Hank Johnson

We have to stimulate, as government does, economic vitality. We can do that. It has been done repeatedly throughout the history of this country. A great example is the recent $787 billion stimulus that was passed back in, I think, 2007.

Yes. It seems to be a concerted attack on that social safety net that has made us such a great civilization, which is that we take care of each other. It's an attack on that. It's in accordance with a philosophy of laissez-faire economics.

Then as to Medicare, they want to turn that into a voucher program and put a 1 percent cap, I think, on the cost- of-living increase and then give that in the form of a voucher to people so that they can go out and purchase insurance on…

They want to do that for Medicare as well. That Paul Ryan budget would actually decimate the Medicaid system. They just want to whack off a third of the Federal funding and then turn it into a block grant program.

Representative Schakowsky, I think it's wrong that we would tell people who have paid into the Social Security system throughout their lives that now you're going to move the goalpost and put a couple of years more on there before…

People have confidence in America. It's because of our civilization, and it's because of the forward thinking of our past leaders. It is our responsibility to continue that sense of responsibility to the people--not to the leaders, not to…

Social Security is one of the hallmarks of American civilization. It civilizes us where we can have a mechanism where we all come together to contribute our money into a pool as we work; and when we retire, we have a way of avoiding the…

We all do better when the money is circulating. Those on the top end, they're going to continue to make money; but those who are just working people, regular working people, and those who aspire to the middle class, when that money is…

That's correct. It is a learning moment for me and perhaps many others out there. But I'll tell you, if you want to find out more about little people or abnormally small people or unusually small people, there is a Web site, there is a…

Always my pleasure, Representative Schakowsky, to be with you. You are such a staunch advocate for the middle class, the working poor, the poor. You are a champion for the people, so I'm happy to be here with you and happy to share some…

I think they still owe us a little bit. We still have some GM stock. The Federal Government still owns some GM stock, which they're going to have to repurchase those shares from us. So we are still involved, but that's another example of…

And so we spent $700 billion. And it was the United Auto Workers union that sat down at the negotiating table with Big Business, worked out what some may call give-backs. It actually gave up some of the benefits that it had signed…

It's only a few, like Sheldon Adelson, the Koch brothers, who want to control the public policy apparatus. They want to control government so that they can have government to make them more money. That's all they're interested in is…

No, it's not healthy. And it's amoral. Greed, when you've got to get more, more, more and you're not willing to share, you're not willing for everyone to prosper; and when you think that a person is poor because they don't want to get out…

Yes, it sure did. And so I readily signed on your letter that you're circulating, your ``Dear Colleague'' letter. And I'm glad to know, as well, that the President has included a modest $50 billion stimulus aspect in his proposal to strike…

No, that's enough said. Let me say how much I enjoyed our colloquy today, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that America remains the great Nation that it has always been.

You've got an educated work force, relatively speaking. You've got enhanced transportation abilities here to get your goods and services to market quickly, as opposed to the expense and the security of coming across the water. And I'm…

Actually, since 1979, the income, or the after-tax income, of the top 2 percent has increased by about 372 percent, if I recall the correct number, 372 to 378, while, as you say, regular working people, the middle class, their incomes have…

Yes, with the big checks. And they were actually clamoring for that Federal money, and it made an important difference. It allowed States and local governments to retain teachers and firefighters, police officers, construction workers. You…

That's what it's all about. Government is the entity which primes the economic pump through which prosperity then flows. So we're now at a point, though, where: Are we going to turn everything over to the big businesses, and are we going…

I was thinking to myself earlier today, what happens when you put in a cage fight a giant with a midget? Well, the midget will not win the fight. I'm going to tell you that. Why? He just doesn't carry enough weight to do so. But if you put…

Deeply embedded in this legislation is a poison pill, and for that reason and others, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6429. It eliminates the Diversity Immigrant Visa program while failing to address the broader problems of the immigration…

I am not accusing anybody of racism. I don't know what is in the heads of those who support this bill, but if it's not racist in its intent, it's certainly racist in its effect. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has…

I am ready to cut taxes for Americans, average Americans, the middle class and rebuild our infrastructure. Unfortunately, after wasting the last 2 years and after spending the entire month of August at home without making even the…

Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5949, which, without benefit of one oversight hearing by the full Judiciary Committee during the 112th Congress, wants to, for 5 long years, reauthorize expiring…