Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, this week, House Republicans will pass a balanced, responsible budget. Our proposal achieves balance over the next 10 years and will help small businesses create jobs.

Unfortunately, the concept of ``balanced budget'' is not appreciated by the President and Senate leadership. The President has called for reducing our nearly $17 trillion national debt, but actually it is increased taxes now with unlikely budget reductions in the future. Likewise, the Senate's budget proposal does not achieve balance but instead increases taxes to accelerate more government borrowing.

House Republicans understand the need for a balanced budget. By balancing our budget, America's small businesses will receive the economic certainty they need to create jobs. It is my hope that Senate leadership and the President begin to focus on balancing our budget, rather than continue to spend beyond our means and placing an undue burden on the backs of children and grandchildren.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, it is budget week in Washington. Today, House Republicans, under the leadership of Chairman Paul Ryan, unveiled the new budget.

Our Nation has racked up nearly $17 trillion in debt due to out-of- control government spending. In order to prevent our children and grandchildren from paying higher taxes with no results, House Republicans have found a way to balance our budget over the next 10 years by cutting wasteful spending, reforming our Tax Code to create jobs, preserving entitlement programs, and expanding opportunities for all Americans.

House Republicans understand the severity of the issue and are willing to work with the Senate and the President to balance our budget. I am very pleased that due to the passage of the No Budget, No Pay Act, the Senate will return to regular order and pass a budget for the first time in 4 years. I look forward to working with the Senate and the President to cut spending and make substantial job-creating reforms that will encourage small businesses to create jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, our national security was placed at risk when the President's sequester began implementation. Sadly, this nearly $600 billion budget cut was the third attack on our Nation's military. In 2010, the Defense Department experienced a $100 billion budget cut. And again in January 2012, President Obama removed $487 billion from our military in the annual budget.

Maintaining a strong national defense is a primary function of the Federal Government. Removing these resources so drastically places American families and our allies, such as Israel, at risk of future attacks. In fact, nearly half of all of the reductions in spending are on the defense budget, which is only 18 percent of the entire Federal budget.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I appreciate Chairman Buck McKeon's efforts that our national security not be sacrificed to fight our Nation's debt crisis. It is my hope that the President and Senate leadership will work with House Republicans to address our spending problem by reducing wasteful spending and not by holding our national security hostage.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, at midnight tonight, the Department of Defense and other government agencies will fall victim to the President's sequester. Every American family will be affected by the shifting of funds.

In South Carolina's Second Congressional District, which I am grateful to represent, the Army's base at Fort Jackson in Columbia is expected to lose $75 million. Additionally, the Savannah River Site in Aiken and Barnwell will be forced to furlough thousands of hardworking employees and stall critical national missions due to a possible $200 million budget cut. Both of these shifts will endanger our national security.

The President and the Senate have refused to negotiate with House Republicans on a possible solution until today. House Republicans have voted twice to avoid sequestration. Our Nation has a spending problem we must address before it is too late and our debt spirals out of control. The President should change course and begin working with both Houses of Congress to tackle the national debt which threatens American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, in four short days, thousands of jobs will fall victim to the President's sequester. It is no secret that the very proposal for sequestration originated in the White House. And what has the President done to help Congress solve the mess he created by reaching a solution? He has traveled across the country and made speeches from the White House campaigning for tax increases.

In Friday's Washington Post, Bob Woodward described the President's approach to raise taxes as a substitute for the sequester as ``he is moving the goalposts.'' The best way that our country can avert this devastating policy, which will destroy jobs and place our national security at risk, is for the President to put the interests of the American people before party politics.

House Republicans have voted twice to replace the sequester with commonsense reforms. Time is running out. With just days to go, the President should begin working with House Republicans by engaging in the legislative process.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Michael R. ``Mike'' Higgins, a member of professional staff with the House Committee on Armed Services, for his retirement from his dedicated service in the House of Representatives, for safeguarding America families by promoting a strong national defense.

Mike has been an exemplary public servant who has demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism on a daily basis. His career in public service has been a testament to the importance of unselfish devotion.

I have had the pleasure of working with him throughout my 12-year tenure in Congress and I know firsthand of his professionalism. He has brought a variety of skills to his role with the committee, including a bright intellect, a strong work ethic, and a deeply felt commitment to serve the United States and the service men and women of our United States military. He is truly an asset to the committee and will be sorely missed when he retires in February 2013.

Mike is a military personnel policy expert and it is no accident that people have been at the center of his professional life. His empathy for the needs of the people he serves and commitment to respond to those needs is evident in all that he does. As part of the committee staff, Mike has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of military members and their families. His record and reputation will remain vibrant long after his departure.

As Mike embarks on a new chapter in life, it is my hope that he may recall with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment the outstanding contributions he has made to the United States House or Representatives and the people of the United States of America. I would like to send him my best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors, and may his life be filled with health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, during Tuesday night's State of the Union address, the President spoke to the American people, and Michael Gerson in yesterday's Washington Post has judged ``it was a pervasive lack of substance and seriousness.''

Four years ago this month, the President explained that the deficit was unsustainable, but then proceeded to triple the deficit, putting American families at risk. Sadly, his words do not reflect his actions.

House Republicans recognize the urgency in putting our fiscal house back in order. Over $16 trillion in national debt is irresponsible. Not only does it threaten senior citizens with the value of the dollar, it places an undue burden on future generations at risk for higher taxes, and it destroys job creation due to economic uncertainty.

The path to prosperity is still achievable. Now is the time for the President to change course and work with Congress to secure solutions enabling small businesses to create jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, in February of 2009, Corporal Kyle Carpenter, a constituent and resident of Lexington, South Carolina, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went on to complete recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. A little over a year later, Corporal Carpenter was deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan, with his unit to carry out his service and protect our families in Operation Enduring Freedom.

