Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, unfortunately and sadly enough, this is a repeat of the political ruse where you wrap a flag and give a great name to legislation. The reality is it has very little to do with the threats China poses to the United States and the world.

There is plenty of common ground we could find to work on that big challenge, a huge threat. Instead, this is a misleading piece of legislation.

It is another legislative wagonloaded with the same tired, old, progressive policies: union giveaways; green energy subsidies; and unhinged--in my opinion--social policies and experimentation, like training our Armed Forces not to fight and win wars but to combat climate change and naming a chief diversity officer. That should make us safer and all sleep better at night with respect to China.

The Democratic Party, Madam Speaker, has been hijacked by the left, and they are willing to sacrifice America's prosperity, our security, and our global leadership on climate apocalypse now. I don't get it.

I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks), my friend and colleague from the Hoosier State.

Looking back over the last year under the leadership of this President and single-party rule, for a guy who wants my team to win, my team is not the Republican Party, Madam Speaker. It is the great United States of America. It is my children, quite frankly. Personally, it is my children who I want to inherit the blessings of liberty and opportunity in this great country.

That is our greatest calling, to hand this country back better than we found it, take on the challenges that face our country, work together to solve the problems, and make this a better, stronger, safer, more prosperous, more free Nation for the next generation. That has not happened, not even close, not even close.

I am disappointed to say that this President and his colleagues in the Democratic Party have absolutely failed our country. I didn't say they were bad people. In fact, there are many of them I would call friend and proudly. As a team elected by the American people to do the job I outlined, they have failed miserably. As we say in west Texas on Saturday morning after Friday night lights, when we are looking at the film, the eye in the sky doesn't lie. If you look at the footage, you watch the film, you can't help but see one self-inflicted disaster after another.

Madam Speaker, let's start with the tone and the promise to unify this country and its leaders, to usher into this Chamber and to politics and political rhetoric civility and unity. That is a big F.

This President, I would say, took more unilateral actions and, along with his Democrat leaders in Congress, have jammed through more partisan bills than they have worked together to address the issues facing this country. We are more divided today than we were.

If our Speaker, Ms. Pelosi, would actually focus on the things that would be required to prevent another riot on this Capitol, then you would have the Capitol Police and the Inspector General of the Capitol Police saying, we are better prepared than we were a year ago. We are actually less prepared today because there has been so much hyper- partisanship and so much political weaponization and theater than there has actually been real governing of our great country. So there is the tone which is failure.

The most important job of the Federal Government is to provide for a common defense. It is the safety and security of the American people. I know you have heard Chairman Banks. I am sure the remarks today have been replete with the debacle in Afghanistan and the sadness with which all Americans watched that. At the same time that they watched this needless, senseless incompetence, they saw America's credibility slip quickly, not only with our enemies but with our allies. I don't know if there was ever a time that the American troops packed up and left with Americans, our fellow citizens, crying out because we left them behind.

There is a litany of problems with what happened in Afghanistan. This President is ultimately responsible. He didn't listen to his advisors. People died. Our troops, we spent 20 years and trillions of dollars, we lost the lives of our sons and daughters in uniform to the tune of roughly 2,400. What do we have to show for it besides that embarrassment of a withdrawal?

I live in Texas. We are at ground zero with respect to the chaos at the border and the record number of people and crime activity and drugs that are powering into our country. This President has been derelict in fulfilling his sacred duty to uphold the law, plain and simple.

Worse, working with his Democrat colleagues in this Chamber, they have poured fuel on the fire that is burning out of control at the border by saying we will give you more carrots. We will create more incentives. We will turn the volume up so that people will come in by the millions with the offer of reparation, with the offer of citizenship, mass amnesty, the ability to vote in our elections.

You can't make this up, but this border crisis is real. The American people who live along the border feel like this President and their government has given up on them and has failed them. I would agree.

With respect to the economy, I know we had a tough job for all Americans and all leaders for both parties to get us up and out of the recession related to the pandemic. For this President and my Democrat colleagues, to put policies in place that incentivize people to stay at home rather than to go back to work, I am talking about enhanced unemployment policies. I am talking about welfare expansion without work requirements, actually a repeal of work requirements. To put massive amounts of government spending into the marketplace, it is no wonder that we are seeing runaway inflation in every corner of our marketplace and in every good and every service that our working Americans depend on.

