THE SPEAKER

HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND ANNOUNCES TO…

HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS APPROVAL THEREOF. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1 THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TODAY WILL BE LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. POE.

MR. POE

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE…

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THE SPEAKER

WILL ENTERTAIN UP TO FIVE ONE-MINUTE REQUESTS ON EACH SIDE. FOR WHAT…

WILL ENTERTAIN UP TO FIVE ONE-MINUTE REQUESTS ON EACH SIDE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE?

MR. POE

TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. POE

WEEK MARKED THE PASSAGE OF AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. BUT…

WEEK MARKED THE PASSAGE OF AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. BUT DON'T BREAK OUT THE CONFETTI AND FIREWORKS SO QUICKLY. ACCORDING TO THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OUR NATIONAL DEBT JUST PASSED $15 TRILLION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. MR. SPEAKER, HERE'S WHAT $15 TRILLION LOOKS LIKE. IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY TO ME. THAT TOTALS OVER $48,000 FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD ACROSS THE FRUITED PLAIN. NOW, HOW DID WE GET HERE? THROUGH UNCHECKED, EXCESSIVE SPENDING BY THE GOVERNMENT. THIS ADDICTION TO SPENDING SOMEBODY ELSE'S MONEY HAS GOT TO STOP. WE MUST BE BOWLED AND CUT UNNECESSARY SPENDING. TOUGH TIMES CALL FOR TOUGH ACTIONS AND WE MUST EVEN DO MORE. CONGRESS MUST PASS THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO BALANCE ITS BOOKS JUST LIKE AMERICANS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. WE KEEP DIGGING OURSELVES INTO THE DARK ABYSS OF DEBT. MAYBE WE SHOULD QUICK DIGGING SO WE DON'T REACH GREECE. AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN RISE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>>

THE EXTREME STATEMENTS COMING OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES…

THE EXTREME STATEMENTS COMING OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES IN RECENT WEEKS, PERHAPS NONE IS MORE ALARMING THAT WE SHOULD, QUOTE, CUT FOREIGN AID, EVEN FOR CRITICAL GLOBAL HEALTH AND ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS. WE MIGHT DISMISS THIS RIDICULOUS ASSERTION AS A HAIL MARY FROM A CANDIDATE DESPERATE . MR.

MR. PRICE

HEAVY APPLAUSE FROM THE AUDIENCE, AN EAGER AGREEMENT FROM THE REST OF THE…

HEAVY APPLAUSE FROM THE AUDIENCE, AN EAGER AGREEMENT FROM THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN FIELD, INCLUDING THE PRESUMPTIVE FRONTRUNNER. IS THIS THE STATE OF TODAY'S REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE PARTY OF INTERNATIONALISTS SUCH AS TEDDY ROOSEVELT, DWIGHT EISENHOWER AND RONALD REAGAN? CUT FOREIGN AID TO ZERO? FOREIGN AID HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EASY TARGET FOR DEMAGOGUES, ESPECIALLY DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. BUT THE REALITY IS IT'S THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENTS -- INVESTMENTS OUR NATION MAKES. FOR ABOUT 1% OF OUR ANNUAL BUBBLINGT IT STRENGTHENS KEY ALLIES SUCH AZIZ REAL, THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, AFGHANISTAN AND EGYPT, PROTECTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CREATES JOBS BACK HOME. SUGGESTIONS WE SHOULD START AT ZERO AND ASK OUR ALLIES TO COME TO US HAT IN HAND IS SIMPLY PREPOSTRUSS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. JOHNSON

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE…

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. JOHNSON

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. YOU KNOW, SINCE 1980, SOCIAL SECURITY HAS BEEN REQUIRED…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. YOU KNOW, SINCE 1980, SOCIAL SECURITY HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO PUBLICLY PUT DECEASED AMERICAN PERSONAL INFORMATION INTO A SO-CALLED DEATH MASTER FILE WHICH WAS MEANT TO HELP PREVENT PAYMENT AND PREVENT FRAUD. NEARLY ANYONE CAN GET THIS INFORMATION, INCLUDING IDENTITY THIEVES. IDENTITY THEFT AFFECTS NOT ONLY BUSINESSES AND TAXPAYERS BUT GRIEVING FAMILIES WHOSE SUFFERING IS MADE WORSE WHEN THEY LEARN THAT SOMEONE HAS BEEN PREYING ON THE DEATH OF THEIR LOVED ONES. CRIMINALS ARE EXPLOITING THIS INFORMATION IN ORDER TO PROFIT OFF DECEASED CHILDREN BY APPLYING FOR TAX REFUNDS. THAT'S JUST WRONG. EVERY YEAR SOCIAL SECURITY PUTS ABOUT 14,000 AMERICANS IN THIS DEATH FILE WHO AREN'T EVEN DEAD. ANY OF US COULD BE PUT ON THAT LIST BY MISTAKE, A MISTAKE THAT CAN RESULT IN SEVERE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND EMOTIONAL HEADACHE. AMERICANS DESERVE BETTER. SO TODAY I AM INTRODUCING THE KEEPING I.D.'S SAFE ACT, TO STOP THE SALE OF THE DEATH MASTER FILE IMMEDIATELY. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. JOHNSON

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF -- I RISE IN GREAT SADNESS TO…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF -- I RISE IN GREAT SADNESS TO RECOGNIZE FALLEN DOREVILLE POLICE DETECTIVE CORPORAL ROBERT SHANE WILSON, A CITIZEN OF GREAT DISTINCTION IN MY DISTRICT, WHO GAVE HIS LIFE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE. RESPONDING TO A HOME INVASION ON NOVEMBER 14, HE WAS TRAGICALLY INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A DRUNK DRIVER, AND HE WAS OFF DUTY AT THE TIME RESPONDING. AN EIGHT-YEAR VETERAN, OFFICER WILSON WAS JUST 27 YEARS OLD. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE SWAT TEAM. HE SERVED HIS COMMUNITY COURAGEOUSLY AND HONORABLY AND WAS VERY WELL LIKED AND RESPECTED BY HIS COLLEAGUES AND FELLOW OFFICERS. HE WAS A LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, BROTHER AND SON FROM A FAMILY DEEP IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. HE LOVED TO PLAY DRUMS AND PIANO. HE COMPOSED MUSIC AND ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE. ALL GEORGIANS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY, BUT OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT ESPECIALLY TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. ROBERT SHANE WILSON WAS ONE OF THE BEST AND HE'LL BE GREATLY MISSED. THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA SEEK RECOGNITION?

MS. FOXX

I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, MR. SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

MS. FOXX

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WHEN THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC EXTREMISTS TOOK…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WHEN THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC EXTREMISTS TOOK CONTROL OF THE CONGRESS IN 2007, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 4.6%. WHEN REPUBLICANS TOOK BACK CONTROL OF THE HOUSE IN JANUARY, 2011, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAD JUMPED TO 9%. UNDER LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CONTROL, 6.9 MILLION MORN AMERICANS BECAME UNEMPLOYED. SO NOW WE HAVE 13.9 MILLION UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS WHO HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY THE LIBERALS IN WASHINGTON, HIGHER TAXES, RECORD SPENDING AND BIGGER GOVERNMENT HAVE FAILED TO CREATE JOBS OR BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH. PUT SIMPLY THIS, THE ECONOMY IS GROWING TOO SLOWLY TO REPLACE THE MILLIONS OF JOBS LOST. G.D.P. AND GROWTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2011 FELL TO 1.8%. IN THE SECOND QUARTER IT WAS.2 -- 2.3%. INSTEAD OF EXPANDING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO A PRO-GROWTH ECONOMIC AGENDA THAT WILL PUT AMERICA BACK TO WORK, AND I URGE PEOPLE TO GO TO AMERICA'S JOB CREATORS, JOBS.GOP.GOV TO SEE THE PLAN REPUBLICANS HAVE TO CREATE JOBS. WE HAVE PASSED OVER 20 BILLS THAT HAVE GONE TO THE SENATE AND NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ON THEM. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA SEEK RECOGNITION? MR.

MR. ELLISON

TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. ELLISON

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY TO SUPPORT…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY TO SUPPORT AND URGE US TO SUPPORT KENYAN MILITARY THAT HAS GONE INTO SOMALIA TO SET UP A CORRIDOR OF SAFETY FOR THE SOMALI PEOPLE AND TO HELP PUSH BACK AND FIGHT AGAINST AL SHABAAB. IT IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN SOMALIA. AND BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL CHAOS IN SOMALIA, MR. SPEAKER, AL SHABAAB HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO TWO VERY BAD THINGS. ONE IS THEY, BECAUSE OF THE INSTABILITY THEY CREATE, THEY HAVE CAUSED MASSIVE REFUGEE PROBLEMS INTO KENYA WHICH IS WHY THE KENYAN MILITARY HAD TO GO INTO SOMALIA TO TRY TO STOP THAT. BUT THEY ALSO CREATED CHAOS IN THE RED SEA THROUGH PIRACY AND ALSO SPONSORED TERRORISM IN OTHER AFRICAN NATIONS LIKE UGANDA. AT THE SAME TIME, MR. SPEAKER, THEY ARE AN -- ATTRACTING NUISANCE TO EVERY BAD GUY AND THEY ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTS TO SOMALIA WHICH FURTHER DESTABILIZES THAT NATION. AFTER 20 YEARS OF CHAOS, THE SOMALI PEOPLE DESERVE, DESERVE SOME STABILITY AND THE KENYAN TROOPS THAT ARE THERE ARE HELPING TO BRING THAT. THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEED TO STEP UP AND HELP OFFER SUPPORT FOR THOSE KENYAN TROOPS, MR. SPEAKER. LET ME SAY WE NEED TO --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. ELLISON

THIS IS THE TIME TO STEP UP AND HELP THE KENYAN COMMUNITY HELP OUR COUNTRY…

THIS IS THE TIME TO STEP UP AND HELP THE KENYAN COMMUNITY HELP OUR COUNTRY AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. TONKO

AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS ARE DETERMINED, HARDWORKING MIDDLE CLASS IS…

AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS ARE DETERMINED, HARDWORKING MIDDLE CLASS IS CHALLENGING CONGRESS. WILL CONGRESS RESPOND TO OUR MIDDLE CLASS? WE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS ARE GROWING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE STATISTICS, THE WEALTH IN THIS TOP 1% HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY. 275% OVER THE SAME TIME FRAME, AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS THAT HAS SEEN ITS WEALTH FLATLINE. IT'S DIMINISHED LIKE 15% TO 20%. THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS KNOWS IT. THEY KNOW THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR MIDDLE CLASS, EMPOWER THE PURCHASING POWER, RAISE OUR CHILDREN, INVEST IN THEIR EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION, INVEST IN HEALTH CARE, INVEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY, INVEST IN JOB CREATION AND JOB RETENTION, INVEST IN RESEARCH THAT EQUALS JOBS. THAT IS THE COMMITMENT THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR. THEY KNOW IT'S WITHIN THE GRASP OF CONGRESS TO FIX IT. THEY KNOW INCREASINGLY THE AMERICAN DREAM IS GROWING OUTSIDE THEIR GRASP. WE NEED TO GO TO WORK, PROVIDE JOBS, THE DIGNITY FOR OUR MIDDLE CLASS, WE NEED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF MIDDLE AMERICA. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

MS. WOOLSEY

I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND…

I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. RICHARDSON

ALL ACROSS AMERICA, AMERICANS NEED HELP. THEY NEED HELP TO STAND, TO SIT,…

ALL ACROSS AMERICA, AMERICANS NEED HELP. THEY NEED HELP TO STAND, TO SIT, TO PUT ON THEIR SHOES, TO GO TO THE RESTROOM AND EVEN SOME TO TAKE THEIR LAST BREATH. WHILE THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE SITTING BY THE BED SIDE OF THOSE PEOPLE, WE CALL THEM IN-HOME HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO OFTENTIMES IN THIS COUNTRY BARELY MAKE EVEN A MINIMUM WAGE THEMSELVES AND IF THEY NEEDED THE VERY CARE THEY WERE PROVIDING, THEY COULD PROBABLY NOT AFFORD IT. AS THIS CONGRESS DECIDES AND LOOKS AT THE JOINT COMMITTEE'S DECISIONS AND PROPOSALS BEFORE US, LET'S NOT GO AGAINST THOSE WORKING PEOPLE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN FAMILIES. THE DECISIONS CAN BE DONE BETTER, BUT THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BACKS OF WORKING PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR OUR AMERICANS. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA SEEK RECOGNITION?

MS. FOXX

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, I CALL UP…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, I CALL UP HOUSE RESOLUTION 470 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 93, HOUSE RESOLUTION 470, RESOLVED, THAT AT ANY TIME…

HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 93, HOUSE RESOLUTION 470, RESOLVED, THAT AT ANY TIME AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION THE SPEAKER MAY PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 2-B OF RULE 18, DECLARE THE HOUSE RESOLVED INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL H.R. 3094, TO AMEND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT WITH RESPECT TO REPRESENTATION HEARINGS AND THE TIMING OF ELECTIONS OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THAT ACT. THE FIRST READING OF THE BILL SHALL BE DISPENSED WITH. ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL ARE WAIVED. GENERAL DEBATE SHALL BE CONFINED TO THE BILL AND SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HOUR EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE. . AFTER GENERAL DEBATE THE BILL SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR AMENDMENT UNDER THE FIVE-MINUTE RULE. IT SHALL BE IN ORDER TO CONSIDER AS AN ORIGINAL BILL FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT UNDER THE FIVE-MINUTE RULE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORK FORCE NOW PRINTED IN THE BILL. THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ. ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE ARE WAIVED. NO AMENDMENT TO THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE SHALL BE IN ORDER EXCEPT THOSE PRINTED IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION. EACH SUCH AMENDMENT MAY BE OFFERED ONLY IN THE ORDER PRINTED IN THE REPORT, MAY BE OFFERED ONLY BY A MEMBER DESIGNATED IN THE REPORT, SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ, SHALL BE DEBATABLE FOR THE TIME SPECIFIED IN THE REPORT EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE PROPONENT AND AN OPPONENT, SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT, AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A DEMAND FOR DIVISION OF THE QUESTION IN THE HOUSE OR IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST SUCH AMENDMENTS ARE WAIVED. AT THE CONCLUSION OF CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL FOR AMENDMENT, THE COMMITTEE SHALL RISE AND REPORT THE BILL TO THE HOUSE WITH SUCH AMENDMENTS AS MAY HAVE BEEN ADOPTED. ANY MEMBER MAY DEMAND A SEPARATE VOTE IN THE HOUSE ON ANY AMENDMENT ADOPTED IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TO THE BILL OR TO THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT IN THE OF A SUBSTITUTE. THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ORDERED ON THE BILL AND AMENDMENTS THERETO TO FINAL PASSAGE WITHOUT INTERVENING MOTION EXCEPT ONE MOTION TO RECOMMIT WITH OR WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE HOUR.

MS. FOXX

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY I YIELD THE CUSTOMARY 30…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY I YIELD THE CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR. POLIS, PENDING WHICH I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. DURING CONSIDERATION OF THIS RESOLUTION ALL TIME YIELDED IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE ONLY. MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. SO ORDERED. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. FOXX

MR. SPEAKER, HOUSE RESOLUTION PROVIDES FOR A STRUCTURED RULE PROVIDING FOR…

MR. SPEAKER, HOUSE RESOLUTION PROVIDES FOR A STRUCTURED RULE PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3094, THE WORK FORCE DEMOCRACY AND FAIRNESS ACT. AND WITH THAT I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME THE -- I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

MR. POLIS

THE GENTLELADY FOR THE CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I…

THE GENTLELADY FOR THE CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. POLIS

SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO THE RULE ON THE UNDERLYING BILL.…

SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO THE RULE ON THE UNDERLYING BILL. MR. SPEAKER, WITH THIS RULE AND UNDERLYING BILL, CONGRESS CONTINUES MONTHS OF INACTION ON JOB GROWTH, MONTHS OF IGNORING REAL SOLUTIONS, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO USE OUR ECONOMIC STRUGGLES AS AN EXCUSE TO PUSH PARTISAN AND IDEOLOGICAL LEGISLATION. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE JOBS NOW. RATHER THAN BILLS AIMED ONLY AT STOKING THE FIRES AND ANTAGONIZING POLITICAL OPPONENTS. IT'S TIME TO STOP THE GAMES AND SEEK COMPROMISE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR NATION. A MIDDLE CLASS TAX INCREASE IS LOOMING. WOO THE EXTENSION OF THE PAYROLL TAX, MANY MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES EARNING $70,000, $80,000 A YEAR WILL BE FORCED TO PAY OVER $1,000 A YEAR MORE IN TAXES. APPARENTLY THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS HOW TO SPEND THEIR MONEY BETTER THAN AMERICAN FAMILIES. AS A BUSINESSMAN AND ENTREPRENEUR I'M PROUD TO HAVE CREATED MANY JOBS AND MANY BUSINESSES. I MEET WITH THE BUSINESSES IN MY DISTRICT ON A REGULAR BASIS. NOT A SINGLE BUSINESS HAS RAISED THIS ISSUE AS ANY KIND OF IMPEDIMENT TO JOB GROWTH, ANY KIND OF IMPEDIMENT TO GETTING THE ECONOMY GOING AGAIN. THIS IS SIMPLY A NONRELATED SUBJECT THAT PURSUES A LONG-TIME AGENDA TO DESTROY THE ABILITY OF WORKERS TO ORGANIZE. THIS BILL REPRESENTS THE OHIOIZATION OF AMERICA. JUST AS REPUBLICANS ATTEMPTED IN THE STATE OF OHIO, HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE SIMPLY UNION BUSTING. BUT WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN IN OHIO WHERE OHIOANS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OVERWHELMINGLY SAID NO TO THIS KIND OF ANTI-WORKER AGENDA. AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REJECT IT AS WELL. THIS BILL'S SINGULAR GOAL IS TO SHUT DOWN WORKPLACE ELECTIONS T. WOULD OVERTURN THE PROPOSED NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD RULE. IT WOULD MODERNIZE THE UNION ELECTION PROCESS AND AVOID DELAYS. BUT INSTEAD OF CREATING EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT, THE WORKPLACE ELECTION PREVENTION ACTUALLY MANDATES INEFFICIENCY AND MAKES INEFFICIENCY THE NORM RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION. THE BILL PUTS IN PLACE 35-DAY DELAYS IN HOLDING ELECTIONS AFTER FILING PE SIGNIFICANCES. THE BILL INCLUDES NO LIMIT ON HOW LONG THE ELECTIONS CAN BE DELAYED. IN THE CASE OF WORKPLACE ELECTION DAY DELAY IS A CRITICAL ISSUE. THE INTENT TO DELAY AN ELECTION IS TO GET ANTI-UNION EMPLOYERS A CHANCE TO PREVENT WORKERS FROM ORGANIZING. DESPITE REPUBLICANS' PROFESSED OUTRAGE OVER FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS AND TORT REFORM AND MANY OTHER AREAS, H.R. 3094 INCENTIVIZES A MOUNTAIN OF LITIGATION FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF STALLING WORKPLACE ELECTIONS. THIS CREATES A MASSIVE BACKLOG OF CASES, INCLUDING FRIVOLOUS ONES, ALL ON THE TAXPAYERS' DIME. REPUBLICANS DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TRIAL LAWYERS AS LONG AS THEY ARE SUING UNIONS. THIS BILL EVEN ALLOWS MANAGERS TO STUFF THE BALLOT BOXES OF EMPLOYER ELECTIONS. MR. SPEAKER, I'M SURE MANY OF US IN THIS BODY HERE ARE FOLLOWING -- OUR STATE REDISTRICTING PROCESSES TO SEE HOW VARIOUS DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE GERRYMANDERED. WHAT THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW EMPLOYERS TO DO WOULD EFFECTIVELY GERRYMANDER WHAT THE NEGOTIATING UNIT IS ACROSS THE COMPANY. IF THERE IS A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES INTERESTED IN FORMING A UNION, IT WOULD GIVE THE EMPLOYER THE ABILITY TO SAY NO. AND DECIDE ON WHAT THE ELECTORAL BODY S WHAT IS THE ELECTORATE. CHOOSING THEIR OWN ELECTORATE. AS TOO MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ATTEMPT TO DO THROUGH THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS, CHOOSING THEIR ELECTORATE TO TRY TO RIG THE ELECTION AGAINST THE WORKERS. THIS BILL IS THE LATEST ASSAULT ON WORKERS' RIGHTS AND IS AGAIN TYPICAL OF THIS DO-NOTHING CONGRESS. THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN FIXATED ON ATTACKING THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, THE BOARD THAT IS IN PLACE TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN LABOR AND EMPLOYERS BY CUTTING THE AGENCY'S FUNDING, BY HOLDING UP NEW APPOINTMENTS, AND NOW BY REVERSING A RULE ON NOTICE POSTING TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF THEIR RIGHTS. MR. SPEAKER, THE PEOPLE ARE WISE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN CONGRESS. EVERY WEEK WE ARE IN SESSION WE SEE A PARADE OF SPECIAL INTEREST BILLS PARADED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WHILE TAXES FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES, RISK GOING UP BECAUSE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS HOW TO SPEND THEIR MONEY BETTER THAN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE BIG ENERGY COMPANIES HAVE GOT NUMEROUS EXEMPTIONS FROM THE CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER ACT. THE REST OF US GOT POLLUTION ASTHMA AND OTHER ILLNESS. LOOK, IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE JOBS BY LOWERING STANDARDS? IT IS. IF YOU WANT TO REMOVE WORKPLACE SAFETY STANDARDS, YOU CAN CREATE JOBS. UNSAFE JOBS. YOU WANT TO REDUCE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $2 AN HOUR, YOU CAN CREATE JOBS, $2 AN HOUR JOBS, IS THAT THE AMERICA WE WANT? IS THAT THE AMERICA WE WANT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN? WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE MUST DO BETTER. WHY ARE WE HERE? WHEN WILL AMERICANS GET THE JOB BILL THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES? YOU GOT SOME IDEAS TO CREATE JOBS, LET'S GET THEM OUT, PUT THEM IN FRONT OF US, DISCUSS THEM, LET'S START FROM PREVENTING THE PAYROLL TAXES FROM GOING UP FOR MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS. IT'S OBVIOUS WHY THIS BODY IS AT THE APPROVAL RATING THAT'S ACTUALLY LOWER THAN COMMUNISM NOW AND LOWER THAN PRESIDENT NIXON WHEN HE RESIGNED. IT'S TIME FOR THIS CONGRESS TO GET TO WORK TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS, TO HELP GET THIS ECONOMY GOING. OR IT'S GOING TO BE TIME TO GET A NEW CONGRESS. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS RESERVED. THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

MS. FOXX

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE ARE CONSTANTLY…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF WHAT A GREAT ECONOMY WE HAD WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT. WHY DID WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT ECONOMY? BECAUSE SIX OF THE EIGHT YEARS THAT HE WAS PRESIDENT WE HAD A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS. THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION WAS A DISASTER IN THIS COUNTRY. THEN WE HAD SIX YEARS OF THE REPUBLICANS IN CONTROL. THEY BALANCED THE BUDGET. THEY REDUCED SPENDING, AND DID WE HAVE A HORRIBLE ECONOMY? DID WE HAVE HORRIBLE WORKPLACE SITUATIONS? NO. THEY WANT TO LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE THAT WITH REPUBLICANS IN CONTROL AND PASSING REPUBLICAN BILLS THAT WE'LL SOMEHOW OR OTHER DESTROY THIS COUNTRY. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. UNDER REPUBLICAN CONTROL WE HAVE GENERALLY A BOOMING ECONOMY. BUT NOT UNDER DEMOCRATS. I NOW WOULD LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. SCOTT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. SCOTT

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, DR. FOXX. I'D LIKE TO SUBMIT TO THE RECORD…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, DR. FOXX. I'D LIKE TO SUBMIT TO THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING EMAIL FROM MR. SOLOMON ACTING CHIEF COUNCIL -- COUNSEL OF THE NLRB. MR. SPEAKER, THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE NLRB IS NOT UNDER ATTACK. EMPLOYEES' FREEDOM IS UNDER ATTACK. THE WORKPLACE FAIRNESS CONCEPT IS UNDER ATTACK, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE NLRB. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE NLRB WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN IMPARTIAL REFEREE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE. THEY HAVE BEEN ANYTHING OTHER THAN IMPARTIAL. AND THEIR EMAIL TRAIL WILL SHOW THAT IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. BUT DESPITE THE FACT THAT TODAY WE HAVE TWO MILLION MORE UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS, THE NLRB CONTINUES TO CHOOSE SIDES IN THE DISPUTES AS OPPOSED TO BEING A REFEREE. THEIR LACK OF JUDGMENT AND COMMON SENSE HAS BEEN MAGNIFIED AND IT CAN BE SEEN CLEARLY IN THE EMAIL CONVERSATIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NLRB. MR. SOLOMON APPARENTLY THOUGHT THE FOLLOWING WAS FUNNY DESPITE HIS CURRENT EFFORTS WHICH THREATENS MORE THAN 1,000 JOBS IN THE GREAT STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND IN MY DISTRICT IN NORTH CHARLESTON. EMAILING A COLLEAGUE REGARDING CRITICISM FROM A MAG ARTICLE, THIS IS WHAT -- MAGAZINE ARTICLE, THIS IS WHAT HE SAID. I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS CLEARLY. I'M GOING TO SAY IT SLOWLY BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE NLRB HAS LOST THEIR MARBLES WITHOUT ANY QUESTION. HIS QUOTE, THE ARTICLE GAVE ME A NEW IDEA. YOU GO TO GENEVA AND I GET A JOB WITH AIRBUS, MR. SOLOMON SAID. WE SCREWED UP THE U.S. ECONOMY AND NOW WE CAN TACKLE EUROPE. LET ME REPEAT THAT. BECAUSE THIS IS THE CHIEF COUNSEL. AT THE NLRB. STATING VERY CLEARLY, HIS INTENTIONS AND HIS LACK OF HUMOR. THE ARTICLE GAVE ME A NEW IDEA. SAYING TO ONE OF HIS COLLEAGUES, YOU GO TO GENEVA, I'LL GET A JOB WITH AIRBUS. WE HAVE SCREWED UP THE U.S. ECONOMY AND NOW WE CAN TACKLE EUROPE. ONLY IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE IS THIS FUNNY OR MAKE ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER. IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE NLRB'S RECKLESS ACTIONS HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON MY DISTRICT. WITHOUT ANY QUESTION. BUT IT IS ALSO NO SECRET MANY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE RECOGNIZED THE DANGER OF THOSE ACTIONS. EARLIER THIS YEAR THE HOUSE PASSED MY BILL, H.R. 2587, WHICH REMOVES THE ABILITY FROM THE NLRB TO DESTROY JOBS BECAUSE SIMPLY PUT THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN UNDERMINE THE FRAGILE RECOVERY HERE IN AMERICA. UNFORTUNATELY, SENATOR REID HAS DONE WITH MY BILL WITH WHAT HE HAS DONE WITH THE OTHER 22 JOB CREATING MEASURES. NOTHING.

MISS FORKS

I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN ANOTHER MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. SCOTT

I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN ANOTHER MINUTE.

MS. FOXX

I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN ANOTHER MINUTE.

MR. SCOTT

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU, DR. FOXX. THE NEW RULE ALSO MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE…

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU, DR. FOXX. THE NEW RULE ALSO MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO CHALLENGE THE BARGAINING UNIT CHOSEN BY THE UNION. DIVIDING EMPLOYEES AND RAISING EMPLOYERS' LABOR COSTS. WE STAND HERE TODAY WITH AN OPPORTUNITY. WE CAN EITHER ALLOW THE NLRB TO CONTINUE TO CREATE BAD POLICY AND BAD RULES, OR WE CAN PUT AMERICA AND THE JOB CREATORS BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK. THE QUESTION CANNOT BE SIMPLER AND THE CHOICE HAS BEEN MADE EASY BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY OF THE NLRB TO DO WHAT THEY WERE CHOSEN TO DO, WHICH WAS TO BE THE IMPARTIAL REFEREE ON ISSUES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, AND I FIND THAT CHALLENGING. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO. MILLION POLIS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO. MILLION POLIS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S MY HONOR TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE COMMITTEE, MR. MILLER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. MILLER

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. 75 YEARS AGO THIS NATION DECIDED IT IS…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. 75 YEARS AGO THIS NATION DECIDED IT IS A MATTER OF RIGHT AND MATTER OF LAW THAT THE DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT WORKERS WANTED TO UNION BELONG TO THOSE WORKERS. AND THIS CONGRESS PASSED THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT. TO GIVE WORKERS THIS RIGHT AND AN ELECTION TO DECIDE. . EVER SINCE THAT TIME THEY BELIEVE THE COMPANIES CONTROL ALL OF THE RIGHTS IN THE WORKPLACE. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE WORKERS SHOULD TAKE AND DO WHAT THEY SAY AND THAT'S THE END OF THE DISCUSSION. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BATTLE THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT. BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WHEN UNIONS DECIDE -- WHEN WORKERS DECIDE THEY WANT AN ORGANIZATION, THEY GO OUT AND TALK TO THEIR FELLOW WORKERS, THEY FORM A UNION AND THEY HAVE AN ELECTION. BUT WHAT WE NOW SEE IS THE COMPANIES CONSTANTLY TRYING TO INSERT THEMSELVES INTO THAT WORKER CONTROLLED PROCESS BY TRYING TO DISRUPT THE ELECTIONS OF THOSE WORKERS AND TRYING TO KEEP THEM FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW. AND THIS IS THE GOAL OF THIS VERY ANTI-WORKER, ANTI-FAMILY LEGISLATION. IT WOULD END THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY. BECAUSE IT WOULD SO OBSCURE THE PROCESS THAT YOU CAN'T GET TO THE ELECTION THAT THE WORKERS ARE GUARANTEED UNDER THIS LAW. THIS IS WISCONSIN AND OHIO ALL WRAPPED UP INTO ONE. THIS IS WHERE THEY CAN'T CONTROL THE GOVERNORSHIP OR LEGISLATURE, WHERE THEY MADE THE ATTEMPT AFTER THE ELECTION TO TAKE AWAY WORKERS' RIGHTS AT WORK. WHERE THEY CAN'T DO THAT THEY NOW SEEK TO DO IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS. TO SO CHANGE THE PROCESS AND TO DISCRIMINATE THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS SO THAT IN FACT THE PROCESS CEASES TO EXIST. HOW DO THEY DO THAT? THEY DO THAT BY HAVING ENDLESS DELAYS. WHY ARE ENDLESS DELAYS IMPORTANT TO EMPLOYERS? SO THAT THEY CAN HIRE UNION BUSTING LAW FIRMS TO COME IN AND INTIM INDICATE AND TEACH EMPLOYERS HOW TO INTIMIDATE WORKERS. BECAUSE DON'T FORGET THAT THE EMPLOYER HAS THE RIGHT FROM THE MOMENT THEY'RE SERVED NOTICE TO HAVE MEETINGS IN THE WORKPLACE WHERE THEY THREATEN THE WORKERS WITH THE LOSS OF JOBS, WHERE THEY THREATEN THE WORKERS WITH BEING FIRED, OR THEY THREATEN THE WORKERS FOR SENDING WORK TO CHINA OR ELSEWHERE, OR THEY THREATEN THE WORKERS THAT THEY WON'T GET THE PROMOTION, WHERE THEY CHANGE THE WORKERS' SHIFT TIME FROM MAYBE DAY SHIFT TO GRAVEYARD SHIFT AND KEEP ROTATING THEM AROUND TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY'RE IN CONTROL AND THE WORKERS HAVE NO RIGHTS. AND IF THEY CAN DO IT FOR SEVEN DAYS, YOU HAVE A CHANCE. IF YOU CAN DO IT FOR 10 DAYS YOU MAY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE. IF YOU DO IT FOR 2,000 DAYS, YOU CAN KILL THE DRIVE FOR UNION. YOU CAN INTIMIDATE THE WORKERS. HOW ELSE DO THEY DO IT? WHEN WORKERS DECIDE AMONG THEMSELVES THAT WE WANT A UNIT WITHIN THIS COMPANY, WITHIN THIS FACTORY TO REPRESENT US. THIS LAW NOW SAYS, THIS BILL NOW SAYS THAT THE EMPLOYER CAN COME IN AND REARRANGE THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIT THAT WOULD HAVE THAT ELECTION. THEY CAN STUFF THE BALLOT BOX. THEY CAN PICK YOUR CANDIDATE TO STAND FOR ELECTION. IT DOESN'T SOUND VERY DEMOCRATIC TO ME, BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY GET TO DO UNDER THIS BILL THAT'S PROPOSED. THE WORKERS NO LONGER GET TO DECIDE AS THE LAW SAYS THEY GET TO DECIDE. THE WORKERS NO LONGER GET TO DECIDE AS THE SUPREME COURT SAYS THEY GET TO DECIDE. THE EMPLOYER GETS TO DECIDE. THE ARROGANCE OF THESE PEOPLE TO SUGGEST THAT THEY SHOULD PICK, THEY SHOULD PICK THE LEADERS OF THE WORKERS, THAT THEY SHOULD PICK THE ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKERS WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO ORGANIZE. SO THEY GET TO DELAY THE ELECTION. THEY GET TO -- THEY ENCOURAGE AND PROVIDE FOR AND DEFINE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE TO FILE FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS SO THAT THIS PROCESS NEVER ENDS. YOU CAN BANKRUPT THESE WORKERS IF THEY TRY TO RUN HEAD ON HEAD WITH BIG LAW FIRMS THAT SPECIALIZE IN THIS, THAT TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY TO TAKE AWAY THE RIGHTS AT WORK. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? THIS MEANS UNDERPINNING THE BASIC ORGANIZATION IN THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE TODAY THAT SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE CLASS. THIS IS FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT BROUGHT YOU THE GREAT AMERICAN WEEKEND. THIS IS THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT BROUGHT YOU THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY. THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT BROUGHT YOU OVERTIME PAY IF YOU WORK LONGER THAN EIGHT HOURS. THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT BROUGHT YOU SICK LEAVE. THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT BROUGHT WOMEN THEIR RIGHTS AT WORK. THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES SAFE WORKPLACES. THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDED FOR THE FIRST TIME PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR WORKERS. ANY WONDER WHY THESE CORPORATIONS, WHY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS SO SET AGAINST THIS? BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANY MORE. THEY WANT TO SHIP THE JOBS TO CHINA. THEY WANT NO MINIMUM WAGE. THEY WANT A SUBMINIMUM WAGE. THEY WANT NO RIGHTS FOR WORKERS. HOW DO THE AMERICAN FAMILIES SURVIVE THAT? THEY'VE ALREADY OFFLOADED ALL OF THE HEALTH CARE COSTS THEY POSSIBLY COULD. THEY OFFLOADED ALL OF THE PECKS COSTS THEY POSSIBLY COULD ON THE BACKS OF THESE WORKERS. NOW THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY THE RIGHTS TO ORGANIZATION. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN, NOT IN THIS -- RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW THAT HAPPEN, NOT IN THIS COUNTRY. WE SHOULD DEFEAT THIS VERY ANTI-FAMILY PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. POLIS

AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. POLIS

I YIELD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

MR. MILLER

A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE IN THE CLINTON ERA. ONCE AGAIN --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

MS. FOXX

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NOW WOULD LIKE TO YIELD A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN WHO…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NOW WOULD LIKE TO YIELD A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN WHO UNDERSTANDS THE RULES FROM TENNESSEE, DR. ROE, FOR FOUR MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

MR. ROE

THANK YOU FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS…

THANK YOU FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RULE AND THE UNDERLYING BILL. OUR COUNTRY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A JOBS CRISIS, NO QUESTION. BOTH SIDES UNDERSTAND THAT. THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS HOVERED AROUND 9% FOR THE LONGEST TIME IN MY LIFETIME AND IN TENNESSEE IT'S EVEN HIGHER, 9.8%. MILLIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING AS WE SPEAK. AMIDST OF ALL THIS UNCERTAINTY, THE HOUSE, WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, HAS PASSED 22 JOBS BILLS. RIGHT DOWN THIS HALLWAY HERE, THIS WEEK THE U.S. SENATE WORKED SO HARD THEY VOTED TWO TIMES ON TWO FEDERAL JUDGES. THAT'S ALL THE WORK THAT TOOK PLACE WITH 22 -- MANY OF THEM BIPARTISAN BILLS PASSED, MR. SPEAKER. I THINK ROOT NOW WE'VE SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY THE -- I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'VE SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY THE HOLDUP OF THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE WHICH WOULD PROVIDE US AS MUCH OIL FROM CANADA AS WE'RE GETTING FROM OPEC RIGHT NOW. 1.3 MILLION BARRELS A DAY WOULD ESSENTIALLY RELIEVE US AND HELP OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND CREATE THOUSANDS, THOUSANDS OF JOBS. SO WHY ARE WE HERE TODAY? WHAT HAPPENS CURRENTLY? MR. SPEAKER, I GREW UP IN UNION HOUSEHOLD. MY FATHER WAS A UNION WORKER AT THAT TIME, UNITED RUBBLE WORKER UNION. HE WORKED IN A FACTORY AND MADE SHOE HEELS. WE HAVE A RIGHT IN THIS COUNTRY, EMPLOYEES HAVE A RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND TO VOTE ANY WAY OR NOT. WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW? WELL, CURRENTLY IN 2010, 92% OF THE NATIONAL UNION ELECTIONS WERE HELD UNDER A VOLUNTARY ELECTION AGREEMENT. WHEN THEY HAD AN ELECTION, 92%, 8% WENT TO THE NLRB ELECTION OFFICIAL. AT WHICH TIME THEY HAD TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS TO AGREE ON THE RULES OF THE ELECTION. AND AS MR. SCOTT POINTED OUT, THE NLRB IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FAIR ASH TORE. LIKE YOU PLAY IN A BASKETBALL GAME AND YOU GO TO ONE'S HOME GYM YOU EXPECT THE REFEREES TO CARRY OUT A FAIR GAME FOR BOTH SIDES SO BOTH SIDES COULD HAVE A CHANCE TO GIVE THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY. SO IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR WHAT HAPPENED? THE NLRB ISSUED A RULE THAT WOULD SAY THAT AN EMPLOYER HAS SEVEN DAYS TO FIND AN ATTORNEY TO PRESENT THEIR SIDE OF THE CASE. AND REMEMBER IN THIS JUST THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS, THERE ARE OVER 400 PAGES OF RULES THAT YOU HAVE TO GO TO OR INFORMATION THAT THE LAWYER HAS TO GO THROUGH AND HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO GET THAT DONE AND AN EMPLOYEE WOULD HAVE 10 DAYS WHETHER THEY WANT A UNION OR NOT. AND THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT. TODAY 70 -- ALMOST 70% OF THE ELECTIONS HELD, THE UNION WINS. AND WHAT'S THE AVERAGE TIME OF AN ELECTION? 31 DAYS. SO THAT MEANS IF YOU WANTED TO VOTE ON THE FIRST OF OCTOBER OF 2011, THE AVERAGE TIME BY THE END OF THAT MONTH, 70%, ALMOST THREE OUT OF FOUR WOULD BE PICKED, YES, WE WANT A UNION. SO WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THIS? AFTER THIS 10 DAYS? THE SECOND THING THE UNION WANTS IS THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT'S REQUIRED THAT AN EMPLOYEE GIVE UP. AND WHAT WOULD THAT BE? WELL, THAT WOULD BE PERSONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING YOUR WORK SCHEDULE, YOUR HOME ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERS, ETC. RIGHT NOW WHAT WE WANT, WHAT THIS BILL SAYS IS THAT THE EMPLOYEE GETS TO DECIDE, JUST THEIR NAME AND WHAT OTHER WAY THEY WANT CONTACT. I THINK THAT'S FAIR. I THINK THAT'S RIGHT. LET THE EMPLOYEE DECIDE. MR. SPEAKER, ALSO, WHAT MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA SPOKE OF IS A BARGAINING UNIT. FOR OVER TWO DECADES THE NLRB HAS USED THE STANDARD TO DECIDE, TO DEFINE WHAT A BARGAINING UNIT IS. THIS IS A NEW DEFINITION. WE HAVE DONE THIS FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS IN THIS COUNTRY, AND WE WANT THIS TO CHANGE. I THINK RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE, AS I UNDERSTAND THE LAW IT'S AGAINST THE LAW RIGHT NOW, AS AN EMPLOYER FOR OVER THREE DECADES, TO THREATEN A WORKER. YOU CAN'T DO THAT NOW. IT'S AGAINST THE LAW. SO THIS BILL THAT WE ARE DEFINING ALLOWS 14 DAYS -- HAS MY TIME --

MS. FOXX

GENTLEMAN AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. ROE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

MR. POLIS

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK,

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. CROWLEY

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO FOR YIELDING ME TIME, MR. SPEAKER. MR.…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO FOR YIELDING ME TIME, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I PLAYED A LITTLE BASKETBALL IN MY DAY. YOU KNOW, I GREW UP ON A SCHOOLYARD AND WE CHOOSE -- WE CHOSE TEAMS. WE DIDN'T NEED REFEREES QUITE FRANKLY BECAUSE WE CHOSE TEAMS FAIRLY. YOU DON'T NEED REFEREES HERE EITHER IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK THE OTHER TEAM. YOU'RE THE A TEAM BUT YOU GET TO SAY WHO IS GOING TO PLAY. YOU DON'T NEED REFEREES BALLGAMES YOU KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE -- BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE. NOW, I HAVE HEARD THAT THE JOB LOSSES IN THIS COUNTRY ARE BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE HEALTH CARE BILL. AND I HEARD THAT THE JOB LOSS IN THIS COUNTRY IS BECAUSE OF SPEAKER PELOSI AND HARRY REID AND ALL THE BAD LEGISLATION. AND I'VE HEARD IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. AND I'VE HEARD IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. AND I'VE HEARD IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF NLRB. OOPS. I'M SORRY. I FORGOT. YOU GOT ME. THE NLRB. WELL, MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO SAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS LEGISLATION. MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE A COMMON REFRAIN THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT, WORK BETTER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND MOVE OBSTACLES TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF . BUT THIS BILL WILL DO EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE. IN FACT, REPEALING THE NLRB'S PROPOSED RULE WILL ACTUALLY MAKE THEM LESS EFFICIENT, MORE BURDENSOME AND INTRODUCE COSTLY DELAYS TO A PROCESS THAT IS ALREADY GOT ABUSE. SO I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW WHY DID THE G.O.P. PRIORITIZE THIS BILL AND BRING IT TO THE FLOOR FOR DEBATE. THE ANSWER IS PRETTY CLEAR. IT'S A THINLY VEILED EFFORT TO MAKE IT ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE FOR AMERICAN WORKERS TO ORGANIZE IN LABOR UNIONS. THAT'S IT. IT'S AN EFFORT TO PLACE IDEOLOGY OVER PRACTICALITY, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO --

MR. POLIS

I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN ONE MINUTE.

