Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Democrats should stop trying to spend the results of their economic borrowing program. Despite what the

Obama administration has said, the 2,600,000 Americans who have lost jobs since January is a clear sign that their Recovery Act has not done its job. Instead of more rhetoric, Democrats should work with Republicans to put in place commonsense proposals that will rein in the wasteful spending and focus on job creation.

Our economy will grow strong again thanks to individuals and small businesses that create the majority of jobs in this country. It will not be due to the billions in Big Government borrowing perpetrated by this administration. We should focus our time on helping small businesses grow and provide relief to those who are suffering during these tough economic times.

Republicans have offered a plan to do just that, and we will do so without adding trillions in additional Big Government, liberal spending, and actions such as the new health care taxes that will destroy jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, Democrats are beholden to the failed policies of big government. That is why they refuse to acknowledge the commonsense proposals House Republicans have provided to make this Nation stronger, energy more affordable and Americans healthier.

Rather than have the reasonable debate that the American people deserve, Democrats want to spend their time presenting false choices. But despite the tired rhetoric we hear from the other side of the aisle, House Republicans continue to offer commonsense solutions to improve the economy and create jobs through relief for families and small businesses.

We are fighting for patient-first health care solutions that will help Americans afford insurance, protect the doctor-patient relationship and keep Washington out of your private health care decision. We are standing up for the middle-class families who cannot afford a massive national energy tax.

The American people deserve a debate on the ideas, not more rhetoric and false choices from this administration and their allies.

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

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the H.R. 3082--Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010.

Requesting Member: Congressman Joe Wilson.

Bill Number: H.R. 3082--Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010.

Account: Military Construction, Air National Guard.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: South Carolina Air National Guard, McEntire JNGB.

Address of Requesting Entity: McEntire JNGB, 1325 South Carolina Rd., Eastover, SC 29044.

Description of Request: I have secured $1,300,000 for the Joint Use Headquarters Building at McEntire Joint National Guard Base. This is the SC Air National Guard portion of the construction money for the SCNG Joint Use Headquarters Building currently funded as part of the fiscal year 2010 FYDP. Number One on the Chief of the National Guard Bureau's ``Essential 10'' capabilities list, the Joint Forces Headquarters is the most critical transformation the National Guard has undergone since 2001. What used to be the State Area Command (STARC) and Air Guard State Headquarters, administrative organizations for peacetime control of units, has developed into a sophisticated headquarters and communications node capable of assuming command and control of units from all services and components when responding to a domestic emergency. Tested and proven during multiple National Security Events in 2004, these headquarters were further validated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, the ANG and ARNG State headquarters functions and the TAG Joint Staff are inefficiently dispersed currently. Consolidation in one location will optimize operations and ensure critical Operational and Communications Security. Matching funds are not applicable. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Madam Speaker, as we recognize the fifty-ninth anniversary of the Korean War, it is fitting that we have a renewed appreciation for the courage of the American military. This was a conflict initiated by a surprise attack from North Korea mercilessly against the people of South Korea. Throughout the war, American servicemembers resisted North Korean attacks and provided security for the people of South Korea. This has enabled that nation to become one of the world's most successful economies with a dynamic democratic form of government. They are a model for our allies in Iraq and Afghanistan which shows that from the ashes of war a thriving civil society can emerge.

Poet Albert Carey Caswell, an appreciated Capitol tour guide, has authored the following poetic tribute for America's military:

The Korean War

The Korean War . . .

Was but the one for sure . . .

One hell of a fight, all the more!

Where, brave hearts of America so for sure . . .

Would so bring their light to insure . . .

That Communism could not endure . . .

A time when the world, would test that dream . . .

Of the United Nation, as now it all so clearly seems!

From all across America's shores . . .

As came such fine brave hearts, who would somehow endure . .

.

But, the very face of hell . . . whose fine hearts so chose

to swell . . .

All for our freedom to insure!

From The Frozen Chosen, to Pork Chop hill . . .

Such brave hearts, of iron wills!

MacArthur's Men of Might, who but bore that fight . . .

Who so heroically upon those deadly hills burned bright!

As just when things looked far gone,

But came that surprising landing at Inchon!

For America had Seoul . . .

The kind that we must so teach our children, in hearts to so

hold!

All in hearts of honor which soar . . .

All in America's quest, to freedom to so insure . . .

As all throughout the centuries,

Have such magnificents, so bought our peace!

The one's who have so lived and died . . .

Whose loved ones were left behind to cry!

Who fought in one of the most bloodiest wars . . .

Fine patriots, who so heroically headed north!

With Communist on the march, as cried these boys . . .

Men of honor, ``not on my watch'' were heard their voices . .

.

Cold is Cold, for there could be no colder days in hell of

course . . .

All in what this war would spell . . .

