It is unfortunate there is an attempt to scapegoat America's unions for the economic problems that beset us. After all, it was not America's grocery clerks, nurses, teachers, postal workers, and electricians who nearly caused the meltdown…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. I listened to my friend from Pennsylvania, who is concerned about the Recovery Act. A number of us voted against it because it was too heavily weighted for tax cuts in an attempt to get Republicans to…

I think we ought to take this very good, clean extension, use the 6 months to be able to build on a foundation of the original ISTEA, right-size it, accept the recommendations of broad bipartisan commissions that we need to be spending…

There has been much talk about jobs and economic recovery--sadly, more talk than action. Today's consideration of extending the Surface Transportation Act and the FAA Authorization, both of which have expired, is a positive development. It…

Today I voted against H.R. 1892. Despite of the progress we've made in reforming our intelligence community in size, scope and accountability, today's authorization does not go nearly far enough. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11…

I voted against the Intelligence reauthorization act reluctantly. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, there's still nothing more important than the security of our people. But I am troubled by a clear lack of progress in getting…

Tonight is a very historic joint session of Congress. Indeed, it is unique in the history of our Nation. Not because it was the first time a President's request had been refused by the Speaker. No. Or that the President's speech, in and of…

My good friend from Texas is right; there is strong bipartisan support for this legislation. There was bipartisan support for the legislation when it passed in the House last December when it expired. But, unfortunately, the Senate shut…

Thank you. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy and interest in at least looking at it. {time} 1810 Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we have done with the trade agenda in 2007 was establish environmental protections which are part of…

As we move forward, hopefully we won't be dealing with the expiration in the future. I'm wondering if the gentleman would entertain working with us and, as we come forward in the course of a replacement, if we might consider including…

If the gentleman would entertain an additional question. I appreciate that this has not been incorporated in the past and that this is just a simple extension over the course of the next 22 months. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the…

I appreciate the gentlewoman's courtesy. Well, we are facing an artificial Republican debt crisis that was a crisis of choice, of their choice. Remember, we have repeatedly increased the debt ceiling for Republican and Democratic…

For weeks now, we've faced the artificial Republican debt crisis, which was a crisis of Republican choice. And now with an agreement coming forward, we should ask the question: Is this worse than the default scare? Well, it's hardly clear…

Last night we heard the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, talk about how he stuck his neck out and offered new revenues. Well, if so, then instead of chasing the most extreme few Tea Party members of his caucus to craft an even more…

Today, the House of Representatives considered and rejected the proposal placed by Senate Majority Leader Reid before the Senate. While this is not remotely the solution we need, I voted in favor because this is the best the Republicans in…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. Well, we are approaching the real prospect of default for the first time in American history, and we have wasted 2 days. While we have wasted 2 days, the American public has lost over $400 billion of…

The elaborate Kabuki dance continues here on Capitol Hill surrounding the angst about increasing the debt ceiling. I think what we are seeing can be summarized in three words: ``recklessness,'' ``abuse,'' and ``hypocrisy.'' First of all…

This proposal that is brought to us today can be characterized by three words: reckless, hypocritical, and abusive. It's reckless because for the first time in history we're having people play an elaborate game of fiscal chicken…

As somebody who has spent many, many years working in my community and around the country on the promotion of livable communities, I am frankly mystified to see included in this bill an end to the program that provides technical assistance…

There is an air of unreality here on Capitol Hill. There are some people with no experience in government, little knowledge, and less regard about the outcomes who are pontificating, lecturing, and threatening. The disconnect between the…

I take modest exception to the comments of my good friend from the State of Washington because, having read ``Wilderness Warrior'' about Teddy Roosevelt, there is no doubt that T.R. is spinning in his grave. This Interior Environment…

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. I am uncomfortable coming to the floor and having to speak against this bill. There is nobody in Congress I have more respect and affection for than the subcommittee chairman; but this bill is an…

We begin another week in political wonderland. The Dow falls 100 points at the opening bell. What is it that we should do? Well, if we had the knowledge and problem-solving skills of average college sophomore economic students, or women in…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to join with my good friend from Virginia in speaking against this amendment, although I do appreciate my friend from Kansas in offering it, because this is precisely what would be required if the budget…

I strongly oppose H.R. 1315, the Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011. This bill is merely the latest attempt by my Republican colleagues to undermine American families and consumers, joining a…