Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the horrific environmental and economic damage in the gulf continues, but it seems like the administration wants to move on to other things before the leak is stopped and the oil cleaned up. The President spent a significant part of his speech Tuesday night talking about imposing new costs on energy and cap-and- trade climate legislation.

We all know how important it is to have less dependence on fossil fuels, especially from foreign sources, and encourage clean energy production. The question is whether we do that by imposing new costs on the American people because of global warming. We should not impose new taxes on energy just based on the hope that clean energy will become more cost feasible.

I don't have to remind anyone that we have unemployment near 10 percent. Making it more expensive to run factories and small businesses will not bring back jobs.

We certainly need clean energy, and I've been proud to see sensible solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric projects move forward in my district. What we don't need are job-killing taxes on what BP chairman calls the ``small people'' that will make it even more difficult to recover jobs not only along the gulf coast but across our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, last week the President's chief budget adviser, Peter Orszag, said that the administration was unwilling to send a package of deficit-reducing budget cuts to Capitol Hill. Even though the President's party is in control of both Houses, Orszag didn't think administration budget recommendations would be considered.

Just a few days later, however, the President announced that he wants Congress to pass a $50 billion bill to bail out States, regardless of whether that spending increases the deficit. So the administration is perfectly willing to dictate to Congress that we should increase our already burdensome national debt, but wholly unwilling to recommend sensible cuts to existing government programs. We just can't go on like this.

This week, Greece just had another debt rating agency slash their bond rating to junk. Now Europe is putting together a bailout package for Spain. Italy, Ireland, and Portugal may not be far behind. The warnings are numerous, but I fear that they are being ignored. We have to get control of our Federal budget or there is not going to be anyone big enough to bail us out.

Mr. Speaker, this week, violence flared up in Kyrgyzstan, prompting tens of thousands of Uzbeks to flee their homes and places of birth to seek refuge in neighboring countries. Innocent people, including women, children and the elderly, are suffering with over 100 killed.

Just 2 months ago, the people deposed the authoritarian President Bakiyev, who promptly fled to Belarus and the protection of the Lukashenko government. Approval of a new constitution and general elections were proceeding smoothly until the recent violence, which was prompted by forces supportive of the deposed president and other lawless elements.

Even with the present chaos, the interim Kurdish government is insisting that the date of elections will remain unchanged. For many years, I've worked with the nations along the old Silk Road in central Asia, and it pains me to see the Kyrgyz fleeing violence in their homeland.

The U.S. wants to keep our Air Force base in Kyrgyzstan, but we have shown little interest in helping the people of this nation build a republic that respects human rights free of corruption. Even China and Russia are lending their support with humanitarian aid flights. We need the State Department and President Obama to offer the support of America to a nation struggling to create democracy and freedom to strengthen their independence and sovereignty.

Without action on the part of the U.S., violence will continue, and then more than just a military base will be lost.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1389, and I commend my colleague Mr. McIntyre for sponsoring this resolution.

We often hear about deadbeat and delinquent dads. So it's easy to forget that millions of dads across America are striving to be good husbands and positive role models for their kids. It is important for us to recognize those dads and the tremendous importance of promoting fatherhood in America.

There's no denying the invaluable role that a father plays in a child's life. We all know that children with involved and loving fathers have a significant advantage. They tend to perform better in school, to have a healthy self-esteem, to exhibit positive social behavior, and avoid drug use and other criminal activity. But this kind of statistical research really just affirms what we already know to be true: Fatherhood is important. A loving father plays an integral role in the family, and healthy families are the foundation for a healthy society.

This is not a partisan issue, and I'm glad that Republicans and Democrats are joining together on this bipartisan effort to honor responsible fatherhood. Small communities across our country rely on the work of families to keep our neighborhoods strong. Churches, community service clubs, and school boards should remember how critical fathers are in creating stable families and, therefore, stable communities.

I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of fatherhood and to support this resolution, H. Res. 1389, today.

Mr. Speaker, once again the complete lack of leadership demonstrated by the administration on budget issues is extremely disappointing.

When the President introduced his budget earlier this year, he projected trillion dollar deficits for years to come. To fix the problem, he passed the buck to a new debt commission. This week, when Budget Director Peter Orszag was asked about whether the administration would send a package of budget cuts to Congress, he said that it would be a ``fruitless exercise.''

Certainly Congress controls the purse, but the President plays a critical role in providing leadership on spending issues. I know that House Republicans would support a substantial package of budget cuts. We are not going to wait for the President, however. We are going to keep introducing sensible measures to reduce spending, and we are going to let the American people have their say on the YouCut Web site.