And `Oh what heartache and misery . . .

For all of these finest of all souls, would be . . .

And all those in that air war,

Sent them running back across those Yalu shores . . .

For they too were the men of the hour,

For the air support gave us such power!

And all those on the high seas . . . dropping b's . . .

Softening up those commies . . .

And all of those MIA's,

Whose loved ones their fine hearts still muse this very day .

. .

About where there loved ones now so lie . . .

For only now, their precious souls are seen all in our lord's

eyes!

And all of those who returned home, without arms and legs . .

.

Teaching us all what the word hero so conveys!

And eyes, who now so live without this day . . .

For some call it the Forgotten War!

But not so in our Lord's eyes, for sure!

For of these, were the finest of all Men . . .

Who Live on this day . . .

All in America's greatest of all heroic lores!

As was, The Korean War . . .

Mr. Speaker, House Republicans are offering positive solutions to our Nation's health care system. We are standing up for individual choice, preserving the all-important doctor- patient relationship, and giving families more resources and more of their own money to afford quality health care.

Our Democrat colleagues have abandoned any sense of bipartisan cooperation. That is why their health care proposals currently amount to a $1 trillion big government takeover. Republicans are proposing tax relief for families and small businesses who are struggling to afford health care. We want to empower States and small businesses to band together for affordable insurance options. Rather than copy a failed central planning big government system, we are committed to weeding out waste, fraud and abuse.

Republicans are hard at work developing a set of patient-first health care reforms. We encourage our Democrat colleagues to join us in defending patient choice and quality care against the rationed care of a big government health care takeover.

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

Mr. Speaker, Vice President Joe Biden recently admitted that the Obama administration misread the economy when drafting their nearly trillion dollar spending bill. Meanwhile, the American people have long known, and House Republicans have long argued, that this administration actually misread history when putting together their massive borrowing bonanza.

Had Democrats followed the example of former Presidents Kennedy and Reagan, they would have implemented the type of broad tax relief for American families and small businesses that has a proven record of stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Today's continued decline in jobs is a symptom of the slow, bureaucratic-driven spending this administration put in place.

Our economy will recover, but small businesses will be far better vehicles of job creation than big government expansion. By saddling future generations with such massive debt while threatening Social Security and encouraging the potential for hyperinflation and higher interest rates, this administration has misread history, misplaced its priorities, and misspent American tax dollars.

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

Madam Speaker, a national energy tax will do harm to American families by raising electric bills, gas prices, and food prices by thousands of dollars. Moreover, it will not achieve the goals of a cleaner environment.

As our European neighbors have learned from their own cap and trade scheme, costs go up but so do carbon emissions. Indeed, in the so- called market place of carbon trade, the American people will lose just as our European friends have. America will lose jobs and American families will lose money, and there is no excuse for the Democrat leadership in this House to place such a burden upon the American people.

I hope my colleagues will abandon this plan to raise taxes and realize that an all-of-the-above approach to our energy needs--one that has bipartisan support--is a far better course for this country to pursue.

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

Madam Speaker, President Obama has stated that cap-and-trade would cause electric bills to skyrocket, which forces families to pay more. He also declared yesterday that cap- and-trade would only be paid for by polluters. The President seems to imply through his statements that American families and small businesses, those who will see their electric bills skyrocket, are the polluters who should pay for this legislation.

I disagree. Families, farmers, manufacturers and small businesses across America do not deserve this national energy tax. We do not need to threaten the financial well-being of American citizens or the competitiveness of American businesses in a global economy.

House Republicans have consistently offered an all-of-the-above energy plan that will invest in exploration, in new alternative energy resources, and promote conservation. Our strategy is built on the American spirit of ingenuity, not an oppressive policy of higher taxes and job losses.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, we will never forget September 11th in the global war on terrorism, and also I would like to extend my congratulations to Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher on her confirmation yesterday evening to serve in the State Department of the United States.

Mr. Chair, there is a real and current threat to the United States and our allies around the world from countries, such as Iran and North Korea, who are developing with the intention to employ missiles which have devastating potential. With the provocative rhetoric and increasing missile tests by North Korea on an almost daily basis, this is not the time to cut funding for missile defense. I would like to commend Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio and Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona for their tireless work on the Armed Services Committee in advocating for the defense of our nation through a strong missile defense.

However, Mr. Chair, I have to stand in opposition to the Franks Amendment that would increase funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $1.2 billion with offsets found in the Environmental Management fund. I cannot stress enough that I encourage Congress and the Administration to increase funding for missile defense; however, the mechanism proposed by this amendment is ill-advised.

