One of my concerns today though has to do with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund because I think they are also key to maintaining our Nation's wastewater needs.

I just want you to know how much we welcome that as Marylanders because I think this fragile ecosystem that is so important to the vitality of the States and the region is on the road to recovery.

I really do want to give a special shout-out to the Federal workers at the EPA because I just think they do a tremendous job protecting our air and our water.

It has been an amazingly productive EPA.

Remember, the estate tax is not a tax on Conrad Hilton. The estate tax is a tax on Paris Hilton.

I thank Congressman Kevin Brady for his work to provide much-needed permanent relief to families across the country.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The sheer weight, volume, cost complexity, and uncertainty of Federal regulation is a burden that is killing them off.

It is not an exaggeration to say that they are literally withering on the vine.

I would remind my colleagues, as we proceed to the suggestion that we should repeal the estate tax in its entirety, we serve in the House of Representatives, not the House of Lords.

A power to dispose of the states forever is manifestly absurd; the earth and the fullness of it belongs to every generation.

I can certainly tell you that is not the case of the folks I have talked to.

I don't think there's any Member up here or anyone in the public that wouldn't hope that we had a similar recovery to Ronald Reagan's.

The argument that most of us hold today is that we should not remove the estate tax for the wealthiest Americans.

It is not an exaggeration to say that every single week, we hear from another financial institution that is having trouble meeting the needs of their customers.

The termination seems to be a disruption personally to a number of people who have relied on this program.

the estate tax is necessary to our democracy.

We are spending energy talking about raising the minimum wage when we have got great-paying jobs out there.