Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor again to be here on the House floor to share with the American people what is actually going on here in the Capitol.

I want to share with the American people that President Bush and the Republican majority in just 4 years have borrowed $1.05 trillion from foreign nations. That is selling our country to other nations because of the spending that is going on. That is more than 42 Presidents before this President and the Republican majority and 224 years.

What does that mean to Americans? What does that mean to our future? Japan holds $682.8 billion of our debt; China owns $249.8 billion of our debt; the U.K., $223.2 billion of our debt; Caribbean nations, $115.3 billion of our debt; Taiwan, $71.3 billion of our debt; OPEC nations, $67.8 billion of our debt; Germany, $65.7 billion of our debt; Korea, $66.5 billion of our debt; and Canada, $53.8 billion of our debt.

Republicans are going to sell this country away to other countries, and I think it is important that we take on fiscal responsibility.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an honor to come before the House once again. And once again, the 30-something Working Group comes to the floor to share with the American people and to report what is happening here under the Capitol dome.

We look forward to continuing to do this in the future. We know we are going to be off for 2 weeks for the Easter break; all of next week, all of the week after, and we come back at the end of the month to try to do the business of the people of the United States of America.

I think it is important for us to understand what took place here, Mr. Speaker, in the Capitol just today. As you know, we have been working throughout the week and sharing with not only the American people but also with the Members of Congress the importance of what we do here under the Capitol dome. When I say under the Capitol dome, I am talking about the legislating that is supposed to be taking place on behalf of the American people.

I think it is important for us to not lose or miss the occurrence that did not take place here tonight or tomorrow. We were supposed to be in session tomorrow. We were supposed to vote on the budget that many Members on the majority side and the Republican side, Mr. Speaker, said was a good budget; that it is fiscally sound and we know what we are doing.

Well, we debated all day here on this floor. I was here a little earlier today, Mr. Speaker, maybe some 13 hours ago on this floor when we opened this Chamber at 10 a.m. this morning. And I pulled my chart out to talk about the borrowing that this Republican majority has done with the President of the United States, record-breaking borrowing from foreign nations and selling off the United States of America where foreign countries own our debt. And all day today I saw Members after that on the Republican side saying we are proud of this budget, this budget is going to put America back on track.

On this side, the Democratic side, we were talking about fiscal responsibility, we were talking about being reasonable with our spending and also making sure that we prioritize every day working Americans and not just the special interests and the super wealthy. I think that argument prevailed. Because I understood at the end of the day that there weren't enough Members on the majority side to pass President Bush's budget, because that is what it is.

This House has been just saying, yes, Mr. President, whatever you want. No matter what the Constitution says, no matter what our responsibility is to our constituents, we are going to do it the way you say you want it done.

That is what has gotten this House in a bad light with the American people.

Now, I am here tonight and the 30-something Working Group is here tonight to make sure that the American people and the Members of the majority side understand, we were united in voting for our budget which is a pay-as-you-go budget and that will balance the budget in 6 years. We were united. When I say ``we,'' House Democrats are united. If they were from the west coast or South Or North, whichever way you cut it, you can go all of the way to Hawaii, House Democrats were united in bringing America back into a fiscal responsibility era when we balanced the budget. We are the only party in this House that can say, We balanced the budget.

Now, I used to play football for Florida A&M, and it was kind of hard for the coach to talk about the national championship if the coach has never been to the national championship or played in the national championship game. Might have read about it, but it is hard for someone to tell you how it feels if you have never been there.

We have been there on the Democratic side. We have balanced the budget. We come to this floor to say if you are going to spend, then you better show where the money is coming from and how you are going to replace it. You just cannot say I am going to take the credit card out and I am going to put it on the backs of Americans, and I am going to come to the floor, and I am talking about, say for instance, hypothetically if I was on the majority side being a Republican, and it bothers me just saying it because the Republican majority has made history in all of the wrong places and for all of the wrong reasons over the past years of borrowing and spending. Borrowing and spending. Borrowing from whom? Let me just take my little map out here.

The Republican majority and President Bush, $1.05 trillion that foreign nations own that did not exist prior to this Republican majority having the opportunity to have their way along with following the President and bad policy. Japan, they own a part of the American pie. Did the American people do that? No. Did the Democrats do that? No. Remember, the Republican majority did it with the President of the United States. $682.8 billion is what Japan owns of U.S. debt. That is not my doing. That is the President and the Republican majority.

Red China, and we have major, major problems with China. I am talking about China as it relates to Red China, Communist China. We have a number of our jobs, we have U.S. workers training to do their job in China. Ninety

percent of the engineers will no longer be in the United States of America; they will be in China. They will be in Asia. They will be in other countries and so we have folks that are attending school now, those that can afford to, and I will get to that in a minute, those that can still afford to go to school, without the help of the Federal Government because the Republican majority would like to cut that in the budget also. They would like to attend school, but that is something that the Democratic Congress in the next Congress will hopefully be able to provide for them. China owns $248.8 billion of the American apple pie.

The United Kingdom owns $223.2 billion. They are buying our debt. If I was a Republican, it would be hard for me to go back home and share that I am a fiscal conservative. Just because you say you are, does not necessarily mean you are. These are the facts. Caribbean nations, all of them put together, $115.3 billion in foreign debt that they own of the United States because of the Republican majority and the President's policies.

Taiwan, $71.3 billion.

OPEC nations, we have a lot of problems with OPEC nations, and not only are we paying through the nose at the pump, countries like Iran that own a part of the American apple pie as it relates to foreign debt, $67.8 billion.

Germany. Germany, that means something to some of our veterans, $68.7 billion of our debt.

Korea, $66.5 billion of our debt. Once again, to our veterans, that means something.

Canada, just north of us, $53.8 billion of our debt.

I say to the majority Members, they do not want to lead on the Republican side of the aisle and they do not want to work in a bipartisan way and pick up the Democratic policies as it relates to governing in a way where everyone can participate and be a part of the United States of America, then they can join us because I believe the American people may very well see fit, not just Democrats and not just Independent, but there are some Republicans out there saying, what happened? What happened to the folks that lined up out here on the steps, Mr. Speaker, and said with this Contract on America, or for America or whatever it was called, that we were going to balance the budget and be fiscally sound and we were not going to be spenders? The biggest spenders in this Chamber are the Republican majority. If you want to clear that up, you can vote for a Democratic Congress.

I am glad to be joined by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz). I was just going down the line, and I will also share with the Speaker and other Members the fact that we were supposed to vote on the budget if not tonight, tomorrow. It was pulled. Some may go home and say, and I want to make sure that there is not one American confused on why we did not vote for the budget. Somebody may say, The Democrats stopped us from voting for the budget. No, the Democrats pointed out what was in President Bush's budget, and the Republicans said, as they have been doing for the last 6, 7 years that the President has been in office, Oh, Mr. President, we are right with you. We do not have a process. You send it to us and we will rubber-stamp it and send it on out. Foreign countries may own our debt. We may go into deficits. Student loans may be cut. We can train the next generation to make us the leaders of the free world and continue to keep us in front. That is fine, Mr. President, whatever you send, we will do.

The bottom line is that the pressure was too great, and we were the ones that called out what was wrong.

I think some Members on the majority side felt a little bit uncomfortable going home for a couple of weeks sharing, and a big holy week coming up, some folks might have leaned over and said, Mr. Congressman, Madam Congresswoman, why do I have to pay more for my child's education? Why do we pay more for debt than we invest in education and homeland security?

I yield to Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

Ms. Wasserman Schultz, it was not ``finally''; it was because the American people were saying, what's wrong with you guys? What is going on? I did not elect you all to go up there and represent the super-wealthy, and I didn't elect you all to make specials deals with special interests. I did not elect you to be fiscally irresponsible. They are reading the same papers. Somebody give me a newspaper. I just need a newspaper. They are reading the same newspapers and watching the same news and getting the same phone calls we are getting in our office about, are you all still with us? Are you with us or are you with them?

I need to get my Newt Gingrich quote up here because I just want to make sure that folks do not get confused. Ms. Wasserman Schultz, I want to make sure that we tell it the way it is because I believe the American people and some Members are getting what we are sharing with them. You have the Gingrich quote. I think it is important that we continue to share this information.

When we talk about third-party validators, this is not just something that we talk about over lunch and say that sounds good. No, this is from government offices and former Members of this Chamber and generals that are out there that are retired and some are still serving.

This was letter one, December 29th of 2005, the Secretary came into the office days before the New Year and said please raise the debt limit because we are about to run out of money.

February 16, he got a little nervous and said, Listen, the Federal retirement program, we are not going to be able to make the payments. This went to Mr. Spratt, our ranking member.

Again on the 6th of March, 2006, it is almost like we are having problems and we may not be able to pay the light bill, in so many words. Those were written by Secretary Snow, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Well, what I am going is do is just pepper in, Mr. Speaker, the difference from what the Republican majority is proposing and ran out of town without voting on because it is a budget of shame versus what we have put forth as our budgets. And then Ms. Wasserman Schultz is going to share with us what the former Speaker, the first Republican Speaker in a number of years, when the Republicans took over the House, what he has to say about the Republican majority.

But let me just, once again, you know, more of the same versus change. Okay? And the bottom line is, is this budget that we were supposed to vote on, either tomorrow or today, you let the majority tell it, is it fiscally responsible?

Number 1, we have a chart, and this chart, Mr. Speaker, for the majority Members and also for the American people, will be on housedemocrats.gov website starting tomorrow. Is it fiscally responsible? No. The GOP budget calls for deficits as far as the eye can see. Never achieving balance, a balanced budget, adding another $2.3 trillion to the national debt over the next 5 years.

Democratic budget, yes. Fiscally responsible. The deficit is lower than the GOP budget over the next 5 years and gets to a balanced budget, balanced budget, Mr. Speaker, in 6 years basically using pay- as-you-go rules which require that spending increases and tax cuts be paid for, and which brought us into a budget surplus in the 1990s. That is fact. That is not fiction.

I yield to Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

I would appreciate, Mr. Ryan, while you are at it, if you give the website out to the Members.

Thank you, Mr. Ryan, and thank you Ms. Wasserman Schultz. And Mr. Speaker, basically what we are talking about is change. We are giving the American people an alternative to where we are headed now, which is down a dark tunnel, and it very well can be a train versus the sunlight. And we believe the numbers that we showed here today, we want to make sure that everyone knows that all of these charts will be on the website, housedemocrats.gov. You can get that information. And we would like to thank the democratic leadership for allowing us to have this hour.