The majority of Americans who live paycheck to paycheck have lost almost $400 a month on account of the real wage decrease because of inflation, self-inflicted, one after another, and the state of the Union is more fragile now than ever. It is less hopeful than it was 1 year ago.

I don't see any posture of change or relenting on the horizon from this President, even with these startling statistics and facts that are laid out plainly for everybody to see. I am not bashful to give blame or credit to either side when it is due, but this is a one-party rule. We haven't even talked about the crime spree, we haven't talked about the promises made and broken with respect to COVID, the authoritarian mandates in one breath and action and in another breath saying that we are going to work together and defer to States, this isn't a Federal solution. I am confused. I am concerned.

I have got to say 1 year in review is bleak and dismal. I don't say that with partisan glee, I say it with tremendous sadness and with profound grief over the opportunities lost in a backslidden country where we can do so much better. We have done better together. Republicans don't have all the answers. I don't have all the answers. But this has not been the great, strong, and constructive leadership that our Nation has seen in the past from, quite frankly, from both parties.

So I hope and pray, Madam Speaker, that this President will hear not my voice but the voices of the American people, the voices who cried out from the will of the people in Virginia where the We the People wave has begun, and that we will make changes, and that he will focus on the real needs; he will stop placating the left, which seems to

be the MO and has been for the last year, and start focusing on the priorities that are important to the American people and to working families: safer neighborhoods; a secure border; strong, effective, and respected military and law enforcement; real growth; real opportunities; real wage increases like we saw when we cut taxes; and just a better quality of life and better hope over the horizon for our children.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Banks for allowing me to be a part of today's Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man, a devoted father and husband, a selfless leader, and a legend in Louisiana real estate law.

Malcolm Meyer graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University, graduated from Tulane Law School, and then served 4 years as a JAG officer in the United States Navy.

Malcolm Meyer practiced law over 30 years, taught and mentored students as an adjunct professor, and he became a leading expert in his field, literally writing the book on real estate transaction law in Louisiana, the widely read and referenced ``Malcolm's Manual on Louisiana Real Estate.''

Malcolm has used his vast knowledge and expertise not only to better his colleagues and his profession, but to help the disadvantaged in his community. Most notably, following the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Malcolm spent countless hours of pro bono work protecting the property and belongings of the most vulnerable in his State.

He has been recognized over the years for his outstanding volunteer service by organizations, including Louisiana Appleseed Foundation, Louisiana Land Title Association, and the prestigious George Herbert Walker Bush's Points of Light.

On December 29, Malcolm was named the recipient of the 2021 Louisiana Land Title Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Strong countries and vibrant communities, Mr. Speaker, are not established merely because of good laws but because of good men whose hearts are devoted to the sum of all laws: Love thy neighbor as thyself.

That is Malcolm Meyer to his core, and I know that unequivocally, Mr. Speaker, because he is my father-in-law. I am so proud of him, and I want to congratulate Big Mouse and send our best. We love Big Mouse, and it is a well-deserved recognition.

Recognizing Don McBeath

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding west Texan, a great partner in delivering rural healthcare solutions, and a dear friend, Don McBeath.

Don is retiring from his role as director of government relations for the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, what we refer to as TORCH, where he has been a champion for over 150 rural hospitals since 2007.

Prior to his time with TORCH, Don blazed the trail in telehealth by serving as the director of telemedicine and rural health at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Before that, he served as a judge and several years in the DA's office.

I wish Don and Beverly all the best as they move into the next chapter of their lives. I thank Don for his friendship and his tremendous contributions to rural west Texas.

Congratulating Cash Patten and Berkley Waters

Mr. Speaker, rodeo is not just a sport; it is a way of life and a heritage in the Lone Star State. I am pleased to see this time-honored tradition is being kept alive by the next generation of Texans.

