Floor Statements

Well, negotiations over the Nation's debt ceiling have reached an impasse. After more than 2 years in office, trillions of dollars in borrowing and spending and bailouts and takeovers, the President now says the failure to reach an agreement is because of Republicans in the Congress, Republicans who were in the minority in the last Congress in fact; the President says because Republicans in Washington haven't ``fully realized that the philosophy of politics does not work in governing.'' He is telling us to eat our peas.

Okay. Well, the President basically is saying that Congress owns the problem. But that's not what he said 5 years ago. Explaining his opposition to raising the debt ceiling, then-Senator Barack Obama said, ``The fact we are here today raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure.'' He said that doing so weakens us domestically. He said, ``Leadership means the buck stops here. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership.'' He said Americans deserve better. Well, I say Senator Obama, you were right.

When the U.S. Government can't pay its bills, it's not only a debt problem, but it is a failure of leadership at the Presidential level, just as you said. The truth is it's the President's problem. If President Obama wants to raise the debt ceiling, he should recognize it's his responsibility, it's his problem, and come to the Congress and ask us to step forward and help him solve that problem by cutting spending now, capping spending, and sending a balanced budget amendment to the States.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentlelady from Minnesota, Ms. McCollum.

The amendment would prohibit the Department of Defense from advancing their recruitment and retention goals through various athletic sponsorships.

At a time when our forces are undertaking operations in multiple theaters, I think it is wise that this body not end the very successful platform used by the Department of Defense to recruit men and women into their ranks.

Contrary to popular belief, sponsorships also go far beyond driver appearances, commercials and decals on race cars. In fact, the National Guard's Sponsorship of the Panther Racing IndyCar team has not only been successful in recruitment efforts, but it also has been successful in technology sharing.

J.R. Hildebrand, who drives the National Guard Indy car, wears ear sensors that measure the G-forces he experiences during a crash. That information is very useful for neurosurgeons who treat soldiers suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury, often the result of roadside bomb attacks.

Understanding the nature and effects of Traumatic Brain Injury advances the ways in which we protect and treat our fighting men and women, and those same sensors worn by J.R. Hildebrand will soon be deployed to our soldiers downrange.

These athletic sponsorships are great recruitment and marketing tools, and they also help improve the lives and care of our service men and women. I urge my colleagues to oppose the McCollum Amendment.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation is facing a fiscal crisis of unprecedented proportions. We have a $14 trillion national debt, a $1.65 trillion annual spending deficit, and we borrow 42 cents for every dollar we spend.

After years of borrowing and spending and bailouts by both political parties, now comes a national debate over raising the Nation's debt limit. Now look, I believe if you owe debts, pay debts. We must honor the full faith and credit of the United States of America. But I also believe that now is the moment to take decisive action to put our fiscal house in order and restore the full confidence of the American people in the fiscal integrity of our national government.

I believe our debt limit should not be raised without real and meaningful reforms in the way the Federal Government spends the people's money in the short term and the long term. In the short term, we need to cut spending now and implement statutory caps on how much money the Federal Government can spend going forward. But in the long term, the time has come for this Congress to send to the States a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution that will limit Federal spending and require this national government to live within our means.

While the debate, it seems, according to the newspapers today, has focused on spending cuts versus tax increases, the real answer is to cut spending now and to make any increase in the Nation's debt ceiling contingent on Congress sending to the States a balanced budget amendment that limits Federal spending to one-fifth of the American economy. In short, it's time to let the States decide.

Article V of the Constitution provides a process that requires any amendment to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate by a two- thirds vote, but ultimately any amendment to the Constitution is submitted to the States. The States decide whether to amend the national charter. If three-fourths of the States agree, the Constitution is so amended.

By demanding spending cuts today and sending a balanced budget amendment to the States, we will let the States decide. And I have every confidence that these United States will choose fiscal discipline and reform. Thirty-two of our 50 States operate under a balanced budget requirement in their State constitution, and 49 have some sort of balanced budget requirement. In Indiana, our State had a prohibition against assuming debt in our State constitution since 1851, and the Hoosier State has a balanced budget and even a surplus rainy day fund.