Madam Speaker, I come to the floor this morning to not only share with the American people, but also with the majority side that constantly talks about the fact that they are responsible with the people's money. I just want to, again, come to the floor and say that this Republican majority, along with this President, has increased the debt owned by foreign nations by $1.05 trillion, something that 42 Presidents before him were not able to accomplish.

I further want to bring to the attention of the House here, Madam Speaker, the fact that Newt Gingrich, who was a former Speaker of this House and delivered this Republican majority to the majority, is now saying that they are seen by the country as being in charge of a government that cannot function.

Now, I can tell you, Madam Speaker, as a Democrat, I would be concerned if a former Speaker was referring to the Democratic Caucus as ``they.'' That means that the American people are very concerned about what is going on here. I am concerned as an American. And as we go to vote on this budget, we have to think about the people that have sent us up here.

So I want to say here on the Democratic side, we are willing to pay as we go. But the bottom line is, third-party validator, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, is calling the Republican majority ``they.''

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to address the House once again. As you know, those of us that are in the 30-something Working Group come to the floor if not nightly, every other day to share not only with the Members but the American people about what is happening here, what is really happening here under the Capitol dome.

Unfortunately, many times we have to share bad news, but at other times we share very good news, the good news of saying there could possibly be a brighter future. Either one of two ways, Mr. Speaker, either the Republican majority says, hey, we want to work with the Democrats in a bipartisan way on issues such as national security, education, tax reform, issues that we can all rally around, health care for American workers, making sure that American companies wouldn't have to do what they did in Congressman Tim Ryan's district when the third shift showed up for work and they said there will no longer be a third shift. That is a problem, and that is something that we have to work on in a bipartisan way.

Or, Mr. Speaker, the American people can make the decision that they are willing to go with a Democratic House of Representatives and a Democratic Senate to move us in the direction of working together on behalf of all Americans.

First, we have to deal with the issue of incompetence, we have to deal with the issue of corruption, we have to deal with the issue of cronyism in many areas, and we have to deal with the issue of governance. And I think it is very, very important as we outline a number of these issues here tonight and also pepper it with Democratic proposals that we will hopefully be able to turn the tide in many of these areas.

Mr. Delahunt, my good friend from Massachusetts, and my good friend from New Jersey, and we are going to have another good friend from Ohio, and a gentlelady from Florida, and we may have some folks from Texas come in tonight, because we said last night, Mr. Speaker, that this is almost not fair. Some would believe that we just make up this information, that happens to be fact. And it is sad that it is fact.

If I was looking at this as some sort of political reason why we come to the floor to share what we believe the situation may be, it would be one thing, but we come to the floor and pull the Congressional Record. We come to the floor to talk about a vote that just took place yesterday. We come to the floor with fresh statements from Members of the Republican, former members of the Republican Caucus, and also a past Speaker that gave birth to the Republican majority, making statements to the press of saying, listen, as an American, I have to say something. Not as a Republican. I have to say something. When you are the Speaker, you are the leader.

I would certainly yield.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to have Mr. Ryan please tell us the phone call that you got, what happened in your district today to the workers?

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Ryan.

This is something to be very concerned about. We started at the top of the hour, and I am glad the Ms. Wasserman Schultz has also joined us.

The bottom line is that Mr. Rothman is 110 percent right. What they say on the Republican side, especially here in this Chamber and in this city and what the White House says, I am going to tell you, I am not talking about anybody, but I am just talking about what I am talking about. You hear one thing and there is another.

You got an answer out of the IRS official that came before your committee. You got an answer out of Secretary Snow, and you got to nail them to the wall to get the answer because the administration said this is the direction we are going to go, we are going to write it in the budget; and Mr. Secretary, you will do as you are told.

Secretary Snow, the Secretary of the United States Treasury Department, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, he is a great American and I appreciate his service. But he has to do his job. He did not only send one letter that said we had to raise the debt ceiling or we are going to run out of money on the eve of Near Year's eve, December 29th, 2005, he came back into the office while the rest of us were baking cookies and celebrating religious holidays back home with the family, to say we are going to run out of money because the Republican Congress has passed policies, Mr. Speaker, that cannot hold water and it is going to run us into a fiscal nightmare.

Not only did he write that letter, he turned around again when the Congress did not act, February 16, same letter. Hey, things are really getting bad, you all, we have to do something. Please help us. We have to do something about this debt ceiling.

March 6, and these are the Republican rubber stamps here, but on March 6 he writes again in almost desperation. Please, raise the debt ceiling. He begged the Congress to do it. Here is the gentleman who is in charge of what we do.

Now what Mr. Ryan was sharing with us a little earlier was the fact that when you have Members come to the floor and say Mr. Speaker, or what have you, or Members, we are fiscally responsible, our tax cuts are working for the American people. What Mr. Ryan was saying, and I am going to take it home a little further, tax cuts for whom? What, we are going to borrow money from another country, Mr. Rothman, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Speaker, we are going to borrow money from another country to give millionaires a tax break here in this country? I am sorry, and it has been done by this Republican majority. Guess what, it is history in all the wrong way. In 4 years, and here is the President, here is the Republican Congress.

Will the gentlewoman yield for a second?

I am just going to close out on this and then I am going to back up, because I know that Congressman Delahunt, sir, you were very reserved last night. We were limited to 50 minutes. I just want you to be able to share, because I know you are ready to come out of the locker room on some of this stuff, and I think it is important that we hear from you this evening.

But I want to make sure, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, that we break this down, because we don't want any Members to go back home and say, you know, I didn't quite understand that at the time I voted for it. I want to make sure that their constituents know exactly what is going on.

And the bottom line is that we are borrowing from foreign nations more than we have ever borrowed in the history of the republic, Mr. Speaker, in the history of the United States Congress.

You heard it. They want to make it permanent. It is not what we are saying. That is what the majority is saying. 1.05 trillion in 4 years. That is what the Republican Congress and the President has done, more than 42 presidents, and was only able to borrow 1.01 trillion over 224 years. 224 years. And I don't even need to get into what happened in the 224 years.

Who are we borrowing from? Well, let's just look at it. I am not going to pull this off because it came apart last night. It is just so much here.

Look at Japan, Mr. Speaker. Japan. We owe Japan. While folks are running around here defending people that are making $10 million a year, that they may very well have to pay their fair share for homeland security and all of that as it relates to the tax cut that this majority wants to make permanent. Japan, $882.8 billion of American apple pie. It pains me to stand here and hold this poster like this. I am glad it's not my creation. I am glad I voted against all of this debt that we have given foreign nations.

I would just yield for a minute, but please allow me to get through this.

Yes, sir.

And if we could, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, I am going to go through this, because it was really to drive home a point that Mr. Ryan was making. And then Mr. Ryan was going to share that chart there, because I think these visual aids are needed at this particular time, because we have some Members that don't necessarily, I mean, I just don't want the American people to be hoodwinked. Some may say bamboozled. We say here in Washington, D.C., you

know, to get the Potomac 2-step on folks saying they didn't quite understanding what they were doing while they were making history here in the United States of America of allowing these countries to own, Mr. Speaker, own a part of the American apple pie.

I am just, once again, going to mention Japan. We stopped there. But I think we could move across the country, okay? I think we can. $692.8 billion. Japan has bought our debt.

Again, this Republican Congress is saying we want to make tax cuts permanent to billionaires and we want to give subsidies to companies that come in number one in profits this year, and that is one industry, which is the oil industry.

China, $249.8 billion. They bought up our debt. That means that they have given us money to spend in a way as though we are spending our own money. We owe them this money.

America will be forever changed. But if you want to do away with allowing these countries to cover our States because of the debt that we owe them, then you can elect a Democratic Congress. I am going to slide this over a little bit.

The U.K, United Kingdom, $223.2 billion that they own of our debt.

Now, you have got to remember. This is a 4-year deal. This is the Bush policies and the Congress, the Republican majority that have voted time after time to back the President up on this. They have even lost the former speaker, Mr. Speaker, of the House, Newt Gingrich. And we need to read his quote to the Knight Ridder newspapers that cover this Nation.

Caribbean nations. Many of you will be spending time there, vacation time there. It is important. It is important that people understand that they own $115.3 billion of our debt.

Taiwan. You go in your room, unfortunately many of the toys there that your kids and grandkids may have may have Taiwan on it. We owe them $71.33 billion that they have bought of our debt.

Canada, just north of us. We owe them $53.8 billion of our debt.

We will take them off there. Korea, $66.5 billion we owe Korea because this Congress has said that we have to give subsidies to industry because they wanted it and that is something that we need to get back to. I do not blame industry. I blame the Republican Congress.

Germany, $65.7 billion we owe Germany. OPEC nations, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Iran, we owe them $67.8 billion of the American apple pie.

Now, before I yield to you, Mr. Ryan, I just want to say it is almost like I bust through the door at home and say, Hey, let us go on a European vacation. We are living to from paycheck to paycheck, but let us go because I am going to put it all on the credit card. As a matter of fact, in this case our credit cards are maxed out, but I am going to sign one of those little letters that come into the house that say just sign here, automatic country. That is what we are going to use to vacation on. Everyone is happy, jumping up and down, but guess what. The bill is coming in in 30 days.

And soon folks, Mr. Speaker, are going to start calling the House, and they are not going to call and say, ``May I speak to Mr. Meek.'' They are going to say, ``I want to speak to Kendrick,'' because they disrespect you when owe them. Too many men and women laid down their lives and that are bleeding now, getting sand in their teeth for us to have the right to salute one flag, and I will be doggone if we stand here like it is just regular business here in Congress and allow this Republican majority to go without anyone checking them on this. But it is not just us. We have even got Republicans coming out, folks over there are talking about spending, that we are responsible, that we are good spenders. Yes, you are great spenders and borrowers at the same time. And so when you come to the floor, majority, and start talking about fiscal responsibility, just because you say it does not necessarily mean it is happening. I want you to come to this floor, grab these charts here that are sitting right over here in the corner, and explain what is good about them because these are your policies.

So, Mr. Ryan, what you were mentioning earlier, I just want to drive this point home because when folks start talking about ``we want to make sure the American people keep their money,'' well, we want to make sure the American people keep their money. But who are the people? Is it the $10 million annual salary individual? Is it the individual sitting over there at some company that is getting a bonus at the same time they are telling their third shift that there will no longer be a third shift?

So the real issue here is whose side are we on? Whose side is the Republican majority on? And from what I am seeing of the polls, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, when I am hearing prominent Republicans saying ``because we are Americans first,'' put that party stuff aside just for a moment and look at Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Green Party, nonvoters, they are all concerned about what is happening in this country. And I am going to tell you right now the Republican majority, and it is not what I am saying but what they are saying, cannot govern. We are ready to govern.