On November 21, 2010, Corporal Carpenter suffered devastating injuries when an enemy hand grenade exploded while he was on post. Because of his heroic actions, Corporal Carpenter potentially saved the lives of countless others and has been decorated with a Purple Heart and awarded the Combat Action Ribbon.

I have had the privilege of visiting with Kyle, his mother, Robin, and his father, Jim. Throughout his recovery with the dedicated staff at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Kyle has served as a testament to hard work and valor. Today, Kyle is an intern serving with Chairman Jeff Miller of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

I have no doubt that because of Corporal Carpenter's service, American families are more secure. I want to thank Kyle and the Carpenter family for your dedication to our Nation.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, tonight the President will address the American people in his annual State of the Union Address. With the last quarter revealing unemployment has risen .1 percent and the economy contracting .1 percent, the President should change course. He should follow the example of President John F. Kennedy and President Ronald Reagan to lower taxes during economic hardship to promote job creation.

Last Congress, House Republicans passed over 30 job-creating bills. Most sadly died in the Senate graveyard. Additionally, the House has voted twice on a balanced approach to prevent sequestration with commonsense reforms. We should avoid these devastating cuts to occur, which will threaten our national security and destroy over 2 million jobs. House Republicans are actually passing legislation to encourage job growth through small business success.

Now is the time for positive leadership. I urge the President to begin working with House Republicans to find real solutions that will create jobs and put our country back on the path to prosperity.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, yesterday I sent a letter to the President to encourage him to support the MOX project, the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, located in Aiken, Barnwell, and Allendale Counties of South Carolina.

This facility at the Savannah River plays a vital role in allowing the United States to fulfill our international nonproliferation obligations by turning nuclear bombs into energy. The President has always supported this facility, which was initiated in the Clinton administration.

The facility is over 50 percent completed and promotes our national security. Today's letter is supported by Members from both sides of the aisle, which proves this issue is not partisan politics, but one of grave national security concern. It is my hope, as customers are identified, that the project will be completed, which supports environmental cleanup efforts at the Savannah River site.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Chair, I would like to thank the gentleman for yielding.

I'm grateful to Congressman Tom Price and his tremendous leadership on this very important issue of balancing the budget. Congressman Price has a vision for fiscal responsibility which creates jobs.

Spending money that we do not have is irresponsible. For the past 4 years, the Federal Government has spent over $1 trillion more each year than it receives. American families know better than spending beyond their means without consequences. The government should stop passing on depressing debt to our younger citizens.

House Republicans recognize that national security risks are at stake if we fail to get our spending under control. I hope the Senate and President will adopt actual solutions that will decrease the size of skyrocketing national debt.

The passage of Require a PLAN Act will be a significant act by requiring the President to propose a budget that balances over a 10- year period, and the American people will begin to restore their faith in Washington and believe that hope and prosperity are the future for our Nation. Balancing our budget not only protects and preserves entitlement programs for our seniors and future generations, it also provides economic certainty, which helps American small businesses create jobs.

As a grateful cosponsor of this legislation, I urge my colleagues and those across the aisle to put party politics aside and vote in favor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, in 1977, Bob and Anna Williams moved back to Columbia, South Carolina, from Alabama and opened a restaurant. Due to their hard work, Lizard's Thicket is now one of South Carolina's finest restaurant chains, celebrating 35 years of service. This real country cooking operation has grown to serve over 12,000 patrons a day at 15 different locations. Not only do people across the Palmetto State choose to dine at Lizard's Thicket for the outstanding home-style cooking, they also return time after time for the exceptional customer service.

For the past few decades, my wife, Roxanne, and I have always cherished taking our children, grandchildren, and mother-in-law to this great restaurant where we enjoy completing the meal with a warm serving of peach cobbler.

I am extremely grateful for the Williams family, their three generations of service, and the jobs they have provided across the Midlands. I wish them future success and look forward to dining with them for another 35 years.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, the primary reason the government is in economic turmoil and is destroying jobs is due to a lack of fiscal responsibility.

The House has fulfilled the most basic responsibility of governing and passing a budget. On the other hand, the liberal-controlled Senate has failed to complete a budget for nearly 4 years. Hardworking American families and small businesses plan to spend within their means and abide by a budget. The Federal Government should do so as well.

Today, House Republicans will consider legislation aimed at putting this fiscal irresponsibility to a halt by voting on the No Budget, No Pay Act. This bill will raise the debt ceiling for 3 months with the provision that both Houses of Congress must pass a budget. If either body fails to achieve the task, the Members' pay will be withheld.

It is past time to hold the President and the liberal-controlled Senate accountable for out-of-control spending. If hardworking Americans strive to succeed in their jobs, the Senate must do so as well.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Article 1, section 8:

``The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; . . . ''

Madam Speaker, the start of a new congressional term brings tremendous opportunity for House Republicans to lead our Nation on a path to prosperity. Last week, I held three press conferences across the Second Congressional District of South Carolina from West Columbia to Aiken, North Augusta, and unveiled an agenda for this year.

For the past 4 years, our unemployment rate has averaged above 8 percent, the highest on record since the Great Depression. I look forward to continue working with House Republicans to encourage job creation through economic growth.

Additionally, Congress must limit Washington's out-of-control spending and reduce our $16 trillion debt to protect the value of the dollar for senior citizens and so that future generations do not endure the burden of higher taxes. I appreciate the efforts to encourage America's energy independence so that we do not have to rely on foreign resources.

As chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I look forward to advocating for our armed forces, military families, and veterans. In order to protect our national security, our military must remain the most capable in the world to provide peace through strength. Weakness leads to attack.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.