But let me say to the gentleman, it may be unprecedented times; but it does not warrant this unprecedented abdication of democracy in this House in setting what is probably the most critical question that confronts government: How much are…

I thank the gentleman for yielding the additional 1 minute. We were criticized; but in that budget enforcement resolution, we had a number, and when you voted on the rule, you knew the number you were voting on as a House of…

I would hope that there is nobody on the floor who believes that it's going to be accomplished in a simple fashion to bring this deficit under control. But I fear that there is too much simplistic--not simple--simplistic rhetoric with…

I had the opportunity to attend a memorial service and speak at a memorial service for my friend, Bill Ratchford. Bill and I first met in the early 1970s. Bill had been speaker of the Connecticut House and was serving as president of the…

Make It In America. It is an agenda that, unlike some, brings us together and doesn't divide us. From left to right--Republican, Democrat--people all over this country understand that, if we are going to be a great country, as we are…

Make It In America is about succeeding in America, making it. There are a lot of Americans who are not sure that they, or at least their children, are going to make it. Americans overwhelmingly respond that their belief is in order for us…

Let me ask the gentleman: Is the gentleman representing to me that this resolution will, in fact, result in 2008 levels of expenditure so that Members, who are being asked to vote on this, will have a certitude of the number on which they…

I know that he has indicated that we are going to be considering what I believe to be a $52 million cut--that's important money--to reach your $100 billion. However, if you do it at that level per week, of course, you will take…

So would it be therefore accurate that the ``or less'' is superfluous and is not intended to give Mr. Ryan the authority to set a figure at less than 2008 levels?

I thank the gentleman. It's my understanding, from the gentleman's response, that if in the eyes of you or Mr. Boehner or your side of the aisle serious spending cuts have not been effected, that you would oppose the extension of the debt…

Not only do I recall that as being a fact, I also recall it as an answer that I used to give the gentleman on a regular basis. But I am certainly hopeful, as he was hopeful, given the representations of transparency and openness, that…

The point that I am trying to make, and perhaps not as clearly as I need to make it, is that what we are in that resolution giving is to one person--one person--in this Congress the authority, without consideration by this House, to set…

I thank the gentleman. And let me ask again, does the gentleman intend, once the committees are up and running--I understand in a transition it takes some time-- that the cuts that you are going to propose on a weekly basis will have been…

Lastly, I ask my friend, one of the significant issues that will be confronting us in the coming months will be the extension of the debt limit to ensure that America continues to pay the bills that it has incurred and therefore maintain…

I thank the gentleman for that response. And I hate to keep pressing him, but if his hopes are not realized--and I don't know the answer as to whether they will be, but at some point in time we will be confronted with an alternative of…

I rise in opposition to this bill to repeal. Last year, we acted to reform health care in America to make it easier for small businesses to cover their employees, to take important steps to bring down costs, and to stop insurance company…

I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding. Madam Speaker, this week, we pause the work of the House to mourn the lost lives of six of our fellow citizens--one of those born on that day of tragedy and carnage when thousands were slain…

I thank the gentleman for his comments. Obviously, the health care bill that he and his party seek to repeal had probably more consideration, more open debate, more transparency, more amendments, and more hearings than almost any bill that…

I want to say to my friend, the continuing rhetoric is Washington doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. Americans in every family that I know understand that their revenues directly impact on their spending and vice…

I hope we can cooperate, but we do have a divergence, as my friend pointed out, and that's of course the nature of what the House of Representatives does, debates different points of view. Frankly, my experience, as I have said, is that…

There was an interesting article in The Washington Post today about your job-killing comments always being attached to the health care bill. There are obviously some of us who know full well that was not part of the title, as I'm sure the…

I thank the gentleman for that response. In light of the fact that your side has made a pledge to allow ample time for Members to read and consider it, and notwithstanding that they have already not pursued that as vigorously as I think…

I am going to be introducing an amendment to the rules that, my presumption is, we will adopt today which will return this symbol of respect, this symbol of inclusion, this symbol of colleagueship, if you will, to our six representatives…

Well, that's true, so I'll be very respectful. I've heard that argument that you just made made in 1981, in 1989, and again in 2001. I tell my friend, my experience has been that it hasn't worked, and we have incurred substantial trillions…

I want to thank my friend Bart Gordon. Chairman Gordon has been an extraordinary leader of this committee... The America COMPETES Act expands support for research and development, helping the United States to remain the world's innovation…