Tom Cole

I thank the gentleman very much and appreciate that. I urge passage of the bill.

I encourage this Committee to favorably report both the Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Act and the HEARTH Act.

Progress for our most challenged population, Native Americans, is a good thing for our country and will have a positive impact for our image around the world.

H.R. 2362 would capitalize on this affinity to strengthen the ties with a key ally and close friend and help struggling tribal economies at the same time.

Neither my legislation nor the HEARTH Act are attempts to get around environmental regulations and exploit the land.

Addressing ways to grow and sustain economic development on tribal lands is an important goal that I continue to work with members of this Committee.

Prepared statement on H.R. 2362

In closing, Madam Speaker, it's a responsible piece of legislation. We ought to act on it. Frankly, it shouldn't be a partisan football. We can take care of people that need relief fully and expeditiously, we can exercise our…

If the majority leader's plan scores at $2.2 trillion--and I take my friend's word on that--I guess we really have a $4 trillion deficit, because we have $3 trillion, and we don't even count the extra $1 trillion, which is automatic…

I would just urge the body to support the amendment. I would disagree with my friend. Sham groups are quite often formed in labor unions or underneath, but that's another debate for another day. Let's just keep outside money out of the…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __ None of the funds made…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma will be postponed. Amendment Offered by Mr. Gohmert

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made…

If the information isn't necessary for the bid or for the evaluation of the bid, then it's not necessary for the executive branch to have it or for us to run the risk that it might be misused, so I urge the adoption of the amendment. I…

I think this really mitigates the need for hard power, when we can do things in a cooperative and a peaceful way.

I like this program, and I like it for a lot of reasons: first, because it has been bipartisan in a place and at a time when that has been hard to achieve.

And I'm all for saying let's just not have any earmarks.

In 2006 our distinguished majority leader said enacting a budget was ``the most basic responsibility of governing.'' Representative Spratt, from South Carolina, our distinguished Budget chairman, said in the same year, If you can't budget…

I would just like to echo the point that Mr. Simpson said.

I just wanted to thank you for two things. First in your testimony, I really appreciate the fact you mentioned the roles of President Nixon, Ford, and Reagan played in reestablishing self-determination.

If the United States Government had its way, I would not be chief, and there would not be a Cherokee Nation.

We cannot solve these problems in a single year.

This is a commitment that is long overdue in terms of being fulfilled.

I am certainly doing everything on my end to help.

I look forward to working with you on it, and as you know, it is a great program. We need to restore it.