Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Ed Haman of Stanhope, Iowa, on his dedication to the community of Stanhope and his retirement as Fire Chief at the Stanhope Volunteer Fire Department after forty-one years of service.

The community of Stanhope is celebrating the retirement of this extraordinary man, but I feel it is imperative that we as a Congress celebrate Ed as an example of incredible and valuable citizenship. His service to his community, Iowa, and our nation represents an ideal that should be an inspiration for all Americans.

I commend Ed Haman for his many years of loyalty and service to Iowa and to our country. It is an immense honor to represent Ed in Congress, and I wish him and his family in Stanhope, Iowa, a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Cheryl Haman of Stanhope, Iowa, on her dedication to the community of Stanhope as a librarian since 1976.

The community of Stanhope is celebrating this amazing woman, but I feel that we in Washington should praise the contributions of librarians in America and recognize Mrs. Haman for her years of dedication to the town of Stanhope. Her service to the community, Iowa, and our nation represents an ideal that should be an inspiration for all Americans.

I commend Cheryl for her many years of loyalty and service to Iowa and to our country. It is an immense honor to represent Cheryl in Congress, and I know she will serve as a role model of valuable citizenship to Stanhope and all of Iowa.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Jack Read of

Stanhope, Iowa, on his dedication to the community of Stanhope as a mayor of the town and as a member of the Stanhope Volunteer Fire Department for over fifty years.

The community of Stanhope is celebrating this incredible man, but I feel that we in the House of Representatives should praise the contributions of volunteer firefighters in Iowa and recognize Mr. Read for his years of dedication to the town of Stanhope. His years in public service, and his commitment to the safety of the citizens of Stanhope provide an incredible example of the importance of active citizen involvement in America.

I commend Jack for her many years of loyalty and service to Iowa and to our country. It is an immense honor to represent Jack in Congress, and I know he will continue to serve as a role model of valuable public service to all of Iowa.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Steve Ringlee, a resident of Ames, Iowa, for being honored as the Ames Tribune's 2009 Citizen of the Year.

For more than a decade, Steve has shown his compassion by sharing breakfast at McDonalds with the city's homeless and dispossessed. His once a week breakfasts are filled with talk and prayer as a way to reach out to those in need. He is motivated by his strong Christian faith and follows the golden rule of loving your neighbor as yourself.

Steve moved to Ames in 1990 and has served as the president of the Ames Community School Board and vice chair of the Ames Education Foundation. Not only does Steve hold weekly prayer breakfasts, he helps men at the local shelter locate jobs and permanent housing. He helps with automobile repairs and directing men to Skunk River Cycles who assist shelter men with bicycle repairs.

I know my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in congratulating Steve Ringlee for receiving the Citizen of the Year Award. I thank Steve for his willingness to volunteer his time and uplift so many people in need within his community. I consider it a great honor to represent Steve in Congress and I wish him the best in his future service to those in need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Dr. Dean Harms of Ames, Iowa as the Ames Tribune's 2009 Unsung Hero.

The Unsung Hero award honors people who quietly but generously give their time and talents to help others. In 2003, as president of the Rotary Club in Ames, Dr. Harms began searching for ways to serve people. During his search he found that his friend, Doug Perry, who served with him in the U.S. Air Force, had started a mission in El Porvenir, Honduras. Doug welcomed Dr. Harms aboard and he has since been volunteering his time off and on in Honduras for six years. Dr. Harms mostly conducts eye surgeries but does other procedures as well.

When Doug passed away, Dr. Harms took it upon himself to continue the mission along with his friends Chuck and Carolyn Jons, who nominated him for this award. With the help of his friends and the community, Dr. Harms also successfully spearheaded the construction of a high school library in El Porvenir and established reading and literacy programs for local citizens.

Dr. Harms' eagerness to utilize his talents to improve the lives of others serves as a wonderful example of human compassion. I consider it an honor to represent Dr. Dean Harms in the United States Congress, and I know my colleagues join me in commending Dr. Harms on his well- deserved award. I wish him all the best in his continued voluntary service and future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Kelsey Dennis, a student at Ames Middle School in Ames, Iowa, on being selected as a winner of the Library of Congress's 2009 Letters About Literature Competition.

The Letters About Literature Competition is a reading and writing program sponsored by the Library's Center for the Book in partnership with Target Stores and in cooperation with affiliate state Centers for the Book located across the country. Kelsey's letter was one of approximately 55,000 entries nationwide selected from students in grades four through twelve. Her letter was written to Jerry Spinelli, the author of Stargirl.

