Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the House is scheduled to take up an emergency supplemental spending bill to fund our troops in Iraq. But the other side has worked themselves into a dilemma over this bill to pander to their left-wing base. The Democrats have included language in the bill that sets an arbitrary date for withdrawing our troops, whether we have achieved victory or not. While that pleases the far left, the more moderate Democrats are rightfully concerned about congressional micromanagement of the war. So what is the solution? Load the bill up with pork to pressure Members to vote for it.

At last count, the supposed emergency supplemental now contains more than $20 billion in unrelated spending. I think most Americans agree that the money they want to spend on spinach subsidies and peanut storage would be better spent on body armor and Humvees for our troops.

Madam Speaker, this bill fails both our troops in combat and the taxpayer here at home. Let's stop playing politics with emergency war funding, Madam Speaker. Let's have a clean supplemental.

Madam Speaker, common sense says the closer you are to the problem, the better you are able to address it. Unfortunately, No Child Left Behind seems to say the opposite. It says that if you are a bureaucrat in Washington, you understand the needs of public education across America better than anyone else does. Educators, however, know that that is not the case.

After meeting with dozens of teachers, principals and administrators in my district, I am convinced that it is time to give our States a choice. That is why I am supporting the A-PLUS Act introduced last week. The bill would allow States to opt out of the burdensome regulations attached to No Child Left Behind; it would let local leaders decide how best to spend their Federal education dollars; and it would allow the challenges we face in public education to be addressed by those who understand them best, local educators. I urge support for the A-PLUS Act

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. has been calling for prompt action at the U.N. Security Council to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Burma. Unfortunately, other member nations have been slow to take up the call. One European nation even suggested recently that the world should wait for the situation in Burma to become urgent and acute before we take action.

Mr. Speaker, Burma reportedly has close to a million IDPs, internally displaced people. Isn't that urgent? Over 3,000 villages have been brutally destroyed by the military dictatorship. Isn't that an acute situation? The latest story out of Burma tells of four teenage girls brutally raped and then thrown into prison by the military rulers, more evidence of their systematic sexual violence there. Isn't that an urgent problem?

Mr. Speaker, there has been enough talk and enough delay. It is time for the world to take action and end the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

Mr. Speaker, for years the Federal courts have drifted towards judicial activism, and nowhere is this dangerous trend more fully embraced than the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Based in San Francisco and covering nine western States, the Ninth Circuit has given us some of the more outrageous decisions in recent memory. These are the folks who say the words ``under God'' are unconstitutional in our pledge. Fortunately for our Nation and our Constitution this mostly Democrat-appointed court isn't the last defense against judicial activism. The U.S. Supreme Court regularly reviews the Ninth Circuit's rulings, and not surprisingly, the high court often overturns them. In fact, in this term the Supreme Court has overturned every Ninth Circuit ruling it has taken up. If you break it out by the votes of the individual Justices, the score is 67 votes to overturn and just five votes to uphold. These are definitely second-string back benchers. It is time they begin interpreting the Constitution, not rewriting it.

Mr. Speaker, our former Vice President, Al Gore, hasn't gotten so much attention since he invented the Internet.

But behind the Oscars, behind the left's unending praise, behind the fawning media coverage lies the truth. And, unfortunately, that truth is pretty inconvenient.

It seems that one of the biggest violators of Gore's own environmental doctrines is Al Gore himself. While he jets around on the global warming celebrity circuit telling everyone else how to live a greener life, his own home in Tennessee is consuming nearly 20 times the energy of the average American home.

Gore defends this conspicuous consumption by purchasing carbon emission offsets. But he buys those offsets from a company he helped create and he currently chairs.

Mr. Speaker, global warming may or may not be an inconvenient truth. But apparently for Al Gore, practicing what you preach is the most inconvenient thing of all.

Madam Speaker, no town likes a scandal, real or invented, more than Washington, DC, and the latest news involving Scooter Libby has the Beltway crowd abuzz.

Madam Speaker, if Scooter Libby broke the law, he should be held to account. But with all the attention being paid to this scandal, I can't help but think of the double standard that seems to be at play here. Scooter Libby is being prosecuted for the exact same offense that ensnared former President Bill Clinton, lying under oath, perjury and obstruction of justice. But the same people today who are calling for Libby's head were insisting back then

that Bill Clinton's offense was no big deal. And the hypocrisy doesn't end there. Where was the liberal outrage when Sandy Berger was caught destroying classified documents and received a slap on the wrist? What about sweetheart land deals or refrigerated cash?

Madam Speaker, the American ideal is equal justice under the law. Let's enforce the law, and let's do so equally, regardless of politics.

Madam Speaker, America has some of the most beautiful farmland in the world. But rapidly expanding urban sprawl is threatening this cherished natural resource every day. In fact, since 1960, approximately 1.5 million acres of American farmland have been converted to nonagricultural uses each year.

