Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, last week, the President announced plans to divert $500 million to the IRS for the purpose of hiring new IRS agents to promote the President's health care government takeover bill. This fact reveals that ObamaCare is not a bill designed to improve the quality of health care but instead raises taxes and creates more burdens for individuals and small businesses, destroying jobs. House Republicans remain committed to fighting for the total repeal of ObamaCare, then to promote commonsense free market health reforms preserving the doctor-patient relationship.

Additionally, I am grateful for the efforts of Tom Von Kaenel, who is in Washington today. Tom is the founder of the Sea2Sea, an organization providing assistance to our military personnel, veterans, and their families by helping them transition back to civilian life. In order to raise awareness for the cause, Tom will spend the next several weeks biking across the United States, duplicating his biking this spring across the United Kingdom.

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

Mr. Speaker, the President's proposal of the Buffett rule tax increase is just another political gimmick, rejected by the Senate, which is targeted at small business owners. With our Nation's record unemployment rate of over 8 percent throughout the last 3 years, it is clear the President's policies are destroying jobs and chilling economic growth.

In last week's Washington Post, Charles Krauthammer wrote:

The Buffett Rule is nothing but a form of redistributionism

that has vanishingly little to do with debt reduction and

everything to do with reelection.

The President is using the Buffett rule tax increase as a way to distract Americans from focusing on his failure to implement policies that will create jobs. House Republicans remain focused on reducing barriers that are discouraging job creation.

I urge my colleagues in the Senate and the President to put party politics aside and work with House Republicans to enact policies that will help create jobs for American families.

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

Mr. Speaker, as I traveled across the Second Congressional District of South Carolina over the last constituent workweek, I became increasingly aware of a growing relationship between the Savannah River National Laboratory and one of their regional research universities, the University of South Carolina.

These two entities are working together to address key national energy needs in nuclear, hydrogen, fuel cells, environmental science, advanced sensors, modular nuclear reactors, and alternative energy, in addition to other areas of great national interest. The two institutions anticipate the future formation of a joint technology commercialization initiative involving the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina to build new technology- based businesses and create jobs.

I look forward to these joint collaborations with the Savannah River National Laboratory, and I am confident their success will be of great benefit to South Carolina and our Nation.

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

Rest in peace, Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sergeant John F. Baker, Jr., of Columbia, South Carolina, and Rock Island, Illinois, for his heroic service in Vietnam, who was buried at Arlington National Cemetery today.

Mr. Speaker, according to a recent CBS News article, when the President in 2008 was on the campaign trail, he blasted his primary opponent, Hillary Clinton, for supporting an individual mandate. Less than two years later, however, when the President lobbied the liberal-controlled Congress to pass the government healthcare takeover bill, he told legislators the individual mandate ``was an essential part'' of the takeover.

Almost every poll conducted across this country reveals the same result: an overwhelming number of Americans believe the individual mandate found in ObamaCare is unconstitutional and a chipping away of individual liberty. The Gadsden Flag of South Carolina is correct: Don't Tread on Me.

The United States government should not require all of its citizens to buy insurance or push any other mandates that will limit freedoms. It is past the time for our nation to support legislation for real healthcare reform as

developed by Congressman Tom Price that will guarantee these rights every American deserves.

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

Mr. Speaker, in 1987, Congress declared March to serve as ``Women's History Month,'' in efforts to acknowledge the important role women have played in shaping America. In honor of this occasion, I would like to recognize the leadership of County Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson, my good friend, who has proudly been serving the constituents of the Second District in Richland County, South Carolina, since January 2005. Councilwoman Dickerson is committed to creating economic development opportunities and growing relationships between constituents and elected leaders in South Carolina. As President-elect of the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the incoming Chair, I commend Joyce Dickerson for her efforts to empower elected women in South Carolina and across this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, today marks an extremely important day in our Nation's history. The Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearing oral arguments on the constitutionality of the President's government health care takeover legislation that was forced upon the American people by the President and his liberal allies, in a liberal-controlled Congress, by deals and kickbacks.

Several weeks ago, the Congressional Budget Office released a report that ObamaCare will destroy almost 1 million jobs from our current workforce. According to a recent Gallup poll, 85 percent of small business owners are not hiring due to the government regulations and rising health care costs imposed by the Big Government mandate restricting freedom. America's largest association of small businesses, the National Federation of Independent Business, estimates 1.6 million jobs will be eliminated.

House Republicans have voted to repeal ObamaCare 26 times. With a record unemployment rate of over 8 percent for the last 3 years, it is necessary for the President and Congress to enact laws providing for job creation through private sector growth rather than supporting legislation that destroys jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, every American should be given the freedom to make his or her own decisions regarding health care. When the government takeover health care bill was passed, the liberal control of Congress took away this right and instead created the Independent Payment Advisory Board, IPAB. This board is comprised of 15 unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats who will be responsible for making major cuts to Medicare which are likely to lead to waiting lists, deferral of service, and denial of care.

Today, House Republicans will vote on a bill that will eliminate IPAB and help strengthen our Medicare system for a doctor-patient relationship.

Our country cannot afford to spend $1.8 trillion on an unconstitutional government mandate which the NFIB reveals will destroy 1.6 million jobs.

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

Madam Speaker, during the President's effort to lobby for the government takeover of health care, he promised the American people his proposal would cost $940 billion and ``won't add a dime to the deficit and is paid for upfront.''

The Washington Examiner editorialized last week the President ``knew the funny numbers his administration was putting out,'' but delivered a speech with blunders anyway.

