Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the ``Tea Party of West Oakland County'' in Oakland County, Michigan, who like so many grass-root organizations throughout our country have diligently educated our citizens on various public issues facing us today. Exercising their Constitutional right to peacefully assemble and in many cases petition their government for a redress of grievances in support of the restoration of liberty, not in restricting it; shrinking our bloated government, not expanding it; who want to reduce taxes, not raise them; abolish costly government programs, not create them; expose the abuses and oppressions of tyrannical dictates; and promote the freedom and independence of our citizens, not the interference of government in their lives; and observe the limited, enumerated powers of our Constitution, not ignore them.

Mr. Speaker, these truly American patriots of every cultural, religious and ethnic background have found a common cause in fighting back today's proliferating big government rules and regulations imposed by costly bloated government bureaucracies who are accountable to no one at the expense of individual rights.

They are God-fearing, freedom-loving Americans who desire nothing more than to rein in big government's tendency toward excessive coercion and the insidious spread of government overreach. They question when the validity of laws and morality contradict each other. They desire nothing more than the extension of individual freedom in a Democracy that attaches all possible value to citizens rather than making each citizen a mere agent, a mere number; a Democracy that seeks equality in Liberty rather than in restraint and servitude.

Mr. Speaker, there is a great political awakening taking place in our country today, the roots of which are solid stock and American made; they are visionary individuals who understand the moral foundations of a Constitutional Republic, the benefits of free markets, and individual liberty. May they continue to strive valiantly and dare greatly.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few short minutes to give this testimony in support of a truly American grass-roots organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the ``Southeast Michigan 9.12

Tea Party of Oakland/Macomb Counties, Michigan, who like so many grass- root organizations throughout our country have diligently educated our citizens on various public issues facing us today. Exercising their Constitutional right to peacefully assemble and in many cases petition their government for a redress of grievances in support of the restoration of liberty, not in restricting it; shrinking our bloated government, not expanding it; who want to reduce taxes, not raise them; abolish costly government programs, not create them; expose the abuses and oppressions of tyrannical dictates; and promote the freedom and independence of our citizens, not the interference of government in their lives; and observe the limited, enumerated powers of our Constitution, not ignore them.

Mr. Speaker, these truly American patriots of every cultural, religious and ethnic background have found a common cause in fighting back today's proliferating big government rules and regulations imposed by costly bloated government bureaucracies who are accountable to no one at the expense of individual rights.

They are God-fearing, freedom-loving Americans who desire nothing more than to rein in big government's tendency toward excessive coercion and the insidious spread of government overreach. They question when the validity of laws and morality contradict each other. They desire nothing more than the extension of individual freedom in a Democracy that attaches all possible value to citizens rather than making each citizen a mere agent, a mere number; a Democracy that seeks equality in Liberty rather than in restraint and servitude.

Mr. Speaker, there is a great political awakening taking place in our country today, the roots of which are solid stock and American made; they are visionary individuals who understand the moral foundations of a Constitutional Republic, the benefits of free markets, and individual liberty. May they continue to strive valiantly and dare greatly.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few short minutes to give this testimony in support of a truly American grass-roots organization.

Thank you. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Missouri for the opportunity to speak on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before this Chamber today to talk about the Democrat shutdown.

In the House we are standing strong to prevent ObamaCare from hurting people. Just today, the Detroit Free Press, a liberal-leaning paper, reported that two health insurance companies are dropping the low-cost plans for

146,000 Michigan families due to ObamaCare. This will cost each of these families thousands of dollars per year, more to be covered by ObamaCare-approved health care plans. That is unacceptable. Our government is shut down because the extreme liberal Democrats refuse to negotiate and have rejected bills to keep most of the government open. This behavior reminds me of a spoiled child having a temper tantrum who runs to their room, slams the door shut, and refuses to come out until their demands are met.

This is no way to behave and is a disservice to all Americans. Mr. Speaker, they are obsessed with forcing health care legislation, which they are exempt from, onto the American people. They want two classes, the majority who live under ObamaCare and the elite who use their connections to get waivers.

By refusing to fund veterans, to keep the parks open, or support pediatric cancer research, Senate and House Democrats are showing whose side they are on, and it is not the American people.

I plead with my responsible, adult Democrat colleagues that it is not too late. Let's move forward. Join the rest of the American people and support equality under the law.

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan, a dear friend and close ally in Southeast Asia, is celebrating their 102nd birthday on October 10, 2013.

Taiwan and the United States have a good relationship because we have so much in common. We both believe that human rights, democracy and the rule of law are critical to maintaining stability. Both nations do not just speak of these as theories but create environments in which they can be fulfilled. It is a shame that Taiwan is not given the recognition they deserve in the international community, as they have attempted to uphold the same values that the United States holds dear. This commitment to similar ideals should bring our two countries closer together.

