Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the preliminary cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office for the health care takeover is $940 billion. It is bizarre. Some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are spinning this number.

How many Americans today actually believe that the number will hold at $940 billion and will decrease deficits? I doubt there are very few people out there who are willing to count on Congress to actually hold the line on spending. That defies history and reality.

The facts are that even the CBO says this is uncertain, and the CBO has not extrapolated estimates further into the future because the uncertainties surrounding them are magnified even more.

The bottom line is that only in Washington can you claim that Congress will borrow a trillion dollars and somehow save money. The only certainty is NFIB projects this bill will kill 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, as backroom deals and threats continue to force a health care takeover vote, the costs from the Congressional Budget Office have just been released of nearly $1 trillion. State leaders across the country have recognized that this takeover could bankrupt our great Nation.

Just yesterday, the State treasurer for Massachusetts, Tim Cahill, said, ``If President Obama and the Democrats repeat the mistakes of the health insurance mandate in Massachusetts on a national level, they will bankrupt this country within 4 years.''

Other State leaders have expressed great concerns about unfunded mandates. South Carolina is one of 36 legislatures considering barring individuals from being compelled to purchase health insurance. I applaud State leaders who are fighting Big Government mandates which the NFIB estimates will kill 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, yesterday's Wall Street Journal highlights the process by which Democrats are trying to pass this government health care takeover. The process is just as bad as the provisions of the bill.

Professor Michael McConnell, Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School, wrote the article entitled, ``House Health Care Vote and the Constitution.'' Mr. McConnell presents the process called the Slaughter solution, which is nothing more than a procedural trick that deems the Senate bill passed without ever having a straight up-or-down vote.

The article explains, ``The Slaughter solution cannot be squared with Article I, section 7 of the Constitution. Senate rules protect against majoritarian overreach by allowing a determined minority to filibuster most types of legislation.''

Madam Speaker, Americans need jobs, not a law which NFIB claims will kill 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, this weekend I attended several community events throughout the Second District, and the message I received was clear: scrap

this government takeover of health care and start working across the aisle to create jobs. How many times are the American people going to have to reject this health care monstrosity before the message is finally taken to heart? Americans across the country are tired of Congress's misplaced priorities. Tragic unemployment continues to cripple many communities. Liberals are obsessed with passing a job- killing health care takeover. NFIB documents 1.6 million jobs will be killed by the takeover.

Americans want health care reform, but they want Congress to tackle the unemployment rate first through job creation incentives and then work together for a bipartisan health care reform that increases access and lower costs.

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

Madam Speaker, S. Wade McGuinn, who has an extensive record of helping the people of Haiti, is a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia and is founder and President of McGuinn Construction Management, Inc, and Custom Home Construction Management Systems, Inc (MCM and CHCMS). McGuinn's Construction, which serves as the only full service residential construction management firm in the Midlands, has constructed 1,700 custom homes. He has built more homes in Columbia's metropolitan area than any other custom homebuilder in Columbia.

Taking his business success to the next level, Wade has six land development projects--four of which have shattered sales records. All of the companies under Mr. McGuinn's business umbrella have overall sales exceeding 12 million dollars annually.

What is most captivating is what Wade has chosen to do with all of this success. He has led several overseas mission trips to Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, and Cuba, serving as a construction team leader for the United Methodist Volunteers in Missions. Known as ``Father Wade'' to children at a Haitian orphanage, Wade and his wife, Janet, have solely supported an orphanage comprised of 29 children and seven staff members.

Wade founded the Haiti Children Project with the purpose of providing food, shelter, clothing, health care and education through sponsorship, donations, and love. After the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, Wade encouraged his fellow members in the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia (HBA) to hold a charitable fundraiser for the Haiti Children project. Over 200 HBA members and their guests attended the event, raising over $10,000 to send to help the children in Haiti.

I want to thank Wade and Janet for their selfless contributions in South Carolina and across the globe, especially Haiti in its time of extraordinary crisis.

Madam Speaker, this week it was announced that the unemployment rate in my home State reached a tragic new high of 12.6 percent. Statewide, 172,400 people have lost their jobs since the end of 2007.

In this crisis, the administration has irresponsibly announced that March 18 is their deadline to pass a job-killing health care takeover that imposes 100 new mandates on private individuals and businesses; includes billions of dollars in new taxes, and trillions in new government spending, squeezing Medicare; forces employers to cancel health care coverage, and forces people into a government-run health care plan.

