Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in my congressional district, the unemployment rate is 17 percent; and in San Bernardino County, it's well above 14 percent.

My constituents need a bold plan of action, not more gridlock in Washington, D.C. They want us to come together and take action. The American Jobs Act provides a clear path forward to put our country back to work.

This bill contains bipartisan ideas that will put teachers, firefighters, first responders, and cops back to work right now, provide tax cuts that put money in the pockets of working Americans right now, give businesses job-creating tax breaks right now, and provide a boost to our economy right now. And this bill is fully paid for, not adding a dime to our deficit.

The Republican Party has supported these ideas in the past. It's time to put

politics aside. Let's come to the table and work together. The American people cannot afford to wait any longer. Let's act now. Pass this bipartisan jobs bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Sadly, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. I extend my prayers to the women and families affected by this disease, and my appreciation to the advocates at Susan G. Komen working tirelessly on their behalf.

The 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today are a testament both to courage, and the necessity to promote awareness for breast cancer, following recommended screening guidelines, offering treatment to those affected, and continuing to fund ground-breaking research. Early detection affords women the best chance of fighting this disease and we must understand the importance of regular mammograms and following recommended screening guidelines.

This October, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has launched the Promise Action campaign to increase breast cancer screening rates. Today Komen is the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world, but the organization started with a sister's promise to end the disease her dying sister was fighting. Breast cancer touches far too many families in my community and across the nation. We are all indebted to the Komen affiliates fighting every minute of every day for a world without breast cancer.

As a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, I know it is essential to do all we can in Congress to ensure breast cancer research is adequately funded. This is why I have introduced legislation that would reauthorize the sale of a special-rate U.S. postage stamp, with proceeds from the stamp funding breast cancer research. In 2007, Senator Diane Feinstein and I introduced legislation that was signed into public law by the President which reauthorized the stamp through this year. The Breast Cancer stamp has been highly successful in both raising tens of millions of dollars for important research, and raising public awareness of the ongoing need to fight a disease that affects millions of American women and their families.

On behalf of my wife, Barbara, and my children, we bestow our thoughts and prayers to those women and their families suffering from breast cancer. As we recognize October as NBCAM, we stand by all those affected by this disease. I will continue to work to raise greater awareness and promote new funding for research into breast cancer. I am hopeful that my colleagues, organizations like Komen, and families across the nation can come together to fight this disease. God bless the mothers, sisters, and daughters battling this disease, and their families for their love and support.

Mr. Speaker, the ``party of no'' is at it again. Republicans have been in the majority for 273 days, and they still have no plans to create new jobs. Now the Republicans are saying ``no'' to the American Job Act, with the majority leader calling this bill ``dead.''

But what are the Republicans really saying no to? They're saying no to helping small businesses grow and hire. They're saying no to keeping teachers in the classroom. They're saying no to keeping firefighters, first responders and cops on the job. They're saying no to building our crumbling roads, bridges and schools. They're saying no to cutting taxes for hardworking American families.

The American Job Act is a bipartisan approach with ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. We must stop this political game. The American people are suffering, and they need our help now. Let's all say yes to putting Americans back to work and pass this bipartisan agenda.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for H.R. 470, a bill for the allocation of power from the Hoover dam.

I thank my colleague from Nevada, Representative Heck, for sponsoring this important resolution.

I support this bill because it will ensure that many small communities in Southern California, including the community of Colton in my district, have access to cost effective power that is provided by a renewable resource.

Close to 4,000 homes in Colton are powered by the Hoover dam. The Hoover dam is one of our nation's greatest feats of engineering. It is a symbol of American ingenuity, and representative of the success that the Roosevelt administration had in putting our nation back to work during the Great Depression.

In a time when our country struggles with its dependence on foreign oil, the Hoover dam and the power that it provides shines as a beacon of what we are capable of in harnessing renewable energy. I commend the men who generations ago built this engineering marvel, and thank those today who maintain it for our benefit.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 470--and ask that they ensure the lights will stay on for millions of families in California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, the American people are hurting. They need our help now. It's time for Congress to step up to the plate and live up to our responsibilities. Let's do what is right for the American people.

