Pete Sessions

As a result of the conventions of accounting, it may appear this money can be spent twice, as Mr. Elmendorf said is happening. But the truth is, we cannot spend the money twice. It is increasing the debt, and there is no doubt about it.

The way this new benefit is funded, as I understand it, is through a $500 billion cut to Medicare and increased Medicare taxes. Wouldn't it be the correct thing for policymakers to take that money first and strengthen Medicare and pay the…

I have gotten to the point--and I think Senator McCaskill and a lot of Members of the body have as well--that we need to do something that might actually work. I say to Senator Dorgan, the reason I believe we should go forward on this…

I don't think people realize how much $800 billion is. So the Senator's legislation would be far less expensive and would immediately help small businesses create jobs without a government bureaucracy telling them what to do.

I will just say, I think that is right. I appreciate the President reevaluating the position taken by his Attorney General. I think it was based on a number of errors in analysis of the nature of the conflict we are in and the status of…

I think the Senator from Kentucky is speaking on behalf of the conscience of a lot of Americans, a majority of Americans, if they heard this debate. He is doing it as a matter of principle. I know he has no desire to see people not receive…

We are well aware that the Democrats have a sizable majority in this body, and if the Democratic leadership, including yourself, is committed to not paying for this and taking care of this appropriation by borrowing additional money from…

The Senator from Illinois is very eloquent in his advocacy. But I think he is avoiding the question posed by Senator Bunning, who simply says he is prepared tonight to fund the programs that you wish, to have them go forward. As I…

Spin zone. I love it. The gentleman is talking about all these Republicans want to privatize Social Security and Medicare. We're responsible. Well, what the gentleman forgot is it's the Democrats' proposal that takes $400 billion out of…

Why are you down on the floor, your party saying this is the real deal and yet 32 of the 56 pages exempt spending?

Oh, we're going to blame it on Ronald Reagan now. I reclaim my time and I appreciate the gentleman for blaming this on Ronald Reagan. I tell you what, I would be very pleased to engage in a dialogue with the gentleman if you'll answer one…

I'd love to engage the gentleman if he would take the time; but I'd like to ask him, if he says it's so good, why are 32 of the 56 pages exemptions to PAYGO? And I would like to find out if this is so real----

It's a good thing we're here on the floor of the House where we're exempt from things like deceptive practices, because this body would be guilty today. Here we are with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. Madam Speaker, 32 pages of…

I, too, would like to share my concerns in opposition to Mr. Bernanke's reappointment... Mr. Taylor responded in the Wall Street Journal.

American families and small businesses are making sacrifices across this country and cutting expenses due to tough economic times. Yet this Democratic majority continues to spend like there's no problem at all.

E-Verify also provides the best opportunity to determine the best electronic means to implement verification requirements. The administration-- She is talking about the Obama administration-- should support reauthorization of E-Verify and…

I had an amendment that would simply require those who get contracts to build infrastructure, that they would use the E-Verify system to determine whether a person is using a valid Social Security number. It is a proven system; 2,000…

The article said that China's trade surplus with the United States had dropped from $50 billion a month to $20 billion a month. They are going to spend more on their own economy. The question is, How could they buy more and more and more…

I will not object now, but I do want to have some assurance this very important amendment would at least have a right to have a vote.

The problem here is that this is not good legislation. For the rest of our lifetime, this $1.2 trillion debt--I think now really $1.27 trillion--will be a burden on our children for years to come, indefinitely. Every penny of this spending…

We believe that something should be done immediately; that this is about the worst performing route that has existed for year after year after year. And while I have great respect and appreciation, not only for the gentleman from Minnesota…

And so that act was a knowing and deliberate leadership act by the majority leader that fundamentally says unless he approves an amendment, whether it is offered by those who favor the legislation or oppose it, that is a significant event…

If I was violating a rule or saying anything to insult the majority leader, I would apologize because I do respect the majority leader. He always treated me fairly, as I think he does most people in the Senate. I think he is so recognized…

The overall question is--and there are quite a number of judges pending, and more should be moved out of committee if there is not a blockage going on. Are we going to reach--is it the majority leader's intention to reach the average as we…

I appreciate the many challenges the majority leader has, and a lot of difficult people. Sometimes cats are hard to herd, as Trent Lott used to say. But the deal and the concern was so great--if I could ask the majority leader--what about…