More taxes, borrowing, and spending is not the way to reform health care in America. NFIB warns 1.6 million jobs will be killed. We should first consider job-creation policies, and then work on a step-by-step approach to lowering health care costs.

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

Mr. Speaker, the process that liberals are considering to take to pass the government health care takeover is almost as bad as the bill itself. The latest plan includes the House passing the Senate's version of the takeover bill, complete with the kickbacks and backroom deals that have become regular under the current liberal leadership.

An informative memo put together by Senator John Kyl and Congressman Eric Cantor helps explain this process to the American people. The memo

goes on to explain that House Democrats would fast-track the reconciliation bill, fixing some, but not all, of the problems. Next, the Senate will then take up the House version and send it to the President.

Americans need to know that House Democrats must pass the Senate's health care takeover before the Senate can alter or try to improve it. The Senate bill is too bitter of a pill for my colleagues to swallow because it kills jobs. On the good side, The Hill today reports, front page, the Senate bill provides for citizenship verification to buy insurance.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of The Magnificent Women of the WASP, Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II and the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medals to them on this day, March 10th 2010 in the United States Capitol. Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to these women of faith and courage, who helped set the stage so that this war could be won. Breaking and fighting stereotypes, they helped to forge the way for women in today's world. As their courage, character and dedication were key to Saving The World. As the son of a World War II Flying Tiger of the 14th Air force, Hugh deV. Wilson, I appreciate firsthand the extraordinary pilots who protected the people of India and China defeating totalitarians worldwide. For as this darkness approached and mankind bled, they stood at the edge and helped To Save The World. I ask that this poem penned in honor of them and their families by Albert Caswell, a very thoughtful poet and patriot, of the United States Capitol Guide Service be placed in the Record.

When, Hearts Took Flight

As a time ago . . .

As when, it looked as though . . .

The world stood, at its edge . . .

As Woman and Mankind bled . . .

With Satan on the rise . . .

As his son's filled the darkened skies . . .

With all his dark death and hate, as this evil begins!

Would this be the end, of woman and mankind?

As upon them, all our hopes hinged . . .

When, Hearts took flight!

To but bring their light!

Lifting us all above, to such high heights!

To all of those wrongs, to right!

All in their strength, and might!

To help Save The World . . .

But, for their country they so loved . . .

Upon, the wings of a dove!

As a darkness approached!

As upon them, were placed all our hopes . . .

As out across the world, such an evil unfurled!

When, came such women of faith To Save The World . . .

To rise up, with such splendid courage in eyes!

To fight a war, and all those stereotypes . . . those lies!

To but bring their light!

As this fearless force of women, so won the night!

All out upon their most heroic course . . .

With, but only their most courageous hearts to voice . . .

To Fly!

As was but a time When Hearts Took Flight!

To win that day, that night!

To Soar so bright, and reach for the skies . . .

Heroines, pioneers on the cutting edge!

Upon, these machines of steel their fine lives were pledged!

Magnificent test pilots, who died and bled!

Carriers of freedom, who all in their actions so led!

Who flew the planes to the theater, as the blood ran red!

Over 25,000, would apply . . .

But only 1,074 . . . the cream of the crop, would fly!

As The WASP . . .

The WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS, so filled the skies!

All for God and Country, but ready to die!

For no war could be won, without these ones!

All in what they had done, now all so etched in history's

sun!

To ``Help Save The World!''

To teach all of our little boys and girls!

What can be done, when courage is unfurled!

And hearts take, flight!

So on this day, we now bestow . . .

Upon, all of these . . . and all of those!

Most Magnificent Patriots of Peace we know . . .

The Congressional Gold Medal . . . So!

Great American patriots, with such hearts of gold!

And Ladies, your final flight . . .

Will be, up to our Lord in Heaven's light!

Because, you helped . . . ``Save The World''!

As history will find!

It was but a time, when hearts took flight!

Amen . . .

Mr. Speaker, the House is considering today a dangerous resolution: the Afghanistan retreat. As a father of four sons in the military and as a former member of the 218th Brigade of the South Carolina National Guard, which served for a year in Afghanistan led by Major General Bob Livingston, I know we should trust our military leaders led by General David Petraeus and General Stanley McChrystal with

Major General Larry Nicholson of the Marines. These leaders will fight for victory to protect American families by defeating terrorists overseas.

Even liberal Newsweek highlights the success of the surge in the March 8 edition with the title, ``The Surge is Working'' with the subtitle, ``All Signs Point America's Way.''

