Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, while pro-amnesty advocates are busy criticizing Arizona's new immigration enforcement law, Arizona voters are registering their overwhelming support. According to a Rasmussen Reports telephone survey, 70 percent of likely voters in Arizona approve of the legislation, including 84 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of independents, and more than half of Democrats. These results are not surprising.

Arizonans are no different from other Americans. They want to see the Nation's immigration laws enforced. They are rightly concerned about the jobs that illegal immigrants take from citizens and legal immigrants, about their communities' safety, and about the substantial costs to taxpayers of illegal immigration.

If the Obama administration continues to ignore immigration laws, it should not be surprised if other States follow Arizona's example.

Mr. Speaker, during President George W. Bush's first term, the national media gave extensive coverage to the Bush administration's relationship with Enron. The New York Times wrote, ``Their ties are broad and deep and go back many years.'' Time Magazine reported on ``Bush's Enron Problem.'' A Chicago Tribune headline read, ``Bush urged to be open about Enron.''

Eight years later, by comparison, national coverage of the Obama administration's connection to Goldman Sachs is scarce. The SEC has filed suit against Goldman Sachs, charging it intentionally misled investors who participated in a mortgage securities deal that was designed to fail. Goldman Sachs employees gave President Obama over $1 million in campaign contributions, nearly seven times as much as President Bush received from Enron workers, according to numbers on OpenSecrets.org and as reported by the Washington Examiner. The Examiner also reported that several current and former members of the Obama administration have close ties to Goldman Sachs.

The national media should give Americans the facts, not practice double standards.

Mr. Speaker, a New York Times/CBS News poll of supporters of the Tea Party movement revealed that 97 percent of Tea Partiers view illegal immigration as a serious problem.

The result is not surprising considering that jobs and the economy are top priorities of Tea Party backers. More than 15 million Americans are unemployed, and more than 8 million illegal immigrants are in the U.S. labor force. It makes no sense whatsoever to force citizens and legal immigrants to compete with illegal immigrants for scarce jobs.

Furthermore, the National Research Council found that an illegal immigrant without a high school diploma--about two-thirds of all illegal immigrants--imposes a net cost on taxpayers of $89,000 during their lifetime. Multiply that by millions of illegal immigrants, and that is a multibillion-dollar burden on American taxpayers.

Madam Speaker, I doubt anyone in this Chamber would deny the enormous amount of hard work and sacrifice that went into building this great nation. Honest and hard labor are at the very heart of our economic system and why our nation has achieved such greatness.

But there is a fundamental shift in the very notion of ``hard work'' in the country that will have unforeseen consequences for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, my district includes several high tech companies and I was having a conversation with some young professionals--including Michael Young, a former legislative director--last week when the topic of taxes came up.

Each of these professionals was in their 30's and each lamented the higher taxes that await them as they finally begin to be rewarded for the hard work they have endured.

What was particularly frustrating for them was that they had done exactly what they had been told they should do: go to college, work hard and play by the rules.

And it wasn't that they were opposed to taxes either. No, what incensed them was the Administration's insistence that those who did well over the last 30 years should be heavily taxed in the future.

What about those who didn't do well in the past 30 years but who are now, after having sacrificed so much, now finally on the threshold of being successful?

These young people are just entering the prime of their business and professional careers. They played by the rules. They went to college; they saved and struggled. And most importantly, they worked hard. Now, they are going to be penalized for doing everything right.

And penalized not because of what they have done, penalized for what they are going to do--succeed.

I say ``going to do'' but many of them expressed the opinion that why should they work hard now when the money they earn will just go to the government. Some told me they had already scaled back their future career plans. A few even told me they have worked out the numbers to work just enough so they don't get hit with higher taxes and surcharges.

What a sorry state of affairs when our best and brightest are no longer willing to work hard, to take chances, to achieve greatness. Instead they are content with ``getting by'' and mediocrity.

The implications for the country as a whole are downright frightening.

As young people in China, India, Brazil and others capitalize on the economic freedom that has been unleashed; America's very system reward for hard, honest work is at stake.

Madam Speaker, it was reported this week that India's Chandrayaan spacecraft detected water on the Moon. And another study revealed that

there may be larger deposits of water on Mars than previously thought.

Yet despite these two incredible discoveries, this Administration is content with ``earth observation'' and ``low Earth orbit studies.'' Hardly The Right Stuff.

Madam Speaker, when President John F. Kennedy declared the intention of the United States to land on the Moon he knew it wouldn't be easy. To the contrary, he stated boldly that this great challenge would bring out the best in America. He was right.

