Step three in this process is making hard decisions on how to move forward with a responsible deficit and debt reduction package.

Mr. Speaker, Colstrip, Montana, is home to the second largest coal plant west of the Mississippi. One boxcar-full of coal is burned every 5 minutes. The burning coal creates sodium, thallium, mercury, boron, aluminum, and arsenic, which is…

In fiscal year 2012, 44 States are projected to have a budget deficit of at least 5 percent.

Its pension system is less than 50 percent underfunded.

No one has to tell me there is a problem. I am from Illinois.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to Amendment No. 273, offered by my colleague, Congressman King. This amendment's intent is to defund wage law requirements as established by the Davis-Bacon Act. Davis-Bacon doesn't just help the workers…

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment. This amendment serves no legitimate purpose and would only compromise our national security and put more Americans in harm's way. By barring the use of Federal funds to mandate Federal…

Madam Chair, I rise today to support the amendment offered by my friend and colleague from New York (Mrs. Lowey). This amendment would restore vital funding to the title X family planning program. Now, I am all for reducing our deficit and…

Mr. Chairman, my amendment would reduce research and development spending at the Department of Defense by 10 percent. First inclination, we all know research and development is a good thing, but not when it begets wasteful spending. The…

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the amendment introduced by my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez). If we are truly serious about reducing our long-term deficits, we must look at the whole picture, a picture that includes defense…