Floor Statements

Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a little bit about my experience balancing budgets because I had to manage many different kinds of budgets, and some all at the same time.

As a business owner for 23 years, I had to balance my insurance company's budget. As the mayor of Fort Worth, I had to balance the city's budget. And as the mother of three, I had to balance the household budget.

What is the same about every budget I have ever balanced is that there was never any choice. There were very serious consequences for not being fiscally responsible, whether it was in my business, at city hall, or at home.

Most Americans have had the same experience I've had. We all sit around the kitchen table and figure out how to make ends meet, and then we ask why can't Washington do the same thing?

Families and businesses have to balance their budgets every single day. It's only right that the Federal Government, with $14.3 trillion in debt, should finally have to do what all Americans already do. But when Washington is asked to balance the budget for the American people, this seems to be too tall an order.

Washington could learn a thing or two from the women in Congress: 10.6 million businesses owned in the United States are owned by women, and women now make up the majority of the workforce. We're the leaders of Fortune 500 companies. But as we've taken an even greater responsibility, we haven't given anything up. We're balancing budgets at our business during the day, and when we get home, we're taking care of our families' finances, and many of us care for our aging parents and their budgets too.

We know what it means to make ends meet, and we've lived up to that responsibility in every part of our lives. It's now time for Washington to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Lieutenant Commander Stephen A. Marty as he prepares to leave the Navy's Appropriations Matters Office (FMBE) after three years of dedicated service to my distinguished colleagues of the House Appropriations Committee. Lieutenant Commander Marty's high energy approach and solid effort to foster relationships with Members of Congress and Congressional Staff ensured my staff received timely and accurate information on the Department of the Navy's medical programs. This account is especially important to me because it directly impacts our nation's wounded warriors.

I have worked with Lieutenant Commander Marty throughout his tenure in FMBE. His expertise in representing Navy Medical programs worth over $6 billion annually helped the Department of the Navy achieve strategic and budgetary objectives for all medical accounts, including critical supplies and equipment for our nation's war fighters and wounded warriors. Additionally, Lieutenant Commander Marty meticulously planned and executed several challenging international Congressional Delegations for the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Throughout each trip he ensured that the Subcommittee achieved its aims.

Lieutenant Commander Marty's outstanding tenure in FMBE exemplified the dedicated leadership, superb professionalism, and unwavering integrity that is the hallmark of a fine Naval officer. Through his duties as a Congressional Appropriations Liaison, he has had a positive influence on the Navy, its Sailors and Officers. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in saying thank you to Lieutenant Commander Stephen A. Marty for his dedication and service throughout his distinguished tour in FMBE.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain Tracy D. (T.D.) Smyers for his 27 years of dedicated and distinguished service to our nation on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Navy.

It is an honor to join the people of Texas' 12th Congressional District in honoring one of our own, Captain Smyers, upon his retirement as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base for the past three years.

Locally appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy by Representative Charles Stenholm of Texas' old 17th district, he graduated from the academy in 1984 and attended flight school. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in September of 1985.

Spending the majority of his career in a P-3 Orion aircraft, Captain Smyers succeeded in all leadership roles in multiple squadrons during his career. The most notable position was as the Commanding Officer of the VP-62 Broad Arrows. Captain Smyers led this squadron during Operation Enduring Freedom in three different operational theaters. Additionally, Captain Smyers attended the National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces earning a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Resourcing.

On April 11, 2008, Captain Smyers reported as the eighth Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, which provides support for units from every service and over 11,000 active duty, guard, reserve, and civilian employees. It has truly been an honor to work with Captain Smyers. He is respected by all for his true professionalism. While Captain Smyers has remained focused on the mission, his dedication to the sailors under his command has been exceptional. He epitomizes the phrase ``Mission First, People Always'' and I know the thousands of officers, sailors, and civilians he has led hold him in the highest regard.

