Cliff Stearns

I propose we also provide tax relief for interest earned from savings in bank accounts. I have introduced the Simple Savings Tax Relief Act, H.R. 1163, which would help all savers, including those in lower-income levels who do not earn…

I rise today to address a problem that should be at the forefront of our agenda as we move into the 108th Congress. Our immigration system today needs improvement. Unfortunately, it took a tragedy to remind us about this. This country, of…

Unfortunately, in an arrogant stunt, last summer, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion, stating that it ``impermissibly takes a position with respect to the…

Recent media interviews, both print and television, have subjected our young troops to questions which in my mind have no business being posed days before possible military action. These interviews are asking questions regarding…

I am here to give a clear example from my home congressional district, a Dr. Joseph Hildner, a board-certified family-practice specialist in Belleview, Florida. He had a patient that was overweight and smoked too much. He never followed…

America needs tax relief. The economy lost 308,000 jobs in February, one of the sharpest drops in recent memory. The unemployment rate now stands at 5.8 percent. While this is relatively low by historical standards, the unemployment rate…

this week is Cover the Uninsured Week where lawmakers, the media, and our constituents will consider how we can help provide health care coverage for some 35 million Americans. No doubt some will pronounce that the answer lies in a single…

we talk here about abstinence. We have to look no further than Uganda for proof of the effectiveness of abstinence in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Riddled with HIV infections since the 1970s, Uganda took the first step. It found that…

I am going to quote Sam Johnson's wife. I do not think anybody today has done that. Let me tell my colleagues what Shirley says: ``When he makes up his mind he's going to do something, he doesn't make a big deal of it. He just does it.''…

Medicaid is a mounting expense and a source of frustration to beneficiaries, providers, and taxpayers. Our States need long-term solutions, not short-term cash infusions. But there is good news. There are regulations in Medicaid, section…

I am especially pleased to highlight that the bill authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State professional licensing boards towards developing and implementing State policies that will reduce statutory and regulatory barriers in…

I rise today not only to commemorate the lives lost September 11, 2001, but also to celebrate the indomitable American spirit that has been displayed since, and finally to remind our enemies that we are not finished with them. It has been…

I am urging my colleagues to support a bill that I introduced to eliminate impediments that restrict the ability of certain wireless telecommunication providers to, I think, meet the urgent need of the consumers. The bill has bipartisan…

Today we will honor Ted Williams, the baseball legend, here on the House floor. I am here this morning to also honor him. On July 5, of course, of this year, he died. He is one of baseball's greatest legends. He was known as the ``Splendid…

I urge my colleagues, of course, to support this; and I am especially pleased that Chairman Mica of the Subcommittee on Aviation has offered a manager's amendment that has a provision to give authority to flight deck crew to carry…

today I am joining the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) in introducing legislation to develop a memorial to American slaves. It must not be forgotten that each slave was an individual and a child of God. Not only do they deserve our…

in the summer of 1942, we were deeply embroiled in war. Our leaders saw that it was imperative that we institute a formal intelligence service, so on June 13, 1942, we established the Office of Strategic Services, OSS, considered to be the…

I really think the people of America, our constituents, would like to have the same health care I have, the same prescription drug program I have, and not a new government program. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman mentioned, I am here to talk…

I am glad to hear the Veterans Administration cemetery expansion is a top priority for the President next year. Florida has our Nation's second largest veterans' population in the United States and one of its oldest. In fact, it is number…

I am here today to share with my colleagues that May is Asthma Awareness Month. Last Wednesday on May 1, here on Capitol Hill, we held an entire day of related activities including a hearing and free screenings. I thank my colleagues that…

I would like to bring a little good news to the floor this morning on the subject of welfare reform. When the 1996 welfare reform bill was debated in Congress, scholars across this country, legislators at the State and Federal level, in…

But the gentleman would agree that advertising to minors to allow them to go across State lines for an abortion is wrong?

we need to expedite and to take the bills that were in the House and get them passed by the other body. The American people want action by its elected officials here in Congress.

I rise of course in support of H.R. 476, the Child Custody Protection Act. Unfortunately, in May of 2000, Florida's parental notification laws were challenged in circuit court and a permanent injunction was granted. So we in Florida are…

this week we again come to view one of the things Americans dread most, that is, tax day. It is a dreaded and feared day, a day on which taxpayers all across the country are concentrating and reflecting on America's frustrating and complex…