Floor Statements

Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate Diane Harper on her upcoming retirement. After working for Northrop Grumman for almost 23 years, Diane's last day with the company will be July 29, 2011. Having over 40 years of defense-related experience, her career has taken her from the House Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Department of the Navy. Also at the Northrop Grumman Corporation, she was primarily responsible for acting as the liaison between the United States Congress and the Corporation with regard to legislation relevant to the company and national defense issues.

Diane, and her husband, Mike Harper, have been very encouraging to me and my wife Roxanne during my Congressional service. We appreciate their friendship and wish her Godspeed in the next stage of her life.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Paul Callahan, a dedicated staff member in the office of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. After 8 years in Washington, Paul will be departing the office at the end of this month to return home to South Carolina.

Paul has been a faithful servant for the people of South Carolina's Second Congressional District since November 2003. He has served in a variety of capacities, ranging from scheduler to legislative correspondent to senior legislative assistant. Paul truly fulfills the role of ``dedicated Hill staffer.'' Most recently, Paul's portfolio has consisted of banking and financial services, housing, telecommunications, and foreign affairs. His hard work has been a valuable asset in the office for the citizens of South Carolina.

It is with sincere gratitude that I would like to thank Paul for his expertise and enthusiasm. You will be missed in the office, and I wish you well. I wish you, Jenni, Charlotte, Judah, and month-old Penelope all the best as you enter this next phase of life and move back to Taylors, South Carolina.

More Taxes Destroy Jobs

Mr. Speaker, according to The Wall Street Journal on July 27, Robert Barro correctly argues that raising tax rates on Americans is not helpful in putting Americans back on the path to prosperity. Raising taxes does not present a feasible solution in engineering and economic recovery. The solution is to cut spending, just as has occurred previously in Canada in 1993 and in Germany under Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The reason our country finds itself in this current fiscal situation is due to Washington's out-of-control spending during the last 3 years. A failed $787 billion stimulus package in 2009 led only to a waste of taxpayer money along with a hole even deeper than what it intended to fix. But the current administration moved forward with the belief America can borrow and spend its way out of a recession. That has proved to be false.

Now the President wants to raise taxes as a way to pay for all this spending. This is irresponsible. Higher revenues will only lead to one thing--more government spending. Tax increases destroy jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, in The Wall Street Journal, Fred Barnes documented on July 21 that in 1993 Canada faced a fiscal disaster similar to the one we're facing today. Government spending was on the rise, huge deficits were setting peacetime records, the economy was stagnant, an unemployment rate that was around 9 percent with interest payments on debt using 35 cents of every tax dollar.

The newly elected Prime Minister in 1993 listened to the voters by stating, ``Canadians have told us they want the deficit brought down by reducing government spending, not by raising taxes, and we agree.''

By cutting spending, the Canadian economy roared back from 1995 to 1998 and turned a $36.6 billion deficit into a $3 billion surplus. The Prime Minister was able to put aside partisan politics

and listen to the wishes of the Canadian people.

By leading in a manner that cut spending instead of raising taxes, the Prime Minister put Canada first. Our President should change from his failed policies and stop tax increases and destroying jobs.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Dr. Milton Wolf in The Washington Times reported, in the last 2 years, over 2 million private sector jobs have been lost, that unemployment has increased by 1.5 percentage points, that the U.S. dollar is 12 percent weaker, and that the long-term unemployment is the worst ever on record--and sadly, the national debt has exploded by 40 percent.

At the same time the administration pushed the failed stimulus spending here, the President urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel to do the

same in her country. The Chancellor refused. Now, as a result of her good judgment, Germany's economy has recovered. German unemployment levels are reduced while over 14 million Americans do not have jobs.

The President should learn a lesson from the ``German miracle.'' The solution is not for big government to keep borrowing and spending. Tax increases destroy jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Our sympathy to the people of Norway in the religious extremist mass murderers.

Madam Chair, I appreciate the leadership of Congressman Lee Terry of Nebraska to develop H.R. 1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act.

H.R. 1938 would expedite the Presidential Permit approval process for the Keystone XL pipeline extension. This pipeline extension would allow the delivery of more oil to come into this country from Canada's oil sands in the province of Alberta. I appreciate Canada as America's largest trading partner.

There are strategic and economic impacts of the development and delivery of oil and natural gas between the U.S. and Canada, and I am well aware of the economic impacts in South Carolina, creating thousands of jobs in the District I represent in Aiken and Lexington Counties.

Currently, there are over 100 of the large mine haul trucks operating in the Oil Sands powered by MTU engines. The engines produced by MTU in Aiken, South Carolina, support not only the North American manufacturers of these large mining trucks, but the international market as well. Interestingly, by next year, Aiken will be producing MTU's largest engine for the haul-truck market, the 20V 4000. The marine variant of this engine powers the U.S. Coast Guard's Fast Response Cutter, and this will also be produced in Aiken. Hundreds of jobs are created in Aiken County and neighboring Georgia due to the oil sands development in Alberta.