Captain Smyers has upheld the highest traditions of the United States Navy. We will miss his leadership as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, but we look forward to the contributions he will make to our community as he and his family transition to civilian life in our area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Continuing Resolution. We must pass this bill today to begin to get this Nation on a path of fiscal stability. I want to make a few brief remarks about the State-Foreign Operations title of the bill. State-Foreign Operations is reduced by 8.4 billion dollars from the fiscal year 2011 request. While some of my colleagues might say these funding levels mean that diplomacy and development take a large reduction, we need to keep in mind that the State-Foreign Operations bill grew by more than 33% from FY08 to FY10. We simply cannot allow these programs to continue to grow at this rate. The reductions taken in this bill are targeted, so that we can remain focused on our highest national security priorities. The bill provides critical funds for the frontline States of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It supports security assistance to some of our strongest allies--like Israel, Jordan, Mexico, and Colombia. It also addresses unexpected humanitarian crises around the world. I want to thank my colleague, Ranking Member Lowey, for working with me to address these high priority needs. I know we will continue to work together to address problems of bipartisan concern.

Mr. Speaker, as a long-time friend of Taiwan and as a Member of Congress who has frequent interaction with Taiwanese American constituents, I rise today to bring a timely issue to your attention.

My support for Taiwan, and especially for arms sales to Taiwan, is well-known and well-documented. As a matter of fact, I inserted a statement into the Congressional Record last spring calling for the expedient sale of F-16s to Taiwan.

Recently, I read an article in the Taipei Times that left me rattled.

On February 20, 2011, the director of the American Enterprise Institute's Program on Advanced Strategic Studies, Mr. Gary Schmitt, wrote in the Taipei Times, ``When your girlfriend refuses to set a date for a wedding, and does so over several years, it's probably a good idea to start looking around for another fiance. So it is today with Taiwan's efforts to procure more than five dozen F-16s from the U.S. This is a courtship from Taipei's end that has been going on since 2006. After nearly five years, it's time to consider moving on.''

I believe it is critical that we do not drive Taiwan to the point where they have to start looking for fighters elsewhere. This situation is especially concerning because it will cost the U.S. jobs at a time when the domestic economy--particularly my home state of Texas--could use all the help it can get.

Mr. Speaker, let's not forget that today's Taiwan continues to be under an ominous shadow cast by the over 1,600 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at it. The PRC continues to refuse to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, continues to claim Taiwan as a renegade province, and, to add insult to injury, passed an ``Anti-Secession Law'' on March 14, 2005, mandating military action if Taiwan moves toward formal de jure independence. We strongly condemned passage of this ``Anti-Secession Law'' when we passed House Concurrent Resolution 98 on March 16, 2005.

Section 3(a) and (b) of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which is the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations and the law of the land, stipulates that both the President and the Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of defense articles and services that we are legally bound to provide to Taiwan, based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, let me conclude my remarks by urging my esteemed colleagues to join me in requesting the President move ahead with the sale of F-16s to Taiwan at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the 30th anniversary of Billy Bob's Texas, which opened on April 1, 1981 and is proud to be known as the World's Largest Honky-Tonk. The building known as Billy Bob's was built over a century ago in 1910 as a cattle barn in Fort Worth's historic Stockyards. This Fort Worth landmark has been an invaluable attraction for both local residents and visitors from around the world. But this iconic building does not only contribute to the Texas culture in Fort Worth, but also to the economic prosperity of the neighborhood and the city. It has entertained more than 17 million visitors, served as a venue to tens of thousands of music artists including the greatest names in country and classic rock, and is proud to have bucked more than 46,000 bulls in its indoor arena. Billy Bob's truly does preserve Fort Worth's western heritage. I want to congratulate owners Holt Hickman, Don Jury, Steve Murrin, and Billy and Pam Minick.

Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to the Jordan amendment.

This amendment would cut an additional $2.5 billion from the State, Foreign Operations title of the CR after the subcommittee has brought significant and thoughtful cuts to the table. This title is already $10 billion below 2010, including supplementals. To achieve that, we put lower priority programs on pause, reduced and eliminated underperforming, wasteful and duplicative programs and zeroed out administrative priorities like climate change.