Mr. Ryan, I yield to you, sir.

I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

If I can, as it relates to time, Mr. Ryan, if you could give our website. We have to close out.

Madam Speaker, we would like to thank the leadership for the opportunity to speak tonight.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Miami Norland Vikings, the 2006 6-A High School Boys Basketball Champions of Florida.

On March 4, 2006 this team proved its mettle, resilience and fighting spirit by upending the state's NO.1-Ranked team, Winter Park High School, in a thrilling 55-48 championship game. Several lead changes marked the game, which may well be remembered as one of the most exciting contests ever in a 6-A high school basketball competition.

Winning a State Championship in a state as large as Florida is a tremendous achievement, and I commend Miami Norland's great Principal, Ms. Gale Cunningham, Assistant Principal for Athletics Stephon Cone, Athletic Director Ira Fluitt, Athletic Trainer Pete Martz and Business Manager Carlos Ochoa for the fine work they've done. Miami Norland is a special school; this first-ever state basketball championship has made it even more so.

I also want to congratulate the school's basketball coach, Mr. Lawton Williams III. His work ethic, discipline and dedication to hard work and fair play paved the way for accomplishment both in the classroom and on the court.

Known for his no-nonsense approach and forthright guidance and counseling, Coach Williams has surrounded himself with an excellent staff composed of assistant coaches Cleveland Roberts III, Victor Vassell, Charles Harris III, Chris Jarrett and scorer Gail Thomas. Their knowledge, experience and sensitivity to the many and varied nuances of sporting activities befitting the school ambiance superbly complement and supplement the learning needs of the school's champion student-athletes: Albert Abrahams, Anthony Berkley, Darius Bodden, Amir Celestine, Timothy Cornelius, Johnny Fernandez, Andre Jackson, Jerry Jones, Calvin Joy, Zachery Peacock, Denzel Rankin, Robert Rowe, Nicholas Taylor and Andre Woods.

The coaching staff's approach to educating and motivating the members of Florida's 6-A Championship Team emphasized utmost personal responsibility toward the achievement of a common goal. Their dedication to teamwork and group achievement above individual glory or personal records has gained the respect and admiration of the parents and guardians of Miami Norland's student population.

Miami Norland's achievement this year demonstrates once again that athletic achievement and academic excellence are always within reach of those willing to dare the impossible through hard work and discipline.

I join our entire community in congratulating the Vikings for their achievement, as well as honoring the hard work and sacrifices of the parents, teachers, administrators, students and supporters that comprise the soul and spirit of the school family.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor once again to address the House of Representatives, and we would like to thank the Democratic leadership for allowing us to have this time, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Mr. Steny Hoyer, and also our chair and vice chair of our caucus.

I think it is important for us to come to the floor once again in this 30-something Working Group to talk about the issues that are facing America and how the Republican majority is falling short of its responsibility, Mr. Speaker, to fulfill not only the hopes, but aspirations of Americans as we come to Washington, D.C. to represent them in a way that we should, need it be education, health care, what have you.

We have so much to share, Mr. Speaker, tonight, 50 minutes will not even give us justice for what we have to share. I must say that the 30- something Working Group is very, very, very excited and enthusiastic for being here tonight to hopefully drive home the point even better than we have done before of why it is important that we need a new Congress here in Washington, D.C. that is going to represent the American people.

And we are not just talking about Democrats. We are not just talking about Independents. We are not just talking about Republicans. We are talking about the American people. We want to move in a comprehensive way, making sure that we can have true bipartisanship in this chamber. I think we have expressed that in the past. I think that we have shown that in the past when we were in the majority, and it is nothing like third-party validators that we have here tonight, Mr. Speaker, that even drives home the point even better.

We have talked in the past about issues that are facing the American people and this Congress. We talked about the K Street Project back when no one really wanted to talk about the K Street Project, which is a project to encourage lobbyists here in Washington, D.C. to contribute to one side, to the Republican Party to help not only gain the majority, but to also be a part of supporting Republican candidates, to have access to this House. We talked about that. We got some dirty looks from some Members of the majority side about exposing that.

And then later, after Abramoff pleading guilty without a trial, without a jury selection or anything, the Republican majority said we will no longer carry out that project because it was wrong. It was the 30-something Working Group that moved boldly in that direction to expose that practice here in Washington, D.C.

Even when it comes down to our troops as it relates to equipment and supplies that they needed, even though you have some folks on the majority side that said we did it in a way that the American people should be proud of, it was on this side of the aisle that we did so.

So it is not all about who made it to the front of the classroom first, Mr. Speaker. It is about those of us that understand the responsibility of governance, those of us that understand the responsibility of leadership and those of us that cherish the opportunity to be here as part of this elected House of Representatives.

Like I said, Mr. Speaker, it is so much to share tonight, there is not enough time to share it. But I would like to yield to some of my colleagues at this time so that we can start the kind of discourse that is going to head us in the right direction here in Washington, and hopefully the American people will start looking through some of the 30-second ads, looking through some of the targeted media campaigns that are out there. When I say marketing campaigns, Mr. Delahunt, and Ms. Wasserman Schultz, that sometimes mislead the American people and having them believe one thing when the reality is so evident.

Like I said before in the past, this is an unprecedented time, Mr. Speaker, of the fiscal situation here in this country, unprecedented as it relates to unusual things happening here in this House and in this Congress that are unexplainable. But every day, we need to be picking up the Washington Post or local papers. We are finding that the reason why strange things are taking place here in this country is the fact that strange things are taking place here in this House and in the Senate and in the White House. And I think that it is important that we bring this not only to the attention of the American people, but we call the American people to action on behalf of their country, not on behalf of party, not on behalf of age or gender, but on behalf of holding our country together.

With that I would like to yield to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. And I would just like to say congratulations to your Florida Gators.

No, ma'am.

The Republican majority.

The bottom line is this: We have a bobble head majority. We have a rubber stamp majority that is willing to do anything and everything the President has asked.

Now, Mr. Delahunt, we talked about this last week, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Ryan, about the fact that like 90 percent of the American people understand what is going on here under the Capitol dome, and then the majority runs from the back of the class and runs up and says, We want to govern. We are going to stop the President from doing X, Y, and Z. Why does it take that, Mr. Delahunt?

I mean the bottom line is it is about leadership, not how Republicans feel or how Democrats feel or how independents feel. It should be everyday business here in Washington, D.C. But they are so busy trying to cater to the President of the United States or trying to cater to the special interests, we forget about that individual who showed up on a Tuesday on election day in a given community early for representation. Not us on this side, but the majority does. And I think it is important that we share with the other Members that are watching us in their offices or whatever the case may be that they need to get back to the days of the morning when they woke up the next day, when they were newly elected as a Member of Congress, how they felt about representation, how they felt about being a part of the United States Congress, how they felt about representing their local community. And I think that kind of gets lost between the wine and cheese receptions that take place, Mr. Speaker, here in Washington, D.C. I am a Member of Congress. I am offended sometimes when I see Members taking votes against the will of their own constituency.

Do not die just yet because you have to share some information.

Ms. Wasserman Schultz, we are with you 110 percent because this is information that needs to be shared and third- party validators can validate this.

This is the reality of the situation. This is not fiction; it is fact.

But if you can, I want you to get through that list because I know that Mr. Delahunt and Mr. Ryan are so fired up right now as it relates to sharing this information.

Mr. Speaker, this is almost not fair. I mean this is just so unfair that we have this much information to share with the Members about what they have done and what they have not done and how we are so ready to get in the game, to lead this House in the direction that every American can appreciate. Every American does not work at McDonald's, but guess what. There are a lot of Americans there and family members of Americans that punch in and punch out every day and know what it means to make the minimum wage.

Will the gentleman suspend.

Mr. Ryan, would you take that chart over to Mr. Delahunt. You all are going to share in this information sharing because Mr. Delahunt actually served when Mr. Gingrich was around and I think it is important that we share that factual information with the Members.

And, Mr. Delahunt, if you would share that because I know we have a

plethora of information to share tonight.

Mr. Delahunt, I notice Mr. Ryan and Ms. Wasserman Schultz and we are so glad to be joined by Ms. Jackson-Lee, who is one of my sheroes in this process. ``They.''

Mr. Speaker, this is the man who gave the Republican majority birth. ``Them.'' ``They.'' He is saying he is no longer a part of what is going on here. ``They.'' Not ``my colleagues,'' not ``my Republican brethren and sisters.'' It is ``they.''

This goes far beyond the 30-something working group. This goes far beyond Democrats and Republicans. Here is a man who was at the front of the line saying charge, that is now calling the Republican majority ``they.''

You can hold it.

Really quick, because we are going to rapid fire here because we only have a few minutes left. I just want to quickly again, you have seen this, this will be in the National Archives one day because we talk about this time and time again. Let me, Mr. Speaker, move this education plan that Democrats have and this prescription drug plan so the Members can see this chart here. I think it is important. This $1.05 trillion that the President has accumulated with the Republican Congress in just 4 years versus the 42 presidents before this president and this Congress was only able to accumulate $1.01 trillion, and that is World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, you name it. You talk about the Democratic plan, Mr. Delahunt, Ms. Jackson-Lee, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Mr. Ryan, the bottom line is that we have countries that are owning America right now, not because Americans went out and made bad decisions; because this administration has made bad decisions, and this Congress, the rubber stamp Congress has allowed it to happen and has been doing this all along. All they have to do is be invited to a breakfast at the White House and it is like, ``Yes, sir, Mr. President. We will do exactly what we have to do. Not only will we do it, we will defend your wrong actions.''

So, in closing, you want to know the Democratic plan? The Democratic plan is paying as we go. Paying as we go. Because when you are in debt, you do not continue to use a credit card. So if Americans want to do away with the $882.8 billion that Japan owns, we will pull this off the chart. China, if you want to do away with the $249.8 billion that China owns right now of our debt, and pay as we go, and we have evidence and third-party validators that will be explained to the American people and the Members, have a Democratic Congress. The U.K., you want to get rid of the $223.2 billion in foreign debt that they own of our country? I am destroying this chart here. But get a Democratic Congress, because we have shown, we balanced the budget, and we are committed to doing this because we believe in the way we believe when we were elected that we are here to represent the people. Caribbean nations, many of our folks are going and traveling to the Caribbean and saying, oh, how great America is. Well, when you land there, they are owning a piece of the American pie, so you need to respect them. We will be able to do away with that $115.3 billion that we owe them. Taiwan, $71.3 billion they own of our debt, thanks to the Republican Congress and to the President of the United States. Also, Canada, $53.8 billion. Korea, $66.5 billion. Germany, $65.7 billion. OPEC nations and, you know, Mr. Delahunt, I know that is your specialty, I do not really want to talk about that, but those are nations that we are very concerned about at this time that they own $67.8 billion.

