Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to congratulate the Acacia Masonic Lodge of Martin County, Florida on their 100th anniversary and commend them for all the good work they do throughout the community.

This very special anniversary in Florida's 16th District makes the Acacia Masonic Lodge, #163 of Free and Accepted Masons, the oldest organization in Martin County. Knowing what good work they do in the area, I wanted to honor them by highlighting some of their achievements.

Graduating seniors from all of Martin County's high schools, sick children in local hospitals and senior citizens residing in local residential homes are just a few of the beneficiaries of the Acacia Masons' charity. Over the years, they have donated over $100,000 to worthy causes throughout Martin County.

Not only have the Acacia Masons given financial support to Martin County, they have also been a visible bastion of good work in our community. Since 1964, the Acacia Masons have laid the cornerstone of every Martin County public school, symbolizing the value they place on education for all the children in the area.

The Masons' motto is, ``Take a good man and make him a better man.'' Having met many of them personally, I can confirm that the Free Masons in Martin County are certainly practicing what they preach; and judging by the strength of their organization, I am certain they will still be supporting the Martin County community a hundred years from now.

Madam Speaker, please join me in commending the Acacia Masonic Lodge for a century of unwavering commitment and support of Martin County and all who reside there.

Madam Speaker, on Sunday in a speech at Miami Dade College, the President said to graduating students, ``One of the great strengths of America is that the most important issues are decided by the will of the people.''

Today, on the fourth anniversary of ``Mission Accomplished,'' the President is faced with a choice: either listen to the will of the American people to refocus our strengths to win the war on terror by signing the emergency supplemental bill or continue to send our brave men and women into harm's way to police a religious civil war.

Madam Speaker, today the President will decide if he will veto our bill and, in doing so, deny critical funding for our troops and for our veterans. His veto will let our troops down by not giving them the rest, the equipment, and training they need.

Madam Speaker, today all Americans need to pray for our President. We need to pray for wisdom. We need to pray that he listens to his advisers, his generals, the Iraqi people. And, most importantly, we pray that he will listen to the will of the American people.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

Seven years ago Congress, in the spirit of bipartisanship, had the wisdom to protect for future generations one of America's most precious natural areas, the Everglades, by authorizing the largest environmental restoration project in our Nation's history, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

This ambitious plan consists of over 40 projects that, when completed, would restore much of the Everglades. The plan, from its inception, was a joint venture, an equal partnership with the people of my State of Florida to share in the costs.

I am sorry to say that Washington has failed to honor its word and live up to its commitment. In fact, to the shame of the Republican- controlled Congress and the current administration, not a single WRDA bill has been passed since 2000. Not a single penny spent.

I am proud to say that during this same period of time, Florida has spent over $2 billion to get CERP going. In fact, this is so important in my district that the good people from Martin County voted to increase their taxes to help pay.

In my 16th Congressional District we are going to get the opportunity to restore the Indian River Lagoon.

Stuart, Florida, which straddles the lagoon, is the sailfish capital of the world and was built on tourism based on its world-renowned fishing. I have seen the black and white photos of wagons overflowing with fish. I have seen the photos of kids swimming in the lagoon.

It is time to quit talking about fixing it. It is time for our kids to go fishing. It is time for this Congress to have the courage and leadership to pass H.R. 1495.

Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight on behalf of Florida's 16th Congressional District in support of the House budget resolution for fiscal year 2008.

I decided to run for Congress 18 months ago because I wanted to protect my daughter Bailey's American Dream. I was appalled by how Republican leadership had turned a budget surplus into a $3 trillion deficit. I was appalled by out-of-control earmarks that put political payoffs over good government. Tonight, my daughter's legacy of this Republican mismanagement is her personal debt tax of $29,000.

I am proud to stand here tonight with Chairman Spratt and my fellow Blue Dogs in support of a fiscally responsible budget that reflects the priorities and values of the American people. I am proud that the Democratic Party is taking yet another step in bringing fiscal responsibility back to our Nation.

Our first step happened within hours of our swearing in, when we began to clean up the Republicans' culture of corruption by passing earmark reform. Next, we passed the pay-as-you-go, PAYGO, rule that forces this Congress to live within its means, just as American families do. I am proud that this budget follows the PAYGO rule, as it demonstrates a Democratic commitment to walk the walk of fiscal responsibility and not just talk the talk.