I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of two outstanding west Texans, 9-year-old Berkley Waters of Lubbock and 12-year-old Cash Patten of New Home. Berkley and Cash, two great cowboy names, recently competed in the barrel racing finals in the Junior World Finals rodeo in Las Vegas.

West Texans are known for being hardworking, tough, and undeterred. Cash and Berkley have these qualities, Mr. Speaker, in spades. Their commitment to these virtues and their craft has allowed them to perform at the highest level and on the biggest stage in their sport.

I want to congratulate Berkley and Cash for all their hard work and what they have been able to accomplish at a young age.

God bless America and go west Texas.

Madam Speaker, Unfortunately, I did not participate in the following votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 409, and YEA on Roll Call No. 417.

Mr. Speaker, I was reported as no, but I intended to vote yes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 437.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Baird (Walorski)

Barragan (Gallego)

Bass (Brownley)

Buchanan (Waltz)

Courtney (Hayes)

Crist (Soto)

Cuellar (Green (TX))

DeFazio (Brown (MD))

Fallon (Gooden)

Fulcher (Johnson (OH))

Garamendi (Sherman)

Granger (Cole)

Guthrie (Barr)

Hagedorn (Carl)

Hice (GA) (Greene (GA))

Higgins (NY) (Connolly)

Huffman (Levin (CA))

Kim (CA) (Pfluger)

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lesko (Miller (WV))

Lofgren (Jeffries)

Loudermilk (Fleischmann)

Mfume (Evans)

Moore (UT) (Carl)

Napolitano (Correa)

Nehls (Cawthorn)

Newman (Garcia (IL))

Payne (Pallone)

Posey (McHenry)

Porter (Wexton)

Reschenthaler (Meuser)

Rush (Quigley)

Sires (Pallone)

Smith (NJ) (Van Drew)

Smith (WA) (Kilmer)

Speier (Thompson (CA))

Strickland (Meng)

Swalwell (Gomez)

Underwood (Casten)

Veasey (Neguse)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Young (Spartz)

Amendment No. 25 Offered by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate my friend, Mayor Anthony Williams, on 20 years of excellence in public service to the Key City, Abilene, Texas.

Mayor Williams has grown up, received his education, and raised his family in the Key City community his entire life. Anthony has dedicated his life to public service and has had a tremendous impact on the community that he dearly loves.

Mayor Williams' record reflects that he believes that a thriving community stems from a free and responsible citizenry, strong faith and families, and a growing economy.

A big country, west Texas thank you, Mr. Speaker, to his wife, Lynette, and their four children for their sacrifice for giving him the leeway to spend time in the community and make Abilene a better place to live for all of us.

I thank Mayor Williams for being a great friend, brother in Christ, and partner in our public service venture for liberty and prosperity for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Anthony. God bless him and his family. And go West Texas.

Madam Speaker, these CRs, these fits and starts of prioritizing the Nation's resources and allocating these resources so we can run the people's government, are inefficient at best, they are dysfunctional, it is disgraceful, it is pervasive, and it is a structural issue that both Republicans and Democrats have to solve ultimately. I am trying to be fair about this, because I have seen this happen when Republicans have been in charge, in all fairness.

I think the difference this time in the life of our country is that my Democrat colleagues have been distracted while trying to pass a massive tax-and-spend bill. It is the largest expansion of government and the largest tax hike. It is the biggest transfer of wealth. It is a lot of things, and they ain't good.

Meanwhile, we are just totally punting on managing our budget. Three years in a row, my colleagues have not put forth a budget.

What I would like to see us do, to fix this for both sides, is to consider when we are talking about CRs and the debt ceiling and we are putting on display for the entire world how dysfunctional we are with respect to budget and appropriations, is that we would actually put forward bipartisan reforms like enforceable spending caps. Those are gone after this year. How about paygos and CutGos that are actually enforceable so that we force Congress to do what everyone else in the country does, which is live within their means.

There is a whole list here. Debt targets; no budget, no recess. How about we stay here and celebrate Christmas together and the holidays until we get a dadgum budget passed?