The programs that are funded in the State, Foreign Operations title of this bill protect our top national security priorities. The gentleman claims his amendment exempts national security, but it does not exempt the national security provisions in the State, Foreign Operations title. The Jordan amendment reduces U.S. operations in frontline states including Afghanistan and Iraq.

The subcommittee has tried to responsibly protect these funds from drastic reductions in the State, Foreign Operations title, given that we have men and women in harm's way in our civilian forces just as we do in our military forces.

Aside from cutting $450 million from security assistance, the amendment would cut $55 million from the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund.

Israel is protected from this amendment's cuts, but Egypt, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Iraq are not. Given the fragile situation in these frontline states and in the Middle East, I believe cutting these funds would undermine our security.

Mr. Chairman, for these reasons I must oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

The underlying FY10 bill already prohibits assistance to Saudi Arabia, unless the Secretary of State determines that it is in our U.S. national interest. Maintaining a relationship with Saudi Arabia is critical to our national security, and I am concerned this amendment could jeopardize that relationship.

Our two countries enjoy robust counterterrorism intelligence sharing. Saudi-U.S. collaboration helped thwart the package bomb from Yemen. Saudi Arabia is a critical strategic ally with whom we share mutual enemies and mutual threats. I believe this amendment goes too far, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I know it's late and people are tired, but it's not too late to right a wrong--the wrong that was done was against the schoolchildren of Texas to the tune of $830 million.

The Congress is asking the Governor of Texas to do something that he is constitutionally unable to do. What is happening to our schools is the same as in many States, but Texas has this extra burden of scrambling to find ways to afford to keep those classrooms open and the teachers there.

What we are asking you to do is to release Texas from this burden that only Texas has which was put on Texas by this Congress, I think unintentionally by most of the people in this Congress. So I would say tonight this is an issue that deals with Texas but that it affects every schoolchild and every teacher in our State.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1.

Chairman Rogers, it's been a pleasure working with you and the other members of the committee on this important piece of legislation that begins to address our country's fiscal crisis. For too long we have seen unsustainable increases in spending. This bill puts an end to that practice and further corrects course by making unprecedented cuts to the federal budget.

As chair of the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I know the difficult tradeoffs that have to be made to achieve these levels of cuts, but we cannot continue to ignore our skyrocketing deficits and debt.

We are taking our pledge to cut spending seriously. Since fiscal year 2008, the state-foreign operations budget has had dramatic increases, and this bill begins to rein in the growth of many programs.

The state-foreign operations title of the bill before us is $44.9 billion. This represents--an $11.7 billion, or 21%, reduction from the president's fiscal year 2011 request; A $3.8 billion, or 8%, reduction from the fiscal year 2010 enacted level, and A $9.9 billion, or 18%, reduction from the fiscal year 2010 level with supplemental appropriations.

Let me be clear--while these are dramatic cuts, I support the goals and objectives of using civilian power to achieve our national security goals. But the state of our economy does not afford us the luxury of continuing all the programs we're currently supporting around the world, particularly at a time when domestic programs are being significantly reduced.

To achieve the level of savings included for the remainder of FY11, reductions were made in areas that, while difficult, preserve important efforts and priorities. For example, the bill before us supports top national security priorities, maintains momentum in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, fully funds the US-Israel memorandum of understanding at $3 billion, and continues the fight against illegal drug trafficking in Mexico, Central America, and Colombia.

In order to do all of these things, in this bill:

New activities are paused so we can take a closer look at our current investments to ensure they are working before we expand them.

Many programs that are well-liked and supported are scaled back. Our country simply cannot afford the growth some of these programs have experienced since 2008.

Underperforming, wasteful, and duplicative programs are significantly reduced, and many are eliminated. We cannot continue to spend simply because we have done so in the past.

Large administration commitments--like climate change--are shelved. We must be sure our domestic problems are addressed before we consider these large investments abroad.