I consider it a great honor to represent Kelsey Dennis and her family in the United States Congress, and I know that my colleagues join me in congratulating her. I wish Kelsey continued success in her future education and career.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 278 of Osage, Iowa. The Unit facilitated the Veterans Inspiring Patriotism program as a part of the Joe Foss Institute, and I am honored to submit into the Congressional Record the following commentary from the program in Osage.

``Osage American Legion Post 278 Presents program at Sacred Heart School:

Betty McCarthy of Osage American Legion Auxiliary Unit 278 was the facilitator of the Joe Foss Institute's program `Veterans Inspiring Patriotism' for Sacred Heart students grades K-6th. Joe Foss achieved international fame as America's top Marine fighter pilot in World War II with a record of more than 60 missions in the South Pacific and shooting down 26 Japanese Zeroes. His bravery in combat earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Joe's many lifetime achievements are told in his autobiography `A Proud American.'

In 2001, he founded the Joe Foss Institute as a non-profit organization with its mission of promoting Patriotism, Public Service, Integrity and an Appreciation for America's Freedoms. The `Veterans Inspiring Patriotism' is designed for school children from grades K-12. Through this program, American Flags for the classroom and replicas of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights are made available at no cost to be presented along with the program.

An age appropriate video was part of the presentation which helped the students understand the freedoms established by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Following the video, John Ross, member of Osage Legion Post 278, told of his service in the military and what it means to be a patriot. This was followed by questions from the students.

The presentation ended with John Ross presenting American Flags as well as the laminated copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to 5 students, each of whom were wearing the uniforms of the 5 branches of the service. These uniforms were worn by veterans of World War II, Korea and Desert Storm.

McCarthy told of the final tribute, the military rites at the graveside of a veteran, the presentation of the American Flag under which they served and then TAPS was played by a 6th grade student. The program ended with the singing of God Bless America!

Osage American Legion Post 278 and Sacred Heart School are indebted to the Joe Foss Institute for making this program possible.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Ryan Novak, a native of rural Decorah, Iowa and current University of Iowa student. Ryan is riding his bicycle across the United States this summer to raise money for people with disabilities.

Ryan is participating in the Journey of Hope, a 64-day, 4000-mile bicycle ride from San Francisco, California to Washington, DC to benefit Push America. Push America was founded in 1977 through Pi Kappa Phi as a way for undergraduate fraternity brothers to experience leadership development through serving people with disabilities.

During this bicycle ride, Ryan is not only raising money but educating people about the needs of those with disabilities. He is also stopping at local organizations and a variety of community events to meet people with disabilities and to tell his story and promote the cause.

I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending Ryan Novak for his leadership and commitment to serving people with disabilities. I consider it an honor to represent Ryan in Congress, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Donnie D. Chizek as a member of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. This military unit was recently awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. This rare and prestigious citation honors the Unit's courageous actions in the Republic of South Vietnam.

In 1970 Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment distinguished itself through a series of serious combat missions over a period of several months. The Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded less than 100 times since its inception in 1941. I am very pleased with the Department of Defense's review and recommendation to recognize this unit with this esteemed honor.

The bravery and sacrifice displayed by Donnie Chizek during his service to our nation goes above and beyond what we are asked of as citizens of this country. I know that members of the House of Representatives join me in congratulating Donnie on his well deserved award and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the new House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Alice Road

Amount Provided: $750,000

Account: FHWA TCSP--Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Recipient: Iowa Dept of Transportation

Recipient's Street Address: 800 Lincoln Way Ames, IA 50010

Description: This funding would be used for the constructing of a 6- lane arterial blvd. as part of a north-south economic development corridor.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Ames Intermodal Facility

Amount Provided: $350,000

Account: FTA--Buses & Bus Facilities

Recipient: Ames Transit Agency

Recipient's Street Address: 1700 University Blvd. Ames, IA 50010

Description: This project would construct an intermodal transportation facility that would consolidate three essential transportation functions in Ames, IA. within a single, intermodal facility (intercity bus operations, public transit and parking law enforcement). The funds would accommodate the design phase of this project, in support of a multi-modal and ``green'' transportation resource. Funding would move the project forward.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Ames Transit Facility Expansion

Amount Provided: $500,000

Account: FTA--Buses & Bus Facilities

Recipient: Ames Transit Agency

Recipient's Street Address: 1700 University Blvd. Ames, IA 50010

Description: The current bus storage facility is built for 25 vehicles; the facility now houses 70 vehicles on the same site, crowding both storage and maintenance operations. The new facility would be built on the existing site or a satellite site.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Earthworks Engineering Research Center--EERC

