Thomas E. Petri

As the House considers H. Con. Res. 319 recognizing the anniversary of the shootings at Fort Hood last November, I would like to pay tribute to all of the 43 shooting casualties and recognize two of my constituents. Staff Sergeant Amy…

I remain very disappointed that a few issues in the reauthorization package are holding up final agreement on a comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill. However, in order to ensure the safe operation of the national airspace system while…

I support passage of H.R. 4195, a bill that would authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work to honor the formation of the Peace Corps and the ideals upon which it was founded. I served in the…

I support the resolution before us, H. Res. 1473, recognizing the value of recreational aviation in backcountry airstrips. Aviation provides access, as we've heard, to the most remote and scenic areas of our national landscape, and not…

In May 2009, the House passed H.R. 915, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009. Four months ago, the Senate passed its own FAA reauthorization bill, which the House took up, amended, passed, and sent back to the Senate. Since that time, staff…

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for the resolution before us, and I am pleased to be a cosponsor. House Resolution 1401 congratulates our Nation's air traffic controllers for their service and their dedication to…

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 275, expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the second Sunday of September as Arts in Education Week. Arts in Education Week highlights the benefits of…

After four stimulus packages over the past 2 years, Americans are asking: Where are the jobs? Why aren't businesses hiring? In a word, uncertainty. We've seen a great deal of activist government over the past 2 years with enormous budget…

I am disappointed, myself, that several issues unrelated to important safety and modernization provisions in the reauthorization package are holding up final agreement on this legislation.

Each and every year since passage of the Budget Reform Act of 1974, this House has managed to produce a budget resolution, a document necessary for responsible governing--each and every year except this one. What's the problem? In addition…

The Courtney/Petri/Matsui amendment would transfer the successful Troops to Teachers Program back to the Department of Defense and make important changes to the program to ensure it will continue to provide opportunities for veterans to…

The resolution before us--introduced by the co-chairs of the GA Caucus, Dr. Ehlers and Mr. Boyd--expresses support for the designation of the third Saturday in May as ``International Learn to Fly Day.'' The resolution recognizes aviation's…

Today we honor the men and women who have lost their lives on the job. With this resolution, we honor their sacrifice and offer our condolences to their families. And as ever, we use this occasion to recognize the importance of policies…

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1131, expressing support for the designation of the week of April 18 through 23 of this year as National Assistant Principals Week. The successful operation of an educational institution…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution before us, H. Res. 1293, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse is an unfortunate reality for many of the Nation's children…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1240, supporting the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day. Global Youth Service Day supports and encourages community service and service learning throughout these United…

Over the past 18 months, the President repeatedly said about his health care plan, If you like your current health insurance, you can keep it. The majority of Americans knew this was nonsense, and now the Department of Health and Human…

I think the bill overall, I certainly would not dispute the estimate of the Department of Transportation or the FAA that increasing the funding available for construction of new airports and for operating the system and for putting in the…

In May of last year, the House passed H.R. 915, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009. Earlier this week, the Senate passed its own FAA reauthorization bill, and, therefore, the two Chambers will soon begin negotiations to reconcile the…

In the 110th Congress, the House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 2881. That bill reauthorized the FAA for 4 years. In May of last year, the House voted again to pass a comprehensive reauthorization bill, H.R. 915, the FAA…

The American people want health reform. They want affordable, reliable care. But after watching the current majority wrangle for over a year to produce gargantuan bills filled with complicated and punitive policies, tax increases and…

I am delighted today to rise in support of the resolution before us, House Resolution 901, introduced by my colleague from the State of Wisconsin, Gwen Moore, recognizing November 14, 2009, as the 49th anniversary of the first day of…

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office reported that this change would save $94 billion over ten years.

For over two decades, I have argued that our student loan system has unnecessarily lined the pockets of lenders and middlemen at the expense of students and taxpayers.

I fully support the President's proposal to end the Family Federal Education Loan (FFEL) Program and originate all new federal student loans through the Direct Loan Program.