Nikema Williams: “As a legislator, I know to look at a bill's definitions. As House Republicans talk about rejecting socialism in all its…”

“As a legislator, I know to look at a bill's definitions. As House Republicans talk about rejecting socialism in all its forms, it is important to understand just exactly what my Republican colleagues are talking about. Surely, it is not Social Security and Medicare, public schools, public libraries, public safety, and roads and bridges? The bill doesn't say. There is not a single definition of ``socialism'' or all its forms. My colleague, Congressman Takano, gave my Republican colleagues an opportunity to clarify. He offered an amendment stating that programs like Social Security and Medicare are not socialism. Republicans refused that amendment. That makes me wonder if what Republicans are really doing here is trying to reject things like bedrock social programs that so many of our seniors and constituents rely on. I support our Nation's market-based economy, and if my Republican colleagues truly did the same, they would be using this time for legislation that creates jobs and lowers costs for all American families. This bill does neither. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to focus their time on the issues that will help all of our constituents achieve the promise of America. Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mooney), who is a great leader and a member of the Financial Services Committee.”