There are lots of bipartisan measures that I implore my colleagues to talk to their leadership about while I am talking to mine, so we can do something about it and not just keep this dysfunction going infinitum.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the great State of Texas for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I have said a lot about the disastrous effects of this gargantuan tax and spend bill on the heels of an economy that is sputtering on account of massive spending, which is driving inflation, and on the unemployment policies that have locked labor on the sidelines, and you have got vaccine mandates coming down the pike. This is the proposal from my Democrat colleagues and my friends.

What I can't understand, for the life of me, Mr. Speaker, is that in this bill, that is supposed to go after the inequity gap in our country, they have the largest spending program as a giveaway to millionaires from high-tax States like New York and California, $280 billion. There are special interest carve-outs. This looks like a Christmas tree of giveaways to political allies, unions, plaintiffs' attorneys, and media corporations.

That is all in this bill, Mr. Speaker. I plead with my colleagues: Relent.

Mr. Speaker, I can't for the life of me understand why my Democrat colleagues insist on passing this multitrillion-dollar monstrosity of a tax-and-spend bill that not only I, but the American people believe will be an economic and societal disaster on so many levels.

Mr. Speaker, the American people have spoken in countless polls and surveys and elections, not just in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey, but in my State of Texas where House seats have flipped from Democrat to Republican for the first time ever. As recent as last week, a Democrat changed parties to Republican because they cannot explain the current policies that are destructive to the ends of recovery and support the American people's freedom and our way of life.

They said as clearly as they can: No more Big Government control over our lives. That is what they said in Virginia. No more socialist spending our country into bankruptcy. No more growing the government at the expense of our freedoms and our children's future.

Mr. Speaker, Virginia, a blue State, one-third of the electorate said the economy was their number one issue. Biden won that by 10 points. They voted for a Republican Governor. Two-thirds of the American people in recent polls have said that the Biden economic plans are bad and they have no confidence in his policies. They connect his policies with the current economic conditions. The majority of Americans attribute the inflation to Biden's failed policies, just like they do the disastrous border and the debacle in Afghanistan and in the generic ballot. The generic ballot among registered voters, there is a 10-point spread, if the elections were held today, between Democrats and Republicans. That is the highest in 40 years ever recorded.

The American people are speaking and they are crying out to their country's leaders: Relent. Relent. But they have made the connection between the policies and the disastrous effects in their lives and in the life of their country.

Enhanced employment benefits, in other words, paying people more to be on unemployment than to be at work, coupled with wasteful partisan multitrillion-dollar spending packages under the guise of COVID relief have created an economic firestorm, runaway inflation.

Real wages, 7 of the 9 months this President has been in office, have gone down. Real wages have gone down. There has been an inflation surge to the point of double-digit inflation in the last month, which have put us, over the year, at a 30-year high.

Gas prices are up 50 percent. We are almost a million jobs short of what President Biden promised as a result of that blue State bailout that he called COVID relief. This is the solution that the Democrats are offering.

Let's raise prices even more and lower wages by taxing the American people.

Let's further extend our recession by chasing jobs overseas and putting the highest tax rates in the developed world on the job creators of the United States of America.

Let's burden small businesses with higher taxes and less people willing to work.

Let's drive labor participation further down by removing the work requirement.

Let's trap more people in poverty and the cycle of dependency on government by removing the incentives to work.

Let's wipe out 20 or 30 percent of the workforce by thrusting a Big Government mandate that is unconstitutional, overreaching, and would destroy any prospects for recovery.

Mr. Speaker, this was supposed to be about income inequality, but if you read the tax bill--and I don't know how my progressive colleagues can look the American people in the eyes with a straight face and say that this is not a swampy, special-interest package of the century, because they have tax breaks for the wealthy by raising the SALT deductions. They give tax breaks to green industry, to unions, to plaintiffs' attorneys, to media corporations. That is all legitimate. That is all true.

If you look close enough, that is what this is about. Not to mention they stuffed the stocking with early Christmas presents for progressives and political allies of the Democratic Party--amnesty for 8 million people while our southern border is melting down; unionization of every employee, every employer, every State in the country; Obamacare subsidies for people making hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Mr. Speaker, the list is too long. I implore my Democrat colleagues to relent and stop this. Let's get back to work on behalf of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a trusted leader in Lubbock County and a man I am blessed to call a dear friend, Sheriff Kelly Rowe.

