Dec 10, 2014
It has been my honor and privilege to serve in Congress for the past 10 years, representing the people of the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. As many of you know, my mother came to this country alone at the age of 16, a…
John Schwartz
The Public Record
★ Featured Quote
February 27, 2025
They have taken everything from us while convincing us we should be grateful of the scraps.
— John Schwartz
Most widely reported
by number of sources- the budget reconciliation process has been used since 1974 as a vehicle to set priorities, enact fiscal discipline, and reduce deficits. The last three budget reconciliation packages, which were passed in 1990, 1993, and 1997, each attempted to reduce the deficit by an average of $367 billion over 5 years. However, this year, the Republican majority has decided to split the budget reconciliation package into two parts. The first, which will come before this Chamber this week, likely on Thursday, will make deep cuts to vital government initiatives that directly improve the lives of millions of average Americans. The second, which may not come to the floor until after Thanksgiving, would further extend tax cuts to corporations and to individuals in the very highest income brackets. When taken together, the Republican reconciliation package will add $35 billion to the Federal deficit over the next 5 years, a fact that should disprove the other side's claim that this is an attempt to enact fiscal discipline or restore our budget to balance. It does not. The fact that we are handling this process in piecemeal does not hide the majority party's preference for providing tax cuts that benefit only a limited number of people and corporations rather than making the investments in our future that will enable hard-working families and our communities to meet their obligations.…2 sources2005govinfo.gov
- Every day, Americans work hard to fulfill their obligations to their families, to pay their mortgage, to send their children to college, to save for retirement. Americans understand these priorities. At all times, but particularly at a time of war, Americans expect their leaders to understand that our priority should be securing our homeland. Yet this administration and the Republican Congress have no such plan. The bipartisan 9/11 Commission noted, quote, ``a lack of urgency'' by this administration and the Republican Congress in addressing our homeland security vulnerabilities, and called their failures shocking. Democrats have a plan to lead our Nation in a new direction. Democrats will immediately implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Democrats will secure our borders. Democrats will ensure that our police and firefighters can communicate with each other during times of crisis. And Democrats would never approve the sale of port security to a foreign nation. It is time for a new direction. Americans deserve to feel secure and to know that our government is working hard to ensure that safety and security every day. Democrats know that government's paramount responsibility is to defend our citizens. Democrats will keep our country safe.2 sources2006govinfo.gov
govinfo.gov
Jul 28, 2014
Bill Gray was a friend and mentor. With his unwavering dedication to public service, Bill made an indelible mark on the history of Philadelphia and the U.S. House of Representatives. Bill was a trailblazer and was truly one of the most…
Jul 25, 2014
This legislation has been described by the Republican majority as an extension--an improvement--of the child tax credit, important to many American families, but the fact is this bill is deeply flawed. At a cost of nearly $100 billion, it…
Jul 23, 2014
Let me begin by commending my fellow Congressmen, Hank Johnson and Congressman Butterfield, for their initiative and their advocacy in fighting for and speaking up for Medicaid expansion in each of our States that have not taken it. More…
Jul 15, 2014
Our manufacturers, small business owners, and everyday commuters require a modern transportation system. Simply put, our daily lives, our safety, and our economy all require a first- rate transportation system. But our Nation's…
Apr 10, 2014
On rollcall No. 177 I was unable to attend. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''
Jul 8, 2013
On rollcall No. 305 had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Stated against:
Jul 8, 2013
I thank my colleague for setting up this Special Order. Bill Gray was a total guy. He would have been able to handle this; that's for sure. I do want to start by offering my condolences to the family, to Bill Gray's religious family, his…
May 9, 2013
I rise in strong opposition to this Republican pay China first bill, which would jeopardize the full faith and credit of the United States. This legislation dictates which of our Nation's bills we will pay and which we will not, and poses…
Mar 21, 2013
The National Institutes of Health faces significant cuts to basic scientific research funding this fiscal year. These cuts threaten America's capacity to cure diseases, treat chronic and acute conditions, and find new technologies that…
Mar 19, 2013
The Federal budget is a statement of our priorities and our values as a Nation. The budget should be fiscally responsible and reduce the deficit, it should make investments to grow our economy, and it should meet our obligations to our…
Feb 27, 2013
There are just 2 days that are left for Congress to work together to avert these very deep, across-the-board, automatic cuts to our domestic priorities. The Obama administration released a State-by-State report outlining the harmful impact…
Feb 6, 2013
I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This will be a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 253, noes 167, not voting 11, as follows: [Roll No. 38] AYES--253…
Feb 6, 2013
I am opposed. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Ms. Schwartz moves to recommit the bill H.R. 444 to the Committee on the Budget with instructions to report the same back to…
Feb 6, 2013
I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, this 5- minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by a 5-minute vote on passage, if ordered. The vote was taken…
Jan 1, 2013
I rise this evening in strong support of the Jobs Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012. By passing this bill, Congress provides economic security and certainty for middle class families. This legislation, which passed the Senate…
Dec 17, 2012
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was shattering for Americans everywhere. For such an unspeakable act of violence to take place at an elementary school--a place of safety, learning and lively spirit--was devastating. My own sons…
Nov 30, 2012
On Friday, November 30, 2012, I was unable to cast my vote on rollcall vote 612, H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012 and the Motion to Recommit 613, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. Had I been present, I would like the Record to reflect that I…
Sep 21, 2012
Our Nation is facing serious economic and fiscal challenges. We have seen economic recovery over the last 4 years, but we have work to do. The fiscal policies that expire at the end of the year, known as the ``fiscal cliff,'' present a…
Sep 21, 2012
I thank you, Mr. Minority Whip. You have spoken out every week both on the floor of Congress and around this country. You've spoken out on the actions we ought to be taking in order to strengthen our Nation, protect our seniors, grow our…
Sep 13, 2012
I'm pleased to participate in this debate in some ways, although I do have to say that this is not really the kind of honest debate that we need to be having. We should be having a conversation. We should have been having a conversation…
Aug 2, 2012
To strengthen our economic competitiveness in a global economy, we must create the right environment for private sector growth in cutting-edge industries. As we work to reform our corporate Tax Code, it's critical that we consider policies…
Aug 1, 2012
As August begins, millions of young people across the country are preparing to head off to college. Fall brings not only a return to course selection and roommates and football games but also to high college tuition bills. In my home State…
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