Furthermore, the Michelin tire manufacturing facility in Lexington, South Carolina, produces earthmover tires and is one of the mining industry's largest suppliers. Overall, 7,930 people are employed by Michelin in South Carolina with locations in Anderson, Greenville, and Lexington.

Passage of this legislation is critical to our economy. The nearly three-year delay of the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project is blocking significant economic growth and preventing Americans from fully accessing a safe and dependable source of oil held by Canada, a longtime ally and the largest trade partner of the United States. This expansion would enable expanded importation of 830,000 barrels of oil daily from Canada, instead of importing it from other unfriendly sources.

A Canadian Energy Research Institute study found that investing in Canadian oil sands will produce 340,000 U.S. jobs and create $34 billion in revenues for the U.S. government. Construction of the pipeline itself would also support more than 10,000 jobs, and the addition of the pipeline to the Bakken formation would enable additional, more cost-effective development of that domestic energy source.

For these reasons, I support this legislation and am hopeful of ultimate support from the President.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, I became an original cosponsor to the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act. This Act was introduced by Congressman Tim Scott and I am grateful for his efforts to create jobs.

This positive legislation will prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from overreaching its authority by dictating where private businesses can and cannot choose to create jobs in the United States. It is truly a shame that legislation must be created to counter the over-reaching agenda of the job killing NLRB with its bizarre action to stop new jobs at the Boeing facility in South Carolina. I appreciate resistance by South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson to stop the bullying of unelected bureaucrats who are killing jobs.

At a time when over 14 million Americans are without work, the government should not be creating policies that interfere with job growth and job creation. The Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act insures private businesses across the nation will be able to make decisions based on the best interests of their shareholders and workers.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th in the Global War on Terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, it was an honor to be here earlier with Congressman Ted Poe from Texas explaining about the Federal lands and how they could be developed to create jobs and opportunity. It is particularly fitting that the Speaker pro tem at this moment is Daniel Webster, Congressman from Florida, because over his head is inscribed a statement, a very wise statement, from the previous Daniel Webster, the statesman of our country. In the inscription over the head of our Speaker pro tem at this moment it says, ``Let us develop the resources of our land.''

And so we know that the original Daniel Webster was correct, and we know that Judge Ted Poe is correct, and our Speaker pro tem is correct.

Mr. Speaker, last night, the House passed the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011. As the cosponsor of this legislation, I am grateful to have my colleagues support this measure with bipartisan votes by Republicans and five Democrats. It cuts spending by $111 billion in 2012. It enacts statutes that will enforce spending caps on the Federal Government for the next 10 years to promote jobs. Finally, it requires passage of a balanced budget amendment in order to raise the debt limit.

This positive legislation goes beyond politics and puts forth measures that address the needs our Nation faces. These policies force Washington to do what families and small businesses must do every day: balance the budget. Rather than devise a plan of their own, liberals in Congress simply want to raise taxes. These taxes will harm more families and kill more jobs. As the President said in 2009, ``You don't raise taxes in a recession.'' Of course, today we have nearly 15 million unemployed persons in our country. Unemployment under the failed policies of our President has increased to 9.2 percent. We need to change course.

Cut, Cap, and Balance is a plan I encourage the Senate to pass in order to put our country back on the path to prosperity creating jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, today we will have the opportunity to vote for a solution on the impending debt ceiling issue in Washington. The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011 will cut $111 billion of spending next year; it will cap the total Federal spending for the next 10 years; and, finally, it will require the passage of a balanced budget amendment before raising the national debt limit.

This year the Federal Government will spend twice the amount it spent just 10 years ago. The government has a spending problem. It is not a lack of revenue, and it must be addressed to protect senior citizens.

Where are the liberals' plans? It's been over 800 days since the liberals passed a budget in the Senate.

The President's failed plan does not cut spending. Instead, it just raises taxes in a recession, killing jobs.

I hope both parties can come together to enact the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, which I am grateful to have cosponsored to benefit the young people of our country.

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

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, concerned constituents advised me they are tired of hearing politicians grandstand about fixing the Nation's debt ceiling. The current administration has proven it would rather threaten our senior citizens than propose reasonable solutions that would benefit families.

Liberals refuse to listen to the American people. Americans voted for Washington to cut spending. Liberals want to impose ``more revenues,'' which is Washingtonspeak for more job-killing taxes.

In August of 2009, then-Senator Barack Obama stated ``raising taxes in a recession would be the last thing you want to do.'' That is particularly true today, as over 14 million Americans are without jobs. The President's policies of borrow and spend have failed and we must change course.

This debt crisis is a result of Washington spending money it does not have. That is why House Republicans have proposed the Cut, Cap, and Balance plan. Tomorrow, I hope Democrats will join us to vote for this positive proposal to promote more jobs created by small businesses.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my good friend and military fellow Marine Corps Major Samuel Cunningham and his wife Danielle on the birth of their son Dorin Samuel Cunningham. Dorin was born on Thursday, July 14, 2011, in Bethesda, Maryland. He is welcomed home by his sister, Aida.

