On the recordMay 31, 2011
A lot of times our constituents are confused about the processes of this House. The one thing that we are not confused about is when we all join together in unity, our patriotism, our respect, affection, and admiration for the United States military. Yesterday, many of us interfaced with families, Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Mothers, families who had experienced a wounded soldier or one who had lost their life in battle. It was a serious time, and I, too, commemorated and celebrated with my fellow Houstonians and Texans, even those who came up to me and said veterans can't get jobs. And so for me to come today and to participate in a mockery of a placed-on-the-floor vote on the debt ceiling when everyone knew, and our good friends on the Republican side, that it was a joke, but it was not a joke for me. I voted ``yes'' because the responsible position is to ensure that America pays her bills, not to leave soldiers on the battlefield with no equipment, no shelter, no food, and certainly not to take away veterans benefits, Medicare, Medicaid. Let us be responsible, and let us stand for the American people. I did that today. ____________________
