Madame Speaker, The Republican Motion to Recommit is straightforward. It: Strikes troubling tax increases; Maintains the tax relief for small businesses; Repeals unpopular provisions of the health care bill that force middle class families to pay more in taxes and more for their health care; and Is fully paid-for in compliance with the “pay go” rules. To meet the pay-go rules, the motion eliminates the so-called emergency welfare spending and closes the Black Liquor tax loophole that has repeate... Read more

Madam Speaker, Like all of my colleagues here in the House of Representatives, I was shocked and horrified by the tragedy that occurred at the IRS office in Austin, Texas, on February 18th. I especially want to offer my condolences to the family of Vernon Hunter, who lost his life in this senseless attack. Mr. Hunter dedicated his life to serving his country, including 20 years in the U.S. Army and two tours in Vietnam. I stand with my colleagues today to honor his service and his memory. We als... Read more

Madam Speaker, This legislation increases the debt limit by an astounding $1.9 trillion, the largest one-time increase in the debt limit ever. Since the Majority came into control of Congress, the debt limit has been increased by over $5.3 trillion or by nearly 60%. Despite this massive heap of debt thrust on the American people, Democrats plan to pile on even more debt next year. According to the President’s newest budget proposal, the amount of debt subject to the limit will increase by nearl... Read more

Madame Speaker, The bill before us is a candid admission by the Majority that their tax, borrow and spend ways have driven America deeper and deeper into debt. In fact, because of the failed trillion-dollar stimulus spending bill, America’s unemployment is higher than predicted and revenues are lower. But that hasn’t stopped the majority from continuing to spend, spend, spend. Just last week, the Majority rolled six major spending bills into one omnibus bill that increased, on average, federal s... Read more

Madame Speaker, let me be blunt: we should be and can be doing much more to advance our trade agenda and create much needed jobs for American workers. This year, America’s trade agenda has stalled, and it has had a chilling effect on our economy and on global commerce – in some cases even weakening our national security interests. The delay in considering the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement alone has cost U.S. exporters and their workers over $2.4 billion in unnecessary tariffs. Last week, th... Read more

Madame Speaker, It is the tradition of this House to annually extend certain tax relief items; everything from a Research and Development tax credit, to incentives for the manufacture, purchase and use of alternative fuels to credits that help offset out-of-pocket expenses teachers incur buying materials for their classrooms. I helped write many of these provisions and if the bill before us was truly a “tax extenders” bill I would be voting for it as I have in previous years. However, Democrats... Read more

Mr. Speaker, Republicans have listened to the American people; it is clear from the Speaker’s health care bill, the Democratic majority has not. The Speaker crafted this bill behind closed doors and added one-thousand pages that have never been before a committee or had any input from the American people. Just yesterday we confirmed Americans could face five years in jail if they don’t comply with the bill’s demands to buy “approved” health insurance. And who know what else we will discover over... Read more

Madame Speaker, The American people deserve and demand a common sense approach to health care reform that: 1) Makes health care reform affordable, 2) Guarantees all Americans, regardless of a pre-existing condition, have access to affordable health care and 3) Does so without raising taxes, without increasing the deficit and without the federal government making health care decisions that should be made by patients and doctors. The Common Sense Health Care Reform and Accountability Act, the Hous... Read more

Since September 11th, American military, diplomatic, and intelligence personnel have seen extended and recurring deployments in support of contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. These brave Americans have answered the call and at the drop of a hat gone off to defend this great nation in a most consequential time. This House, and the American people, are extremely grateful for their courage and sacrifice. Today, as we rotate personnel home from Iraq and contemplate increasing force level... Read more

As a candidate, the President stated that under his plan “electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” I give him credit – he was being honest with the American people. Today, the nation’s unemployment level is fast approaching 10 percent. That means one out of every ten Americans will soon be without a job and without a paycheck to provide for themselves and their families. Yet, this national energy tax will drive up prices while making scarce jobs scarcer. In fact, one utility – which is ev... Read more