I thank the gentleman. Madam Chair, the greatest privilege I've had in my life has been in serving this Nation for almost 25 years in uniform. I know how important it is to fill our military with qualified professional and motivated…

Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, our Nation experienced the beginning of the worst financial crisis since the stock market crash of 1929, resulting in the longest, deepest financial downturn since the Great Depression. While the factors that…

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the opportunity to travel around my southern Minnesota district talking to local business owners on the best ways to grow and revitalize our economy. Businesses, working families, including the Mayo Clinic…

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill (H.R. 4360) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs blind rehabilitation center in Long Beach, California, as the ``Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D…

Madam Speaker, this week this House has a historic opportunity. For far too long, millions of Americans have not been able to afford basic health care coverage. For far too long, families with insurance are told when they finally need to…

I hope I have the gentleman's support on this bill, providing the trained and courageous veterans who are returning home. We are not asking for preferential treatment. What we are asking is that our adjudicators be clearly informed what…

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Amendment No. 11 offered by Mr. Walz: Page 85, after line 20 insert the following: (d)…

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. And I thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member for your work in securing our Nation and bringing this piece of legislation to the floor. The amendment that I am offering, Madam Chair, serves a…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the House, the Senate and the President for having the courage to attack the important issue of health care. I also want to recognize that the legislation passed by this House in November takes a huge…

Mr. Speaker, last week I, too, had a chance to be out in my local district. I was on Main Street in St. Peter, Minnesota. We had great conversations about how small businesses can continue to create and revitalize our economy. But do you…

Madam Speaker, Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was not able to make it to the floor for votes. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted as following: On passage of H. Res. 990 under suspension of the rules. ``yea''; on passage of H…