Amount Provided: $500,000

Account: Transportation Planning, Research, and Development

Recipient: Iowa State University

Recipient's Street Address: 1750 Beardshear Hall Ames, IA 50011

Description: The EERC is an effort that does research in the area of geo & construction engineering approaches to U.S. civil infrastructure needs. The research initiatives are aimed at finding better ways to evaluate those technologies and techniques used in earth moving related to new and improved transportation infrastructure. This project is all the more relevant as we approach solutions to infrastructure needs.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Iowa Highway 92 Reconstruction

Amount Provided: $750,000

Account: FHWA TCSP--Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Recipient: Iowa Dept of Transportation

Recipient's Street Address: 800 Lincoln Way Ames, IA 50010

Description: The project would consist of improvements to Iowa Highway 92 located in Warren County, Iowa. Project would begin approx. 1,000' west of Warren County Road R63 and extend east for approximately 1.3 miles to the city of Indianola. This project is necessary because the existing highway no longer meets current roadway design standards, and has areas of limited passing and sight distance. The area has an above average crash rate.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Jefferson, Iowa Streetscape

Amount Provided: $385,000

Account: HUD EDI

Recipient: City of Jefferson

Recipient's Street Address: 220 Chestnut St. Jefferson, IA 50129

Description: This is phase I of a multi-phase streetscape initiative that includes underground wiring for signal controls, sidewalk re- facing and general improvements from the back of curbs to building fences in a four-block area around the Greene County Courthouse.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Jet Engine Technology Inspection to Support Continued Airworthiness--JET

Amount Provided: $700,000

Account: Research (FAA)

Recipient: Iowa State University

Recipient's Street Address: 1750 Beardshear Hall Ames, IA 50011

Description: The JET program at Iowa State Univ. develops advanced inspection techniques for jet engine components to enable the use of more fuel efficient engine technologies, and to ensure that new material & design approaches do not compromise safety. Aviation safety is important to the industry, particularly as new materials are driven close to margins of safety.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Marshalltown Bus Replacement

Amount Provided: $315,000

Account: FTA--Buses & Bus Facilities

Recipient: City of Marshalltown

Recipient's Street Address: 24 N. Center St. Marshalltown, IA 50158

Description: The City of Marshalltown is seeking to replace one ``low-floor'' bus that is 17 years old. The funding is needed to assist in the purchase of a replacement bus for use as part of the city public transportation fleet.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Roger Snedden Dr. Extension/Grade Separation--Phase 1

Amount Provided: $1,000,000

Account: FHWA TCSP--Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Recipient: Iowa Dept of Transportation

Recipient's Street Address: 800 Lincoln Way Ames, IA 50010

Description: This project is oriented toward safety improvement with the reconstruction of Industrial Park Road, including the widening of this heavily traveled road, and planned construction of a railroad overpass. Funding is needed for reconstruction of Industrial Park Rd, in anticipation of overpass construction. The overpass grade separation will allow safe crossing over a busy railroad switchyard, improving safety and environmental impacts.

Bill Number: H.R. 3288--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: West Grand Avenue Extension

Amount Provided: $750,000

Account: FHWA TCSP--Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Recipient: Iowa Dept of Transportation

Recipient's Street Address: 800 Lincoln Way Ames, IA 50010

Description: This project is comprised of three roadway segments that will be part of the transportation infrastructure in SE Dallas County, IA. The roadway corridor improvements will provide access from I-35 to a technology park and, ultimately, connect to I-80 and the SW Beltway in Madison County, IA. The funding in the bill is for necessary planning and environmental reports.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Portable Rapid Bacterial Warfare Detection Unit

Amount Provided: $4,000,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide

Recipient: Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc.

Recipient's Street Address: 2901 South Loop Drive, Ames, IA 50010

Description: The project objective is to develop portable instrumentation that provides biological warfare identification in drinking water samples in hours or minutes instead of days. This technology provides the rapid response needed to protect our troops from exposure to harmful agents on the battlefield, and could also have homeland security applications. For example, early bird flu virus identification in remote areas could help avert a pandemic flu scenario. This technology would provide for the rapid detection of biological warfare agents both domestically and internationally.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Shared Vision

Amount Provided: $3,000,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army

Recipient: Mechdyne Corporation.

