Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,503,812,337.79. We've added $6,111,626,763,424.71 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office; the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,482,606,783.04. We've added $6,111,605,557,869.96 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise to engage in a colloquy with Chairman Lucas.

Colorado has been a leader in training programs. And I want to ensure, when passing this Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reform bill, that the formulas for States to receive Federal funds for operating training programs are done in a way that encourages States to be active in helping individuals become self-sufficient.

To clarify, I would like to work with the chairman to make sure Federal dollars are available to States like Colorado that actively move people to self-sufficiency.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,492,645,235.04. We've added $6,111,615,596,321.96 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.

Today, it is $16,738,502,722,145. We've added $6,111,625,673,232 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,557,190,345.35. We've added $6,111,680,141,432.27 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Madam Speaker, according to The Wall Street Journal, without the legislation just passed by this Chamber, fraudulent subsidy payments under the Affordable Care Act could account for $250 billion over the next decade. For this reason, I'm proud to have voted in support of H.R. 2775, the No Subsidies Without Verification Act.

The White House has come out in strong opposition to this proposal, citing the fact that a program to verify eligibility already exists. I wonder, though, if a plan already exists, why the strong opposition to this proposal? And in the broader context, why the strong opposition to any proposal that seeks to create accountability with respect to Federal spending?

Across the Nation, millions of families sit at their kitchen tables in order to figure out their limited finances and to make difficult decisions, ensuring that their hard-earned dollars are being stretched to maximum effect. The Federal Government, however, shies away from any opportunity to ensure the same accountability.

Madam Speaker, Americans are tired of seeing their hard-earned tax dollars wasted through fraud. I hope to see this commonsense legislation signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wayne Thompson of Denver, Colorado as he will be honored later this week by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post #5061, for over 40 years of committed service to Colorado's neediest veterans. Wayne Thompson's is one of the exceptional stories of lifelong dedication to public service. Mr. Thompson enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and was stationed in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam over his four-year military career.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1932, Mr. Thompson began his career in public service in 1960 at the U.S. Department of Labor. While there, he worked on a task force dedicated to helping veterans find jobs. In 1974, Mr. Thompson was assigned to work in Denver and has called the Centennial State home ever since. Mr. Thompson served under multiple Governors of Colorado over the course of thirty years as a top advisor on veterans' health and employment issues. As a member of the VFW for nearly fifty years, Mr. Thompson played key roles in the establishment of numerous veterans' homes in Colorado, the funding of the Western Slope Military Cemetery, and the long-awaited construction of the new veterans' hospital in Denver.

Mr. Thompson's commitment to veterans extended beyond his work in government. In 1972, Mr. Thompson co-founded the United Veterans Committee, a non-profit coalition of veteran service organization which advocates for veterans and their families in Colorado. From 1980-1990, Mr. Thompson served on the Colorado Board of Veterans' Affairs and from 1986-1990, he was its Chairman. He has also served on the board of the Fitzsimmons State Veterans Nursing home since its opening.

Since coming to Colorado, Mr. Thompson has been a devoted champion of the state's veterans at every level and continues to work for the people of Colorado every day. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Wayne Thompson for his unwavering support of the veteran community in Colorado and a lifetime of public service.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,567,425,782.46. We've added $6,111,690,376,869.38 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,932,605,798,305. We've added $6,305,728,749,392 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,599,194,294.87. We've added $6,111,722,145,381.79 to our debt in 4 and a half years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,599,194,294.87. We've added $6,111,722,145,381.79 to our debt in 4 and a half years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,084,158,233.57. We've added $6,111,207,109,320.49 to our debt in 4 and a half years. This is $6 trillion in debt our Nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a fellow Marine, Colonel Keil Gentry. After more than two years of service as the Marine Corps' Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, Keil will be assuming responsibilities as the Director of the Marine Corps War College. On this occasion, I believe it is fitting to recognize Colonel Gentry's distinguished service and dedication to fostering the warm relationship between the United States Marine Corps and the Congress.

With over two decades of dedicated service to his country, Colonel Gentry has distinguished himself serving the cause of freedom across the globe. His service leading young Marines as a Battery, Battalion, and Regimental Commander, in garrison and in combat, is emblematic of the caliber of his character.

Over the course of the last two years, Colonel Gentry has been instrumental to ensuring the Marine Corps' story is heard on the Hill. Known for his in-depth knowledge of legislative issues, personal warmth, and an ability to skillfully navigate Headquarters Marine Corps, Colonel Gentry worked long hours and through major surgery to ensure that Congress was armed with timely information on Operation Enduring Freedom, Marine Security Guards at our Embassies, and all other forward deployed Marine forces. Colonel Gentry could be counted on as a trustworthy source on Marine Corps Programs, be it the Joint Strike Fighter, the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or the MV-22 Osprey. Moreover, his efforts helped this body properly recognize the contributions of the first African American Marines through the award of the Congressional Gold Medal in tribute to the Montford Point Marines.

As Keil departs the Pentagon he will be heading just down the road to Quantico, Virginia. There he will be directing the Marine Corps' top level school, the Marine Corps War College. It is only fitting that an officer who has spent a career mentoring and training Marines should assume this great responsibility. Here Keil will interact with the Corps' senior leaders, those ready to assume vital commands around the globe. We can have no doubt that he will ensure they are well prepared for the duties they are about to undertake.

Colonel Gentry's absence will be felt in the Congress and the Pentagon. I join many past and present Members in my gratitude and appreciation to him for his outstanding leadership and his unwavering support of the missions of the United States Marine Corps. I wish him and his wife, Jenny, fair winds and following seas as he continues to serve our great nation.

Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08.

Today, it is $16,738,094,608,381.03. We've added $6,111,217,559,467.95 to our debt in 4 and a half years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.