Though the Taliban is entrenched in Helmand province, its grip is slipping in the rest of Afghanistan. These developments undercut the common belief that America is doomed to fail. In fact, Afghanistan's demography, sociology, military situation, and politics all favor Obama's counterinsurgency strategy. If the Taliban can't gain popular support or silence, it can't win.

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

Madam Speaker, the President's recent budget proposal to Congress kills funding for Yucca Mountain. Without a safe and secure location like Yucca Mountain, nuclear energy development in America cannot progress.

Newspaper editorials throughout South Carolina have condemned the President's unilateral move. Last year, the Charleston Post and Courier blasted the President's decision as ``breathtakingly irresponsible.''

The Aiken Standard from February 17 says that the ``president's lack of faith in using Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste sends a mixed signal to Americans.''

The Greenville News on February 21 said that ``the Obama administration has broken a long-standing Federal promise to deal with the Nation's nuclear waste.''

And in the Lexington County Chronicle on March 4, Mark Bellune editorialized, ``liberals would stick us with nuclear waste.''

I urge Congress and the administration to put politics aside on this issue that has serious implications for America's energy future and national security from terrorist attacks.

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

This morning, 79 students from Orangeburg Preparatory School in South Carolina's Second District are in the Capitol to learn about the legislative process and the history of the Nation's Capitol Building. Under the leadership of Head Master Kelly Mills, the students at Orangeburg Preparatory School excel both in and out of the classroom. Such success is achieved through partnerships between the community, teachers, parents, students, and alumni.

As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I am grateful to spend time with these bright young students and will continue to pursue policies that advance fiscally responsible reforms that will improve their educational opportunities through higher education and beyond. We need insurance reform, not big government takeover. I also want to note that when you meet them, the students here today from Orangeburg Prep continue a tradition to be the best-dressed student group to visit the Capitol.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Monday I will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Home Depot's Rapid Deployment Center. Located in the midlands of South Carolina, this Rapid Deployment Center will not only create new jobs for South Carolinians, but it will also give Home Depot stores more flexibility to control the products on their shelves and keep these products in stock.

Detailed by Home Depot, the new Rapid Deployment Center is a 465,000 square-foot facility located in West Columbia. It will provide 220 full-time jobs at startup; and as more stores are added to the program, this will increase to 400 jobs. I want to thank Home Depot for their continuing economic contributions to our State, and I welcome these in addition to the positions of 2,660 Home Depot associates already in South Carolina. In these tough times, it's important for lawmakers to give businesses like Home Depot the tools they need to help small businesses create jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. The prayers of America are with the people of Chile.

Madam Speaker, a government takeover of health care was rushed to happen last July, but during overflowing town hall meetings and then in Virginia, Massachusetts and New Jersey, the American people made it perfectly clear that a Big Government takeover of health care is not an option.

Almost a year later, this message unfortunately hasn't been received by the liberal majority. Instead of working across the aisle and reforming the bill to include less government and more commonsense bipartisan principles, liberal leaders are talking about bending the rules and rushing this by way of a process called reconciliation. This is a legislative maneuver that requires fewer votes than the regular process.

So the American people should listen this afternoon. The liberal majority knows the American people do not want this bill. They are left with a tricky maneuver that ignores what people have been fighting for and saying since last summer. I urge citizens to make their voices heard.

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

My sympathy to the family and friends of Charles Hamel of Chapin, South Carolina, a dedicated patriot.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following remarks regarding my absence from votes which occurred on February 25, 2010. I was a pallbearer at a funeral for a close family friend in South Carolina and therefore was unable to make the vote. Listed below is how I would have voted if I had been present.

H. Con. Res. 227: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Urban Crimes Awareness Week--``aye.''

H.R. 3961: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the Medicare SGR payment system for physicians--``aye.''

H. Res. 1105: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2701) to authorize appropriations for FY 2010 for intelligence and intelligence- related activities of the U.S. Government, the Community Management Account, and the CIA Retirement and Disability System, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII--``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the President missed an important opportunity to restart the national debate on health care reform. Americans who tuned into this health care summit were disappointed that they were left with the same Big Government health care takeover.

The American people are facing waves of Groundhog Day, as they have already rejected this type of government health care takeover.

There are substantive alternatives to consider. Republicans have offered 70 different health care bills to the Washington liberal majority. With 14.8 million Americans out looking for work, Congress should not be taking over a health care system that will destroy jobs, which the National Federation of Independent Business says will kill 1.6 million more jobs.

It's time to come to consensus on responsible health care elements that both parties agree on, and then move on to focus on job creation policies.

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

Best wishes for the continued success of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities of South Carolina.