Jobs are my number one priority and the key to a true economic recovery is enabling our nation's small businesses.

I have seen first hand the power of their determination and innovation.

My focus is to make sure that the voice of small business is heard at all levels of government.

North Carolina, it is all about jobs, jobs, jobs, access to capital to be sure that industry can stay in business.

the Department may have leaked the proposed regulations to parties supporting the Administration's position and investors who stand to benefit from the failure of the proprietary school sector.

It is just unconscionable for fees to be raised that much on that kind of institution.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in solemn remembrance of the life of a fallen hero, Staff Sergeant Adam L. Dickmyer who grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Staff Sergeant Dickmyer was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan on…

Let me thank the gentlelady for yielding this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for two reasons. First, to offer my support for H.R. 1428, the measure that was offered by the gentlelady from Brooklyn, New York (Ms. Clarke). That is a…

the traditional defined benefit pension is endangered.

the three-legged stool of retirement security--private pensions, personal savings, and Social Security--those three legs have gotten pretty wobbly.

Clearly, these people do not swing a hammer for a living, or string high-power lines, or work in our cornfields or oil rigs, or lay bricks, and drive trucks.

the only solid retirement security they have is Social Security. But that, too, is under siege.

we are facing a future where no one other than the rich will have the opportunity for a safe and secure retirement.

It is absolutely essential, in my estimation, that private sector companies buy into what technology decisions you make at VA.

I am proud to tell you two of those are Hawaii and North Carolina, so it is appropriate that we would have him here today.

VA continues to short operations and maintenance, year in and year out.

I think the challenge, Mr. Baker, is to change the culture, not just at VA, I would say throughout government, though it may be a bridge too far.

I want to thank my colleagues, Senator Johanns and Senator Brown, for being here.