So if you want to get the reverse factor of what the Republicans have done in putting us in unprecedented debt, no other time, Mr. Speaker, in the history of the republic, no other time. You cannot say, well, the Democratic Congress was once at this level. That was not ever the case. In 4 years, this has happened, the mismanagement.

Mr. Speaker, with that, we would not only like to say thanks to Mr. Delahunt but Ms. Jackson-Lee who joined us tonight from the great State of Texas, also Mr. Ryan and Ms. Wasserman Schultz for being here tonight.

We would also in the 30 Something Working Group recognize the great contribution of Dr. Martin Luther King who was assassinated on this date and Mr. Ron Brown who was our Secretary of Commerce that went down in a plane crash yesterday, the day before, on Monday. We want to let both families know we appreciate the contributions of these two great Americans to our country. We will be forever better because of their contributions.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, the evidence that was just overwhelming tonight from the Members of not only what we are saying, because we are concerned as Americans, not just as Democrats, we are saying that we are willing to lead. We are also saying, Mr. Speaker, that when you have the past Speaker of this House, the first Republican Speaker in 40-something years coming before this body and make the statements that he believes the majority will lose the majority this time around because of what he identified this time of the evidence of why it will happen is just powerful and hard to defend on the majority side.

We are not asking for the majority side to defend what the past Speaker has said, but I think it is important to take note and that the American people take note of what is happening right now. So I think the American spirit will rise up over partisan politics and allow us to lead.

With that, I want to thank our vice chair, Mr. Larson, of the Democratic Caucus; Mr. Clyburn, our chairman; Steny Hoyer, our Democratic whip; and Ms. Pelosi, who is the Democratic leader, for allowing us to have this time. We look forward to coming back to the floor to address not only the Members but the American people.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Bethel Apostolic Temple on the occasion of its Golden Anniversary. On Saturday, April 1, 2006, the Reverend Carol Nash will lead her congregation, along with several guests, to celebrate this milestone at the Church's Humanitarian Awards Banquet to be held at the Miami Embassy Suites Hotel Grand Ballroom. This event will also honor two distinguished members of our community, former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, my mother, and the Reverend Dr. George E. McRae, my pastor and the pastor of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church.

Founded by the late Dr. Doris R.L. Atkins in January 9, 1956, this citadel of faith in Miami-Dade County has been an unerring witness to the spiritual revivalism that undergirds the power of fasting, faith and prayer. Dr. Atkins was the resilient leader of this church and an inspiration to a remarkable group of pastors, evangelists and bishops who are now ministering to a number of churches throughout South Florida. Dr. Michael Moss took over in 1988, and through his dynamic theological teaching and progressive preaching, Bethel Apostolic Temple experienced a period of tremendous growth. This visionary pastor led his congregation in 1997 to what has now become one of the landmark churches in South Florida.

Reverend Nash assumed the pastorate in 1998 from Dr. Moss, and under her leadership, its burgeoning membership has taken on

a tremendous renewal of faith and its outreach mission has gone above and beyond the confines of our community. With its vision of holistic empowerment, grounded in biblical principles, Bethel Apostolic Temple evokes a spirit of excellence grounded in compassion and charity not only to its members, but to all those who seek refuge and solace in its sanctuary.

With the establishment of the Bethel Temple Community Development Corporation, My Sister's Closet (a boutique for women and families going from Welfare to Work), along with the Bethel Computer Lab, the Bethel Institute for Living, Bethel Partners in Dominion, and its Youth Ministry Council, this faithinstitution has truly become not only an instrument of spiritual enrichment, but also a vehicle for economic development. It is in this context that I commend the tremendous work of Rev. Nash, and cherish the memory of Dr. Atkins and Dr. Moss who bequeathed to her a vibrant Church and an active congregation.

Through the longevity of its faith-action service, Bethel Apostolic Temple has truly persevered in showing us the Way and expounding for us the Truth that emanate from our knowledge of the Gospels. It is through this ministry that its role has been defined and is wisely articulated by the injunction that the genuine measure of our love for God is conditioned by our commitment ``* * * to the least of these.''

Indeed, Rev. Nash's timely and inspiring leadership is genuinely admirable. As a servant of God and as a community leader, she has indeed earned our deepest respect and superlative commendation. This is the legacy of Bethel Apostolic Temple on its 50th Anniversary. Our entire community shares the joy of this occasion and extends best wishes for the future.

Mr. Speaker, it is once again an honor to come before the House. As you know, those of us that are in the 30-something Working Group, we come to the floor to share not only with the Members but the American people about what is happening under the Capitol dome here, or what is not happening.

We want to thank the Democratic leadership for allowing us to come to the floor again: Leader Pelosi and Mr. Steny Hoyer, our whip, and also the chairman, Mr. Jim Clyburn, and our vice chairman in assisting us in moving towards a stronger message to the American people.

I am so glad to be here with my good friend and colleague in the struggle for the truth and to make sure that we move America forward in many areas, even though we are serving in the minority here in the Congress. I think our constituents and also the American people, Mr. Speaker, look for us to use every avenue possible to be able to make their lives more secure, to be able to make sure we stand up on behalf of their health care, that we make sure that future generations have a better environment than what they have right now.

So with that, Mr. Ryan, it is so good to come back to the floor with you again, sir. We usually come to the floor and it is dark outside. It happens the sun is out; and as you know, the Congress is recessed for the week, but we are still here working, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Ryan.

Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, many Members of the House had an opportunity to witness a strong message again of commitment towards security; and those of us that are in the minority party have been working very, very hard to increase security here in the United States, especially homeland security. We are going to talk a little bit about that today. And I think when we were here, I know when we were here the night before last, we talked about the fact that just because the majority side says that we have security does not really mean we have security.

The majority side has said that we are going to make sure that we are fiscally responsible, but we found out later and we know now that the Republican majority has put us into record-breaking deficits.

If I can, just to start this off, Mr. Speaker, because I like to use visual aids and I know we are going to talk about security, but I think it is important because folks just feel we may come to the floor, the 30-Something Working Group comes to the floor, we go in the back room, we just dream up things to say, and this is not the case because, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, there is so much bad news overwhelming the good news as it relates to future generations and this generation on how we are going to function as Americans and as a country.

No other time, I must add, before I bring this chart up, has the country been in the fiscal situation that it is in right now as it relates to foreign countries owning our debt.

Now I want to put this up, and I think it is important. You have seen this chart before. We have said that this chart may very well be in the National Archives one day because it will document that there were Members on the floor identifying to other Members on the majority side because they voted for this to happen. No other time in the history of the country have we borrowed $1.05 trillion from foreign Nations in just 4 years. Matter of fact, we were not able to do it in 224 years, Mr. Speaker. We were not able to do it in 224 years; $1.05 trillion just for President Bush and the Republican Congress, it says right here below this picture because we cannot leave the Congress out because he could not do it all by himself. You have 42 Presidents here going back to the First Continental Congress, 224 years, and there they were only able to borrow $1.01 trillion.

Well, folks may say, well, Congressman, we are at war; Congress, 9/ 11. Guess what, these 42 other Presidents had the Great Depression, World War I, World War II, a number of other wars in between. They had all of these issues that were challenging America, but they never sold America off to foreign nations.

Let us talk about who those foreign nations are, and I think it is important again. This chart here has nothing to do with the weather. It is a silhouette, Mr. Speaker, as you can see of the United States of America. Who are we selling our debt off to? Who are we indebted to now? Because before this President and this Republican majority took over, we were talking about surpluses.

I am speaking here as a Democrat from the party that, guess what, we balanced the budget. We told folks that we would balance the budget and that we would cut down on spending, and guess what, we did it. But, you know, once again you have the other side, the Republican majority, saying: Trust us, we are fiscally responsible. Some folks may say the folks on the Democratic side, they like to spend money. Well, who is spending now?

China, Red China, many people in your district in Ohio are training people to go to China to do their jobs. Meanwhile, they are trying to make ends meet, and they are a part of the millions of Americans without health care, and Red China, we owe them $249.8 billion. They bought our debt to that point, and we owe them.

Japan, the little small island of Japan. They own $680.8 billion of our debt. Those are the big numbers.

UK, they own $223.2 billion of our debt.

This is not by the Democrats now I must add, and I challenge any Republican that wants to come down here right here, right now. This is not the WWF cage match. I want them to come here right now and explain to us, how is this positive for Americans in the future and right now?

Korea, $66.5 billion that they own of the American apple pie.

Canada, $53.8 billion of the American apple pie.

Germany, some of our veterans, $65.7 trillion.

Taiwan, the small island of Taiwan, $71.3 billion.

And OPEC nations, now Mr. Speaker, this is very interesting because OPEC nations, we are talking about Saudi Arabia, we are talking about Iraq, we are talking about Iran, who we have real issues with, OPEC Nations, they are a part of the American apple pie; $67.8 billion of our debt we owe them.

Now, anyone, Mr. Speaker, who has been in a financial situation before and has made youthful indiscretions on spending knows when a creditor calls you and they call in the tab for this payment, they disrespect you from the beginning. They do not call up and say, Mr. Ryan, I am calling from whoever the lender may be, when do you think that you can return payment? No, they call you Tim, because they disrespect you from the beginning.

I am concerned, Mr. Speaker, that we are going to find ourselves in a situation where these countries are going to start disrespecting the United States of America, not because of something they did. It is because we have had a Republican Congress that has been the rubber stamp Congress for the President of the United States and not doing what they should be doing in Article I, section 1 of the Constitution, and that is a fact. They have been rubber stamping everything that the President has wanted.

This is President Bush's Congress.

And the bottom line is, it is like having, Mr. Speaker, a board of directors of a bunch of people like bobble heads going up and down like this: What do you want, Mr. President? You want to make tax cuts permanent for millionaires and billionaires? We are with you. You want to give subsidies to oil companies that are making record profits while the American people are paying through the nose for oil and for gas prices? We are with you all the way. All the way, Mr. President, you can count on this Republican Congress because we are going to do it.

Hey, guess what, we are going to put it on the credit card. And folks used to say future generations. This is dealing with right now, and so just because you see a majority stands up there and they have this big chart behind them saying fiscal responsibility, we want to cut the budget in half, the deficit in half; that is not true.