After years of fighting runaway Federal spending by both political parties here in Washington, D.C., I can tell you we need more accountability, we need more engagement of the States and the American people. And if you think about it, as Ronald Reagan said, it's important to remember that the States created the Federal Government; the Federal Government didn't create the States.

By engaging in a process where we demand serious and meaningful spending cuts today, capping spending going forward, but requiring that any increase in the debt ceiling be contingent on sending to the States a balanced budget amendment with real spending limits in it, we will build on the wisdom and the foundation of our Founders and our system of Federalism.

Mr. President, if you need more borrowing authority, let's cut spending now, let's cap spending tomorrow, and let's let the States decide whether we should permanently require that our national government live within our means. By enacting a balanced budget amendment that limits Federal spending and requires that our national government live out our own commitment of fiscal responsibility and reform, we will do right by this day, we will do right by our children and grandchildren, and we will do something worthy to be remembered in this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the steadfast and sacrificial service of Pastor Willie James Jackson, Sr., of Union Missionary Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana. Pastor Jackson has been a leader not only in his church, but in his community, for twenty five years now, and I applaud his work and dedication.

Pastor Jackson became the shepherd of Union Missionary Baptist Church in 1986. His heart for service and missions has taken him across the country and the continent of Africa, but he has never forgotten his community at home. He has served on many civic, community, and religious organizations in Muncie and the surrounding area, and he is currently a member of the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy, third vice-president of the Northeastern district Sunday School and BTU Congress, board member on the Whitely Neighborhood Association, and is a board member for the Muncie Black Expo.

Those who know Pastor Jackson know him as a kind and generous man. He strives to unify and bring together people from all walks of life, and he is greatly respected throughout the community. A loving husband, father to three children, and grandfather to two grandchildren, Pastor Jackson has also mentored and cared for countless others in the community and in his church over his many years of ministry.

I congratulate Pastor Jackson for his twenty five influential years of service, and thank him for his many contributions to the community

and to the sixth district of Indiana. His impact will be felt for years to come, and I wish him the best in his continued service and ministry.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act, which is a carefully-crafted compromise that will modernize our nation's patent laws to allow for greater innovation, economic growth and job creation.

Years of hard work have gone into this bill. I would like to congratulate and thank Chairman Smith and Rep. Goodlatte for their leadership and diligence.

The Constitution vests in Article I, Section 8, clause 8, the power to Congress to ``promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to . . . Inventors the exclusive Right to their . . . Discoveries.''

Our patent laws were written nearly sixty years ago, and it is time to update them to account for changes in our modern economy. It is Congress's power and responsibility to do so, especially with the problems that are evident with the patent system today.

And not doing so will cost our country even more jobs. Patent reform is about jobs because intellectual property, like other forms of private property, is a pillar of economic prosperity. Part of creating a pro-growth environment in this country includes modernizing our patent laws.

I have heard about the need for modernization from countless Hoosier business leaders, patent holders and entrepreneurs. Indiana has a long tradition of leadership in the life sciences and medical industry. Indiana also has a robust university research system, growing tech industry and, of course, a manufacturing industry that grows more high- tech with each passing year.

These and many other sectors of the Hoosier economy will benefit from the reforms in this bill. When inventors and entrepreneurs are able to protect their inventions and speed

them to market, it creates jobs not only for researchers and inventors, but also for factory workers, distributors, sales associates, and marketing teams to name a few.

This bill will ensure that newly-issued patents will be strong, high- quality patents that have gone through rigorous review. It will modernize the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reduce the current backlog of more than 700,000 patent applications, and it will ensure that the PTO, with proper congressional oversight, is able to retain the fees it collects to fund its operations. Finally, this patent reform bill will go a long way towards eliminating the lawsuit abuse that has become so prevalent in recent years.

Of personal interest to me, I am pleased that the bill before us incorporates the changes to best mode that I obtained during the 2007 patent reform debate and floor vote.

American patent law currently requires that a patent application ``set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention'' at the time the application is filed. But providing the best mode is not a requirement in Europe, Japan or the rest of the world and it has become a vehicle for lawsuit abuse.