Our national debt has reached the level where it is holding back our economic growth. We shouldn't wait any longer to put the stops on government spending and borrowing, which is out of control.

Mr. Speaker, the ongoing abuses and tragedies in Burma are almost unfathomable. The brutal and cruel military dictators systematically oppress and exploit the ethnic minorities in Burma, and they are denied the basic and fundamental rights that belong to every human being.

Among the minorities most deprived of such rights is the Rohingya, a Muslim minority in western Burma. The Rohingya people are denied citizenship, freedom of movement, college education, and even marriage. They need permission just to leave their villages and are prohibited from traveling beyond a particular region of the country. The tactics of rape, forced labor, torture, land seizures, arbitrary arrests, and extortion are also used to repress them. As a result, 1.5 million Rohingya have fled to surrounding countries.

I met with a representative of the Rohingya recently; and his request was, Please speak up for us, we are people too. For the Rohingya and for all the ethnic minorities and suffering people of Burma who are victims of this cruel dictatorship, we must speak out against their horrific abuses. Our government, the U.N., and ASEAN should speak up as well.

Mr. Speaker, this week the House is going to consider another so-called jobs bill, but what is really in this bill? Certainly not many private sector jobs or real help to America's small businesses.

Extending unemployment compensation is necessary, but it's not creating jobs. A delayed fix to the Medicare reimbursement rate isn't creating new jobs. Billions of dollars to bail out State Medicaid programs isn't jobs. Welfare payments aren't jobs. We're about to spend $200 billion on a so-called jobs bill without creating any private sector jobs.

Just a few months ago, I polled 16,000 of my constituents. Only 12 percent of them believe that government policies are making it easier to create jobs. Is it any wonder that Americans have this opinion?

The so-called jobs bill this week permanently raises taxes in order to pay for 1-year tax extensions. Unemployment is near 10 percent. Millions more Americans have just given up looking for a job. It's far past time that we stopped making it harder for businesses to hire and started providing real help through regulatory relief and targeted tax breaks. That would be a real jobs bill.

Mr. Speaker, in a year when, for the first time in memory, the Pelosi Congress is failing to adopt a budget, I am proud to cosponsor a spending limit amendment that would place a cap on Federal Government spending.

Tax rates go up and down, tax laws change, the economy changes; but in the past six decades, Federal tax receipts have stayed consistent at nearly 20 percent of GDP. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed last Monday, Economist David Ranson explained this effect. He notes: ``The tax base isn't just something you can kick around at will. It represents a living economic system that makes its own collective choices.'' In other words, we can't fight against the natural level of maximum taxation. If we raise taxes, we won't collect enough to reduce our deficit, and we will restrain economic growth.

We have been living outside of our means, borrowing and spending and bailing out for far too long. The Spending Limit Amendment, based on economic reality, is a sensible measure that will keep our government in check.

Madam Speaker, the Pennsylvania Republican delegation is also proud to welcome Representative Critz to the House. Mark, I am sure that you will try to emulate your old boss' record of service to the people of the 12th Congressional District. He is missed by the delegation, but we're glad to have a good friend of his representing Pennsylvania in this House. I'm certain that your prior service to the 12th District will be invaluable as you serve here in Washington. On behalf of the Republican delegation, please do not hesitate to contact any of us if we can be of help as you begin your service to the people of Pennsylvania.

Again, welcome to the House of Representatives.

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

I rise in support of H. Res. 996, to support the designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. A third of the people ages 2 to 19 are obese now, and experience tells us that they probably will grow both literally and figuratively into obese adults. It means that in just a few years, a disproportionately high number of them will hear a doctor explain that they have heart disease or diabetes or cancer or arthritis or an increased chance of having a stroke. But childhood obesity is preventable, and so it doesn't have to lead to bad news in a doctor's office later in life. Exercise and good nutrition that start early not only fight childhood obesity but also instill the habits that promote lifelong health.

Let me say a word about personal responsibility here. No congressional resolution can replace the good sense of concerned parents. I think most parents know instinctively that healthy families produce healthy adults, and I commend them. I also think they deserve our recognition and appreciation and encouragement. In the final analysis, any attempt to raise awareness of a problem like childhood obesity must involve individuals making good choices for the sake of their own health. Raising our voices to help advance public awareness of that crucial, beneficial truth is worthwhile business for the people's House to undertake.

I would like to thank the sponsor of this resolution, Representative Marcia Fudge from Ohio, for all of her work on this resolution. I would also like to thank Representative Bono Mack who has labored so hard to bring attention to the childhood obesity problem. We stand in support of this legislation and hope that our colleagues will join us.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 713, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the automobile dealers whose franchises were terminated through no fault of their own, be given an opportunity of first consideration once the auto market rebounds and stabilizes.