The American Jobs Act contains bipartisan policies that both Republicans and Democrats have supported in the past. Economists across the Nation agree it will create jobs and give our economy an immediate boost. If we do pass the American Jobs Act, in my home State of California, over 700,000 businesses will receive a payroll tax cut, $3.9 billion in the infrastructure investment will create over 50,000 new jobs, and over 37,000 teachers and first responders will be saved from layoffs.

This debate is not about political winners and losers. It's about the struggle of everyday Americans. The next election is 14 months away. Let's come together and pass this bipartisan agenda.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans to the culture of the United States.

Today, Hispanics make up 16.3% of the total United States' population--that's nearly 50.5 million people.

Their buying power was $1 trillion in 2010, and is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2015.

Hispanic-owned business grew between 2002 and 2007 by 44%--and these businesses generated $345.2 billion in sales in 2007 alone.

Hispanics are involved with every aspect of our culture--from science, to sports, business, government, and the arts.

They will continue to contribute to our nation economically, culturally, and politically.

This is why it's vital to make the correct choices when it comes to immigration.

Here in Washington, we need a bipartisan effort to make comprehensive immigration reform a reality.

As Members of Congress, we must work for a stronger United States--a nation that recognizes diversity and embraces it.

Madam Speaker, I was absent from today's vote. If I had been here, I would have voted ``no'' on H.R. 2608, the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012.

Madam Speaker, last week President Obama laid out a plan of action to create new jobs and strengthen our economy. Now the American Jobs Act has been sent to Congress, and it is up to us to catch the ball and run it into the end zone.

The American people are suffering. They are in pain. They are hurting. They need and deserve our help now, not tomorrow. They don't need more excuses.

The American Jobs Act contains tax incentives, Federal incentives that will give our economy an immediate boost. Ninety-eight percent of businesses will have payroll tax cut in half. The new tax credit will encourage businesses to hire returning veterans, and 280,000 teachers will be saved from being laid off. New investments will help build our roads, our bridges, our airports and rail systems, and not the bridges to nowhere.

Let's invest in the American people and work together to build our economy. This is not about allowing President Obama a win. This is about the American people, people who need jobs now, and building our economy.

Let's work together. Let's help the American people who are suffering.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to raise awareness for prostate cancer and recognize the California Prostate Cancer Coalition (CPCC) for its outstanding efforts to fight prostate cancer. The CPCC is a coalition of health professionals, prostate cancer survivors and families, and support groups concerned about this disease across the state of California. I ask my colleagues to join me today to extend our appreciation for CPCC's work on behalf of the men and families affected by prostate cancer.

Until we find a cure for this disease, we need organizations like the CPCC. The men and women working in this organization educate the public, advocate for legislation and funding, and involve communities in the fight against prostate cancer. In my home state of California, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in almost every ethnic and racial group.

More men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in California than any other state. California also suffers from the highest number of deaths from this disease. I want to thank the CPCC today on behalf of the estimated 25,030 men who will be diagnosed with the disease across the state this year.

Sadly, 1 in 6 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed and deadliest types of cancer for men today. Every fifteen minutes an American dies from this disease and over 2.3 million men alive have a history of prostate cancer.

The early stages of prostate cancer usually show no symptoms and there are no self-tests. Early detection is the key to surviving the disease. The exact causes of prostate cancer are still unknown, but awareness allows men to make more informed decisions about their personal health. Organizations like the CPCC help educate men about prostate cancer and guide them through their fight with the disease.

On behalf of my wife, Barbara, and my children, Councilman Joe Baca Jr., Jeremy, Natalie, and Jennifer, we would like to bestow our thoughts and prayers to those men and their families suffering from prostate cancer. As we recognize the important work of California Prostate Cancer Coalition, we stand by all those affected by this disease. I would like to thank the health care professionals, researchers, and advocates who are working tirelessly to cure prostate cancer. I would especially like to recognize Dr. Manouchehr Lalehzarian for his commitment to this cause. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the California Prostate Cancer Coalition. God bless the fathers, sons, and brothers battling this disease, and their families for their patience and love.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on rollcall 690 due to the fact that I had reconstructive ankle surgery this morning. I needed to be put under general anesthesia for the procedure. Had I been able to attend today's floor proceedings, I would have voted ``yes'' on S. 365, the Budget Control Act of 2011.

