On the recordSeptember 20, 2012
Today is Thursday, September 20. And tomorrow, I understand, the House is set to adjourn until after the election. Tomorrow, the House is set to leave town without finishing the work that the American people sent us here to do. Now, I have no objection to increasing domestic energy production, and I think an all-of-the-above approach is a rational approach to take. However, I rise against this rule. I rise in opposition to this rule because two amendments that I had offered to the bill were not made in order by the Rules Committee. The amendments I offered were on substantive policy that my constituents are calling for, and I am here to stand up for and represent my constituents in Iowa--and, I might add, across the Nation. One amendment would extend the wind production tax credit. Wind energy plays a significant role in electricity generation in the State of Iowa and many other States--for us about 20 percent--and the manufacturing of wind turbine components in Iowa has brought high-tech manufacturing jobs to my district. The fact that the House is set to adjourn until after the election while this industry is being forced to lay off workers because of Congress' inaction is shameful. It's something we should not do. Yesterday, it was announced we would be laying off 400, and more to come. Another amendment I offered would have allowed the House to finally vote on a farm bill.…