So that is the reason why we are here on this floor today. That is the reason why we are sharing with the American people, and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, I would be concerned if I was a Republican Member of Congress because I can tell you right now, as a Democrat who represents Republicans, Democrats, Independents, I represent Americans. They are all coming to me. They are not coming up to me and saying, hey, I am a Republican and I have got to stick with Republicans because I am Republican. No, they are saying I am an American and I am concerned about what is happening in Washington, D.C.; I am concerned about the fact that I am going to have to pay more for my grandchild's education because we have not done what we are supposed to do in the fiscal way to make sure that we are there; we do not cut student opportunities so they can train themselves for the next generation. I am concerned, Congressman, that the Congress is not investing in innovation so that we can have engineers, we can have scientists, so that we do not have to raise the visa rate to be able to bring folks in from another country to take U.S. jobs because we have CEOs that are begging us for the opportunity to have an educated and ready-to-go workforce, and we cannot provide it because these kids cannot get into schools, but meanwhile, we are standing up for the billionaires in this country, and we are standing up for bad policy in this country.

No one is questioning the whole issue as it relates to Iraq. You heard one of our Members just got back, said this is what we need on the ground in Iraq. We go to Iraq. We fought for our troops to get them what they need. The bottom line is we have to govern, and the reason why you see all of these scandals and all of the wasted money, Mr. Speaker, is that the Congress is over here doing this.

Bobble heads on the other side of the aisle saying, we are with you all the way.

So when they say we stand up to the President every now and then, that is not what the Constitution says, Mr. Speaker. The Constitution says that we are the House that represents the people of the United States of America. If they are in a wheelchair, walking upright, if they are white, they are black, Hispanic, whatever the case may be, we are charged to represent them, and when we are making history in all the wrong areas, borrowing from foreign nations in 4 years more than in the 224 years of 42 Presidents, and folks are not alarmed? We are far beyond politics right now, Mr. Speaker. We are in a situation to where either we have some folks on this floor that are willing to lead on behalf of the American people, no longer sell our debt off to foreign nations that we have issues with, or we are just going to continue to go down this fiscal track, slippery slope, until we get to a situation to where we are not going to be the superpower that we have been in the past of the work that these the other Presidents and other Congresses have done.

I will be doggone if I am a Member of a Congress where we are not trying to bring about the paradigm shift to get us back on the fiscal track and make sure that we do the things the way the American people elected us to do it when we come up here.

If a family had this kind of situation where they had debt and they were trying to catch up on that debt, the first thing when you get out of that or you get a second mortgage or you get some sort of loan to consolidate your debt, the first thing that lending officer says is, to do what? Cut your credit cards up.

Because from this point on, you can only buy what you can afford, not just continue to put it on the credit card because you are going to continue to go into the hole.

Mr. Ryan, when you start talking about our stakeholders here, and who is a stockholder in the United States of America or a stakeholder that has stock, you

know, I am a Member of Congress and I guess I put on a suit and a tie this morning and a shirt, and I am wearing a decent pair of shoes here today, but that doesn't make me a stockholder in America, just the way I dress. This voter registration card here does. That is the bottom line.

Anyone that is carrying one of these, Mr. Speaker, are the folks that will be able to speak to us in a way versus another person who is not registered to vote. And the real issue comes down to this: Are we going to be accountable to the American people? That is one question. Are we going to be accountable to those that are not old enough to vote yet and carry one of these voter registration cards? That is another question. Are we going to be accountable to those Americans that do have a voter registration card and know what it means to have a responsible government?

People want governance, Mr. Ryan. They could care less about the Republicans did this and the Democrats did that. They want governance, they want security, they want to make sure their children are educated and they want to be sure we are responsible, being the overseers of the Government of the United States of America. And the bottom line is this: we have some folks that have gotten confused, Mr. Speaker, on the majority side.

There are some votes that have taken place on this floor, this education bill that just passed today that did very little to address the issues of innovation in education, even though the majority side says we are for innovation; even though we are for education, just a little tiny increase here and there, and this is the best bill since bills have been passed.

And, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for us to just step back for a minute and say the reason why we are here. We are not appointed here in this House of Representatives. In the other body across the Hall, in the Senate, if a Senator was to say, hey, you know, I can't do this any more, I am gone. That is it. Hey, it was great serving for 20- something years, or even 5 years in some cases, but I am not going to do this any more. I have to go take care of my grandkids, my mother is ill, or whatever case, and they go on. In that particular case, a Governor can appoint a U.S. Senator.

But if a Member of the House, as we all know, Mr. Speaker, says, you know, family issues, personal issues, I can no longer come back to Washington every week to represent my district, I am gone, there has to be a special election set. And that is what holds us to a higher power as it relates to representing the people of the United States of America.

It is important that Members realize that folks early one Tuesday morning in some given community woke up one day and stood in line to vote for some representation. And I can tell you right now, the bills that are passing on this floor that are benefiting folks that are very powerful in this capital city, that I feel are not really benefiting the folks back home, I am concerned about. I know my card happens to say Democrat, but there are some cards that say Independent, and there are some voting cards that say Republican, and there are some voting cards that say Green Party and other parties. And guess what, they feel the way we feel.

I share with some Members sometimes that we have to act as though it was our first night being elected, all the things we wanted to do before we hit Washington, D.C., until someone started telling us how we should vote and how we shouldn't vote. We should have those feelings of representing the group of people that have sent us up here. And by the fact they have sent us here, Mr. Speaker, many times we have to look on behalf of the greater country. We have been federalized once we have been sent here to serve in this body.

So, Mr. Ryan, when we talk about stakeholders and stockholders, the stakeholders and stockholders in the United States of America are the people we serve. And folks are getting confused about that, or we wouldn't see this out-of-control borrowing and spending.

Folks are coming before the people of the United States of America and saying, you know, the President is asked, what about Iraq? Well, we are going to be there as long as we have to be there. That is not an answer.

Yes, that is the next President's issue.

Mr. Speaker, we talked about the other night, Mr. Ryan and I were talking, and the next thing you know, it is like Mr. Ryan or my constituents walking up to me in Miami and saying, hey, Congressman, you really need to do something about economic development. Well, that is for the next Member of Congress. It is not for me.

So the real issue is this: Do we want to represent the people that have fought that are veterans, and the American people that are paying taxes for us to be able to salute one flag here today? Or do we want to represent someone that is publicly on the stock market that has an issue that wants to use the U.S. taxpayer dollar to carry on their business when they are making record profits, when they are doing very little as it relates to investment?

So we have to make sure that the rubber hits the road and that everyone understands. Because we know there is going to be a big marketing campaign going on later on this year about who is doing the best job up here in Congress. And what I am seeing of the polling numbers and what people are saying and how they are concerned, the party has nothing to do with it. It has everything to do with governance.

And, Mr. Ryan, if they want accountability in Iraq, and if they want accountability as it relates to paying as we go, and if they want accountability as it relates to us following up and saying what we are going to do, and we have all these scandals going on under this situation, what will happen? And what would happen if we had real oversight? If we had oversight, would Halliburton be able to get a blank check?

Mr. Ryan, I just want to also share the fact that we both serve on the Armed Services Committee, and we feel very passionate about what our men and women are doing. And we know that in Iraq, Mr. Speaker, you watch the Secretary of

Defense and you watch the press conference with the President and you would think that it is another beautiful day in Iraq, and it is not.

First question: Is there a civil war in Iraq? That answer usually comes back ``no.'' There is a civil war going on right now. As sure as today is Thursday, there is a civil war going on in Iraq right now. Will it get worse? It probably will get worse. Is the coalition getting bigger or smaller? Well, you know, we are talking to people, and the indicators of the indicators are saying. And they are not making any sense whatsoever.

And the reason they get away with this, Mr. Speaker, is we are not nailing them down as a Congress on the tough questions so they can answer in a truthful way and guide them in the right direction. It is not the Congress's responsibility for the day-to-day operations of war. The President would say it is not his responsibility either, that it is the commanders on the ground.

Well, we found from past commanders and some present that have slipped and said a few things every now and then that we did not have all that we needed to go into Iraq; that we did not have the body armor and equipment and a mission and a plan; we did not have a real coalition when we went into Iraq. We had a number of main countries, but when you look at it, you had the U.S., you had contractors, and then the Brits. And that was a huge deficit as it relates to numbers.

The Brits have said they are leaving this year, and a number of the other countries that were sending 50 to 100 troops there, or technical advisers that were part of our so-called coalition are leaving. Because they are willing to take the training wheels off the Iraqi Government. They are willing not to get into a situation, Mr. Speaker, of a continued borrowing from other countries. You know why they are doing it? Because they know they cannot weaken their country.

The U.K., I am going to snatch them off this map here, $223.2 billion of our debt. I mean, they have it so good they can buy our debt and still operate their country and continue to do what they are doing.

But they have better sense to know they have to take care of home first.

The President can boldly say, because he has the bobble-head Republican majority here that says whatever you say, Mr. President, we are with you.

For a minute there, I was concerned that maybe we could move in a bipartisan way. But, of course, when it came down to the whole Dubai Ports World issue, we had folks that said we stopped that from happening. But the environment was set up for it to happen, that the under secretaries in each department could make a unilateral decision that we will sell our ports off to a foreign nation. Somebody objected, and all of a sudden it became a situation where we had to do something about this after the whole country was in an uproar over the issue.

The Democrats, we were the first ones on the floor saying, what do we need 45 days for? What is there to think about, that we are going to outsource our ports to a foreign nation that there is a question mark concerning where the financing for the 9/11 attack came from. We are going to give them six of our ports on the east coast? What is to think about? 45 days for what? What does the President of the United States say? ``We gave them a handshake. We have to move on with this. You can have your 45 days, I am still going to do what I want to do.''

The Republican Congress was pushed with their back against the wall. But does the Republican Congress have to be pushed to the wall before they stand up and say, excuse me, Mr. President, we don't agree with you, and we are not going to do it.

The same thing happened, Mr. Ryan, when we came to this floor night after night, in some instances 2 hours a day on this floor, talking about the President's Social Security plan. He was going to privatize Social Security. Many of the Members on the majority side were with him. Ho-hum, private accounts, big press conference.

It took the American people to rise up in over 1,000 town hall meetings on this side of the aisle to bring to the attention of the American people that they were going to lose under private accounts, and then the President finally said okay. He flew all over the country and burned all kinds of jet fuel at taxpayers' expense and kind of did the Potomac two-step kind of thing.