Sheriff Rowe was recently elected by his peers to be president of the Sheriff's Association of Texas. I can think of no better Texas lawman to represent the character and noble calling of the law enforcement profession, and the central tenet of a free society, law and order, than Kelly Rowe.

Sheriff Rowe served in the United States Army and the Texas National Guard. He has been part of the Sheriff's Department since 1999, but he has been our sheriff for the last decade.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, law enforcement in Texas is under tremendous strain as they work to protect our citizens and secure our southern border, which is in complete chaos as a result of our Federal Government's failure to defend our country and our President's failure to uphold the laws of the land. As unprecedented numbers of crime, drugs, and gangs pour through our open border, our law enforcement officers have never been more important to the safety of our neighborhoods and our families. Sheriff Rowe is a leader among his colleagues and the Lone Star State is safer and stronger as a result of his service.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank his lovely wife, Nola, and their family for sharing Kelly selflessly with our communities. Law enforcement, as you know, is a family commitment. It is a family sacrifice.

So congratulations to Sheriff Rowe on this great honor. We are incredibly grateful for his service. We are extremely proud of his leadership contributions to West Texas and beyond.

God bless the men and women in blue. God bless America. And go West Texas.

Congratulating Bryan Mudd

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bryan Mudd on 20 years of service at KAMC, which is a local television station there in Lubbock. Bryan's dedication to keeping the citizens of Lubbock and the surrounding area informed about what is happening at home and across this country has been invaluable to West Texas.

Bryan and his wife, Sherry, are both servant leaders who go above and beyond their work to give of their time and talents to support many causes and multiple non-profits in our community. And I know their fellow West Texans and I am deeply grateful for their efforts.

I have always appreciated Bryan and his commitment to excellence in journalism and his unwavering dedication to bringing timely, fair, and balanced news to the people of West Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent Bryan and his family in our Nation's capital.

God bless Bryan, my dear friend. Congrats, and go West Texas.

Mr. Speaker, before my commentary on this disastrous border self-inflicted by this administration, I want to speak on behalf of my fellow Texans.

I think I can say this with confidence: They welcome the immigrant, the God-fearing, freedom-loving immigrant that wants to make this country their home, pledge allegiance to our flag, embrace our ideals and improve even our way of life.

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the immigrant, but only if they respect our laws, our sovereignty, and the safety of our fellow Americans.

Since January, this administration has created an unprecedented and unmitigated crisis at our southern border. They have repealed every effective measure that was in place to stop the flow of illegal Americans and to secure the border. They have willfully disregarded the Constitution and its mandate on the people's government to provide for the common defense.

Our President has failed to faithfully uphold the law, to fulfill the sacred duty to enforce the laws of the land. They have completely ceded control of our border and the sovereignty of this great country to paramilitary drug cartels. They have enriched, empowered, these narco terrorists at the expense of the vulnerable migrants who take this dangerous trek and, most importantly, at the expense of the American people, our families, our children.

Mr. Speaker, this administration has intentionally opened up our border to a flood of human trafficking, unprecedented drug smuggling, and a record amount of crime and gang activity. There is no apology for it. There is no recognition of it. There seems to be no sign of changing the posture and policies of this administration. There is no accountability. They are not committed to detaining and deporting.

Mr. Speaker, they are catching and releasing, there is lawlessness, chaos, and a border beyond recognition. This central tenet of catch and release has not only rewarded illegal immigration, but it has dispersed this crisis beyond our border to every State in the United States, making every State a border State.

Since March, 160,000 illegal immigrants have been released into the United States. This, in addition to almost a half a million got-aways.

Mr. Speaker, I recently learned that folks who were being detained, illegal immigrants, were being released into neighborhoods in communities in my district. They couldn't tell me how many. They couldn't tell me where they came from. They couldn't tell me who was going to follow up, when they would show up for court. They had nothing. They could confirm, however, that there were people being released, illegal immigrants, into our communities who were COVID positive, and some who had criminal records. Nobody notified. Not me, not our governor, no local officials--just releasing folks.