While these choices were difficult, they must be made in order to preserve our national security priorities.

There is a need for continued oversight in our foreign aid and constituents want to be assured that their tax dollars are being used as

intended and not falling into the wrong hands. For that reason I have included language which provides additional oversight for countries like Afghanistan and Lebanon.

I would like to thank ranking member Lowey for her dedication to the subcommittee as chair for the last four years, and I look forward to continuing to work together.

We both agree that members on both sides of the aisle deserve to be heard on the important foreign policy matters that come before our subcommittee. We have members who are returning this year to the subcommittee and new members who are ready to be a part of our team.

I would also like to thank the staff on both sides. On the majority staff Anne Marie Chotvacs, Craig Higgins, Alice Hogans, Susan Adams, Celia Alvarado, and Jamie Guinn. On the minority staff: Steve Marchese.

I know Mrs. Lowey and I both appreciate the work of our personal office staff: Aaron Ranck, Johnnie Kaberle, and Talia Dubovi.

I also want to recognize Jeff Shockey. This will be the last appropriations bill on the floor before Jeff leaves the appropriations committee so I want take this opportunity to thank him for his years of dedication and hard work. Jeff has been a significant asset to this committee, and to the house, and he will be missed.

We all benefit from these highly professional staff and I thank them for their work to help bring the fiscal year 2011 process to a close.

I hope this bill will move forward quickly to ensure important government operations are continued in a manner that is fiscally responsible and meets our foreign policy challenges around the world.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Madam Chair, Congress created the U.S. Institute of Peace in 1984 as part of the Defense Authorization Act of 1985. Since that time, USIP has been active on the ground in diverse conflict zones around the world, among them the Balkans, Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Kashmir, Liberia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and the Philippines.

With conflicts continuing around the globe, the institute's expertise and independence is an important resource for both the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to utilize in protecting our national security and in promoting our values of liberty and democracy.

General David Petraeus stated it well in a 2009 letter to OMB: ``I write to underscore the importance of the U.S. Institute of Peace to the missions the United States is currently pursuing in Iraq and Afghanistan. While I have long been an avid reader of USIP's analytical products, which are second to none in tracking the challenges we face in both countries and in outlining policy options, I have more recently been impressed with USIP's on-the-ground peace-building efforts. USIP's experience working closely with the U.S. military will be a great asset in developing stronger unity of effort between civilian and military elements of government.''

Former Secretary of State George Schultz, in a February 15, 2011, letter to the institute's President, echoed the comments of General Petraeus by saying:

``We are in the most profound period of change in international affairs since the end of the Cold War; and the institute, as a small and agile operation, has demonstrated a unique capacity to innovate in approaches to managing conflicts abroad that affect U.S. interests.''

Madam Chair, I have great respect for both General Petraeus and former Secretary of State George Schultz. The CR already reduces USIP's appropriation by over 6 percent. I cannot support further cuts, and I urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

I rise to address the gentleman's amendment to eliminate funding for the East-West Center. Historically the House has not included funding the center in the subcommittee bill, not because the center's work is not useful or is wasteful but because of the need to address other more important diplomatic and development priorities.

Strong advocates have urged the House to continue funding in conference negotiations. The committee again considered eliminating funding in the CR. But we were advised by the center that their projected obligations through March of this year exceeded $8 million. As a result, the decision was made to continue the center's funding, but at half of last year's level to adjust for what was planned to be spent.

Having said that, I share the gentleman's objective, and I'm prepared to accept the amendment with the understanding that the $8 million in obligations during the CR period will preclude us from eliminating the agency entirely.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise to thank the gentleman for offering this amendment, and I am willing to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I am willing to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I would reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

For too long we have seen unsustainable increases in spending. This bill before us today puts an end to that practice by making unprecedented cuts to the Federal budget. As chair of the State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I know the difficult tradeoffs that have to be made to achieve these levels of cuts, but we cannot continue to ignore our skyrocketing deficits and our debt.