Instead of a fiscal policy that gives tax breaks today and funding them by going into debt and mortgaging our children's future, this budget begins the process of bringing spending under control and lays the foundation to return to a budget surplus so that we can legitimately lower taxes.

While the President's budget imposes nearly $81 billion in new taxes over the next 5 years through user fees for veterans, seniors and other taxpayers, our budget reduces taxes on middle-income families.

While the President's budget increases taxes by more than $300 billion by cutting employer-provided health care, our budget lowers taxes by extending the child tax credit, the marriage penalty tax relief, the 10 percent individual income tax bracket, the research and development tax credit and the deduction for State and local sales tax, something that is critical to my constituents in Florida.

And while the President's budget increases the deficit by over $1.4 trillion

over the next 10 years, our budget would create a budget surplus within 5 years.

This budget resolution provides for a strong national defense, giving the President what he requested, while increasing homeland security funding for port security and our first responders. It takes care of those who have served our country by increasing funding for veterans service programs by a record $6.6 billion. It stands up for Florida's 1.8 million small business owners by rejecting the President's plan to slash the Small Business Administration's budget by 26 percent.

Mr. Chairman, this budget puts children and families first by investing in health care and education. It helps 733,000 of Florida's most vulnerable children who do not have health insurance.

This budget helps 733,000 of Florida's most vulnerable children who do not have health insurance by increasing funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and invests in our children and our economy's future by honoring the President's broken promises by funding No Child Left Behind and special education and Head Start.

This budget resolution funds our priorities and reflects the priorities of our districts, the States and Nation; it lowers taxes, not raises taxes.

Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support the House budget resolution.

Madam Speaker, when I ran for Congress, I promised to stand up for our veterans and our men and women in uniform. I promised I would do everything in my power to fight and win the war on terror.

Poor political leadership and gross mismanagement has put America in the middle of an increasingly violent religious civil war.

Our troops completed their mission. They removed a brutal dictator, and through $400 billion of our hard-earned money and our brave men and women's blood, sweat and tears, we gave the Iraqi people the hope for a better life through democracy.

This week I am going to vote to give the President the money he requested. But for the first time, we have the opportunity to hold him accountable to the American people for the promises that he made to us.

This bill gives the President the mandate to keep troops in Iraq for as long as it takes to destroy the terrorists. It sets requirements for troop readiness, provides money to rebuild our military, and gets our troops and our veterans the resources and the help they need.

Mr. President, no more blank checks. Congress and the American people for

the first time in over 4 years are holding you to your word.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to recognize the 2007 ``Stars'' of the Little Smiles Star Ball for their bravery and spirit. I am honored to be able to celebrate each of these exceptional children and the achievements they have made over the past year.

I would like to recognize Joey Botto, Nicole Cadavid, Steven Castro, Aleesha Choksi, Thannade ``Eddie'' Duclot, Ainsley Erb, James Franklin, Dominick Fuller, Gabriella Gonzalez, Sharnay Hightower, Tanner Hrobak, Cassandra McClanahan, Sean McKelvey, Chelsey Smith, Cesar Valasquez, and Sypress Wilson.

Each of these incredible children is being recognized for the courage they have shown and the big smiles they bring to their families and to the doctors, nurses and staff at the south Florida hospitals and hospices where they currently receive treatment. Each of them has a shining spirit and truly deserves ``star'' treatment.

Please join me in celebrating the ``Stars'' of the Little Smiles Star Ball and their outstanding achievements.

I thank my friend, the distinguished gentleman, for yielding time to me this afternoon.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Florida's 16th Congressional District in support of House Resolution 97, providing cost accountability for the Iraq war.

If we take a look at what has happened over these past 5 years, America has rid Iraq of a brutal dictator. America has given the Iraqi people a chance to create their own democracy, and we have invested over $400 billion and more than 3,000 American lives in securing their country.

Madam Speaker, it is time for the Iraqis to step up and to take control of their destiny and their own security. And it is imperative that any future American financial expenditures in the Iraq war be subject to accountability and transparency.

An estimated $9 billion of Iraqi reconstruction funds are missing. According to a January 2005 report by the Office of the Special Inspector General of Iraq Reconstruction, these $9 billion have gone missing because of inefficiencies and bad management.