Mr. Speaker, had I been able to attend today's floor proceedings, I would have voted ``no'' on S. 627--Speaker Boehner's Short Term Default Act.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans claim that they want to lower the government spending, but they sure have a funny way of showing it. First, they refused to compromise with the President on a proposal that would lower the deficit by $4 trillion. Now they refuse to compromise on a long-term plan that would result in meaningful deficit reduction.

Even after the stock market plunged yesterday, Republicans still refuse to compromise. Why? Because they're more interested in scoring political points and protecting the tax breaks for the ultrarich corporations that ship jobs overseas.

We must not balance the budget on the backs of our seniors and the poor by cutting Social Security and Medicare. We need a balanced approach. We need to work together. No taxes, no jobs.

Let's stop this dangerous game of chicken before we have an economic disaster. We must compromise, and it shouldn't be ``my way or the highway.''

Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, the Republicans in Congress campaigned on, Where are the jobs? Not spending cuts or living within our means, but where are the jobs. The Blue Dogs were the ones calling for responsible fiscal responsibility.

Then at the end of Congress last year, President Obama compromised with the Republicans, extended the Bush tax cuts in order to try to create jobs. This gamble did not create jobs. All it's done is extended the tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

We cannot play chicken and cause our Nation to default. We must lower the deficit with cuts to wasteful spending. But we can't balance the budget on the backs of seniors, the poor, by cutting Social Security and Medicare while continuing to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich and oil companies and those who make over $250,000 a year.

No taxes, no jobs. We must compromise. It can't be ``my way or the highway.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to pay tribute to the spiritual leadership and service of Reverend Arturo Gomez. I want to extend my congratulations to Father Gomez on his retirement on July 24, 2011, after over thirty years of priesthood.

Father Gomez has served our community with humility and compassion. He will leave a legacy of service and spiritual leadership that most people can only hope to strive for. Father Gomez has touched the lives of many people. I want to thank him not only on behalf of our community, but as a parishioner, for his service to the Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, in union with the diocese of San Bernardino.

Father Gomez's parents and faith in God have helped shape him into the man he has become today. Family has always been a central part of Father Gomez's life. He has said that after Jesus and Mary, his greatest role models of goodness are his parents. They are his heroes. His father, Auerliano, immigrated to the United States from Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico, and met his mother, Petra, in Santa Paula, California. Father Gomez is the third oldest of the twelve children the couple raised.

Father Gomez has lived a life of service to others. After graduating at the top of his high school class, he joined the United States army because he was grateful to God and his country for the aid his family received. Father Arturo trained and served as a medic in Europe. Once he returned home he continued to practice nursing to support his widowed mother and eight younger siblings. Father Arturo waited to enter religious life until the last of his siblings completed high school.

His diligence and steady faith allowed him to earn a Bachelor's degree followed by two Master's degrees. He was ordained into Priesthood on August 23, 1980. Father Gomez entered religious life at the age of thirty and will retire after over thirty years of humble service. Heeding the commandment, love thy neighbor, he has tirelessly advocated on behalf of members of his parish facing deportation.

Father Gomez is a beloved guide and Shepherd to our community. From performing the last rights, to ministering to his flock, he is there to offer a helping hand and his prayers along the way. He has served our community with unwavering faith in the good of humankind. On behalf of my wife, Barbara, and my children, Councilman Joe Baca Jr., Jeremy, Natalie, and Jennifer, we would like to congratulate Father Gomez for his leadership, service, and guidance. We will miss him and his special blessing that he bestowed to me and my family. May the Lord continue to grant him wisdom and watch over him.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, we passed one of the worst bills I have ever seen in my time in Congress.

The cut, cap, and default plan jammed through by the Republicans is not a real solution to our fiscal crisis. Instead, it threatens Medicare benefits, and it increases out-of-pocket expenses for seniors. It's just another example of special interests holding our country hostage to protect tax breaks for the wealthiest few.

It has been 28 weeks since the Republicans took control of the House, and we have not seen a jobs bill. Instead, we see a bill that makes seniors suffer while cutting taxes for the ultrarich and corporations that shift jobs overseas.

The Bush tax cuts for the wealthy have failed to create jobs. We need a balanced solution to go forward. No new taxes, no new jobs.

Let's work on a plan that solves our Nation's deficit without making our seniors and our middle class pick up the tab.