Last week, the Congressional Budget Office released a report stating that ObamaCare will cost $1.76 trillion, a figure almost double the initial price tag that he promised.

Based on these reports, it is clear that the false claims are being exposed. House Republicans have already voted to repeal the unconstitutional government takeover of health care, which the NFIB has said it will destroy 1.6 million jobs. The Senate now needs to vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, over the past month, the price of gas per gallon has increased by 31 cents, with an average cost of $3.83 per gallon. This weekend the President said that his administration could not do much to provide relief at the pump, but, actually, earlier he promised to increase energy costs, which destroys jobs. The President also claims to support an all-of-the-above energy plan; however, due to his decision to reject the Keystone pipeline, it is clear these claims are not being fulfilled.

The President's solution to help with rising energy costs is to delay smog regulations that will mandate that more sulfur be stripped from gasoline. The delay of this policy will not lower prices but simply keep them from increasing due to more government regulation.

I urge the President to work with House Republicans and begin enacting policies which will help Americans feel relief at the pump.

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

Mr. Speaker, last month the Congressional Budget Office released a report which stated that our Nation's unemployment rate is not expected to dip below 8 percent until 2014, which reveals the President's policies have failed and destroyed jobs. America is experiencing the longest stretch of high unemployment since the Great Depression. The study also concluded that if every American searching for employment were counted, sadly our unemployment rate would be around 15 percent.

When the President lobbied for his economic plan, he promised that our unemployment rate would not exceed 8 percent. Instead, February marks the 36th month where the unemployment rate has been above 8 percent. This is a tragedy for American families.

House Republicans are focused on putting American families back to work. I urge the President and the liberal-controlled Senate to take immediate action of the dozens of job-creation bills that have passed the House with bipartisan support.

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

Madam Speaker, since the President was sworn into office in January of 2009, gas prices have risen drastically by 156 percent. This fact shows the President's energy policy is failing our country and destroying jobs.

According to the National Federation of Independent Business, rising energy costs are a constant struggle for our small business owners. Our small business owners are already threatened with the rising cost of health care due to the mandates in the government takeover health care bill.

Instead of supporting effective energy policies that will lower the price at the pump, this administration has decided to delay the Keystone pipeline, a project that will create over 100,000 jobs at no taxpayer expense. If completed, this project will dramatically decrease our dependence on foreign oil and provide relief with energy costs for every small business.

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

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the Department of Energy announced its decision to bring small modular nuclear reactor technology to the Savannah River Site in Aiken and Barnwell, South Carolina. SRS plays a vital role not only in the Aiken- Barnwell community, but also on a national level, as it enables the United States to honor its international nuclear nonproliferation commitments.

At a time when gas prices are at an all-time high and American families are increasingly facing tough choices, commonsense measures such as using existing government facilities and technical expertise for developing SMRs are welcome.

I would like to congratulate Dwayne Wilson at the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Dr. Terry Michalske at the Savannah River National Laboratory. I'm also very proud of Dr. Dave Moody's efforts in creating such a fitting environment to host this technological advancement at no new cost to the taxpayer. Congratulations to Chief Engineer Gordon Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Cross for their article on Ameresco Biomass and small modular reactors in this month's The Military Engineer magazine.

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

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I was fortunate to chair a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel where we had a hearing in regard to receiving information concerning the administration's military personnel budget overview for 2013.

The administration constantly preaches about fairness. Over the next 10 years, the administration has proposed cutting our military personnel by 123,000 troops and cutting civilian employees by a mere 7,000 personnel, but destroying 130,000 jobs. It is absolutely unfair that the administration believes in drastically eliminating our troops with no substantial cuts to any other Department of our government even as we are at war with an enemy that is obsessed with death. Additionally, the administration's proposal allows an increase of TriCare health insurance enrollment fees by a possible 345 percent over the next 5 years. This kind of unfairness must stop.

I urge the President and his administration to reconsider their budget request and treat our military personnel, military families, and veterans with the fairness they've earned and the respect they deserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, in his 2008 campaign, during an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, the President promised energy rates ``would necessarily skyrocket'' under his policies. Since February 2009, the price of gas has jumped from $1.92 per gallon to an outrageous $3.72 per gallon. Hardworking Americans continue to watch as a substantial amount of each paycheck is diverted by rising energy costs destroying jobs.

Although the President claims to have changed his policies, his decision to terminate the Keystone pipeline project from Canada shows that he remains dedicated to his campaign promise. House Republicans are focused on helping Americans feel relief at the pump by supporting legislation that expands supply and allows for the continuation of the Keystone pipeline.

I urge the President to put party politics aside and work with House Republicans to find ways to lower energy costs, which is necessary for American families.

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

Mr. Speaker, last week, I was grateful to be part of a Congressional delegation, led by Chairman David Dreier, that established a partnership with the parliament of Kyrgyzstan, the Jogorku Kenesh. We traveled as members of the House Democracy Partnership, which works with parliaments in new democracies to build stronger legislatures.

Following parliamentary elections in 2010, the Kyrgyz Republic last year completed the first peaceful democratic transition of Presidential power in Central Asia after an open and competitive election. New President Almazbek Atambayev is committed to parliamentary democracy.

Under the leadership of Speaker Asylbek Jeenbekov, the parliament and HDP will work together to strengthen committee operations, budget analyses, constituent relations, and other institutional reforms.

Kyrgyzstan is a bright star in Central Asia, with a growing economy, dedicated President, the prestigious American University of central Asia, and dynamic parliamentarians working with an engaged population to establish a democracy.

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