What I said was we'll bring the proposal to create those jobs to the floor--not to cut it, but to spend it because we believe that that will create 185,000 jobs. So I just didn't want to be misconstrued in what I said. The gentleman will…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I take that as a ``no,'' that you're not interested in having that bill brought up. But $2.5 billion is a lot of money, and to the extent we cut $2.5 billion or $2.5 million, we ought to do it. You are…

I ask the gentleman, there is a Member on your side of the aisle who has, in my opinion, a very thoughtful, courageous, and substantive proposal. I happen not to agree with it, but I think it is a courageous, intellectually honest…

As you know, I schedule the legislation. Are you asking me not to schedule the 40 percent of those post office bills that your Members are requesting? Because if you are, I will not schedule them.

Well, first of all, we don't believe this is a real vote. Our Members don't believe it's a real vote. Our Members are cognizant of why it's being done. But the 185,000 jobs, clearly, those nine Members that you referenced did not vote to…

I think there is a lot of concern, not necessarily on these Members' parts, and we all know this, about 30-second simplistic ``gotcha'' ads on television which don't discuss the substance of the ramifications of actions. The bill that…

I was just going to say that I still agree with both of those statements, Mr. Spratt's and my own.

Mr. Boehner and I did attempt to pursue some meaningful restraints last week, and unfortunately, we couldn't get agreement to do so on your side of the aisle. Having said that, we certainly agree that we need to get a handle on the…

I thank the Republican whip for yielding. On Monday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for…

You asked another question I didn't answer. I apologize. On the war supplemental, very important bill that I know the gentleman and I are very interested in. As you know, the Senate has marked up its supplemental in committee. Chairman…

We expect to take such time as is necessary to complete the appropriate debate on that bill. If we can do it in 1 day, we will do it in 1 day. If it takes more than that, we will allot more time.

I expect us to reserve that day for session. I have urged Members, and I would urge Members on both sides of the aisle, to reserve that day, not to plan for that day. Clearly, if we can complete the week's business then we will not have to…

Mr. President, I take this time to call to my colleague's attention my pending amendment, amendment No. 4050. This is the amendment that would require the oil companies to disclose the payments that they make to countries for mineral…

Mr. President, I ask to speak on the Democratic time. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Mr. President, what has happened in the Gulf of Mexico makes one thing very clear; that is, America's energy policy is a disaster. I thank Senator Kerry, Senator Lieberman, and Senator Boxer for their leadership in pointing out the need…

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from Ohio, Congresswoman Fudge, for yielding. I thank her for her leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I thank my friend, Mr. Petri, for his work on this legislation. I am once again, and too…

Well, this takes me to the Federal responsibility that while we might be self-congratulatory that we are finally providing a guaranteed revenue stream of $150 million, the fact is, is that helps maintain the status quo in good operating…

We have to talk about what is the way forward, and do we have the will and the methods to accomplishment?