Why can't we, as a bipartisan body, because people want leadership, and we are here sharing with the American people that we are ready to lead. We have plans to lead. We have led before in the past, be it war, be it making sure, and I want you to talk about Bosnia a little bit, be it planning to move into an area. I think it is important because yesterday we not only unveiled but said for a second time in many cases our security plan, our real security plan that people can get. They can read it online. They can get it on HouseDemocrats.gov. They can get a copy of this plan.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ryan and I were both in Iraq. We were in Iraq together. We were in these meetings with the commanders and the troops. You ask a question, sometimes folks lose eye contact with you because they are trying to do what the commander in chief said that we need to do. And there are a lot of stump speeches going on, and the President is flying and folks are standing behind him and clapping and all. And we are all supportive of the commander in chief, but when you are riding down the railroad tracks and you are saying, is that the light at the end of the tunnel or is that the train? Is that a train or is that the sun? When you start getting indicators, when you hear a horn and the rails start shaking on the train track, I think you start saying, I think that is a train.

Tough talk: The President throws out statements, talking about folks, we are going to get them and track them down and all this kind of stuff, it makes things even worse. So when we talk to these commanders, and some of them lose eye contact because they know we do not have what we need. And as long as this Republican majority is here bobble heading with the President saying, Mr. President, we are with you. And they have special breakfasts over at the White House. And, of course, Mr. Ryan, we are not invited because we may say something to the President he does not want to hear. We all know that the President does not take good to those who disagree with him, and I guess that rule applies to some of our Republican friends on the other side of the aisle because, obviously, we do not have the kind of uprising we need in the majority to be able to say, Mr. President, we are really going to have to start talking about this Iraq thing. We have to do something about it.

The Iraqi government, you go over there and you have some of the Members of their government, be it elected or appointed, they are sitting up there like they have 10 years to do whatever they have to do, they have 20 years to do whatever they have to do. And guess what, it is at the U.S. taxpayers' expense.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ryan, we have schools that do not have what they need. Meanwhile, we are here on this floor talking about cutting lunches for poor children just because they so happened to be born into a poor family. I have mayors coming to me saying, Congressman, these unfunded mandates for homeland security, I am having to spend all of this money. I have to take money out of parks and rec and decrease the quality of life in my city. The Federal Government just cut the COPS program, but meanwhile, we are building schools and roads and water treatment plants and the President said we were not going to be into nation-building over in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, we want to be able to mold the clay and to be able to let the American people know if you are walking down a tunnel, which they know, it is just commonsense, if you are walking down a tunnel and you are walking on some train tracks and you are stepping on those wood slates and you are saying, is that the sunlight or a train, and then you hear a horn and the tracks are shaking, I do not think that is the sun, I know it is a train.

What this majority has to do, and if the American people want us to be able to bring this President into accountability and bring the Department of Defense back into accountability and oversight, you are going to have to have a Congress, in this case a Democratic Congress, that asks the tough questions.

When you sit down for a job interview, you have to have a good resume. You cannot say, in my last job, I agreed with everything that the other guy who was sitting next to me said because I was told to say yes. No. People elected us to lead. People elected us to have plans. People elected us to have plans in all areas to make sure we have accountability for our government. People do not care if it is a ``D'' or ``R'' behind the name; they want leadership. We talk about real security. Real security is making sure that we protect America before something happens.

I do not want a 9/11 or an 8/11 or a 7/11, I do not want those dates to come up and say, oh well, now an event has happened and let's legislate to make sure that we move from 5 percent container checks at ports to 100 percent. Why do we need an event for that to happen?

The reason it is not happening, to be brutally honest, is we have the bobble-head Republican majority Congress that is saying ``yes'' to the President at every turn. Not all Republicans because I do not want to generalize, but enough to allow the President to continue doing what he is doing. And the only way we switch and have the change that you are talking about, Mr. Ryan, is if we have a Congress that is dedicated and bonded, ready to work in a bipartisan way, unlike what we have today, and bringing in the very few Republicans on the other side of the aisle that think the way we do, and say we are willing to represent. We do not care what your party affiliation is, we are willing to represent on behalf of the American people.

We are willing to tell the special interests that we notice you have issues, but we have something at hand. We have other issues such as innovation, such as homeland security, such as making sure that our troops have a clear plan in Iraq. The tough questions need to be asked, and we need to act on them. Some of them are being asked in some places, but they are not being acted upon.

Well, you know, Mr. Ryan, I believe that America is protected best and freedom is protected in advance. We look at homeland security.

Prevention. When you talk about prevention, you are talking about before. When you are talking about reactionary, we are talking about after.

So dealing with this container thing, I don't want the Members to take it lightly, Mr. Speaker. You may say, well, you know, I am in the middle of America. I live in Sioux City, Iowa, and we don't have ports so I don't need to worry; that is not my issue. Well, it is your issue because those containers that are coming in from overseas and from countries that are in question, some may say suspect as it relates to their commitment to the United States of America, they get on those little trucks and trains that I was talking about a little earlier, and they go right down into your community. And if there is a dirty bomb or some sort of substance that will hurt your community and your family, now it is your problem. And I think it is important that we point that out, because I don't want folks to get confused and say, well, I am not from a coastal area; Members who say, you know, well that is not my issue.

Thank you, Mr. Ryan. I just want to let you know that it was a pleasure coming down to the floor with you again. We got out a lot of good information.

Well, we need it.

Thank you. With that we want to thank the Democratic leader. We want to also encourage everyone to go to our Web site, housedemocrats.gov. We want the majority to go on our Web site, housedemocrats.gov.

These are our plans. As it stands right now, in the state of homeland security is the majority's plan. It is already there, already being carried out. We have a plan to make things better, more secure here in the United States of America, not only here in the House but also in the Senate.

With that, Mr. Speaker, it was an honor addressing the House once again. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my colleagues the retirement of Dr. Albert Emanuel Smith, President of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, a remarkable educator, administrator and leader who has left an indelible mark on our entire South Florida community.

According to Dr. Smith, ``The primary mission of any worthy institution of higher education is to produce graduates who understand that education is a lifelong endeavor.'' Throughout his career, Dr. Smith truly lived that creed. He dedicated his life's work to opening the doors of educational enlightenment and opportunity to thousands.

A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Dr. Smith earned a Bachelors of Science degree from North Carolina A&T State University, a Masters of Science degree from George Williams College and his Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh in 1971.

Dr. Smith's early professional career included a brief stint as a minor league baseball player for the Saint Louis Cardinals; two years in the United States Army Medical Service Corps where he was a commissioned officer and company commander; and five years as the director of athletics at North Carolina A&T State University.

In 1971, Dr. Smith was appointed executive assistant director of athletics at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1974, he was named director of athletics and associate professor of education at Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Smith served as Vice Chancellor for Development and University Relations, professor of education, and Executive Director of the North Carolina A&T University Foundation in 1976. He served in this capacity until he became the sixth president of South Carolina State University in 1976.

In 1993, Dr. Smith moved on to become the 10th President of Florida Memorial University (then Florida Memorial College). Under his

leadership, FMU has truly experienced a renaissance and metamorphosis. Dr. Smith implemented a major capital improvement program, including the dedication of the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts, and he achieved an important educational milestone in expanding its offering of academic programs and guiding the college to University status.

I know that everyone in our community thanks Dr. Smith for a job well done. We wish him and his wife, Sadie, our very best for continued success and much happiness in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H. Con. Res. 353.

I think it is important for this House to recognize the Republic of Haiti for recently holding successful, democratic elections, and to congratulate President-elect Rene Garcia Preval on his electoral victory.

Haiti is the world's oldest Black republic and the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States. While street violence, kidnappings, and political instability have plagued Haiti in recent years, and are still threats, the democratic will of the people persevered and elections were embraced by the nation.

The presidential and legislative elections on February 7, 2006 saw unprecedented voter turnout. A member of my staff traveled to Haiti as an election monitor. Many Haitians were required to walk for miles to their designated voting centers and then were forced to wait for hours in line; nonetheless, more than 60 percent of those registered exercised their right to vote and participated in electing a new, democratic government.

This election marks a significant moment in Haiti; it not only serves as the basis of hope along the road to democracy, but also serves as a testament to the resolve and character of the Haitian people during their long struggle for peace, reconciliation, and prosperity.

Now is the time for the United States to commit itself to long-term support to Haiti. The task facing President-elect Preval is daunting; he must establish a new government, reform the judiciary, establish and maintain domestic order, create jobs, jumpstart the economy, and end Haiti's endemic malnutrition and crushing poverty. In the past, this Congress has turned a deaf ear to Haiti's needs--specifically by not passing the Haiti Economic Recovery Opportunity Act, which I have introduced in this Congress, along with Senator Mike DeWine in the Senate. It is my hope that President-elect Preval's election will mark a new, more supportive era in Haitian-American relations, in this Congress and in this administration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

We definitely appreciate the contributions of women. If it weren't for women, there would be no men. And the way I look at it, being a mamma's boy, Madam Speaker, and I will admit to that even though I am a big rusty Congressman now, we appreciate all the contributions of women. And it is definitely good having women in the House, in this House, and in the U.S. Senate.

I think it is also important to reflect on the future, the opportunities. We talk about innovation here within our caucus. We look for a bipartisan way of approaching that to make sure that we can have more engineers. There are very few women engineers that are in higher education right now, and we have to make sure that they have access and opportunity. We do not want women or men to go overseas to work when we should have jobs here in the United States of America. So when I look at the opportunities and the success that women have had in the past, I know that in the future we still have to fight and make sure that we have inclusion, and that is important.

Madam Speaker, I am also proud to say that there are a number of individuals, younger girls, that are trying to develop themselves right now educationally, and we need to make sure that we provide them opportunities for the arts, opportunities in the area of physical education, and to allow a childhood to be broader than just taking a standardized test. And that creativity is going to be important.

But I am so glad you and Congresswoman Bean were really getting heavy, and I wanted to just jump in a little bit because I grew up in a household with three women, my mother and my two sisters; and, of course, you know I have my wife and my daughter and my son. So we look forward to making this celebration even greater and greater every time, but also we have to be mindful as policymakers of making sure that we allow women and young girls to be able to have opportunities greater than women before them.

Words are inadequate to even describe the way she explained to us her struggle as a woman, and it is hard for Liberia and the United States to be able to reflect on what her life was all about. She was sharing with us here, Madam Speaker, that you see the glory; but let me share the story with you and how she still has one foot in on the uneducated woman in Liberia and Africa and the Harvard- educated woman one foot in the United States. And I think it is important for us to remember that we have to remember when we have the opportunity to lead. And I think she is grounded in that, and I think Liberia is going to be better because of it.