MR. CROWLEY

TO DO WITH JOB CREATION. OVER 300 DAYS HERE ON THE FLOOR AND YET NOT A…

TO DO WITH JOB CREATION. OVER 300 DAYS HERE ON THE FLOOR AND YET NOT A SINGLE JOBS BILL HAS BEEN OFFERED BY MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO PUT AMERICANS BACK TO WORK. AND INSTEAD, ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE PUT ON THE FLOOR A BILL TO HURT THE AMERICAN WORKER, THE AMERICAN FAMILY. HAVE YOU NO SHAME? IS THERE NO END TO THIS? IS THERE ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS WE CAN GET RID OF IN THESE FEW REMAINING DAYS OF THIS SESSION? PUT AMERICANS BACK TO WORK. STOP BEATING UP ON THE FAIR PLAYERS ON THIS PLAYING FIELD. PUT AMERICANS BACK TO WORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

MS. FOXX

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUE FROM NEW YORK AS WELL AS…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUE FROM NEW YORK AS WELL AS ALL OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE PASSED OVER 20 BILLS THIS SESSION THAT WOULD CREATE JOBS AND BILLS THAT WOULD BRING DOWN THE COST OF GASOLINE. THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS THAT MY CONSTITUENTS ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT, AND IF OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE ARE TALKING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS OR MORE IMPORTANTLY LISTENING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS, THEY WOULD KNOW THAT'S WHAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALSO. HOWEVER, THOSE BILLS ARE TIED UP IN THE DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED SENATE. I NOW WOULD LIKE TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WHO DID SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB ON C-SPAN THIS MORNING, MR. GOWDY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. GOWDY

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE AND SO MANY OTHER ISSUES ON THE EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE COMMITTEE. MR. SPEAKER, WHEN SO MANY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS ARE HURTING, WHEN SO MANY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS ARE LOOKING FOR WORK, WHEN SO MANY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS ARE STRIVING TO MEET THEIR FAMILIAL AND SO SITAL OBLIGATIONS -- SOCIETAL OBLIGATIONS AND ALL THEY WANT IS A JOB AND AS MY FRIEND, TIM SCOTT, MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FROM CHARLESTON, SO ELOQUENTLY PUT THIS MORNING, THE NLRB THINKS IT'S A JOKE, MR. SPEAKER, A JOKE. THEY'RE MAKING JOKES ABOUT IT. . AIRBUS IS NOT ANOTHER PLANE MANUFACTURER, THEY ARE THE DIRECT COMPETITOR TO BOEING. VIRTUALLY EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MOST GLARING EXAMPLE OF NLRB OVERREACH WHICH IS THE COMPLAINT THEY FILED AGAINST BOEING. AND NOT A SINGLE EXAMPLE OF JOB LOSS HAS BEEN CITED. NOT A SINGLE WORKER HAS LOST A SINGLE BENEFIT IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. NEVERTHELESS, THE NLRB SUED BOEING AND THEY SEEK TO HAVE BOEING MOTHBALL THE FACILITY IN NORTH CHARLESTON AND DISPLACE 1,000 WORKERS AND RETURN THE WORK TO A UNION STATE. THAT IS EXHIBIT ANNLRB'S ACK -- IN NLRB'S ACTIVIST. AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR, THEY HAVE BECOME A SYCOPHANT OF BIG LABOR. WHILE KNOWING IS EXHIBIT A, IT IS BY NO MEANS, MR. SPEAKER, THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF AN ACTIVIST POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AGENDA. CURRENTLY UNION ELECTIONS, MR. SPEAKER, TAKE PLACE ON AVERAGE WITHIN 31 DAYS. OF THE FILING OF AN ELECTION PETITION. ADDITIONALLY, UNIONS ARE VICTORIOUS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. BUT UNIONS WANT MORE. SO THEY PERSUADED THE NLRB TO PROPOSE SWEEPING CHANGES TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ELECTION PROCESS, SHIFTING THE BALANCE OF POWER EVEN FURTHER TOWARDS THOSE EMPLOYEES SEEKING UNIONIZATION. BY PROMOTING RUSH ELECTIONS AND RULING THAT ELECTIONS CAN TAKE PLACE IN AS LITTLE AS 10 DAYS, MR. SPEAKER, THE NLRB SEVERELY LIMITS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS TO HEAR ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUE AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. ADDITIONALLY, EMPLOYERS WOULD ONLY HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO RETAIN LEGAL COUNSEL AND DECIPHER THE COMPLEX LAB BRINT OF FEDERAL LABOR LAW BEFORE PRESENTING THEIR CASE BEFORE AN NLRB HEARING OFFICER. EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN KLEINE SMARTLY INTRODUCED H.R. 3094, THE WORK FORCE DEMOCRACY AND FAIRNESS ACT TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES NO UNION ELECTION OCCUR IN LESS THAN 35 DAYS, THUS GRANTING ALL PARTIES THE ABILITY TO PRESENT THEIR ARGUMENTS AND ENSURING WORKERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO REACH AN INFORMED DECISION. NR 3094 ACKNOWLEDGES THAT FULL AND COMPLETE INFORMATION IS TREASURED WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE CONTEMPLATING HOW THEY WILL VOTE. IRONICALLY, MR. SPEAKER, SOME UNIONS HAVE ALREADY ENDORSED PRESIDENT OBAMA'S RE-ELECTION BID. WHICH IS WELL-NIGH A YEAR OFF. CLEARLY THEY BELIEVE THEY NEED THE TIME, THE 12 MONTHS, TO INFORM THEIR MEMBERS. BUT SOMEHOW A WEEK IS ENOUGH FOR EMPLOYERS TO INFORM THEIR EMPLOYEES OF ALL SALIENT FACTS. BEFORE AN ELECTION. THE HYPOCRISY AND BLIND ADVOCACY TOWARDS BIG LABOR HAS TO STOP, MR. SPEAKER. THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS TO ENFORCE THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT. AND THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT IS TO BALANCE THE RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE ACT IS NOT CALCULATED TO DRIVE UP UNION MEMBERSHIP. BECAUSE THEY HAPPEN TO BE A LOYAL CONSTITUENCY OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. BECAUSE THE NLRB THROUGH ITS FILING A PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS HAS LOST ALL PRETENSE OF OBJECTIVITY, MR. SPEAKER, AND LABOR ISSUES, FAIR EVENHANDED PIECES OF LEGISLATION LIKE CHAIRMAN KLINE'S WORK FORCE AND ADVOCACY ARE NECESSARY. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO HELP US PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS, TO STAND UP FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE, TO PROMOTE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE RULE AND SUPPORT THE UNDERLYING BILL. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

MR. POLIS

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. ANDREWS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. ANDREWS

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

MR. ANDREWS

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, WHEN THE SUN ROSE OVER THE COUNTRY THIS MORNING A…

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, WHEN THE SUN ROSE OVER THE COUNTRY THIS MORNING A LOT OF AMERICANS GOT OUT OF BED TO GO TO A JOB THAT DOESN'T PAY THEM ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY. THEY ARE WORKING PART-TIME TO PAY FULL-TIME BILLS. A LOT OF OTHER AMERICANS WHO HAVE GOOD JOBS, GOOD FULL-TIME JOBS, WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND WORRIED IF THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE DAY THEY GOT THEIR PINK SLITCH AND GOT THEIR LAYOFF NOTICE. AND FAR TOO MANY AMERICANS, AT LEAST 15 MILLION OF THEM, GOT UP THIS MORNING AND DIDN'T HAVE A JOB TO GO TO. 90% OF THE PEOPLE SURVEYED, IN A RECENT SURVEY IN THIS COUNTRY, SAID THE AMERICAN DREAM IS EITHER DEAD OR ON LIFE SUPPORT. BECAUSE THE DEAL IN THE COUNTRY HAS ALWAYS BEEN IF YOU WORK AS HARD AS YOU CAN AND DO YOUR FAIR SHARE, THEN THE COUNTRY WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE YOUR FAMILY FORWARD. PEOPLE DON'T BUY THAT ANYMORE. THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT ANYMORE. AND SO WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT HERE THIS MORNING? WE ARE HAVING A DEBATE ABOUT A BILL THAT CHANGES THE RULES FOR THE WAY PEOPLE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE A UNION IN THEIR WORKPLACE. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION. IT'S A WORTHY CONSIDERATION. I THINK THE BILL'S A VERY BAD ONE. BUT IT'S A CREDIBLE DEBATE TO HAVE. BUT IT'S THE WRONG DEBATE TO HAVE. MEMBERS OF OUR CAUCUS HAVE GONE OUT OVER THE LAST MONTH AND SPOKEN TO THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSPEOPLE, THE REAL JOB CREATORS IN THIS COUNTRY, WHO CREATE TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE JOBS CREATED IN AMERICA, AND HERE'S WHAT THEY HAVE SAID. WE ARE NOT HIRING PEOPLE LARGELY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CUSTOMERS AND IF WE THINK WE DO HAVE ENOUGH CUSTOMERS, WE CAN'T GET LOANS FROM BANKS THAT WE BAILED OUT WITH OUR TAX MONEY. THAT'S WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE DISCUSSING HERE TODAY. THE OTHER SIDE WILL SAY NO, NO, THESE SMALL BUSINESSPEOPLE AREN'T HIRING BECAUSE OF THEIR DEATHLY FEAR OF REGULATIONS. WELL, HERE'S WHAT THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SAYS. WHEN THEY INTERVIEWED EMPLOYERS WHO LAID PEOPLE OFF IN 2010 AND SAID WHY DID YOU LAY PEOPLE OFF? ABOUT 40% OF THOSE EMPLOYERS SAID, WE LAID PEOPLE OFF BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CUSTOMERS. .2 SAID THEY LAID PEOPLE OFF BECAUSE OF REGULATIONS. THAT'S WHAT THE FACTS ARE. HOW YOU GET MORE CUSTOMERS FOR BUSINESSS? ONE IDEA WOULD BE TO PUT CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BACK TO WORK BUILDING SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES AND ROADS AND BRIDGES. SO THEY WOULD BE IN THE RESTAURANTS AND BUY IN THE STORES. THERE IS A BILL PENDING BEFORE THE HOUSE TO DO THAT. THE PRESIDENT'S JOBS BILL, BUT WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THAT TODAY. WE HAVE SOMETHING BETTER TO DO. ANOTHER WAY WOULD BE TO AVOID A MASSIVE TAX INCREASE ON THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY. I WOULD ASK FOR AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE. I THANK THE SPEAKER, I THANK MY FRIEND. IF WE DON'T ACT BY JANUARY 1, THERE WILL BE A $1,500 TAX INCREASE ON EVERY MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY IN THIS COUNTRY. THE PRESIDENT SAYS WE SHOULD BE POSTPONE THAT TAX INCREASE SO PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND, BUT WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THAT BILL TODAY. WE HAVE SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT TO DO. HOW ABOUT THE IDEA OF A TAX CUT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HIRE PEOPLE? THAT'S IN THE PRESIDENT'S JOBS BILL. BUT WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THAT TODAY BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT TO DO. HOW ABOUT SAYING TO TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF FROM THE CLASSROOM, FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS NOT ON THE JOB BECAUSE OF CUTBACKS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOW ABOUT SAVE -- SAVING THEIR JOBS SO THEY CAN SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND SPEND MORE OF THE STORES AND RESTAURANTS AND ON PRODUCTS IN THIS COUNTRY? THAT'S IN THE PRESIDENT'S JOBS BILL. BUT WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT TO DO. THERE'S A REASON WHY 90% OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THINK THAT CONGRESS IS NOT DOING A GOOD JOB. IT'S BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS CONGRESS, THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP OF THIS CONGRESS, IS VOTING ON THE WRONG BILL AT THE WRONG TIME AND TODAY'S ANOTHER SAD CHAPTER IN THAT REALITY. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

MS. FOXX

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WE'LL RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME IS RESERVED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

MR. POLIS

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MR. LYNCH.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. LYNCH

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, I…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS RULE AND TO THE UNDERLYING BILL, H.R. 3094, THE SO-CALLED WORK FORCE DEMOCRACY AND FAIRNESS ACT. SINCE THE START OF THE 112TH CONGRESS THERE'S BEEN A CERTAIN FACTION GUIDING THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY UNDERTAKING WHAT AMOUNTS TO A FULL SCALE ATTACK ON AMERICA'S WORKING FAMILIES AND AMERICA'S WORKING CLASS. AND AGAINST THE BEDROCK PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE HELPED CREATE AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS. THIS LATEST EFFORT IS MORE OF THE SAME, THE SO-CALLED WORK FORCE DEMOCRACY AND FAIRNESS ACT IS ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WEAKENS THE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS THAT WORKERS HAVE LONG AND HARD FOUGHT TO OBTAIN. SECTION 9-B OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT GIVES EMPLOYEES THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE, QUOTE, IN AN APPROPRIATE UNIT, GIVING THEM CHOICE ON HOW BEST TO BARGAIN WITH THEIR EMPLOYER. THAT'S ALL THIS IS ABOUT. WHEN AN EMPLOYER GROUP, EMPLOYEE GROUP ORGANIZES, ALL IT REQUIRES IS THEY SIT DOWN ACROSS THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND BARGAIN, AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS. WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS ESTABLISH A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH TO ORGANIZING. FORCING TOGETHER EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE VERY LITTLE IN COMMON. AND MAKING IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO ORGANIZE. THAT'S GERRYMANDERING, BASICALLY, TO PROTECT EMPLOYER INTERESTS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THIS BILL DOESN'T STOP AT CHANGING EXISTING RULES, HOWEVER. THIS BILL WOULD OVERTURN PROPOSED RULES THAT HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN FINALIZED BY THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. THE NLRB HAS PROPOSED PRACTICAL RULES, MODERNIZING AND STREAMLINING THE UNION ELECTION PROCESS. THE PROPOSED RULES ARE GENUINE IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE EXISTING PROCEDURES AND DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DISCOURAGE UNNECESSARY LITIGATION TO SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. I WAS AN IRONWORKER FOR 18 YEARS, UNION IRONWORKER. VERY PROUD OF THAT FACT. I WAS A UNION PRESIDENT. I ALSO WAS INVOLVED IN IN VERY MANY UNION ORGANIZING DRIVES NOT ONLY FOR MY UNION BUT CARPENTERS AND STAGEHANDS, WARDROBE WORKERS, AND THE NLRA, THE ACT IS SET UP TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF UNREST. OF WORK FORCE DISPUTES. IT'S REALLY TO HELP BUSINESS AND WORKERS. AND TO REDUCE THAT ECONOMIC CONFLICT. THIS BILL WILL HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT. THIS BILL WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF LABOR DISPUTES. AND WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY A GREAT DISPARATE BETWEEN THE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS. THIS IS GOING TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE. INSTEAD OF PUTTING PEOPLE TO WORK, THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE STRIFE AND REDUCE THE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF AMERICA'S WORKERS. THIS IS SHAMEFUL. WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT STRENGTHENING -- ALL THESE UNION WORKERS, THIS IS THE MIDDLE CLASS IN AMERICA. YOU ARE DESTROYING THE MIDDLE CLASS IN AMERICA. YOU ARE INCREASING THAT DISPARATE BETWEEN THE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS. WE GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THIS. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE IT. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

MS. FOXX

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WILL CONTINUE TO RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME IS RESERVED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

MR. POLIS

INQUIRE IF THE GENTLELADY HAS ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS.

MS. FOXX

WE DO NOT. I'M PREPARED TO CLOSE IF THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS…

WE DO NOT. I'M PREPARED TO CLOSE IF THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS PREPARED.

MR. POLIS

MYSELF THE BALANCE OF THE TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. POLIS

MR. SPEAKER, THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T NEED A HIGHER…

MR. SPEAKER, THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T NEED A HIGHER PAYROLL TAX, MORE DIRTY AIR, DIRTY WATER, FEWER WORKERS' RIGHTS. AND THEY CERTAINLY DON'T NEED MORE PARTISAN GRIDLOCK IN THIS DO-NOTHING CONGRESS. YET THAT IS WHAT IS BEING OFFERED HERE TODAY. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY NEED JOBS, NEED OPTIMISM. OUR NATION NEEDS TO KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS AND ACCESS TO HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY. TO WORK TO ENSURE THAT KIDS GET THE BEST EDUCATION IN THE WORLD SO WE CAN DRIVE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF TODAY AND TOMORROW, INVENT NEW TECHNOLOGY,PROPEL FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICAN INGENUITY AND LEADERSHIP. THIS KIND OF POLITICAL GRIDLOCK IN THIS DO-NOTHING CONGRESS DO NOT HELP AMERICA MOVE FORWARD. THIS BILL'S SINGULAR GOAL IS TO DELAY AND ULTIMATELY PREVENT WORKERS FROM VOTING IN WORKPLACE ELECTIONS. THESE RIGHTS HAVE HELPED TO CREATE THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THE LAST CENTURY. IN RECENT DECADES THE EROSION OF THESE RIGHTS HAVE LOWERED PAYCHECKS FOR FAMILIES, LED TO JOBS OUTSOURCING OVERSEAS, AND WIDE INCOME DISPARITIES IN OUR SOCIETY. . OUR ENVIRONMENTAL WORKPLACE LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES IS THE REASON OUR ECONOMY IS BAD? OF COURSE NOT. LET'S TALK ABOUT PREVENTING A LOOMING INCREASE ON TAXES IN THE MIDDLE CLASS. I ENCOURAGE THE SUPERCOMMITTEE AND IF IT NEED BE STAND-ALONE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE WE CAN KEEP PAYROLL TAXES AT THEIR CURRENT LEVEL. IT'S TIME FOR CONGRESS TO TAKE UP THE PRESIDENT'S JOBS ACT WHICH INCLUDES EXTENDING THE MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUT. THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT, WHICH REPUBLICANS STILL CAN REFUSE TO CONSIDER, INCLUDES JOB-CREATING PROPOSALS, INCLUDING REBUILDING OUR SCHOOLS, TAX BREAKS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO CREATE JOBS AND MODERNIZING OUR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM. IT'S TIME FOR THIS CONGRESS TO STAND UP FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, TO OFFER SOLUTIONS, TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK INSTEAD OF JUST SCORING POLITICAL POINTS THAT APPEAL TO THE BASE. I URGE A NO VOTE ON THIS RULE AND THE UNDERLYING BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

MS. FOXX

MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I NEGLECTED TO SAY…

MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I NEGLECTED TO SAY EARLIER IN RESPONSE TO MY COLLEAGUE WHO SAID WE HADN'T PASSED ANY HOUSE BILLS THAT THOSE WERE BIPARTISAN BILLS THAT PASSED. EVERY ONE OF THE JOBS BILLS THAT WE PASSED HAS RECEIVED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT US TO BE BIPARTISAN, AND I HOPE THEY HAVE NOTICED IN THE DEBATE TODAY THAT THE BADMOUTH OF THIS BILL HAS NOT COME FROM THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE. WE NEED TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT RED TAPE AS A WAY TO HELP JOB CREATION. WE ARE TRYING TO REINSTATE THE TRADITIONAL STANDARDS FOR UNION ORGANIZING ELECTIONS AND ENSURING THAT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYER VOICES ARE HEARD. THEREFORE, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR THIS RULE AND THE UNDERLYING BILL. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND I MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION ON THE RESOLUTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. THE QUESTION IS ON…

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE AYES HAVE IT.

MR. POLIS

I ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS.

THE CLERK

THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, PURSUANT TO THE…

THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, PURSUANT TO THE PERMISSION GRANTED IN TWAFE OF RULE 2 OF THE RULES OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- 2-H OF RULE 2 OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE CLERK RECEIVED THE MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE AT 8:52 A.M., THAT THE SENATE PASSED WITH AMENDMENT, H.R. 2056, THAT THE SENATE PASSED WITH AN AMENDMENT, H.R. 1059 AND H.R. 3321, THAT THE SENATE PASSED SENATE 99. WITH BEST WISHES I AM, SIGNED SINCERELY, KAREN L. HAAS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. SMITH

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO TAKE FROM THE SPEAKER'S TABLE THE BILL H.R. 394…

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO TAKE FROM THE SPEAKER'S TABLE THE BILL H.R. 394 WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS THERETO THAT THE HOUSE CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 AND CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT NUMBER 2 WITH THE AMENDMENT I HAVE PLACED AT THE DESK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE BY TITLE THE BILL, SENATE AMENDMENTS AND THE…

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE BY TITLE THE BILL, SENATE AMENDMENTS AND THE PROPOSED HOUSE AMENDMENT.

THE CLERK

ACT TO AMEND TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE, TO CLARIFY THE JURISDICTION --

MR. SMITH

WITHOUT OBJECTION, I ASK THAT THE READING BE DISPENSED WITH.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE READING IS DISPENSED WITH. IS THERE OBJECTION TO…

WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE READING IS DISPENSED WITH. IS THERE OBJECTION TO THE ORIGINAL REQUEST OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE REQUEST IS AGREED TO AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. SMITH

IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.

THE CLERK

1637, AN ACT TO CLARIFY APPEAL TIME LIMITS AND CIVIL ACTIONS TO WHICH…

1637, AN ACT TO CLARIFY APPEAL TIME LIMITS AND CIVIL ACTIONS TO WHICH UNITED STATES OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES ARE PARTIES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

IS THERE OBJECTION TO CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE…

IS THERE OBJECTION TO CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE BILL IS READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. PURSUANT TO SECTION 2 OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 466, THE QUESTION IS TO PASS HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2 BY THE CLERK WILL REPORT BY TITLE.

THE CLERK

JOINT RESOLUTION 2, PROPOSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE…

JOINT RESOLUTION 2, PROPOSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WHEN PROCEEDINGS WERE POSTPONED ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011, TWO HOURS,…

WHEN PROCEEDINGS WERE POSTPONED ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011, TWO HOURS, 42 1/2 MINUTES OF DEBATE REMAINED ON THE MOTION. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE, HAS ONE HOUR AND 27 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. CONYERS, HAS ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES REMAINING. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. SMITH, WILL CONTROL THE TIME OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE. WHO YIELDS TIME? THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE…

SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS ON HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2, AS AMENDED, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

MR. SMITH

YIELD MYSELF TWO MINUTES.

MR. SMITH

MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY WE BEGAN DEBATE ON THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.…

MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY WE BEGAN DEBATE ON THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. DEBATE THAT I HOPED CULMINATES TODAY WITH A BIPARTISAN TWIRTS VOTE IN ITS FAVOR. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF ALL POLITICAL STRIPES AND FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE DEMAND WE PASS THIS AMENDMENT. RECENTLY POLLING BY CNN INDICATES THAT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE A BALANCED FEDERAL BUDGET GASHERS MORE THAN 70% SUPPORT AMONG MEN -- GASHERS MORE THAN 70% OF AMONG MEN, WOMEN, WHITES, EVERY RACE, EVERY INCOME LEVEL FROM EVERY PART OF THE COUNTRY. WHY DO AMERICANS SUPPORT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT? BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT UNENDING FEDERAL DEFICITS RECOGNIZE OUR ECONOMY AND STEAL PROSPERITY FROM FUTURE GENERATIONS. PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS SET THE WRONG KIND OF NEW RECORD. THE NATIONAL DEBT HAS INCREASED FASTER UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION THAN UNDER ANY OTHER PRESIDENT IN HISTORY. THIS RUNAWAY GOVERNMENT SPENDING PARALYZES THE JOB MARKET, ERODES CONFIDENCE AMONG AMERICA'S EMPLOYERS AND HAS CAUSED THE WORST ECONOMIC RECOVERY SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION. THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS NOT AN UNTESTED IDEA. 49 STATES HAS SOME FORM OF A BALANCED BUDGET REQUIREMENT. WE ARE OVERDUE TO ADOPT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. WE MUST STOP THE FLOOD OF DEFICIT SPENDING THAT THREATENS TO DROWN FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS IN A SEA OF DEBT. I'LL RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS RESERVED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.

MR. CONYERS

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MAY I BE GRANTED AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. CONYERS

YOU. AND I WELCOME THE CONTINUATION OF THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT AN INCREDIBLY…

YOU. AND I WELCOME THE CONTINUATION OF THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PROPOSAL. WE GATHER HERE TODAY TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE ONE MORE AMENDMENT TO THE 27 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT HAVE BEEN FORMED OVER -- SINCE THE LAST PART OF THE 18TH CENTURY WHEN OUR COUNTRY WAS FORMED. AND I WAS REVIEWING SOMETHING THAT A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF OUR COMMITTEE SAID IN THE 104TH CONGRESS, AND I REFER TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, HENRY HYDE, WHO SAID THAT IN EFFECT THAT HE REALIZED THAT THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS WHEN HE WAS THERE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WITHOUT USING RETIREE FUND IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. AND I'M -- I THINK I AM BEING ASSURED IN THIS DEBATE THAT THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN IN THE PRESENT TIME. AND HERE'S WHAT HENRY HYDE SAID, AND I QUOTE -- HE SAID, IF YOU EXCLUDE RECEIPTS FROM THE REVENUE THAT IS RECEIVED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM FROM COMPUTING THE TOTAL REVENUES OF THE GOVERNMENT, IF YOU TAKE IT OUT OF THE EQUATION, THEN THE CUTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO REACH A BALANCED BUDGET BECOME DRACONIAN. THEY BECOME 22% TO 30%, AND YOU KNOW WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT CUT PROGRAMS THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE BY 22% TO 30%. YOU HAVE TO COMPUTE SOCIAL SECURITY RECEIPTS AND DETERMINING THE INCOME OF THIS GOVERNMENT SO THAT THE CUTS YOU MAKE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET ARE LIVABLE AND NOT IMPOSSIBLE. HENRY HYDE WAS RIGHT THEN AND HIS STATEMENT IS CORRECT NOW. UNDER THE PROPOSAL THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TODAY, OUR NATION'S SAVINGS, THE MONEY TAKEN OUT OF EVERY AMERICA'S PAYCHECK COULD BE LOOTED IN EFFECT TO PAY FOR OTHER THINGS AND TO BALANCE THE BUDGET AND IT WOULD TAKE THE TRUST OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. THE RYAN BUDGET WOULD CUT SOCIAL SECURITY'S SERVICE DELIVERY BELOW CURRENT MAINTENANCE LEVELS BY MORE THAN $10 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS, INCLUDING A $400 MILLION CUT IN 2012. THIS SORT OF DRASTIC CUTTING WILL PROVE DEVASTATING TO SENIORS AS MORE AGING BOOMERS RETIRE TO RELY ON FIELD OFFICERS' BENEFIT CLAIMS, PROCESSING, DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS AND HEARING DECISIONS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. SO I APPEAL TO THE KINDER NATURE OF MY FRIENDS IN THE HOUSE. PLEASE -- PLEASE RECOGNIZE THAT HENRY HYDE WAS CORRECT THEN AND HE IS CORRECT NOW. WE CANNOT ACHIEVE WHAT THIS AMENDMENT PROPOSES TO DO WITHOUT GOING INTO SOCIAL SECURITY RECEIPTS, AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE OBJECTIONABLE AND UNWISE ON THE PART OF ALL OF US HERE AND BE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY. AND I WOULD RESERVE MY TIME, MR. SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE TIME IS RESERVED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. GIBBS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. GIBBS

A MEMBER OF THE BALANCED BUDGET CAUCUS I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE…

A MEMBER OF THE BALANCED BUDGET CAUCUS I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WE ARE TAKING UP ON THE FLOOR TODAY. I HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TAKE THIS UP, BUT NOW IS EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD BE TAKING UP. IN 1995 A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT PASSED THE HOUSE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ONLY TO LOSE BY ONE VOTE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. THEN, THE NATIONAL DEBT WAS $4.8 TRILLION. THIS WEEK THE NATIONAL DEBT HIT $15 TRILLION. WE HAVE ADDED $10 TRILLION TO OUR DEBT IN 16 YEARS. THAT IS $10 TRILLION IN DEBT THAT THREATENS OUR JOB GROWTH, OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND OUR NATION'S CHILDREN, AND THAT'S $10 TRILLION IN DEBT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT PASSED. WE SIMPLY MUST STOP SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE. AND IF WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR ECONOMY A CHANCE TO GROW AND CREATE JOBS. PASS ATTEMPTS LIKE GRAHAM RUDMAN HOLLINGS, PAY AS -- GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS, PAY-AS-YOU-GO, WE MUST HOLD CONGRESS TO THE FIRE AND PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TODAY. THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

MR. CONYERS

I'D LIKE UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ASK THAT JERRY NADLER OF NEW YORK BECOME THE…

I'D LIKE UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ASK THAT JERRY NADLER OF NEW YORK BECOME THE MANAGER OF THIS AMENDMENT FROM THIS POINT ON. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.

MR. NADLER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS AMENDMENT, WHILE SUPERFICIALLY APPEALING, IS…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS AMENDMENT, WHILE SUPERFICIALLY APPEALING, IS ONE OF THE MOST DAMAGING THINGS WE COULD DO TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. AND YES, IT IS TRUE IF YOU ASK PEOPLE TODAY IF YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET, THEY SAY YES. IF WE ASK THEM, DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAVE AN AMENDMENT REQUIRING A BALANCED BUDGET IN THE CONSTITUTION IF IT MEANT A CUT IN SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY SAY NO. IF IT MEANT A CUT IN MEDICARE, THEY SAY NO. IF IT MEANT IN CUTTING OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES, THEY SAY NO. AND WHEN YOU PROBE FURTHER YOU FIND IT'S A VERY DAMAGING PROVISION. . ECONOMISTS TELL US THAT IN A RECESSION YOU WANT TO INCREASE THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING TEMPORARILY. YOU HAVE TO INCREASE IT BECAUSE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PAYOUTS GO UP, FOOD STAMP PAYOUTS GO UP, AND IF YOU DECREASE THE SPENDING IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCTS THAT PEOPLE WANT IN SOCIETY AND POSITION THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND MAKE THE RECESSION INTO A DREGS. IN GOOD TIME IN A RECESSION YOU SHOULD RUN A DEFICIT. IN A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THE BUDGET SHOULD BE BOUND. BUT IF YOU ATTEMPT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET DURING A RECESSION, YOU GENERATE A MUCH WORSE LOSS OF JOBS. AND THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T WANT THIS. OR YOU SHOULDN'T WANT THIS. SECONDLY, AMENDMENT -- THIS AMENDMENT IS NOT SELF-ENFORCING. ALL IT SAYS IS, OUTRAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED -- OUTLAYS SHOULD NOT EXCEED RECEIPTS AND CONGRESS SHOULD PASS LEGISLATION. IF SOMEONE THINKS THAT THE ESTIMATES ARE WRONG AND OUTLAYS ARE GOING TO EXCEED RECEIPTS, THEN YOU GO TO COURT. AND THEN A COURT HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER THAT'S CORRECT. A COURT HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER THE ESTIMATES ARE CORRECT. AND IF THE COURT DECIDES THE ESTIMATES ARE NOT CORRECT, THEN THE COURT HAS TO SAY, ALL RIGHT, IT HAS A CHOICE, IT CAN SAY THIS IS POLITICAL, WE'LL EXERCISE JUDICIAL RESTRAINT AS THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA SAID YESTERDAY, IN WHICH CASE IT WON'T ENFORCE THE AMENDMENT AND THE AMOUNT IS MEANINGLESS. OR THE COURT WILL SAY, OK, WE'LL ORDER A TAX INCREASE OR ORDER AN EXPENDITURE CUT, IN WHICH CASE YOU HAVE THOSE JUDGES MAKING POLITICAL DECISIONS WHICH I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO SEE. THIRDLY, A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT STARTING WHERE WE ARE NOW WITH A HUGE DEAF THAT'S BEEN ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS, MEANS YOU HAVE TO MAKE DRASTIC CUTS IN SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND VETERANS' BENEFITS. SOME PEOPLE SAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THAT WON'T BE TRUE BECAUSE THEY DON'T COUNT. BUT, YES, THEY COUNT. THE AMOUNT SAYS OUTLAYS. OUTLAYS ARE DEFINED AS ALL EXPENDITURES OTHER THAN DEBTS. SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT A DEBT. THE COURTS HAVE HELD THAT. MEDICARE IS NOT A DEBT. THERE IS NO CONTRACTUAL RIGHT. WHICH MEANS IF YOU ARE GOING TO REDUCE OUTLAYS, SOCIAL SECURITY IS RIGHT IN IT. IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REDUCE SOCIAL SECURITY, YOU HAVE TO REDUCE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS BY MUCH MORE. SO THIS IS A DAGGER POINTED AT THE HEART OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND VETERANS' BENEFITS. NOW, WE ARE TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET OUR BUDGET INTO BALANCE IS BY THIS AMENDMENT. WELL, THE FACT IS THAT'S NOT TRUE. THE REASON WE HAVE THE PROBLEM WE HAVE NOW IS BECAUSE OF YEARS OF RECKLESS REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS. AND ADMINISTRATIONS. WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON TOOK OFFICE, WE HAD A HUGE BUDGET DEFICIT, $00 BILLION A YEAR. THE -- $300 BILLION A YEAR. THE FORECAST WAS $00 BILLION AND $500 BILLION BY THE MID NIGHTS. CONGRESS MADE DECISIONS TO TURN THAT AROUND FOLLOWED BY THE PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS. IN 1993 AND SMALLER ONE IN 1997. THAT ONE THE REPUBLICANS HELPED WITH WITH SPEAKER GINGRICH. AS A RESULT OF THOSE DECISIONS, BY THE TIME PRESIDENT CLINTON LEFT OFFICE AND PRESIDENT BUSH ASSUMED OFFICE, WE HAD A HUGE SURPLUS. THE QUESTION WAS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WHEN WE PAY OFF THE ENTIRE NATIONAL DEBT BY 2012? THAT'S WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT CHANGED THAT? TWO HUGE TAX CUTS FOR RICH PEOPLE. PUSHED THROUGH BY THE REPUBLICANS' PRESIDENT BUSH. WE SAID AT THE TIME THAT WOULD GENERATE TREMENDOUS DEFICITS. IN FACT, THE REASON THEY WERE SET TO EXPIRE IN 2010 WAS BECAUSE THE C.B.O. SAID THAT AFTER 2010 THEY WOULD GENERATE TREMENDOUS ONGOING HUGE DEFICITS, WHICH THEY ARE DOING. SECONDLY, WE HAD TWO UNFUNDED WARS. THE FIRST TIME IN AMERICAN HIS TREY WE DIDN'T RAISE TAXES TO PAY FOR WARS. THIRDLY, WE DOUBLED THE PENTAGON BUDGET, NOT INCLUDING THE WARS. AND FOURTH, WE HAD A RECESSION STARTING IN 2008 DURING THE END OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. SOME PEOPLE SAY IT'S THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. THE UNFETTERED SPENDING OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. NONSENSE. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BEING SPENT ON NONDEFENSE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING, THAT IS ALL SPENDING OTHER THAN DEFENSE, VETERANS BENEFITS, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND INTEREST ON THE DEBT IS THE SAME TODAY, THE SAME, NOT A PENNY MORE, ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION AND POPULATION GROWTH, THAN IT WAS IN 2001. IN 2001 WE HAD A HUGE SURPLUS. WHERE DID THE SURPLUS CHANGE TO A DEFICIT? WARS AND TAX CUTS. AND INCREASED PENTAGON SPENDING. NOW, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? SO THE PROBLEM IS NOT SPENDING ALONE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE ARE NOT TAXING THE RICH AND THE CORPORATIONS ENOUGH. IN 1970, IN 1970 CORPORATIONS PAID 30% OF ALL FEDERAL INCOME TAX RECEIPTS FROM CORPORATE INCOME TAXES. TODAY IT'S 8%. WE HAVE LET THE CORPORATIONS GET AWAY WITH MURDER, THE BIG BUSINESSES WITH EXXON PAYING NO TAXES ON PROFITS OF $6 BILLION. GENERAL ELECTRIC PAYING NO TAXES, GETTING A REFUND. THAT'S OUR PROBLEM. BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT. WE WANT TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. NOW, IF WE PASS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IT WOULD MEAN ANY TIME YOU WENT INTO A RECESSION IT WOULD DRIVE IT INTO A RECESSION. IT WOULD MEAN WE HAVE TO MAKE HUGE SPENDING CUTS NOW. IT WOULD MEAN WE HAVE TO DECIMATE SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, VETERANS BENEFITS. IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. IF THIS WERE IN EFFECT NOW, WE WOULD HAVE TO -- WE WERE TOLD BY THE MACROECONOMIC ANALYSTS THAT IF THIS AMENDMENT WENT INTO EFFECT FOR NEXT YEAR, NEXT YEAR, IT WOULD REDUCE -- INCREASE UNEMPLOYMENT BY 15 MILLION PEOPLE. SO I URGE THAT WE NOT PASS THIS AMENDMENT. INSTEAD WE DO THE HARD WORK OF INCREASING TAXES ON CORPORATIONS AND RICH PEOPLE, OF GETTING DISCIPLINE INTO OUR EXPENDITURES, BUT THE FIRST THING TO DO IS JOBS. IF WE GOT UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 5% WHERE IT WAS IN 2007, THAT BY ITSELF WOULD REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT BY 40%. IN A RECESSION, FIRST YOU TAKE CARE OF THE JOBS. WHEN YOU ARE BACK INTO BETTER TIMES THEN YOU CAN START THINKING ABOUT BALANCING YOUR BUDGET. THAT'S WHEN YOU OUGHT TO DO IT. NOT FORCE CUTS IN EXPENDITURES OR INCREASE IN TAXES DURING A RECESSION WHICH JUST MAKES THE RECESSION MUCH WORSE AND UNEMPLOYMENT MUCH WORSE WHICH IS WHAT THIS AMENDMENT WOULD DO. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS RESERVED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA, MR. PAULSON, A MEMBER OF…

1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA, MR. PAULSON, A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.

MR. PAULSEN

IN SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. SINCE OUR COUNTRY WAS FIRST…

IN SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. SINCE OUR COUNTRY WAS FIRST FOUNDED THE ISSUE OF DEBT AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE MINDS OF OUR POLITICAL LEADERS, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORS, OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, AND CITIZENS ALIKE. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT OUR $15 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT, IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN PROBLEM, IT'S NOT A DEMOCRATIC PROBLEM, IT'S AN AMERICAN PROBLEM. MR. SPEAKER, OUR ECONOMY HAS STUMBLED. FAMILIES ARE MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS AND CUTTING SPENDING AND LIVING WITHIN THEIR MEANS. HOWEVER, ONE THING THAT HASN'T CHANGED IS THAT THE -- THE WAY GOVERNMENT SPENDS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER NOW TO RESOLVE OUR SPENDING DRIVEN DEBT CRISIS BECAUSE THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT WASHINGTON MUST STOP SPENDING MONEY IT DOES NOT HAVE. OUR DEBT CRISIS IS A LEGITIMATE THREAT TO OUR NATION'S SECURITY AND OUR FUTURE. OUR NATION DOES NOT CONTROL ITS DEBT, IT DOES NOT CONTROL ITS DESTINY. TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THAT SECURE FUTURE AND ECONOMIC STABILITY, WE NEED A BALANCED BUDGET, WE NEED THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT BECAUSE IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL REFORM THAT WILL ABSOLUTELY PRODUCE RESULTS. IT'S TIME TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO GIVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING -- GET GFT SPENDING -- GOVERNMENT SPENDING UNDER CONTROL. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. BUCHANAN, WHO IS…

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. BUCHANAN, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. BUCHANAN

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS IS A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS IS A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS THE HOUSE WILL VOTE ON A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. JUST THIS WEEK OUR NATIONAL DEBT SURPASSED $15 TRILLION. FOR TOO LONG REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE TURNED A BLIND EYE TO OUR GOVERNMENT'S FINANCIAL MESS. WASHINGTON NEEDS TO MAKE THE TOUGH CHOICES NECESSARY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BALANCED ITS BUDGET ONLY FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE FIRST BILL I INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IN 2007. IT SIMPLY REQUIRES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS. 49 OUT OF 508 STATES INCLUDING MY HOME STATE OF FLORIDA HAVE TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGET. FLORIDA, THE LAST FOUR, FIVE YEARS HAS HAD TOUGH REVENUE YEARS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. BUT THEY HAVE BALANCED THEIR BUDGET. IN FACT, WHEN WE GOT DOWNGRADED BY THE S&P, THAT SAME WEEK FLORIDA GOT UPGRADED BY THEIR CREDIT RATING. ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS, PUT IT THE BEST WHEN HE SAID THE BIGGEST THREAT WE HAVE TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IS OUR DEBT. ANDERS KIN BOWLES, CO-CHAIR OF THE PRESIDENT'S -- AND ERSKINE BOWLES, CO-CHAIR OF THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION, SAID IT'S A CANCER, IT'S GOING TO DESTROY THE COUNTRY FROM WITHIN. THE TIME IS RIGHT TO RATIFY A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND SEND IT TO THE STATES. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD SIMPLY POINT OUT WHEN S&P DOWNGRADED OUR…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD SIMPLY POINT OUT WHEN S&P DOWNGRADED OUR DEBT, THEY WERE SO WELL RESPECTED THAT THE INTEREST RATES WENT DOWN AND THE PRICE OF OUR BONDS WENT UP. SO MUCH FOR S&P. I NOW YIELD THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN, TWO MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. NADLER

DOES THE MAJORITY SIDE HAVE AN EXTRA MINUTE THEY CAN SPARE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS CONTROLS HIS TIME.

MR. SMITH

GENTLEMAN AN EXTRA MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. KIND

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. MR. SPEAKER, I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS CONGRESS NEEDS RULES. IT NEEDS RULES IN BUDGETING. BUT I CAN'T HELP BELIEVE TODAY THAT THE EASIER AND MORE PRACTICAL RESPONSE TO THE HUGE BUDGET DEFICITS THAT WE FACE IS GOING BACK TO WHAT TRIED AND TRUE METHOD CALLED PAY AS YOU GO BUDGETING. YOU GOT REVENUE REDUCTIONS, SPENDING INCREASE, YOU GOT TO FIND AN OFFOFFSET. IT WAS A RULE IN PLACE IN THE 1990'S THAT LED TO FOUR YEARS OF BUDGET SURPLUSES. WE ARE ACTUALLY PAYING DOWN THE NATIONAL DEBT RATHER THAN ADDING TO IT. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH TOOK OFFICE ALONG WITH THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN CONGRESS, THEY SUPPORTED TWO WARS THAT WENT UNPAID FOR. THEY HAD TWO TAX CUTS THAT WENT UNPAID FOR. THAT PRIMARILY BEP FITTED THE MOST WEALTHY IN THIS COUNTRY. YOU MAY RECALL THAT THE MAIN JUSTIFICATION FOR THOSE TAX CUTS WAS THEIR FEAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO PAY DOWN THE NATIONAL DEBT TOO FAST. IT WAS LAUGHABLE THEN AND IT'S LAUGHABLE TODAY. THEN THEY SUPPORTED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN ENTITLEMENT SPENDING SINCE MEDICARE WAS CREATED IN 1965 WITH A NEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL THAT WAS NOT PAID FOR. AND THESE ARE ONGOING OBLIGATIONS RIGHT NOW ADDING TO THE FISCAL WOES THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CLIMB OUT OF AS A NATION. I KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY TODAY DOES NOT EMBRACE PAY-AS-YOU-GO BUDGETING EVEN THOUGH IT WORKED IN THE 1990'S. EVEN THOUGH IT HELPED CREATE 27 MILLION PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS DURING THAT PERIOD. AND LEFT AN ERA OF BUDGET SURPLUSES. SO THE NEXT BEST THING WE HAVE TO INSTILL SOME FISCAL DISCIPLINE IN THIS PLACE IS THROUGH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. GOING THROUGH THAT LABORIOUS PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND 2/3 IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND 3/4 OF THE STATES TO EMBRACE IT. IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER, TO CHECK AGAINST UNBRIDLED TAX CUTS THAT AREN'T PAID FOR OR NEW INCREASE IN SPENDING THAT GOES UNPAID FOR, IT'S A RISK WORTH TAKING BECAUSE WE ARE JEOPARDIZING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION, OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE WITH THESE ONGOING BUDGET DEFICITS, AND STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN RIGHT NOW. THERE IS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN THAT MEMBERS ON MY SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE BEEN EXPRESSING. THE 3/5 INCREASE OF VOTE IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE DEBT CEILING. WE SAW HOW PERILOUSLY CLOSE WE CAME TO DEFAULTING ON OUR NATION'S OBLIGATIONS OVER THE SUMMER. AND I FEAR THAT THROUGH THIS AMENDMENT THAT A MINORITY IN THIS BODY COULD LITERALLY HOLD THE REST OF OUR NATION HOSTAGE OR PARALYZE THE FUNCTIONING OF OUR GOVERNMENT OR LEAD TO THE DEFAULT OF OUR OBLIGATION. I STILL THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN THAT'S NOT ADDRESSED THROUGH THIS AMENDMENT. IN FACT, IT MAKES THAT PROBABILITY MORE LIKELY AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS AS WE MOVE FORWARD. BUT TODAY I THINK GIVEN THE LACK OF OPTIONS THAT WE FACE AND THE DIRE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE, WITH THE BUDGET DEFICITS, AND THE LACK OF PROGRESS, UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE SUPERCOMMITTEE, AS WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THAT THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT SEEMS LIKE THE MOST PRACTICAL APPROACH GIVEN THE POLITICAL REALITIES. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. FROIG, WHO IS A MEMBER…

1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. FROIG, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE -- FRELINGHUYSEN, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.