The Environmental Management program within the Department of Energy is responsible for cleaning up the waste of our nation's nuclear weapons production sites. Specifically, in the State of South Carolina, the Savannah River Site is a key Department of Energy industrial complex dedicated to the National Nuclear Security Administration program that supports the Department of Energy national security and non-proliferation programs. The Environmental Management program addresses the reduction of risks at the Savannah River Site through safe stabilization, treatment, and disposition of legacy nuclear materials, spent nuclear fuel, and waste. The Savannah River Site remains an important asset to this country as it was during the Cold War.

Every member of this body is aware that the Franks amendment has nothing to do with reducing nuclear waste cleanup funding and that it has everything to do with setting spending priorities within the federal government. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Democrat majority and the Administration, a policy of fiscal restraint has been imposed on the Department of Defense, while the rest of the federal government enjoys a policy of fiscal largesse.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, House Democrats plan to vote on their national energy tax legislation this week. It defies common sense when the American people are faced with losing jobs and families are making hard decisions about how to weather this tough economy. The Democrats' priority is to impose a new tax. This cap-and- tax proposal will lead to job losses, higher gas prices, and increased electricity rates on American families with $3,128 of new taxes for each family each year. Moreover, it is also unnecessary when there are positive alternatives to promote clean energy technology.

An all-of-the-above energy policy would achieve the goals of a cleaner environment while promoting oil and natural gas exploration in America, invest in innovative new technologies and encouraging conservation and smarter energy use. Above all, it would be no new tax on American families nor would it punish small businesses. Taxing American families is not the answer to our energy needs.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2990, the Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act of 2009. This bill has a number of good provisions dealing with military and civilian personnel, which I appreciate as a 31-year Army National Guard veteran representing Parris Island, the Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, the Beaufort Naval Hospital, and Fort Jackson.

I want to focus on one section of the bill that would provide concurrent receipt of Department of Defense disability pay and Veterans Administration disability pay to a small number of people discharged from the services with less than 20 years' service because of injuries sustained while in the service.

This section, which is but a ghost of the proposal submitted by President Obama, is a small but important step in expanding the population eligible for full concurrent receipt. I'm glad some progress is being made.

What troubles and disappoints me most, however, is that this bill, which will be attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010, could have done so much more had the Democratic leadership of the House made elimination of concurrent receipt and elimination of the widow's tax a priority from the beginning of this Congress.

Instead, we were unable to even debate my amendment at the full committee markup of the Defense Authorization dealing with concurrent receipt, the elimination of the Survivor Benefit Plan and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset is a widow's tax, the extension of health care to early retiring Reserve component members, and the use of the misnamed Reserve Fund in the budget resolution.

I would note that since the introduction of the amendment, the Democratic leadership has found a way to fund H.R. 2990, using resources and dollars outside the House Armed Services Committee jurisdiction to provide for just 9 months of very limited concurrent receipt for disabled military retirees.

While that is a step forward to eliminating some of the injustice inflicted on disabled retirees, it does nothing to cure the injustice still being suffered by most persons losing their rightly earned benefits because of the remaining concurrent receipt prohibitions.

Had the House leadership seen eliminating these injustices as a priority, they could have allocated a small percentage--less than 1 percent--necessary in the $15 trillion they provided for government spending in 2010 to 2014. Or, they could have used the Reserve Fund authority as proposed in my amendment.

Instead we must settle for a small pittance for a small group of retirees. I hope that since the authority for this limited concurrent receipt is for only 9 months, that the Democratic leadership makes resolving all the concurrent receipt and SBP-DIC offset injustices a real, not a symbolic, priority next year. As a Nation, we owe more than our gratitude to the brave men and women in uniform and their families, past and present, for the sacrifices they make to protect our freedoms. I know firsthand of the courage of our troops. My late father-in-law Julian Dusenbury, a dedicated Marine, was awarded the Navy Cross for leading the capture of the Japanese headquarters of Shuri Castle in Okinawa. He was shot by a sniper, resulting in his being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He was grateful to have served America.

With that, Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Broun.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, again I would like to commend the chairman for H.R. 2990. This is a step forward, but I am confident that all of us, that we can work together for more.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2647. This bill contains significant policy and funding initiatives that address important issues for our military personnel and quality of life.

I was honored to serve with Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan Davis, who I have seen firsthand promote our servicemembers, their families, and veterans.

Mr. Chairman, I would also like to thank Chairman Ike Skelton and the professional staff for their efforts; particularly John Chapla and Jeanette James.

To that end, the bill contains many important initiatives, including a military pay raise of 3.4 percent. The raise is 0.5 percent above the President's budget request.

Mindful of the challenge the Army is having with large numbers of nondeployable personnel, we have recommended continued growth in Army end strength. The bill would allow the Army to increase by 30,000 in 2011 or 2012. I am particularly pleased that we changed the matching fund requirement to a 75-25 percent ratio between the Department of Defense and the States for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program.