In my view, the best mode requirement of American law imposes extraordinary and unnecessary costs on inventors. I have maintained since 2007 that best mode should be repealed in full, and I would continue to support a full repeal if possible today.

But, at the very least, I am pleased that the bill before us, like my amendments from 2007, only retains best mode as a specifications requirement for obtaining a patent. Once the examiner is satisfied that the best mode has been disclosed, the issue is settled forever. Going forward, best mode cannot be used as a legal defense to infringement in patent litigation or a basis for a post-grant review proceeding.

The America Invents Act will enable America to continue to be the world's leader in innovation. It will lay the groundwork for intellectual property protection that will help grow our economy and create jobs both in the Hoosier state and across the nation.

After so many years, I am encouraged that we are on the cusp of passing this bill out of the Congress and sending it to the president. I urge my colleagues to support the America Invents Act today.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of one of Indiana's bravest.

Firefighter Scott Davis was tragically killed yesterday while fighting a fire at Tabernacle of Praise Church in Muncie, Indiana. He is the first Muncie firefighter to give his life in the line of duty since 1955.

Those who knew Firefighter Davis were not surprised at his boldness and bravery in the Tabernacle of Praise fire. He was a former Yorktown fire chief, and had been with the Muncie Fire Department since June 15, 2005.

He bravely sacrificed his life protecting the community, and in so doing, he will forever be remembered as a hero and servant leader.

In the midst of great tragedy, I honor Firefighter Davis and the other brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect their community. We must always be grateful for those who run in when others run out.

Firefighter Davis was a man of faith, a devoted husband to his wife Raeanne, and loving father of three children--Jake, Emma, and Max. My family and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to his loved ones, and we honor the legacy of Firefighter Davis' life of sacrificial service.

The Good Book tells us that ``The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.'' And that is my prayer for the Davis family and the Muncie community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay a debt of gratitude to a life of service and sacrifice by one of Indiana's bravest.

Scott Davis of Muncie, Indiana, was a devoted husband, father and a firefighter. A former Yorktown fire chief, he'd been with the Muncie Fire Department since the 15th of June 2005.

Tragically, yesterday, Firefighter Scott Davis was killed while fighting a fire at the Tabernacle of Praise Church in Muncie, Indiana. He would become the first Muncie firefighter to give his life in the line of duty since 1955.

Those who knew Scott Davis were not surprised at the boldness and bravery that he displayed in the Tabernacle of Praise fire, where he fell. He bravely sacrificed his life protecting the community, and in so doing, Scott Davis will forever be remembered as a hero and as a servant leader. In the midst of this great tragedy, I honor Firefighter Scott Davis.

We should also take a moment to remember each and every man and woman who serve and volunteer full time in fire departments around this country. We should always remember

and be grateful for those who run in when others run out.

Today, we remember Scott Davis, a devoted husband to his wife, Raeanne, and a loving father of three--Jake, Emma and Max. From my family to yours, we offer our deepest condolences and those of the people of Muncie-Delaware County in the Sixth Congressional District of Indiana. The service and sacrifice of Scott Davis will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the House floor during rollcall votes 391, 408, and 409. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 391, ``nay'' on rollcall 408, and ``yea'' on rollcall 409.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Boehner resolution, H. Res. 292 and also to announce my opposition to the resolution offered by Mr. Kucinich.

Let me be clear, I will never jeopardize support for our troops, and I will always maintain the proper level of deference and respect due the Commander in Chief in matters of war. But I do not believe the President of the United States has the authority to take America to war without congressional approval where our security and vital national interests are not directly threatened.

The President told the American people in his address to the Nation on March 28, 2011, that it would be a mistake to broaden our mission. He said, ``We went down that road in Iraq.'' Now, more than seventy- five days since hostilities began in Libya, it has become all too clear that the road we are currently taking is quite different from that we took in Iraq.

In Iraq, we had a clear objective. We had congressional bipartisan approval in both Houses, international support, and through trial and the sacrifice of blood and treasure, we are now on the edge of victory. Here in Libya, there is no clear objective, no congressional approval, and uncertain international support. We are on a different road.