For the past 4 years, Congress has not exercised the oversight and accountability necessary to ensure that our money is being used effectively to support our troops to achieve our objectives in Iraq. We have paid billions of dollars to private contractors for work in Iraq; at the same time, the reports have uncovered waste, fraud, abuse, and even possible war profiteering by some of these contractors.

In a war already lacking manpower, resources, and international support needed to maximize our chance of success, it is criminal that billions of dollars are unaccounted for. Congressional oversight is needed to make sure that our money is used to support our troops, not lost to profiteering and fraud.

House Resolution 97 would require that future Iraq spending is marked by transparency and accountability, instead of systemic waste, fraud, and abuse. The resolution calls for the creation of a Truman Commission to investigate how contracts are awarded, increases transparency so we know how Iraq war funds are spent, demands that fiscal requests for fiscal year 2008 and later go through the normal appropriations process instead of emergency supplementals, and calls for resources to be used to improve Iraqi assumption of policing operations.

Madam Speaker, these criteria are long overdue. I encourage my colleagues to support House Resolution 97 to ensure that transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of any future funding of the Iraq war.

I appreciate the gentleman yielding time. I couldn't agree more. And one of the things that the American people are starting to see is that this Democratic led Congress is about doing the people's business. November 7 was a mandate on fiscal responsibility reform. As a freshman Congressman, I ran on fiscal reform and responsibility, and I can tell you that this is a good step, another step, a necessary step to getting accountability back into this government. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, tonight, I rise to honor two companies in Florida's District 16 who are on the leading edge of cellulosic ethanol technology and encouraging the use of crops other than corn to help meet the energy needs of our country--Citrus Energy, LLP and Alico, Inc.

Recently, each of these companies was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture in recognition of their efforts to establish a meaningful renewable energy industry.

With their state grant, Citrus Energy, based in Clewiston, Florida, plans to convert citrus peel, pulp, seeds and membrane into 4 million gallons of ethanol a year. I commend Citrus Energy President Dave Stewart for his commitment to finding alternative energy sources and for looking to by-products that are abundantly available to help meet our country's needs.

Similarly, Alico, Inc. located in Labelle, Florida, plans to use its grant to build a 7.5 million-gallon-a-year plant to produce ethanol and electricity. Alico intends to use high-fiber sugar cane and agriculture wastes, such as hurricane debris to make ethanol. I also commend Alico President John Alexander for his commitment to helping this great country find alternative energy sources through agricultural by- products.

It is exciting that both of these companies have recognized the potential resources that Florida can contribute to their efforts, and I am particularly pleased that they both have chosen to locate their new energy plants in District 16. Their endeavors will provide economic benefits to these communities and will provide substantial environmental and economic benefits for our entire country.

With the price of corn at $4.00 per bushel, it is imperative that American companies recognize the importance of diversifying our ethanol portfolio and the potential that our American farmers can contribute to those efforts. These two Florida companies are just the beginning of what I hope will become a burgeoning industry throughout our great State of Florida and our country. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that adequate funding is provided for the research and production of bio-fuels and alternatives to corn ethanol.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 161 and the underlying bill, H.R. 976, the Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2007, which I am proud to have cosponsored.

This important piece of legislation is much more than a tax cut for America's small businesses. It is an investment in our Nation's workers, especially those from economically disadvantaged areas, as well as our veterans.

Specifically, the underlying bill extends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for 1 year. This important tax credit, originally enacted in 1996, has been an important component in an effort to move people from welfare to work, while gaining on-the-job experience.

H.R. 976 also fosters entrepreneurship in our communities, an important variable in keeping Americans competitive in a global economy by making it more affordable to own and operate a small business. This Congress and the individuals who have brought this bill to passage today bring their ideas, ambitions and knowledge and support of entrepreneurs and small business.

Finally, I applaud Chairman Rangel and the members of the Ways and Means Committee for working within the House PAYGO rules to produce a revenue-neutral tax bill. H.R. 976 is a bipartisan example of a fiscally responsible tax measure that takes into account America's values and priorities.

I urge my colleagues to adopt the rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I normally rise to speak on behalf of the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District. Today I rise to begin a conversation not only with my colleagues, but with my constituents.

This week, this legislative body, the people's House, is engaged in a great debate over the President's decision to stay the course in Iraq by escalating the number of troops. I have, over the past few days, heard many arguments as to the wisdom of the President's decision to do so. But the one message that all who have spoken agree with, Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative, is that our brave men and women in uniform have done a magnificent job fighting in Iraq and around the world to protect our lives, our culture, and our country.