MR. FRELINGHUYSEN

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. CHAIRMAN, I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. CHAIRMAN, I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE BIPARTISAN BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 2011 AND URGE ITS ADOPTION. MY COLLEAGUES, GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS IS MIRED IN DEBT. MISMANAGEMENT AND OVERSPENDING HAVE LEFT OUR NATION ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY. WHY? THE MATH IS SIMPLE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES IN APPROXIMATELY $2.2 TRILLION EVERY YEAR, BUT SPENDS OVER $3.5 TRILLION. TO SUSTAIN THE OPERATIONS OF GOVERNMENT, WE BORROW 42 CENTS OF EVERY FEDERAL DOLLAR WE SPEND. THE IMPLI CASES ARE OBVIOUS -- IMPLICATIONS ARE OBVIOUS. WE ARE HURTLING DOWN A PATH TOWARDS A PREDICTABLE FINANCIAL DISASTER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR PLANET. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT US TO BEGIN TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. THEY NEED A PERMANENT FISCAL SOLUTION. SPENDLING CUTS ARE IMPORTANT BUT WHAT CONGRESS PASSES TODAY, ANOTHER CONGRESS AND EVEN THE SAME CONGRESS, CAN UNDO TOMORROW. THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO CONTROL SPENDING IS THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. BALANCING BUDGETS IS NOT AN UNTESTED IDEA. OVER HAD THE STATES CURRENTLY ABIDE BY SOME SORT OF BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. LET'S PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION TODAY. LET'S GET THE JOB DONE. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK. .

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS,…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. DOGGETT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. DOGGETT

SPEAKER, WHILE THIS HOUSE DOES SOMETIMES ACT IN WAYS THAT NEAR INSANE,…

SPEAKER, WHILE THIS HOUSE DOES SOMETIMES ACT IN WAYS THAT NEAR INSANE, THIS BASICALLY IMPOSES THE TYRANNY OF THE MINORITY, WE CAN BLOCK ACTION. WE HAVE SEEN HOW WELL THAT WORKS ACROSS THE CAPITOL AT THE UNITED STATES SENATE WHERE 3/5 ALREADY APPLIES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ACTION ON KEY NATIONAL ISSUES, UNABLE TO OVERCOME THE THREAT OF A REPUBLICAN FILIBUSTER. TODAY'S PROPOSAL WOULD BROADEN THAT IMPOTENCE TO BOTH SIDES OF THE CAPITOL ON A CRITICAL BUDGET QUESTION IF WE TAKE A VOTE IN THIS HOUSE AND 260 PEOPLE VOTE IN THE MAJORITY AND 275 VOTE IN THE MINORITY, THE MINORITY RULES. DEMOCRACY LOSES. THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO THIS PROPOSED NEW RULE AND IT'S AN EXCEPTION THAT MAY EAT THE ENTIRE RULE. SO LONG AS A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE DETERMINES PROBABLY THROUGH THE FINE PRINT OF SOME HUGE, VOLUMINOUS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, THAT THE COUNTRY FACES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THEIR NATIONAL SECURITY, WELL, IN THIS CASE, THIS PURPORTED CONSTITUTION IS NULLIFIED. WHY WOULD A MAJORITY OF THIS CONGRESS HAD BEEN UNWILLING TO MAKE SUCH A FINDING AND RENDER THE PROPOSAL MEANINGLESS? A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS NOT A PATH TO A BALANCED BUDGET. IT IS ONLY AN EXCUSE FOR MEMBERS OF THIS BODY FAILING TO CAST VOTES TO ACHIEVE ONE. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANOTHER WYNN MINUTE?

MR. NADLER

THE GENTLEMAN IS GRANTED ONE MINUTE.

MR. DOGGETT

I VOTED FOR A BALANCED BUDGET. I VOTED FOR A BALANCED BUDGET WHEN I VOTED…

I VOTED FOR A BALANCED BUDGET. I VOTED FOR A BALANCED BUDGET WHEN I VOTED AGAINST LAUNCHING AN UNNECESSARY WAR ON BORROWED MONEY. I VOTED FOR A BALANCED BUDGET WHEN THE QUESTION IS TAXES, LESS ALWAYS MEANS MORE. IT'S POLITICAL ALCHEMY. IT'S LIKE TURNING HAY INTO GOLD. THE MORE THE TAX CUT THEOLOGY IS PROVEN WRONG OVER AND OVER AGAIN THE MORE THE REPUBLICAN FAITHFUL DEMANDS ANOTHER TAX CUT TO DRIVE US DEEPER INTO DEBT. THIS IS THE KIND OF EXTREMISM THAT CAUSES A STAGE FULL OF REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS TO DECLARE THEY WOULD REJECT ANY BUDGET AGREEMENT THAT CUTS SPENDING BY $10 IF IT RAISED TAXES BY EVEN $1. A FEW MONTHS AGO SUCH IRRESPONSIBILITY TOOK US TO THE BRINK OF DEFAULT AND JEOPARDIZED OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY. THEY JUST COULD NOT OVERCOME THEIR IDEOLOGICAL RESTRAINTS. DON'T JEOPARDIZE OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE. DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH VETERANS AND RETIREMENT SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT JUST BECAUSE REPUBLICANS CAN'T ACCEPT THE ECONOMIC REALITY AS THEY OFTEN CANNOT ACCEPT BASIC SCIENCE. REGET THIS AMENDMENT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. BENHAM, WHO IS A…

YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. BENHAM, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. DENHAM

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED BUDGET…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. JUST THIS WEEK THE NATIONAL DEBT EXCEEDED $15 TRILLION. THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE. $15 TRILLION, AND A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WOULD HOLD GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE. NOW, SOME SAY THAT THAT ACCOUNTABILITY WILL TIE THE HANDS OF CONGRESS. SOME SAY THIS IS GOING TO CREATE A GREATER DEBATE BETWEEN REVENUES AND SPENDING CUTS. WELL, I'D AGREE ON BOTH. THE SAME WAY EVERY AMERICAN FAMILY HAS TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGET. EVERY WEEK, EVERY MONTH, EVERY YEAR. THE SAME WAY THAT I AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER HAVE TO PAY MY BILLS EVERY WEEK, EVERY MONTH, EVERY YEAR. WE OWE THIS COUNTRY THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY SEE A BALANCED BUDGET BUT A BIPARTISAN EFFORT HERE IN CONGRESS. IF YOU WANT MORE JOB CREATION, WE HAVE TO HAVE CERTAINTY. BEFORE A COMPANY IS GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND HIRE NEW EMPLOYEES, THEY NEED CERTAINTY NOT ONLY TO SEE THAT OUR COUNTRY IS ON THE RIGHT PATH, NOT ONLY TO SEE WE ARE GOING TO REDUCE OUR DEBT, BUT ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT OUR CREDIT RATING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CREDIT WORTHY AND HAVE A LONG-TERM PLAN. THAT TYPE OF CERTAINTY WILL CREATE JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY. THAT TYPE OF CERTAINTY IS WHAT IS NEEDED WITH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. MR. CHAIRMAN, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D POINT OUT THAT FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO BORROW TO…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D POINT OUT THAT FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO BORROW TO PAY FOR THE CAR AND TO PAY FOR THE MORTGAGE . UNDER THIS AMENDMENT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO BORROW. IT'S QUITE DIFFERENT. MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

MR. BOSWELL

IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 2. A GREAT RESPECT AND I HEAR MR. CONYERS AND MR.…

IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 2. A GREAT RESPECT AND I HEAR MR. CONYERS AND MR. NADLER, I UNDERSTAND THEIR STRONG FEELINGS. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE, FOR BRINGING THIS BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR. I ALSO WANT TO THANK HIM FOR RESISTING THE EFFORTS BY SOME IN HIS PARTY TO ENSHRINE THE FISCAL POLICIES OF THE TEA PARTY INTO OUR CONSTITUTION. MY COLLEAGUES, OUR BUDGET IS BROKEN. AFTER YEARS OF SPECIAL INTEREST HANDOUTS ON BOTH THE REVENUE AND SPENDING LEDGERS WE NOW HAVE A SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES US TO BORE -- BORROW OVER $1 TRILLION. WHY DO WE BORROW? IT SEEMS BECAUSE THERE IS NOT THE POLITICAL WILL IN THIS BODY TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT WE NEED TO DO. WE'RE ELECTED LEADERS. WE ARE ELECT TO LEAD, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE LONG-TERM FISCAL IMBALANCE OUR NATION FACES, MANY IN THIS BODY SEEMS TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN SECURING THE NEXT ELECTION THAN SECURING THE SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS OF OUR FISCAL FUTURE. AND NO ONE PARTY IS AT FAULT. BOTH PARTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE OF THE FINANCIAL MESS WE ARE FACING. OUR NATIONAL DEBT DID NOT REACH THIS CURRENT LEVEL OVERNIGHT, ALTHOUGH WE SEEM TO HAVE AMNESIA IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008 WHEN SECRETARY PAULSON CAME TO TALK TO US THAT THE SKY HAS BEEN FALLING. THIS IS DECADES IN THE MAKING. THESE ARE SERIOUS TIMES AND SERIOUS TIMES CALL FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE TO MAKE SERIOUS DECISIONS AND WE KNOW WHAT THESE DECISIONS MUST BE. WE CANNOT CUT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS MESS AND WE CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT TAX OUR WAY OUT OF THIS MESS. WE NEED QUITE SIMPLY A BALANCED APPROACH THAT GETS US TO A BALANCED BUDGET. THE FACT -- I TELL YOU A SITUATION IN MY HOME STATE. WHEN I WAS APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR WE WERE FACED WITH A BUDGET THAT WAS -- CAN I HAVE ANOTHER?

MR. NADLER

THE GENTLEMAN IS YIELDED ANOTHER 30 SECONDS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS.

MR. BOSWELL

ON. AND WE WORKED WITH DOWNTOWN. WE WORKED WITH EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE…

ON. AND WE WORKED WITH DOWNTOWN. WE WORKED WITH EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE AND WE CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION. AND IT'S WORKING. WE HAVE -- THERE'S MONEY IN THE BANK IN IOWA, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS AROUND 6% AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE STRIVING TO ACHIEVE HERE. WE NEED TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS. HOW DO WE INCLUDE THE REVENUE SIDE OF IT? IT'S WORKING AND IT WILL WORK HERE. WE CAN DO THIS. LET'S WORK TOGETHER. I URGE AN AYE VOTE AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. THANK YOU.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

I YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. COSTA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.

MR. COSTA

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

MR. SPEAKER, IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO YIELD TO A MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND…

MR. SPEAKER, IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO YIELD TO A MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, FOUR MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

>>

MR. BARTLETT RECENTLY TESTIFIED BEFORE THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE…

MR. BARTLETT RECENTLY TESTIFIED BEFORE THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE COMMENTED ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS' BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. HE STATED, QUOTE, THE PROPOSAL THAT REPUBLICAN LEADERS PLAN TO BRING UP IS FRANKLY NUTS. THE TRUTH IS THAT AMERICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT ACTUALLY BALANCING THE BUDGET. THEY PREFER TO DELUDE VOTERS WITH A PIE IN THE SKY -- THAT THIS WILL SOLVE OUR BUDGET PROBLEMS.

MR. NEAL

THE MYSTICAL DATE HERE IS JANUARY 19, 2001. BILL CLINTON SAYS GOODBYE AND…

THE MYSTICAL DATE HERE IS JANUARY 19, 2001. BILL CLINTON SAYS GOODBYE AND LEAVES A SURPLUS NOT SUBJECT, BY THE WAY, TO OPINION TODAY BUT SUBJECT BY FACT, OF $7.5 TRILLION. $5.7 TRILLION. SO THE DECISION IS MADE TO CUT FAXES IN 2001 BY $1 TRILLION. THE DECISION IS MADE IN 2003 TO CUT TAXES BY $1,300,000,000,000. AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY TO ENGAGE A WAR IN IRAQ BASED UPON THE FAULTY PREMISE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. NOW, OUR REPUBLICAN FRIENDS OFTEN COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND SAY THINGS LIKE, WELL, WE ALL SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY. NO, I DIDN'T SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY. I VOTED AGAINST THE WAR IN IRAQ. I VOTED AGAINST THE BUSH TAX CUTS. I VOTED AGAINST THE PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT PROPOSAL. OUR FRIEND FROM NEW JERSEY A MOMENT AGO SAID THE MATH IS CLEAR. BUT FOR REPUBLICANS, WHY IS THE MATH ONLY CLEAR WHEN BILL CLINTON'S PRESIDENT AND BARACK OBAMA IS PRESIDENT? THEY RAN THESE DEFICITS THROUGH THE ROOF. THERE IS NO ESCAPING THAT CONCLUSION. THE BUDGET HAS BEEN BALANCED FIVE TIMES SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR II. FOUR OF THOSE TIMES DURING THE CLINTON PRESIDENCY. 22 MILLION JOBS WERE CREATED DURING THOSE YEARS. THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF USING A LUGAR TO CLEAN THE WAX OUT OF YOUR EARS. THIS PROPOSAL IS BEYOND THE PAIL. THEY RAN ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE TEA PARTY TYPES SAYING, HAVE YOU READ THE BILL? YES, WE'VE READ THE BILL AND WE'VE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THIS IS A RECKLESS PURSUIT OF DEFYING OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY WHEN WE'VE ALREADY DEMONSTRATED WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THESE ENDS WITHOUT DISTURBING THE CONSTITUTION THAT THEY ATTEMPTED DURING THE CAMPAIGN CYCLE TO MARRY. LET'S HONOR THE CONSTITUTION, THE TEA PARTY SAYS. AND TODAY WHAT DO THEY PROPOSE, DISTURBING THE CONSTITUTION AFTER THEIR FINANCIAL MALFEASANCE FOR EIGHT YEARS. THIS ARGUMENT THEY BRING TO THE FLOOR TODAY IS A POLITICAL GIMMICK. GEORGE BUSH SR. LOBBIED ME ON THE AMENDMENT MANY YEARS AGO WHEN IT FAILED. AND RESPECTFULLY I POINTED OUT TO HIM THAT IT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN POLITICAL THEATER. WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH JR. INVITED ME TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO DISCUSS HIS TAX CUT PROPOSAL IN 2001, A MATTER OF DAYS AFTER HIS ASSUMPTION OF THE PRESIDENCY. HE SAID, THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY AND HE'S RIGHT. GUESS WHAT, IT'S THE PEOPLE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO HONOR THOSE VETERANS' HOSPITALS AFTER 35,000 MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED US HONORABLY IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WHO ARE GOING TO NEED OUR CARE FOR DECADES TO COME. IT'S THE PEOPLE'S RESPONSIBILITY ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THE GREATEST ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM IN HISTORY. IT'S THE PEOPLE'S RESPONSIBILITY ON MEDICARE, WHICH HAS ADDED YEARS TO LIFE AND LIFE TO YEARS. THIS PROPOSAL TODAY OVERDOES IT. THERE ARE ENOUGH MEN AND WOMEN OF GOOD WILL IN THIS INSTITUTION TO ASSEMBLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING ON TO A BALANCED BUDGET WITHOUT TAKING THIS PURSUIT OF DISHONORING OUR CONSTITUTION WHEN WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS ON OUR OWN RIGHT NOW AS THE LAW IS PRESCRIBED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

MR. SPEAKER, I'LL YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR.…

MR. SPEAKER, I'LL YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR. DEFAZIO, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES. MR.

MR. DEFAZIO

THANK THE GENTLEMAN, AND I PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK MR. GOODLATTE FOR…

THANK THE GENTLEMAN, AND I PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK MR. GOODLATTE FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. WE BOTH SUPPORTED VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL AMENDMENT IN 1995. NOW, WHEN I FIRST CAME TO CONGRESS I DID NOT SUPPORT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. I SAID THINGS SIMILAR TO MY GOOD FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, MR. NEAL FROM MASSACHUSETTS. IT'S A GIMMICK, WE DON'T NEED IT, PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THESE DECISIONS. IT DIDN'T TAKE ME LONG IN OBSERVING THE CONGRESS TO REALIZE THAT THERE'S AN INFINITY CAPACITY IN THIS -- INFINITE CAPACITY IN THIS CONGRESS TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAN IS GETTING PRETTY DARN HEAVY TO KICK DOWN THE ROAD AND IT'S GOING TO LAND ON THE NEXT GENERATION WITH FULL FORCE. $15 TRILLION OF DEBT. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR DEBT -- THIS YEAR OUR DEFICIT EXCEEDS THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. . WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FORCE PEOPLE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS. THAT THE CONCLUSION I CAME TO WHEN I SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENT BACK IN THE MID 1990'S. THINK ABOUT IT. PASSED THE HOUSE. FAILED BY ONE VOTE IN THE SENATE. AND HAD THAT BECOME THE LAW OF THE LAND, TODAY WE'D BE PAYING DOWN THE LAST OF THE DEBT. MIGHT STILL BE IN THIS HOLE ECONOMICALLY THAT WE ARE IN. BUT WE WOULD ACTUALLY THEN PERHAPS HAVE THE CAPACITY AND WILL TO GO OUT AND BORROW A COUPLE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS TO REBUILD THE NATION'S CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE. WE CAN AFFORD IT. BUT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WITH THIS AMENDMENT OF DEBT THAT'S A VERY TOUGH SELL AROUND HERE. THIS IS AN HONEST BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IT DOES NOT PREJUDICE THE DEBATE BETWEEN TAXES, AND THERE ARE MANY ON THAT SIDE WHO OBJECT TO ANY NEW TAXES OR REVENUE, AND SPENDING CUTS. THERE ARE MANY OF MY SIDE WHO OBJECT TO MANY SPENDING CUTS. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. IT'S FAIR. IT'S EVENHANDED. THERE WERE MANY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT WOULD HAVE TIED THE HANDS OF CONGRESS. YOU NEED A 66% OF VOTE. YOU HAVE TO BE LIMITED TO 18% OF G.D.P. THEY BROUGHT FORWARD SOMETHING THAT IS FAIR AND IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD FORCE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND FUTURE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE. A LOT OF TALK ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY. I'M AN EXPERT ON SOCIAL SECURITY. SOCIAL SECURITY IS THE LARGEST CREDITOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. $2.66 TRILLION. WE HAVE TO HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO REDEEM THAT DEBT TO PAY FUTURE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IN THE NOT DISTANT FUTURE WHEN WE HAVE TO DRAW ON WHAT'S CALLED A TRUST FUND. IT'S NOT A TRUST FUND. IT'S GOVERNMENT BONDS. IT'S DEBT F WE KEEP ADDING TO THE PILE OF DEBT, WILL WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO REPAY THOSE SOCIAL SECURITY BONDS? THERE'S A LONG-TERM PROBLEM WITH SOCIAL SECURITY. I HAVE A BILL TO FIX THAT. LIFTS THE CAPS ON WAGES. I DIDN'T NOTICE THAT MANY ON MY SIDE HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE CARRYING ON ABOUT THE ATTACK ON SOCIAL SECURITY IN THIS BILL. THEY ARE NOT ON MY BILL BECAUSE THAT'S A TOUGH THING TO SAY. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE OVER 250 PAY THE SAME AMOUNT. THAT'S THE SOLUTION LONG-TERM. SHORT TERM WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING ABLE TO REDEEM THOSE BONDS AND PAY THOSE PROMISED BENEFITS. AND A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE DEBT LIMIT. WHEN WE ARE IN BALANCE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A 60% VOTE TO DEFICIT SPEND AND YOU WOULD NEED A 60% VOTE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE DEBT LIMIT. I WOULD SAY THAT THEY COULD BE DONE AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. IT REQUIRES THE SAME NUMBER -- SOMEONE GOING TO VOTE TODAY TO -- SAY WE ARE IN BALANCE TO VOTE IN DEFICIT TO DEAL WITH THE ECONOMIC SITUATION TODAY? PERHAPS TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, AND THEN VOTE LATER ON TODAY AGAINST RAISING THE DEBT LIMIT BY THE SAME AMOUNT? THAT WOULD VITIATE THEIR EARLIER VOTE. I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S A REAL THREAT. IF YOU VOTE NO, YOU ARE ASSUMING THAT WE HAVE AN INFINITE CAPACITY, INFINITE, TO BORROW MONEY, TO PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. AND STILL MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT. WE NEED LIMITS. WE NEED TO BE FORCED TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS AND THIS WOULD FORCE FUTURE CONGRESSES TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

OUT IF THIS AMENDMENT PASSED WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO BORROW MONEY TO DO…

OUT IF THIS AMENDMENT PASSED WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO BORROW MONEY TO DO THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED. I NOW YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I SUSPECT WE ARE ABOUT TO INTERNEAR A WEST COAST DEBATE HERE.

MR. GARAMENDI

FRIEND FROM ORGANIZEON BRINGS A PERSPECTIVE A LITTLE NORTH OF CALIFORNIA…

FRIEND FROM ORGANIZEON BRINGS A PERSPECTIVE A LITTLE NORTH OF CALIFORNIA AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THIS DISCUSSION A PERSPECTIVE OF CALIFORNIA. FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS CALIFORNIA HAS LIVED UNDER A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT MUCH LIKE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REQUIRES A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE FOR RAISING TAXES AND FOR THE BUDGET ITSELF. VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT IS REQUIRED HERE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS IN CALIFORNIA IT WAS 2/3, HERE IT'S 60%. ONE ONLY NEED LOOK AT THE EXTRAORDINARY DYSFUNCTION THAT CALIFORNIA HAS ENDURED IN THE INTERVENING 30 YEARS SINCE THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WENT INTO EFFECT. IT HAS BECOME A SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA WHERE WE WENT FROM THE VERY BEST, THE VERY, VERY BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THIS NATION, BOTH K THROUGH 12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION, THE BEST INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS NATION, AND THE MOST ROBUST ECONOMY IN THE NATION. TO ONE IN WHICH WE HAVE HAD PERPETUAL POLITICAL GRIDLOCK. BECAUSE OF THE SUPERMAJORITY REQUIREMENT. SO I BRING TO THIS HOUSE MY OWN 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH A CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD -- THAT DOES IMPOSE A SUPERMAJORITY. IT SIMMABLY HAS NOT WORKED TO THE BEN -- IT SIMPLY HAS NOT WORKED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. TO VISIT SUCH A THING UPON THE UNITED STATES IN MY VIEW, IN MY EXPERIENCE OF 35 YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE IN CALIFORNIA, WOULD BE A GREAT DISASTER FOR THE UNITED STATES. ONE IN WHICH WE WOULD HAVE PERPETUAL GRIDLOCK. ALREADY IN THIS HOUSE THIS YEAR MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ARE VERY UPSET ABOUT THE UNITED STATES SENATE NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE 60 VOTE REQUIREMENT. YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE 19 JOB BILLS THAT ARE OVER THERE THAT ARE TIED UP. IT'S THE 60 VOTE REQUIREMENT THAT HAS TIED THEM UP IN THE SENATE. LAST YEAR IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS THAT WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SENATE NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE BECAUSE OF THE 60 VOTE REQUIREMENT IN THE SENATE. DO WE WANT THAT ALSO HERE IN THE HOUSE? I WOULD HOPE NOT. I WOULD ASK US TO BACK AWAY FROM WHAT IS POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT. AND THE POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THIS. WE HAVE ALL BEEN IN THIS A LONG TIME. WE UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL EXPEDIENCE ABOUT THE SOUND BITE, ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH IT APPEARS. WE ARE TAKING ACTION TO SOLVE THE DEFICIT. PLEASE LOOK AT CALIFORNIA. LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA OVER THE LAST 35 YEARS. AS A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE HAS CREATED GRIDLOCK. AND BY THE WAY -- I ASK FOR ANOTHER 30 SECONDS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, DR. FLEMING, A MEMBER OF THE…

TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, DR. FLEMING, A MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. FLEMING

THANK THE GENTLEMAN. MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE DEBATE…

THANK THE GENTLEMAN. MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE DEBATE TODAY AND LISTENING TO THE OTHER SIDE. MR. SPEAKER, THIS BODY IS HOPELESSLY ADDICTED TO EXCESSIVE SPENDING AND BUDGET DEFICITS. HOPELESSLY. AND THE OTHER SIDE THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT ARE HOPELESSLY IN DENIAL, JUST LIKE A DRUG ADDICT IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THEIR ADDICTION. WE HAVE 535 MEMBERS. IF YOU INCLUDE THE SENATE, THAT COMPETE WITH ONE ANOTHER TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN SPEND. WE HAVE AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH THAT DOES THE SAME. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, DOESN'T MATTER. WE ALL DO THE SAME THING. THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OR GOVERNOR, IF YOU WILL, ON OUR EXCESSIVE SPENDING. AND LET'S PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE. IN THE 235 YEARS SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, WE HAVE ADDED $10.6 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT. IN 2 1/2 YEARS OF THIS PRESIDENCY, WE HAVE INCREASED THAT BY 50%. AN ADDITION OF $5 TRILLION. WE JUST PASSED THE $15 TRILLION DEBT LEVEL. MR. SPEAKER, AT THE CURRENT RATE, THIS IS NOT JUST A PROJECTION, THIS IS SET IN STONE BY THE END OF THE FIRST TERM OF THIS PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT OBAMA, WE WILL HAVE INCREASED THE NATIONAL DEBT BY 70% JUST IN THAT ONE TERM, FOUR YEARS. MR. SPEAKER, WE CANNOT DO THIS BASED ON OUR WILLINGNESS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. WE ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING THAT. WE ARE ADDICTED TO SPENDING. WE ARE IN DENIAL ABOUT THIS. AND IT'S TIME THAT WE DO SOMETHING. I STAND IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 2, THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. FRANKLY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MORE RESTRICTIVE FORM. A MORE SEVERE FORM THAT CONTROLLED THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDED TAXES. I WILL VOTE FOR THIS AND JUST IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT DOES SOME WONDERFUL THINGS. IT PROHIBITS A DEBT INCREASE WITH A 3/4 VOTE. IT REQUIRES THE PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT A BALANCED BUDGET EACH YEAR.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

MR. FLEMING

THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.

>>

CAN BE AGAINST THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WITHOUT BEING COMPARED TO…

CAN BE AGAINST THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WITHOUT BEING COMPARED TO BEING A DRUG ADDICT. IS THAT DOABLE IN THIS BODY? TO MAINTAIN SOME COMITY? I BELIEVE IN HELPING MY CONSTITUENTS, BUT MY SUPPORT OF SPENDING ISN'T TIED TO A DRUG ADDICTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS NOT STATING A POINT OF ORDER.

MR. JACKSON

NOT A POINT OF ORDER THAT THE GENTLEMAN HAS MADE REFERENCE TO THOSE OF US…

NOT A POINT OF ORDER THAT THE GENTLEMAN HAS MADE REFERENCE TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AS HAVING BEEN ADDICTED TO DRUGS. IS THAT A PROBLEM FOR THE COMITY OF THIS CHAMBER, MR. SPEAKER?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

IS THE GENTLEMAN DEMANDING THE WORDS BE TAKEN DOWN?

MR. JACKSON

TO GO THAT FAR.

MR. FLEMING

MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

MR. JACKSON

THE GENTLEMAN NEEDS TO BE VERY CAREFUL. I CAN HAVE THEM READ THAT BACK TO…

THE GENTLEMAN NEEDS TO BE VERY CAREFUL. I CAN HAVE THEM READ THAT BACK TO YOU AGAIN.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND. THE GENTLEMAN HAS SIMPLY MADE A COMPARISON.…

THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND. THE GENTLEMAN HAS SIMPLY MADE A COMPARISON. DOES THE GENTLEMAN WISH THAT THE WORDS BE TAKEN DOWN?

MR. JACKSON

MY POINT OF ORDER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

JUST IN CONCLUSION --

MR. PHLEGM BEING

JUST IN CONCLUSION --

MR. FLEMING

IN CONCLUSION, LET ME SAY THIS WHEN I TALK ABOUT US, OR WE BEING ADDICTED…

IN CONCLUSION, LET ME SAY THIS WHEN I TALK ABOUT US, OR WE BEING ADDICTED TO SPENDING, I'M TALKING ABOUT EVERYONE IN CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS AT ANY ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE. BUT I WILL SAY THOSE WHO ARE UNWILLING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BY SUPPORTING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT ARE IN A CLEAR STATE OF DENIAL. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

90 SECONDS. IT IS NOT TRUE AS WE HAVE HEARD ON THIS FLOOR REPEATEDLY TODAY…

90 SECONDS. IT IS NOT TRUE AS WE HAVE HEARD ON THIS FLOOR REPEATEDLY TODAY THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE ADDICTED TO SPENDING AND THAT THE DEFICIT IS EQUALLY THE FAULT OF BOTH PARTIES. IT IS THE FAULT OF GEORGE BUSH, THE FAULT OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS, UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON, A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS VOTED FOR TAX INCREASES AND FOR SPENDING CUTS AND PRODUCED BALANCED BUDGETS FOUR YEARS IN A ROW OF SUCH SIGNIFICANCE THAT WE WERE GOING TO ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE NATIONAL DEBT BY 2012. THE REPUBLICANS CAME IN AND VOTED WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT AND VOTED FOR HUGE TAX CUTS FOR TWO UNFUNDED WARS, AND TO DOUBLE THE PENTAGON BUDGET WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES TO PAY FOR IT. AND THAT GENERATED THE HUGE DEFICIT WE HAVE. THE DEFICIT WAS ALSO GENERATED BY THE FACT THAT WE GOT INTO, BECAUSE ARGUABLY REPUBLICAN DEREGULATORY POLICIES, WE GOT INTO THIS HUGE DEPRESSION CAUSED BY WALL STREET. AND THAT INCREASED THE NECESSITY -- THAT INCREASED THE DEFICIT. THE C.B.O. IN JANUARY OF 2009 BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK OFFICE, ONE MONTH BEFORE, SAID THE NEXT YEAR'S DEFICIT WOULD BE $1.2 TRILLION. WITHOUT THE PRESIDENT, THIS PRESIDENT HAVING DONE A THING. AND THE POINT IS, SPENDING, AS I SAID BEFORE, SPENDING ON NONDEFENSE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING, EVERYTHING OTHER THAN MEDICARE, MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND VETERANS BENEFITS, AND INTEREST ON THE DEBT HAS NOT INCREASED, NOT INCREASED SINCE 2001 WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION AND POPULATION GROWTH. SO THAT IS NOT THE SOURCE OF OUR BUDGET DEFICIT. THE SOURCE OF OUR BUDGET DEFICIT IS WE CUT THE TAXES ON RICH AND CORPORATIONS AND SPENT MONEY ON WARS WE DIDN'T PAY FOR. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

MR. SMITH

TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS.

MR. GOODLATTE

YOU. IN RESPONSE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT…

YOU. IN RESPONSE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT A FEW FACTS. IN THE LAST 50 YEARS THE BUDGET HAS BEEN BALANCED SIX TIMES. DEMOCRATS HAVE CONTROLLED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 37 OF THOSE YEARS, AND ONLY TWO OF THOSE YEARS, ONLY TWO OF THOSE YEARS DID THEY BALANCE THE BUDGET. FOUR TIMES WHEN REPUBLICANS WERE IN THE MAJORITY THE BUDGET WAS BALANCED, 1999 -- 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. . WHEN THOSE BUDGETS WERE OFFERED IN THIS HOUSE, MANY DEMOCRATS VOTED IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION FOR AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE BUDGETS. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK VOTED AGAINST ALL FOUR BALANCED BUDGETS THAT OCCURRED IN THE LAST TIME THAT HE HAS BEEN IN THE CONGRESS. AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

MR. SPEAKER, ON THAT I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS.

MS. JACKSON LEE

MR. SPEAKER, SENDING THE TRAINING THAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME, I WILL AGAIN SAY…

MR. SPEAKER, SENDING THE TRAINING THAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME, I WILL AGAIN SAY THAT I STAND HERE UNADDICTED AND RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO THROWING THE VULNERABLE ON THE TRASH HEAP OF LIFE. TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN THOSE BUDGETS THAT ASSUME MY GOOD FRIEND, MR. NADLER, VOTED AGAINST, THAT HE REFUSED TO THROW THE VULNERABLE ON THE TRASH HEAP OF LIFE. WE COME AGAIN TO A TIME WHEN WE WANT TO ABDICATE OUR RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, BUT MY FRIENDS, I WANT TO REMIND THAT YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE REPUBLICANS CAME BACK TO THAT TIRED, OLD FORMULA, BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN THEY WERE REJECTED. THIS CONSTITUTION IS SACRED, IT HAS NOTHING IN IT ABOUT THE BALANCED BUDGET, 26 AMENDMENTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN REJECTED. WHY? BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THE JOB THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE SENT US TO DO. THE JOB THAT SAYS, GIVE AND TAKE ON HOW WE FUND THIS GOVERNMENT. SOMEONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT STATE GOVERNMENTS, YES, 49 STATES HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. BUT IT IS ON THE OPERATION BUDGET NOT ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISASTERS WHEN THEY ATTACKED NEW YORK AND MISSOURI AND TEXAS. UNITED STATES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LIFTING A MILITARY AND PROVIDING FOR OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ON THE FRONTLINES OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, WORLD WAR I AND II, KOREA AND OF COURSE VIETNAM, THE PERSIAN GULF AND MANY OTHER PLACES. OUR STATES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, MAYBE WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE GOOD WORKS OF OUR DEAR FRIENDS ON THE SUPERCOMMITTEE. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR THEM. THE HEADLINE SAYS, SUPERCOMMITTEE WELL SHORT OF A DEAL. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE RUN A COUNTRY. AND I REFUSE TO BE CALLED ADDICTED WITHOUT THE EXPLANATION THAT MY MOTHER WOULD WANT IN MO -- WANT ME TO GIVE. I'M ADDICTED TO SAVING LIVES. I'M ADDICTED TO MAKING SURE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT VIOLENTLY CUT BY THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. MEDICARE BEING CUT BY NEARLY $750 BILLION IF THIS RESOLUTION WAS TO PASS. SOCIAL SECURITY ALMOST $1.2 TRILLION. VETERANS BENEFITS, $85 BILLION THROUGH 2021. AND SO MY ARGUMENT IS TO BE ABLE TO ANALYZE WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, MY FRIENDS. THE CONSTITUTION GIVES THIS HOUSE THE POWER OF THE PURSE STRINGS BUT YET IT WILL TAKE 2/3 OF VOTE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS, A WAR, A DISASTER, THE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, NUMBERS THAT DR. JEFFREY SAX SAID THAT WE NEED A LEGITIMATE APPRENTICE PROGRAM THAT LEADS YOUNG PEOPLE FROM COLLEGE OR TRAINING INTO A JOB. HAVING JOBS INVEST INTO AMERICA. WOULD YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE THE LOWEST NUMBER OF WHITE MALES GOING TO COLLEGE? THE LOWEST NUMBER OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS GOING TO COLLEGE, THE LOWEST NUMBER OF LATINOS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MS. JACKSON LEE

LEE: CAN I GET 30 SECONDS? I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN. WE NEED…

LEE: CAN I GET 30 SECONDS? I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN. WE NEED INVESTMENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND ALL WE'RE DOING TODAY IS DENOUNCING AND RIDDING OURSELVES OF THE OBJECT LITTLETORY RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE -- OBLIGATORY RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE TAKE AN OATH TO THIS CONSTITUTION EVERY TWO YEARS. SO I DON'T WANT TO BE A SPOIL TODAY. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TIGHTEN OUR BELTS. THERE ARE MANY WAYS OF DOING SO. LOOKING AT THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ON WALL STREET OR THE CHICAGO COMMOTITY -- COMMODITIES. MANY WAYS TO DO IT. BUT THIS IS A STRANGLE HOLD ON OUR NECK, I REFUSE TO CUT SENIORS, CHILDREN, SOCIAL SECURITY --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. SMITH

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. HURT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. HURT

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF A BALANCED BUDGET…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION OFFERED BY MY FRIEND FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE. I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. GOODLATTE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND AS A CO-SPONSOR OF THIS MEASURE I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. OUR NATION'S STAGGERING DEBT AND RECKLESS BORROWING ILLUSTRATE THE URGENT NEED TO IMPLEMENT REAL CONSTITUTION ZSH INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN WASHINGTON -- INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN WASHINGTON. MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES HAVE CHOSEN THE POLITICAL EXPEDIENT COURSE OVER WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR NATION, CASTING ASIDE ANY SPENDING PLEDGES OR ANY STATUTORY CAPS AND PUSHING OUR NATION FURTHER ALONG ON A CARELESS SPENDING BINGE WITH DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES FOR THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA'S FIFTH DISTRICT AND ALL ACROSS OUR COUNTRY. WE AS A NATION NOW FACE A $15 TRILLION DEBT THAT NEARLY EQUALS THE SIZE OF OUR ENTIRE UNITED STATES ECONOMY. WE'RE RUNNING A $1.3 TRILLION DEFICIT AND WE ARE BORROWING OVER $4 -- 40 CENTS ON EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND. THIS DIRE DEBT CRISIS NOT ONLY THREATENS OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY BY STIFLING JOB CREATION, BUT IT ALSO THREATENS THE VERY FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. GIVEN THE SERIOUSNESS OF OUR CURRENT FISCAL SITUATION AND CONGRESS' ABYSMAL RECORD OF FISCAL MANAGEMENT, IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE PUT INSTITUTIONAL SPENDING REFORMS IN PLACE THAT WILL FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS JUST AS FAMILIES, BUSINESSES AND STATE GOVERNMENTS DO IN VIRGINIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BY PASSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, CONGRESS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SPEND NO MORE THAN IT TAKES IN, REINING IN OUT-OF-CONTROL SPENDING ONCE AND FOR ALL. AS I TRAVEL ACROSS VIRGINIA'S FIFTH DISTRICT, I CONTINUALLY HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS, WHO SAY THAT IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT TURNING OUR ECONOMY AROUND AND IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PRESERVING THIS COUNTRY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, WE MUST PUT AN IMMEDIATE END TO WASHINGTON'S OUT-OF-CONTROL SPENDING. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS BIPARTISAN MEASURE SO WE MAY IMPLEMENT THE STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK NECESSARY TO PUT OUR NATION BACK ON A PATH TO FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE SAKE OF FUTURE AMERICANS. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

SPEAKER, I'M PROUD TO YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA,…

SPEAKER, I'M PROUD TO YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. SCOTT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

MR. SCOTT

MR. NADLER

IS YIELDED AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. SCOTT

HAVE ASCERTAINED THAT EVEN THE REPUBLICAN STUDY GROUP BUDGET WOULD REQUIRE…

HAVE ASCERTAINED THAT EVEN THE REPUBLICAN STUDY GROUP BUDGET WOULD REQUIRE 3/5, ANY BUDGET RESPONSIBLE OR IRRESPONSIBLE COULD PASS WITH THE SAME 3/5. IN FACT, COULD YOU CUT TAXES WITH 3/5. YOU COULD RAISE SPENDING, YOU COULD HAVE A TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE BUDGET WITH 3/5. SO WHY IS IT MORE LIKELY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH 3/5 WHEN YOU HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN ABLE TO GET A SIMPLE MAJORITY, WHEN 3/5 -- LAST DECEMBER WE PASSED A TAX CUT, PUTTING US $800 BILLION FURTHER IN THE DITCH. WE HAD 3/5 FOR THAT. BUT TRY TO GET 3/5 FOR A MEANINGFUL DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN. THIS LEGISLATION WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. THAFFLE DEBATE HAS BEEN ABOUT THE TITLE, HOW NICE IT WOULD BE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. BUT WE OUGHT TO READ THE BILL AND POINT OUT THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT, PROBABLY IMPOSSIBLE, TO EVER BALANCE THE BUDGET AND WE WILL END UP TRYING TO GET 3/5 VOTE, ENDING UP WITH WORSE BUDGETS THAN WE WOULD HAVE UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

I --

MR. SMITH

TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

TO COMMENT ON THE REVISIONIST HISTORY THAT WE'RE HEARING. MR. SPEAKER, THE…

TO COMMENT ON THE REVISIONIST HISTORY THAT WE'RE HEARING. MR. SPEAKER, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT TOUGH VOTES ARE MADE WHEN CONGRESSES MAKE THE DECISION TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. THAT DECISION WASN'T MADE IN 1993 WHEN DEMOCRATS VOTED TO RAISE TAXES. IT WAS MADE WHEN WE SENT A BUDGET TO THE PRESIDENT THAT HE VETOED, THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AND AFTER THAT SHUTDOWN, THEN AND ONLY THEN DID PRESIDENT CLINTON GET IN FAVOR OF WELFARE REFORM AND OTHER THINGS THAT LED TO A SLOWING OF THE RATE OF GROWTH BOTH IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND HE CALLS IT A RIBBON CUTTING TO VOTE FOR A BALANCED -- I ASK FOR AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. A RIBBON CUTTING TO SHOW UP AND VOTE FOR BUDGETS THAT HAVE ACTUALLY BALANCED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MY GOOD FRIEND, VOTED AGAINST ALL FOUR, ALL FOUR OF THE BUDGETS THAT WERE BALANCED IN THE 1990'S AND LEADING UP TO 2001. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

MR. SMITH

MR. SPEAKER, I'LL YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FROM TEXAS,…

MR. SPEAKER, I'LL YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FROM TEXAS, MR. CANSECO, A MEMBER OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. CANSECO

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY WE ARE TALKING…

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY WE ARE TALKING -- TAKING AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS CHANGING THE WAY WASHINGTON DOES BUSINESS. AND IT COULDN'T COME AT A MORE OPPORTUNE TIME AS OUR NATIONAL DEBT CROSSED THE $15 TRILLION THRESHOLD THIS WEEK WHICH MEANS THAT NOW ON AVERAGE EVERY AMERICAN HOUSEHOLD'S SHARE OF THE NATIONAL DEBT IS $127,899. OUR NATION IS IN THE MIDST OF A SPENDING-DRIVEN DEBT CRISIS. WE'VE RUN THREE SUCCESSIVE $1 TRILLION-PLUS DEFICITS, WE ARE BORROWING APPROXIMATELY 40 CENTS OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDS AND THE C.B.O. ESTIMATES THAT BY THE END OF THE DECADE WE'LL BE SPENDING ALMOST $1 TRILLION JUST TO PAY THE INTEREST ON OUR DEBT. IF WE DO NOTHING, THE PROBLEM WILL GET WORSE. WE'LL CONTINUE SPENDING, BORROWING AND ACCUMULATING MORE DEBT UNTIL ONE DAY OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURETURES ARE DROWNED IN A SEE -- FUTURES ARE DROWNED IN A SEA OF RED INK. OUR INABILITY TO GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER WILL LEAVE THEM WITH A DOWNSIZED AMERICAN DREAM. AS A FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN, THIS IS SOMETHING I REFUSE TO DO. I'M THE SON OF MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THIS NATION TO PROVIDE THEIR CHILDREN WITH A BETTER LIFE AND TO LIVE IN A LAND WHERE MY OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE LIMITED ONLY BY HOW HARD I WORKED AND HOW BIG I COULD DREAM. . I WANT TO ENSURE THAT AMERICA REMAINS A LAND OF LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN. I DON'T WANT THE LEGACY OF THIS GENERATION OF AMERICANS TO BE THAT WE ARE THE FIRST GENERATIONS TO PASS ON A SMALLER AMERICAN DREAM TO OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. FOR TOO LONG OUR NATION HAS SPENT FAR BEYOND ITS MEANS. WE HAVE RUN UP A NATIONAL CREDIT CARD, BORROWING FROM OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN'S FUTURE, TO PAY FOR SPENDING TODAY. WE NEED TO CUT UP THE NATIONAL CREDIT CARD AND MAKE SURE THE DIRE SITUATION WE HAVE GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. AND A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL DO JUST THAT. I YIELD BACK MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

HOW MUCH TIME DOES EACH SIDE HAVE, PLEASE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 36 3/4. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS HAS 1…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 36 3/4. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS HAS 1 HOUR AND 4 1/2 MINUTES.