Speaker Boehner's resolution before the House today, H. Res. 292, will prevent the President from committing American ground forces in Libya and requires the Administration to finally justify why it committed our military resources in Libya without seeking consultation from Congress. When passed, this resolution will also force the Administration to report to the Congress the political and military objectives regarding Operation Odyssey Dawn.

Let me also speak to the resolution of the other gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Kucinich. I have never believed it to be wise to tell the enemy when you will quit fighting. More significantly, it cites the constitutionally dubious provisions of the War Powers Resolution and I cannot support it.

In closing, let me just say that history has taught us that America has succeeded only when we have chosen to send our men and women into combat with a clear objective to win. In this instance, where the Administration has not demonstrated how American military involvement advances our national security interests and where the President has failed to provide the American people with a compelling reason to commit our Armed Forces, there is no clear objective to win.

The Boehner resolution will force the Obama Administration to bring its case to the American public before further committing our men and women in Libya and I urge its immediate passage.

Madam Speaker, Americans awoke this morning to the heartbreaking news that unemployment has increased to 9.1 percent. The U.S. economy added only 55,000 jobs in the last month. The American people are understandably concerned. But the numbers don't tell the tale. Beneath those numbers are literally millions of American families who meet this morning's headlines with heartbreak and heartache because the opportunities just aren't there.

The truth is more government, more spending, more regulation, and more taxes of the recent past are stifling our recovery. But nothing is stifling our recovery more than runaway spending in Washington, D.C.

Even as we speak today, Congress and this administration are locked in a debate over increasing the Nation's credit card, increasing the debt ceiling. And let me say from my heart, some people don't see the connection between the debate over debt and red ink and the debate over jobs, but they are related.

If we will take the decisive step to put our fiscal house in order, we will restore confidence in capital markets, and businesses and individuals will invest in ways that will put Americans back to work. There should be no debt ceiling increase without real and meaningful cuts in the way we spend the people's money in the short term and the long term. Get spending under control in Washington, D.C., and we will get this economy moving again.

Mr. Speaker, Memorial Day Weekend means many things to Americans. It is a time to remember those who have taken up arms on our behalf and did not make it home. It is also the unofficial start of summer. But to Hoosiers and race fans across the country, this weekend also means that it is time to head to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for this year's Indianapolis 500.

For just over one hundred years, the center of the auto racing world has been located in

central Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the testing ground that has led to the development of many of the technologies that we see in today's passenger vehicles.

This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the Speedway's premier event: The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Over the last century, race fans from all walks of life have been treated to some of the most compelling stories ever seen in the sporting world.

The winner of the 1911 race completed the 500 miles with an average speed of 75 miles per hour, while the racers attempting to make history this weekend will circle the 2.5 mile track at speeds well in excess of 200 miles per hour.

Like many Hoosiers, I look forward to the Race, one of our proudest traditions each and every year. We have come to know the names of Harroun, Foyt, Unser and Andretti in the time since Carl Fisher, Arthur Newby, Frank Wheeler and James Allison helped found the Speedway back in 1909.

Following World War II, Indiana businessman Tony Hulman purchased the track from then-owner, World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Since that time, the Speedway has been owned by the Hulman-George family.

The stewardship of Mari Hulman and Tony George, along with entire the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Board of Directors has helped the 500 Mile Race become the world's largest single day sporting event, and you can bet that the more than a quarter of a million seats at the Speedway will be packed with race fans this weekend from Indiana and beyond.

So, this weekend my family and I will once again return to the Speedway to see history made at amazing speeds and I am eager to once again be Back Home Again in Indiana for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Mr. Speaker, Memorial Day has significant meaning to so many Americans. Unlike the day every fall when we thank those who fought and came home, Memorial Day is that day every spring when we remember those who didn't make it back.

In a tradition that began just three years after the end of the Civil War, Americans set aside the 30th day of May each year to remember the sacrifice made by our service men and women who lost their lives in defense of freedom. Each one of those brave souls answered the call to duty, offering to give whatever it would take to keep us safe.

On May 30, 1868, flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. This tradition continues to this day, as millions of Americans have continued to take part in this humble offer of thanks.

