time.

Mr. Speaker, who would have ever imagined in the greatest country in history we would see the things we have over the last year from the Democrat Congress and the Obama administration?

Who'd have ever thought we'd see a $1.4 trillion deficit? Who would have ever thought we'd see a $12 trillion national debt?

Who would have ever imagined we'd have $670 billion and counting in new taxes imposed this year on American taxpayers, including taxes on the middle class?

And, now, who would have ever imagined coming soon to you and your family, a value added tax?

How bad does it have to get before we stop the madness, before we stop the excessive spending, the excessive borrowing and the excessive taxation?

Mr. Speaker, today, on tax day, the American people get it. Hopefully, soon the Democratic Congress will.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit.

I am.

Mr. Speaker, I have a simple motion that every American can understand. It says: Stop the out-of-control spending until we balance the budget and get our fiscal house in order. People are worried. They are worried about what this Congress is doing to their children's futures, and rightly so.

This year, the Federal Government will take in $2.1 trillion but will spend $3.6 trillion. Let me say that again. It will take in $2.1 trillion and spend $3.6 trillion. Only in Congress does that math make sense. That's like a family

making $50,000 a year but spending $80,000. If that were your family, Mr. Speaker, making 50 and spending 80, you'd do something about it. You'd cut back. You'd tighten the belt. You'd make responsible decisions. But not this Congress. No, not this Congress. This Congress is spending like there is no tomorrow.

This year, the Federal Government will run a deficit of at least $1.4 trillion. That's 10 percent of GDP. Any economist in the world will tell you that deficits shouldn't be more than 2 or 3 percent of GDP.

What are we spending money on today? Estuaries. That's right. Estuaries. Most Americans have probably never heard of the term.

With our Nation over $12 trillion in debt, borrowing money from China every day to pay our bills, taking in $2.1 trillion, spending $3.6 trillion, record deficits as far as the eye can see, not dealing with the energy crisis, not dealing with the entitlement crisis, replacing freedoms with mandates, replacing private-sector growth with 16,000 new IRS agents, what are we spending people's money on today, on Tax Day? We are spending it on estuaries, a massive increase in funding for estuaries.

Mr. Speaker, come on. Americans are taking to the streets all across the country today, Tax Day, dumping tea in the harbor and standing up against Congress, which is bankrupting their country. What are the Democrats offering them? More spending on estuaries.

Mr. Speaker, before Congress even considers doubling the funding for this program or any other nonessential spending, we must first balance the Federal budget and begin paying down some of the money we borrowed from China and other countries. Estuaries can wait, Mr. Speaker, but fiscal responsibility cannot.

All this motion says is to keep the spending at what it was last year. After all, a lot of families, a lot of taxpayers, a lot of small business owners have been living on last year's spending levels, maybe even something less.

I would ask my colleagues this, Mr. Speaker:

How bad does it have to get before we can begin to take that modest first step and say maybe estuaries can get by on the same amount of money they were on last year? That's all this motion says. All this motion says is let's just keep them where they were last year.

A ``yes'' vote on this motion tells the people you represent back home, the people who are paying their taxes today, who elected us and entrusted us to protect their hard-earned money: Yes, I agree that Congress must set priorities. Yes, I agree that we should forgo such increases until the budget is balanced. Yes, I respect you, the taxpayer, enough to say that I can hold the line on spending even if it means only $35 million for estuaries this year.

Mr. Speaker, I had a coach in high school who was a chemistry and physics teacher--the toughest teacher in the school and the toughest coach in the State. Every single day in class, every single day in the practice room, he would talk about discipline. He had a great definition. He said that discipline is doing what you don't want to do when you don't want to do it. Basically, that meant doing it his way when you'd rather do it your way. It meant doing things the right way when you'd rather do them the convenient way, the easy way.

Discipline is the quality we need in this Congress today. The easiest thing to do in the world is to spend money, particularly someone else's money.

Really simply, this amendment says: Let's have the discipline to say ``no'' to spending. Let's have the discipline to say let's do the right thing today. Let's not do the convenient thing. Let's hold the line on spending and treat taxpayers with a little respect on this day of all days. Treat them with a little respect.

I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the achievements of Louie Vito on his outstanding snowboarding performance at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Louie is a native of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and got his first snowboarding experience at Bellefontaine's Mad River Mountain. He credits his father, Lou, with helping to nurture his passion for the sport early on.

At age 13, Louie was present at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to watch American snowboarders capture the gold, silver, and bronze in the men's halfpipe competition. Inspired by their example, he dedicated himself to the sport, turning pro in 2005. He immediately made his mark in the world of snowboarding with a first-place finish in the superpipe at that year's Burton Australian Open--a feat he repeated in 2006.

His strong showing in Australia set the stage for many future successes. Louie won the 2008 US Grand Prix and was Grand Prix co- champion in 2009. This year alone, he won a bronze at the Winter Euro X Games, took second in superpipe at the US Open, and finished fifth in the halfpipe competition at the Vancouver Olympic Games. The people of

Bellefontaine and from across Ohio were proud to cheer on our native son at the Games, spellbound by his amazing runs.