Two generations of school children dreamed of landing on the Moon and then on to Mars. Countless engineers and scientists credit the Moon endeavor as their inspiration for entering their field of study. This effort directly led to many of the incredible scientific and aerospace discoveries over the last 30-40 years.

Sadly, the decisions of the Administration will keep Americans stalled on Earth for decades to come. Canceling the Constellation next generation rocket program was just the latest in this Administration's inward looking approach.

Meanwhile, China, India and others are redoubling their efforts to not only go to the Moon, but beyond. It would be a sad state of affairs for the U.S. if the first person back to the Moon was not an American.

And what are the long-term consequences of this visionless endeavor? Important as they may be, it's hard for anyone except perhaps a special interest group to get excited about earth observation and orbital animal migration studies.

It is a well-known fact that today's students are uninspired and uninterested in careers in math, science and engineering. But it's understandable considering this Administration's lack of vision for space exploration.

Yes, budgets are tight. Yes, we need to prioritize.

But considering the incredible benefit for the U.S., we must have a sustained manned space program.

Madam Speaker, Americans must once again lead in space exploration.

Mr. Speaker, American workers have just won a great and historic victory. Employees of Mohawk Industries will share the $18 million that the company agreed to pay to settle a lawsuit accusing it of hiring illegal immigrants in order to hold down wages.

The settlement comes on the heels of the Obama administration's decision to largely abandon enforcement of our immigration laws at America's workplaces. This legal victory gives a valuable tool to other workers who suffer at the hands of employers who want to keep wages low by hiring illegal immigrants.

If the Obama administration won't act to protect American workers, American workers now have the power to protect themselves by filing lawsuits against employers who hire cheap and illegal labor.

Mr. Speaker, if employers continue to break immigration laws, may there be many more such lawsuits.

Mr. Speaker, to my left is the Media Fairness Caucus' Newsweek Wall of Shame, a collection of the magazine's very biased cover articles. Previous covers have featured Vice President Al Gore with the caption, ``The Thinking Man's Thinking Man''; President Obama with the caption, ``Yes, He Can''; and Vice President Joe Biden, ``A Vice President to be Reckoned With.'' This week's cover reads, ``America's Back! The Remarkable Tale of our Economic Turnaround''.

Apparently Newsweek hasn't heard that the unemployment rate remains close to 10 percent, with 16 million Americans unemployed, that personal income has fallen over 3 percent since President Obama took office, and that the President's budget doubles the national debt in 5 years and triples it in 10.

The only way to bring America back is to reverse the administration's policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers, and record debt. Newsweek should report the facts on the economy, not provide free and false advertising for the Obama administration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my Texas colleague Mr. Ortiz for introducing this resolution. It reflects well on him and on a wonderful individual who has contributed so much.

I support House Concurrent Resolution 222, which recognizes the leadership and the historical contributions of Dr. Hector Garcia. My colleague in the other body, Senator Cornyn of Texas, sponsored a similar resolution during the last Congress, and I am glad to see that it is being considered in the House this year.

In 1914, Hector Garcia was born in Llera, which is a small town in Mexico. As a child, he was brought to Mercedes, Texas, after his parents fled the Mexican Revolution in 1917. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical School in 1940 and used that education to serve his country in the United States Army.

In the Army, Dr. Garcia served during World War II as an infantryman, as a combat engineer, and as a medical doctor. He earned the Bronze Star medal with six battle stars for his distinguished service; but his public service did not end there. Dr. Garcia founded the American GI Forum in 1948, which fights for equal treatment of Mexican American veterans in medical care and educational benefits.

President Lyndon Johnson made Dr. Garcia the first Mexican American to serve as an ambassador to the United Nations. He also became the first Hispanic to serve on the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and in 1984, President Ronald Reagan bestowed upon Dr. Garcia the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it is always nice to agree with the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. I too support Senate Joint Resolution 25.

This resolution grants Congress' approval to amendments that the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia have made to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact.

Under the amendments, the District of Columbia may appoint its member of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission from any District agency with oversight of matters relating to the commission.

The District is thus freed from the requirement to appoint its member from the District's Public Service Commission, which no longer has responsibility for affairs regulated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission.

Similarly, the amendments allow Virginia to appoint its commission member from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, rather than the State's Corporation Commission.

The amendments perform a desirable piece of housekeeping regarding the compact. All of the jurisdictions that are party to the compact have agreed to the amendments.

I urge all Members to support the resolution, which aids the operation of this important interstate body.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, recently, a woman named Doris asked President Obama why his health care legislation includes more taxes when, as she put it, ``we are overtaxed as it is.''

