Thank you, Mr. Scott. Mr. Speaker, this is the 56th time we have gathered on the floor, talking past each other. The legislation that is offered by our Republican friends--a repeal--does not have any alternative. Frankly, everybody knows…

Last night for the State of the Union address by President Obama, my guest was a Portlander, Cheryl Strayed, the author of the best-selling book, ``Wild,'' who is currently being portrayed on the big screen by Reese Witherspoon. This epic…

The momentum for an increase in the Federal gas tax continues to build. This weekend's excellent New York Times editorial made the case why the increase is needed and long overdue. Costs of repair increase dramatically the longer they are…

While I do not support the development of tar sands--an environmentally destructive and carbon-intensive process--we should not continue a loophole that lets oil companies off the hook for covering destruction from oil spills. In 1990, we…

``Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the…

As we begin the new Congress, America sees the two parties in both the House and the Senate, along with the White House, making statements that establish positions that distinguish one from another. But what if we started not by defining…

America's middle class is facing a crisis. Despite the fact that productivity has soared and profits have increased, these gains are not flowing to the vast majority of Americans. In 81 percent of America's counties, median income today is…

There is always a great deal of excitement surrounding a new Congress and a new year. One area that has been very encouraging is the focus on rebuilding and renewing America. That was where we left off in the last Congress, frustrated by…

Just squeaking under the wire, and I am not going to do a George Miller imitation, talking over the Speaker and pounding the lectern, nor am I going to try and repeat what has come before us in terms of talking about the legendary…

Yesterday, by unanimous consent motion offered by my friend, and the bill's Republican lead, Ted Poe, the House passed H.R. 2901, our Paul Simon Water for the World Act. It was almost anticlimactic, considering all the ins and outs it has…

1 year ago today, I introduced the first gas tax increase in over 20 years. I was joined by a broad coalition in announcing the bill, supported by the AFL-CIO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, building and construction industries and their…

I, too, would extend my congratulations to Mr. Camp. I have enjoyed being able to work with him for a lot of these 20 years. I enjoy his leadership, his dedication, and his friendship. In a sense, I feel that it was unfortunate that he had…