There are a few areas that I would like to address that could further this friendship and enhance our cooperation and understanding.

I would like to see an expanded trade relationship with Taiwan. Taiwan is one of our largest trading partners, and my own state of Michigan exported nearly $200 million worth of goods to Taiwan in 2012. An expanded trade relationship with Taiwan would certainly be beneficial to the United States, and also to the state of Michigan. A bilateral trade agreement is something that should be explored.

It is also hard to understand just how much Taiwan has advanced over the previous decades. Their shift to democracy in the 1990s was truly an amazing event, especially given their location and external pressures, but this event is hard to understand without actually visiting the island. Many Members of Congress have visited Taiwan, but it can be hard to convey the importance of such travels to other parts of our government. I have encouraged high-level visits from the United States, and also have encouraged allowing high-level Taiwanese officials to visit with executive departments. In this way, we can more accurately assess our relationship with Taiwan, their importance to stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the power of democracy in Asia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Manufacturing Day.

America is an exceptional Nation. Over the last 2\1/4\ centuries, our country has been an example of freedom. Our Founders' belief in the free enterprise system helped ignite a transformation in manufacturing that has changed the world.

However, as we all know, arbitrary regulations and excessive taxation unfairly punishes hardworking Americans and impedes our industrial capability. This hurts our national strength and is simply unfair to our manufacturers, especially in the aftermath of a recession, whose effects still linger to this day.

I am proud to represent the second-highest manufacturing district in the country. Every day, I hear from Michiganders who share these concerns with me. Instead of unnecessarily exerting its influence on the economy, the government should promote conditions that make it conducive to invest and grow our economy.

As I always say: ``Investment always goes where it is welcome and stays where it is appreciated.'' The goal of tax reform should be to grow the economy. If we want businesses, especially manufacturing businesses, to grow and create jobs, fixing depreciation rules by moving closer to full expensing would be a great start.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.

Today I was reminded just how our Nation is made up of the people, not the government.

Just a few hours ago, dozens of World War II veterans, in an act of civil disobedience, defied the President's closure of the World War II Memorial on the Washington Mall and celebrated their historic defense against tyranny so many decades ago.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that this shutdown could be a learning experience for both everyone in this Chamber and the people of the country. It allows us to determine what is essential and what isn't, what government should do and what it shouldn't.

When I first arrived here in Washington, I wrote an op-ed in my local newspaper, laying out some obvious budgetary reforms. One of them was to make every department justify its spending on the floor of the House. The Department of Veterans Affairs could easily do that. Currently, the VA is not shut down completely. But the time is soon coming where our former servicemembers will not be able to receive the benefits they earned fighting to defend our freedom.

Because of the Democratic Senate's inability to compromise, services to our veterans will be impacted if we don't do the right thing. In the military, we don't leave people behind on the battlefield. We shouldn't do that at home either. Surely my friends on the other side of the aisle do not believe that the Democratic Senate should hold our veterans hostage as we negotiate the CR. The people helped by the VA are American heroes. Let's not leave them behind.

I urge my colleagues to pass this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, there's a lot of fighting going on right now in this Chamber, and I can tell you that there's nothing better than when I

get to leave Washington and go back home to see my grandkids. Nothing warms my heart more than Emily, Nathan, and Kathryn running up and giving me a hug.

As a grandfather, I find myself giving commonsense advice to my grandchildren. It's funny to tell them obvious things and realize that it seems like sage wisdom to them. ``Emily, look both ways when you cross the street.'' ``Nathan, if you want to be big and strong, you need to eat your vegetables.'' ``Kathryn, always wear your seatbelt.'' Finally, ``Don't stick your finger in the light socket.''

Since the passage of ObamaCare, the economy has stagnated as businesses try to figure out the new rules and the regulations.

Don't stick your finger in the light socket.

ObamaCare is turning running our Nation into a country of part-time workers as companies try to fall under the 30-hour threshold for their employees.

Don't stick your finger in the light socket.

Premiums are rising rather than falling.

Don't stick your finger in the light socket.

By the President's own admission, the systems to implement ObamaCare are not yet ready.

Don't stick your finger in the light socket.

Americans are pleading with the Senate and the President to stop sticking their fingers in the light socket.

I thank the gentlelady from Minnesota. That's to defund or delay.

Mr. Speaker, the President's health care law is unworkable. Hardworking Americans know it. They're going to see their insurance premiums skyrocket.

Small business owners know it. They're going to have to scale back hiring, and maybe even let people go.

People in the President's own party know it. Even Senator Baucus from Montana, a key author of the legislation, called it a train wreck not long ago.

The unions know it. Teamsters' James Hoffa calls it a nightmare because of the jobs and benefits lost. Why?

