Virginia Foxx: “Thank you. I want to thank my colleague from the State of Washington, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for organizing this…”

“Thank you. I want to thank my colleague from the State of Washington, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for organizing this Special Order tonight, and Mr. Speaker, I am a Republican woman and so proud to be a part of this great group of women that we've heard from tonight. Growing up in a poor family in rural North Carolina meant that there were many opportunities in life that simply weren't available to me. But there was one important opportunity that has always been available to me and to all of us, and that is living in the freest land on Earth, where working hard, taking chances, and persevering are catalysts for success. I'm a Republican woman because over the course of my life I've seen how the incentive to succeed and the guarantee that the fruits of your labor are your own have shaped a people and a Nation that accomplishes great things. Before I came to Congress, I worked in higher education and as a small business owner. Over the course of my career, I encountered good government and bad government. Each is a powerful force. Good government frees us to pursue ideas to invest our money as we see fit, to build, create, and grow a business or even to fail in our endeavors. As a small business owner, I also observed firsthand how government has the power to crush people under high taxes and oppressive rules, or it has the power to unleash creativity with a light touch and low taxes.…”