And she shared with us that she didn't want our pity, but she wanted to be able to receive our assistance because they will perform. She talked about the reforms she has made in her administration, making sure that she has accountability, making sure that she wipes out and stamps out cronyism, and to make sure that children can smile again, and that is important. It is important to build an environment in a community where children feel safe of where they live and where they go to school and all of their contributions.

So I was excited about her visit. I got down here a little early so that I would get a chance to shake her hand; and I look forward, Madam Speaker, hopefully, that we can help Liberia, one of the true allies of the United States of America, and has been so for a very long time. As you know, Liberia is one of the countries where slaves, once they were freed, went back to Liberia, and many of them have American last names because they brought them back from slavery. So we do have a connection with that country.

Well, the way I look at this whole homeland security issue, and I am concerned, and I was over in the Senate, had an opportunity to sit down with some reporters, with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and also Senator Schumer from New York and some others, and I think it is important that we look at this for what it is.

The line is 95 percent of the containers that come into our ports are not checked. That is the real issue here. We can't really jump up and down about the 5, some say 6. I think it is important for us to remember, Madam Speaker, that this bipartisan effort that we should have as it relates to homeland security, I speak from the standpoint of being a member of the Homeland Security Committee, having the opportunity to serve on the oversight subcommittee and management and integration.

I can tell you right now, for us to go to 100 percent check is not a hard thing for us to do. But we have to set our priorities on what we want to do and how we want to do it, and when we want to do it.

I think the American people want to be protected, and I think it is important that we provide them that opportunity. As you know, we cry out for bipartisan support in this. I will tell you, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party, you name it, any individual that is thinking about voting, I can tell you this right now. They believe in the security of our country. They don't care who brings about this security, who appropriates this money, they just want the job done.

We don't need a situation where a container is being shipped from the port of Mobile, Alabama, or through Illinois, what have you, and end up, God forbid, some sort of chemical agent is in this container because it was not checked.

Too many people in the world know that we don't check 95 percent of our containers, and that is dangerous on both sides of the ball. I think we are far beyond politics when we start talking about making sure that we increase our containers, container security and screening our containers. There are other countries that have 100 percent check.

I think that if other countries can do it, I know that the United States of America can do it. But it is all about our priorities. It is about how we set them, and it is about how we work together.

Unfortunately, we have some difficulty in that area right now, but hopefully we will be able to improve on that through pressure from the American people.

Madam Speaker, this is 30-something Part 2 here. I am glad Ms. Wasserman Schultz and Ms. Bean had the opportunity to claim the first hour. I see Ms. Wasserman Schultz is proudly wearing her Florida pin, her Gators pin.

They are in the money, and I believe Florida will be able to do some great things.

Let me just say, Madam Speaker, as you know, we come to the floor to talk about a number of things, talk about what we as Democratic Members here in the House have to offer the American people. We want to make sure that there is no secret about our plans, about our initiatives, and what we are trying to do to be able to make sure that this country gets back on fiscal discipline, track, be more physically, fiscally sound, I am sorry, I am trying to get it out, it is a little late, but also just to make sure we are accountable to the American people, not just accountable to the Democratic citizens of the United States of America, but to make sure that we are accountable to all Americans.

I think that is the approach that we are taking, through the polling that I am seeing and reading, not only in periodicals, but also that I am getting

individuals that are e-mailing what people are saying and how they feel. Madam Speaker, to my e-mail, a number of them, I am very pleased about how the Democratic Members of the House and Senate have stood up to this administration.

As you know, Mr. Ryan, there are a number of issues that have been unearthed through what we do here on this floor, by sharing with the American people, Madam Speaker, with third-party validators and making sure that we share our plans with the American people and make sure that they are not what we say in some parts of the country, hoodwinked, bamboozled, or what we say here in Washington DC to be a recipient of the Potomac two-step.

I believe now more than ever, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Mr. Delahunt that the American people should and deserve to be leveled with. I think that is what we are looking for. They are not looking for who is the greatest party on the face of the Earth, and who has the best mascot or who wears the best tie or the best dress or the best suit or whatever the case may be. They are looking for individuals that are willing to govern above the table and not under the table.

I know, with great confidence, that we are there 110 percent. On terrorism, we are there 110 percent. We are on the side of making sure that we track down the individuals who are responsible for 9/11. Not only track them down, but kill them if necessary. I think it is important that we lay that on the table right here, right now.

The bottom line is the fact that we on this side of the aisle have fought on behalf of increasing container security at the ports. We just had an example last week, Mr. Ryan. Mr. Sabo had an amendment here on the floor. Another example that we are going to talk about a little later on is we tried to increase security at the ports on the heels of the whole lack of security at ports, Mr. Delahunt, and still the American majority voted it down.

I am excited about the fact that we are back. I am excited about the fact that we are going to talk about some of these issues tonight.

Mr. Ryan, that is a Blumberg news agency.

Madam Speaker, it comes down to who is telling the truth and who is not. I mean, just because I may put something behind me and say that I stand for homeland security, do I really stand for homeland security? We are in the minority. When you are in the minority, Madam Speaker, I think it is important for us to explain to Members and staff, in case someone did not get the memo, that when you are in the majority you set the agenda that comes to the floor. You raise your hand thumbs up or thumbs down for your caucus to vote in the way that you want them to vote, when I talk about the Republican majority.

I think it is important for us to understand that the White House has said, oh, we have a strategy for Iraq, and then we find out that they all along never had a strategy.

Oh, we do not know anything about outing CIA agents. Some folks forgot about that. We do not even know the lady's name. Later, we find out through an independent investigative counsel that they knew everything about it.

What are you talking about a port deal? We do not have any knowledge of this. What is going on on this, someone told me in the hall. I mean, they knew exactly what was going on and the reason why it is happening and the reason why folks are getting away with it.

Like Secretary Rumsfeld, I am on the Armed Services Committee. It is an outright joke, to come before an Armed Services Committee to tell us whatever they want to tell us, and so shall it be written, so shall it be done; why are you asking questions. Matter of fact, I am bothered to come to Capitol Hill and have to respond to the Armed Services that constitutionally you have oversight over the Department of Defense.

We have individuals that are in shirt and tie, have the look of frustration. I mean, you are going to ask us? Yeah, we have a war, and now, the President has just said, well, you know, as it relates to troop withdrawal, I guess that is up to another President.

Mr. Ryan was talking about it earlier. He represents Youngstown. Someone says, Congressman, are we ever going to have a strategy as it relates to education?

Let me say. Mr. Ryan and I were talking a little earlier, and it is like Mr. Ryan telling his constituents, well, I know we have to have an education strategy, but that is not my job; that is up to the next Congressman that represents Youngstown.

Madam Speaker, the reason why the President is saying whatever he wants to say, when he wants to say it, is because this Republican Congress has allowed him to say it and get away with it. Our job is not the day-to-day operation of the war in Iraq. It is our job to bring in this presidency, making sure that we are accountable to those troops that are on the ground and our mission.

The bottom line is, what is our mission? I mean, these are the individuals that gave this Congress bad information, and then the minute that they gave the Congress bad information got away with it.

There were weapons of mass destruction. Then apologize, well, we got bad information on weapons of mass destruction. I am sorry, you know, hey, it happens, but individuals have died. Now, we have Iraqi troops that are now being downgraded; they cannot even fight without U.S. troops backing them up.

Then the Secretary says, well, you know, there may be a civil war. There is a civil war going on in Iraq. Let us just say it. Let us put it out there.

The coalition, you do not hear anything about the coalition getting bigger and greater. No, it is not getting bigger and greater. Matter of fact, the Brits are leaving this year and a number of other countries have said, hey, you know, I am willing to take the training wheels off the Iraqi Army.

Let me just say this, Madam Speaker, because I think that Mr. Ryan laid it out so that everyone can understand. A new Member of Congress could understand what you just set out.

The bottom line is that trying is not good enough. We need the American people to chime in and make their Member of Congress stand up on behalf of the American people. Mr. Ryan said correctly, and backed it up with the Congressional Record, the fact that we have a Republican majority that is more loyal to an individual riding around here making $1 billion or $1 million a year or record profits, or whatever their industry is, than they are committed to container security. It is not just what Kendrick Meek is saying. That is the fact, and Mr. Ryan laid it out, and yes, we do have a level of frustration.

Folks say you seem like you are upset. Well, we should be upset, and I do not care if it is Democrat, Independent or Republican. Mr. Delahunt said it earlier, as far as ports. Containers come into a port. Guess what. There are trucks that they go on the back of and trains that they go on the back of. They go throughout America, and next thing you know, this issue makes it to the heartland or Sioux City, Iowa, or whatever the case. The people may say, well, that is a coastal issue. That is not a coastal issue. It is an American issue.

And they have been allowed to do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it because this Congress hasn't reined them in.

I am going to close in 1 second, but I just want to also point out, Madam Speaker, since we are pointing out a few things here, that we have turned on the lights here in the Chamber. This whole Dubai thing and the Republicans marching around, ``We stopped that from happening; we blocked that deal.'' Well, guess what, there were a couple of votes before that where they tried to block it, but procedurally they blocked the Democrats from doing that. It is not who blocked it, it is about how we got there.

How did an under secretary level individual make this kind of decision; the outsourcing of American Security? It happens every day, Ms. Wasserman Schultz. And I can tell you this, ``We are standing up to the President.'' No, you are not standing up to the President. But guess what? When all of America is standing on this side of the line and saying, are you representing us or who are you representing, are we standing up for Dubai?

What did the President say? I got a little confused there, Members. I am sorry. The President said, well, we have got to keep our word. What about keeping our word to the American people on security and health care and all those things he talked about during the campaign? And all the Republican Members won the majority because they said, trust us on security, trust us on fiscal responsibility.

Don't get me started on fiscal responsibility. It is almost like the guy running from the back of the class, who is an F student, who says I want to be the valedictorian of the class because I say that I am. Did not work, did not study, did not do the things that he needed to do to be the top person in the class, but better yet, because they say it, that makes it right.

What does this mean, Mr. Delahunt? This means if the American people see fit that the Democrats are in charge of the Congress, that the White House will not be making statements and saying, well, we have said it publicly so that means you can't do anything about it, Republican Congress.

And if folks want to talk about a Democratic plan in Iraq, it is accountability, it is making sure we take these no-bid contracts and put them on top of the table and really get down to the reason why we are still in Iraq. I am just talking about what I am talking about, Mr. Delahunt. I am not saying there are some shady deals, but there are a number of articles that are out that are pointing to this.

Every day this stuff is coming out, Madam Speaker, and I think it is very, very important that we focus in on that.