In the bill before us, we are taking our pledge to cut spending seriously. Since fiscal year 2008, the State, Foreign Operations budget has had dramatic increases. This bill begins to rein in the growth of many programs.

The State, Foreign Operations title of the bill before us is $44.9 billion. This represents a 21 percent reduction from the President's fiscal year 2011 request, an 8 percent reduction from the fiscal year 2010 enacted level, and an 18 percent reduction from the fiscal year 2010 level with supplemental appropriations.

Let me be clear. While these are dramatic cuts, I support the goals and objectives of using civilian power to achieve our national security goals.

To achieve the level of savings included for the remainder of FY11, reductions were made in areas that, while difficult, preserve important efforts and priorities. For example, the bill before us supports top national security priorities, maintains momentum in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and fully funds the U.S.-Israel memorandum of understanding at $3 billion. It continues the fight against illegal drug trafficking in Mexico, Central America and Colombia.

In order to do all of these things in this bill, new activities are paused, many programs are scaled back, and large administrative commitments like climate change are shelved. While these choices were difficult, they must be made in order to preserve our national security priorities.

There is a need for continued oversight in our foreign aid, and for that reason, I've included language which provides additional oversight for countries like Afghanistan and Lebanon.

I would like to thank Ranking Member Lowey for her dedication to the subcommittee as chair for the last 4 years, and I look forward to continuing to work together. We both agree that Members on both sides of the aisle deserve to be heard on the important foreign policy matters that come before our subcommittee.

I hope this bill will move forward quickly to ensure important government operations are continued in a manner that is fiscally responsible and meets our foreign policy challenges around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the TCU Horned Frogs football team for their 21-19 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2011 Rose Bowl. Quarterback Andy Dalton was named the Rose Bowl's Most Valuable Offensive Player, while linebacker Tank Carder was named the Defensive MVP.

The Rose Bowl attendance of 94,118 was the largest crowd to ever attend a TCU football game. Excluding the NFL, the 2011 Rose Bowl Game was the most-watched event in ESPN and cable television history. In addition to an outstanding performance in the Rose Bowl game, TCU posted its third straight top-10 ranking this season, and its fourth top-10 in the last six seasons. TCU's 13-0 overall record was the second undefeated season in program history.

The 13 wins mark the most victories in a single season for TCU. As any college football fan knows, breaking into a BCS game is a huge accomplishment for a non-automatic qualifying school, and I am proud that the Horned Frogs became the first non-automatic qualifying school to play in and win the Rose Bowl. With this feat, TCU has proven once again that they can play with any college football team in the Nation.

TCU had five first-team All-Americans: linebacker Tank Carder, defensive end Wayne Daniels, safety Tejay Johnson, return specialist Jeremy Kerley and center Jake Kirkpatrick. Jake Kirkpatrick won the Rimington Trophy as the Nation's top center.

Congratulations to the team, the coaches, and the staff for an outstanding year and an incredible performance in the Rose Bowl game. The Horned Frogs have made TCU and the entire Fort Worth community proud.

Today we remember with great fondness Tom Vandergriff. Tom was a leader in everything he did. He was a man who saw challenges and tried to solve them. He found opportunities and made them work for us. He had a vision that he always reached for. He never accepted the status quo. He was always working for what ought to be.

As a successful businessman, a mayor, a Member of Congress and a county judge, he did so much to promote economic development and opportunities to make Tarrant County, Texas which it is today. Just think of this: Starting as, what he was called, the boy mayor, he was 25 years old. He served his community, helping Texas bring General Motors, Six Flags Over Texas, the Texas Rangers, all to north Texas. He had a vision to anticipate the needs of a growing community and population. But more than that, he was a decent and kind man. His grace was matched only by his courage, and his personal character was exceeded only by his compassion for others. He was the epitome of a great public servant. He will be missed but not forgotten; and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 662 and 661, I was absent from the House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 647, I was absent from the House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''