Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,194,523,014,378.23.

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 $2,556,097,268,084.43 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs and Youth Affiliates, Inc.'s 114th Anniversary and 57th Biennial Convention. This convention, scheduled to take place between July 29th and August 2nd in Denver, Colorado will be a fantastic opportunity for such a distinguished club to showcase its achievements and renowned history.

The club's history dates back to 1895 when Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin issued a call for a national meeting of women of color to take place in Boston, Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. Founded by Ida B. Wells, Harriet Tubman, Frances E.W. Harper and Mary Church Terrell in 1896, the NACWC began the uphill battle for women and African Americans throughout the twentieth century. For the past one-hundred and fourteen years, the organization has fought barriers to economic and political advancement for women of color. Its creed encourages members to contribute heavily to community service within American society, particularly to causes related to the plight of the African American woman. It emphasizes the role of all women in improving society for the benefit of everyone. Through their educational workshops and seminars, their scholarship programs, and their youth programs, the NACWC has cultivated the talents of generations of successful women.

Historically, the group was the educational and support base for Black Colleges and Universities, which promoted literacy among African Americans throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The work of the organization's founders and members has proven an inspiration for future African American women to lift up their communities as they climb their respective stairways to success. The National Association of Colored Women's Clubs has become the exemplar of what can be accomplished when women throughout the nation come together to promote interracial understanding, justice and peace among all people, raise the standard of the home, and advance the moral, economic, social and religious welfare of the family. The courage, persistence and unity of the women of the NACWC have served as inspiration and hope for the future of an America that will embrace the value of diversity for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 435, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,203,473,753,968.10.

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 $2,565,048,007,674.3 so far this Congress.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound disappointment that yesterday, the House passed an ill-advised conference report for the financial regulatory reform bill. This legislation will create a permanent bailout fund for financial institutions. It neglects to reform or place any safeguards on two of the main culprits in this ongoing mess, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and the Federal Government guarantees more than $1.7 trillion of their debt.

This misguided bill would create a new government bureaucracy providing unelected Federal bureaucrats the power to determine the types and terms offered by financial products. I have severe reservations about such an action, as it will simply serve to make obtaining credit more unavailable. Finally, this act would be paid for in part by redirecting $11 billion in TARP funds. Unspent TARP funds must be used to pay down the national debt. Instead, this Congress is attempting to utilize these moneys for further increased spending at times when Americans continue to struggle to make ends meet.

I urge the Senate to vote ``no'' on the conference committee report.

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,038,916,836,943.40.

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 $2,400,491,090,649.60 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,037,542,715,703.81.

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 $2,399,116,969,410.01 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,038,305,786,811.25.

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 $2,399,880,040,517.40 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,038,079,983,718.36.

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 $2,399,654,237,424.56 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,041,849,923,645.94.

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 $2,403,424,177,352.14 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, the majority has now finally admitted what we have suspected for months: They have no intention of fulfilling their obligation to draft and pass a Federal budget.

This fiscal irresponsibility on display in Washington is affecting American citizens, and it is further damaging our economy and job growth. It is widely known and, thankfully, widely reported that the reason we won't be seeing a budget this year is to evade calling further attention to an addiction to reckless spending.

The Federal debt has gone up by nearly $2.4 trillion since January of 2009 and by $240 billion just since the budget was due back in April of this year. Undoubtedly and correctly, Democrat leaders fear that the public will be shocked at this figure, and will be shocked at the future debt that a budget would show.

So they seek to hide behind a 1-year ``deeming motion,'' but the consequences of their shame shows a lack of fiscal discipline and a lack of responsible economic policy. America needs a reasonable, pro- growth economic policy to promote job growth and business development.

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,046,652,647,591.81.

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 $2,408,226,901,298.01 so far this Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,040,053,515,762.18.

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 $2,401,627,769,468.38 so far this Congress.

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

Mr. Speaker, Congress is now 2 months late in passing a Federal budget, and the majority has shown no indication of considering one any time soon. This fiscal irresponsibility on display in Washington is affecting American citizens and further damaging our economy and job growth. In fact, we hear hints that the budget isn't late, it's actually not coming at all, and the majority may avoid considering one altogether to evade calling further attention to an addiction to reckless spending. Given that the Federal debt has gone up by nearly $2.4 trillion since January, 2009, undoubtedly congressional Democrat leaders fear that they will soon be forced to account for their reckless spending.

America needs a pro-growth economic policy to promote job growth and business development. Instead, we face massive deficits and excessive government bailouts. As the clock ticks on an increasingly late budget, I will continue to fight for government accountability and reform.

Madam Speaker, today our national debt is $13,078,420,280,010.67.

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 $2,404,722,523,042.60 so far this Congress. The debt has increased $35,272,010,674.80 since just yesterday.

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