Recipient's Street Address: 11 East Church Street, Marshalltown IA 50158

Description: The project objective is to develop software and hardware to achieve a capability to provide all levels of military command with access to real-time, visual information about a battle space, for use in mission planning and after action review. The result will be a battlefield-ready Army Battle Command System that integrates information collected using a wide range of methods (reconnaissance imagery, direct surveillance, sensors, etc.) to create virtual representations of a given area, providing an operational picture for all mission phases. The request will provide funding needed to proceed with field-testing and evaluation of the system, the next stage of development with the U.S. Army.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Wireless Medical Monitoring System (WiMed)

Amount Provided: $3,000,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army

Recipient: Athena GTX

Recipient's Street Address: 3630 SW 61st Street, Suite 395

Description: The purpose of the project is to greatly improve casualty care in combat situations, where medics are unable to effectively monitor injured soldiers' conditions. Current medical triage monitors and vital signs data tracking tools are complex, heavy, and have numerous wires with bulky connections. Wounded soldiers in Iraq will see care within one hour, and in Afghanistan the time may exceed four hours. There are often extensive delays in air evacuations during fire fights and a definitive lack of medical state monitoring.

The Wireless Medical Monitoring System ensures that medical triage can be performed effectively by medics on the battlefield, and that medical information about the casualty is retained to improve treatment following evacuation. The system includes a stick-on sensor that integrates pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, skin humidity, and electrocardiograms into a single unit. Information from these units is broadcast to a single monitoring screen used by the medic, using Wi- Fi technology. The U.S. Army and the National Trauma Institute are currently conducting comprehensive clinical trials across numerous Level 1 Trauma Centers using this system.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: HyperAcute Vaccine Development

Amount Provided: $4,500,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army

Recipient: BioProtection Systems Corporation

Recipient's Street Address: 2901 S. Loop Drive, Suite 3360, Ames, IA 50010

Description: The project objective is to develop anti-viral vaccines for use against Ebola, Crimean Congo and other biological warfare agents. Although millions of dollars have been spent on Biological Defense over the past several years, only a handful of vaccines/ medications have been developed to counter known threats. Unfortunately, most have proven to be weak and impractical to administer because they require multiple doses for protection or treatment. Importantly, these vaccines would not protect against genetically engineered biological weapons, which are relatively easy to produce. The vaccine technology is being developed to (1) enhance current vaccines, making them more effective and practical for use, (2) generate vaccines for known threats where a vaccine does not exist, and (3) develop a vaccine platform that could be adapted for newly developed biological agents. This request covers the third year in a three-year development plan for this vaccine technology, which was selected by the Department of Defense to satisfy existing military requirements, and has received funding through the National Institutes of Health, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Advanced Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) Training Systems

Amount Provided: $3,500,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army

Recipient: Iowa State University

Recipient's Street Address: 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2035

Description: The Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) located at Iowa State University has a scientific team leading research in the development of advanced software prototypes that utilize immersive virtual warfighting environments, in collaboration with the U.S. Army. Keeping up with the unique demands of urban combat and ever-changing environments in counterinsurgency warfare requires flexible and adaptive training systems that can be modified rapidly and deployed effectively in the field. This project is intended to help the Department of Defense meet its training objective to ensure soldiers can improvise and adapt to emerging challenges.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Multi-Utility Materials for Army Future Combat Systems

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation--Army

Recipient: Iowa State University

Recipient's Street Address: 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2035

Description: This initiative is designed to enable Iowa State University, in partnership with Florida A&M University and the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, to support the U.S. Army in developing and evaluating weapons and protective armor materials, with emphasis on survivability. This includes the development of new materials and nondestructive techniques to assure that the materials have the desired properties to provide the best and most reliable physical protection to the soldier.

Bill Number: H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Project Name: Low Cost GPS Receivers

Amount Provided: $4,000,000

Account: Defense Production Act

Recipient: Rockwell Collins

Recipient's Street Address: 400 Collins Rd., Cedar Rapids, IA, 52498

Description: This initiative is funded under the ``Defense Production Act,'' which ensures that certain products are manufactured in America--for national security reasons. The primary objective of the program is to bring production of the ``substrate'' used to construct military GPS microchips back to the U.S. from overseas. The funding will also further development of the next generation military GPS receiver, which will be smaller, more accurate, more secure, and cheaper to produce. Cost savings will allow the purchase of a higher number of receivers so that each squad of soldiers could have one. Due to the current shortage of military GPS units, soldiers are purchasing and using commercial handheld devices that are highly vulnerable to electronic interference, jamming, and spoofing.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ruth L. Tucker on the celebration of her 100th birthday on July 22, 2009.

Ruth was an aspiring writer and a teacher at Pisgah country school. Her reputation as a quality teacher and writer has been recognized at Winterset High School where the Ruth L. Tucker Writing Award scholarship has been established in her honor. Ruth is known for her hospitality and being an excellent cook. She is also a member of the United Methodist Church in Winterset, Iowa.