Meanwhile, this administration is mandating and insisting on vaccines and public health protocols, but letting folks just stream into our country. They say one of every five illegal immigrants crossing is COVID positive, and so there is this public safety threat of another surge inundating our hospitals while they force their policies on the American people in this regard. Shameful.

And there has been an exponential increase in criminal aliens apprehended at the border. These are folks who have committed a crime on our soil who have crossed back over--four times as much criminal activity, criminal aliens.

Mr. Speaker, the numbers are startling: 348 percent increase in criminal aliens convicted of DUIs coming back to the United States; 454 percent increase in criminal aliens convicted of drug possession; 477 percent increase in robbery, theft, burglary; over 200 percent increase in sex offenses, and over 1600 percent increase in criminal aliens who have come over to our country and committed murder.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of a remarkable young man named Luke Siegel, who inspired so many with his strength of spirit and will to live in the face of tremendous adversity.

On July 28 of 2015, Luke suffered severe brain damage as a result of a tragic golf cart accident that changed his life forever and left him immobile, lifeless, and even without the ability to speak. Doctors said, Madam Speaker, that he would stay in that condition as long as he lived.

But, through the love and support of his family, the prayers of our wonderful community, and the relentless and tenacious fight that Luke brought every day, he defied all odds and the diagnoses of numerous doctors, recovering to a life no one believed was possible.

Sadly, on August 19, our hero and west Texas warrior, Luke Siegel, went home to be with his Heavenly Father. Luke is survived by one amazing family: father, Tim; mother, Jenny; and sisters Alex, Kate, and Ellie.

Madam Speaker, Luke never gave up. He was a symbol of hope for people throughout the country whose families have struggled with the challenges of traumatic brain injury. Luke is an inspiration to us all to live every day to the fullest and never give up no matter what the circumstances.

I am confident that Luke Siegel heard those beautiful and sweet words of our creator and Lord of heaven and Earth.

Madam Speaker, Luke fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith. May Luke enter into his eternal rest. God bless Luke Siegel, coach, your family, and God bless west Texas.

Recognizing Nancy Liles

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of an outstanding lady, Nancy Liles, who recently retired after an illustrious 36-year career as executive director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ms. Liles' passion for hospitality embodies the spirit of west Texas and has made Abilene a thriving tourist destination where visitors feel right at home.

West Texas is known for its friendliness and hospitality, and Ms. Liles has exemplified these attributes in her service to our community and the Key City.

Abilene, Texas, is a warmer and more welcoming place because of the leadership and service of Nancy Liles. We wish Nancy well as she spends more time with her family and continues to be a champion for the Big Country in Abilene, America. God bless, and go west Texas.

Recognizing Mindy Patterson

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding west Texan, Ms. Mindy Patterson.

Mindy has served the city of Abilene for three decades, from her start as an entry-level accountant to her current position of deputy city manager.

This year marks her 30th year of service for the city of Abilene, and her colleagues know her as a servant leader and a tireless worker who will do anything for her beloved community.

The city manager, Robert Hanna, describes Ms. Patterson as somebody who is, ``simply indispensable to my leadership team.''

I am grateful to Ms. Patterson for her service to Abilene and look forward to even more successes from her in the future and for our great city and community.

God bless Ms. Patterson, who is keeping the wheels turning out in west Texas. And go west Texas.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to be present for one of Wednesday's votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 319.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding, and he almost got there--the food, fuel, and fiber capital of the world in West Texas. But we are proud to be partners with our friends in Oklahoma who produce a little oil and gas and a little food and fiber themselves.

But the gentleman from Florida is exactly right. I don't think that there is enough Democrats to support this gargantuan tax-and-spend bill on the American people because it would be their political death warrant, quite frankly. Because they represent people, working families, who will no doubt feel the burden. Even the most liberal tax policy experts say that the corporate taxes, in large part, will be borne by working families with lower wages and higher cost of goods and lower benefits.