I have heard my colleagues argue that the mere act of debating the President's decision to escalate the war sends the wrong message to our troops and the wrong message to our enemies. To these colleagues I say do not underestimate the power of democracy, the power of freedom of speech, the very powers we are fighting to give the people of Iraq. Debate sends the message of strength, resolve, and commitment. This debate is about finding the best way for America to win the war on terror.

I agree with the President that the world is a dangerous place and we need to take the war to the terrorists and those who support terror. But I disagree with the President that by sending more troops to police a civil war in Iraq, America is any closer to winning the war on terror. I come to this conclusion as a result of consultations with our military leaders, our diplomats, and those in the White House responsible for executing the President's policies. I come to this conclusion from talking to our men and women in uniform who have served with distinction.

Democracy can only happen when a people want it. We have seen time and again that a people who yearn for democracy will break the yoke of tyranny and liberate themselves from their oppressors. America has invested lives of over 3,000 of its best young men and women, sustained over 20,000 casualties, and spent nearly $400 billion on the Iraq war. We have rid the Iraqi people of a cruel tyrant and have given them the opportunity to live in a democracy. American men and women securing a street corner in Sadr City will not change the hearts of the Sunni or Shia. Additional troops will not secure democracy. Only the men and women of Iraq can do that. Now is the time for the Iraqi people to stand and demand democracy.

It is time for America to move forward in our fight against terror. It is time to focus on eliminating terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever they are harbored. It is time to bring Osama bin Laden to justice for the crimes he perpetrated on 9/11.

We need to gather our strength and send a clear message to our enemies that their continued efforts to support terror and engage in activity against America or her allies will result in certain and swift justice.

This President needs to do what his father did in the first gulf war and what President Clinton did in the Balkans, and that is to demonstrate leadership by engaging in diplomacy. This President needs to listen to the sage advice of the Baker-Hamilton Commission and use America's power and prestige to bring the world together in support of the Iraqi people. The world needs to know that America will provide a democratic Iraq, and those who support her, with political, economic, and military support.

I want my friends in Stuart, Okeechobee, Sebring, LaBelle, and Punta Gorda to know that I am here today because democracy requires us to speak up and speak out and you deserve to have a voice in this debate. In speaking out, I am supporting our President by letting him know that we are committed to winning the war on terror, but that we will not support his strategy to increase escalation of the troops in Iraq and that America will not quit until we have vanquished all who use terror to achieve political gain.

We want the Iraqi people to know that this is their moment to grasp democracy; and should they choose to do so, the American people will continue to support them and their efforts to build a better life for their children.

Tomorrow, my colleagues and I will take the important first step in showing the President that we support our troops, but do not support his plan to invest more American lives to mediate a civil war.

Make no mistake, this vote is binding, as it binds me and my colleagues to our constituents by forcing us to take a stand.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution honoring Max Mayfield, former director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center.

In less than 2 years, my home State of Florida suffered damage from four tropical storms and eight hurricanes. Likewise, on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans, devastating the gulf coast region of the United States. In the days that followed, we learned that Katrina had left nearly 80 percent of the Crescent City under water, caused an immeasurable amount of damage, displaced thousands of families and resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,500 people.

While hurricanes cannot be prevented, accurate storm forecasting has helped millions of people prepare for them and prepare for evacuation. The individual responsible for providing the public with these accurate and easy-to-understand forecasts was Mr. Mayfield, who retired from the National Hurricane Center on January 3 of this year.

Born in Oklahoma, Mr. Mayfield began his forecasting career with the Air Force in 1970 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in mathematics. In 1972, he received his master's degree in meteorology from Florida State University.

Mr. Mayfield joined the National Weather Service as a satellite meteorologist in Miami. During his 34-year career at the center, Mr. Mayfield served as a senior forecaster, deputy director and then director.

Mr. Mayfield has received numerous awards for his work in the field of meteorology. In 1996, the American Meteorological Society presented him with the Francis W. Reichelderfer Award for exemplary performance as coordinator of the National Hurricane Center's hurricane preparedness training for emergency preparedness officials and the general public.