MR. NADLER

THE MOMENT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. SMITH

UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE, CONTROL…

UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GOODLATTE, CONTROL THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

MR. SPEAKER, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. SCALISE, A MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

MR. SCALISE

THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR YIELDING TIME TO ME TO SPEAK ABOUT…

THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR YIELDING TIME TO ME TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. REALLY WANT TO THANK HIM FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE FLOOR. BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THOSE RARE BIPARTISAN PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT CONGRESS BRINGS FORWARD THAT IS SO CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS AN IDEA THAT IS LONG OVERDUE. IF YOU LOOK WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING OUR COUNTRY, COME FROM THE FACT THAT WASHINGTON CONTINUES TO SPEND MONEY IT DOESN'T HAVE. THIS NATION JUST PASSED THE $15 TRILLION THRESHOLD IN DEBT. JUST IN THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S BEEN IN OFFICE, ANOTHER $5 TRILLION, MOUNTAINS OF DEBT, THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE BACKS OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE TO KEEP DUMPING THIS DEBT ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT HURTS AMERICA'S ABILITY TO GROW. IT HOLDS AMERICA'S PROMISE BACK. AND IT'S GOT TO STOP. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS DEBATE, A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL FINALLY BRING PERMANENT ACCOUNTABILITY IN PLACE TO FORCE WASHINGTON TO START LIVING WITHIN ITS MEANS. TO TELL WASHINGTON YOU CAN'T KEEP SPENDING MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE. YET YOU LISTEN TO THIS DEBATE, THERE ARE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS SUPPORTING THIS CONCEPT THAT LONG OVERDUE TO REQUIRE A BALANCED FEDERAL BUDGET, BUT OF COURSE THERE ARE OPPONENTS AS WELL. IF YOU LISTEN TO WHAT SOME OF THE OPPONENTS HAVE BEEN SAYING, THEY CALLED IT RECKLESS. 49 STATES DO THIS. FAMILIES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY BALANCE THEIR BUDGET. AND THEY CALL IT RECKLESS TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. WHAT I WOULD FINALLY SAY IN CONCLUSION IS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO PUT THESE REINS ON WASHINGTON SPENDING. WE'VE GOT TO GIVE THIS PROMISE TO THE NEXT GENERATION. STOP PLAYING POLITICS. LET'S PASS THIS AMENDMENT. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

49 STATES BORROW FOR CAPITAL BUDGETS, THEY HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET…

49 STATES BORROW FOR CAPITAL BUDGETS, THEY HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR OPERATING BUDGETS. THIS MAKES NO DISTINCTION. IT WILL NOT LET US BORROW EVER. I CONTINUE TO RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

15 SECONDS TO POINT OUT THAT THIS DOES ALLOW YOU TO BORROW, YOU HAVE TO…

15 SECONDS TO POINT OUT THAT THIS DOES ALLOW YOU TO BORROW, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SUPERMAJORITY AND SPECIAL REASON TO DO SO. I POINT OUT THE STATES HAD ANYTHING LIKE THE PROPORTIONATE DEBT THAT'S CONSTITUTED BY THIS GOVERNMENT TODAY OF $15 TRILLION, THEY WOULDN'T BE BORROWING MUCH MONEY EITHER. AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN, MR. DUFFY, A MEMBER OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. DUFFY

YOU. THIS IS NOT THE VERSION THAT I SUPPORTED. I WANTED A VERSION THAT HAD…

YOU. THIS IS NOT THE VERSION THAT I SUPPORTED. I WANTED A VERSION THAT HAD SPENDING CAPS LINKED TO G.D.P. BUT AS THIS WEEK WE PASSED THE $15 TRILLION DEBT MARK, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THIS HOUSE COME TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CONTROL ITS SPENDING. BUT TO LOOK AT RECENT HISTORY, THIS HOUSE CONFERENCE ON THE G.O.P. SIDE PASSED A BUDGET THIS YEAR THAT BROUGHT OUR COUNTRY TO BALANCE. AND ALL THE DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE AISLE -- MOST OF THEM VOTED NO. THEY WERE OFFERED A COUNTERPROPOSAL THAT COULD BRING OUR BUDGET TO BALANCE. THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE HAVEN'T PROPOSED A BUDGET IN 900 DAYS. WE NEED TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS DEBT. AND TODAY AS WE HAVE $15 TRILLION IN DEBT, AND WE HAVE HISTORIC INTEREST RATE LOWS, LET'S LOOK OUT 10 YEARS WHEN THE DEBT IS $25 TRILLION AND WE GO FROM HISTORIC LOW INTEREST RATES TO HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS. -- NORMS. IF WE CAN'T BALANCE THE BUDGET TODAY, IS IT GOING TO BE EASIER? WHEN $25 TRILLION AND WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE? MY FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE LIKE TO PULL OUT SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, AND THE NEEDY. YOU KNOW WHAT? I CARE ABOUT THOSE CONSTITUENTS IN MY DISTRICT AS WELL. BUT WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE ARE BORROWING THIS MONEY FROM CHINA. WE HAVE GIVEN THEM AN ECONOMIC NUCLEAR BOMB. WE ARE BANKRUPTING THIS COUNTRY. JEOPARDIZING THE FREEDOM OF OUR NEXT GENERATION. LET'S MAKE SURE WE PASS THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND LET'S RELY ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO FUND THE OBLIGATIONS THAT THIS HOUSE MAKES. WITH THAT I ENCOURAGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA,…

IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. PLATS -- PLATTS, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE OVERSIGHT AND REFORM COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. PLATTS

I THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR YIELDING. AND ESPECIALLY THANK HIM FOR HIS GREAT…

I THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR YIELDING. AND ESPECIALLY THANK HIM FOR HIS GREAT LEADERSHIP ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. I RISE IN FAVOR OF THIS LEGISLATION. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY BORROWING CLOSE TO 40 CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR THAT IT SPENDS. OUR $15 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT HAS GROWN TO BE AS LARGE AS OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS THAT CONGRESS CAN TAKE TO RESTORE FISCAL SANITY TO WASHINGTON FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IS TO ADOPT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. I HAVE CO-SPONSORED A VERSION OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT EVERY SESSION SINCE FIRST BEING ELECTED TO CONGRESS INCLUDING THIS ONE. THIS PROPOSAL WOULD UM POSE A SIMILAR REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUALLY ADOPTING A BALANCED BUDGET AS CURRENTLY EXISTS IN 49 STATES, RECOGNIZING A COMMONSENSE EXCEPTION FOR DEFENSE UNDER LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. THE IDEA OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS NOT NEW. ONE OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, THOMAS JEFFERSON, WAS A STRONG PROPONENT OF THIS IDEA. MORE RECENTLY IN 1995 AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, FOLLOWING PASSAGE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE UNITED STATES SENATE CAME WITHIN ONE VOTE OF ACCEPTEDING THIS VERSION OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION. SINCE THEN OUR TOTAL NATIONAL DEBT HAS NEARLY TRIPLED. A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION WILL HELP TO RESTORE FISCAL INTEGRITY IN WASHINGTON, BOOST CONFIDENCE IN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, AND STOP WASHINGTON'S PRACTICE OF SADDLING FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH AN INSURMOUNTABLE LEVEL OF DEBT. THE ADOPTION OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT HAS THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS. OUR CONSTITUENTS GET IT. WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE. IT IS TIME FOR WASHINGTON TO GET IT AND TO HEED THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE SHOULD PASS THIS LEGISLATION AND THEREBY ALLOW OUR STATE LEGISLATURES THE OPPORTUNITY TO RATIFY THIS COMMONSENSE ADDITION TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK AND THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOW MINUTES. -- FOR…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOW MINUTES. -- FOR FOUR MINUTES.

>>

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING TIME.

MR. WATT

HEARD THIS SAID SINCE I HAVE BEEN SITTING ON THE FLOOR LISTENING TO THE…

HEARD THIS SAID SINCE I HAVE BEEN SITTING ON THE FLOOR LISTENING TO THE DEBATE, BUT IF ANYBODY HAS SAID IT I WANT TO EXPRESS MY AGREEMENT WITH THEM. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR THAN WE RECEIVE. THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. AND WITH THAT I CANNOT ARGUE. HOWEVER I DISAGREE THAT WE NEED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO MAKE THAT POINT. I HAVE NO BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO OPERATE MY HOUSEHOLD. SOME YEARS I HAVE BORROWED MONEY AND GONE IN DEBT. AND SOME YEARS I HAVE ACCUMULATED A SURPLUS AND PAID DOWN THAT DEBT. I'M SURE THAT'S THE WAY EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN OPERATES THEIR LIFE TRYING TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS NOT HIDING BEHIND SOME SUBTERFUGE LIKE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. BEING RESPONSIBLE. I WENT INTO DEBT TO GO TO COLLEGE. IT WAS A WONDERFUL INVESTMENT BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF I HAD NOT DONE THAT. AND I PAID THAT DEBT BACK IN SOME YEARS WHERE I GENERATED SURPLUSES IN MY HOUSEHOLD TO BE ABLE TO, AS A RESULT OF GOING TO COLLEGE. I WENT INTO DEBT TO BUY A HOUSE. IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL INVESTMENT. THE HOUSE HAS A LOT MORE VALUE NOW THAN WHAT I PAID FOR IT. IT IS PART OF MY ASSETS. AND ONE OF THESE DAYS I'M GOING TO PAY THAT DEBT OFF. BUT I'M STILL, IF YOU COUNT THAT, OPERATING IN A DEFICIT SITUATION. THERE ARE SOME YEARS THAT I'M IN SURPLUS. THERE ARE SOME YEARS THAT I'M IN DEFICIT. THE ONE THING I DO KNOW WHETHER I'M IN DEFICIT OR SURPLUS, I COUNT THE INCOME AND I COUNT THE EXPENDITURES. BALANCING A BUDGET IS NOT JUST ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU SPEND. IT IS ALSO ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU TAKE IN AND THE GOVERNMENT'S ONLY SOURCE OF TAKING IN MONEY IS TAX REVENUES. SO FOR SOMEBODY TO COME IN HERE AND LECTURE ME ABOUT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WHEN THEY JUMPED UP FROM DISCUSSIONS AND SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT REVENUES, IN AN EFFORT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, I'M JUST GOING TO HAVE YOU TALK ABOUT EXPENDITURES, THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. LET'S GROW UP IN THIS INSTITUTION. ACT RESPONSIBLY. MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS. AND WE CAN GET OUT OF THIS DEFICIT SITUATION AND WE CAN PAY OFF THE DEBT. WE HAVE PROVED IT. WE PROVED IT WHILE I WAS HERE IN THIS BODY. WE GOT TO THE POINT THAT CHAIRMAN GREENSPAN AT THAT TIME WAS SAYING, HEY, I'M WORRIED THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PAY OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT TOO MUCH -- TOO FAST AND IT'S GOING TO BE DEFLATIONARY. REPUBLICANS WERE NOT IN CONTROL THEN. WE DIDN'T HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT THEN. GIVE ME 30 SECONDS AND I'M GOING TO STOP.

MR. NADLER

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDED AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

MR. WATT

HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT THEN. WE ACTED RESPONSIBLY AND NOT WITH A…

HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT THEN. WE ACTED RESPONSIBLY AND NOT WITH A SINGLE VOTE FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE LECTURING US TODAY AND SAYING THEY NEED A BALANCED BUDGET TO STAND BEHIND. THAT'S LIKE STANDING BEHIND MY MOTHER'S SKIRT. GROW UP. MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS. QUIT GOING INTO WARS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR AND NOT PAYING FOR THEM. MAKE SOME RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS AND YOU WON'T NEED THIS SKIRT TO STAND BEHIND. WE DON'T NEED THIS. IT'S IRRATIONAL. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW IT'S IRRATIONAL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT BALANCING THE BUDGET IS A FUNCTION OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THE GENTLEMAN. IF THE…

SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THE GENTLEMAN. IF THE GENTLEMAN'S COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DECISIONS MADE DURING REPUBLICAN CONGRESSES THAT HE DOESN'T AGREE WITH, THAT SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY, THAT DIDN'T YIELD TO BALANCING BUDGETS, THE GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT. BUT THE GENTLEMAN NEGLIGENCE IT -- NEGLECTS TO POINT OUT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, MANY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSES, IN THE LAST 52 YEARS, 37 WHICH ONLY RESULTED IN A BALANCED BUDGET. THAT IS NOT A GOOD RECORD, EITHER. IN FACT DURING THE 1909'S WHEN WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE FOUR BALANCED BUDGETS, THOSE -- I YIELD MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS. THOSE BALANCED BUDGETS WERE UNDER REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT. AND IN POINT OF FACT IT WAS ONLY AFTER THERE WAS A CONFRONTATION ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SPENDING AND A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT THE NECESSARY REFORMS WERE MADE TO SLOW THE RATE OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING SO WE COULD ACHIEVE THOSE BALANCED BUDGETS. AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA TAKES CREDIT FOR HIS VOTE IN 1993 WHICH I DID NOT AGREE WITH, I'M GOING TO TAKE CREDIT FOR MY FOUR VOTES THAT WERE BALANCED BUDGETS IN 1998 THROUGH 2001, WHICH HE VOTED AGAINST. SO WE NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR A RULE IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT REQUIRES THAT THE BUDGET BE BALANCED EVERY YEAR EXCEPT IN TIMES OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY WHEN WE SHOULD HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO NOT BALANCE. AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. STEARNS, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE, OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATION SUBCOMMITTEE. .

MR. STEARNS

I THANK MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE. I SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DEMOCRAT…

I THANK MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE. I SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE, YOU KNOW, WE CAN SIT HERE AND BLAME BUSH. YOU CAN SIT HERE ON OUR SIDE, WE CAN BLAME PRESIDENT OBAMA. AND WE CAN HAVE THIS HIGH RHETORIC TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS. BUT WE ARE IN A VERY PRECARIOUS SITUATION. THIS IS ALL DIFFERENT. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICS AND YOU SAY, WELL, LOOK, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTRY IN 10 YEARS? IN 10 YEARS 95% OF ALL FEDERAL TAX REVENUES WILL BE CONSUMED BY PAYMENTS OF INTEREST ON THE NATIONAL DEBT AND MANDATORY PROGRAMS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY. I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IS ALSO THERE. THIS WILL LEAVE JUST ABOUT 5% OF OUR ANNUAL TAX REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR FUNDING NATIONAL DEFENSE AND OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT. SO THIS IS AN ATTEMPT HERE TODAY, A VERY SOBER ATTEMPT TO CONTROL BUDGETS AND DO THIS THROUGH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. NOW, YOU MAKE A VALID ARGUMENT ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE OF THESE 49 STATES HAVING AN OPERATIONAL BALANCED BUDGET WHICH IS, THEY DON'T HAVE A CAPITAL OUTLAY BALANCED BUDGET. I UNDERSTAND THAT ARGUMENT. BUT ALSO, WITH THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WE'RE ALSO PROJECTING ATTEMPTS TO HAVE A RAINY DAY FUND WHERE WE SET ASIDE MONEY FOR THE EMERGENCIES. SO YOU CANNOT HANG YOUR WHOLE ARGUMENT ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET AND THE CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET AS A PANACEA FOR NOT VOTING FOR THIS. BECAUSE WE ARE AT SUCH DIRE EXTREME SITUATIONS. TALKING ABOUT FOUNDING FATHERS, THEY UNDERSTOOD THE PERILS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT IN FACT, THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID, QUOTE, THE PRINCIPLE OF SPENDING MONEY TO BE PAID BY FUTURE GENERATIONS UNDER THE NAME OF FUNDING IS BUT SWINDLING, SWINDLING THE FUTURE ON A LARGE SCALE. SO WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND, THIS IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL LIKE WE VOTED FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SOME 15 YEARS AGO. THIS IS BRAND NEW. WE DO NOT THINK WE CAN GO FORWARD WITHOUT CONTROLLING OUR SPENDING AND THIS IS AN HONEST ATTEMPT TO DO SO. SO I THINK THE HIGH RHETORIC ON BOTH SIDES OF BLAMING DIFFERENT PRESIDENTS AND TALKING ABOUT THE PAST IS GONE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. EITHER WE WILL HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO DO WHAT WE…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. EITHER WE WILL HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO OR THIS AMENDMENT SIMPLY PUTS THOSE DECISIONS IN THE HANDS OF A FEDERAL JUDGE WHICH WE DON'T WANT TO SEE, I DON'T THINK. I RESERVE THE TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. HULTGREN, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. HULTGREN

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE TIME IS NOW. THIS WEEK WE WATCHED AS OUR…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE TIME IS NOW. THIS WEEK WE WATCHED AS OUR NATION'S DEBT REACHED AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL. $15 TRILLION. THIS DEBT CRISIS WAS CAUSED BY PAST ADMINISTRATIONS AND PAST CONGRESSES WHO REFUSED TO SAY, NO MORE SPENDING. WASHINGTON SPENDS TOO MUCH AND IS UNDERWATER. BECAUSE OF THAT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND SOLVENCY AND THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IS IN JEOPARDY. MR. SPEAKER, THE TIME IS NOW FOR THIS CONGRESS TO PASS IMMEDIATE, BOLD AND PERMANENT SPENDING REFORMS THAT WILL HOLD ALL FUTURE CONGRESSES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR SPENDING. AND NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT. BY PASSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO OUR CONSTITUTION. LET'S FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY THAT WASHINGTON SPENDS MONEY AND BRING ACCOUNTABILITY BACK TO CONGRESS BY PASSING THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. WE'VE COME CLOSE BEFORE BUT THERE'S NO MORE EXCUSES. THE TIME IS NOW. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

I RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. POSEY, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE AND AS A REALTOR MAY WANT TO COMMENT ON SOME OF THE REMARKS MADE HERE TODAY REGARDING THE ABILITY OF PEOPLE TO BORROW MONEY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. POSEY

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. FIRST I WILL COMMENT ON THE VALUE OF BUYING HOMES…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. FIRST I WILL COMMENT ON THE VALUE OF BUYING HOMES ON CREDIT. I THINK IT'S A PRETTY GOOD IDEA. BUT WHEN YOU GO TO GET QUALIFIED FOR A HOME, THE RULE OF THUMB IS THAT YOU SHOULD BUY A HOME ROUGHLY NOT MORE THAN 2 1/2 TIMES YOUR ANNUAL INCOME. IF YOU COMPARE THAT TO OUR KNOWN DEBT OF $15 TRILLION, OUR REVENUES OF ABOUT $2.2 TRILLION, YOU SEE, IF OUR DEBT WAS A HOME LOAN, IT WOULD BE 14 TIMES OUR ANNUAL INCOME. NO LENDER WOULD LOAN YOU MONEY UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WOULD SAY, YOU ARE BANKRUPT FAR BEYOND ANY POSSIBILITY OF RECOVERY. AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE $60 TRILLION UNFUNDED LIABILITIES FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS REALLY A GOOD ANALOGY. NOW TO MY POINT, THERE'S AN OLD POLITICAL AXIOM THAT SAYS, ANY TIME YOU PROMISE TO STEAL FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL, ONE THING YOU USUALLY HAPPENS. PAUL VOTES FOR YOU. TOTAL REVENUES, AS I JUST SAID IN ANSWER TO THE CHAIRMAN'S QUESTION, ARE ABOUT $2.2 TRILLION. TOTAL EXPENSES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDS, $3.6 TRILLION. WHERE'S THE MONEY COME FROM? RATHER THAN BALANCING OUR BUDGET LIKE EVERY HARDWORKING AMERICAN 'S FAMILY, 49 OTHER STATES, AND VIRTUALLY EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COUNTRY, CONGRESS INSTEAD CURRENTLY PUTS ABOUT 40% OF EVERY -- WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS, VOTE-BUYING DOLLAR IT SPENDS ON OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS' CREDIT CARDS. TO THE POINT WHERE EACH AMERICAN FAMILY'S SHARE OF THE NATIONAL DEBT IS ABOUT $125,000. IN EXCESS OF $125,000. IT WILL BE HARD TO STOP THE SPENDING. IT WILL BE LIKE TAKING DRUGS AWAY FROM AN ADDICT. SINCE CONGRESS, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, HAVE NOT SHOWN THE POLITICAL WILL TO BE ACCOUNTABLE, I BELIEVE A VOTER-MANDATED BALANCED BUDGET CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS THE ONLY HOPE THIS COUNTRY HAS TO PRESERVE THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT AND I URGE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY TO BEGIN THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION INSTEAD OF THE NEXT ELECTION. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. CONNOLLY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. CONNOLLY

TODAY THIS HOUSE WILL VOTE ON THE MOMENTOUS ISSUE OF AMENDING THE…

TODAY THIS HOUSE WILL VOTE ON THE MOMENTOUS ISSUE OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. ALL OF US SHOULD UNDERSTAND THIS IS NO SYMBOLIC VOTE. THIS IS NOT A ROUTINE LEGISLATIVE ACT. WE'RE ASKED -- ASKED TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE MOST SACRED DOCUMENT OF A FREE PEOPLE WITH A PROVISION NOT CONTEMPLATED BY THE FOUNDERS. THE ARGUMENT IS PROPOUNDED THAT THE TIMES DEMAND IT, THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE, PUBLIC OPINION FAVORS IT. BUT AS LEGISLATORS WE MUST HOLD OURSELVES TO A HIGHER THRESHOLD TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION. IS THE PROPOSAL ESSENTIAL, DID THE FOUNDERS FAIL TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE THAT NOW MUST BE ADDRESSED IN AND ONLY IN A CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK? IS THERE NO LEGISLATIVE REMEDY? WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE AND FORESEEABLE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE? AND IMPORTANTLY WE MUST REMEMBER THAT BUCK FOR ONE, -- BUT FOR ONE, ALL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ARE WRITTEN IN INDELL I BELIEVE INK. -- INDELIBLE INK. I MUST OPPOSE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BEFORE US. IT DOES NOT PASS THE HIGHER CONSTITUTIONAL THRESHOLD WE MUST INSIST ON. WE BALANCED THE BUDGET JUST FOUR -- JUST A DECADE AGO FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS, WITHOUT SUCH AN AMENDMENT. IT WAS A MATTER OF POLITICAL WILL. FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC GROWTH. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SAYS POTENTIAL CANNOT BE RESURRECTED. THERE'S AMPLE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, THAT THIS CONSTITUTION -- INSTITUTION LACKS THE WILL AND COURAGE TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES NECESSARY. POLITICAL FAILURE CAN AND MUST BE ADDRESSED HERE AND FAILING THAT AT THE BALLOT BOX. THE CORRECTIVE IS FORGING A POLITICAL CONSENSUS, NOT AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION. IN FACT, TO LEAP TO THE LATTER, AS AN EXPEDIENT IS TO ADMIT THE COLLAPSE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONS AND TO ABANDON ALL FAITH IN A COLLECTIVE ABILITY TO RESPOND. I REFUSE TO RECANT MY FAITH IN OUR ABILITY TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT CHOICES NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED GOALS OF DEBT REDUCTION AND BALANCED FISCAL PERFORMANCE. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ALSO FAILS ANOTHER TEST. DO NO HARM. HAD THIS AMENDMENT BEEN IN PLACE DURING THE ECONOMIC CONTRACTION WE JUST EXPERIENCED -- I ASK FOR ONE MORE MINUTE.

MR. NADLER

I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN ONE MORE MINUTE.

MR. CONNOLLY

ABANDONED THE ECONOMIC FIELD TO THE DARWINIAN FORCES AT WORK AND GEARPTED…

ABANDONED THE ECONOMIC FIELD TO THE DARWINIAN FORCES AT WORK AND GEARPTED THAT THE GREAT RECESSION BECAME THE SECOND GREAT DEPRESSION. CONDEMNING OUR CITIZENS TO THEIR OWN FATE, ONE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARACTERIZED FOR A GENERATION OF WANT, DOUBLE-DIGIT UNEMPLOYMENT AND ENDEMIC POVERTY. WHY WOULD ANY MEMBER OF THIS BODY CONSCIOUSLY CHOOSE SUCH A COURSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES, ALTHOUGH PAINFUL ONES? PERHAPS IT'S EASIER TO PANDER TO THE CLAMOR OF THE MOMENT. OR TO SEEK OUT THE YOU IS DUCTIVELY EASY ANSWERS. PERHAPS WE SEEK TO MASK AND IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA TO STARVE THE GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT, CLOAKED IN THE MORE RESPECTABLE ARGUMENT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT MADE NECESSARY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. FOR ME THE FOUNDERS' SILENCE ON THIS MATTER OF THE CONSTITUTION WAS INTENTIONAL. THEY UNDERSTOOD AND EXPECTED THAT CONGRESS WOULD MEET ITS DUTIES AND DO ITS JOB. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MR. DESJARLAIS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. DESJARLAIS

THE GENTLEMAN. MR. SPEAKER, NO ONE CAN DENY THAT OUR NATION'S ON AN…

THE GENTLEMAN. MR. SPEAKER, NO ONE CAN DENY THAT OUR NATION'S ON AN UNSUSTAINABLE SPENDING PATH THAT WILL LEAD THIS COUNTRY TO BANKRUPTCY. OUR NATIONAL DEBT IS NOW A STAGGERING $15 TRILLION AND RISING DAILY. IN THE PAST 50 YEARS THE BUDGET HAS BEEN BALANCED JUST SIX TIMES , A LOSING RECORD THAT HAS SEEN OUR DEFICIT EXPLODE FROM $300 BILLION TO $15 TRILLION. CONGRESS HAS TRIED SPENDING CAPS, TIME AND TIME AGAIN. ONE CONGRESS SETS THEM JUST TO SEE THE NEXT CONGRESS UNDO THEM. THAT'S WHY WE MUST HAVE THIS AMENDMENT. A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL FINALLY FORCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS. NOT JUST AS CONGRESS, BUT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. POLITICIANS LOVE THEIR POLLS. A RECENT POLL SHOWS THAT 75% OF AMERICANS FAVOR A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. IF WE AS CONGRESSMEN ARE TRUE IN REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE WHO SENT US HERE, THIS IS THE DAY THAT WE SET PARTISAN DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. 3/4 OF AMERICANS WANT THIS. WE ONLY NEED 2/3 OF OUR MEMBERS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IT IS NO SECRET TO ANYONE HERE THAT CONGRESS SUFFERS FROM A 90% DISAPPROVAL RATING AND I BELIEVE IT'S BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF PARTISAN POLITICS AND THAT THEIR VOICES FALL ON DEAF EARS. TODAY WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT WE ARE LISTENING, THAT WE DO CARE ABOUT THEM AND THAT WE DO HEAR THEIR VOICES. REPUBLICANS SHOULD EMBRACE THIS BILL. DEMOCRATS SHOULD EMBRACE THIS BILL. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD EMBRACE THIS BILL BECAUSE CLEARLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EMBRACE THIS BILL. IT IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE ALL WIN. LET US RETURN TO OUR DISTRICTS WITH OUR HEADS HELD HIGH, TELL OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT THEIR VOICES WERE HEARD, THAT WE LISTENED. LET'S HUG OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND TELL THEM, TODAY WE MADE HISTORY. AND WE HAVE TAKEN A GIANT STEP TOWARDS SECURING THEIR FUTURE. FOR THE SAKE OF THIS GREAT NATION, DO THE RIGHT THING, PASS THIS RESOLUTION. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

MR. SPEAKER, HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE, PLEASE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 29 MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA HAS 51 MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR. TIPTON, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AND TRADE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. TIPTON

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS FROM NOW WILL STAND IN JUDGMENT OF THE CHOICES THAT WE MAKE TODAY. IN MY DISTRICT, AS I'VE TRAVELED AND VISITED WITH PEOPLE FROM THE FARM AND RANCH COMMUNITY TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO FAMILIES AROUND THEIR KITCHEN TABLES, THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. THEY'RE FRUSTRATED THAT WASHINGTON DOES NOT LIVE UNDER THE SAME RULES THAT THEY DO. THOSE FAMILIES GATHER EACH NIGHT TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGET. SMALL BUSINESSES DO IT EVERY DAY. 49 OF OUR 50 STATES BALANCE THEIR BUDGET. AND THE QUESTION IS ALWAYS RISED -- RAISED, WHY DOESN'T WASHINGTON LIVE UNDER THE SAME RULES? WE LOOK AT OUR EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS RIGHT NOW. GREECE, ITSLY, STRUGGLING UNDER -- GREASE, ITALY, STRUGGLING UNDER THEIR CRUSHING DEBT, WILL WE FOLLOW THAT SAME PATH OR WILL WE PICK A BETTER WAY? MR. SPEAKER, THE TIME HAS COME, THE DAY HAS ARRIVED AND THE HOUR IS NOW. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE ONE THING THAT WE CAN ALL UNDERSTAND AS WE DEBATE THE DIFFERENT SIDES OF THIS ISSUE IS ONE IMPORTANT POINT THAT IS NOT DEBATABLE, $15 TRILLION IN DEBT. . OUR CHILDREN, OUR GRANDCHILDREN, THOSE OF US TODAY, WE NEED TO BE STANDING UP FOR RESPONSIBILITY. THIS CONGRESS AT THIS TIME HAS THAT OPPORTUNITY. THE CHOICE WE MAKE HERE TODAY DOES NOT END THE DEBATE. WE RETURN IT TO OUR STATES, TO THE PEOPLE WHO SENT US HERE, TO MAKE THAT FINAL CHOICE. I THINK THE ANSWER WILL BE CLEAR. THE TIME HAS COME FOR THIS CONGRESS TO EMBRACE A BALANCED BUDGET, TO STAND UP AND DO WHAT EVERY AMERICAN DOES EVERY DAY. WE NEED TO PASS THIS BILL AND WE NEED TO PASS IT NOW. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR. ROKITA, A MEMBER OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, AND A LEADER ON THIS ISSUE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. ROKITA

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY AS A CO-SPONSOR OF…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY AS A CO-SPONSOR OF THIS BIPARTISAN BILL IN FULL SUPPORT OF IT. RARELY DO WE HAVE A CHANCE IN THIS BODY TO MAKE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE. IT'S SO EASY AS I HAVE LEARNED IN THE SHORT 10 MONTHS FOR MEMBERS OF THIS BODY TO SAY NO. INSTEAD OF TAKING A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE. THIS MORNING WE HAVE THAT CHANCE. I DON'T THINK THIS CHANCE WILL COME CLOSER IN OUR ORBIT FOR A VERY LONG TIME. IF WE CAN PASS LANGUAGE OUT OF THIS HOUSE THIS MORNING, THE SENATE HAS TO VOTE ON IT. THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CANNOT TABLE IT. AND BECAUSE IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PRESIDENT. HE CAN'T VETO IT. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SIGN IT. IT GOES RIGHT TO THE STATES. AND WHY IS THAT SO IMPORTANT? WHY IS THAT SO DIFFERENT? BECAUSE FINALLY THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, OF THE STATE OF INDIANA, OF MY BELOVED FOURTH DISTRICT WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TELL US BY RATIFICATION OF THIS AMENDMENT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS. INSTEAD OF PASSING THEIR BILLS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING THAT'S OCCURRING HERE, $8 BILL TO $12 BILLION A DAY MORE IN DEBT, WHETHER THEY ARE DONE PASSING IT ON TO THEIR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS AND I BELIEVE SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE OF US WHO REPRESENT SENIOR CITIZENS, THAT MOST OF THEM HAVE GRANDCHILDREN. AND THEY DON'T WANT THEIR BILLS PASSED ON TO THEM. THOSE THAT SAY NO TODAY, THOSE THAT SAY NO TODAY ARE REALLY SAYING NO BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE CONTROL. THEY DON'T WANT THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE. THEY'D RATHER HAVE THAT IN THEIR HANDS. THEY'D RATHER KEEP KICKING THAT HEAVIER AND HEAVIER CAN DOWN THE ROAD SO THAT CITIZENS LIKE THIS, TEDDY AND RYAN, AND THEIR KIDS CAN PAY THE BILL. I ASK THE GENTLEMAN FOR AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. GOODLATTE

HAPPY TO YIELD AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.

MR. ROKITA

IS ABOUT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THIS CHAMBER, MR. SPEAKER, THERE ARE TWO…

IS ABOUT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THIS CHAMBER, MR. SPEAKER, THERE ARE TWO CONSTITUENCIES OUT THERE. AND MR. POSEY FROM FLORIDA SAID IT WELL. WE ARE ROBBING PETER TO PAUL. WHY THAT WORKS AROUND HERE IS BECAUSE PAUL CAN VOTE FOR US. I ASK EVERY MEMBER HERE TODAY, WHO STANDS FOR THE CONSTITUENCY THAT CAN'T DIRECTLY VOTE FOR THEM NEXT ELECTION? WHO STANDS FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCY THAT DOESN'T EXIST YET? BUT WILL. AND BECAUSE OF THE DECISION THAT IS ARE MADE HERE ON THIS FLOOR IN THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THIS TOWN, WHERE TOO OFTEN UP IS DOWN AND DOWN IS UP AND BLACK IS WHITE AND WHITE IS BLACK, WE DON'T REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENCY . WE DON'T PRIORITIZE THE RIGHT CONSTITUENCY AT THE RIGHT TIME. THIS IS A CHANCE TO DO THIS. THIS IS A CHANCE TO NOT LET US HAVE THAT OUT ANYMORE. TO MAKE US HAVE THE TAX FIGHT. TO MAKE US HAVE THE CUT SPENDING FIGHT, BUT NOT ALLOW THE OPTION OF KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD TO MAKE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T HERE TODAY PAY FOR IT. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR. PENCE, WHO IS NOT ONLY THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSTITUTION SUBCOMMITTEE, BUT HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER THIS THIS EFFORT TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. PENCE

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 2,…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 2, A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, AND ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

MR. PENCE

CHALLENGING TIME IN THE LIFE OF OUR NATION. OUR ECONOMY IS STRUGGLING…

CHALLENGING TIME IN THE LIFE OF OUR NATION. OUR ECONOMY IS STRUGGLING UNDER THE FAILED ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE RECENT PAST AND UNDER A MOUNTAIN RANGE OF DEBT. WE HAVE AN UNCHECKED SPENDTHRIFT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT'S PLACING A BURDEN OF INSURMOUNTABLE DEBT ON OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. WASHINGTON, D.C., ISN'T JUST BROKE, IT'S BROKEN. AND THE TIME HAS COME TO CHANGE THE WAY WE SPEND THE PEOPLE'S MON WHICH. AND TO DO -- MONEY. AND TO DO THAT IN OUR NATIONAL CHARTER. THE TIME HAS COME FOR A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO COMMEND JUST A FEW PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT US TO THIS DAY. I WANT TO COMMEND SPEAKER BOEHNER AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP FOR ENSURING THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS WE WOULD HAVE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. BUT I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, CONGRESSMAN GOODLATTE, WHO THROUGHOUT THOSE LAST 15 YEARS AS BEEN AS WE SAY BACK HOME, LIKE A DOG WITH A BONE, ON A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. HIS TENACITY, HIS COMMITMENT TO THIS REFORM NOT SINGULARLY BUT PREDOMINANTLY HAS BROUGHT US TO THIS DAY AND I COMMEND HIM FROM MY HEART. OUR NATION IS SINGING--SINKING IN A SEA OF DEBT. JUST THIS WEEK WE PASSED $15 TRILLION IN NATIONAL DEBT. AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THE SAME OLD ARGUMENTS. THEY WANT SOLUTIONS NOT SLOGANS. THEY WANT REFORMS, NOT RHETORIC. THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION IS AN AUTHENTIC, LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO RUN AWAY FEDERAL SPENDING, DEFICITS AND DEBT, BY BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES. AND THE MEASURE WE BRING TO THE FLOOR TODAY IS A BIPARTISAN PRESSURE. IT IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE VERSION THAT LAST PASSED THE HOUSE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. IT REQUIRES SIMPLY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT SPEND IN MORE THAN IT TAKES. IT REQUIRES A 3/5 VOTE TO RAISE THE NATION'S DEBT CEILING AND REQUIRES ANY INCREASE IN TAXES BE BY A TRUE MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE. NOW, WHILE I SUPPORT THIS HISTORIC VERSION, THIS BIPARTISAN VERSION OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, I DO REGRET IT DOESN'T GO FURTHER. I WOULD THAT WE WOULD HAVE BROUGHT A VERSION OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE FLOOR THAT INCLUDED A CAP ON FEDERAL SPENDING, STRICT LIMITS ON THE JUDICIARY, AND A HIGHER HURDLE FOR CONGRESS TO RAISE TAXES ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. BUT WHILE THIS VERSION OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DOESN'T HAVE EVERYTHING I WANT, I BELIEVE IT WILL MOVE THE DEBATE FORWARD. ADDING TO OUR NATIONAL CHARTER THE EXPECTATION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THIS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS, THAT THE INCOME MEET THE OUTGO, WOULD BE A HISTORIC ADDITION. SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BIPARTISAN VERSION OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. LET'S SEND IT TO THE SENATE BY THE REQUISITE SUPERMAJORITY. AND THEN LET'S LET THE STATES DECIDE WHETHER THE TIME HAS COME TO PUT IN OUR NATIONAL CHARTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THIS GOVERNMENT LIVE WITHIN THE MEANS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK, MS.…

SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK, MS. VELAZQUEZ.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MS. VELAZQUEZ

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK FOR YIELDING.…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK FOR YIELDING. I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS MISGUIDED AMENDMENT WHICH WILL VISIT HARM ON WORKING FAMILIES, PREVENT GOVERNMENT FROM RESPONDING TO CRISIS, AND CRIPPLE THE U.S. ECONOMY. UNDER THIS AMENDMENT IT WILL BECOME DIFFICULT TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING. PUTTING OUR COUNTRY AT GREATER RISK OF DEFAULT. IT IS ALARMING THAT SO SHORTLY AFTER AVERTING THE MOST RECENT DANGER OF A DEFAULT, THE AUTHORS OF THIS AMENDMENT WILL ENDANGER OUR NATION'S CREDIT. EQUALLY DISTURBING SHOULD A WAR, DOMESTIC CRISIS, OR NATURAL DISASTER STRIKE, OUR GOVERNMENT COULD FIND ITS HANDS TIED, INCAPABLE OF RESPONDING SWIFTLY. WHEN CRISIS OCCUR, CONGRESS MUST HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND. IT IS SHORTSIGHTED AND DANGEROUS TO SIT -- CEDE THIS AUTHORITY FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. NOT ONLY WILL THIS AMENDMENT EFFECTIVELY SLOW THE RESPONSE TO FUTURE CATASTROPHE, BUT IT WILL ALSO UNDERCUT OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC RECOVERY. ELIMINATINGED 15 MILLION JOBS. THE FACT -- ELIMINATING 15 MILLION JOBS. THE FACT IS IF YOU LIKE 9% UNEMPLOYMENT, YOU WILL LOVE THIS AMENDMENT. MR. SPEAKER, OUR GOVERNMENT HAS IN THE PAST BEEN ABLE TO BALANCE ITS GROWTH AND CREATE SURPLUS. WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON LEFT OFFICE, WE HAD A $5 TRILLION SURPLUS. HOWEVER A WAR UNPAID FOR, COUPLED WITH TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY, ERASED THIS WINDFALL AND LED TO OUR CURRENT FISCAL PROBLEMS. IF WE TRULY WISH TO TACKLE THE DEFICIT, THE MOST EFFECTIVE THING WE COULD DO IS CREATE NEW JOBS. IN THE 1990'S, ECONOMIC PROSPERITY HELPED DRIVE DEFICITS DOWN RATHER THAN WASTING THIS INSTITUTION'S TIME ON A CHEAP POLITICAL STUNT, WHICH HAS ZERO CHANCE OF BECOMING LAW, WE SHOULD CREATE OPPORTUNITY AND WORK TO RESTORE THE AMERICAN DREAM. THAT IS A DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN ALL OF US COULD SUPPORT. VOTE DOWN THIS MISGUIDED AMENDMENT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. CHABOT, WHO IS A…

I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. CHABOT, WHO IS A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE HOUSE JERK ---HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. MR.

MR. CHABOT

OUR NATIONAL DEBT HAS REACHED A STAGGERING $15 TRILLION. WE ARE CURRENTLY…

OUR NATIONAL DEBT HAS REACHED A STAGGERING $15 TRILLION. WE ARE CURRENTLY BORROWING 43 CENTS ON EVERY DOLLAR SPENT HERE IN WASHINGTON. THINK OF THAT. 43 CENTS ON A DOLLAR. $1 TRILLION HAD TO BE BORROWED FROM CHINA. OUR VERY SOVEREIGNTY IS AT RISK WHEN YOU LOOK AT NUMBERS LIKE THAT. IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. OUR GREAT NATION IS ON A DANGEROUS PATH OF FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY. DIRECTED BY A RECKLESS ADDICTION TO SPENDING HERE IN WASHINGTON. RESEARCH HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IN FACT, A RECENT SURVEY FOUND THAT 81% OF THOSE POLLED SUPPORT THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BALANCE ITS BUDGET EACH YEAR. JUST LIKE AMERICAN FAMILIES HAVE TO DO. TODAY EACH OF US WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE SIDES CASTING ANY -- AYE VOTE CASSING WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OR A NAY VOTE OPPOSING WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING. THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS A GAME CHANGER. IT WILL HOLD CONGRESS' FEET TO THE FIRE, FORCING US TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS JUST AS EVERY AMERICAN FAMILY AND EVERY AMERICAN BUSINESS MUST DO EVERY YEAR. IT HAS BECOME COMMONPLACE FOR WASHINGTON TO SPEND MONEY IT DOESN'T HAVE FOR PROJECTS IT DOESN'T NEED. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE POSITION FOR US TO BE IN. OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE BETTER. WASHINGTON'S SPENDING BINGE HAS PUT A WET BLANKET OVER OUR ECONOMY. SMALL BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT AND ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, A STAGGERING 26 MILLION AMERICANS ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDEREMPLOYED, OR GIVEN UP LOOKING FOR A JOB ALTOGETHER. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TELL ME THAT THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW MAKES IT SO THEY WON'T HIRE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE. WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE IN WASHINGTON PUTS THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES AT RISK. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE NOT HIRING. PASSING H.J.RES. 2, THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, WOULD BE A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND IN MY OPINION IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL ACTUALLY WORK OVER THE LONG RUN TO GET OUR SPENDING UNDER CONTROL HERE IN WASHINGTON. IT'S INTERESTING, THE PRESIDENT RECENTLY WEIGHED IN ON THIS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE SAID ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS THAT THEY ARE LAZY. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE COMMENT TO MAKE. THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. THAT'S NOT WHAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ECONOMY IS. THE PROBLEM IS IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR IS SUCKING UP SO MUCH OF THE FUNDING NOW THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS NO FUNDS TO INVEST OR GO OUT AND HIRE PEOPLE AND CREATE JOBS. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. NOT AS THE PRESIDENT SAID THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE LAZY. THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE. THIS IS AN AMERICAN ISSUE. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THIS AMENDMENT BACK IN 1995 WHEN IT WAS LAST VOTED ON HERE IN CONGRESS. I VOTED FOR IT ALONGSIDE MOST OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, AS WELL AS 72 DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE. I WOULD URGE THEM TO VOTE WITH US TODAY. LET'S PASS THIS. IT'S IN THE INTEREST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

TIME DOES EACH SIDE HAVE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 31 MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 31 MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA HAS 40 MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR. STUTZMAN, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. .

