I speak as someone who had hoped to support a bipartisan measure to deal with a problem of increasing bankruptcies in America. But I am disappointed in the result of this bill. Specifically this bill would undermine the Texas…

I hope the American people heard the gentleman point out on this floor that he does not consider the credit card companies in any way responsible for the billions of dollars in debt that have been increased, to a large extent because they…

As we begin this important debate on the steps of this historic Capitol, religious leaders from all across America have gathered to voice their strong opposition to the Istook amendment, which would, for the first time in our Nation's…

So under the rule on this fundamental issue dealing with the Constitution and the First Amendment, Democrats were not given a block of time to even debate this issue which, regardless of one's point of view, is an extremely important…

Parents, beware, Mr. Speaker. If the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) in the next 5 hours is successful in beginning the process to amend the Bill of Rights for the first time in our Nation's history, public schools across America will…

America already has a religious freedom amendment. It was not written by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook), and passed through this House after less than 1 day of committee hearings and 2 hours of floor debate. Rather, it was…

Tomorrow in this House I will vote to oppose the Istook amendment which would amend our cherished Bill of Rights for the first time in our Nation's history. Numerous religious organizations support this position. Yet incredibly and sadly…

I respect those who have worked hard to develop America's highway infrastructure. I believe that is an important function of the Federal Government. But for anyone who has come to this Congress on the platform of fiscal responsibility, I…

I have a lot of veterans in my district who did not get compensation and pension checks, service-connected veterans who did not have their cases processed because Republicans said in these statements I have before me, made on the floor of…

I live in Texas; frankly, much closer to the Mexican border than the gentleman from Ohio. While I have great respect for the gentleman's interest in fighting drugs, as a father of two small sons who will be raised in Texas near the Mexican…

it is not good enough for Members of Congress to just honor veterans on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. We should honor them today, now, with this vote. Veterans may appreciate our speeches next week on Memorial Day, but today veterans need…

if I could just ask the distinguished gentleman one question. In my 8 years in the House, I do not think there has been anything close to a proposed $15 billion cut in veterans' programs. I know the gentleman has been here a number of…

probably not many Members are aware of this but perhaps the first day after our return from Memorial Day recess, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) will make an effort to do something that has never been done in the history of the…

In three weeks the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) will try to amend the U.S. Bill of Rights, the sacred document that has served America for well over 200 years. Perhaps the greatest contribution of the American experiment in…

Harry Truman would not be impressed. ``The buck stops here'' has now been amended by Republicans in Congress to say, ``The buck stops with staff; don't blame me.'' The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) has released private conversations…

I would like to make three points in response to the gentleman's comments. First, he misquoted my statement on the floor. Secondly, what has happened in Texas with the ending of affirmative action is a perfect example of why we should…

if there is a single Member of this House that believes that racial discrimination is nonexistent in America today, then I will vote for the Riggs amendment. That is what I thought. Mr. Chairman, I hope and pray that I will live long…

this bill wisely brings together State and local officials in a commitment to improving the quality of training for our Nation's teachers. I strongly support that effort. My amendment would expand the focus of job development grants to…

this highway bill will spend over $200 billion of taxpayers' money. The fact is that well over half of those taxpayers are women and minorities. It is only a matter of basic fairness that groups comprising a majority of American taxpayers…

What America needs is English plus, not English only. What America needs is to teach English, not preach it. What America needs is to respect diversity, not divisiveness. The last time I visited the Statue of Liberty, that eloquent lady…

when Members retire from this institution, many of us stand up out of politeness to pay our respects. Today is different. Today, all of the Members of the House speaking truly speak from their heart. The world has changed much since a…

2 years ago I met a young Army soldier in my district who had missed the birth of his first child because he was serving our Nation in Desert Storm. He then missed the birth of his second child because he was doing his duty, as his Nation…

enough is enough. The gentleman from Georgia Mr. Bob Barr now says we should spend taxpayers' dollars for an expensive fishing expedition. Why? To see if there might possibly, conceivably, maybe be a reason to consider impeaching President…

if the gentleman were off by a factor of about $40 billion to $50 billion, would he agree that his facts were not correct? Because I know he would not want to mislead the veterans and make them think they are going to get something they…

sometimes silence says a lot and, frankly, I am disappointed that out of over 200 Republican House Members, not 1 Republican has come to the floor of this House to stand up for veterans versus tobacco companies this morning. Most Americans…