Because, despite the President saying the law is working the way it's supposed to, we know it's not working at all. That's why House Republicans remain committed to protecting the American people from this unworkable, unfair law.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Anti-Poverty Initiative, I have been blessed to work closely with the people ``on the ground'' who are committed to lifting people out of poverty. Many in Washington believe a hand out is a hand up. It's not. We need a social safety net that focuses on the empowering of the individual.

The men and women I've met with all have wanted me to hear their stories. I asked them directly: What do we do that works? What do we do that doesn't work, and how can I make it better? All of the men and women shared the same themes: Lift me spiritually, not just economically. They told me they don't want to be taken care of. They want to be able to take care of themselves and are challenged to find and utilize the gifts God blessed them with.

I am proud to say many of the reforms in this bill didn't come from a bunch of people in suits and ties here in Washington, D.C. They came directly from the American families we are trying to help. This bill is a forward-looking approach that propels

people towards opportunity. It fulfills the promise made in the Declaration--that our country believes in the right to pursue happiness however each citizen defines it.

Mr. Speaker, on this Constitution Day, I want to applaud those in the Armed Forces who take a pledge to honor and defend the Constitution at the risk of life and limb.

Every generation of Americans has been protected by what Frederick Douglass once called ``that glorious liberty document.'' We should take the time today to salute those who defend the Constitution. I fear that sometimes we take for granted the sacrifice that these brave men and women bear.

They, like their predecessors, are the ones who allow us to secure our freedoms in the Constitution to pass down to future generations. They are the ones that allow us to gather here today to do the will of the people. They are the reason why the Constitution has lasted over two centuries as the prime example in the world of a free government.

Mr. Speaker, peace is a fragile thing. It means more than just the absence of war. The standard for American peace is in our foundational documents: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those values are universal. They serve as a beacon of hope in times of war and an example to a world filled with oppressors, dictators, and terrorists.

With the creation of the Bill of Rights, our Founding Fathers knew that, in this place, the world's people would come together and live in peace.

In this place, anyone with a good idea can succeed and thrive. In this place, if you can dream it you can do it.

The openness of our society serves as our Nation's greatest strength. The enemies of peace and freedom do not care what we look like, they do not care who we vote for, and they do not care in what part of town you live.

On that fateful September day they attacked us as a whole. We responded by helping our neighbors in their distress and turned lonely strangers into heartfelt friends as our Nation grieved together.

Today, in solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives working to follow their American Dream, we must also remember what we truly represent.

Out of many, one: the last, best hope of mankind.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today as a former soldier. Like many of my colleagues in this room who served, I took an oath to honor and defend the Constitution of the United States against enemies both domestic and abroad. American soldiers do not swear to defend the President; they don't swear to defend Congress or political parties. They swear to defend the Constitution because this document is the bulwark that protects our freedom.

American soldiers swear to protect this document because our Founding Fathers understood that elected officials, from the President to us here in the House of Representatives, are fallible human beings. They swear to protect this document because they know that the principles it defends are true and its wisdom will last long after we're dead, just as it lasted long before we were born.

The Constitution of the United States of America is the key difference between us and other countries. It is what makes our Nation exceptional. Forged on the anvil of liberty, it has protected our Nation as we have grown from a fledgling Republic into a world superpower. The soldier that we ask to fight on our behalf knows that. We must honor our military by looking to the wisdom of the Constitution whenever we discuss sending our troops to war.

The Constitution itself makes clear that we should go to war ``for the common defense.'' This statement, ``for the common defense,'' was so important that it was used twice by our Founding Fathers: once in the preamble, then again in laying out the duties of Congress.

We live in a fallen world. Bad things happen to innocent people every day across the globe. Drug cartels beheading people in central America, Christians being burned alive in Nigeria, human trafficking in Asia-- all of these things are heart-wrenching but none of them involve our common defense.

When I see what is happening in Syria and read the intelligence given to us, I do not see how this terrible civil war involves our common defense. I understand the horrors of the Assad regime and it sickens me. It hurts to see the pictures of dead children brutally gassed by a hateful dictator. Yet the actions our President wishes us to take would do little to prevent such a man from continuing to murder his people, nor would help those our soldiers were sworn to protect--our constituents.

In his farewell address, George Washington said:

We may choose peace or war, as our interest guided by

justice shall counsel.

There is nothing just, or in our interest, in lobbing a few bombs into a country and walking away.

The Secretary of State and the President have both stated that we need to go to war because Assad broke a treaty that the entire world supports. The U.N., they say, cannot act. Mr. Speaker, I am asking the same question my constituents are asking: Why do we spend billions of dollars supporting an international organization for peace that cannot enforce a treaty supported by the entire world? If the U.N. is so hamstrung that it cannot rally the world to stop Assad and we have to unilaterally attack Syria, what exactly is the point of having a U.N.?