MR. STUTZMAN

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING AND I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S A…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING AND I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S A GREAT PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO STAND HERE TODAY DURING THIS CRUCIAL AND VERY TIMELY DEBATE. STANDING HERE AND LISTENING TO THE DEBATE ON THE FLOOR IS ONE THAT I BELIEVE AMERICANS HAVE BEEN EXPECTING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. BECAUSE AMERICANS ARE LOOKING TO WASHINGTON TO SEE IF LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO COMFORWARD AND DO WHAT -- COME FORWARD AND DO WHAT AMERICAN FAMILY DOES EVERY DAY, WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES DO EVERY DAY. THEY MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN WHAT THEY HAVE. WHAT OUR NATIONAL DEBT TOPS -- WHEN OUR NATIONAL DEBT TOPS $15 TRILLION, IT'S CLEAR THAT WE ARE BROKE. WHEN THE SENATE REFUSES TO PASS ANY BUDGET AT ALL, SOMETHING CLEARLY IS WRONG. WHEN EACH CHILD BORN TODAY INHERITS NEARLY $48,000 WORTH OF DEBT, SOMETHING MUST BE CHANGED. MY WIFE AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG SONS, PAYTON AND PRESTON. THEY'RE 10 YEARS OLD AND 5 YEARS OLD AND THEIR LIVES ARE ENTIRELY IN FRONT OF THEM. AND WHAT WE DO TODAY ON THIS FLOOR WILL DETERMINE THE OUTCOME FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY AND FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN BECAUSE THIS IS NOT -- THIS HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM THAT'S HAPPENED JUST UNDER THE DEMOCRATS, UNDER THEIR CONTROL AND UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, UNDER BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. THAT IS WHY THIS AMENDMENT IS SO IMPORTANT. NOW, WE'D ALL LIKE TO STAND HERE AND SAY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE JUST NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS, OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, WASHINGTON HAS NOT DONE THE RIGHT THING. WE HAVE ACCUMULATED $15 TRILLION OF DEBT. DEBT IS A DISEASE, IT THREATENS TO KILL US. TODAY WE MUST ACT DECISIVELY AND WE MUST ACT PERMANENTLY AND LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTE ON OUR CONSTITUTION, TO ALLOW THEM TO SEND THEIR VOICE TO WASHINGTON AND SAY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. SMALL BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES ARE WAITING AND WATCHING TO SEE IF WASHINGTON IS GOING TO INCREASE THE TAKING ON TOP OF THE ENORMOUS CONVOLUTED TAX CODE. I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT AS WELL AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. GINGREY, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR -- GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR -- GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. GINGREY

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. AND I STAND HERE IN PROUD SUPPORT OF…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. AND I STAND HERE IN PROUD SUPPORT OF H.RES. 2. YOU KNOW, I WAS LISTENING TO ALL ARGUE -- LISTENING TO ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE BUT PARTICULARLY FROM MY COLLEAGUES, THE DEMOCRATS, IN REGARD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA TALKING ABOUT THE ABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BALANCE THEIR OWN BUDGET. HE MADE A VERY CONVINCING ARGUMENT, A VERY CONVINCING PERSONAL ARGUMENT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND HIM THAT IN 1995, THE LAST TIME WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY, I WASN'T HERE THEN, MAYBE HE WAS, BUT THE LAST TIME WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, SOME 16 YEARS AGO, AND IT FAILED BY ONE SINGLE VOTE, THE DEBT THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS ACCUMULATED SINCE THAT TIME IS $9 TRILLION. SO, THE REST OF US OBVIOUSLY NEED SOME CONSTRAINT. WE HAVE PROVE THAN WE DO NOT HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET -- PROVEN THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET OF THIS COUNTRY. THAT'S HOW WE GET TO $15 TRILLION OF DEBT. SO I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, PLEASE SUPPORT THIS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US NOT ONLY TO SHOW THAT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, THE 75% OF THE COUNTRY WANT US TO SHOW, BUT ALSO THAT THEY WANT US TO SHOW THAT SPIRIT OF BIPARTISANSHIP. BREAK THE GRIDLOCK. I WANT TO TAKE JUST A MOMENT, MR. SPEAKER, TO COMMEND THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, REPRESENTATIVE GOODLATTE. I SOMETIMES AS A PHYSICIAN MEMBER THINK THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY ATTORNEYS IN THIS BODY. BUT THANK GOD FOR THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA AND FOR HIS ABILITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSTITUTION. BECAUSE HE HAS GONE TO THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, NOT JUST THIS SESSION BUT FOR YEARS, PROMOTING THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. AND BRINGING US ALL TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. AND AS THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME FROM INDIANA SAID, FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN. SO, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE TIME HAS COME. THIS IS MY OPPORTUNITY TO CAST A VOTE, THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE THAT I WILL HAVE CAST IN NINE YEARS. COULD I ASK THE GENTLEMAN FOR AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS?

MR. GOODLATTE

I'M HAPPY TO YIELD 30 SECONDS TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GINGREY

THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. YOU KNOW, AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS JUST SELDOM…

THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. YOU KNOW, AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS JUST SELDOM COMES AND AS I SAY, IT'S BEEN 16 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY. DON'T PASS ON THIS. LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE -- AND WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A BIPARTISAN WAY BECAUSE IT TAKES A 2/3 VOTE. AND I DISAGREE WITH THE NAYSAYERS THAT SAY, WELL, THIS HAS NO CHANCE OF PASSING. GOD HELP US IF THIS HAS NO CHANCE OF PASSING. THIS IS A ONE THING THAT WE CAN DO FOR THIS COUNTRY TO GET US BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND FINALLY PROVE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT WE DO HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO PROTECT THEIR MONEY AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I'LL YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

I CONTINUE TO RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK CONTINUES TO RESERVE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK CONTINUES TO RESERVE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. THOMPSON, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVATION, ENERGY AND FORESTRY SUBCOMMITTEE, MY SUBCOMMITTEE, ON THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS RECOGNIZE FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. THOMPSON

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA. IT'S NO SECRET, MR. SPEAKER,…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA. IT'S NO SECRET, MR. SPEAKER, WASHINGTON HAS A SPENDING ADDICTION. CONGRESS HAS DEMONSTRATED, REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY IS IN CHARGE, THE OUT-OF-CONTROL SPENDING JUST DOES NOT STOP. EACH CONGRESS SPENDING AND BUDGET REFORMS ARE ENACTED ONLY TO BE REVISED OR IGNORED BY THE NEXT. THIS BODY HAS RELIABLY CIRCUMVENTED ANY REAL BUDGET PROCESS, EVEN ITS OWN RULES, IN ORDER TO FULFILL ITS SPENDING ADDICTION. ROUTINE ABUSES AND BUDGET GIMMICKS SUCH AS EMERGENCY DESIGNATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO SKIRT BUDGET ENFORCEMENTMENT ROLES AND DISGUISE THE REAL LEVEL OF SPENDING. SIMILAR TO RAMPANT DRUG ABUSE IN THE 1980'S THAT LED TO ADDICTION AND VIOLENCE, OUR SPENDING HABITS HAVE LED TO A DEBT CRISIS THAT BOARDS ON AN OVERS -- BORDERS ON AN OVERDOSE. WE'RE HERE TODAY TO CONSIDER H.J.RES. 2, A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL DISCOURAGE CONGRESS FROM CIRCUMVENTING ITS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES BECAUSE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CANNOT BE REVISED OR IGNORED. THIS MEASURE IS THE ONLY WAY TO FORCE THE HAND OF CONGRESS TO -- TOWARDS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, BY ENSURING THE POLICYMAKERS JUST SAY NO TO RECKLESS SPENDING. MANY ECONOMISTS AND EXPERTS AGREE, ADOPTION OF SUCH AN AMENDMENT WILL BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS NATION'S LOOMING DEBT CRISIS AND LAY A STRONGER PATH TO LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OVERWHELMINGLY BACK THE BUDGET BALANCED -- BACK THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. THAT'S EXACTLY WHY H.J.RES. 2 ALREADY HAS THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THE MAJORITY OF MY FELLOW REPRESENTATIVES, INCLUDING 242 BIPARTISAN CO-SPONSORS. OUR CONSTITUENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS AND THEY EXPECT NOTHING LESS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S TIME FOR THIS BODY TO COME CLEAN. IT'S TIME FOR EACH MEMBER TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THIS COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE DOWN A RECKLESS PATH OF DEBT AND DESPAIR OR QUIT LIVING BEYOND OUR MEANS COLD TURKEY. IT'S TIME TO RID THIS CHAMBER OF ITS RECKLESS SPENDING ADDICTION AND TIME FOR CONGRESS TO JUST SAY NO BY VOTING YES ON H.J.RES. 2. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. SANCHEZ.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. CALIFORNIA, I…

THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. CALIFORNIA, I APOLOGIZE.

MS. SANCHEZ

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 2, THE…

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 2, THE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION, TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS AND CODIFY ECONOMIC STAGNATION. WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THE FEDERAL DEFICIT UNDER CONTROL. HOWEVER, THE AMENDMENT REPUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING IS ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG WAY TO DO IT. IT SHOULD ALL BE VERY FAMILIAR TO ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED CALIFORNIA'S BUDGET PROBLEMS OR EVEN OBSERVED THEM FROM AFAR. IT SHOULD BE FAMILIAR BECAUSE JUST LIKE IN CALIFORNIA THIS LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE THAT A SUPERMAJORITY OF BOTH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE AGREE TO ANY BILL WHICH RAISES FEDERAL REVENUE. THIS NOT ONLY MEANS POTENTIAL TAX INCREASES BUT ALSO ANY BILL THAT ALLOWS TAX CUTS TO EXPIRE. IN EFFECT, THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS INSISTING THAT THE ONLY WAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN TACKLE ITS DEFICIT IS BY REDUCING PROGRAMS LIKE PELL GRANTS, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE FEDERAL HIGHWAYS. THESE ARE THE VERY PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE KEEP THEIR HEAD ABOVE WATER DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES OR HELP THEM ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT CUTTING THESE PROGRAMS SUN ACCEPTABLE -- PROGRAMS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE SHOULD LOOK AT WAYS TO CUT WASTE, HOWEVER IT'S FOOLISH TO INSIST ON SEVERE CUTS TO VITAL PROGRAMS WHICH HELP PEOPLE DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. FURTHERMORE, THE CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR 60% OF A POLITICAL BODY TO AGREE ON REVENUE INCREASES, NO MATTER HOW LIMITED THEY ARE OR HOW MUCH SENSE THEY MIGHT MAKE. CALIFORNIA HAS TRIED THIS FLAWED PLAN AND GUESS WHAT? IT DOESN'T WORK. CALIFORNIA'S FISCAL SITUATION BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT EACH YEAR BECAUSE OF THIS SUPERMAJORITY REQUIREMENT. DO WE REALLY WANT THE SAME AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL? I CANNOT AND WILL NOT SUPPORT LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD IMPOSE CALIFORNIA'S FLAWED FISCAL SYSTEM ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO LEARN FROM HISTORY, FROM A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE, MY HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND REJECT THIS CRUSHING AND FOOLISH AMENDMENT. AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THE GENTLEWOMAN TO SAY THAT 49 OUT OF 50 STATES…

30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THE GENTLEWOMAN TO SAY THAT 49 OUT OF 50 STATES HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET REQUIREMENT AND WHILE SHE CITES CALIFORNIA AS PERHAPS THE WORST EXAMPLE, AND IT MAY BE THE WORST EXAMPLE, STILL THE FISCAL SITUATION OF CALIFORNIA IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE FISCAL SITUATION HERE IN WASHINGTON. THE $25 BILLION DEFICIT THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS YEAR, AND THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, FOR A STATE THAT HAS 1/8 THE POPULATION OF THE COUNTRY OF AMERICA, WHICH TAKEN NATIONWIDE WOULD MEAN A $200 BILLION DEFICIT NATIONWIDE. WE HAVE A $1.3 TRILLION DEFICIT, MORE THAN SIX TIMES AS MUCH. AND THIS IS A GOOD DISCIPLINE, IT'S WORKED IN THE STATES, IT WILL WORK HERE AS WELL. IT'S NOW MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. FLAKE, A MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. FLAKE

SPEAKER, I DOUBT THAT I CAN MATCH THE VOLUME THAT'S BEEN DISPLAYED TODAY,…

SPEAKER, I DOUBT THAT I CAN MATCH THE VOLUME THAT'S BEEN DISPLAYED TODAY, USUALLY PARTISAN ACCUSATIONS AS TO WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR BUDGET MESS THAT WE'RE IN. BUT I THINK THAT ALL OF US, WE REPUBLICANS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR CANDID MOMENTS WOULD ADMIT THAT WE WERE HEADED TOWARD THIS FISCAL CRISIS LONG BEFORE THE CURRENT PRESIDENT TOOK THE WHEEL. BUT WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER. IT'S BEEN DECISIONS MADE BY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, TO EXPAND ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS AND TO EXPAND DISCRETIONARY SPENDING, THAT HAVE PUT US IN THE SITUATION WE'RE IN TODAY. I THINK WE WOULD ALSO CONCEDE THAT ANY BOUT OF FISCAL DISCIPLINE WE'VE HAD OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DECADES HAS BEEN CAUSED BY OR AT LEAST ACCOMPANIED BY STATUTORY SPENDING CAPS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE. THE PROBLEM IS, THOSE ONLY LAST FOR A FEW YEARS AND THEN THIS BODY WAIVES THEM. SO WE NEED A BACKSTOP. WE NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL BACKSTOP THAT WILL FORCE US TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WE KNOW HAVE TO BE MADE. IT IS SAD COMMENTARY ON THIS BODY THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FORCE US TO DO OUR JOBS OF PRIORITIZING SPENDING. BUT I THINK WITH A $15 TRILLION DEFICIT WE CAN CONCEDE THAT WE NEED IT. SO THIS WON'T MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR US, WE'LL STILL HAVE TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS GOING AHEAD. BUT WE NEED IT NONETHELESS AND I URGE ADOPTION OF THIS AMENDMENT AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

MR. SPEAKER, HOW MUCH TOIM-- TIME DO WE BOTH HAVE NOW?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 29 MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS HAS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 29 MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS HAS -- OR VIRGINIA HAS 31 1/2 MINUTES.

MR. NADLER

WE'LL RESERVE ONCE MORE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'M PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW MEXICO, MR. PEARCE, A MEMBER OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW MEXICO IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. PEARCE

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND THANKS TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND THANKS TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO US. THE AMERICAN DEBT WAS DOWNGRADED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. WE'RE APPROACHING JUNK BOND STATUS IN THE MINDS OF CERTAIN DEBT RATERS. IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE HAVE THE $15 TRILLION DEBT, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT, BUT WE HAVE NO APPARENT MEANS OR WAY OF PAYING IT OFF. OUR DEFICIT, THAT IS THE SHORT FALL THIS YEAR, IS $1.5 TRILLION, WHICH WILL BE ADDED TO THAT $15 TRILLION DURING THE COURSE OF SPENDING THE MONEY. SO IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE'RE IN DEBT, IT'S THAT WE'RE BROKE. AND ALSO THE RATERS HAVE SEEN THAT WE HAVE GONE TO SOCIAL SECURITY, BOTH PARTIES, FOR THE PAST 70 YEARS HAVE TAKEN EVERY CENT OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY LOCK BOX AND SPENT IT. SO IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE'RE IN DEBT $15 TRILLION, IT'S THAT WE HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING OUT OF THE PIGGY BANK AND WE HAVE SPENT THAT. AND TO MY FRIENDS WHO ARE SAYING, WE CAN CONTINUE TO BORROW MONEY, THAT'S ALSO VERY INACCURATE. WE COULD BORROW MONEY WHEN WE RAN DEFICITS OF $300 BILLION, THAT WAS THE AMOUNT THAT WE RAN DURING THE LAST YEAR OF PRESIDENT BUSH. $300 BILLION WE CAN BORROW IN THE WORLD. BUT WHEN WE WENT TO THE TRILLION-DOLLAR DEFICITS UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA, THERE IS NO NATION IN THE WORLD CAPABLE OF LENDING $1 TRILLION. CHINA CANNOT LEND $1 TRILLION, THEY'RE TOTAL ECONOMY IS -- THEIR TOTAL ECONOMY IS $6 TRILLION SO THE RATERS LOOKING AT OUR ECONOMY SAY, NOT ONLY ARE THEY BROKE, BUT THEY HAVE NO APPARENT WAY TO PAY IT BACK. IT'S TIME TO SAY THAT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. SO THIS RESOLUTION IS REASONABLE, IT SIMPLY SAYS THAT WASHINGTON IS GOING TO DO WHAT YOU DO AS THE AMERICAN FAMILY IN ORDER TO PAY OFF YOUR BILLS, YOU TIGHTEN YOUR BELT, YOU LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUGGESTING WITH THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. THAT WE LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. THAT WE DO NOT SPEND MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE. H.J.RES. 2 IS A COMMONSENSE SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT AMERICA FACES. I'LL SUPPORT IT AND URGE SUPPORT AND YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MR.…

SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MR. MARKEY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

MR. MARKEY

THE REPUBLICANS CALL THIS BILL A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, BUT IT IS NOT…

THE REPUBLICANS CALL THIS BILL A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, BUT IT IS NOT BALANCED BECAUSE IT WILL BLOW A HOLE IN THE BUDGET OF VITAL PROGRAMS THAT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS DEPEND ON. IT'S UNNEEDED, AND WILL UNDERMINE OUR STRUGGLING ECONOMY. THE REPUBLICANS WANT US TO MAKELE THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE THEY CANNOT MANAGE THIS INSTITUTION. THIS AMENDMENT IS A MEANS TO AN END. IT'S A MEANS FOR REPUBLICANS TO END MEDICARE, TO END SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID, TO END EVERY ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM. AND WHY? BECAUSE THEY HARBOR AN ANCIENT ANIMOSITY TOWARDS ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND THEIR PLAN IS TO LEAVE THEM AS DEBT-SOAKED RELICS OF AN ERA WHERE THEY ACTUALLY CARED ABOUT POOR PEOPLE, THE ELDERLY IN OUR END BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WILL CUT CRITICAL HEALTH CARE AND ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS, PUT THEM ON A STARVATION DIET AND LEAVE VULNERABLE AMERICANS WITH THE CRUMBS. OUR ECONOMY NOW HAS A 9% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS? 46 MILLION AMERICANS TODAY LIVE IN POVERTY. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT POVERTY IS IN AMERICA IN 2011? THAT'S A FAMILY OF FOUR LIVING ON $22,000 A YEAR. THERE ARE NINE MILLION FAMILIES LIVING IN THAT POVERTY. 15.9 MILLION CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY TODAY. THAT'S ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN IN OUR COUNTRY LIVING IN POVERTY. THOSE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY WANT TO CUT HERE TODAY. FOR THE POOREST CHILDREN IN AMERICA IN 2011, THERE ARE ALMOST 50 MILLION AMERICANS AT RISK OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH FOOD, 16 MILLION CHILDREN IN DANGER OF NOT GOING TO BED TONIGHT WITH A MEAL, ONE IN SIX SENIORS NOW LIVE IN POVERTY, DEPENDENT UPON MEDICARE, DEPENDENT UPON MEDICAID. EACH OF THEM NOW AT GRAVE RISK BECAUSE OF THEIR PLAN HERE TODAY. THEIR PLAN IS REALLY A ROBIN HOOD IN REVERSE. TAKE FROM THE NEEDIEST AND GIVE TO THE GREEDIEST. THAT IS THE PLAN. NOW, LET'S GO BACK INTO THE WAY BACK MACHINE, ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE YEAR 2000, THE LAST TIME WE VOTED ON A BALANCED BUDGET HERE IN CONGRESS, 2000. BILL CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT. IT PASSED. THE BUDGET BALANCED. AND THE COUNTRY WAS FEELING GOOD. THE ECONOMY WAS BOOMING. AND THEN GEORGE BUSH TAKES OVER JANUARY OF 2001. THE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED THE HOUSE. THE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED THE SENATE. WHAT DO THEY DO? HUGE TAX BREAKS FOR BILLIONAIRES AND MILLIONAIRES, TWO WARS WHICH WERE NOT PAID FOR, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, ALL ON THE REPUBLICANS' SHOULDERS AND THEY THEN TURNED A BLIND EYE AS WALL STREET TURNED THE ENTIRE ECONOMY INTO A CASINO WHICH THEN CASCADED INTO THE BIGGEST LONG-STANDING RECESSION THAT WE'VE SEEN SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION, UPON THE SHOULDERS OF THE POOR, THE SICK, THE ELDERLY, THE ORDINARY FAMILIES KILLING THEMSELVES TO PAY FOR THEIR MORTGAGES EACH DAY. YOU DON'T NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. REPUBLICANS, MY GOOD FRIENDS. YOU ARE THE SUPERCOMMITTEE MEETING RIGHT NOW DOWN THE CORRIDOR. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD DO? TAKE AWAY THOSE $40 BILLION IN TAX BREAKS FOR THE OIL COMPANIES. THEY DON'T NEED THEM. TAKE AWAY THE $700 BILLION IN NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAMS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY NEED FOR THOSE NUCLEAR PROGRAMS. KILL THOSE PROGRAMS. LOOK AT THE TAX BREAKS FOR THE MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES. THEY DON'T NEED THEM. CUT THEM RIGHT NOW. ALL OF YOU HAVE TAKEN A PLEDGE, NO REDUCTION IN THE TAX BREAKS FOR BILLIONAIRES, NO REDUCTION IN DEFENSE SPENDING. YOU HAVE TIED YOUR OWN HANDS EVEN AS YOU WITH CROCODILE TEARS COME OUT HERE AND SAY HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET, HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. THE PROOF WILL COME NEXT WEEK WHEN YOU DO NOT STAND UP IN ORDER TO TAKE THE TOUGH ACTIONS RIGHT NOW.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE CHAIR WOULD REMIND MEMBERS OF THE…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE CHAIR WOULD REMIND MEMBERS OF THE BODY TO ADDRESS THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR AND NOT TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FLOOR. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF ONE MINUTE TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR BUT IN…

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF ONE MINUTE TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR BUT IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS. WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT THAT WAY BACK MACHINE. I HEAR THE GENTLEMAN'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT DECISIONS MADE BY REPUBLICANS. IN THE LAST 50 YEARS, THE GENTLEMAN HAS BEEN HERE FOR MANY OF THOSE YEARS, IN THE LAST 50 YEARS THE CONGRESS HAS BALANCED ITS BUDGET A MERE SIX TIMES. 13 OF THOSE YEARS REPUBLICANS WERE IN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND FOUR OF THOSE YEARS WE HAD BALANCED BUDGETS, INCLUDING THE YEAR THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED. AND IN THAT YEAR THE GENTLEMAN VOTED NO ON THE BALANCED BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED BY THIS CONGRESS THAT YEAR. AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET. THE GENTLEMAN VOTED NO. IN THE YEAR BEFORE THAT, HAD A BALANCED BUDGET. THEN IN 1998 WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET. THE GENTLEMAN VOTED NO EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT A BALANCED BUDGET WAS OFFERED IN THIS CONGRESS. IN FACT FOR THE 37 YEARS THAT DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED THE CONGRESS IN THE LAST 50 YEARS, ONLY TWICE DID THEY DO IT. NOW, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN ABOUT SOMETHING AND THAT IS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY -- I YIELD MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS TO SAY THAT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE ARE ENDANGERED. DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY ARE ENDANGERED? BECAUSE WE HAVE A $15 TRILLION DEBT. IN ALL THE YEARS WE DIDN'T HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET, WHAT DID THE DEMOCRATS DO? THEY WENT INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND AND TOOK EVERY PENNY OF IT AND SPENT IT ON SOMETHING ELSE. HOW IRONIC IT WILL BE THAT DEBT THAT WE ARE TRANSFERRING TO THE NEXT GENERATION, ALL OF THAT DEBT WILL BE ON OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, AND WHEN THEY NEED SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, IT WON'T BE THERE FOR THEM. NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING IN A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT BUT BECAUSE OF THE DEBT THAT WE HAVE ACCUMULATED. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

SPEAKER, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WILL BE THERE UNLESS WE PASS THIS…

SPEAKER, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WILL BE THERE UNLESS WE PASS THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT BECAUSE THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL CAUSE THE INABILITY TO PAY FOR THEM. THE TRUST FUND IS AMPLY FUNDED RIGHT NOW FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. I RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I AM PREPARED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I AM PREPARED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR. GARDNER, A MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. GARDNER

CONSTITUENTS HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION FOR PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THIS…

CONSTITUENTS HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION FOR PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THIS DEBATE TODAY, WHAT PART OF BROKE DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? WHAT PART OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE BORROWING 42 CENTS OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR DON'T YOU GET? YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THE EVERYDAY AMERICAN IF THEY BORROW 42 CENTS OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR? TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME IT'S BANKRUPTCY. THEY LOSE THEIR HOMES. THEY LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY GO BROKE JUST LIKE THIS COUNTRY IS GOING BROKE TODAY. ONLY CONGRESS DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY AN OVERDRAFT FEE. WHEN WE WRITE MORE MONEY -- CHECKS FOR MORE MONEY THAN WE HAVE, WE ARE NOT GETTING AN OVERDRAFT FEE, WE ARE PASSING THE BUCK. WE ARE PUTTING OUR FUTURE INTO GREAT DEBT THAT THEY CAN'T SUSTAIN FOR CURRENT DAY SPENDING. WE SHOULDN'T BE PASSING THE BUCK. WE SHOULD PASS THE B.B.A., THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. I COME FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO. SERVED IN THE COLORADO STATE LEGISLATURE WHERE WE HAVE A STRONG BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT FORCES US TO DO? IT FORCES US TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES, TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INDEED BALANCING OUR BUDGET. SURE, IT MEANS THAT THERE ARE SOME VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE SENT HERE TO DO. WE WEREN'T SENT HERE -- WE WEREN'T SIT HERE TO FIDDLE WHILE THE TREASURY BURNS. WE WERE SENT HERE TO SOLVE THE GREATEST -- ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES THAT THIS COUNTRY FACES, AND THAT IS GROWING AN INSURMOUNTABLE DEBT AND DEFICIT. I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION. THIS CONGRESS CANNOT MAKE CHOICES ON ITS OWN. WE NEED THE GUIDANCE OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO RESTRAIN THE UNRESTRAINED FISCAL MESS WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW. IN 1995 WHEN WE PASSED THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, THE DEBT'S GROWN $9 TRILLION SINCE THEN. OUR EXPERIENCE IN COLORADO AND THE 49 STATES THAT HAS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT SHOW WHEN WE HAVE A REQUIREMENT FORCING US TO BALANCE THE BUDGETS, WE WILL DO JUST THAT. DON'T PASS THE BUCK. PASS THE B.B.A.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

I NOW YIELD THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA TWO MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. FATTAH

THE SEASON OF THANKSGIVING, A CHILD BORN IN OUR COUNTRY, WE COULD…

THE SEASON OF THANKSGIVING, A CHILD BORN IN OUR COUNTRY, WE COULD CELEBRATE IT. THE TRUTH IS NOT AS A YOUNG AMERICAN YOU ARE BORN WITH ALL THIS DEBT. WHAT YOU'RE BORN IS AS A CITIZEN OF THE GREATEST COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE MOST -- THE WEALTHIEST, MOST POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD MADE OFF OF DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING DECRIED HERE. WE COULD NOT BALANCE OUR BUDGET AND WIN WORLD WAR I OR II OR BUILD 40,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY, OR BUILD THE LAND GRANT COLLEGE SYSTEM. AND MY CHURCH WE BORROWED A MORTGAGE TO BUILD A CHURCH, AND YOU PAY FOR IT OVER TIME. THESE 49 STATES THAT WE HEAR, THESE IMAGINARY BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENTS, ALL OF THOSE STATESBORO MONEY. THEY HAVE A CAPITAL BUDGET. THEY BORROW MONEY TO BUILD BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. THIS NONSENSE THAT FAMILIES DON'T BORROW MONEY TO BUY HOMES OR CARS. REPUBLICANS IN THE MAJORITY CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS. THIS IS NOT A DEBATE BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS. WE DON'T NEED A BALANCED BUDGET. WE NEED A BUDGET AS A COUNTRY THAT RETAINS OUR LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE WORLD. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AND A WEAK MILITARY. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET BUT NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS THAT HAVE PROPELED OUR COUNTRY FORWARD. WE JUST HONORED JOHN GLENN AND NEAL ARMSTRONG, ASTRONAUTS WHO WENT INTO SPACE. WE DIDN'T COTHAT ON A BALANCED BUDGET. WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO LEAD IN TERMS OF THE RACE TO THE MOON AND WE LED. THIS COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER, AND THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE HERE, LET US ADDRESS THE REAL ISSUE. THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT WE HAVE A 70-YEAR LOW IN THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES COMING INTO THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE'VE CUT TAXES. THE GENTLEMAN SAYS, WELL, WHERE DID WE BORROW $1 TRILLION? WELL, WE CAN BORROW IT FROM TAX EXPENDITURES WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THIS TAX YEAR, MANY TO THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY OUR BILLS. WE NEED TO MAKE THE DECISION TO DO IT AND LEAVE THE CONSTITUTION ALONE. THANK YOU.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. KINGSTON, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. KINGSTON

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER AND MR. GOODLATTE. AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER AND MR. GOODLATTE. AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. IT'S A SACRED AND PROFOUND DOCUMENT. BUT 15 YEARS AGO WHEN MR. GOODLATTE AND I AND A NUMBER OF OTHERS FIRST CAME TO TOWN, WE VOTED TO AMEND THAT CONSTITUTION. WE WERE JOINED NOT ONLY BY ALL THE REPUBLICANS BUT BY 72 DEMOCRATS. NOW SOME OF THOSE VERY 72 WHO VOTED YES HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND. WE'RE HEARING THE SAME OLD ARGUMENT. SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE. WHEN ALL ELSE GOES WRONG IN DEMOCRAT LIBERAL LAND, YOU START SCARRING SENIORS, CHILDREN, TEACHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, CRITICAL PROGRAMS AND SAYING WHATEVER THE BILL IS THIS BILL THREATENS THEM. ONE OF THE WORST THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE IS TO GO BROKE, AND SINCE THAT VOTE 15 YEARS AGO WHEN IT FAILED IN THE SENATE BY ONE SINGLE MEMBER, WE HAVE ACCUMULATED $9.2 TRILLION IN DEBT. BALANCING THE BUDGET IS WHAT 49 STATES DO, WHAT EVERY CITY DOES, WHAT BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES DO. IT'S A MATTER OF SURVIVAL. IT'S NOT A RADICAL CONCEPT. OH, DON'T PEOPLE IN GREECE WISH THAT THEY HAD A BALANCED BUDGET ALL THOSE MANY YEARS? AND WHAT OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE SENIORS IN GREECE WITHOUT THOSE CRITICAL PROGRAMS? IF THEIR GOVERNMENT HAD DONE THE PRUDENT THING, THE RIGHT THING JUST AS WE TRIED TO DO 15 YEARS AGO, WHAT A DIFFERENT PICTURE IT WOULD BE IN FWREAST. BUT YOU KNOW, GREECE IS -- WOULD BE IN GREECE. BUT YOU KNOW, GREECE IS NOT TRYING TO DEFY THE LAWS OF FINANCIAL GRAVITY. AMERICA SEEMS TO BE DOING IT. FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND, 40 CENTS IS BORROWED, AND YET WE ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE ALL THE MANY RED FLAGS THAT ARE AROUND US. BUT WHEN THE WHOLE THING GOES BROKE AND MELTS DOWN, WON'T OUR CHILDREN SAY, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? YOU KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, THIS VOTE TODAY IS NOT ABOUT THE NEXT ELECTION. IT IS TRULY ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION. VOTE YES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM WISCONSIN, MS. MOORE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM WISCONSIN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MS. MOORE

AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN…

AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 2, THE SO-CALLED -- SO-CALLED BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. AND I ALSO RISE, MR. SPEAKER, TO POINT OUT THE NEFARIOUS, CYNICAL INTERGENERATIONAL WARFARE THAT HAS BEEN RAISED AS AN ARGUMENT FOR PASSING THIS MISGUIDED SO-CALLED BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO EXTRACT $2 TRILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE FROM PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT SENIORS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND SAY WE'RE DOING IT, TO -- DOING IT TO KEEP FROM IMPOSING A BURDEN ON OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, AS IF THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT BENEFITED THOSE CHILDREN, MR. SPEAKER THIS PROGRAM WILL DEVASTATE PUBLIC EDUCATION, IT WILL DEVASTATE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S CURRENT MANDATORY SPENDING AND PELL GRANTS, A PROGRAM THAT'S DESIGNED TO HELP US MEET THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE BY EDUCATING OUR ASSETS, OUR CHILDREN. IT'S A PROGRAM THAT IN THE NEXT DECADE WILL TAKE A HALF TRILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM. IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WILL EXACERBATE THE HUNGER THAT CHILDREN FACE RIGHT NOW. OUR W.I.C. AND FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, THE EARNED TAX INCOME CREDITS, WE HAVE NOW ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN TODAY THAT ARE GOING TO BED HUNGRY. SO WHEN WE SAY WE WANT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, WE ARE BALANCING THEM ON THE BACKS OF OUR CHILDREN. AND THOSE CHILDREN THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PREVENT OR WE SAY THAT WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE MUST BE THE CHILDREN OF THOSE HEIRS, THOSE 1% THAT WE ARE NOW ENRICHING. AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD RELUCTANTLY YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. SCHILLING, A MEMBER OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. SCHILLING

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MR. GOODLATTE FOR GIVING ME THE…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MR. GOODLATTE FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TODAY. YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO HEAR A COMMON THREAD, LET'S RAISE TAXES ON OUR JOB CREATORS WITH NO SOLUTION TO OUR SPENDING PROBLEM . I RISE TODAY AS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE PREPARES TO VOTE FOR AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD REQUIRE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT TODAY. 15 YEARS AGO AN AMENDMENT NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THIS ONE PASSED THE HOUSE WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. BUT FAILED BY ONE SINGLE VOTE IN THE SENATE. SINCE THAT TIME OUR DEBT HAS TRIPLED. DID YOU KNOW THAT ON WEDNESDAY OUR NATIONAL DEBT SURPASSED $15 TRILLION? AND IT HAS BEEN NEARLY 950 DAYS SINCE THE SENATE HAS PASSED A BUDGET. NOT TO MENTION THE 20 JOBS THAT ARE SITTING OVER THERE THAT THEY'VE DECIDED NOT TO ACT UPON. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER. YOU DESERVE A CREDIBLE PLAN TO HELP GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. GROW OUR ECONOMY AND GET FOLKS BACK TO WORK. IT'S CLEAR, THOUGH, WE CANNOT BORROW OR SPEND OUR WAY OUT OF THIS MESS, WE ALSO CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT OFF BADLY NEEDED BUT DIFFICULT DECISIONS. WE NEED TO TACKLE THIS UNSUSTAINABLE SPENDING ADDICTION HEAD-ON. SINCE COMING TO WASHINGTON, MY FELLOW FRESHMAN COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE HELPED CHANGE THE WAY THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN HELD HERE FOR YEARS FROM HOW MUCH CAN WE SPEND TO HOW MUCH CAN WE SAVE? THIS IS A GOOD START BUT WE CAN DO MUCH MORE TO GET OUR COUNTRY ON A BETTER FISCAL PATH AND SAVE THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS. WE HAVE THE DUTY TO LEAVE OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS WITH A COUNTRY BETTER OFF THAN IT IS NOW. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY HERE TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE WAY WASHINGTON DOES BUSINESS, BY SUPPORTING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IT'S TIME FOR WASHINGTON TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, I'M PLEASED TO VOTE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON WAYS TO GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. GROW -- ORDER, GROW AMERICA'S ECONOMY AND CREATE JOBS. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

I -- MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA,…

I -- MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. JOHNSON.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. JOHNSON

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 2. IT…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 2. IT REPRESENTS AN ATTACK ON THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY. BY THE GROVER NORQUIST TEA PARTY REPUBLICANS. YOU SEE, THERE IS NO FISCAL EMERGENCY BUT THE FISCAL CRISIS HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED BY THE TEA PARTYIERS ALONG WITH GROVER NORQUIST AND THE REPUBLICANS THAT REPRESENT THEM FOR THE PURPOSES OF TRICKING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE INTO THINKING THAT AMERICA CAN'T PAY ITS BILLS . WE PAID OUR DEBTS, WE CAN PAY OUR DEBTS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO PAY OUR DEBTS. JUST LIKE FAMILIES OF AMERICA WHO INCUR DEBT AS A NORMAL COURSE OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF ANALOGIES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BALANCE ITS BUDGET LIKE A FAMILY, BUT HOW MANY 99ERS, HOW MANY FAMILIES DO YOU KNOW THAT CAN GO OUT AND PURCHASE A CAR FOR CASH? HOW MANY OF THOSE 99ERS, HOW MANY OF THOSE FAMILIES OUT THERE WORKING CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR A HOUSE CASH? EVERYBODY OUT THERE INCURS DEBT FOR LEGITIMATE EXPENSES AND THIS NATION HAS LEGITIMATE EXPENSES THAT IT HAS TO PAY DEBTS FOR. LIKE TWO WARS, LIKE A MEDICARE PART D SUPPLEMENT, LIKE THE BUSH TAX CUTS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO EXPIRE. SO WHAT THEY'RE DOING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IS THEY ARE TRYING TO ENSHRINE IN THE CONSTITUTION WHAT IS ALREADY AN UNFAIR TAX SYSTEM. A SYSTEM THAT FAVORS THE RICH AND BALANCES THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF THE MIDDLE CLASS. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT PAY FOR AMERICA'S EXPENSES, NOT THE CORPORATIONS AND WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS. MANY OF WHOM DO NOT PAY ONE RED CENT IN TAXES AND YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE. AND THEY KNOW IT'S TRUE. SO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION. THIS IS SHORTSIGHTED, MEAN-SPIRITED, UNFAIR, WRONGFUL AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. WASM, CHAIRMAN OF THE -- WALSH, CHAIRMAN OF THE SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH COMMITTEE.