He has also received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2000 National Hurricane Conference for developing and expanding educational opportunities for the State and local emergency management officials.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Commerce has recognized Mr. Mayfield with gold medals for his work during hurricanes Andrew, Isabel, and a silver medal during Hurricane Gilbert.

Maybe more important than the many awards, however, are the countless lives that have been saved by the work of Mr. Mayfield and his team at the National Hurricane Center. The Nation is truly grateful to Mr. Mayfield; his wife, Linda; for a lifetime of love and dedication to the National Hurricane Center, and the people in this great country are thankful for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Gordon and his staff and my colleagues who have helped me put together this resolution and to honor Mr. Mayfield.

I would just like to conclude by saying that we wish Mr. Mayfield a wonderful retirement with his wife Linda and their three kids. And, again, I would like to congratulate him for his exemplary service and his distinguished career at the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center. The Nation is going to miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am here today representing Florida's 16th District. Tonight we will listen to the President with the expectation that he will listen to the American people.

Our Nation is facing some of the greatest challenges of our time. From the war in Iraq, to global terrorism, to ending the addiction to foreign oil, the stakes are high and getting higher.

Americans understand the urgency of our challenges. It is time for the President to step up to the plate and offer real solutions that put America on the path to success and security.

I hope the President will offer a new strategy to win the war in Iraq and that that strategy will use diplomacy as its cornerstone, not troop escalation. Let me be clear. I am committed to supporting our brave men and women in uniform, but do not believe their role should be policing a civil war.

We need to turn our energy crisis into an opportunity by investing in domestic production of biofuels and alternative and renewable energies. Last year the President called for an end to America's addiction to oil. And one week later, he cut funding for the development of alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies. Instead of rhetoric, we need results.

I ask the President to listen to the American people, to the message they sent last November. Our children depend on it.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Arkansas for yielding to me tonight. I stand here today representing the great State of Florida's 16th Congressional District, a district that spans from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico and represents the hopes and aspirations of all Floridians.

I stand here as a freshman member of the Blue Dog Coalition supporting our resolution demanding that the administration account for the Iraq war in a manner that lets this Nation see the true costs of the undertaking, and ensuring that our brave men and women who are fighting for our freedom are not being robbed by profiteers and inefficient government bureaucracy.

What got me was that not only was the deficit a tax on my daughter, Bailey's, future, but this administration was not leveling with the American people. This administration was not telling the people the true cost of their programs, telling us that these tax breaks for the wealthiest were driving us to the poor house, cutting revenues when increasing government by over 30 percent.

Now, do not get me wrong. I believe in smaller, more efficient government. I do not believe we need to raise taxes. However, as a businessman, I believe in living within one's means, having to make tough choices so that we can determine what is important, determining what our national priorities are and making those hard choices.

The fact that this administration has calculatingly funded this war with emergency supplemental appropriations so that the American people would not see the true cost is wrong. This Congress and the American people have the right to determine for themselves if the results justify the expenses. Looking at the budget cuts our children had to endure when he cut Head Start, when he unfunded No Child Left Behind, cutting the budget for health services for our veterans, cutting funding for law enforcement programs while violent crime is on the rise, making a decision to leave our ports unsecured by not inspecting the hundreds of thousands of containers that enter this country every year.

Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve to have all of the facts so that they can make their own decision. This resolution calls on the President to budget for the Iraq war like he budgets for everything else. No longer can this country afford the President standing in front of the American people and declaring fiscal victory when he loses less of our money than he projected, declaring victory when we are running record deficits and not adding the cost of the Iraq war.

These are real losses, these are real debts, debts to be repaid with our tax dollars. Further, this resolution calls for the President to be a good steward of our money by asking for accountability in how our hard-earned money is spent. Our resolution specifically calls on Congress to perform this congressional responsibility to provide oversight and make sure that our brave men and women fighting for our liberty get everything they need to come home and make those who would steal from them pay the price.

This is not a new idea. President Truman, as a U.S. Senator, did exactly that during World War II, a Democrat in Congress providing oversight to a Democratic administration. Imagine that. What a novel idea.

Tonight I call upon the American people to let the President know that regardless of whether you support the war in Iraq or not, you expect him to level with the American people.

I thank my good friend from Arkansas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Florida's 16th Congressional District and am a proud voice in support of restoring fiscal discipline to Congress. I am very proud to be a Blue Dog.