This week, I will introduce legislation aimed at slowing this trend that threatens family farms and our cherished open spaces. The Family Farm Preservation Act would encourage farmers to continue farming their land by exempting them from capital gains taxes when they sell their land development rights to qualified groups committed to conservation. Without protection from this significant tax burden, too many farmers are being forced to sell their land to developers, and that means fewer family farms and ever-shrinking open spaces.

By giving farmers an incentive to continue farming their land, this bill helps preserve the cherished way of life while protecting beautiful American landscapes at the same time. I hope all my colleagues will support the Family Farm Preservation Act.

Madam Speaker, the Secretary of State made news this week. During testimony before Congress she announced that the U.S. will join high level talks with Iran and Syria to work towards stability of the Middle East. Madam Speaker, this is a welcomed step in the right direction.

Diplomacy must not be the only option available to us, but it should certainly be one of them. President Reagan understood this principle. In dealing with the Soviets, he never shied away from publicly denouncing their acts of aggression and their disregard for human rights. Even so, he maintained open lines of communication with his Soviet counterparts throughout his Presidency. Reagan did so because he understood a very important principle, when done in the right way, tackling with your enemies is a sign of strengthen, not a sign of weakness. You don't have to give anyone away in order to dialogue.

The same can be true today. Talking with Iran and Syria and continuing to promote stability in the region can go hand in hand if done in the right way. This is the right move, and I applaud the administration for making it.

Mr. Speaker, America has a drug problem, and I am not referring to the war on drugs on our streets. I am referring to the booming illegal opium trade in Afghanistan. This is our problem, Mr. Speaker, because the huge profits from growing opium in Afghanistan are being used against our troops.

Though illegal, opium production has skyrocketed in Afghanistan in recent years, and the results are deadly. Enormous profits often end up in the hands of the Taliban and local warlords who use it to buy weapons, pay fighters and bribe officials.

We must adjust our policies if we are to see sustained stability in Afghanistan. Eradicating opium must become a priority. We must crack down on the drug lords, train local law enforcement, and help build the Afghan economy to provide opportunities for making an honest living. And we must ask our friends in Afghanistan's government to help us in this effort. The safety of our troops depends on it.

Mr. Speaker, as a Vietnam veteran who served three tours during Vietnam and flew 116 combat missions over there in B-52s, I rise to oppose this resolution.

I am sure I don't speak for every Vietnam veteran, but I am sure I speak for a lot of them when I say that when we served in combat we detested the politicians in Washington who undermined our efforts to win, politicians who criticized the war effort, politicians who sought to micro-manage the war, politicians who set the rules of engagement from thousands of miles away.

These politicians were anything but helpful. They undermined our efforts and our morale. They made us fight with one hand tied behind our backs. They demoralized our forces and our allies and our families. And, their words and political efforts grated on our families back home.

Mr. Speaker, it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Our troops need and deserve our full support.

I don't question the proponents of this resolution's patriotism. I question their judgment. What we are debating this week is called a nonbinding resolution. What that really means is that this is nothing more than a political statement. It is designed to send a message to the voters and to the media to score political points, I guess. But this resolution is not about President Bush or failures of his administration, this is about America, it is about our future, it is about our kids and our grandkids. And, unfortunately for them, this resolution offers no plan to win the war, no plan for the future.

For months we have heard the other side criticize the President for offering a stay-the-course strategy in Iraq. Now that the President has offered a new strategy, the other side wants the status quo, to stay the course. The American people want a new direction in Iraq, but not a retreat or a defeat.

This is a stay-the-course resolution. It opposes sending in reinforcements to help achieve victory, as the Iraq Study Group suggested that we do on page 73 of their report.

Now, I am not suggesting that the military is the only solution to winning the Iraq war. It is only one leg in a three-legged stool, which also should include diplomatic, political, economic efforts as well. But it is absolutely an indispensable part of the solution. To undermine the military effort is wrong and will guarantee defeat.

The left wants us to fight a politically correct war. They believe that if we stop fighting the war will end. They are wrong.

Some of us met with ambassadors from the Middle East yesterday. The ambassadors voiced strong opposition to withdrawing troops from Iraq. They said to do so before the Iraqi Government is able to sustain itself would lead to catastrophe, catastrophe in Iraq and catastrophe in the region. They are right. If we stop fighting, the consequence will be disastrous. Our terrorist enemies will be greatly emboldened and empowered. Countless Iraqis will be slaughtered. Genocide will occur. The terrorists will become even a bigger threat to the region, destabilizing and possibly igniting a regional war, and they will surely follow us home to fight here. And our allies will never trust our resolve again.

If we don't defeat the Islamic terrorists in Iraq, then let me ask you, where will we do so?

Mr. Speaker, the world is watching the Pelosi Congress. Will we show them that our determination to succeed is stronger than the terrorists? If this war is lost, it won't be lost by our magnificent troops in the field, it will be lost in the Halls of this Congress by politicians who want to micromanage our military. And that is why I ask my colleagues to consider the consequences of this vote and this war.

