Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Congressman Ken Calvert, to ask that the House of Representatives join me in honoring and remembering Officer Michael Crain of the Riverside Police Department, who died in service of our community.

Born in Anaheim, California, Officer Crain was raised in the Riverside area. After attending Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa for a year, Michael joined the United States Marine Corps as a rifleman in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines. He served two deployments in Kuwait and was promoted from Squad Leader to Sergeant. He was then stationed in Camp Pendleton where he taught Military Operations in Urban Terrain. For his brave service, Michael was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star, a Certificate of Commendation, and the Rifle Marksmanship Badge.

After his honorable discharge, Crain attended the Riverside County Sheriff's Academy and, upon graduating, joined the Riverside Police Department, where he served our community for 11 years.

On February 7, 2013, Officer Crain was fatally shot in an apparent ambush by former LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner while he was on routine patrol and parked at a stoplight with a trainee officer. It is disheartening that a man who fought bravely for our country overseas has lost his life in such a senseless act of violence in his own community.

Officer Crain is survived by his wife Regina, ten-year-old son Ian and four-year-old daughter Kaitlyn. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and urge our community, and the entire nation, to forever remember Officer Michael Crain.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk made in order under the rule.

Madam Chair, I like to call this the ``don't shift blame amendment.'' The bill before us today tries to blame President Obama for all our fiscal woes. Judging by the language of this legislation, I'm convinced the House Republicans live in a world where our entire national debt suddenly appeared on January 21, 2009. But let's be clear: Our debt was not created by the President alone. And while the President may be responsible for spending us a budget blueprint, it is ultimately Congress that holds the power of the purse. I think my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are forgetting a key part of our job: the President does not pass budgets, nor does he appropriate funds; Congress does.

My amendment makes a simple change to the findings section of the bill to clarify that Congress has the constitutional responsibility to fund the Federal Government.

I can guarantee that when the majority introduces its budget this month, it will be so extreme that it has no chance of passing both Houses. The Republican majority seems to be able to come together for meaningless proposals, but they know that when it comes to sensible legislation such as preventing us from going over the fiscal cliff or providing aid to Sandy victims, the 218th vote will come from a Democrat. The only thing allowing the House Republican caucus to govern is the House Democratic Caucus.

It is the majority's failure to negotiate in good faith on the budget that has gotten us here today. Year after year, the House Republican leadership has chosen to do anything within its power to discredit the President instead of working to solve our Nation's challenges.

I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, the House Republicans have been more focused on passing budgets that message well than introducing a budget that both the House and Senate can agree on. These are budgets that don't stand a chance of passing the Senate simply because the GOP refuses to compromise on anything. How many of their budgets end Medicare as we know it? What makes them think that the

Senate would pass a budget that goes back on the promises we made to our seniors?

The budgets passed by House Republicans are less valuable than the paper they're written on. They do not bring both sides together and are a complete waste of time and the taxpayers' money.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

``No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

``No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.

``No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.''