There have been many changes that have occurred during the past one hundred years. Since Ruth's birth we have revolutionized air travel and walked on the moon. We have invented the television and the Internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of Soviet communism and the birth of new democracies. Ruth has lived through eighteen United States Presidents and twenty-two Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime the population of the United States has more than tripled.

I congratulate Ruth Tucker for reaching this milestone of a birthday. I am extremely honored to represent Ruth in the United States Congress and I wish her happiness and health in her future years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lucile Goodhue on the celebration of her 100th birthday on August 26, 2009.

Lucile was born on what is now a 150-year old farm near Hartford, Iowa in 1909. She became a farm wife when she married her husband Wilbur. Lucile enjoyed traveling with Wilbur and collecting antiques. She has been blessed with numerous children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lucile's secrets to a long life are to keep active, take power naps and remain positive. She always followed these directives with a great sense of humor. Lucile currently lives at the Good Same Care Center in Indianola, Iowa.

There have been many changes that have occurred during the past one hundred years. Since Lucile's birth we have revolutionized air travel and walked on the moon. We have invented the television and the Internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of Soviet communism and the birth of new democracies. Lucile has lived through eighteen United States Presidents and twenty-two Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime the population of the United States has more than tripled.

I congratulate Lucile Goodhue for reaching this milestone of a birthday. I am extremely honored to represent Lucile in the United States Congress and I wish her happiness and health in her future years.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

I thank the gentleman from Michigan for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of this bill. I also rise to point out that what we're doing today, in considering the increase for the Highway Trust Fund, is exactly what I sought to do last week through an amendment presented to the Rules Committee. My amendment was aimed at employing a little common sense and transferring excessive resources in the rapid rail appropriations to the much-needed resource category in the Highway Trust Fund. I was seeking to transfer to the trust fund $3 billion of the $4 billion that is currently in the rapid rail appropriations in the House version of the FY 2010 transportation appropriations bill. That amendment would have left the $1 billion for rail that the President had requested. As things now stand, the $4 billion on top of the $8 billion in the stimulus package remains in the rail account, and at least $2 billion of that is parked for a future infrastructure bank, which is only just an idea, no authorization, nothing. It may be at least a year, and probably much longer, before any of these funds can be spent; and the Highway Trust Fund needs money now, which is what I said last week.

Had my amendment been made in order, it would have passed and been offset. Had it passed, we would be dealing with a much smaller amount today. Unfortunately, the Rules Committee didn't see fit to make the amendment in order and, in the process, make use of funding authority that will not be needed for some time. So once again, politics governed the process. It's very unfortunate. I think it is worth pointing out today to all the Members here that in a June 4 hearing this year, Secretary LaHood, in response to my question regarding offsets for the Highway Trust Fund bailout said, ``We have to pay for this. I mean, the administration is committed to paying for the $5 billion to $7 billion that is needed to plus up the trust fund in 2009, and it is about $8 billion or $10 billion for 2010. We are committed to paying for it; and I hope sooner rather than later, we will be coming back to all of you and saying, here is how we think we should do it.''

To my knowledge, in this bill there are no offsets. I know that technically this is an intergovernmental transfer, so there's no PAYGO and technically no scoring on this. But the money will soon be spent by the Treasury.

Just so folks understand what is going on here with this shell game, I will give you an example. I'm the government. I've got $1 in this pocket--in this case, we're talking about 7 billion of these, which would go to the Moon--and what we're doing is saying that we are transferring this dollar from the right pocket to the left pocket, even though we know that it's already spent in the left pocket. But it doesn't cost anything. It's free money. Why don't we transfer $1 trillion? It's all free, right? No offset. It's just from one pocket to another. The problem is, folks, we know this is being spent; and there's nothing in this pocket. We're borrowing from our kids and our grandchildren because there is nothing here. We're $2 trillion in deficit this one year and we're talking about, We don't have to pay for anything. It's all free money. In conclusion, I would just hope that we bring some sanity to this process.

Sometimes I wonder if anybody on the other side of the aisle ever goes home because I tell you, doing town meetings, we have three or four times more people than normal show up. And I will tell you what, they are scared to death of what they see happening in this country.

When they look at the $787 billion stimulus package that has no benefit to anyone today, when they look at people voting for cap-and- trade without even having read the bill, only to find out that in Iowa that would cost 17,000 jobs for each of the next 20 years and 2.5 million jobs nationwide for the next 20 years, they go, What's going on? When are we going to get our government back? When are people going to listen to us and be responsive?

What this debate is all about is our children and our grandchildren and what we're going to leave them for the future; what it's going to do for someone who wants an opportunity to start a small business, to grow and prosper and be part of this economy. We are destroying the future of this country with what this Congress is doing.