That is what taxing American job creators will do, as well as run those jobs right back to overseas where we brought millions back when we cut taxes. We will ruin America's competitive position, and we will no doubt be in a far worst situation than we are today, with runaway inflation, with labor locked out by foolish policies to pay people more to be on unemployment than to be at work.

This is the largest tax bill, the largest spending bill, the largest expansion of government, the largest redistribution of wealth in the history of the United States of America--in the history.

And part of this bill--and it is hard to know where to end and begin because the Democrats have had sort of a shock and awe strategy where it is hard to unpack all of the disastrous provisions--but they expand the welfare system in this country and trap millions more people on government dependency. And they will trap generations in a cycle of poverty because of new cash entitlements without any regard for personal responsibility or work requirements.

The refundable child tax credit is exhibit A. It is half a trillion dollars in its current temporary form. But I guarantee you, if it goes into place, in any form, it will be made permanent. It is over a trillion dollars, and people will be paid cash per child with no regard for their ability to work, their responsibility to look for a job. Work-capable people with no responsibility.

This will also enact the green new economic disaster. This is a climate alarmist utopian fantasy that will break the bank of our American coffers. It will ruin our economic prospects of recovery. It will certainly undermine, if not flat out destroy, America's energy independence and give the keys to China in terms of the future global economic leadership.

But what is not discussed enough, because Democrats claim in their rhetoric that this is a tax on the rich; this is a tax on corporations. Well, first of all, the facts are, out of the 1.7 organizations, job creators organized as C-Corps, $1.4 million are small businesses. Small businesses in their proposal would be death by a thousand tax increases and mandates and regulations; marginal tax increases; a cut in the small business deduction; you have Obama surtaxes.

Madam Speaker, in 41 States, small businesses under this proposal will pay more than 50 percent of their income to the government. On top of that, they have expanded powers for regulators like OSHA to increase their penalties upwards of 500 percent, increase their Fair Labor Standards Act penalties by 900 percent, empower regulators to fine small businesses upwards of $700,000 for not enacting, implementing the Biden vaccine mandate.

Madam Speaker, to my friend from Oklahoma, this is riddled with horrible provisions, and to suggest that small businesses get a pass is more than disingenuous. Again, in addition to the tax increases, they have got mandates on government-approved retirement plans. They will be forced to unionize their workforce; taxpayers will subsidize union dues; unions will be able to funnel billions of dollars to Democrat organizations.

So in addition to the progressive wish list part 2, after ``COVID relief,'' in addition to amnesty and citizenship for people who came into this country illegally, they have got a whole list of goodies for their union buddies and bosses, not the least of which is Americans get a higher tax break if they buy their electric bicycles and electric vehicles from unionized corporations.

So this is a parade of horrible policies. It is an economic disaster. And as we unpack it, I hope and pray that the American people and our colleagues on the Democrat side of the aisle will do the right thing for our country and keep America in that pole position for future prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, to answer my friend's question about would we do this again on tax cuts, the answer is absolutely.

We grew the economy. We created jobs. We lifted 6 million people out of poverty. And guess what--2 years in a row, we have record revenues in the Treasury coffers to bring down our deficits and our national debt, which by the way, is the greatest threat to this country and the prospects of our children inheriting the blessings of liberty and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, but instead of putting that as the central issue of debate today, we are here--we flew from all over the country--to vote to raise the debt ceiling, but it is buried in a bill that has family violence, nursing mothers, protecting old job applicants. I don't know what costume party I have arrived at here in Washington, but Halloween has come early here because nothing on this rule bill says, ``debt limit.''

It has nursing mothers--I know that my Democrat colleagues want to be involved in every facet and phase of the lives of the American people, including nursing mothers, but the reality is, we are broke. Our budget process is completely dysfunctional. We ought to be talking about spending caps, no budget, no recess, debt targets; things that we could work together on to actually get on a sustainable path to fiscal sanity.

But instead, we bury a debt ceiling vote--which is what this is--in a rule bill about family violence, older Americans, and nursing mothers. I mean, that is the most Washington shuck-and-jive thing I have seen in a long time. What deception. What swampiness.

Mr. Speaker, that is why the American people can't stand this institution, and they certainly can't trust this institution to do the people's business.