MR. WALSH

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND A BIG THANK YOU TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND A BIG THANK YOU TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR TAKING A LEAD, A VERY STRONG LEAD, ON THIS ISSUE. MR. SPEAKER, LIKE MANY OF MY FELLOW FRESHMAN, I WAS SENT HERE TO WASHINGTON BECAUSE WE'RE BROKE. WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT WE CAN'T AFFORD, LIKE ALL OF US WE WERE SENT HERE, THOUGH, NOT JUST TO CUT SPENDING. WE WERE SENT HERE HOPEFULLY TO TRY TO CHANGE THE WAY THIS TOWN DOES BUSINESS SO THAT WE NEVER GET TO THIS POINT AGAIN. SO THAT OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS AREN'T STUCK WITH A BILL THEY'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO PAY OFF. AS A FRESHMAN IN CONGRESS, THE VERY FIRST BILL I INTRODUCED BACK IN MARCH WAS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. AND IT WAS A STRONGER BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT THAN THIS. IT INCLUDED A SPENDING LIMITATION, IT MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES TO RAISE TAXES. I SUPPORT THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WITH EVERYTHING I'VE GOT BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING FAIRLY HISTORIC. AND THIS AMENDMENT WILL ENABLE US TO DO THAT. YOU KNOW, I'VE LEARNED IN MY YEAR, ALMOST A YEAR AS A CONGRESSMAN, THAT THERE'S PLENTY HYPOCRISY IN THIS CHAMBER, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. THE HYPOCRISY TODAY IS REGRETTABLY, MR. SPEAKER, WITH TOO MANY OF OUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WHO REALLY WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR THIS BUT THEY SIMPLY CAN'T BECAUSE OF POLITICAL REASONS. AND I WOULD ASK THEM, I WOULD IMPLORE MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES TO JUST THINK ABOUT, AGAIN, WHAT OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS WILL SAY AND WE THROW THEIR NAMES AROUND HERE OFTEN, WHAT THEY WILL SAY TO US 20, 30, 40 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THEY KNOW WE DIDN'T EXHIBIT THE COURAGE WE NEED TO EXHIBIT RIGHT HERE AND NOW. SO I STAND WITH MY COLLEAGUE FROM VIRGINIA IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

NOW YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR.…

NOW YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. ENGEL.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. ENGEL

FROM NEW YORK AND I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS PIECE OF…

FROM NEW YORK AND I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION. YOU KNOW, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I ALWAYS ENJOY LISTENING TO MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS LECTURE US ABOUT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. MAY I REMIND THEM THAT WHEN BILL CLINTON LEFT OFFICE WE HAD RECORD SURPLUSES AND IN EIGHT YEARS OF GEORGE BUSH RECORD DEFICITS AND MAY I REMIND MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS THAT FOR SIX OF THOSE EIGHT YEARS DURING THE BUSH YEARS REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED BOTH HOUSES OF THE CONGRESS. SO IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ATTEMPT TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET, WE COULD HAVE DONE SO THEN. BUT WHAT DID WE DO THEN? WE FOUGHT TWO WARS ON THE CREDIT CARD, WE HAD TAX CUTS FOR THE PEALTY, WHICH WE'RE NOW PAYING FOR -- FOR THE WEALTHY, WHICH WE'RE NOW PAYING FOR IN TERMS OF OUR DESITS NOW, PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM UNPAID FOR, AND SO IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF WE HAVE THE RESOLVE TO DO IT, YOU KNOW, I LOVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEWFOUND RELIGION, BUT WHEN THEY CONTROL THE PLACE -- CONTROLLED THE PLACE WE WENT FROM A MASSIVE SURPLUSES TO MASSIVE DEFICITS. NOW, THIS CONGRESS NEEDS TO WORK WITH THE PRESIDENT IN PASSING A JOBS BILL. THIS CONGRESS SHOULD BE PASSING A ROBUST TRANSPORTATION BILL. THIS CONGRESS SHOULD GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF ATTACKING OUR LABOR, ATTACKING SENIORS, ATTACKING WOMEN AND DO WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT US TO DO, PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO EITHER DRACONIAN CUTS IN THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET FOR SOME OF OUR NATION'S MOST CHERISHED PROGRAMS, LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, OR SIGNIFICANT TAX HIKES ON THE NATION'S MIDDLE CLASS. THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GIMMICK TO GARNER HEADLINES WHILE AVOIDING THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED US TO MAKE. THERE MAY BE TIMES IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE NEED TO RUN A SURPLUS, THERE MAY BE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO RUN A DEFICIT TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. THIS AMENDMENT HANDCUFFS US AND PUTS US IN A STRAIGHT JANUARY JACKET WHERE WE HAVE NOWHERE TO MOVE. I CARE AND MY CONSTITUENTS CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT PRESERVING MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SECURITY. I THINK THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR BUDGET TO BALANCE, IT'S NOT ONLY CUTS IN PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED, ALTHOUGH MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE FRET ABOUT DEFENSE CUTS. WE NEED TO CUT SPENDING, YES, WE ALSO NEED TO RAISE TAXES ON THOSE WHO CAN MOST AFFORD TO DO IT. THE 1%. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONSIDER. SO WHILE WE THINK THIS IS ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL AND WE CAN ALL GO HOME AND SAY, WELL, WE TRIED TO SAVE THE REPUBLIC, WHAT I THINK THIS DOES IS HANDCUFF US FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO CONTINUE THOSE SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE COME TO RELY ON, MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SECURITY. I THINK WE NEED TO MEET IN A SENSIBLE CENTER, NOT HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS. LET ME FINALLY SAY THAT WHAT IS TRULY ABSURD IS WE REQUIRE ONLY A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO SEND OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM INTO HARM'S WAY BUT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WOULD REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY TO RAISE THE NATION'S DEBT CEILING. WE ALL SAW HOW CLOSE OUR ECONOMY CAME TO DISASTER WITH ONLY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING THE LAST TIME. SO I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES, VOTE NO, LET'S DO A JOB THAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO, LET'S MAKE THE TOUGH CHOICES, WE DON'T NEED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

I YIELD MYSELF ONE MINUTE TO RESPOND TO MY GOOD FRIEND FROM NEW YORK. I…

I YIELD MYSELF ONE MINUTE TO RESPOND TO MY GOOD FRIEND FROM NEW YORK. I WOULD JUST SAY TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT WE DO NEED TO DO THE JOB BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AHEAD TO WONDER WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK BACK. OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS WE'VE BALANCED THE BUDGET JUST SIX TIMES. AND WE'VE RUN UP A $15 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT. THE GENTLEMAN HAS CITED SOME CRITICISM OF REPUBLICAN VOTES BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF DEMOCRATIC VOTES, IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN CONTROL OF THIS CONGRESS, JUST RECENTLY, WE ADDED $4 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT. NOW, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, OVER THE 50 YEARS, 37 OF THOSE YEARS DEMOCRATS HAVE CONTROLLED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND ONLY TWO OF THOSE 37 YEARS WAS IT BALANCED. SO WHEN THE GENTLEMAN SAYS THAT SOME YEARS WE'LL RUN SURPLUSES AND SOME YEARS WE'LL RUN DEFICITS, THAT'S VERY TRUE, BUT THE HISTORY HAS BEEN, ALMOST ALL THOSE YEARS WILL RUN DEFICITS UNLESS WE HAVE A DISCIPLINE IN OUR CONSTITUTION TO REQUIRE THAT WE DO OTHERWISE. AND I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT IN THE FOUR YEARS SINCE THE GENTLEMAN HAS BEEN HERE, AND I'VE BEEN HERE, THAT WE'VE HAD BALANCED BUDGETS, THE GENTLEMAN, FOR I'M SURE REASONS THAT HE FELT WERE VERY JUSTIFIED, VOTED AGAINST ALL FOUR OF THE BUDGETS THAT BALANCED IN THIS CONGRESS. AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS PRIZED -- IS…

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS PRIZED -- IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

I YIELD MYSELF TWO MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

THE REASON THIS COUNTRY IS IN SUCH DEFICIT IS BECAUSE OF A DELIBERATE…

THE REASON THIS COUNTRY IS IN SUCH DEFICIT IS BECAUSE OF A DELIBERATE REPUBLICAN CRUSADE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS TO REDUCE TAXES ON THE RICH IN ORDER TO DELIBERATELY TO CREATE HUGE DEFICITS AND THEN TO USE THOSE DEFICITS AS THE EXCUSE TO JUSTIFY LARGE CUTS TO GUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND MEDICAID AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER LIKED IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT COULD NOT JUSTIFY CUTTING WITHOUT IT. WE USED TO TAX -- TAXES USED TO BE 18% TO 19% OF THE ECONOMY OR G.D.P. NOW, THEY ARE ABOUT 14% OF G.D.P. AND YET THE REPUBLICANS WON'T INCREASE IT BECAUSE WE DECREASE THE TAXES ON THE RICH AND THE CORPORATION TOP CORPORATIONS. WE ARE NOT TAXING THE MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES THE WHICH WE USED TO. THE FACT IS YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY HERE, WHEN RONALD REAGAN TOOK OVER AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE ENTIRE NATIONAL DEBT OF THE UNITED STATES ACCUMULATED FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON THROUGH JIMMY CARTER WAS LESS THAN $800 BILLION. THEN YOU HAD 12 YEARS OF REAGAN AND THE FIRST BUSH CUTTING TAXES ON THE RICH AND WHEN CLINTON TOOK OVER YOU HAD A $4.3 TRILLION DEFICIT. AND IT WAS EXPECTED TO GO MUCH HIGHER. WE MADE THE TOUGH DECISIONS, WE VOTED FOR INCREASED TAXES IN 1993 AND FOR CUTTING THE BUDGET -- FOR CUTTING THE BUDGET. AND WHEN CLINTON LEFT OFFICE EIGHT YEARS LATER THE BUDGE HAB BALANCED. FROM THE TIME WE MADE THAT VOTE IN 1993, THE DEFICIT DECREASED EVERY YEAR UNTIL IT BECAME A SURPLUS. THEN IT INCREASED EVERY YEAR. WHEN BUSH II TOOK OVER WE WERE LOOKING AT A $5.7 TRILLION SURPLUS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS AND PAY OFF THE ENTIRE NATIONAL DEBT. THEN WE HAD THOSE HUGE BUSH TAX CUTS AND THE UNRESPONSIBLE TWO WARS. AND WHEN HE LEFT OFFICE WE HAD A TURN-AROUND OF $13 TRILLION AND A RECESSION WHICH CAUSE US THE BIGGER DEFICITS NOW. WHEN THE C.B.O. GAVE -- I'LL GIVE MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

MR. NADLER

WHEN THE C.B.O. ESTIMATED BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK OFFICE IT SAID THAT…

WHEN THE C.B.O. ESTIMATED BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK OFFICE IT SAID THAT THE NEXT YEAR'S DEFICIT WOULD BE $1.2 TRILLION BEFORE HE DID ANYTHING. AND I WOULD REMIND US THAT THE NONDEFENSE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING IN THIS COUNTRY HAS NOT GONE UP BY A NICKEL. IT ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION AND POPULATION GROWTH SINCE 2001 WHEN WE HAD A HUGE SURPLUS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT OUR TAXES ON THE RICH ARE TOO LOW. WE CANNOT REACH AN AGREEMENT IN THE SUPERCOMMITTEE BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS WILL NOT TAX THE RICH. AND THAT'S THE BASIC PROBLEM. AND A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL NOT SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK AND RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK AND RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'LL YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE TO RESPOND TO THE…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'LL YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE TO RESPOND TO THE GENTLEMAN.

MR. GOODLATTE

FIRST OFF, LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, WHEN THE GENTLEMAN TALKS ABOUT THE SINCE…

FIRST OFF, LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, WHEN THE GENTLEMAN TALKS ABOUT THE SINCE HE WANTS TO IMPOSE UPON REPUBLICANS FOR NOT BALANCING THE BUDGET, I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD ARGUMENT. BUT SINCE THIS IS A BIPARTISAN BILL AND DOZENS OF HIS COLLEAGUES WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS, I THINK IT'S BECAUSE THOSE WHO VOTE FOR IT RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS TRUE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF TOUGH DECISIONS THAT HAVE LED TO BALANCED BUDGETS. EVERY SINGLE YEAR I VOTE FOR THE TOUGHEST BUDGET OFFERED IN THIS CONGRESS. THOSE BUDGETS NEVER PASS. WHY? BECAUSE THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT THEY DO SO. SO WHAT DO WE HAVE? WE HAVE COMPLAINTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT THERE IS A TERRIBLE PLOT ON OUR PART TO BRING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF HARSH CUTS. THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHETHER YOU BALANCE A BUDGET BY RAISING TAXES OR CUTTING SPENDING. I'M GOING TO DO IT TO CUT SPENDING BECAUSE I SEE LOTS OF WASTE IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND I VOTED FOR BUDGETS THAT BRING ABOUT A BALANCE WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT HERE. THE POINT IS THAT IT DOESN'T GET DONE EITHER WAY. I YIELD MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

AS TO THE GENTLEMAN'S COMPLAINTS IS THAT WE HAVEN'T TAXED THE RICH, MY…

AS TO THE GENTLEMAN'S COMPLAINTS IS THAT WE HAVEN'T TAXED THE RICH, MY GOODNESS. IN THE LAST CONGRESS UNDER THE CONTROL OF YOUR PARTY YOU EXTENDED ALL OF THOSE TAX CUTS FOR EVERYONE. EVERYONE. AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE TOP 1% OF AMERICAN FAMILIES PAY 38%. 38% OF THE PERSONAL INCOME TAXES IN THIS COUNTRY TODAY. SO -- AND THAT, BY THE WAY, IS UP FROM 34% IN 2001. SO ALL OF THIS CAN BE ON THE TABLE WHEN WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. ALL WE'RE DEBATING HERE TODAY IS THE PRINCIPLE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD BALANCE A BUDGET AND LOOKING AT THE PAST HISTORY WHERE WE HAVE NOT INDEED BALANCED IT BUT SIX TIMES IN 50 YEARS. MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. WEST, WHO IS NOT ONLY A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE BUT A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. WEST

YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM VIRGINIA AND I…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM VIRGINIA AND I WANT TO RISE AND SUPPORT H.J.RES. 2 WHICH IS THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS JUST TOPPED $15 TRILLION IN DEBT. $4.4 TRILLION OF NEW DEBT HAS BEEN ADDED. IN GREECE WE SEE A DEBT TO G.D.P. RATIO OF 128%. MR. SPEAKER, IN ITALY IT'S 120% DEBT TO G.D.P. RATIO. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS NOW AT 101% DEBT TO G.D.P. RATIO. IT'S ABOUT TIME WE START TO TAKE A DECISION. ARE WE GOING TO BE FISCALLY DISCIPLINE? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY? ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BANKRUPT THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN BECAUSE WE WERE SENT HERE TO BE ELECTED OFFICIALS, SENT HERE TO BE LEADERS AND WE WERE AFRAID TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS? HISTORICALLY WE WON'T MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS. I HAVE BEEN HERE 11 MONTHS BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IT HAS TO START NOW OR ELSE WHAT DO I SAY, MR. SPEAKER, TO MY TWO DAUGHTERS, 18 AND 14? AM I GOING TO SAY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND HERE TODAY TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HAVE A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? IN FISCAL YEAR 2011 WE SAW A 6.5% INCREASE IN REVENUE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. YET, WE STILL HAD A $1.3 TRILLION WE FOLLOWS ON THE HEELS OF A $1.42 TRILLION AND $1.29 TRILLION DEFICIT. NOW IS TIME FOR A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN? WHEN WE HIT $20 TRILLION IN DEBT? MR. SPEAKER, I THINK THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HERE TODAY WHEN WE CAST OUR VOTE THERE NEEDS TO BE THAT LITTLE YELLOW WHY NEXT TO OUR NAMES, BECAUSE IF IT'S A -- YELLOW Y NEXT TO OUR NAMES BECAUSE IF IT'S A RED N WE ARE TELLING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WE'RE NOT WILLING TO STAND UP, WE ARE NOT MAKING OURSELVES FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY APPREHENSIBLE. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GOODLATTE

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TO MR. JOHNSON, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE VETERANS'…

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TO MR. JOHNSON, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND A SUPPORTER OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

MR. JOHNSON

WE STILL KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE BUSH-ERA TAX CUTS. THOSE SAME TAX CUTS ARE…

WE STILL KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE BUSH-ERA TAX CUTS. THOSE SAME TAX CUTS ARE TODAY'S CURRENT TAX LAWS WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFIRMED BY THIS CONGRESS, THIS SFLAT AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY -- SENATE AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THIS PRESIDENT. SO WHY WE KEEP BLAMING FINANCIAL WOES ON PRESIDENT BUSH IS BEYOND ME. BUT LET'S MAKE ONE THING PERFECTLY CLEAR. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT TAXED TOO LITTLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WASHINGTON SPENDS TOO MUCH. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE NEED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. BECAUSE WASHINGTON HAS CLEARLY INDICATED ITS INABILITY TO DISCIPLINE ITSELF. THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT OFFERS CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT A VERY CLEAR CHOICE. EITHER STAND WITH THE ALREADY OVERTAXED AMERICAN FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES WHO HAVE TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGETS ON A DAILY BASIS OR STAND WITH THE WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT THAT ALWAYS DEMANDS MORE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY WITH HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY. AMERICAN FAMILIES HAVE TO STICK TO A BUDGET EVERY MONTH, SO WHY SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BE ANY DIFFERENT? WE CAN'T KEEP MORTGAGING OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE TO CHINA. IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND, MR. SPEAKER. THE TAX AND SPEND AND THEN BLAME THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR NOT PAYING THEIR, QUOTE, FAIR SHARE GAME, MUST END AND IT CAN END TODAY. PASSING THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL HELP BRING THIS COUNTRY BACK TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND END THIS GAME. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED.

>>

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD A LETTER OF NATIONAL…

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD A LETTER OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSING THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

MR. JACKSON

THEY INCLUDE THE CHILDREN WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, THE CHILDREN'S…

THEY INCLUDE THE CHILDREN WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND, THE CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH PROJECT, THE DISABILITY RIGHTS EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND, DIVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD OF THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN, THE EASTER SEALS, EVERY CHILD MATTERS EDUCATION FUND, FAMILIES U.S.A., THE FORM FOR YOUTH INVESTMENT, THE FOSTER FAMILY BASE TREATMENT ASSOCIATION, HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTERS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, THE NATIONAL BLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES, THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION, SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, YOUTH BUILD U.S.A., THE YWCA, THE AIDS ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY, THE ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE, THE ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCIES. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT, MR. SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

IS THERE OBJECTION?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. NADLER

MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS FOUR MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

MR. JACKSON

I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I LIKE MY GOOD FRIEND FROM VIRGINIA…

I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I LIKE MY GOOD FRIEND FROM VIRGINIA TO ENGAGE ME IN A DIALOGUE ON A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION TO BE RAISED WITH RESPECT TO THE B.B.A. AT LEAST FOR ME, AND I BELIEVE MOST AMERICANS, IS HOW DOES THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT NARROW CERTAIN GAPS THAT ARE OBVIOUS IN OUR SOCIETY? THE FIRST GAP, MR. CHAIRMAN, IS THE SOCIAL GAP BETWEEN RACIAL MINORITIES AND THE MAJORITY POPULATION. HOW DOES THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT NARROW THAT GAP?

MR. GOODLATTE

GAP?

MR. JACKSON

RESPECTFULLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, RECLAIMING MY TIME. IT DOES NOT REDUCE THE GAP…

RESPECTFULLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, RECLAIMING MY TIME. IT DOES NOT REDUCE THE GAP BETWEEN RACIAL MINORITIES AND THE MAJORITY POPULATION. MY NEXT QUESTION -- THERE'S A GENDER GAP IN OUR SOCIETY. WOMEN EARNED 76 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR OF WHAT MEN EARN IN OUR SOCIETY. HOW DOES THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT WOMEN EARN IN OUR SOCIETY AND WHAT MEN EARN IN OUR SOCIETY?

MR. GOODLATTE

YOU DON'T BALANCE THE BUDGET AND YOU CONTINUE TO PILE UP ENORMOUS DEBT,…

YOU DON'T BALANCE THE BUDGET AND YOU CONTINUE TO PILE UP ENORMOUS DEBT, WOMEN, CHILDREN, MINORITIES, ALL WILL SUFFER IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY WILL SHRINK JUST LIKE GREECE'S ECONOMY IS SHRINKING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS. AND TO ANSWER THE GENTLEMAN'S QUESTION, I THINK IT'S BEST TO TURN TO THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

MR. JACKSON

RESPECTFULLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, RECLAIMING MY TIME. THE BALANCED BUDGET…

RESPECTFULLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, RECLAIMING MY TIME. THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DOESN'T CLOSE THE GAP FOR WOMEN WHO EARN 76 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR OF WHAT MEN MAKE BECAUSE ONLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE 50 STATES CAN CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT WOMEN EARN IN OUR SOCIETY AND WHAT MEN EARN IN OUR SOCIETY. HOW DOES THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT CLOSE THE ECONOMIC GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IN OUR SOCIETY? I'D BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO MY FRIEND FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

SURE. I SAY THAT THE RICH PAY FAR, FAR MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE TOO AND THEY…

SURE. I SAY THAT THE RICH PAY FAR, FAR MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE TOO AND THEY SHOULD, BUT THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN HOW YOU BALANCE IT, WHETHER IT'S BY INCREASING REVENUES, WHETHER IT'S BY ECONOMIC GROWTH OR WHETHER IT'S BY TAX INCREASES.

MR. JACKSON

RECLAIMING MY TIME. THE FAILURE OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT NOT…

RECLAIMING MY TIME. THE FAILURE OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT NOT MAKING ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IS PART OF THE FALL IS I AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT -- FALLACY AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. WE ARE HERE AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE TO CLOSE PROFOUND GAPS THAT EXIST BETWEEN OUR CONSTITUENTS AND A SOCIETY. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ONE AMERICA. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ALL-AMERICAN. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ONE PEOPLE EPLUR BUS UNIIMGOING SOMEWHERE. BUT WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THE GENTLEMAN IS THE GAPS WILL NOT CLOSE. GOODE --

MR. JACKSON

YIELD. THANK YOU, MR. MAJORITY, CONTROLLING THE TIME. INFRASTRUCTURE GAP,…

YIELD. THANK YOU, MR. MAJORITY, CONTROLLING THE TIME. INFRASTRUCTURE GAP, UPGRADES TO ROADS AND COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND, BRIDGES, PORTS, LEVEES AND SEWER SYSTEMS, HOW DOES A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT PROPOSE TO CLOSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE GAPS THAT EXIST IN OUR SOCIETY WHERE AS THE STATES THEMSELVES FAILED TO DO SO?

MR. GOODLATTE

YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES BECAUSE YOU SPENT IT ON OTHER THINGS YOU…

YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES BECAUSE YOU SPENT IT ON OTHER THINGS YOU WON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

MR. JACKSON

RECLAIMING MY TIME. I MUST ASSUME THERE IS NO GOAL OF THE BALANCED BUDGET…

RECLAIMING MY TIME. I MUST ASSUME THERE IS NO GOAL OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO CLOSE THE -- MR.

MR. GOODLATTE

WILL THE GENTLEMAN YIELD?

MR. GOODLATTE

A GROWING ECONOMY RESULTS FROM LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS AND THEN USING…

A GROWING ECONOMY RESULTS FROM LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS AND THEN USING THOSE --

MR. JACKSON

MY TIME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DOES NOT NARROW…

MY TIME. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DOES NOT NARROW THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, GENDER AND GENERATIONAL GAP AND INFRASTRUCTURAL GAPS IN OUR COUNTRY. MR. SPEAKER, VOTE DOWN THE B.B.A. GIVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE A REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN CLOSE THE GAPS THAT EXIST WITHIN OUR SOCIETY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. JACKSON

BE HAPPY TO YIELD BACK THE BALANCE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MR. GOODLATTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE TO SAY TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT THE…

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE TO SAY TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT ALSO WILL NOT DELIVER A PENNANT TO THE CHICAGO CUBS. LET ME ALSO SAY THIS, LET ME ALSO SAY THIS, IN TALKING ABOUT THOSE GROUPS THAT THE GENTLEMAN IS RIGHTLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THEY WILL DO IN THE FUTURE, CNN ASKED THEM WHAT THEY THOUGHT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND 75% OF WOMEN SAID THEY FAVORED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. 72% OF NONWHITE VOTERS SAID THEY FAVORED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. 79% OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS SAID THEY FAVORED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. 79% OF THOSE WHO EARN LESS THAN $50,000 A YEAR SAID THEY FAVOR A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. AND THE SAME IS TRUE WHETHER YOU LOOK AT URBAN AREAS, SUBURBAN AREAS, RURAL AREAS OR ANY GEOGRAPHIC REGION OF OUR COUNTRY. THEY SUPPORT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. I'D BE HAPPY TO YIELD.

MR. JACKSON

WHAT WOULD A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DO FOR THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX? I AM…

WHAT WOULD A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT DO FOR THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX? I AM A SOUTH CIDER.

MR. GOODLATTE

A BOSTON FAN. WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

MR. NADLER

GENTLEMAN HAS ADMITTED TO THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WOULD NOT DELIVER…

GENTLEMAN HAS ADMITTED TO THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WOULD NOT DELIVER THE PEP NANT TO THE WHITE SOX OR RED SOX OR THE CUBS OR I SUPPOSE THE YANKEES, THERE IS NO ARGUMENT FOR THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. I RESERVE AT THIS TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

IT'S NOW MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO WINTS TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN…

IT'S NOW MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO WINTS TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, WHO IS THE CHIEF DEPUTY WHIP AND MEMBER OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, MR. ROSKAM.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS MUCH TIME -- TWO MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN…

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS MUCH TIME -- TWO MINUTES. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. ROSKAM

MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. THERE IS A LEVEL OF…

MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. THERE IS A LEVEL OF ANXIETY THAT WE ARE SENSING BACK AT HOME AS PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT WASHINGTON, D.C., FOR SOLUTIONS AND THERE IS VARIOUS TAILS -- TALES GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF WHAT THE JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE YIELD IS GOING TO BE OF THAT NEGOTIATION. THAT'S STILL ONGOING. AND WE'LL BE DEALING WITH THAT NEXT WEEK. BUT WE KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW, MADAM SPEAKER. WE CAN CREATE A BUOYANCY AND A SENSE OF CLARITY AND A SENSE OF COHESIVENESS TO SEIZE UPON A BIPARTISAN MOMENT. A MOMENT THAT THE COUNTRY CAME CLOSE TO IN 1995, IT CAME WITHIN A WHISKER OF PASSING THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT AND SENDING IT OUT TO THE STATES. OVER 70 HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN 1995, INCLUDING SEVERAL OF THE CURRENT LEADERS, VOTED IN FAVOR OF THAT AMENDMENT, AND NOW HERE WE ARE AND WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SAME THING, ALTHOUGH TO DO IT SUCCESSFULLY. THIS IS NOT ABOUT DONKEYS AND ELEPHANTS. THIS IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT US COMING TOGETHER AS A CONGRESS IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY THAT SAYS ONE THING TO THE UNITED STATES AND THAT IS, WE CAN GOVERN WISELY, WE CAN GOVERN FORTHRIGHTLY, WE CAN LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS, AND WE CAN DO WHAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, MADAM SPEAKER, OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WANTS US TO DO, AND THAT IS TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET. I URGE BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AND TO COME DOWN HERE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND VOTE AYE. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. LATTA, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. LATTA

MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR YIELDING. I HAD THE…

MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR YIELDING. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE FOR SIX YEARS OF SERVING THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF OHIO AND 11 YEARS TO SERVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. DURING THAT TIME WE SAW GOOD TIMES AND WE SAW BAD TIMES IN THE ECONOMY. BUT THE BAD TIMES OUR CONSTITUTION TOLD US AND THE STATE OF OHIO THAT WE HAD TO BALANCE OUR BOOKS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T OVERSPEND. THAT'S WHAT THIS HOUSE TO DO -- HAS TO DO AND THIS COUNTRY HAS TO DO. FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND ONLY IN BALANCE SIX TIMES DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME? THAT'S HORRENDOUS. IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING BECAUSE I WAS AT A TOWN HALL TALKING ONE DAY AND ONE OF MY FARMERS CAME UP AND ASKED THIS QUESTION, HE SAID I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS IN WASHINGTON. WHAT'S THE PRESIDENT WANT TO SPEND? I TOLD HIM. ABOUT $3.8 TRILLION. HE SAID HOW MUCH HAVE YOU GOT? I TOLD HIM HOW MUCH WHAT WE THOUGHT THE REVENUE WAS GOING TO BE FOR THE YEAR. HE SAID IT'S SIMPLE. ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS SUBTRACT YOUR REVENUES FROM WHAT YOU WANT TO SPEND AND THAT'S ALL HE GET TO SPEND IS JUST THAT REVENUE. YOU DON'T SPEND OVER THE TOP OF IT. PEOPLE BACK HOME UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE PEOPLE BACK HOME SIT AROUND THEIR KITCHEN TABLES AND DINING ROOM TABLES AND THEY GET THEIR PENCILS AND PAPERS OUT AND FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH THEY CAN SPEND. IT'S NOT COMPLICATED. BUT WE'VE GOT TO START THINKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO -- IN DEBT NOW $15 TRILLION. WHEN I HAVE TO LOOK AT MY KIDS' FACES AND KIDS DOWN THE STREET AND GO TO SCHOOLS AND TALK TO THESE YOUNG CHILDREN, WHO THEY ARE GOING TO ASK ME IN 10, 15 YEARS WHAT DID YOU DO TO US NOT FOR US? AND IT'S TIME THAT THIS CONGRESS ACT AND PASS THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR YEARS. WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TODAY. I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR BRINGING IT FORTH. AND I CAN'T TELL YOU I WISH I COULD VOTE FOR IT MORE THAN ONCE TODAY. WE MUST PASS THIS TODAY. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. THANK YOU.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

MADAM SPEAKER, ON THAT I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED WHIP, THE…

MADAM SPEAKER, ON THAT I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED WHIP, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

MR. HOYER

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDED AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. NADLER

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDED AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE.

MR. HOYER

ABANDONING THAT PAY-GO RESPONSIBILITY YOU COULD CUT REVENUES VERY DEEPLY…

ABANDONING THAT PAY-GO RESPONSIBILITY YOU COULD CUT REVENUES VERY DEEPLY AND NOT PAY FOR IT. NOT CUT SPENDING. IT TAKES NO COURAGE, I SUGGEST TO MY FRIENDS, TO CUT TAXES. NONE WHATSOEVER. EVERYBODY'S HAPPY. PAYING FOR BILLS IS A LOT TOUGHER. REQUIRES A LOT MORE COURAGE. A LOT MORE RESPONSIBILITY. BUT YOU JETTISONED STATUTORY PAY-GO IN 20 AND YOU WENT ON A SPENDING BINGE. NOT ONLY DID YOU BLOW A HOLE IN THE DEFICIT, BUT YOU ALSO BLEW A HOLE IN THE ECONOMY. AND WE SAW THE WORST JOB CREATION OF ANY ADMINISTRATION SINCE HERBER HOOVER. -- HERBERT HOOVER, BECAUSE THE ECONOMY RIGHTFULLY WAS NOT CONFIDENT THAT WE WOULD MANAGE OUR FINANCES CORRECTLY. WHAT WE NEED, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN THIS HOUSE IS A BALANCED BUDGET. NOT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. LET US SUMMON THE COURAGE, THE WILL, AND THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER IMMEDIATELY IN THIS COMMITTEE, THIS SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION, BUT LET US DO IT DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY. AND WHEN THE ISSUES COME BEFORE YOU, HAVE THE COURAGE TO EITHER VOTE AGAINST SPENDING OR VOTE FOR THE REVENUES TO PAY FOR THE CARS YOU WANTED TO BUY. I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR THE TIME. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

MR. GOODLATTE

I YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE TO RESPOND TO THE DISTINGUISHED MINORITY WHIP AND…

I YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE TO RESPOND TO THE DISTINGUISHED MINORITY WHIP AND TO POINT OUT THIS CHART. THE GENTLEMAN IS QUITE RIGHT WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT PROFLIGACY WHEN THERE HAS BEEN REPUBLICAN CONGRESSES, ALTHOUGH I WOULD POINT OUT TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT WHEN WE WERE IN THE MAJORITY AND WE HAD PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND WE HAD THOSE FOUR BALANCED BUDGETS, HE VOTED FOR ONE BUT NOT THREE OTHERS OF THEM, BUT WE DID NOT CUT TAXES THEN. TAXES WERE CUT, TAXES WERE CUT AFTER THE ATTACK ON THIS COUNTRY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. NOW, WE GOT ROUNDLY CRITICIZED FOR THE DEFICITS THAT RAN UP DURING THAT TIME. AND THIS CHART SHOWS THAT IN 2004 --

MR. GOODLATTE

A $400 BILLION DEFICIT. IT WAS THE HIGHEST DEFICIT IN AMERICAN HISTORY,…

A $400 BILLION DEFICIT. IT WAS THE HIGHEST DEFICIT IN AMERICAN HISTORY, AND IT WAS PART OF THE REASON WHY WE LOST OUR MAJORITY LATER ON. AND IN 2007, AS THE DEFICIT STEPPED DOWN EACH OF THE INTERCEDING YEARS, IN 2007 THE GENTLEMAN BECAME THE MAJORITY LEADER AND THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA BECAME THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR DEFICITS. EVER SINCE THE CONGRESS WRITES BUDGETS, THE CONGRESS DOESN'T BALANCE BUDGETS. BOTH PARTIES ARE TO BLAME. IN THE LAST 50 YEARS SIX BALANCED BUDGETS IN 50 YEARS. 37 OF THOSE YEARS DEMOCRATS. THEY ONLY BALANCED IT TWICE. THIS IS A BIPARTISAN BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT THE GENTLEMAN VOTED FOR ONCE BEFORE. HE SHOULD JOIN US TODAY AND SET THE FUTURE ON A DIFFERENT TRACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. HOYER

I TELL YOU HAS NO TIME TO YIELD.

MR. GOODLATTE

I DON'T. I HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

SECONDS TO THE DISTINGUISHED WHIP.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS.

MR. HOYER

AND HE SAYS ABOUT VOTING FOR BUTTS. I DIDN'T AGREE WITH SOME OF THE…

AND HE SAYS ABOUT VOTING FOR BUTTS. I DIDN'T AGREE WITH SOME OF THE PRIORITIES IN OUR BUDGETS. THAT'S ACCURATE. AND HE'S CORRECT. WE DIDN'T CUT TAXES. BUT HE'S INCORRECT AS TO WHEN YOU CUT TAXES. YOU CUT TAXES IN APRIL. MONTHS BEFORE 9/11. AND YOU GAVE AWAY A LOT OF MONEY AND YOU DIDN'T PAY FOR IT. YOU DIDN'T CUT SPENDING IN ORDER TO PAY FOR IT. IN YOUR BUDGETS THAT YOU OFFERED. FURTHERMORE, WHAT THE GENTLEMAN DOESN'T POINT OUT IS IN 1993, TO A PERSON, YOU VOTED AGAINST A PROGRAM WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO PAY OUR BILLS. TO A PERSON. AND YOU SAID IT WOULD DESTROY THE ECONOMY. WE HAD THE BEST ECONOMY AND THE LARGEST BUDGET SURPLUSES WE HAVE HAD THE ADMINISTRATION IS THE ONLY ADMINISTRATION IN YOUR LIFETIME THAT ENDED IN --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

MR. GOODLATTE

AT THIS POINT I AM DELIGHTED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MR. BARTON.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. BARTON

I'D ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. BARTON

THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM ALABAMA FOR HER CHAIRMANSHIP OF THIS HISTORIC…

THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM ALABAMA FOR HER CHAIRMANSHIP OF THIS HISTORIC DEBATE AND I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND HIS WILLINGNESS TO YIELD ME TIME. MADAM SPEAKER, IN 1985, IN JANUARY, I HELD UP MY RIGHT HAND, HELD MY 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN MY LEFT HAND STANDING RIGHT OUT HERE IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM, TOOK THE OATH TO BE THE CONGRESSMAN OF THE SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS. AS SOON AS I WAS SWORN IN I SIGNED MY FIRST BILL AND PUT IT RIGHT OVER THERE IN THE HOPPER, THE TAX LIMITATION BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. THE DEFICIT, THE TOTAL FEDERAL DEBT THAT YEAR WAS AROUND -- I MEAN, THE TOTAL PUBLIC DEBT WAS LESS THAN $5 TRILLION. IN JANUARY OF 1995, I TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND THEN LED THE DEBATE ON THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. WE ACTUALLY HAD TWO VOTES THAT DAY. ONE ON THE TAX LIMITATION BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WHICH GOT ABOUT 260-SOMETHING VOTES, AND THEN WE CAME BACK AND VOTED ON A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WITHOUT THE TAX LIMITATION PROVISION AND IT PASSED AND WENT TO THE SENATE. THE PUBLIC DEBT THAT DAY WAS A LITTLE UNDER $8 TRILLION. WELL, TODAY, THE PUBLIC DEBT IS $15 TRILLION. $10 TRILLION THAN IN JANUARY OF 1985 AND $8 TRILLION OR $7 TRILLION MORE THAN IN JANUARY OF 1995. HOW MANY YEARS DO WE HAVE TO STAND HERE AND BEMOAN THE FACT THAT WE NEED MORE COURAGE OR MORE THIS OR MORE THAT AND THEN PILE UP MORE PUBLIC DEBT? THE ANNUAL DEFICIT THIS YEAR, THE DEFICIT IN ONE YEAR IS MORE THAN THE TOTAL FEDERAL BUDGET WAS IN 1985. THE TOTAL BUDGET. NOW, I WANT TO THANK MR. GOODLATTE FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD. I WANT TO THANK THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP FOR PUTTING IT ON THE FLOOR. WE OWE $15 TRILLION, MADAM SPEAKER, AND WE'RE GOING TO BORROW ANOTHER $1.5 TRILLION. LET'S STOP THE MADNESS. LET'S VOTE FOR THIS AMENDMENT AND SEND IT TO THE SENATE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

MR. NADLER

I YIELD -- I'M SORRY -- I YIELD -- I ASK THAT THE GENTLEMAN BE GRANTED…

I YIELD -- I'M SORRY -- I YIELD -- I ASK THAT THE GENTLEMAN BE GRANTED TIME FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT STATEMENT. BE RECOGNIZED FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT STATEMENT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. JOHNSON

YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I HAVE A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST TO SUBMIT THE…

YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I HAVE A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TWO DOCUMENTS INTO THE RECORD. ONE IS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, THE OTHER FROM THE AARP, BOTH OF WHICH EXPRESS THEIR OPPOSITION TO THIS ILL-FOUNDED MEASURE BEFORE US, HOUSE RESOLUTION 2.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE REQUEST IS GRANTED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

30 SECONDS TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED FOR 30 SECONDS.

MR. MARKEY

WE DO NOT NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. WE NEED A SUPERCOMMITTEE…

WE DO NOT NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. WE NEED A SUPERCOMMITTEE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITMENT NOW. TO THE REPUBLICANS, DO IT NOW. CALL PRESIDENT OBAMA NOW. TELL HIM TAX BREAKS FOR THE BILLIONAIRES ON THE TABLE. TELL THEM DEFENSE SPENDING, ON THE TABLE. TELL HIM TAX BREAKS FOR OIL COMPANIES, ON THE TABLE. THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE'LL PUT THE SOCIAL PROGRAMS ON THE TABLE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK 200 YEARS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION. YOU JUST HAVE TO NEXT WEEK, NEXT WEDNESDAY SAY WE WANT TO DO IT NOW. WE WHO ARE HERE WILL DO IT NOW. WE WILL BALANCE THE BUDGET BY PUTTING ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ON THE TABLE. DO IT NOW. DO IT NOW, REPUBLICANS. DON'T PRETEND AND HIDE BEHIND A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHEN YOU CAN DO IT NOW. YOU CAN BE THE FOUNDING FATHERS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

THE REPUBLICANS ON THE SUPERCOMMITTEE HAVE PUT A PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE AND…

THE REPUBLICANS ON THE SUPERCOMMITTEE HAVE PUT A PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE AND DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT, I NOW YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. MANZULLO, A MEMBER OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

MR. MAN SDEMRULEO

MADAM SPEAKER, THERE ARE OVER- MR.

MR. MANZULLO

MADAM SPEAKER, THERE ARE OVER 10,000 FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND COUNTING. NO ONE…

MADAM SPEAKER, THERE ARE OVER 10,000 FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND COUNTING. NO ONE REALLY QUITE KNOWS HOW MANY THERE ARE. I DO MOST OF MY WORK IN CONGRESS ON MANUFACTURING. AND FOR 12 YEARS I'VE BEEN WORKING ON A CHART TO IDENTITY FIGHT EVERY AGENCY, EVERY BUREAU THAT IS INVOLVEDOMEHOW IN MANUFACTURING. AND IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND GROW AND GROW. MY OBJECT WAS TO -- OBJECTIVE WAS TO FIND A WAY WITH A COMMON PORTAL VIA THE INTERNET TO SEE. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THIS GOVERNMENT. A PERSON SAYS I HAVE A PROGRAM FOR THIS AND FOR THAT. YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S TIME TO START ELIMINATING PROGRAMS AROUND HERE. IT'S TIME TO JUST KEEP THOSE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO HAVE THE FISCAL RESTRAINT IMPOSED BY A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. YOU CAN'T GO TO THE BACK ROOM AND COVER THIS PROGRAM AND THAT PROGRAM. WE NEED TO COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT WASHINGTON DOESN'T HAVE THE ANSWER FOR EVERYTHING. AND THE BEST WAY TO CUT BACK ON THESE 10,000 PROGRAMS IS TO HAVE THE DISCIPLINE OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT SO THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE CAN REALIZE, YOU REALLY CAN'T SPEND MORE THAN WHAT YOU TAKE IN.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

MADAM SPEAKER, HOW MUCH TIME REMAINS ON EACH SIDE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA HAS FOUR MINUTES REMAINING, AND THE GENTLEMAN…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA HAS FOUR MINUTES REMAINING, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS -- 3/4.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

MR. WOMACK

IT'S PAYDAY, THEY ARE GOING TO GET A CHECK FROM THEIR EMPLOYER IF THEY ARE…

IT'S PAYDAY, THEY ARE GOING TO GET A CHECK FROM THEIR EMPLOYER IF THEY ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A JOB. BEFORE CASHING THAT CHECK, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT'S GOING. THESE PEOPLE HAVE LIKELY ALREADY COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT THERE ARE A LOT MORE NEEDS, A LOT MORE THINGS THEY'D LIKE TO HAVE OR DO BUT THERE'S JUST SO MUCH MONEY. I FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE BELIEVE THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS OF DISCERNING BETWEEN WHAT THEY WANT AND WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD, LIKE THE REST OF AMERICA. IN THE 10-PLUS MONTHS I'VE BEEN HERE, I CONSIDER THIS VOTE THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE I WILL HAVE CAST BECAUSE IT'S THE VOTE THAT HAS THE MOST IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF MY GRANDSON. IT IS SAD THAT CONGRESS DOES NOT HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS, AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY TO CONSTRAIN AN UNDISCIPLINED CONGRESS IS TO ENSHRINE ITS OBLIGATION IN THE CONSTITUTION. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, AS PROPOSED TODAY, IS THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD FORMERI A. I THANK MY FRIEND, MR. GOODLATTE, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THE ISSUE, AND I URGE ITS PASSAGE, AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED TO YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH…

SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED TO YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. MULVANEY, WHO IS A A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.

MR. MULVANEY

IS IT ISN'T 1985. I WISH IT WERE. IMAGINE IF WE COULD ACCOMPLISH THIS 15…

IS IT ISN'T 1985. I WISH IT WERE. IMAGINE IF WE COULD ACCOMPLISH THIS 15 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE ONLY PASSED A BUDGET FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. THAT DOESN'T PASS THE LAUGH TEST. I HEARD FROM THE HONORABLE MINORITY LEADER THAT THIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO PASS THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE SOMEHOW THIS BODY WAS TOO PARTISAN, TOO PARTISAN TO PASS A BILL TO PASS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT WILL TAKE PARTISANSHIP OUT OF THE EQUATION AND FORCE US TO BALANCE A BUDGET. THESE ARE ALL EXTRAORDINARILY WEAK ARGUMENT, MADAM SPEAKER, AND THEY ARE WEAK BECAUSE THEY DO NOT GO TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER OF WHY YOU'D BE AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT. THE ONLY REASON TO BE AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT, THE ONLY TRUE ARGUMENT TO BE AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT IS YOU WANT TO SPEND MONEY WE DON'T HAVE. AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS CHAMBER WHO BELIEVE THAT IS THE WAY THEY KEEP THEIR JOBS. THAT IF WE CONTINUE TO RUN UP DEBT, IF WE CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY WE DON'T HAVE IS SOMEHOW BACK IN THEIR DISTRICT IT WILL ENCOURAGE THEIR VOTERS TO SEND THEM BACK TO THIS CHAMBER. MADAM CHAIR WOMAN, I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN OUR JOBS. THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN SIMPLY REMAINING A MEMBER OF CONGRESS. MORE SO THAN ANY AMENDMENT, ANY BILL THAT WE WILL TAKE UP THIS YEAR, THIS AMENDMENT IS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE TO SEND TO THE -- SEND THE MESSAGE TO PEOPLE BACK HOME THAT WE ARE WILLING TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, THAT WE'RE WILLING TO STAND UP FOR THEM AND TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES IN A WAY THAT THEY SEE FIT. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR WOMAN. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GELEMANTS TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

MADAM SPEAKER, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER REMAINING SO WE'LL RESERVE AS WELL.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MR. NADLER

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NADLER

MADAM SPEAKER, SINCE 1995 WHEN THE AMENDMENT WAS LAST ON THE FLOOR, WE…

MADAM SPEAKER, SINCE 1995 WHEN THE AMENDMENT WAS LAST ON THE FLOOR, WE PROVED WE COULD BALANCE THE BUDGET WITHOUT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. BUT THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMT ISENOT THE HIGHEST GOAL. THE HIGHEST GOAL IS PROSPERITY, A FULL EMPLOYMENT ECONOMY, AND THAT REQUIRES A BALANCED BUDGET OVER THE BUSINESS CYCLE. IT REQUIRES THAT IN GOOD TIMES WE BALANCE THE BUDGET AND PAY DOWN THE -- WE HA SUR AUS AND PAY DOWN THE DEFICIT. BUT THAT IN RECESSION YOU SHOULD HAVE A DEFICIT TO SPUR THE ECONOMY AND SPEND MONEY TO SPUR THE ECONOMY AND GET OUT OF THE RECESSION. TRY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET BY CUTTING SPENDING DURING A RECESSION IS TO INCREASE UNEMPLOYMENT, IT'S TO GUARANTEE THAT EVERY RECESSION BECOMES A DEPRESSION. JUST LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GERMANY WHICH IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE UNTIL THEY ELECTED A GOVERNMENT THAT ENACTED AUSTERITY, TRIED TO BALANCE A BUDGET, THEIR ECONOMY IS TANKING. THE SAME THING IN GREAT BRITAIN. THE SECOND POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BALANCED BUDGETS IN THE STATES, THEY HAVE A SEPARATE BUDGET FOR OPERATING EXPENS D CAANTAL BUDGETS. HERE THIS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WOULD SAY WE SHOULD NEVER BORROW MONEY FOR EVERYTHING. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEVER BORROW ANYTHING. THAT'S INSANITY ECONOMICALLY. THAT MEANS WE HAVE NO MONEY FOR OUR BRIDGES, ROADS, ETC. THIRD, THIS AMENDMENT WOULD SAY IF WE COULDN'T REACH AGREEMENT, IF WE COULDN'T PASS A BALANCED BUDGET, THE COURTS WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH TAXES TO RAISE TAXES AND WHICH PROGRAMS TO CUT. WE SHOULD NOT BE GIVING THE COURTS SUCH POWER TO MAKE SUCH DECISIONS. FINALLY, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, THESE ARE NOT DEBTS. THEY'RE OBLIGATIONS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WOULD PUT THEM ON THE -- WOULD PUT THEM AT RISK. WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT BACK SOCIAL SECURITY, CUT MEDICARE, CUT ALL THESE THINGS IF WE PASSED THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IF WE WERE UNWILLING, AS OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE, TO RAISE TAXES ON THE RICH. AND THE FACT TAXES ON THE RICH ARE MUCH LESS THAN THEY'VE EVER BEEN WHICH IS THE BASIC CAUSES OF THE DEFICITS THAT WE'RE RUNNING NOW. THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WOULD NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET. WE WOULD STILL HAVE THE STEMATALBETWEEN REPUBLICANS WHO WANT NO TAXES ON THE RICH AND WANT DRACONIAN CUTS ON LOWER AND MIDDLE-INCOME PROGRAMS AND THOSE ON OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE WHO DISAGREE WITH THAT. IF YOU CAN'T REACH AGREEMENT ON THOSE THINGS NOW IN THE SUPERCOMMITTEE, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU WOULD REACH AGREEMENT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAD A REQUIREMENT ON THE BOOKS THAT SAID YOU SHOULD? IT WOULD END UP IN COURT. THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IS SIMPLY A STOP TO SAY WE ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT A BALANCED BUDGET WHEN WE ARE UNWILLING TO MAKE THE DECISIONS TO BALANCE A BUDGET. WE SHOWED DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION THOSE DECISIONS COULD BE MADE. AND IF WE REALLY WANT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WE HAVE TO UNDO MOST OF THE TAX CUTS. WE SHOULD PAL THE BUMENT, NOT PASS AN AMENDMENT. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. GOODLATTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF THE TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. GOOLED GOODE MADAM SPEAKER, THE GENTLEMAN…

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. GOOLED GOODE MADAM SPEAKER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM --

MR. GOODLATTE

MADAM SPEAKER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK AND I AGREE ON ONE THING,…

MADAM SPEAKER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK AND I AGREE ON ONE THING, PROSPERITY IS THE GOAL. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO PROSPERITY. 50 YEARS WITH SIX BALANCED BUDGETS HAS LED TO A $15 TRILLION DEBT THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. THAT'S NOT PROSPERITY. THE LARGEST DEBTOR NATION ON EARTH IS NOT PROSPERITY. THE $50,000 PER AMERICAN CITIZEN IN DEBT IS NOT PROSPERITY. BUT THE $60 TRILLION IN FUTURE OBLIGATIONS THAT WE HAVE YIELDING THIS RESULT IS DEFINITELY NOT PROSPERITY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. THAT IS WHY WE NEED THE DISCIPLINE THAT A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES. THAT IS WHY THIS IS A BIPARTISAN VOTE. THAT IS WHY DOZENS OF DEMOCRATS WILL JOIN US TODAY IN ENSHRINING IN OUR CONSTITUTION SOMETHING THAT WILL REQUIRE THAT FUTURE CONGRESSES BALANCE A BUDGET. . I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CHAIR AND THE MEMBER BEING RECOGNIZED. QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE…

THE CHAIR AND THE MEMBER BEING RECOGNIZED. QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 BEING IN THE NEGATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED -- THE RULES ARE NOT SUSPENDED -- MR.