An all-around athlete, Louie became known to millions more throughout the nation during his appearances on ABC's Dancing with the Stars last season.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I am honored to celebrate Louie's accomplishments, his dedication to sports, his integrity and work ethic, and his outstanding contributions to the Olympic tradition. We wish him all the best in his career, and look forward to watching him compete again in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Madam Speaker, I was absent from the House Floor during four recent rollcall votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Res. 1215, H. Res. 1222, H. Res. 1041, and H. Res. 1042.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Mr. Edward O. Elliott II for his dedication, commitment, and service to the restaurant industry as the 85th Chairman of the Ohio Restaurant Association. Ed was born in Mt. Victory, Ohio, the only son of five children. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where he earned a degree in industrial personnel management. Upon graduation, he served our country in the United States Army at Fort Lee in Virginia and also in Frankfurt, Germany.

When he returned from the service, he worked on his family's 2,000 acre farm and helped manage the family's restaurant, the Plaza Inn Family Restaurant. Under his stewardship, the restaurant has received numerous awards, including induction into the Restaurant Hall of Fame, the Best Family-Owned Restaurant in Ohio, and the ``Best Cream Pies'' and ``Best Breakfast'' by the readers of Country Living.

Prior to his 2-year term as chairman, Ed served the Ohio Restaurant Association as chair of its Education, Government Affairs and Political Action Committees, and as secretary, and vice-chairman. Ed follows in the footsteps of his father, Ed, who was chairman in 1972, and his sister, Joan, who was chairwoman in 1987.

In addition to being a restaurateur, Ed is currently serving as president of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and is a 2-term Hardin County Commissioner.

I would like to thank Ed, his wife Rosalie, their three children and three grandchildren, for their service to their community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield myself just a few minutes here and then yield to our colleague from Georgia.

Long-term care physicians deserve to be commended for their expertise and devotion to their line of work. As such, it is my great pleasure to support the designation of a day to honor their committed and faithful service to the population of truly needy individuals in our Nation. And so I support H. Con. Res. 244.

I would like to yield to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the State of Illinois, Congressman Shimkus.

(Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I recognize my distinguished colleague, Dr. Broun from Georgia, for 2 minutes.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the distinguished colleague from Alabama, Dr. Griffith, for 2 minutes.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to Dr. Gingrey, our colleague from Georgia.

Madam Speaker, I would just respond to the comments from the gentlelady from California that one group she left out was the American people. Every single poll done over the last year shows the American people don't want the health care legislation. She can name every group she wants--I am sure she has got a longer list-- but go talk to the American people. Time and time again, they have said they don't want this bill.

So while you have every special interest group that she wants to lay out there, that is fine. Think about it. They were going to pass this bill in September; the American people said ``no.'' Oh, we are going to pass it in October; the American people said ``no.'' We are going to pass it by Thanksgiving; the American people said ``no.'' We are going to get it done by Christmas, we promise; the American people said ``no.'' We are going to get it done by the State of the Union; the American people said ``no.'' And now, they are going to try to get it done by Easter.

What part of ``no'' don't they get?

So sure, there are all kinds of special interests who want this special deal, but the American people know what it is about, and that is why they are opposed to it.

And I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Madam Speaker, the gentlelady said the Federal Government won't be influencing the type of care Americans get. There is not a person outside this town who believes that statement. This is a 2,700-page bill, more boards, commissions, panels, bureaucrats between you and your doctor than you can imagine. No one outside of Washington believes that statement. Of course the Federal Government is going to be influencing the type of care you get. That is why it takes 2,700 pages of legislative language in this bill.

With that, Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Madam Speaker, can I inquire of the amount of time on each side?

We'd like to reserve, if we could, Madam Speaker, the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, if the majority party has additional speakers, in the interest of keeping time relatively equal, we would continue to reserve the balance of our time.

I would yield 90 seconds to a good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Fleming).

Madam Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to our distinguished colleague from Tennessee, Dr. Roe.

Madam Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues in recognizing the life and accomplishments of novelist Donald Douglas Harington and stand in support of H. Res. 1040.

Described by Entertainment Weekly as ``America's greatest unknown writer'' and by The Washington Post as ``one of the most powerful, subtle and inventive novelists in America,'' Mr. Harington's contributions to modern American literature deserve to be recognized and applauded by all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes at this time to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the State of Tennessee, Dr. Roe.

I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

(Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, responding to the last speaker, I will tell you who is unhappy, and that is the American people. They don't want this bill, and they have spoken loud and clearly about that.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and request that he may control that time.

Mr. Speaker, America has no truer friend than Israel. We stand together on freedom, on democracy, and on security. More importantly, America and Israel share the unique ability to trace our roots back to the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. Even before the days of King David and King Solomon, Israel has been the center of the Jewish tradition. Israel is a sovereign nation surrounded by sworn enemies determined to wipe it off the map. Yet Israel remains committed to freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I'm concerned about the recent counterproductive statements made by the administration that threaten to undermine America's 60-year relationship with Israel. Criticizing Israel for developing its land in Jerusalem is just plain wrong. Directing public demands and unilateral deadlines with Israel while Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons is beyond wrong. It is dangerous.

Mr. Speaker, if America is to be a superpower, we must remain steadfast when the political winds blow. If America is to lead the world, we must act as a true friend to our ally, the nation of Israel.