Bill Lee

I know your work very intimately and I just have to take this moment to thank you so much because all of you are doing life-affirming work.

Thank you very much. First, let me just thank all of you so much on behalf of my constituents, on behalf of my family.

I will continue, as a member of this committee, to remind this committee that nearly 50 million people live in poverty; 16 million are children. And this is unacceptable.

Unless Congress acts by March 1, the sequester will slash thousands of jobs.

Nearly 50 million people live in poverty; 16 million are children. And this is unacceptable.

Our budget is not only a road map to fiscal responsibility, but it is also a moral document.

`` . . . to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the Government of the…

What table is it at which we have no seat because we have not ratified this treaty? What is it that we cannot do by having the most aggressive laws, the most robust laws protecting Americans with disabilities that we somehow achieve simply…

If my distinguished colleague and friend, the senior Senator from Massachusetts is correct, that this would have no impact on our law, if in fact it does nothing, then why would we make it part of the U.S. law? Why would we make it part of…

Yes, of course. It doesn't become the law of the land just because it is in the treaty. But it often does. Its entry into customary international law can become facilitated by the U.S. ratification of it.

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

That is right. I think that is the point that often goes missing in this debate, which is that when people talk about wanting to raise takes on one group of Americans and not increasing them on another, that causes problems. And we are…

I remind my colleagues of the old adage that you can make excuses or you can make progress but you cannot make both.

I think that we haven't been as assertive as we should have been and as we should be.

I was really surprised he was there at all, I mean, you know, considering the fighting going on.

I just wanted to ask you a question about whether or not they are having any challenges having the tools that they need to carry out their mandate safely and effectively.

I was just wondering if there is an issue with the flow of arms from Libya into Northern Sudan.

For the South, I think it is a great challenge for them to come to an agreement with a government that they have many historical and current grievances with.

It is critical that both governments immediately stop all cross-border attacks and return to diplomatic talks.

I hope that in the course of today's hearing we gain new insight into how the alarming and dangerous course of events in recent days, and, indeed, over the last several months, can be reversed.

I stand by the Sanford Police Department, its personnel and the investigation that was conducted in regards to the Trayvon Martin case.

We don't have anything to dispute his claim of self-defense.

Do we believe that it would be right to take away critical funding for small business innovation and vital job training programs or should we extend tax subsidies that send American jobs overseas?

Do we believe that our nation has a responsibility to help poor children get an education, proper nutrition, and have access to quality health care or should we preserve billions of dollars in tax credits for oil companies that are making…

I believe strongly that the budget is a moral document that very clearly outlines what we as a nation and a society, hold dear.