MR. GOODLATTE

REQUEST FOR A RECORDED VOTE. .

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

DOES THE GENTLEMAN ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS?

MR. GOODLATTE

GENTLEMAN ASKS FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 2 --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 2 --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 261. THE NAYS --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 261. THE NAYS, 165. 2/3 OF THOSE NOT RESPONDING…

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 261. THE NAYS, 165. 2/3 OF THOSE NOT RESPONDING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE NOT SUSPENDED AND THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS NOT PASSED. THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE VOTE ON ADOPTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 470 ON WHICH THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL H.R. 3094, TO AMEND THE NATIONAL…

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL H.R. 3094, TO AMEND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT WITH RESPECT TO REPRESENTATION HEARINGS AND THE TIMING OF ELECTIONS OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THAT ACT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.…

THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. THIS IS A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE. [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 239. AND THE NAYS ARE 167. THE RESOLUTION IS…

ON THIS VOTE THE YEAS ARE 239. AND THE NAYS ARE 167. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS -- THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS SEEK RECOGNITION?

MRS. BIGGERT

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY WILL SUSPEND. THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER. THE GENTLELADY…

THE GENTLELADY WILL SUSPEND. THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BIGGERT

YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. ON ROLL CALL NUMBER 857 I WAS UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED AND…

YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. ON ROLL CALL NUMBER 857 I WAS UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED AND HAD I BEEN PRESENT --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER. WILL THE MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS…

THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER. WILL THE MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BIGGERT

MADAM SPEAKER, ON ROLL CALL NUMBER 857 I WAS UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED. HAD I…

MADAM SPEAKER, ON ROLL CALL NUMBER 857 I WAS UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED. HAD I BEEN PRESENT I WOULD HAVE VOTED NO. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY'S STATEMENT WILL APPEAR IN THE RECORD.…

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY'S STATEMENT WILL APPEAR IN THE RECORD. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY…

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY IT ADJOURN TO MEET AT 10:00 A.M. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011, WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS ON THAT DAY, IT ADJOURN TO MEET AT 1:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, THE YEAR, 2011. AND WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS ON THAT DAY, IT ADJOURN TO MEET AT 2:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. MADAM SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. LOBIONDO

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO TAKE FROM THE SPEAKER'S TABLE…

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO TAKE FROM THE SPEAKER'S TABLE THE BILL H.R. 3321, WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS THERETO, TO THAT END, THAT THE HOUSE CONCUR WITH THE SENATE AMENDMENT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL AND THE SENATE AMENDMENT.

THE CLERK

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.

MR. LOBIONDO

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE READING IS DISPENSED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE…

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE READING IS DISPENSED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE ORIGINAL REQUEST IS GRANTED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FOR ONE MINUTE SPEECHES. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS RISE?

>>

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

>>

LARGEST MANUFACTURING DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, AND AS PART OF A JOBS PLAN…

LARGEST MANUFACTURING DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, AND AS PART OF A JOBS PLAN THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COUNTRY, I'M FOCUSED ON MANUFACTURING THROUGHOUT NOT ONLY THE COUNTRY BUT SPECIFICALLY ILLINOIS' 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

MR. DOLD

HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS…

HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, OR STEM. SO THAT THOSE THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED ARE THOSE STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ENTERING THE WORK FORCE CAN LEARN NEW SKILLS AND GO ON TO THE FIELD WITH GOOD, HIGH-PAYING JOBS. IN MY DISTRICT, I'M WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOLS AND MANUFACTURERS ON RECRUITING STUDENTS TO GO INTO STEM FIELDS. WE ARE WORKING ON CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH MANUFACTURERS, WHO ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF MADUSA CONSULTING, ILLINOIS WORK NET, AND MANUFACTURING CAREERS INCORPORATED FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THE MANUFACTURING JOBS FAIR TO DISTRICT 214 FIELD HOUSE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS THIS UPCOMING DECEMBER 5. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT STEM EDUCATION AND TO WORK WITH THEIR LOCAL BUSINESSES ON HOSTING THESE IMPORTANT JOBS FAIRS AND MANUFACTURING WORKSHOPS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL IF WE WANT TO GET AMERICA BACK TO WORK. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ARE THERE

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ARE THERE FURTHER ONE MINUTES? FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM…

ARE THERE FURTHER ONE MINUTES? FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS RISE?

MS. JACKSON LEE

TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.

MS. JACKSON LEE

YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I ROSE TO THE FLOOR OF…

YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I ROSE TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE TO OPPOSE THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, AND I HOPE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND OUR COLLEAGUES CAN SEE THE VALUE OF A VIGOROUS DEBATE. I APPLAUD THE RULES COMMITTEE FOR ALLOWING US THE TIME TO DELIBERATE ON THE ISSUE OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IT'S FOR THE VERY REASON THAT MY GOOD FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE JUST SPOKE ABOUT, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS. I JOIN HIM IN FINDING PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE TRANSITIONED INTO JOBS AND OTHERS INTO JOBS ALONG WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION. THE NORTH FOREST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, A SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN TEXAS DESIGNATED TO BE CLOSED BY GOVERNOR PERRY, TEXAS EDUCATION, AGENCY IS TRYING TO DO JUST THAT. TO HAVE JOB TRAINING, TO HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND I CONGRATULATE MR. IVORY AHORN FOR GETTING SOME 7,000-PLUS SIGNATURES TO OPPOSE THE CLOSING OF THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. A HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS ON THE VERGE OF TRAINING INDIVIDUALS IN THE TRADES AND THE SKILLS OF MANUFACTURING AND THEN BRIDGING THEM ON TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THEN ON TO COLLEGE. WE'VE GOT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE'VE GOT TO BUILD THE HUMAN RESOURCE AND A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT IGNORES THE NEEDS FOR PROTECTING MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND MEDICAID, BUT INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN, PROVIDING THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY AND -- FOR JOBS. WORKING WITH THIS CONGRESS TO INVEST WITH HUMAN RESOURCES. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO RISE? WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

>>

AT THAT HONOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO. WELD COUNTY…

AT THAT HONOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO. WELD COUNTY TAKES ITS NAME FROM LEWIS LED YARD WELD. WELD WAS APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN AS COLORADO'S FIRST TERRITORIAL SECRETARY. ON NOVEMBER 1, 1861, THE COLORADO TERRITORIES GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED WELD COUNTY. THIS NOVEMBER MARKS 9150TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY. AS WITH MOST WESTERN SETTLEMENTS, WELD COUNTY HAD A SPARSE POPULATION.

MR. GARDNER

OVER 250,000 PEOPLE. FROM A HUMBLE START AS AN AREA BASED ON COAL MINING,…

OVER 250,000 PEOPLE. FROM A HUMBLE START AS AN AREA BASED ON COAL MINING, IT'S FLOURISHED WITH A THRIVING BUSINESS SECTOR AND AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY. IT'S THE TH LEADING AGRICULTURAL COUNTY IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES AND ONLY COUNTY OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA RANKED IN THE TOP 10. FROM SMALL BUSINESSES, GREAT LAND MORE FARMING, WELD COUNTY IS ALSO HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO AND THE UPONEE NATIONAL GRASS LANDS. IT'S HOME TO OVER 19 DIFFERENT TOWNS, EACH ONE WITH A UNIQUE IDENTITY THAT MAKES THIS AREA DISTINCTIONY. . IT'S HOME TO THRIVING INTEREST AND SOME OF THE NATION'S LEADING PIONEERS. ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS EVERY YEAR IS THE FOURTH OF JULY GREELEY STAMPEDE AND PARADE. IT REMINDS ME WHAT IT MEANS TO CALL COLORADO HOME. IT EMBODIES EVERYTHING THAT IS GREAT ABOUT HEADING WEST. AND I AM PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THEIR 150TH ANNIVERSARY. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO RISE?

MS. KAPTUR

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, MR. SPEAKER.

MS. KAPTUR

WITH THANKSGIVING APPROACHING, LET US THINK ABOUT OUR FELLOW AMERICANS AND…

WITH THANKSGIVING APPROACHING, LET US THINK ABOUT OUR FELLOW AMERICANS AND ASK OURSELVES THE QUESTION, WHAT WE CAN DO TO SERVE THEM THIS COMING WEEK AND INTO THE FUTURE. YOU KNOW AVERAGE INCOMES FOR AMERICANS FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY HAS GONE DOWN ABOUT 6.7% AND WE KNOW POFFER RATES HAVE RISEN 15%. FOR ALL THOSE LISTENING TODAY AS WE LOOK ACROSS OUR COUNTRY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK AND EVERY WEEK TO HELP OUR FOOD BANKS THAT ARE SHORT ON SUPPLIES ACROSS OUR COUNTRY. EVERY CLASS, EVERY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, EVERY PERSON CAN DO SOMETHING EXTRA TO HELP THIS WEEK TO GIVE EVERY AMERICAN A GOOD THANKSGIVING. THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP A LOCAL FEEDING KITCHEN. THINK ABOUT HOW YOU MIGHT CHALLENGE YOUR SPORTS TEAM TO GO GREEN IN THE FIELDS AND COLLECT IF YOU LIVE IN THE PART OF THE COUNTRY THAT AGRICULTURE EXISTS, THE EXTRA CABBAGE AND APPLES THAT WILL BE THERE AND PLOWED UNDER IF YOU DON'T PICK THEM. ACROSS OUR COUNTRY THIS IS A YEAR WHEN AMERICANS CAN SAY TO ONE ANOTHER, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, WE BELIEVE IN YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. IT REACHES THE TRUE HEART OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WHO KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT TO DO. AND LET'S GIVE EVERY AMERICAN A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. EVERY DAY. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA RISE?

>>

TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

MR. MURPHY

THIS WEEK SPEAKER BOEHNER ANNOUNCED A BILL THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED SOON TO…

THIS WEEK SPEAKER BOEHNER ANNOUNCED A BILL THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED SOON TO CONGRESS TO DEAL WITH OUR JOBS ISSUE. IT'S NOT ONE THAT RAISES TAXES. IT'S NOT ONE WHICH IS GOING TO ADD TO THE DEFICIT. IT IS THE AMERICAN JOBS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY ACT WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED SOON. IT IS AN ACT THAT IS RELATED TO THAT I PRESENTED TO THIS CHAMBER FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN A BIPARTISAN MOVE TO GET AMERICA BACK TO WORK. INSTEAD OF IMPORTING $129 BILLION WORTH OF OIL EVERY YEAR AND SENDING THEM, IT USES OUR OIL OFF OUR COAST TO CREATE JOBS. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN AMERICA HAS A $2 TRILLION PRICE TAG TO REPAIR OUR ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND BRIDGES. WE ALSO STILL HAVE 14 MILLION AMERICANS OUT OF WORK AND ANOTHER 10 MILLION LOOKING FOR WORK. IT'S TIME AMERICA GOT BACK TO WORK AND WE CAN DO IT WITH THIS BILL. I URGE ALL MY COLLEAGUES TO -- MAKE SURE THEIR PART OF THIS BILL WHEN IT COMES UT A ENGET AMERICANS BACK TO WORK AND REBUILD AMERICA ONCE AGAIN. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ARE THERE ANY FURTHER ONE MINUTE REQUESTS? . UNDER THE PEEKER TISSUE…

ARE THERE ANY FURTHER ONE MINUTE REQUESTS? . UNDER THE PEEKER TISSUE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED SPOIL OF SCRAN 5, 2011 THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. SHIMKUS IS RECOGNIZED FOR 60 MINUTES OF THE -- AS A DESIGNEE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER.

MR. SHIMKUS

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

MR. SHIMKUS

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I COME DOWN TO THE FLOOR ONCE A WEEK TO TALK ABOUT THE…

YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I COME DOWN TO THE FLOOR ONCE A WEEK TO TALK ABOUT THE HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE ISSUE IN THIS COUNTRY AND THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTRY STILL DOESN'T HAVE A SING REAL POZZER TO TO STORE HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE. THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK, I HAVE TALKED ABOUT HANNIFORD, WASHINGTON, THAT HAS HIGH LEVELS OF NUCLEAR WASTE. I WENT TO ZION NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, RIGHT OFF LAKE MICHIGAN, TO TALK ABOUT ITS NUCLEAR WASTE RIGHT OFF ITS WASTE. -- RIGHT OFF THE LAKE. I WENT TO SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, TO TALK ABOUT THE PLANT THAT SITS RIGHT NEXT TO THE RIVER. I WENT TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN BETWEEN LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO, WHERE THERE'S A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT RIGHT ON THE PACIFIC OCEAN. TODAY, I TAKE THE NATION TO IDAHO, FOR IDAHO NATIONAL -- WHERE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES IS LOCATED. COMPARING THIS SITE AS I DO WEEKLY TO THE DEFINED LOCATION UNDER FEDERAL LAW IN THE 1982 NUCLEAR WASTE POWER ACT, YUCCA MOUNTAIN. LOOK WHAT WE HAVE AT IDAHO NATIONAL LABS. AT THE NATIONAL LABS WE HAVE 5,090 CANISTERS OF NUCLEAR WASTE. EWE KA -- YOU KA MOUNTAIN, NONE. AT IDAHO, WASTE IS STORED ABOVEGROUND AND IN POOLS. AT YUCCA MOUNTAIN, WASTE WILL BE STORED 1,000 FEET FROM THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND. AT IDAHO, THE WASTE IS 500 FEET ABOVE THE WATER TABLE. AT YUCCA MOUNTAIN, WASTE IS 1,000 FEET ABOVE THE WATER TABLE. IDAHO NATIONAL LABS, 50 MILES FROM THE NATIONAL PARK, YUCCA MOUNTAIN IS 100 MILES FROM THE COLORADO RIVER. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES? THERE ARE NUCLEAR PLANTS NOT INCLUDING NUCLEAR WASTE AT DEFENSE LABS, D.O.E. LABS AND THE LIKE. WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND IS THERE'S NUCLEAR WASTE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND NEXT TO MAJOR POPULATION CENTERS AND NEXT TO MAJOR WATER RESERVES. WHAT I'VE ALSO DONE IN COMING DOWN HOAR IS HIGHLIGHTING HOW DO THE SENATORS FROM THE STATES THAT SURROUND THE IDAHO NUCLEAR LAB, WHAT ARE THEIR POSITIONS? AND THEIR POSITIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS. SENATOR BORASSO FROM WYOMING IS A SUPPORTER OF YUCCA MOUNTAIN AND HAS STATED THAT THE END RESULT OF THIS IS A FIVE-FOOT-LONG, 25-FOOT-WIDE HOLE IN THE NEVADA DESERT, MEANT TO STORE NUCLEAR WASTE BUT INSTEAD IT STANDS AS A MONUMENT TO GOVERNMENT WASTE. THE OTHER SENATOR SAID PRESIDENT OBAMA PROMISED CHANGE. I AM DISPOINTED THAT HIS YUCCA MOUNTAIN POLICY IGNORES THAT CAMPAIGN PROMISE. MIKE CREPO FROM IDAHO VOTED YES FOR YUCCA MOUNTAIN AND HE'S DISAPPOINTED IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE NEW NORTH FROM IDAHO, SENATOR RICH, SAYS THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO KILL THE NATION'S CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED REPOSITORY FOR HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE AS A FAVOR TO ONE STATE IS POLITICS AT ITS WORST. THE ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION TO UNDERMINE THEIR COMMITMENTS TO IDAHO AND 33 OTHER STATES WITH NO CLEAR ALTERNATIVE CANNOT STAND. THIS HAS BECOME A HALLMARK OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, FIRST WITH THE GUANTANAMO PRISON SITE AND NOW YUCCA MOUNTAIN TO JUMP WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO LAND. SO THE OTHER THING I'VE BEEN DOING IS HIGHLIGHTING, AS I'VE BEEN TAKING THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE AREAS AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHERE ARE THE SENATORS BASED UPON THEIR PAST VOTES OR CURRENT STATEMENTS? RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 17 NARTS IN SUPPORT. WE HAVE THREE IN OPPOSITION, AND WE HAVE FOUR WHICH REALLY HAVE NO DEFINED POSITION AS OF YET. SENATOR FEINSTEIN, OF COURSE, HAS SPOKEN IN OPPOSITION TO YUCCA MOUNTAIN BUT WITH FUKUSHIMA DAICHI AND THE FACT SHE HAS NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS ON THE SHORE, I THINK SHE'S RE-EVALUATING. WE NEED 60 VOTES IN THE SENATE TO MOVE FORWARD AND FINISH THE SCIENCE ON YUCCA MOUNTAIN SO THAT BY FEDERAL LAW, YUCCA MOUNTAIN BECOMES THE SINGLE REPOSITORY FOR HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE IN THIS COUNTRY. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CHAIR REALLOCATES THE BALANCE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER'S TIME TO THE…

THE CHAIR REALLOCATES THE BALANCE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER'S TIME TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

MR. BROUN

THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE AN ENROLLED BILL.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE HOUSE AN ENROLLED BILL.

THE CLERK

APPEAL TIME LIMITS IN CIVIL ACTIONS, TO WHICH UNITED STATES OFFICERS OR…

APPEAL TIME LIMITS IN CIVIL ACTIONS, TO WHICH UNITED STATES OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES ARE PARTIES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 5, 2011, THE GENTLEWOMAN…

UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 5, 2011, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW YORK, MRS. MALONEY, IS RECOGNIZED FOR 60 MINUTES AS THE DESIGNEE OF THE MINORITY LEADER.

MRS. MALONEY

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS CHAIR OF THE JOINT ECONOMIC…

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS CHAIR OF THE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE WE HELD A HEARING ON THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN BASIC RESEARCH. WE FOUND THAT BASIC RESEARCH SPURS EXACTLY THE KIND OF INNOVATIONS THAT BUSINESS LEADERS, ACADEMICS AND POLICYMAKERS HAVE ALL IDENTIFIED AS CRITICAL FOR OUR NATION'S ECONOMIC GROWTH. BUT WE ALSO FOUND THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR TENDS TO UNDERFUND BASIC RESEARCH BECAUSE IT IS UNDERTAKEN WITH NO SPECIFIC COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS IN MIND. BUSINESSES UNDERSTANDABLY CONCENTRATE THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPENDING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES THAT MAY HAVE DIRECT COMMERCIAL VALUE. A REPORT PRODUCED BY THE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE SHOWS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS 60% OF THE BASIC RESEARCH IN THE U.S. AND HIGHLIGHTED A STUDY THAT ESTIMATED THAT ACTUAL EXPENDITURES IN THE UNITED STATES MAY BE LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT THE OPTIMAL LEVELS WOULD BE. WE ARE NOW ENGAGED IN AN IMPORTANT NATIONAL DEBATE ABOUT HOW MUCH AND WHERE TO CUT FEDERAL SPENDING. AND I WISH TO MAKE THE CASE FOR HOW RECKLESS AND SHORTSIGHTED IT WOULD BE TO CUT INTO THE BUDGET LINES THAT FUND THE KIND OF VITAL, BASIC RESEARCH THAT LED TO DISCOVERY, INNOVATION, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. BECAUSE DOING SO WOULD BE, AS THAT BIT OF ALL FOLK WISDOM GOES, LIKE CUTTING OFF OUR NOSE TO SPITE OUR FACE. TAKE THE BUDGET FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE. THE N.I.H. STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE KIND OF BASIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT MAY NOT BE DIRECTLY USEFUL IN CREATING PRACTICAL PRODUCTS YET, BUT IT'S PRECISELY THIS KIND OF RESEARCH THAT CAN LEAD TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AND UNDREAMED OF BIOTECH AND PHARMACEUTICAL ADVANCES. IT IS WORK THAT CAN LEAD TO THE KIND OF ADVANCES THAT WILL ALLOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW PRODUCT, GROW NEW BUSINESSES AND PRODUCE PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE MONEY WE SPEND SUPPORTING SUCH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS OUR COUNTRY CAN MAKE. FOR INSTANCE, OUT IN LOS ANGELES, UCLA GENERATES ALMOST $15 IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR EVERY TAXPAYER DOLLAR THAT IT INVESTED, RESULTING IN A $9.3 BILLION, WITH A B, IMPACT ON THE LOS ANGELES REGION. IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, THE ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BAYLOR IS MORE THAN $358 MILLION, GENERATING MORE THAN 3,300 JOBS. IN MY OWN DISTRICT IN NEW YORK, DR. SAMMY JAFFREY A PHARMACOLOGIST AND FACULTY MEMBER AT CORNELL COLLEGE HAS DEVELOPED A PROMISING NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDYING R.N.A. IN CELLS AND HAS JUST STARTED A BIOTECH EXEN, ALL WITH N.I.H. SUPPORT. TIME AND TIME AGAIN, BASIC RESEARCH HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER AND ECONOMIC INCUBATOR. TAKE THE BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY GENENTECH, FOR EXAMPLE. IT WAS FOUNDED ON DISCOVERIES MADE IN OUR UNIVERSITIES AND THOSE DISCOVERIES WERE MADE WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF GRANTS FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH. AND THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS PROVED TO BE A VERY GOOD INVESTMENT. THE COMPANY HAS CREATED OVER 11,000 JOBS AND THE COMPANY CREATED PRODUCTS THAT HAVE HAD MAUGE EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH AND ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF OUR NATION. THEY DEVELOP DRUGS THAT TREAT CERTAIN LEUKEMIA, ARTHRITIS, AND BREAST CANCER. N.I.H.-FUNDED RESEARCH HAS ALSO HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THOSE SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. M.S. IS A PAINFUL DISEASE THAT OFTEN STRIKES YOUNG WOMEN WITH CHILDREN. THANKS TO N.I.H. RESEARCH, DRUGS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED THAT ARE NOW IN THE MARKETPLACE THAT MEAN M.S. PATIENTS NOW LIVE LONGER AND HAVE HIGHER QUALITY LIVES. SINCE 1970, OVER 150 NEW F.D.A. APPROVED DRUGS AND VACCINES ARE NEW IND -- OR NEW INDICATIONS FOR EXISTING DRUGS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN UNIVERSITY LABORATORIES, MOST FUNDED BY N.I.H. MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE HOPING THAT SOMEWHERE, JUST OVER THE HORIZON, THERE WILL BE NEW DISCOVERIES AND NEW BREAKTHROUGHS LEADING TO MORE EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR CANCER, ALZHEIMER'S, PARKINSON'S, AIDS, AUTISM, BACTERIA, ADHA, SCHIZOPHRENIA, AND DEPRESSION, AND MUCH MORE. BUT TREATING THESE AND OTHER DISEASES WILL DEPEND ON DISCOVERIES YET TO BE MADE. DISCOVERIES OF BASIC SCIENCE, DISCOVERIES THAT CAN ONLY BE MADE WITH THE FEDERAL FUNDING AND WORK OF AGENCIES LIKE THE N.I.H. I SUSPECT THAT TO SOME, THIS MUST JUST SOUND LIKE PIE IN THE SKY. BUT JUST THINK BACK INTO OUR NOT TOO DISTANT PAST, THINK BACK TO THE POLE YOWS OF THE 1950'S -- THE POLIOS OF THE 19450S, THE CHILDREN WHO WERE CRIPPLED, THE PATIENTS IN IRON LUNGS. THINK BACK 30 YEARS AGO WHEN ALMOST ALL THE CHILDREN WHO WERE DIAGNOSED WITH NONHODGKINS LYMPHOMA WERE NOT EXPECTED TO LIVE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. THINK BACK TO THE TIME WHEN AIDS WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF A DEATH SENTENCE. POLIO IS NOW ERADICATED. THE FIVE-YEAR SURVIVAL RATE FOR N.H.L. IS OVER 84%. AND AIDS IS TREATABLE. SURVIVABLE. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF BASIC RESEARCH. MUCH OF WHICH WAS FUNDED BY THE N.I.H. BECAUSE OF THE BASIC RESEARCH WE HAVE FUNDED AND MADE POSSIBLE, BECAUSE OF OUR PAST INVESTMENTS IN OUR NATION'S FUTURE. THE FOUNDING FATHERS HAD THE WISDOM AND FORESIGHT TO WRITE INTO THE CONSTITUTION A ROLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE AND USEFUL ARTS. IF WE ARE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IF WE HOPE TO REMAIN A LEAD FOR THE BIOTECHNOLOGY, IF WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THE WORLD'S UNDERSTANDING AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES SUCH AS CANCER AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE BASIC RESEARCH AND IN THE DEDICATED YOUNG SCIENTISTS WHO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE. I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. UNDER THE SPEAKER' -- UNDER THE SPEAKER'S…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. UNDER THE SPEAKER' -- UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 5, 2011, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. GOHMERT, FOR 30 MINUTES.

MR. GOHMERT

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. EVEN THOUGH THIS BODY IS COMPOSED OF A LOT OF…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. EVEN THOUGH THIS BODY IS COMPOSED OF A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL STEADFAST BELIEFS, IT'S STILL AN HONOR AND PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH FRIENDS LIKE CAR LYNN MALONEY. SO, IT IS AN HONOR TO SERVE, AND EVEN THOUGH WE DISAGREE SOMETIMES ON THE WAY WE GET TO THE END, I KNOW THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, MRS. MALONEY'S HEART, IS ALWAYS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

MRS. MALONEY

THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY KIND…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY KIND STATEMENT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FINDING COMMON GROUND ON THINGS WE CAN AGREE ON AND WORK TO HELP THE GROWTH AND ECONOMY OF THIS GREAT NATION AND I HOPE YOU SUPPORT THE FUNDING OF NMPLE I.H. AND BASIC RESEARCH WHICH HAS BEEN SO HELP TO FEEL YOUR GREAT STATE AND YOUR GREAT UNIVERSITIES AND SCIENTISTS, I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU.

MR. GOHMERT

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE MY FRIEND FROM NEW YORK. AND THERE ARE SOME AREAS…

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE MY FRIEND FROM NEW YORK. AND THERE ARE SOME AREAS OF RESEARCH THAT IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T DO IT, IT'S NOT GOING TO GET DONE AND I'M SURE THERE ARE AREAS WE CAN CERTAINLY AGREE ON. I WISH I WERE COMING TO THE FLOOR JUST FULL OF EXCITEMENT BECAUSE WE HAD A VOTE TODAY ON THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. KAY CAME -- I CAME TO CONGRESS NEARLY SEVEN YEARS AGO BELIEVING WE NEEDED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, KNOWING THAT THOMAS JEFFERSON REGRETTED NOT HAVING ONE. THAT RONALD REAGAN WISHED THERE HAD BEEN ONE. BUT SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THIS BODY, IT HAS BECOME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THIS BODY IS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE THE WILL TO RAISE TAXES THAN IT IS TO CUT SPENDING. I CAME HERE NOT BELIEVING THAT THAT WAS THE CASE, BUT AFTER WE ADDED OVER 80 FANTASTIC FRESHMEN COMING UP HERE WITH THE RIGHT MOTIVATION, WANTING TO GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER, KNOWING THAT WE ARE NOW -- WE WENT FROM -- 2006 WHEN WE WERE LAST IN MAJORITY BEFORE THIS YEAR, WHERE WE SPENT $160 BILLION OR SO OVER WHAT WE TOOK IN, AND THEN BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER AS THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT'S THE REASON, THE BIGGEST REASON, ACTUALLY, THAT THE PUBLIC TURNED OVER THE REINS TO OUR DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS. WE HAVEN'T DONE A GOOD JOB OF AVOIDING OVERSPENDING. BUT ALSO, IN 2006, NOVEMBER, WHEN WE LOST THE MAJORITY, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BELIEVED THAT WE WOULD GO FROM A TIME WHEN WE WERE SPENDING $160 BILLION MORE THAN WE WERE BRINGING IN TO THE TREASURY AND JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS TO -- IN JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS TO SPENDING $1 TRILLION MORE THAN WE WERE BRINGING INTO THE TREASURY. THAT WAS JUST UNFATHOMABLE. AND IT IS VERY, VERY CLEAR THAT AFTER A YEAR AGO, WHEN THE MAJORITY, WE WERE IN THE MINORITY AT THE TIME, MADE A PLEDGE, WE WERE GOING TO RETURN TO PREBAILOUT, PRESTIMULUS SPENDING AND IN THE FIRST YEAR, WE PLEDGED WE'D CUT $100 BILLION. AND HERE WE ARE, WE HAVE JUST, AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, FINISHED THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2011, AND WE REALLY DIDN'T MAKE ANY CUTS. JURY'S OUT. INITIALLY WE WERE TOLD WE MAY SAVE $27 BILLION OVER THE YEAR BEFORE. IT'S JUST CHICKEN FEED WHEN YOU'RE SPENDING -- YOU'RE BRINGING IN $2.2 TRILLION AN SPENDING ABOUT $1.3 TRILLION MORE THAN THAT, $3.6 TRILLION OR $3.7 TRILLION. ALL WE CAN FIND TO CUT WAS $27 BILLION? AND THEN WE GOT WORD THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE EVEN SAVED THAT MUCH. SOME HAVE TOLD ME THAT ACTUALLY WE MAY HAVE SPENT JUST A HAIR MORE THAN WE DID. SO IT BECAME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO ME, AND I KNOW THAT MY FRIEND, CHAIRMAN PAUL RYAN, VOTED AGAINST THE BALANCED BUDGET BE -- BUDGET AMENDMENT BECAUSE HE KNEW IT OUGHT TO HAVE MORE RESTRAINT ON SPENDING IN THEIR, SPENDING CAP. AND MR. MARSH, AND MR. DREIER, WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE ONE AT ALL. IT'S REALLY NOT FUN, NOT VOTING WITH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE WITH, THAT YOU'RE IN THE SAME PARTY WITH, YOU SHARE SO MUCH IN THE WAY OF COMMON EXPERIENCES. BECAUSE I AM A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. BUT THE BILL ON THE FLOOR TODAY DID NOT HAVE A SPENDING CAP. AND THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAD JUST WITNESSED THE LARGEST WAVE ELECTION SINCE THE 1930'S AND OVER 80 NEW FRESHMEN CAME FORWARD WITH ONE CHARGE, STOP THE WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT SPENDING. FOLLOWING A PLEDGE TO MAKE MASSIVE CUTS IN SPENDING, IT REALLY APPEARS THAT CONGRESS FINDS IT EASIER TO TALK ABOUT, QUOTE, NEW REVENUE, UNQUOTE, WHICH IS JUST CODE FOR MORE TAXES, THAN TO CUT SPENDING. IT DOESN'T LIVE UP TO THE PLEDGE THAT WE MADE. WE MADE A PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO RESTRAIN GOVERNMENT AN TO GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. AND WE SHOULD BE DOING IT. 11 MONTHS INTO THIS MAJORITY. WE SHOULD HAVE MADE MORE PROGRESS THAN WE HAVE. PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS RAMPED UP SPENDING WITH FORMER SPEAKER PELOSI, LEADER REID, BOTH MAJORITIES IN THE HOUSES WHEN THEY WERE DEMOCRATS, BY OVER AN ADDITIONAL $1 TRILLION. FAR MORE THAN THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS INCREASED THE DEBT UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH. IN 2007 AND 2008. IT JUST IS MIND-BOGGLING THAT WE COULD NOT FIND ENOUGH MEMBERS TO RETURN EVEN TO THE LIBERAL, DEMOCRATIC SPENDING OF 2007 OR 2008. IT'S CLEAR THAT IF WE HAD PASSED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT WITHOUT AT LEAST HAVING A SPENDING CAP, FUTURE CONGRESSES WOULD USE THE REQUIREMENT OF A BLAPSED BUDGET TO INCREASE TAXES IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. WE ARE ALREADY AT A POINT WHERE ALMOST 50% OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ARE NOT PAYING INCOME TAX. WE ARE ON THE THRESHOLD OF ARRIVING AT THAT POINT BEYOND WHICH NO REPRESENTATIVE SOCIETIES HAVE EVER BEEN ABLE TO COME BACK TO GREATNESS. WHEN ONE MORE THAN HALF WHO IS VOTING IS RECEIVING MORE FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAN THEY'RE PUTTING IN, YOU'RE DONE. YOU'RE DOOMED. IT'S OVER. ALL THAT'S LEFT IS THE SLOW WALKING AND THE LOW TALKING, BUT YOU'RE VIRTUALLY AT THE END AND WE ARE GETTING CLOSE. THE NATIONAL DEBT CEDED $15 TRILLION WHICH LEFT THE UNITED STATES WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST PUBLIC DEBT TO G.D.P. RATIOS IN THE WORLD. THIS $15 TRILLION MARK FOREVER ENHANCED THE UNCERTAINTY THAT IS THIS WATERING OUR ECONOMY FROM MOVING AHEAD. IT'S APPARENT AMERICA'S ON A ROUTE HEADED FOR RUIN AND IF WE CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE, WE WILL ARRIVE AT THAT DESTINATION. WASHINGTON, THIS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP THE RUNAWAY TRAIN OF SPENDING THIS PRESIDENT'S POLICIES HAVE ADDED $4.4 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT, ALL IN A FRACTION OF THE TIME THAT THAT DEBT ACCUMULATED UNDER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH. IF WE HAD AT LEAST HAD A SPENDING CAP AS PART OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, WASN'T EVEN DEMANDING THE 2/3 SUPERMAJORITY IN ORDER TO RAISE TAXES, JUST A SPENDING CAP, MAKE IT A RELEVANT SPENDING CAP, WHAT WE VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THE REGULAR ORDER WHICH WE PROMISED WE WOULD DO, WE WOULDN'T BRING BILLS TO THE FLOOR UNLESS WE WENT THROUGH THE REGULAR ORDER. THAT REGULAR ORDER PRODUCED A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT HAD A 2/3 REQUIREMENT BEFORE -- IN THE WAY OF A VOTE BEFORE TAXES COULD BE RAISED, AND IT HAD AN 18% SPENDING CAP, 18% OF THE G.D.P. WAS THE MOST WE COULD SPEND. THAT WAS PRODUCED THROUGH THE REGULAR ORDER, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE VOTED ON HERE TODAY. I DEEPLY REGRET HAVING TO VOTE NO BUT I'VE SEEN WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF AND WHAT WE'RE NOT AND WE NEEDED IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT THE BUDGET MUST BE BALANCED AND THE SPENDING CAP MUST BE THERE. SOME HAVE SAID, WELL, STATES DON'T REALLY HAVE A SPENDING CAP, THEY CAN'T PRINT THEIR OWN MONEY. THEY CAN'T GO OUT AND BORROW MONEY THE WAY WE DO. AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S DIFFERENT. AND IT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED DIFFERENTLY. WE WERE TOLD, WELL, WE HAD TO VOTE FOR THIS AS REPUBLICANS BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD A CHANCE TO PASS. AND THEN ON FURTHER INQUIRY WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SAYING THAT DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS GOING TO PASS THE SENATE, KNEW IT WOULDN'T PASS THE SENATE, AND DIDN'T THINK IT HAD MUCH CHANCE OF PASSING THE HOUSE , THEN WHY WEREN'T WE PUSHING WHAT CAME OUT OF REGULAR ORDER, WHAT I THINK MOST OF THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE WAS THE BEST BILL? I DON'T KNOW. BUT I ALSO KNOW GOING BACK THROUGH THIS COUNTRY'S HISTORY THAT EVEN DURING SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND DARKEST DAYS OF THIS COUNTRY'S HISTORY, THERE WAS A DAY SET ASIDE, SOMETIMES MANY DAYS SET ASIDE, FOR THANKSGIVING. MR. SPEAKER, HOW MUCH TIME -- I CAN INQUIRE HOW MUCH TIME?