When I was thinking about what I wanted to talk to the American people about tonight, I decided that the best way to share my feelings, my views in terms of fiscal discipline and why I am a Blue Dog, gets back to something that is near and dear to me.

Just a week and a half ago, I was a businessman. I had never held an elected office. And the reason I decided to leave private life and come to Congress is because I was worried about government's out-of-control spending that was hurting our economy. More importantly, that was hurting our innovative economy, and to make it very simple for all, was hurting the future of my daughter and all of the children of this country if we don't get our fiscal house in order.

When I take a look at the Blue Dog plan, the 12-point plan for budget reform, I look at the points and I think back to my experience as a businessman. There are several things that I would like to highlight tonight that I can relate to, and every American involved in a business can relate to.

The first point is point number one on the plan which requires a balanced budget. In business it is requiring a profit. A balanced budget is something that makes sense for government, it makes sense for business, and the Blue Dogs are proposing that we make a balanced budget a constitutional amendment requiring that this House, that this Congress, balance the books.

The second thing I would like to talk about is point number four which requires agencies to put their fiscal house in order. That is really getting into financial control. As my colleague from Illinois, Congressperson Bean, pointed out, 16 of 23 major Federal agencies can't issue a simple audit of the books. That is unacceptable in business, and that should be unacceptable here in Congress.

What the Blue Dogs propose is that we would propose legislation that would freeze any Federal agency that can't properly balance their books. We would not allow it in business, and we shouldn't allow it here in Congress.

Point five, we want to make Congress tell taxpayers how much they are spending. This gets to a concept in business called management accountability. What the Blue Dogs are proposing is that any bill that calls for more than $50 million in new spending must be put to a roll call vote. By putting it to a roll call vote, what that does is it forces every Member of Congress to stand up and go on record for their constituents to see how fiscally responsible they are.

The next point I would like to highlight is point number ten which requires honest cost estimates for every bill that Congress votes on.

In business, we call this a business plan. Prior to undertaking any new endeavor, what a competent manager would ask for is a plan that sets out the goals and objectives of the proposed venture, in this case a proposed piece of legislation.

And then as part of that plan, he would ask to have a cost estimate of what the investment would be. That is a very important issue.

What the Blue Dogs propose is that every conference report and bill that comes to the floor of the House be accompanied by a cost estimate prepared

by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

These are just a few of the points, a few of the agenda points that the Blue Dog coalition is working on.

Let me reiterate what many of my colleagues have said. Fiscal responsibility is a critical issue. It is an issue of competitiveness. It is an issue of making sure that our children are not being taxed with runaway budget deficits. People that say it doesn't matter or it is not as important as a percentage of GDP are wrong, and I am proud to be part of a group, the Blue Dog Coalition, that is committed, Mr. Speaker, to addressing these issues in the 110th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back to my good friend from Arkansas.

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to address the question, but from a slightly different perspective, and that has to do with again one of the reasons I think the Democrats are now in control of the House and the Blue Dogs have such a great opportunity, and it gets back to a fundamental issue of ethics, it gets back to a fundamental issue of values.

It is very clear that this House for the last 6 years has been operating under a different set of standards and ethics than the American people. It is very clear that this House does not take responsibility for its work in terms of the bills and the cost of the bills and the budget. These are not our values.

What I would say to my parents tonight is this, and that is this Congress is committed to fiscal responsibility and this coalition is committed to fiscal responsibility. It is very important that the American people understand that their elected officials have to operate under the same rules that they have to operate under when they balance their checkbook every month around the kitchen table. That is important, that we achieve that kind of fiscal discipline. It is important that the American people understand that this Congress is committed to it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today representing Florida's 16th District in support of title IV of the House rules package to return fiscal responsibility to Congress.

As a former businessman, as of a couple of days ago, I cannot overstress the importance of restoring fiscal discipline and accountability to our government. Over the past 6 years, this House has allowed record surpluses to be turned into record deficits that have increased our national debt to a nearly staggering $9 trillion.

Earmarks, an important prerogative of this great body, have been abused for the purposes of greed and as a tool to hold onto power, costing Americans billions of their hard-earned money. Make no mistake, our debt is a tax on America's future as it threatens both the security and prosperity of our country.

Today we have the opportunity to demonstrate to the American people that we have heard their voices this past November and we are prepared to make our government live within its means, just like every American family. For this reason, I urge my colleagues to support title IV.