It is our duty to make sure those who served and their families who endure the many stresses of military life know that we appreciate their willingness to sacrifice for our cause that is freedom. We can never repay the debt we owe, but we will continue to honor their service and sacrifice.

I urge all Hoosiers to take time on Memorial Day to attend a local service remembering our fallen heroes and the families who have made freedom possible. We must mourn those who have fallen and pray for those who stand firmly in the face of unspeakable horrors at this very hour in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

As Americans, we inherit what Lincoln called in his first inaugural address the ``mystic chords of memory stretching from every patriot grave.'' They bind us to the great and the humble, the known and unknown, of Americans past.

The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, both past and present, it was their duty to serve. As proud Americans, let this Memorial Day serve as a reminder that it is our duty to always remember those soldiers who have laid down such a sacrifice on our behalf.

Mr. Speaker, the pain at the pump is real. In this, the most difficult economy in the last 25 years, my constituents have gas prices on their mind, and with due cause: $4.18 a gallon average back in the Hoosier State, higher than the national average, gas prices have climbed more than $1 over the last year. And, frankly, with the summer travel season upon us and with the rising treacherous waters in the Mississippi threatening our refinery capability, we could see $5 a gallon gasoline in the near future.

It is time to give the American people more access to American oil. Starting last week and this week, this majority in Congress will continue to move legislation that opens up our own domestic energy reserves in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore to the American people. The answer to the pain at the pump is energy independence. Part of that answer is by giving the American people more access to our own domestic reserves.

I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting measures on the floor this week and last week and lead us toward that lodestar of energy independence and relieve the pain at the pump once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the tragic loss of Fire Chief Matt Aker of Portland, Indiana.

Chief Aker began his career in public service as a volunteer with the Portland Fire Department in July of 1997. He joined the force full time in 2002, was appointed Assistant Fire Chief in 2005, and then served as Fire Chief.

Chief Aker's list of accomplishments and certifications are extensive and include: EMS-First Responders, Fire Inspector I and II, Fire Investigator I, Technical Rescue Awareness, Fire Officer I, Ice Rescue, Rope Rescue, Hazardous Material Incident Command, Hazmat

1st Responder Awareness and Operations, ECI Fools, American Heart Association CPR and AED, Chairman of Membership of IFCA, Adhoc with ceremonies at Emergency Conferences, Portland's Representative for DPC, District 6 Co-Chair for Fire Task Force Element and Jay County's Representative to Region 6 Fire Training Council.

He was also the Captain of the Jay County Sheriff Reserves, a member of Emergency Response Team, the Portland Rotary Club, the Portland Morning Optimists and the American Red Cross.

In the midst of such tragedy, let us pray for God's comfort for the Aker family and cling to the words of the Good Book which says that ``in all things God works for the good.'' I offer this comfort and my deepest condolences to Chief Aker's wife Brooke; parents, Mike and Linda Aker; Grandmothers, Maxine Aker and Rosie Hutchens; two brothers, Brad and Chad Aker; sister, Lori Ferguson; and his nine nieces and two nephews.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.

I believe that ending an innocent human life is morally wrong. But I also believe it's morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars of millions of pro-life Americans and use it to fund a procedure that they find morally offensive. Fortunately, for over 30 years, a patchwork of policies has regulated Federal funding and denied Federal funding for abortion in America.

But today, thanks to the yeoman's work of Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey and Congressman Dan Lipinski, we're bringing forward a bipartisan measure that will send a clear and strong and codified message that the American people don't want to allow public funding of abortion at the Federal level. I strongly support it.

The man who first brought this idea before the Congress was the late Henry Hyde. I had the privilege of serving with him. His eloquence cannot be matched, but it can be repeated. Henry said, ``I believe nothing in this world of wonders is more beautiful than the innocence of a child, that little, almost-born infant struggling to live as a member of the human family; and abortion is a lethal assault against the very idea of human rights and destroys, along with a defenseless little baby, the moral foundation of our democracy.''

Today, we say ``yes'' to life but we also say ``yes'' to respecting the moral sensibilities of millions of Americans who, wherever they stand on this divisive social question, stand broadly for the principle that no taxpayer dollars should be used to subsidize abortion at home or abroad. H.R. 3 is that legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it.