MR. GOHMERT

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO SHARE A PROCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO SHARE A PROCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING FROM THE YEAR 1798 SIGNED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON, 19 -- 1798, THE END OF PRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S TIME AS PRESIDENT. AND IT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME. WE WERE NOT A STRONG NATION, WE WERE STRUGGLING, SOME THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO RUN TO THE AID OF FRANCE. BUT THEIR CONVICTIONS IN FRANCE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE BASED ON SOUND DOCTRINE AND DESIRE FOR LIBERTY, THERE WAS TOO MUCH ENVY AND JEALOUSY INVOLVED IN THAT REVOLUTION. AND WE WERE NOT A STRONG NATION. AND DESPITE ALL THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND THOSE EARLY -- IN THOSE EARLY DAYS, GEORGE WASHINGTON PROCLAIMED THE FOLLOWING, WHEREAS IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL NATIONS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, TO OBEY HIS WILL, TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS BENEFITS AND HUMBLY EMPLOY HIS PROTECTION AND FAVOR, WHEREAS BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS HAVE BY THEIR JOINT COMMITTEE REQUEST TO ME TO RECOMMEND TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER TO BE OBSERVED BY ACKNOWLEDGING WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS THE MANY SIGNALED FAFERSE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, ESPECIALLY IN A FORM OF GOVERNMENT BY THEIR SAFETY AND HAPPINESS, NOW THEREFORE I DO RECOMMEND AND ASSIGN THURSDAY TO BE DEVOTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THESE STATES TO THE SERVICE OF THAT GREAT AND GLORIOUS BEING WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF ALL THAT WAS, THAT IS OR THAT WILL BE, THAT WE MAY THEN ALL UNITE IN RENDERING HIM OUR SINCERE AND HUMBLE THANKS AND ALSO THAT WE MAY THEN UNITE IN MOST HUMBLY OFFERING OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS TO THE GREAT LORD AND RULER OF NATIONS AND BESEECH HIM TO PARDON OUR NATIONAL AND OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS, TO RENDER OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT A BLESSING TO THE PEOPLE, TO PROTECT AND TO GUIDE ALL SOVEREIGNS AND NATIONS AND TO BLESS THEM WITH GOOD GOVERNMENT, PEACE AND CONCORD. TO PROMOTE THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE AND VIRTUE AND THE INCREASE OF SCIENCE AMONG THEM AND TO US AND GENERALLY TO GRANT UNTO ALL MANKIND SUCH A DEGREE OF PROSPERITY AS HE ALONE KNOWS TO BE BEST. SIGNED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON ON 1798. BUT IN THE DARKEST THROWS OF THIS COUNTRY -- TRH -- TR -- THROES OF THIS COUNTRY, THE WAR THAT SAW THE DEATH OF MORE AMERICANS THAN ANY IN OUR HISTORY, ANY OF THE WARS, THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, IT WAS A DARK DAY. BUT THERE WAS THIS PROCLAMATION FROM PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SIMPLY ENTITLED "A PROCLAMATION." LINCOLN SAID THIS, THE YEAR THAT IS DRAWING TOWARD ITS CLOSE HAS BEEN FILLED WITH THE BLESSINGS OF FRUITFUL FIELDS AND HELPFUL SKIES, TO THESE BOUNTIES WHICH ARE SO CONSTANTLY ENJOYED, WE ARE PRONE TO FORGET THE SOURCE FROM WHICH THEY COME. OTHERS HAVE BEEN ADDED WHICH ARE OF SO EXTRAORDINARY A NATURE THAT THEY CANNOT FAIL TO PENETRATE AND SOFTEN EVEN THE HEART WHICH IS WHAT BIBT -- WHAT BY THELY INCENSEBLE TO THE EVER-WATCHFUL PROVE DEBS OF ALMIGHTY GOD. IN THE MIDST OF A CIVIL WAR, OF UNEQUALED MAGNITUDE AND SEVERITY, WHICH IS SOMETIMES SEEN TO FOREIGN STATES, TO INVITE AND TO PROVOKE THEIR AGGRESSION, THESE HAS BEEN PRESERVED WITH ALL NATIONS, ORDER HAS BEEN MAINTAINED, THE LAWS HAVE BEEN RESPECTED AND OBEYED AND HARMONY HAS PREVAILED EVERYWHERE EXCEPT IN THE THEATER OF MILITARY CONFLICT. WHILE THAT THEATER HAS BEEN GREATLY CONTRACTED BY THE ADVANCING ARMIES AND NAVIES OF THE UNION, NEEDFUL DEVOTIONS OF WEALTH AND OF STRENGTH FROM THE FIELDS OF PEACEFUL INDUSTRY TO THE NATIONAL DEFENSE HAVE NOT ARRESTED THE PLOW, THE SHUTTLE OR THE SHIP. THE AXIS ENLARGED THE BORDERS OF OUR SETTLEMENTS AND THE MINDS AS WELL OF IRON AND COAL AS OF THE PRECIOUS METALS HAVE YIELDED EVEN MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN HERE TO FOR. POPULATION HAS STEADILY INCREASED NORKTS WITH STANDING THE WASTE THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN THE CAMP, THE SIEGE AND THE BATTLEFIELD. AND THE COUNTRY REJOICING IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF AUGMENTED STRENGTH AND VIGOR IS PERMITTED TO EXACT CONTINUANCE OF YEARS WITH LARGE INCREASE OF FREEDOM. NO HUMAN COUNSEL THAT DEVISED OR HAD ANY MORTAL HAND WORKED OUT THESE GREAT THINGS. THEY ARE THE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF THE MOST HIGH GOD WHO WHILE DEALING WITH US IN ANGER FOR OUR SINS HAVE NONETHELESS REMEMBERED MERCY. IT HAS SEEM TO ME FIT AND PROPER THAT THEY SHOULD BE SOLEMNLY, REVERENDLY AND GRATEFULY ACKNOWLEDGED AS WITH ONE HEART AND ONE VOICE BY THE WHOLE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I DO THEREFORE INVITE MY FELLOW CITIZENS IN EVERY PART OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE AT SEA AND THOSE WHO ARE SOJOURNALING IN FOREIGN LANDS TO SET APART AND OBSERVE THE LAST THURSDAY OF NOVEMBER NEXT AS A DAY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE TO OUR FATHER WHO DWELLETH IN THE HEAVENS. AND I RECOMMEND TO THEM THAT WHILE OFFERING UP THE HE IS CRIPPINGSES JUST LEW DUE HIM, FOR SUCH SINGULAR DELIVERANCES AND BLESSINGS, THEY DO ALSO, WITH HUMBLE PEN TANS, FOR OUR NATIONAL, PERVERSENESS AND -- FOR OUR NATIONAL PE VERSENESS AND DISOBEDIENCE, PUT TO HIS TENDER CARE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME WIDOWS, ORPHANS, MOURNINGERS OR SUFFERERERS IN THE CIVIL STRIFE IN WHICH WE ARE UNAVOIDABLY ENGAGED. AND FERVENTLY IMPLORE THE INNER POSITION OF THE ALMIGHTY HAND TO HEAL THE WOUNDS OF THE NATION AND TO RESTORE IT AS SOON AS MAY BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DIVINE PURPOSES TO THE FULL ENJOYMENT OF PEACE, HARMONY, TRANQUILITY AND UNION. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I HAVE HERE UNTO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE AFFIXED, DONE AT CITY OF WASHINGTON THIS THIRD DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1863 AND OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES, THE 88TH. SIGNED, PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. WE ALL KNOW OR HOPEFULLY MOST KNOW THAT JOHN HANCOCK PRESIDED OVER THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS FROM WHICH WE GOT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. IN 1791 HE WAS GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SIGNED THIS PROCLAMATION. FROM JOHN HANCOCK, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MANY UNDESERVED BLESSINGS CONFERRED UPON US BY GOD, THE FATHER OF ALL MERCIES, IT BECOMES US NOT ONLY IN OUR PRIVATE AND USUAL DEVOTION TO EXPRESS OUR OBLIGATIONS TO HIM AS WELL AS OUR DEPENDENCE UPON HIM, BUT ALSO ESPECIALLY TO SET APART A DAY TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THIS GREAT AND IMPORTANT PURPOSE. I HAVE THEREFORE THOUGHT FIT TO APPOINT AND BY THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL DO HEREBY ACCORDINGLY APPOINT THURSDAY, THE 17TH OF NOVEMBER NEXT, TO BE OBSERVED AS A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE THROUGHOUT THIS COMMONWEALTH. HEREBY CALLING UPON MINISTERS AND PEOPLE OF EVERY DENOMINATION TO ASSEMBLE ON THE SAID DAY AND IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT MEDIATOR, DEVOUTLY AND SINCERELY OFFER TO ALMIGHTY GOD THE GRATITUDE OF OUR HEARTS, FOR ALL HIS GOODNESS TOWARD US AND THAT HE HAS BEEN PLEASED TO CONTINUE TO US SO GREAT A MEASURE OF HEALTH. TO CAUSE THE EARTH PLENTFULLY TO YIELD HER INCREASE SO THAT WE ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE NECESSARIES AND THE COMFORTS OF LIFE, TO PROSPER OUR MERCHANDISE AND FISHERY AND ABOVE ALL NOT ONLY TO CONTINUE TO US THE ENJOYMENT OF OUR CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES, BUT THE GREAT AND MOST IMPORTANT BLESSING, THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. AND TOGETHER WITH OUR CORDIAL AACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, I DO ERNESTLY RECOMMEND THAT WE JOIN THE CONFESSION OF OUR SINS AND EMPLOY THE FURTHER CONTINUANCE OF THE DIVINE PROTECTION AND BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN UPON THIS PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THAT HE WOULD BE GRACIOUSLY PLEASED TO DIRECT AND PROSPER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OF THIS AND THE OTHER STATES IN THE UNION, PROSPER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TO AFFORD HIM FURTHER SMILES ON OUR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURERS, TO PROSPER OUR UNIVERSITY AND ALL SEMINARIES OF LEARNING, TO BLESS THE VIRTUALLY -- VIRTUOUSLY STRUGGLING FOR THE RIGHTS OF MEN SO THAT UNIVERSAL HAPPINESS MAY BE ALLIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO AFFORD HIS ALMIGHTY AID TO ALL PEOPLE WHO ESTABLISH IN THE WORLD THAT ALL MAY BOW TO THE CENTER OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST, AND THE WHOLE EARTH BE FILLED WITH HIS GLORY. AND I DO ALSO ERNESTLY RECOMMEND TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH, MASSACHUSETTS, TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL LABOR AND RECREATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE SO LIMBNYITY OF THE SAID DAY. GIVEN THAT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER IN BOSTON, THE FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1791, AND IN THE 16TH YEAR OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS WAS FROM JAMES MADISON, THE FOURTH PRESIDENT, 1815. MANY CREDIT JAMES MADISON AS BEING THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PERSON IN THE WRITING OF OUR UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. THE GREATEST BUILDING BLOCK FOR ANY NATION IN THE HISTORY OF MAN. THIS IS JAMES MADISON'S PROCLAMATION, AND I QUOTE, NO PEOPLE ARE TO FEEL GREATER OBLIGATIONS TO CELEBRATE THE GOODNESS OF THE GREAT DISPOSER OF EVENTS AND OF THE DESTINY OF NATIONS THAN THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. HIS KIND PROVIDENCE ORIGINALLY CONDUCTED THEM TO ONE OF THE BEST PORTIONS OF THE DWELLING PLACE ALLOTTED FOR THE GREAT FAMILY OF THE HUMAN RACE. HE PROTECHED AND CHERISHED THEM UNDER ALL THE DIFFICULTIES AND TRIALS TO WHICH THEY WERE EXPOSED IN THEIR EARLY DAYS UNDER HIS -- DAYS. UNDER HIS FOSTERING CARE, IT PREPARED THEM FOR A TRANSITION IN DUE TIME TO A STATE OF INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-GOVERNMENT. SIGNED, JAMES MADISON, FOURTH PRESIDENT, MARCH 4, 1815, THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION. AND THEN IN CONCLUSION, NO YE THAT THE LORD IS GOD. IT IS HE THAT HAS MADE US, NOT WE OURSELVES. WE ARE HIS PEOPLE AND THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTOR. ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND INTO HIS COURT WITH PRAISE. BE THANKFUL UNTO HIM AND BRESS HIS NAME FOR THE LORD IS GOOD, HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS. MR. SPEAKER, IT IS THE WISH HERE THAT YOU AND ALL THOSE OF THIS BODY AND AROUND THIS COUNTRY HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY OF THANKSGIVING IN THE WEEK AHEAD. WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 5, 2011, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. WOOD YAWL FOR 30 MINUTES.

MR. WOODALL

MR. SPEAKER, I APPRECIATE THE TIME THIS AFTERNOON. MY FIRST TIME DOWN HERE…

MR. SPEAKER, I APPRECIATE THE TIME THIS AFTERNOON. MY FIRST TIME DOWN HERE AS A FRESHMAN DURING SPECIAL ORDER TIME, MY FIRST TIME TRYING TO COORDINATE CHARTS AND TALK THE TALK AND WALK THE WALK AT THE SAME TIME. I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE I'M DOWN HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FAIR TAX. IF FOLKS DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FAIR TAX IS, IT'S H.R. 25, YOU CAN FIND IT AT WWW.THOMAS.GOV, THE SITE EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE BOOK MARCED IF YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT GOES ON ON THE HOUSE FLOOR BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON HERE IS AVAILABLE IN REALTIME AT WWW.THOMAS.GOV. IT'S DONE THROUGH THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, NOT A REPUBLICAN THING OR A DEMOCRAT THING, IT'S THE REAL DEAL, WHAT'S HAPPENING DOWN HERE. IF YOU GO LOOK UP H.R. 25, IT'S THE FAIR TAX. WHAT THE FAIR TAX IS IS A BILL THAT REPEALS ALL INCOME-BASED FEDERAL TAXES, AND REPLACES THEM WITH CONSUMPTION-BASED TAXES. MY FRIEND FROM TEXAS, MR. GOHMERT, WAS DOWN HERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, MR. SPEAKER. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS AND THOSE THINGS HAPPENING BETWEEN 1776 AND 1787 AND IN THAT TIME, WE FUNDED ALL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH CONSUMPTION TAX. IT WAS NOT INCOME TAXES. IT WAS CONSUMPTION TAX. THERE'S A THEORY THAT IF YOU HAD ENOUGH RESOURCES TO GO OUT AND BUY THAT SILVER TEA SET FROM ENGLAND, THEN YOU HAD ENOUGH RESOURCES TO HELP FUND THE PUBLIC. IF YOU SPENT ALL YOUR TIME WORKING ON YOUR FARM AND BARELY HAD ENOUGH TO BUY THREAD AT THE LOCAL FIVE AND DIME. DOCTOR FIVE AND DIME, WE WEREN'T GOING TO TAX YOU AS HEAVILY. I WANT YOU TO LOOK, MR. SPEAKER. I KNOW YOU HAVE A TOUGH TIME SEEING FROM WHERE YOU SIT. IN 1913, SHORTLY AFTER THE FAIR TAX, RIGHT BEFORE THE INCOME TAX BEGAN, WE HAD 400 PAGES OF TAX CODE IN AMERICA. JUST THE LAST CENTURY. IN THE 1900'S. 400 PAGES OF TAX CODE AND REGULATIONS. BY WORLD WAR 2, THAT 400 PAGES HAD GROWN TO 8,000 PAGES. 20 TIMES AS MUCH TAX CODE BY THE END OF WORLD WAR II. BY THE TIME WE WERE IN KOREA, 14,000 PAGES OF CODE AND REGULATION. BY THE 1970'S, 19,000 PAGES OF CODE AND REGULATIONS. AND IN THE 1980'S, 26,300 PAGES OF TAX CODE AND REGULATION. MR. SPEAKER, I'M A READER. I LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND EDUCATE MYSELF THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD. BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, 26,000 PAGES OF TAX CODE AND REGULATION IS GOING TO MAKE A CRIMINAL OUT OF ALL OF US. BECAUSE YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND ALL THE RAMIFICATIONS OF YOUR -- OF THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR DECISION. DO YOU REMEMBER 1986? THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE FUNDAMENTALLY OVERHAULED THE TAX CODE. 1986. IN FACT IF YOU GO TO WWW.THOMAS.GOV LIKE I SUGGESTED AND LOOK AT THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, YOU'LL SEE THE TAX CODE OF 1986. IT WAS THE TAX CODE IN 1954, UPDATED THE TAX CODE IN 1986. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE FLATTENED RATES AND BROADENED BASES. FLATTENED THE RATES AND BROADENED THE BASE. WHERE DID WE END UP? BETWEEN 1984 WHEN WE HAD 26,000 PAGES OF TAX CODE AND REGULATION, WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF SIMPLIFYING THE INCOME TAX AND 10 YEARS LATER IN 1995, WE HAVE 40,000 PAGES OF TAX CODE. BY SIMPLIFYING THE INCOME TAX, WE GREW IT FROM 26,000 PAGES TO 40,000 PAGES. NOW MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, YOU GO OUT AND SHOP AROUND OR YOU USE THE H&R BLOCK TAX SOFTWARE OR YOU'RE GOING TO USE MICROSOFT TAX SOFTWARE, WHAT KIND OF TAX SOFTWARE ARE YOU GOING TO USE BECAUSE YOU HATE PAYING ACCOUNTANTS DOING YOUR TAXES FOR YOU. I USED TO SIT DOWN WITH A PEN AND PAPER AND DO IT MYSELF. BUT IT'S GOTTEN TOO COMPLICATED. WHY? BECAUSE SINCE I REACHED THE AGE OF MAJORITY IN 1988, HERE WE HAVE 1985 WHEN I'M COMING OUT OF COLLEGE, BETWEEN 1995 AND 2004, WE ADDED ANOTHER 20,000 PAGES TO THE TAX CODE FROM 40,000 PAGES TO 60,000 PAGES. 2007, TO 67,000 PAGES. 2008, KEPT IT JUST A LITTLE OVER 67,000 PAGES. 2009, JUMPED ANOTHER 3,000 PAGES. 70,000 PAGES OF TAX LEGISLATION. AND TO BE CLEAR, MR. SPEAKER, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAX LEGISLATION, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WAYS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SEPARATES YOU AND ME AND ALL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM OUR PAYCHECK. THAT'S ALL THERE IS IN THE TAX CODE. ALL THE TAX CODE IS, IS HOW DO WE SEPARATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM THEIR PRODUCTIVITY. TAKE 70,000 PAGES IN 2009 TO SORT THAT OUT. 71,000 PAGES IN 2010 AND NOW 72,000 PAGES OF TAX CODE IN 2011. FOLKS, WHAT THE FAIR TAX DOES, H R. 25, IT ASKS THE QUESTION, IF WE COULD START FROM SCRATCH, AN BY SCRATCH I MEAN FROM THE 72,000 PAGES THAT WE DO TODAY, TO JUST A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER. IF YOU COULD START FROM SCRATCH AND DRAFT THE TAX CODE THAT AMERICA OUGHT TO HAVE INSTEAD OF THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN FORCED UPON US, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON WHAT TO DO. BUT SIMPLIFICATION SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T COME TO THIS HOUSE TO TRY TO BE A GOOD REPUBLICAN. I CAME TO THIS HOUSE TO TRY TO BE A GOOD AMERICAN. AND THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT. I'D LIKE TO THINK THOSE THINGS HAPPEN TO OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. BUT LOOK AT WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE UNITED STATES TAX CODE. I'LL QUOTE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI. ANY TAX REFORM AND CLOSING OF LOOPHOLES WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO AS A SENSE OF FAIRNESS, MUST ALSO REDUCE THE DEFICIT. BECAUSE IF YOU CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES IF YOU CLOSE THE LOBBYIST FUNDED LOOPHOLES, ALL THE SPECIAL EXEMPTION EXCEPTIONS, BY DEFINITION IT BRINGS IN MORE MONEY. MR. SPEAKER, DID YOU GET THE FREE GOLF CART IN THE 2009 TAX BILL? DOES ANYONE WANT TO ADMIT TO HAVING GOT THEN FREE GOLF CART? 2009, IN THE NAME OF A GOOD ENERGY BILL, IN THE NAME OF GREEN ENERGY, WE IN THE WISDOM HERE IN THE U.S. HOUSE AND ACROSS THE WAY IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, OF COURSE I WASN'T HERE AT THAT TIME, BUT IN OUR WISDOM, WE CREATED A TAX CREDIT, 6,500 TAX CREDIT IF YOU WOULD GO OUT AND BUY AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. AMERICANS ARE SMART. I LOVE THAT ABOUT AMERICA. WE ARE INGENIOUS FOLKS. WHAT FOLKS FIGURED OUT IS THAT THE $6,500 THEY WERE GIVING THEM TO BUY AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, IF YOU PUT BRIGHT LIGHTS, SEAT BELTS AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON YOUR GOLF COURT, YOU'D GET YOURSELF A FREE GOLF CART. TURNS OUT YOU COULDN'T GET AN AMERICAN GOLF CART FOR $6,500. BUT OUR FREPPEDS IN CHINA WERE WILLING TO IMPORT A GOLF CART FOR $6,50 0 SO IN THE FALL OF 2009, THE SPRING OF 010, THE I.R.S. HAD TO RELEASE GUIDANCE THAT SAID, WHEN WE FIRST CRAFTED THE FREE GOLF CART REGULATIONS, WE SAID YOU ACTUALLY HAD TO HAVE DELIVERY OF THE CART BY DECEMBER 31. BUT SO MANY AMERICANS ARE TRYING TO AVAIL THEMSELVESES OF THE FREE GOLF CART PROVISION THAT WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE RULES HERE IN LATE DECEMBER AND SAY, REALLY, ALL YOU NEED IS A V.I.N. NUMBER FROM THE MANUFACTURER, THAT WILL GIVE THEM SEVERAL MORE MONTHS TO FILL THE ORDERS. REALLY, MR. SPEAKER? IS THAT WHAT WE NEED IN THE TAX CODE? A TAX CODE THAT DISTRIBUTES FREE GOLF CARTS TO FOLKS WHO LIKELY DIDN'T WANT A GOLF CART, BUT IT WAS FREE SO THEY AVAILED THEMSELVESES OF IT. NANCY PELOSI AGREES WITH ME THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF THOSE LOOPHOLES. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID. OUR TAX SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. YOU KNOW, LET'S TAKE THE POLL, MR. SPEAKER. LET'S GO TO THE MOST LIBERAL DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE, THE MOST CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE, WHO DOESN'T AGREE WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID, OUR TAX SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO START WITH A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER AND MAKE IT THE WAY WE WANT TO MAKE IT. LISTEN TO OUR PRESIDENT, MR. SPEAKER. THIS IS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. YOU'VE GOT TOO MANY COMPANIES ENDING UP MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT THEIR TAX DIRECTOR SAYS INSTEAD OF WHAT THEIR ENGINEER DESIGN OR THEIR FACTORIES PRODUCE. AND THAT PUTS OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY AT A DISADVANTAGE. THAT'S TRUE. TALK TO ANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, FIND ANYBODY WHO IS AT A C.F.O. OR C.E.O. LEVEL IN A BUSINESS CLOSE TO YOU AND ASK THE QUESTION, ARE YOU MAKING BUSINESS DECISIONS OR ARE YOU MAKING TAX DECISIONS? AND EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY MAKE A TAX DECISION, INSTEAD OF A BUSINESS DECISION, AMERICA LOSES. THEIR SHAREHOLDERS MAY WIN IN THE SHORT-TERM. PROFITS MAY GAIN IN THE SHORT-TERM. BUT WHEN WE IN AMERICA DECIDE WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO COMPLY WITH THESE RIDICULOUS 75,000 PAGES OF TAX CODE INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR BUSINESS, INSTEAD OF WHAT'S BEST FOR CUSTOMERS, INSTEAD OF WHAT MAKES SENSE, AMERICA LOSES IT. IN THESE CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIME, WE CANNOT LOSE THAT PRODUCTIVITY. LET'S GO BACK TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. HE SAYS THIS. WE NEED TO MAKE AMERICA THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH TO DO BUSINESS. THE TAX CODE IS A BARRIER GOVERNMENT CAN REMOVE, A BURDENSOME CORPORATE TAX CODE WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE WORLD. HEAR THAT. WE TALK SO MUCH ABOUT REPUBLICANS AN DEMOCRATS, HEAR COMMONS COMING FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WE NEED TO MAKE AMERICA THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH TO DO BUSINESS. A BARRIER GOVERNMENT CAN REMOVE IS A BURDENSOME CORPORATE TAX CODE WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST CORPORATE TAX RATES IN THE WORLD. FOLKS, THAT'S AGREEMENT. I WILL TELL YOU, IF I HAD TO CHARACTERIZE HIM, MR. SPEAKER, I'D TELL YOU THE PRESIDENT SITS A LITTLE FURTHER TO THE LEFT THAN I DO. IF I HAD TO CHARACTERIZE MY OWN VOTING RECORD, I'D SAY IT'S A LITTLE FURTHER TO THE RIGHT THAN MOST FOLKS HERE IN THE HOUSE. BUT THIS IS COMMON GROUND WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT THAT TAX RATE IS. I HOPE THE COLORS ARE SHOWING UP, MR. SPEAKER, FOR FOLKS BACK IN THEIR OFFICES WATCHING ON TV BECAUSE THE RED LINE HERE IS THE U.S. CORPORATE TAX RATE. THE BLUE LINE IS THE OECD AVERAGE, EXCLUDING THE U.S. THE OECD IS THAT GROUP OF DEVELOPED NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD, THE FOLKS WE SAY HAVE FREE ECONOMIES AND GROWING ECONOMIES. THIS CHART GOES BACK TO 1981. GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE REAGAN ERA. YOU SEE, AMERICA'S CORPORATE TAX RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE TAX RATE IN THE REST OF THE WORLD. THIS IS THAT TAX REFORM THAT I TALKED ABOUT IN 1986. YOU SEE THE TAX RATE DRAMATICALLY DROP. DRAMATICALLY DROP SYSTEM OF A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, MR. SPEAKER, WE BECAME ON THE RED LINE MORE PRODUCTIVE, MORE COMPETITIVE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD AT THE -- AND THE REST OF THE WORLD WAS ON THE BLUE LINE. LOOK AT THOSE YEARS. DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE YEARS? 1988, 1989, 1990. DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE PRODUCTIVE YEARS? I THINK THAT'S WHEN THEUPPY LABEL CAME AROUND, FOLKS WERE BUYING FANCY AUTOMOBILES AND THE FIRST BIG HOUSES, I WAS JUST COMING OF AGE IN THAT TIME BUT I REMEMBER THE CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION. WHY? BECAUSE AMERICA WAS CREATING WEALTH. AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED? HERE'S THE TAX INCREASES OF THE CLINTON YEARS. BUMPS RIGHT UP HERE. AND YOU SEE A FLAT LINE OF AMERICAN CORPORATE TAXATION AT ABOUT 39%. THAT FLAT RED LINE OF CORPORATE TAXATION. FAIR ENOUGH. I PREFER PREDICTABILITY. I THINK WE OUGHT TO KNOW THE DIRECTION THINGS ARE GOING. I THINK WE OUGHT TO PLAN TO MAKE BUSINESS DECISIONS. HERE'S A VERY PREDICTABLE LINE OF CORPORATE TAXATION. BUT WHAT'S THE REST OF THE WORLD DOING? WHILE AMERICA HAS A VERY PREDICTABLE 39% TAX RATE, WHAT'S THE REST OF THE WORLD DOING? GETTING LOWER AND LOWER AND LOWER AND LOWER. LOWER AND LOWER AND LOWER. FOLKS, YOU KNOW WHO CAN'T LEAD AMERICA? CAPITAL -- CAN'T LEAVE AMERICA? CAPITAL CAN LEAVE. YOU CAN PACK UP YOUR BAGS AND GO. I TALK TO C.E.O. EVERY DAY AND SAY, ROB, IT'S NOT WORTH DOING BUSINESS IN AMERICA. WHY? BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT COMPETITIVE. YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT GROWING JOBS? MR. SPEAKER, LET'S TALK ABOUT KEEPING THE JOBS THAT WE ALREADY GOT. I'VE SEEN IN THE CHAMBER MY FRIEND FROM IOWA, MR. STEVE KING, WHO HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THESE ISSUES FIRSTHAND. WHO UNDERSTANDS AS A SMALL BUSINESS MAN BEFORE HE CAME TO THIS HOUSE TRYING TO MAKE PAYROLL, TRYING TO STAY COMPETITIVE. IF THE GENTLEMAN WOULD INDULGE ME, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD MEAN FOR JOBS IN AMERICA IF WE GOT THIS U.S. CORPORATE TAX RATE LINE BELOW THAT WORLD AVERAGE, IF WE ONCE AGAIN MADE IT COMPETITIVE TO BUILD JOBS IN AMERICA?

MR. WOODALL

HAPPY TO YIELD.

MR. KING

TAKING IT TO ZERO.

MR. WOODALL

IF THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD?

MR. KING

IF THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD?

MR. KING

THE FOLKS AT MCDONALD'S WILL BE PAYING THE TAX IF WE GET IT FROM…

THE FOLKS AT MCDONALD'S WILL BE PAYING THE TAX IF WE GET IT FROM MCDONALD'S SO WE KNOW CORPORATIONS DON'T PAY TAXES. THEY ARE AGGREGATORS OF TAXES THAT ARE PAID BY INDIVIDUALS, BY CONSUMERS ON THE LAST STOP. SO THEY ARE EFFICIENT AGGREGATORS. THEY ARE TAX COLLECTORS ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. CORPORATIONS THAT COLLECT TAXES DON'T PAY THEM. THEY TRANSFER IT THROUGH. BY THE WAY, THEY CHARGE US FOR THE $152 BILLION IT CHARGES EVERY YEAR TO COMPLY WITH THE TAX CODE. SO I FIND IT AS AN ACT OF FRUSTRATION TO TRY TO SEEK TO COLLECT TAXES FROM CORPORATIONS WHEN WHAT I AM DOING IS ADDING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO CORPORATIONS SO THEY ADD THE TAXES AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ONTO THE GOODS. THAT MAKES THAT INDIVIDUAL PAY TAXES BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT JOBS GO OVERSEAS BECAUSE CORPORATIONS THAT ARE TAXED IN AMERICA ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE TO THE CORPORATIONS THAT ARE OVERSEAS. WE AREN'T VERY GOOD AGGREGATORS OF AMERICA'S TAX DOLLARS SO THEY HAVE TO RAISE TAXES MORE. THAT'S THE ENVISION I SEE THAT I LAY OUT TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE AMERICA EMBRACES THE CONCEPT THAT I THINK WILL SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I YIELD BACK TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

MR. WOODALL

ASKED THE ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION TO MY FRIEND. WHY NOT TAKE THE RATE TO…

ASKED THE ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION TO MY FRIEND. WHY NOT TAKE THE RATE TO ZERO? WHY ARE WE ARGUING ABOUT WHETHER IT OUGHT TO BE 25% OR 23%? I JUST QUOTED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. HE SAID, LET'S MAKE AMERICA THE MOST COMPETITIVE PLACE IN THE WORLD TO DO BUSINESS. WELL, IF WE LOWERED IT TO 10%, MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE WOULD LOWER IT TO 9%. WHAT IF WE TAKE IT TO 0% AND I VOICED MY CONCERN THAT, WELL, IF YOU TAKE IT TO 0%, I, AS THE AMERICAN CONSUMER, HAVE TO PAY ALL THE TAXES BECAUSE CORPORATIONS WON'T BE PAYING TAXES ANY MORE. AND WHAT MY FRIEND WHO HAS YEARS AND YEARS, DECADES AND DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR SAYS IS THERE IS NO SECRET DRAWER WHERE AMERICAN BUSINESSES GET THE MONEY TO PAY TAXES. I GO OUT, I BUY A COCA-COLA. WHERE DOES COCA-COLA GET TO PAY THE TAXES? THEY CHARGE IT TO ME IN THE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT. MY FRIEND IS SAYING THE ONLY TAXPAYER IN AMERICA TODAY IS THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. THERE IS NO OTHER TAXPAYER. BUSINESSES DON'T PAY TAXES. PEOPLE PAY TAXES. WHETHER IT'S THE C.E.O. OF THAT BUSINESS WHO HAS A HIGH SALARY AND HE PAYS TAXES ON HIS SALARY, WHETHER IT'S THE CONSUMER OF THAT BUSINESS WHO PAYS IN HIGHER PRICE, WHETHER IT'S THE SHAREHOLDER OF THAT BUSINESS WHO PAYS THROUGH LOWER DIVIDENDS AND LOWER RATES OF RETURN. WHY NOT TAKE THE CORPORATE TAX RATE TO ZERO AND --

MR. WOODALL

I YIELD TO MY FRIEND.

MR. KING

EXPLORE THAT FURTHER. THAT IS LOOKING AT THE CORPORATE TAX STRUCTURE,…

EXPLORE THAT FURTHER. THAT IS LOOKING AT THE CORPORATE TAX STRUCTURE, THERE'S CORPORATE INCOME TAX AND THEN THERE ARE ALL OF THE WAGES PAID OUT IN PAYROLL TAXES TO EMPLOYEES. OF COURSE, ONE OF THE MOST REGRESSIVE WE HAVE IS THE PAYROLL TAX. SO ONE MIGHT ARGUE, WELL, THOSE TAXES ARE PAID BY THE CORPORATIONS, THAT HALF OF THE PAINT ROLL, THAT.065. I'VE MULTIPLIED IT SO MANY TIMES WITH EMPLOYEES. IT IS HALF OF THE 15.3% IN PAYROLL TAX. SOME COMES HALF OUT OF THE EMPLOYER, SOME COMES HALF OUT OF THE EMPLOYEE. IT WOULD BE WAGES FOR THE EMPLOYEE BECAUSE IT IS A COST OF DOING BUSINESS, IT'S A COST OF COMPETITIVENESS. SO WHEN WE ADD INTO THE PRICE OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY CORPGS -- AND I DON'T MEAN JUST CORPORATIONS. THEY CAN BE L.L.C.'S, PARTNERSHIPS, SOLE PROPRIETY TORESHIPS, YOU NAME IT, A BUSINESS ENTITY THAT HIRES EMPLOYEES AND/OR PROVIDES GOODS AND SERVICES TO RETAIL MARKET OR SUPPLIES TO US. IT IS BUILT INTO THE PRICE. AND A FAIR AMOUNT OF RESEARCH BRINGS US TO A NUMBER THAT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE ABOUT 22% OF THE RETAIL PRICE OF GOODS AND SERVICES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AS THE TAX COMPONENT PAID BY THE SUPPLIERS THAT GET IT INTO THE MARKETPLACE AND IN THE END PAID BY THE CONSUMER. SO THOSE CORPORATIONS THAT MOVE OVERSEAS HAVE A DIFFERENT TAX STRUCTURE BUT THOSE PRODUCTS THAT COME IN FROM OVERSEAS HAVE A 28% MARKETING ADVANTAGE OVER THE PRODUCTS PRODUCED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE BURDEN OF U.S. CORPORATE TAXES AND THAT INCLUDES THE PAYROLL TAXES THAT ARE PART OF THAT TAXING STRUCTURE. SO I'D SAY THAT IF WE CAN REMOVE THE TAXES FROM PRODUCTIVITY IN AMERICA WE END UP WITH A 28% MARKETING ADVANTAGE FOR U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS OVER THOSE MADE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

MR. WOODALL

I WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING BECAUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE PICKED UP A NICE…

I WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING BECAUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE PICKED UP A NICE GEORGIA COMPANY LIKE COCA-COLA TO USE THEM AS AN EXAMPLE. BUT THEN THAT'S JUST ME. I YIELD BACK.

MR. WOODALL

THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE THEIR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN ATLANTA. BUT FOR HOW…

THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE THEIR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN ATLANTA. BUT FOR HOW LONG? BUT FOR HOW LONG? WE TALK SO MUCH ABOUT TRYING TO GROW JOBS IN AMERICA. WHAT ABOUT TRYING TO KEEP THE JOBS THAT WE GOT? WHAT ABOUT JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT A JOY TO DO BUSINESS IN AMERICA INSTEAD OF MAKING IT A HASSELL TO DO BUSINESS IN AMERICA? THIS IS A $10 HAIRCUT I GOT OVER THE WEEKEND. YOU PROBABLY THINK I PAID A LOT MORE THAN THAT FOR THIS HAIRCUT. IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA SAID ABOUT WHERE COST IS HIDDEN, WHERE TAXES ARE HIDDEN, I PAID $10 FOR THIS HAIRCUT. BUT DERRICK, MY BARBER, HE HAD TO PAY 15.3% IN SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAXES. SO $1.50 OF THAT $10 WENT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAXES. I SUSPECT HE'S HIGHER THAN THE 15% TAX BRACKET. LET'S SAY HE'S IN THE 15% INCOME TAX BRACKET. SO OUT OF MY $10 HAIRCUT HE HAD TO TAKE $1.50 RIGHT OFF THE GOVERNMENT FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT. THEN ANOTHER $1.50 AND SEND IT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN INCOME TAXES SO FOR THE $10 HE CHARGED ME, HE'S ONLY TAKING HOME $7 TO FEED HIS WIFE AND KIDS. SO IS IT A $10 OR $7 HAIRCUT? WHAT WE TELL AMERICANS IS, WE'RE GOING TO LOWER YOUR TAX BURDEN. BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE IS HIDE THAT TAX BURDEN IN THE COST OF EVERYTHING WE BUY. IF DERRICK DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY THOSE $3, HE'D BE CHARGING ME $7 FOR A HAIRCUT AND HE'D STILL TAKE $7 HOME TO FEED HIS KIDS. TO HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT KIND OF SPENDING WE OUGHT TO DO IN THIS PLACE, I THINK WE HAVE TO BRING ALL OF THOSE HIDDEN TAXES OUT OF PRICE. NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE US MORE COMPETITIVE AS YOU SUGGEST IT BUT IT MAKES US POSSIBLE FOR US AS AMERICANS TO HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT, IS GOVERNMENT TOO TOO LITTLE OR IS GOVERNMENT DOING TOO MUCH? THE STUDY SUGGESTS, IT'S ABOUT 22% OF THE COST OF EVERYTHING THAT WE BUY ON AVERAGE THAT IS HIDDEN TAXES THAT WE THINK WE'RE GETTING AWAY WITH BUT THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY PAYING AT THE CHECKOUT COUNTER.

MR. KING

THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD? I'D LIP ANOTHER ANT HE CAN DOTE IN THIS --…

THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD? I'D LIP ANOTHER ANT HE CAN DOTE IN THIS -- ANTIDOTE IN THIS. I HAPPENED TO GET GET REACQUAINTED WITH ONE. I TOLD THIS STORY IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD IN THE PAST. HE SAVED UP HIS MONEY TO BUY A BOX OF SKITTLES. SO HE HAD HIS CHANGE COUNTED OUT. 89 CENTS FOR A BOX OF SKITTLES. HAD TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNTER AND GOT HIS SKITTLES OFF THE SHELF AND PUT THEM UP ON THE COUNTER AND HE COUNTED OUT HIS 89 CENTS AND THE CHECKER SAID, THAT WILL BE 96 CENTS. AND HE SAID, BUT THE PRICE IS 89 CENTS. AND THE CHECKER SAID, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY THE TAX. THAT'S THE SALES TAX IN IOWA. SO THAT'S 96 CENTS, YOUNG MAN. HE SAID, DAD, I HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON SKITTLES? WHAT A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE FOR AN 8-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN. THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS IF THOSE TAXES ARE TRANSPARENT. THAT MAN WILL GROW UP TO BE CONSERVATIVE. HE'LL DEMAND ONE THING, LESS TAXES, LESS SERVICES. WE WILL WANT TO HAVE MORE PERSONAL AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WE'RE GOING TO LET PEOPLE PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN SECURITY IN A LOT OF WAYS AND ACHIEVE ON THEIR OWN. THAT IS A CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION THAT COMES IF YOU HAVE A TRANSPARENT TAX AND IF YOU TAKE THE TAX AND STOP PUNISHING PRODUCTIVITY AND PUT IT ON CONSUMPTION. THE GENTLEMAN.

MR. WOODALL

MY FRIEND, YOU TALK ABOUT CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION, I TELL YOU THAT…

MY FRIEND, YOU TALK ABOUT CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION, I TELL YOU THAT TRANSFORMATION IS ACTUALLY TAKING US BACK TO THAT ENTREPRENEURIAL, SELF-RELIANT EXPERIENCE THAT AMERICA BEGAN AS AS A NATION. THIS BUSINESS OF HIDING TAXES AND TRY TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE GETTING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, THAT'S A RELATIVELY NEW EXPERIENCE IN AMERICAN CULTURE AND IT HAS TRANSFORMED THIS COUNTRY. I'M BIG ON SAYING YOU HAVE TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME. TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS YOU HAVE TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME. RIGHT NOW 50% OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION ISN'T PAYING ANY INCOME TAXES. THEY DON'T THINK THEY HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME. NOW, THEY DO BECAUSE THEY'RE PAYING TAXES ON ALL THESE HIDDEN CONSUMPTION OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU AND I ARE TALKING ABOUT, BUT THEY VOTE AS IF THEY'RE GETTING SOMETHING FOR FREE. AND AS A NATION, IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS, PARTICULARLY AS IT COMES TO BORROWING FROM OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN, WE HAVE TO LET AMERICANS KNOW WHAT ARE THEY REALLY PAYING FOR THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT. AND THAT'S NOT TO SAY, I AM GOING TO PAY LESS, BUT IT WILL ABSOLUTELY BRING US AWAY FROM A CULTURE THAT BELIEVES THERE'S A FREE LUNCH AND BACK TO A CULTURE THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT DECISIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES AND THAT THERE IS NO TAXPAYER IN AMERICA EXCEPT FOR WE, THE AMERICAN CONSUMERS.

MR. KING

THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD. HISTORY IS REPLETE WITH FOUNDING FATHERS,…

THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD. HISTORY IS REPLETE WITH FOUNDING FATHERS, LITERARY GIANTS AT THE TIME, PHILOSOPHERS AT THE TIME WHO CONTINUALLY -- THEY LOOKED AT THE GREEK DEMOCRACY AND THEY WERE APPALLED AT WHAT IT HAD PRODUCED. THEY PRODUCED FOR US A REPUBLIC INSTEAD. BUT MANY OF THEM SPOKE ELOQUENTLY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS. AND WHEN THE PUBLIC WOULD REALIZE THAT A MAJORITY OF THEM COULD VOTE THEMSELVES BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLIC TREASURY. SOME OF THEM SAID DEMOCRACY CEASES TO EXIST. SOME OF THEM SAID IT WOULD DESTROY OUR REPUBLIC. I'D GUESS THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE PROVIDING THE WISDOM AT THE TIME COMMENTED ON THEIR FEAR THAT THIS COUNTRY WOULD MOVE TOWARDS A MAJORITY VOTING THEMSELVES BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLIC TREASURY. AND SO THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE HAVE A REPUBLIC INSTEAD OF A DEMOCRACY IS BECAUSE THOSE OF US WHO WERE ELECTED AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC ARE TO HAVE A HIGHER RESPONSIBILITY THAN TO LISTEN TO, LET'S SAY PEOPLE WHO WANT THE FRUITS OF SOMEONE ELSE'S LABOR AND DON'T WANT TO LABOR THEMSELVES. AND SO WE ARE AT THE SITUATION NOW WHERE IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS COUNTRY THERE WAS A POLICY THAT YOU HAD TO BE A LAND OWNING MALE IN ORDER -- OF AGE AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY WANTED THE PUBLIC POLICY TO BE ESTABLISHED BY PEOPLE THAT HAD SKIN IN THE GAME. AND TODAY WE SAW A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT REQUIRING A BALANCED BUDGET. FAILED HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I'D LIKE TO SEEN A STRONGER ONE BUT IT FAILED HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WITH THE CAP AT 18% G.D.P. AND THE SUPERMAJORITY TO RAISE TAXES PUTS SOME OF THAT PHILOSOPHY BACK IN WHERE IT REQUIRES A SUPERMAJORITY TO RAISE TAXES, THERE'S A STRENGTH THERE THAT BRINGS BACK SOME OF THAT PHILOSOPHY. IT HELPS OFFSET THE DISADVANTAGE THAT THE WORKING AMERICAN HAS TODAY WHO'S PAYING THOSE TAXES, YOUR BARBER IS AT A DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE SOME OF THE HAIR THAT HE CUTS IS PEOPLE THAT AREN'T WORKING. I'D SAY AT LEAST EVERY -- ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE HEADS OF HAIR THAT YOUR BARBER CUTS IS SOMEBODY THAT IS IN THAT ROLE OF 100 MILLION AMERICANS WORKING AGE NOT IN THE WORK FORCE. MANY OF THEM ARE VOTING THEMSELVES BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLIC TROUGH. I'D SUGGEST WE TAKE THE TAX OFF PRODUCTIVITY IN AMERICA. STOP PUNISHING PRODUCTION. PUT IT OVER ON CONSUMPTION. I'M JUST LOOKING OVER FOR A BILL NUMBER THAT I CAN ATTACH MYSELF FOR BECAUSE I AM DRAWING A BLANK AND I YIELD BACK TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

MR. WOODALL

I SAY I HAVE A $10 AN HOUR JOB. WHO WANTS TO COME TO WORK TORE ME AND AND…

I SAY I HAVE A $10 AN HOUR JOB. WHO WANTS TO COME TO WORK TORE ME AND AND I JUST GAVE A POWERFUL PRESENTATION ABOUT HOW YOU COULD COME HERE AND RETURN AMERICA TO ITS FOUNDATIONAL ROOTS. ALL THE HANDS GO UP. AND I SAY NOW, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THOUGH, WE HAVE TO PUT AN $9 INCOME TAX ON THAT $10. NOW WHO WANTS TO WORK 80 HOURS A WEEK FOR ME AND ALL THE HANDS GO DOWN. THE POWER TO TAX IS THE POWER TO DESTROY AND WE USE THAT POWER HERE. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO OUR COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, THE FAIR TAX THAT I SUPPORTED AND IF YOU WERE A STRONG SUPPORTER OF, IT HAS DETRACTORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, FAIR TAX SAYS WE AREN'T GO TO GO MANIPULATE YOUR BEHAVIOR THROUGH THE TAX CODE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE TAX CODE ALLOWS US TO SAY IF YOU BUY WOOL SWEATERS, WE WILL GIVE YOU A TAX CREDIT IF YOU GO OUT AND BUY LE VY JEANS, WE ARE GOING TO TAX YOU. WE DECIDE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO WIN AND WHO IS SUPPOSED TO LOSE AND WE PUNISH OR REWARD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE TAX CODE AND WHAT YOU AND I HAVE SAID IN THE FAIR TAX, I DON'T WANT THAT POWER IN WASHINGTON. I GIVE THAT POWER BACK TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. YOU CHOOSE WHAT KIND OF JEANS YOU WANT TO WEAR AND SWEATER YOU WANT TO BUY, A GOLF CART OR NOT. WE AREN'T IN THE BUSINESS OF PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS BUT RAISING AS LITTLE REVENUE AS NECESSARY TO RUN THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND THAT TAKES POWER AWAY FROM THIS BODY RIGHT HERE. AND IT IS ONLY THOSE FOLKS WHO BELIEVE THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE STILL SMARTER THAN YOU AND I ARE WHO WANT TO RETURN THAT POWER.

MR. KING

TO FOLKS THAT DISAGREE, THEY ARE BOTH WRONG WHETHER FROM THE LEFT OR THE…

TO FOLKS THAT DISAGREE, THEY ARE BOTH WRONG WHETHER FROM THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, THE FAIR TAX DOES EVERYTHING GOOD, THAT ANYBODY'S TAX PROPOSAL DOES WHAT IS GOOD, DOES THEM ALL AND DOES THEM ALL BETTER AND I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THAT DEBATE ANYWHERE IN THIS LAND AND I YIELD BACK BECAUSE THE GAVEL IS IN THE AIR.

MR. WOODALL

SAY TO THE SPEAKER, IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN FIND IT AT WWW…

SAY TO THE SPEAKER, IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN FIND IT AT WWW FAIRTAX.ORG OR ON MY WEB SITE. THIS REALLY DOES SPEAK TO THE CHALLENGES OF AMERICA. AND I THANK THE SPEAKER FOR THE TIME. I THANK MY FRIEND FROM IOWA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE TIME HAS EXPIRED. DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA HAVE A MOTION?

MR. KING

DO NOW ADJOURN.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO ADJOURN, THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE…

THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO ADJOURN, THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE MOTION IS AGREED