From the beginning of this debt debate last summer, I rejected the notion that America's creditworthiness should be used as a bargaining chip. Americans from all walks of life are wondering why Congress can't do the job that they sent us…

Just last week I came to the floor and spoke to the need for this body to prevent a tax increase for 160 million American workers. Yet today, the House Majority is actually voting to raise taxes for middle class families. Under their plan…

This could have been a landmark bill. Instead, it offers our nation more of the same--more spending on programs we don't need, and no rethinking of our priorities. To be fair, there are some good provisions in this bill--a military pay…

The recent IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program indicates that Iran continues to pursue a clandestine nuclear weapons program. Specifically, the IAEA's November 2011 report noted that Iran has carried out a number of activities that are…

Like so many of my colleagues, I think we should prevent 160 million taxpayers from getting a lump of coal and a tax hike this year, but we should not undermine Social Security. Last year, it was a mistake to take the 2 percent tax cut…

Instead of creating jobs--which is what the American people want and need from this body--we are here discussing a measure that has no chance of becoming law. Instead of working toward commonsense solutions to solve our jobs crisis and get…

The national move to interfere with the voting rights of eligible citizens is deliberate. In 2011 the number of States requiring strict forms of government-issued IDs has nearly quadrupled. Why the sudden increase? Proponents claim that…

I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, we already know that in 38 States there is introduced legislation that would suppress the participation and the votes of young, minority, and elderly voters. Now we see their allies here in Congress who…

Two of the bills before us this week are just two more bills that will not create jobs, endanger the public health, and waste the time and money of the American people. These bills are trying to block new regulations under the misguided…

As the President has designated this month as National Family Caregivers Month, I rise to give honor and to recognize the tens of millions of Americans and the million New Jerseyans who provide loving care for family members and friends…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, today the majority is showing the American public again that the majority doesn't think we have a jobs crisis in America. Getting Americans back to work is not their top priority. Getting…

The right question to ask is not, ``How can Congress create the political will necessary to balance our budget?'' The right questions to ask are, ``What is the right budget to enable a vigorous economy?'' And that is not necessarily a…