Gerry Connolly

I would inquire of the Chair how much time is left on our side. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining.

We need to too, and so I would hope that we have a balanced approach to the budget this year and that we eschew ideological rigidity in this regard for the sake of the country.

If they could do it, we can do it.

We are only at 14 percent or so of GDP in terms of federal revenue; that is too low.

I urge the committee to take a balanced approach.

I do not think that is fair, and I think the disparagement of the federal workforce does nobody honor.

We are at 24 percent of GDP as a percentage in terms of federal spending; that is too high, it needs to come down.

But cuts alone will not solve our problem. You cannot ignore the other side of the ledger.

I am hopeful that we can push aside our partisan differences and continue investing in America's growth.

I am hopeful that we can find a way to shield the Urban Areas Security Initiative from further cuts.

This recognition is long overdue.

I think would be a dereliction of duty on our part as a committee and as a Congress.

The first case that was brought against Vietnam and individuals in the Government of Vietnam, pursuant to my law, the Trafficking Victims Protection of 2000, was a sweatshop in American Samoa where hundreds of people were abused…

Don Payne brought honor to this institution, to this committee.

I support expanding this program. I have cosponsored your bill, H.R. 4077, which is bipartisan legislation which would expand the program to target transnational organized crime and those wanted for the most serious human rights abuses.

I support the State Department's rewards programs, which have been effective in leading to the capture of some of the most reprehensible individuals.

If we are going to normalize our relations we have with Vietnam, then we expect certain things from them as well.

I would like to offer my support for Taiwan joining the International Civil Aviation Organization.

I will never forget meeting my constituent, Mr. Solofish, who had an actual copy of his father's life insurance policy which was never paid by his European insurance company.

I am also delighted that we are passing this bill to include Taiwan and the family of nations in international machinery.

Not to speak out about blatant abuses still going on in Vietnam... would be a dereliction of duty.

It is important that we speak up.

H.R. 3783, the Counter Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act by Mr. Duncan, requires the administration to prepare a strategy to address Iran's increasing presence in the Americas.

Taiwan's participation in the IKO as an observer would not only benefit Taiwan, but it would benefit the rest of the world as well as it helps ensure that IKO can fulfill its mission and address threats to aviation security.

We had a $20-billion trade relationship in 2011 with Vietnam. Don't expect a labor union to exist in Vietnam because they are crushed, not unlike the way they are crushed in the People's Republic of China.