Dealerships play an important function in the distribution model. It was the economic downturn that exacerbated the already slowing automobile sales. Some dealers assert that they had sufficient sales and should not have been marked for closure. Despite their importance to manufacturers, the fact that they were well-run businesses and the Federal Government's bailout of GM and Chrysler, to the tune of $80 billion, many franchises were taken away from these dealerships. Jobs supported by these dealerships were eliminated, and this lost income continues to plague American families.

In addition, the lost tax revenue and absence of those dealerships that played an important civic role in their communities has further strained local communities. When the auto market recovers, these dealerships should be given an opportunity to reclaim their franchises as manufacturers expand their distribution channels.

I would like to commend Congressman Green and Congressman Hensarling for their leadership on this issue. I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the Federal Government is deep in debt and digging fast. We all know the importance of balancing the Federal budget, but we disagree on how to do that. How can we reduce the deficit without hurting our economy? Do we cut spending, or do we raise taxes?

I have here an analysis from two Harvard professors looking at how large changes in fiscal policy affect deficits and economies. Their research shows that ``fiscal adjustments based upon spending cuts and no tax increases are more likely to reduce deficit and debt over GDP ratios than those based on tax increases.''

The authors looked at decades of economic data around the world and came to the conclusion that it is best to go about reducing large deficits through government restraint and spending cuts.

Some think that we can keep spending recklessly, raise taxes, and balance the books. This study shows that we must get our spending under control. Raising taxes only kills jobs in our economy, leaving the government in an even worse fiscal situation.

This study is available on my Web site. I encourage all to examine it.

Mr. Speaker, consumer spending is critical to creating new jobs, and the last thing we want to do during a recovery is discourage it. Unfortunately, we are hearing whispers and rumblings that the President's debt commission could recommend a new value-added tax before the end of the year, a VAT tax. Close advisers to the President such as Paul Volcker and John Podesta have publicly supported this tax which is already widely used in Europe.

The problem is that European taxes mean European unemployment and European levels of job growth. From 1982 to 2007, the U.S. created 45 million new jobs, compared to only 10 million in Europe. VAT taxes raised the price of goods, directly reducing consumer purchasing power, and this means fewer jobs.

I think we need to make it clear to the debt commission that a VAT tax is no solution to our fiscal problems. The real solution is to restrain Federal Government spending that has far outstripped its traditional boundaries. I'm circulating a letter for signatures to the commission opposing the VAT tax, and I hope all my colleagues will stand with me against the VAT tax.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very concerned about the President's new nominee for the CMS, Dr. Donald Berwick. In my opinion, Dr. Berwick's positions on health care represent a step toward more government control of the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Berwick opposes efforts to make patients more cost sensitive, stating that such measures have ``no rationale in science, ethics, or evidence.'' But there is plenty of evidence that consumers behave differently when the costs of a product are made clear.

Dr. Berwick praised the British commission responsible for rationing care as ``extremely effective and a conscientious, valuable, and knowledge-building system.'' This is the same system that routinely denies care in the name of cost savings and has led to dramatically lower cancer survival rates than the U.S.

Americans don't want a system of poor service and long waiting periods, but that's what we might expect under a CMS administrator who has been knighted for his service to the British National Health Service.

Madam Speaker, today I honor Pennsylvania State Representative Katie True for her long service to the people of Lancaster County and the State of Pennsylvania. After serving 8 years representing the 37th State House District and another 8 years representing the 41st State House District, Rep. True will retire after the present legislative session.

I had the distinct honor of serving four years in the Pennsylvania General Assembly with Rep. True. Throughout her career she worked across the aisle to defend life in our State. After I was elected to the House of Representatives, Rep. True took over the leadership of the Pennsylvania State House Pro-Life Caucus.

She has been a tireless advocate for children in the State of Pennsylvania. She counts her greatest accomplishment as working to improve the child welfare system so that no child slips through the cracks.

Rep. True has always made protecting women a priority during her time in public service. In between her two terms in the General Assembly, she served 2 years as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. During her time in the General Assembly, she made sure that Pennsylvania established tough anti-trafficking laws to protect women and children in our State. Also, she introduced legislation for a check-off box on state income tax forms for breast cancer research.

Rep. True is one of the most trusted legislators in our state and her colleagues in Harrisburg will miss her cooperative spirit. Her constituents will miss her servant's heart and care for her community.

Our State motto is ``Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.'' Rep. True embodies virtue and has always defended our liberty and independence. The State of Pennsylvania is grateful for her honorable service and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.