Madam Speaker, the real issue is this. We want to talk about listening to the military commanders on the ground. I heard time after time again about oh, yes, whenever our commanders tell us what we need, we will give it to them. Well, if it has anything to do with America, if it had anything to do with Hurricane Katrina, and all of America saw the video that Michael Brown, of all people, said, Mr. President, we think that the levees will break. We think that we need assistance immediately as it relates to evacuation. We need resources. Silence.

Afterwards we have a partisan committee appointed by the majority, and they have findings with no solutions.

Madam Speaker, I have a solution right here right now. The bottom line, if we were in the majority, and this is not make believe, this is a possibility, I believe those individuals who are not registered to vote are going to register to vote to bring about some sort of change from what is going on right now.

I feel very good Members coming to the floor and sharing with American people, not just Democratic folk because if I wanted to just share with Democratic folk, I would send some sort of blast e-mail out to a Democratic list of individuals, or I would go down to the Democratic National Committee and say I just want to do a Webcast and I just want to talk to Democrats.

No, Madam Speaker, we committed to the American people that we would uphold the Constitution and represent them, if they are Democrat, Independent, nonvoter, Republican, whatever the case may be. They are going to get representation. On this issue of national security and accountability, this administration has moved in an unprecedented way and is making history in the wrong areas, putting us in debt to foreign countries that we have never been in debt to, but putting us in debt to where it is going to be very difficult to get a plan to get out of debt.

We on this side want to pay as we go. Mr. Ryan knows. Ms. Wasserman Schultz knows, as does Mr. Delahunt. Once upon a time and youthful indiscretions, hey, I was a little loose with the credit cards. I will put my hand up. It happens. But I will tell you this, when those creditors call your house, they disrespect you from hello. They do not say, ``May I speak to Mr. Meek.'' They say, ``May I speak to Kendrick. Is Kendrick home?'' That is what is going to happen.

I want to talk about the third-party validators. Let me move my Republican rubber stamp; that is for later.

When we talk about this debt, it is wide open. I challenge, I will say it again, I challenge any Member of the majority to come over and take a mike and tell us how this can be positive for our country, for us to be in debt to foreign nations.

I am going to put Canada up here. They are our neighbor. They own $57.8 billion of our debt.

Taiwan, toys are made there, and some American flags are made there, too. They own $71.3 billion of our debt.

The U.K. has decided to take the training wheels off the Iraqi government and withdraw a number of their troops because they know it is time for the Iraqis to stand up for themselves. They own $223.2 billion of our debt, and climbing.

Folks want to get all concerned, I know some folks who fought wars before, Germany owns $6.57 billion of our debt.

Korea owns, and I know that is something to our veterans, too, $66.5 billion of our debt, U.S. debt they own.

OPEC nations, and Mr. Delahunt, please name a few of the OPEC nations for us.

We owe OPEC $67.8 billion, but let us not leave Iraq and Iran and other countries that we have concern about where our troops are getting sand in their teeth right now. Let us not leave them out of the OPEC nations and allies and people of interest.

We have China, Red China, Communist China, China where U.S. workers are training their replacements in China to take their jobs, to make them unemployed. They own $249.8 billion of our debt.

And Japan, the island of Japan, they own $682.8 billion of our debt.

Now let me just say real quick to the Members, the Republicans have voted to put this on a credit card. They voted to put us into debt with interest. The Republican majority says we want to cut the budget in half by, and I do not know what the new number is, 2010, 2020. We have balanced the budget. The Democrats have balanced the budget. There is no other party in this House that can claim that something has been accomplished.

The bottom line is when these countries call in the tab on the United States of America, what are they going to say? Are they going to say, sir, ma'am? Or are they going to say ``pay me.'' They are going to disrespect not only our seniors and others, but they are going to disrespect future generations.

The bottom line is if the Republicans wanted to govern, they would have done it by now. They set up the atmosphere to allow this administration to be out of control.

What are the Democrats going to do? We are going to bring them back into control. We are going to make sure that we have accountability.

We are going to make sure that folks come to the Hill and talk about why Osama Bin Laden is still running free. And without any great deal of fear of U.S. troops bearing down upon him once upon a time, why is he still out? Why is he still releasing audiotapes and videotapes and recommending books for the American people to read to understand him more.

The bottom line, Madam Speaker, people like Osama Bin Laden long ago should have been tracked down and killed, period. That is just where it is and that is what we need to move towards.

Mr. Ryan.

You are 110 percent right, Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

We can't say it enough. The bottom line is the message that we are giving out to the American people and to all the Republican majority: As a matter of fact, we don't need permission from the Republican majority to lead; we just need the numbers in this House to lead. And we are leading in many ways.

We call the first play when it comes down to many of the pieces of legislation that move through this House of Representatives and bringing some level of accountability to it. Sometimes we are successful, Madam Speaker, in getting an amendment or two onto a piece of legislation because it is so abundantly clear the reason why they are useful to a piece of legislation. But why does it have to be abundantly clear? Why can't it just be good governance? Why can't it just be a bipartisan approach?

I will tell you, and I commit, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Delahunt, when we get in the majority which--I believe the American people will start asking questions and will take action against those that are allowing this history in all the wrong ways to take place, and elect Democrats to be able to allow us to come here and run this House in the way that all the American people can be proud and feel accountable, we will not bow down to the strong special interests and say, well, wait, we have to take care of them and then we will take care of you. And when we come down to take care of you, we are going to question you about why you need this assistance. And so I think it is important that we go through that.

As we make closing comments here, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, I don't know if you closed but you can go ahead.

Mr. Delahunt, we are making closing comments, sir.

To the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts and also the gentleman from Ohio and the gentlewoman from Florida, I just want to say that our whole reason for coming to the floor is to be able to share with the Members what is happening right now under the Capitol dome, not what happened 6 months ago, but what is happening today or a couple of days ago, and about how we can correct ourselves.

The other message is letting not only other Members know, Madam Speaker, but the American people know that we are ready to lead. I always use the football analogy by saying, I am going to buy Debbie Wasserman Schultz a mouthpiece because she is ready to go. And I can tell you, there are a number of people, Madam Speaker, who are ready to lead.

Have you ever heard of ``lead or get out of the way''? We are willing to do that. Do you want to talk about plans? This is just one binder of plans. Do you want to talk about innovation? Do you want to talk about homeland security? Do you want to talk about Iraq? Do you want to talk about education? Do you want to talk about health care? Do you want to talk about respecting our veterans and giving them the health care that we said we would give them? Do you want to talk about military families being dealt with in a way that they should be dealt with; and the men and women who are in harm's way, equipment for our troops? Do you want to talk about those things?

Well, other folks can talk about it. We are ready to act.

The only thing that is stopping us right now, Madam Speaker, are a couple of votes on this floor. And we want the American people and we want the majority to know that we are not on their heels, we are in front of them on this issue. And that is the only thing that is stopping us.

Now, either one of two things is going to happen. Either there are going to be some of our friends on the other side of the aisle saying, I am going to join with the Democrats and we are going to be bipartisan and we are going to do what we have to do on behalf of this country, or some individuals on the other side of the aisle, with all due respect to the gentlemen and the gentlewomen on the other side, are going to be unelected and we will lead. And we will show the American people, Madam Speaker, how we want to govern.

With that, we want to thank the Democratic leadership for allowing us to be here.

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 54 minutes p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay belated tribute to one of our community's unsung leaders, the late Marvalyne W. Henry, whose life was remembered and celebrated on January 9, 2006 at the Range Memorial Chapel in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Ms. Henry left a wonderful legacy for all of us, and she will be sorely missed, especially by those who looked up to her as a model of utmost benevolence and caring. I want to take this opportunity to honor her faithful stewardship over those who came to her for guidance and understanding. The hallmark of her life's excellence and commitment was defined by her compassion, which evoked the ever-enduring presence of God in her life.

Born to the late J.C. Woodson and Margaret ``Maggie'' Williams on August 16, 1937 in Smithville, Georgia, Ms. Henry demonstrated an immense love and compassion for others, especially the less fortunate and the downtrodden. Despite the problems she had had with her health, her faith was unshakable and served her well in ministering to those who needed her help.

Her nurturing spirit transformed her home into an oasis of love and encouragement--not only for the immediate members of her family, but also for countless others who came to seek much-needed comfort and solace from her. Indeed, the genuine kindness she extended to others transformed a rather sad occasion into a celebration of her life when they could take comfort in memorializing the magnificent example of a life so nobly lived. Despite the sobering challenges of her health problems, Ms. Henry managed to exude a great soul and a beautiful spirit that evoked an unshakable belief rarely shown and tested amidst so much trial and tribulation.

Ms. Henry is survived by her children: Nedra Henry, Lynnette Mathis (Larry), Tammie Coney (Michael), Gidget McLean (Charleston), Tameka Benbow, Derrick Henry (Alisia), Gary Mays, and Sherman Henry; sister, Wendie Williams; brothers, Samuel Williams (Mary), Richard Williams (Vanessa), and Leon Williams (Ann); two aunts: Loraine Humphries, and Doll Calbert of Detroit, Michigan; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Buttressed by her unflinching faith, Ms. Henry's life has indeed been bountifully blessed. This is the celebration of a remarkable woman, and I know that my colleagues join me in honoring her.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (BAME) as it celebrates its 110th Anniversary on Sunday, March 12, 2006 in the Overtown community of Miami-Dade County, Florida. This important milestone is truly a testament to the leadership of the church and the commitment of the faithful and the church's theme reflects it: ``Greater Bethel AME: A Beacon of Light Shining Bright for 110 Years.''

I commend the entire Greater Bethel AME family, including the Senior Pastor, Reverend Milton Broomfield and Ms. Barbara Brown, the Chairperson, on this wonderful occasion. It is the thorough exercise of faith that we are emboldened by God's Blessed Assurance spoken through the Prophet Isaiah (Chapter 58, Verses 9-11): ``. . . You shall call, and the Lord will answer. For if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, then light shall rise for you in the darkness . . . and the Lord will guide you always.''

Greater Bethel AME Church symbolizes an unshakable monument that has manifested and continues to manifest our community's faith in God. The longevity of this landmark church--not only through its members' genuine caring of one another, but also through the outreach efforts of its services and good works for those it has been privileged to serve-- is truly remarkable. Despite the pain and agony that our community suffered in the midst of many years of disenfranchisement and misrepresentation, Greater Bethel AME Church stood out as a beacon of Hope and a citadel of Truth by which God has called our community to respond to the mandate of Christian stewardship.

It is with this spirit that I recognize this historic Church on its 110th Anniversary, defined by determination and courage throughout its ministry. We are grateful for what Greater Bethel AME Church symbolizes for all of us, even as we look forward to the challenges of the future.