The long-term consequences are momentous. What will it mean for your kids and grandkids? What kind of world will they inherit? What will it mean for the Middle East? What will it mean for our allies in the Middle East? What will it mean for the future of our great country?

Make no mistake about this. This resolution will harm our troops who are sacrificing for the cause of freedom. It opposes sending in reinforcements to troops in battle. Our troops deserve and need our support. The arm chair generals in Congress who have never served in combat say, We will not abandon you, while they undermine our troops and their mission, while they deny them reinforcements.

This vote is a vote for failure in Iraq and chaos. We should insist on victory in Iraq. This resolution does not support victory, it supports failure. We must defeat the terrorists, we must protect America from Islamic terrorists. Defeat this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Judiciary Committee considered a bill to protect chickens, roosters, from being carried across State lines for use in illegal cockfighting. An amendment was offered on a similar ``cross State line'' issue, protecting minor girls from being carried across State lines for the purpose of having an abortion without their parents' knowledge or consent.

While the committee ultimately passed the animal protections, they wouldn't even allow a vote on protecting young girls. Even more outrageous, the substance of the rejected amendment has passed twice in the House last year, with large bipartisan majorities.

Mr. Speaker, in case anyone is having trouble following this, let's summarize: by rejecting this amendment, Democrats saw fit to provide greater protections to birds than to minor girls and their parents and unborn children. It is as simple as that. This is supposed to be the year of the children? Not all of the children.

Welcome to the Pelosi Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to stress the importance today of our partnership with the people of Afghanistan.

The 9/11 attacks were planned in Afghanistan, and a number of those who planned it are still at large, including Osama bin Laden. President Hamid Karzai's leadership is vital, as is his continuing work to bring stability and security to Afghanistan; he is an important ally in the global war on terrorism. Unfortunately, reports suggest that progress in Afghanistan continues to be undermined by Taliban and terrorist forces operating out of Pakistan.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow Afghanistan to become a failed state again; therefore, we must ensure that terrorist operations in Afghanistan stop and terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens across the border in Pakistan are eliminated. And we need more cooperation from Pakistan. Let's not neglect the situation in Afghanistan. We do so at our peril.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to remember the life of a proud Berks County resident, James C. Miles. James was born August 26, 1918, to Alfred and Grace Miles, and passed away on February 5, 2007, at the age of 88.

Born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mr. Miles graduated from Reading High School in 1936 and later joined the U.S. Army during World War II. Utilizing his experience with the famous Reading Railroad industry, Mr. Miles served in Northern Africa and Europe helping to repair the rail network in support of the advance towards Germany.

Mr. Miles was a member of the Advent Lutheran Church in West Lawn, Pennsylvania. In addition, Mr. Miles was a former President of the Wernersville VFW.

Mr. Miles was preceded in death by his wife of over 40 years, the former Marjorie Elizabeth High, whom he wed November 27, 1941, and who passed away on May 22, 1986. Surviving him are his two children, Larry E. (Catherine) Miles of Wyomissing, Deborah (Michael) Shimko of Nazareth; five grandchildren, Kelly (Tony) Curtis of Glen Allen, VA, Jeffrey (Meredith) Miles currently serving at our Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, Jennifer Miles of Chicago, IL, Michael and Mark Shimko of Nazareth; and three great-granddaughters, Caroline, Madelyn and Claire Curtis of Glen Allen, VA.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of James C. Miles. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and achievements here today.

Mr. Speaker, a week ago, the anti-war rally in Washington made headlines across America. Lost in most of the coverage, however, was the complete lack of basic decency displayed by some of these protesters. The anti-war protesters defaced our Capitol by spray- painting graffiti on the Capitol's west terrace.

Mr. Speaker, it never ceases to amaze me how nonpeaceful these so- called peace protesters can be. There is no question that Americans have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble, but when you brazenly deface cherished public property, you are no longer assembling peacefully. You are committing a crime.

Mr. Speaker, we can have a thoughtful public debate on our policies overseas, but we must remember this. Our freedom was not earned by protesters with poster paint. It was earned by the thousands of brave men and women who courageously stand up to fight for it, many of whom paid with their lives.

Madam Speaker, Barbaro, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, died yesterday. Barbaro was not just any horse. This was a horse who never lost a race. This was a horse who won the Kentucky Derby by 6\1/ 2\ lengths. The last time that was done was in 1946. What a shame it was when he hurt himself and cut short one of the greatest careers in horse racing.

And sad as this is, I come to the floor to congratulate the New Bolton Center in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in my congressional district. Dean Richardson and the staff of the New Bolton Center have shown the world what humane and excellent veterinary care looks like. Barbaro and his owners put their trust in the New Bolton Center and hoped for the best over the last 9 months. Sadly, Barbaro didn't make it. But no one doubts that everything that could have been done was done and done well. Our thanks are due to the staff at the New Bolton Center.