Here's what The Wall Street Journal had to say about the President's 17-minute, 2,500-word answer, and the media's failure to hold him accountable:

[The President's] filibuster had only served to avoid

addressing her concern. He never explained why his health

care bill ended up raising taxes on those making under

$200,000 a year--a violation of his explicit 2008 campaign

pledge.

President Obama is clearly avoiding any forum where he can

be pinned down with tough questions.

So far, Washington journalists have been quite passive in

letting the White House choose the terms of its interaction

with the public.

Would a conservative president get such an obliging ride

from the normally aggressive Washington press corps? Probably

not.

The national media should hold the President accountable, not give him a free pass.

Mr. Speaker, Americans continue to see the national media as too biased, too liberal, and too powerful. By almost a two-to-one margin, Americans say that media bias is a bigger problem in politics today than big campaign contributions, according to a new Rasmussen public opinion poll. By a three-to-one margin, Americans describe the average reporter as more liberal than they are rather than more conservative. And almost seven out of ten Americans believe the news media have too much power and influence over government decisions. Other recent polls have shown similar results.

If the national media want to restore Americans' trust, they should report the facts, not tell the people what to think.

Madam Speaker, President Obama is far more popular in the news than he is among American people.

Sixty percent of national media mentions of the President were positive over the past week while 40 percent were negative, according to Rasmussen Reports' new ``Media Meter.''

In contrast, just 48 percent of Americans approve of the job the President is doing.

By a 10-point margin, more Americans ``strongly disapprove'' of the President's job than ``strongly approve.'' And just one-quarter say the country is ``on the right track.''

Wouldn't it be nice if the national media reflected the views of the American people?

The national media should give Americans the facts, not tell them what to think.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my friend from Wisconsin for yielding me time. I would also like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Petri for their hard work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have one concern about section 426 of the House amendment to H.R. 1586, which I hope will be addressed. Section 426 does two main things: it requires the Government Accountability Office to study the effect of Department of Transportation grants of antitrust exemptions on consumer welfare; and sunsets the existing antitrust exemptions after 3 years.

These grants of antitrust immunity allow airlines to ``codeshare'' with international partner airlines. This in turn allows the airlines to offer more flight options to consumers. It also means that consumers can accrue and use frequent flier miles on many airlines. Having more flight options and more ways to spend miles is certainly a boon for the consumer. In addition, the airlines contend that these alliances make for healthier airlines, which is good news for the thousands of workers that these companies employ.

As ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over the antitrust laws, I have concerns that under current law, only the Secretary of Transportation can grant these immunities. The Department of Justice's antitrust division does not have a formal role in that process. That is something that I think needs to be examined. I understand that the Senate version of this bill does not have a similar provision. It is my hope that the House Judiciary Committee will be included in any conference on this legislation so that we can offer our antitrust perspective on this particular issue.

Madam Speaker, the national media gave a sharply contrasting tale of two weekend rallies.

A gathering of thousands opposing the administration's health care scheme drew overwhelmingly negative coverage. The Washington Post front page described it as a ``hideous display.'' CBS said the health care debate ``turned even nastier at the rallies.'' ABC called the protesters ``angry'' and ``ugly.'' A Newsweek correspondent described the protesters as ``an angry mob.'' To anyone there, all these descriptions were obviously untrue.

In contrast, an immigration-amnesty rally over the weekend received positive coverage. The Washington Post said ``the festive crowd beat drums and waved American flags.'' CNN said protesters came out to ``support the Obama administration in its next big battle.'' The New York Times said protesters were there to ``vent'' and that ``most flew American flags overhead.''

The national media should give Americans unslanted news, not favor rallies that support their liberal agendas.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans and Democrats agree on the need for health insurance to cover those who cannot afford it. But this legislation is the wrong way.

The health care bill is built on the shifting sands of higher premiums, increased taxes and reduced benefits. Such a foundation cannot last and will be washed away by the American people in the November election.

A majority of the American people want to choose their own health care plan, not have the government do it for them. Under this bill, many health care decisions will be made by federal employees, not patients and their doctors. The result will be less care at higher cost.

Mr. Speaker, by a 12-point margin, Americans say the Administration's health care plan is a ``bad idea,'' according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey.

And the number of people who call the health plan a ``bad idea'' has reached a new high.

But you won't hear about this from the national media--not even NBC, who conducted the poll. During a report about the survey on NBC's Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams failed to mention this finding.

Other polls show even greater opposition to the Administration's plan. According to Investor's Business Daily, Americans want Congress to ``start fresh'' by 61 percent to 32 percent.

NBC and the national media should give the American people the facts about health care, not hide them.