The Secretary of State also had the gall to tell both the Senate and the House Foreign Relations Committees that bombing Syria is ``not a war in the classic sense.'' Let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker. If another nation attacked us the way our President wants to attack Syria, everyone in this room would call it war. Let me tell you something else, Mr. Speaker: war has consequences.

The Secretary of State told the House Foreign Relations Committee that the goal of bombing Syria was to ``degrade'' Assad's chemical weapons and cause a stalemate in the fighting. In other words, Assad will still have the capability of using chemical weapons and could very well use them again to break the stalemate we create. Does anyone really think that we will just stop with the first round of bombings? That's not how war works. Wars are a ``yes'' or ``no'' question. You cannot, as Secretary Kerry and the White House suggest, only kind of fight a war. If we break it, we're going to be forced to fix it.

Like I said, I'm an old soldier, and old soldiers need mission plans. When I look at this mission plan, I don't see anything that suggests we will simply be able to walk away after this bombing campaign.

America's role in the world is not to play parent to the rest of the nations, chastising bad actors and picking winners and losers in battles that don't directly threaten us. The point of our Nation is to show the world the wisdom of a free and representative government.

My fellow Members of Congress, we can show that wisdom here today with this vote. We can show the world that our Nation will not plunge itself into war because our President drew an artificial red line and feels embarrassed that a dictator crossed it.

Our military does not belong to the White House. It belongs to the people. I ask you, show the power and wisdom of our Founding Fathers when they granted the representatives of the people with the decision to go to war.

I strongly urge everyone in this room to vote ``no'' on attacking Syria and involving ourselves in their civil war.

God bless America.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 38 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

I thank the gentleman from California.

Madam Speaker, Federal agencies not only get to write rules, they get to enforce them. It was recently noted that a citizen is ten times more likely to be tried by an agency than by an actual court. In any given year, Federal judges conduct roughly 95,000 adjudicatory proceedings, including trials, while Federal agencies complete more than 939,000-- 939,000.

In these agency proceedings, citizens have fewer rights than in a courtroom. And unfortunately, there are some bad actors who intimidate, coerce, or even lie, violating public trust and potentially breaking laws. Far too often, the public is left without evidence to help prove Federal employees mistreated them.

For example, the SEC bowing to political pressure to scrutinize donations to tax-exempt groups; IRS employees targeting Tea Party groups applying for tax-exempt status; and other agencies that are writing and enforcing rules and regulations written in legalese to confuse and frustrate the public.

Title III of this bill ensures that individuals have the right to record their meetings and telephone exchanges with Federal regulatory officials engaged in enforcement activities.

The manager's amendment adopted in committee ensures that law enforcement would not be impacted adversely. Undercover investigations and wiretap surveillance would not be interfered with.

This legislation does not supersede any State laws, and it has no impact on citizen interactions with non-Federal officials such as State and local police officers.

Madam Speaker, it is the duty of Congress to protect rights, not take them away. This legislation is just another step in protecting the rights of our citizens.

I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, common sense is something often discussed here but it is rarely put into practice. It's time for that to change. That's why we need the Common Sense in Compensation Act.

While the administration plays political games with the sequestration by forcing hardworking Americans to take a furlough, they continue to hand out bonus checks to highly paid bureaucrats. Between 2008 and 2011, the Federal Government spent $340 million on cash bonuses for Senior Executive Service employees. Some of these bureaucrats have used their time to attack the average American through regulations and the Tax Code. The American people are not getting what they paid for from many of these Federal regulators and senior staff.

The Common Sense in Compensation Act brings much-needed reform to the bonus system for Federal employees. Under this legislation, employee discretionary bonuses are limited to no more than 5 percent of their base salary while the sequestration is in effect. Additionally, it limits the total amount of Senior Executive Service performance awards to 33 percent of all SES employees in a given agency. Both of these changes prevent the most wealthy in the Federal system from becoming richer while those actually engaging and serving the general public are getting laid off.

Opponents of the bill may claim that limiting Federal Government employee bonuses may be an unsound business move. Here's what I think: it is an unsound business move being $17 trillion in debt and shackling our grandchildren with a Nation worse off than how we received it from our parents. When a business is struggling, they don't pass out bonuses. They cut waste. It's time to rein in spending. And this practice of excessive bonuses for the very top of our bureaucracy must stop while we're all trying to tighten our belts.

If we truly want to rein in our spending, we need to fix not just the amount of money we choose to spend, but how effectively we spend it as well. Making sure that those who provide the actual services to the public aren't being furloughed at the expense of luxurious bonuses for upper management is a good way to start.