Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,166,030,787,779.80.

On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,527,605,041,486.00 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,164,360,361,278.80.

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,525,934,614,985.00 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,193,176,753,471.62.

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,554,751,007,177.80 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,186,168,803,680.47.

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,547,743,057,386.60 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,178,525,108,267.60.

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,540,099,361,973.80 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Colorado becoming a territory of the United States on February 28th, 2011.

The territory was organized as a result of the Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1858 through 1861. Given its name from the discovery of gold in the foothills of the mountain named for its explorer, Zebulon Pike, this gold rush resulted in a large movement of miners and prospectors to the area in search of their fortunes.

As the initial gold deposits were collected, settlers moved westward into the Rocky Mountains to search for additional deposits, forming camps wherever they were discovered. Denver became the central supply town for these prospectors. More permanent mines emerged and settlers understood the vast wealth this mineral rich country held, and sought to establish a more concrete set of laws and government.

Colorado officially became a territory of the United States through the signature of President James Buchanan on February 28th, 1861.

The Colorado Territory was formed amid the furor of succession of southern states and matured during our Civil War. Our great state is now a destination for Americans and foreign travelers who come to behold our natural beauty and engage in our superior recreational activities.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,172,957,589,856.62.

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,534,531,843,562.80 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,137,541,098,872.71.

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,501,115,352,578.90 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,129,889,690,377.50.

On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,491,463,944,083.70 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero, Mr. David Benke, an ordinary man who through extraordinary courage saved the lives of an innumerable number of children. His valor, daring, and selflessness are a compelling reminder of the strength and virtue of the American spirit.

It was a chilly afternoon on February 23, 2010, when Mr. Benke's mettle was tested. He heard nearby gunshots on the grounds of the Littleton school where he teaches. 60 feet away a 32-year-old man was taking shots with a hunting rifle at a group of students. Heedless of the danger to himself, Mr. Benke tore towards the assailant and in an instant had wrestled him to the pavement and the rifle from his grasp. Two students had been wounded, but countless others were saved by his heroic efforts.

In recognition and in honor of this selfless act, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has awarded him the Carnegie Medal, a high honor ``given to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.'' Today, I too

would like to recognize Mr. Benke's valor and selflessness and do honor to one of Colorado's most distinguished heroes. I am extremely proud to have David as a constituent and know that his bravery and courage will shine as a beacon of magnanimity that others will aspire to.

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 69, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Amendment No. 381 Offered by Mr. Reed

Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 81, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Gutierrez amendment.

The amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois would do an across-the-board general reduction to the aircraft procurement accounts for the Navy and the Air Force. The total reduction at $405.1 million would be transferred to the spending reduction account.

Let me just say, he spoke to the V-22 aircraft that the United States Marine Corps uses today in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let me tell you, as a former infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, I can't speak highly enough of the V-22 aircraft.

There is no replacement right now if that aircraft were suspended in service. The CH-46 aircraft was put in the fleet in 1964 and retired in 2004, and the CH-53, I believe, in 1966. These old air frames are retiring. They need to be replaced. The V-22 is an effective aircraft, serving our Marines in the field in places like Afghanistan and Iraq with the kind of effort that our troops deserve.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, it is time to end the Joint

Strike Fighter second engine mistake. In 2001, the GE engine lost in procurement competition to the one designed by Pratt & Whitney. A sole source development contract was signed in 2005. But since 1997, Congress has provided for a Joint Strike Fighter alternative engine program. This continuing resolution includes $450 million for the alternate engine in the Joint Strike Fighter.

According to the Pentagon, the second engine's cost is close to $2.9 billion. The Department of Defense is clear: in their view, our military and the taxpayers are best served by not pursuing a second engine. There are more pressing Department of Defense priorities. There is just no guarantee that having two engines will create enough long- term savings to outweigh the near-term costs of nearly $3 billion.

The risk from a single engine is reasonable and consistent with past acquisitions. A single engine is not a new approach and does not create dangerous levels of risk. We currently have two current aircraft programs, the F-22 and the F-18, which both utilize a single engine provider. Additional costs and the burden of maintaining two logistical systems are not offset by the potential savings generated through competition.

We are not making procurement decisions in a vacuum. If we had all the money in the world, maybe an alternate engine would be a good idea. But we don't. We have a deficit of $1.5 trillion and a debt of $14 trillion, and all our funding choices must--must--acknowledge that.

I urge support for the Rooney amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on a warm summer morning in 1972 I stood outside of the Military Entrance Processing Station in downtown Denver. I was a volunteer for military service, but many of those around me were conscripts--draftees as they were commonly called. As the line moved slowly forward I listened as many of them rehearsed what they would say once they got inside to convince the Army why they were unfit for military service.

The conscript Army that I joined in 1972 suffered from a fundamental lack of discipline and low morale. By 1976 conscription had ended and the last of the draftees had completed their military obligation--the U.S. Army was now an all volunteer force. Every year since then the Army has improved in the quality of its personnel, training, and professionalism. Today, it is a much smaller force but an extraordinarily elite one.

In late 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter sought to demonstrate the resolve of the United States against the Soviet incursion. President Carter asked the Congress to reinstate the Selective Service System. Congress did so, and to this day all males are required by law to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

However, conscription has not been requested by our military as a viable option during the first Gulf War, the Iraq War, or for Afghanistan--despite periodic shortages of military personnel. And while many draft age males have failed to meet registration requirements, no one has been prosecuted for failure to comply with this law since 1986. We have a requirement on the books that isn't used and clearly doesn't merit enforcement.

The Select Service System was never meant to be permanent. Now, 31 years and over $700 million later, and with Congress never having given serious consideration to establishing a conscripted force, it is finally time to end the registration requirement and dismantle the Selective Service System.

Today I introduce legislation to do just this. The bill will allow the President, if needed, to reinstitute national registration by executive order. Until then, my bill will end registration. It will do so without negatively affecting our defense capabilities and will save the taxpayers over $24 million annually. It also releases military personnel currently working within the Selective Service System to more pressing duties on national security, and removes an obviously moribund and outdated program that was never more than a symbolic gesture.

Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,098,789,113,781.32

On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80.

This means the national debt has increased by $3,460,363,367,487.50 since then.

This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.