Dorin Samuel Cunningham is eight pounds and eight ounces and twenty one inches of pride and joy to his loving grandparents, Carl and Josephine Cunningham of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Bob and Betty Fox of Butler, Pennsylvania.

I am so excited for this new blessing to the Cunningham family and wish them all the best.

Madam Speaker, rather than negotiate in good faith with the Republican leadership, the current administration has resorted to scare tactics. On Tuesday, the President threatened to withhold benefit checks for Social Security recipients and disabled veterans.

Threatening seniors, along with not paying our military, is a sad example of irresponsible political rhetoric. The American people have had enough of political games and threats. Liberals want to increase revenues, which means more taxes, killing jobs. The challenge is not too little revenue; it's too much spending.

The American people voted to see meaningful spending reform that really reduces the deficit. House Republicans have passed numerous bills that cut spending, curb government growth, and encourage job growth. Cut the spending. Do not impose new taxes which kill jobs created by small businesses.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Our sympathy to the people of India who yesterday suffered another terrorist attack on the people of Mumbai.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my good friend and senior legislative assistant Paul Callahan and his wife Jenni on the birth of their daughter Penelope Joy Callahan. Penelope was born on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in Alexandria, Virginia. She is welcomed home by her sister, Charlotte, and brother, Judah.

Penelope Joy Callahan is nine pounds and three ounces and 22\1/2\ inches of pride and joy to her loving grandparents, Gerald T. and Madonna Callahan of Taylors, South Carolina, and Steve and Pam Crowe of Taylors, South Carolina.

I am so excited for this new blessing to the Callahan family and wish them all the best.

Madam Speaker, before I begin, I would like to join with my colleague from Illinois, Congressman Adam Kinzinger, in congratulating the people of Wisconsin on passing a concealed weapons bill. I think they'll find, as we have found in South Carolina, that having a concealed carry permit--we call it Law Abiding Citizen's Self-Defense Act--that the consequence of this a number of years ago now has been a reduction in crime. In fact, many of the people who--as I was a floor leader in the State Senate to propose the concealed carry law, so many of the people who opposed it, and they opposed it thinking that they were doing correctly, have subsequently told me that they really are thrilled that now it has passed, that it, indeed, has promoted a reduction in crime in our State. And I know the same will be true in Wisconsin and possibly one day in Illinois.

Madam Speaker, time is running out for the American people. With just weeks to go before our country defaults on its debts, liberals in Congress continue to roadblock any progress on real spending cuts. The American people want to see spending reforms. The administration can cut other Federal spending before it allows a default on the U.S. debt. Americans understand that the Federal Government is burdening future generations with debt by borrowing over 40 cents of every dollar it spends. Senior citizens are at risk with the value of the dollar in question.

Americans want to see meaningful spending reform. Liberals want to play political games. Republicans have been trying to lead on spending reform. From the moment this new Congress has been in session, House Republicans have passed numerous bills that cut spending, curb government growth, and encourage job growth for American families. The latest news on the debt limit talks shows yet again how out of touch this current administration is with the American people. Cut the spending. Do not impose new taxes which will kill jobs which need to be developed by small businesses.

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

Mr. Speaker, sadly, with the unemployment rate rising on Friday, today's Investor's Business Daily's lead editorial is correct: With unemployment now at 9.2 percent and job growth at a standstill, is there anyone not blinded by ideology or rank partnership who can't see that Obama's spend-and-regulate economic plan has been an utter failure?'' Citing that the unemployment rate has dipped below 9 percent in only 5 of the President's 29 months in office, the verdict is clear: ``No President since the Great Depression can match that record of failure.''

On Friday, The Hill proclaimed the President's campaign responds that people won't vote based on the unemployment rate. I believe the American people know better. Even worse, now liberals are pushing harder for tax increases that will kill jobs. Liberals do not understand, as The Lexington County Chronicle explained, people's income belongs to them and does not belong to the government. Tax increases hurt small businesses and kill jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, this morning's announcement of the unemployment rate proves again the President's economic policies are failing American families.

The unemployment rate has increased to a tragic 9.2 percent. The out- of-control borrowing and spending in Washington continues to kill small business job creation.

It has been 1 year since the President declared an end to the recession and the beginning of the summer of recovery. The only way to describe the country's job numbers during that time is a failure of leadership. Private employment is now 1.8 million below the level from when the wasteful stimulus passed.

Where are the jobs, Mr. President?

This administration's policies are crippling our economy and killing job creation. The President's reelection campaign says the unemployment rate does not matter, but American families know better.

The House Republicans' ``Cut and Grow'' plan is very simple: First cut spending, then the economy will grow. This is a practical solution to get Americans back to work.

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