In addition, the bill protects child custody arrangements for deployed parents, championed by Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio. With all these good things in the bill, I must again raise my disappointment that we were unable to even debate my amendment in full committee dealing with concurrent receipt; the elimination of the survivor benefit plan; the dependency and

indemnity compensation offset, more sadly known as the widows tax; the extension of health care to early retiring Reserve component members; and the use of the misnamed Reserve fund in the budget resolution.

Had the Democratic leadership seen eliminating these injustices as a priority, they could have allocated the small percentages necessary in the $15 trillion they provided for government spending in 2010 to 2014. This is less than one-sixth of 1 percent of mandatory spending for this period.

In addition, I was disappointed by the fact that for the second year in a row, we were unable to include my amendment to extend early retirement credit for service for National Guardsmen and Reservists back to September 11, 2001, retrospectively. The prospective retirement credits since January 28, 2008, is a start; but as a 31-year veteran of the Army National Guard, I know more needs to be done. As a Nation, we owe more than our gratitude for the brave men and women in uniform and their families, past and present, for the sacrifices they make to protect our freedom.

With that, Mr. Chair, H.R. 2647 is a strong defense authorization bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' in support of H.R. 2647.

Congratulations to our dedicated colleague Congressman John McHugh of New York for his selection to serve as Secretary of the Army.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This bill contains significant policy and funding initiatives that address important issues for military personnel and quality of life.

I was honored to serve with Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan Davis who I have seen firsthand promote our servicemembers, their families, and veterans.

Mr. Chair, I would also like to thank Chairman Ike Skelton and the professional staff of the Armed Services Committee for their efforts, particularly John Chapla and Jeanette James.

To that end, this bill contains many important initiatives, including: A military pay raise of 3.4 percent. The raise is .5 percent above the President's Budget request which reduces the pay gap to 2.4 percent from 13.5 percent in fiscal year 1999, culminating ten years of enhanced pay raises.

Mindful of the challenge the Army is having with large numbers of non-deployable personnel, we recommend continued growth in Army end strength. The bill would allow the Army to increase by 30,000 in 2011 or 2012. Such growth would significantly improve the Army's ability to deploy fully manned units.

I am particularly pleased that we changed the matching fund requirement to a 75-25 percent ratio between the Department of Defense and the states for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Other initiatives I would mention are:

The statutory mandate for the Department of Defense to account for all the missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and other conflicts designated by the Secretary of Defense, and increase the number of identifications from the current 70 per year to 350 per year by 2020; and

Extending TRICARE Reserve Select to members of the Retired Reserve who qualify for a non-regular retirement but have not reached age 60, otherwise known as ``grey area retirees.''

Continuing our commitment to support our wounded warriors, the bill would:

Establish a database to track service members who have been exposed to blasts to further enhance the care provided to for blast-related health issues, and;

Require medical examinations before service members with post- traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury may be involuntarily separated from the service.

In addition, the bill protects child custody arrangements for deployed parents championed by Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio.

With all the good things in this bill, I must again raise my disappointment that we were unable to even debate my amendment at full committee dealing with concurrent receipt, the elimination of the Survivor Benefit Plan and the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset, more sadly known as the widow's tax, the extension of health care to early retiring reserve component members, and the use of the misnamed Reserve Fund in the Budget Resolution.

I would note that since the introduction of my amendment, the Democratic leadership has found a way to fund for nine months a very limited concurrent receipt for disabled military retirees. That is a step forward to eliminating some of the injustice inflicted on disabled retirees. It however does nothing to cure the injustice still being suffered by most persons losing their rightly earned benefits because of the remaining concurrent receipt prohibitions.

Had the Democratic leadership seen eliminating these injustices as a priority, they could have allocated the small percentages necessary in the 15 trillion dollars they provided for government spending in 2010 to 2014. This is less than one-sixth of one percent of mandatory spending for this period. Or, they could have used the Reserve Fund authority as proposed in my amendment.

Instead we must settle for a small pittance for a small group of retirees.

I hope that since the authority for this limited concurrent receipt is for only nine months, that the Democratic leadership makes resolving all the concurrent receipt and the Survivor Benefit Plan and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation injustices a real, not symbolic priority, next year. We should focus on eliminating the widow's tax.

In addition, I was disappointed by the fact that, for the second year in a row, we were unable to include my amendment to extend early retirement credit for service for National Guardsmen and Reservists back to September 11, 2001, retrospectively. The prospective retirement credit since January 28, 2008, is a start, but as a 31 year veteran of the Army National Guard I know more needs to be done.

As a nation, we owe more than our gratitude to the brave men and women in uniform and their families, past and present, for the sacrifices they make to protect our freedom.

With that, Mr. Chair, H.R. 2647 is a strong defense authorization bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' in support of H.R. 2647.