July 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8501 other kind of help. A few months later, to inform her that they were launching rent jobs. They can’t go off on their he suddenly died. a 5-year medical investigation into her own. They can’t start new companies. Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity medical history and that she would not They might have great ideas that here with H.R. 3200 to pass a bill of his- be able to have the surgery. She was would unlock great value, and yet they toric proportions to address issues such frantic. Then she found out that the in- are prohibited from doing so. as this constituent and many Ameri- surance policy that she had been pay- One of the great benefits of the cans are facing, to have a health care ing premiums on was canceled alto- Obama health care plan is that we will plan that is affordable and accessible gether. She says, The sad thing is Blue allow people to pursue their potential, for all Americans, that will lower the Cross took my premiums, and when I to create jobs, to go off on their own cost of health insurance, to provide a was suspected of having cancer, they without taking that risk of losing public option that gives people a choice searched for a reason to cancel me. health care for them and their fami- of doctors and plans, and puts an em- This happened, and 7 months later the lies. By doing so, we can unleash the phasis on prevention and wellness. I tumor doubled in size, went into her potential of the American people and urge my colleagues to support this bill. lymph nodes; and now her prognosis is entrepreneurs across the country to f worse. create value and create jobs. We have an opportunity today to RESTORING FISCAL RESPONSI- f bring peace of mind to all Americans BILITY THROUGH THE STATU- and pass health insurance reform. MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE TORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO ACT f A message from the Senate by Ms. (Mr. CONNOLLY of asked Curtis, one of its clerks, announced and was given permission to address PAYGO LEGISLATION WILL HELP that the Senate has passed without the House for 1 minute and to revise US MOVE FROM DEFICIT TO SUR- amendment a bill and a concurrent res- and extend his remarks.) PLUS olution of the House of the following Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. (Ms. WATSON asked and was given titles: Speaker, I rise today in strong support permission to address the House for 1 H.R. 2245. An act to authorize the Presi- of H.R. 2920, the Statutory Pay-As- minute.) dent, in conjunction with the 40th anniver- You-Go, or PAYGO, Act as a long over- Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, the sary of the historic and first lunar landing due return to fiscal responsibility. We House will be taking up statutory by humans in 1969, to award gold medals on hear a lot from our colleagues and PAYGO legislation which will restore behalf of the United States Congress to Neil friends on the other side of the aisle the policy that led from deficits to sur- A. Armstrong, the first human to walk on talking about their newfound concern pluses under the Clinton administra- the moon; Edwin E. ‘‘Buzz’’ Aldrin, Jr., the pilot of the lunar module and second person about deficits. But it was a Republican tion. Statutory PAYGO is a necessary to walk on the moon; Michael Collins, the Congress that allowed PAYGO legisla- step to restore fiscal discipline and pilot of their Apollo 11 mission’s command tion to expire in 2002 even after, in begin bringing down the deep deficits module; and, the first American to orbit the fact, it worked to produce two consecu- that face our Nation. Without reducing Earth, John Herschel Glenn, Jr. tive surpluses in 1999 and 2000 under a the deficit, we won’t be able to invest H. Con. Res. 164. Concurrent resolution rec- Democratic President. Unfortunately in vital priorities, including health ognizing the 40th anniversary of the Food the Republican-controlled Congress care, education and clean energy. and Nutrition Service of the Department of didn’t renew PAYGO in 2002, leaving The bill on the floor this week re- Agriculture. us, once again, with annual deficits quires all new policies that either re- The message also announced that that this year now reached $1 trillion, duce revenues or expand entitlement pursuant to Public Law 111–25, the most of it on their watch. spending be offset over 5 and 10 years. Chair, on behalf of the Majority Lead- Mr. Speaker, the cure for deficits is Discretionary spending is not subject er, announces the appointment of the not floor speeches, catchphrases or ex- to PAYGO and exceptions can be made following individuals to serve as mem- pensively produced charts. The cure is for emergencies. We also take into ac- bers of the Ronald Reagan Centennial fiscal responsibility. This House, if it’s count the political reality that several Commission: going to be serious about fiscal respon- policies will continue, as in past Con- Sig Rogich of Nevada. sibility, must return to statutory gresses, and allow them to be extended Frank Fahrenkoph of Nevada. PAYGO. I support the bill. without offsets. Medicare physician f f payments, alternative minimum tax, PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION middle class tax cuts and the current A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY OF STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO estate tax rates. I hope that all Mem- HORROR STORY ACT OF 2009 bers will support our PAYGO bill. Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, by direc- (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was f given permission to address the House tion of the Committee on Rules, I call for 1 minute.) HEALTH CARE WILL BENEFIT up House Resolution 665 and ask for its Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. A health insur- AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL immediate consideration. ance company horror story about INITIATIVES The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- Robin Beaton, a 59-year-old woman (Mr. POLIS asked and was given per- lows: who was a registered nurse for 30 years, mission to address the House for 1 H. RES. 665 healthy, with health insurance. She re- minute and to revise and extend his re- Resolved, That upon the adoption of this tired to set up her own small business marks.) resolution it shall be in order to consider in and got an individual policy with Blue Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, before I was the House the bill (H.R. 2920) to reinstitute Cross/Blue Shield. She went to the der- elected to the House of Representa- and update the Pay-As-You-Go requirement matologist for acne. A word was writ- tives, I was an entrepreneur. I started of budget neutrality on new tax and manda- ten on her chart that, interpreted in- several technology companies. Entre- tory spending legislation, enforced by the threat of annual, automatic sequestration. correctly, as meaning precancerous. preneurs across this country are a con- The first reading of the bill shall be dis- Here are her words, Shortly thereafter, stant source of creativity, of job cre- pensed with. All points of order against con- I was diagnosed with a very aggressive ation, of unleashing their creative po- sideration of the bill are waived except those form of breast cancer and was told I tential to create jobs and bring new arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The needed a double mastectomy. The Fri- products and services to the market- amendment in the nature of a substitute day before the Monday I was scheduled place. There are people today, Mr. printed in part A of the report of the Com- to have my double mastectomy, Blue Speaker, that would love to be entre- mittee on Rules accompanying this resolu- Cross red-flagged my report due to the preneurs but for the fact that they are tion, modified by the amendment printed in part B of the report of the Committee on dermatologist’s report. The dermatolo- wedded and trapped in jobs because of Rules, shall be considered as adopted. The gist called Blue Cross directly to report the nontransportability of their health bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. I had only acne and pleaded not to hold care. Mr. Speaker, for them and their All points of order against provisions of the up the surgery. Then Blue Cross called families, they have to keep their cur- bill, as amended, are waived. The previous

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.007 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE H8502 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 22, 2009 question shall be considered as ordered on semantics and say that this is an im- At the rate that we’re going, by the the bill, as amended, to final passage with- perfect bill. If this is the case, I would end of the year, the deficit will ap- out intervening motion except: (1) one hour simply remind my colleagues that proach $2 trillion. of debate equally divided and controlled by every journey is completed one step at Now, Mr. Speaker, if you think about the chairman and ranking minority member that, about the amount that we have of the Committee on the Budget; (2) the a time. This bill is just a first step. It amendment in the nature of a substitute is part of a clearly delineated path to- overspent and that we have spent more printed in part C of the report of the Com- ward fiscal responsibility. than was actually taken in, then actu- mittee on Rules, if offered by Representative To date, this Congress has passed ally, based on this annual number, it Ryan of Wisconsin or his designee, which critical pieces of legislation, like the quite possibly could be larger than the shall be in order without intervention of any expansion of the SCHIP, which pro- entire Federal budget was just a decade point of order except those arising under vides health insurance to 11 million ago. clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI, shall be considered children, and we did so in a way that The American people are paying at- as read, and shall be separately debatable for tention. They’re paying attention, and one hour equally divided and controlled by was completely paid for, showing our commitment to fiscal responsibility. they don’t believe that such wantonly the proponent and an opponent; and (3) one irresponsible spending is ever justified. motion to recommit with or without instruc- Earlier this year, we adopted a budget tions. resolution that placed the full cost of They’re particularly outraged that it’s SEC. 2. For purposes of the concurrent reso- war spending on the books for the first coming at a time when they are re- lution on the budget, the amounts specified time. These are steps in the right di- vamping their own budgets, are cutting in section 421(a)(2)(A) and section 421(a)(2)(C) rection. This bill continues these im- out every penny of waste and are sav- shall be considered to be those reflected in portant steps in the direction of fiscal ing every penny that they possibly can. section 314 and section 316, respectively, of Our economic challenges have fun- the House companion measure. responsibility. This legislation will require that all damentally changed Americans’ budg- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. new policies of reducing revenues or of eting habits. They’re spending less; WEINER). The gentleman from New expanding spending enacted during a they’re saving more; they’re paying off York is recognized for 1 hour. session of Congress be offset over 5 and their debts; and they’re asking them- Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, for pur- 10 years. It will require any future ex- selves, Why is my government doing poses of debate only, I yield the cus- tension of upper-income tax cuts to be precisely the opposite? Well, the American families are tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman offset, and it will force a serious exam- spending less; they are saving more, from (Mr. DREIER). All time ination of wasteful subsidies in the and they are paying down their debts. yielded during consideration of the rule budget and of tax loopholes that can be We here in Washington, D.C. are doing is for debate only. eliminated to offset more worthwhile the opposite, and they can’t under- GENERAL LEAVE programs. stand why that’s continuing to happen. Mr. ARCURI. I ask unanimous con- Finally, the statute would not be During very difficult and challenging sent that all Members have 5 legisla- complete without an enforcement economic times, why is Congress tive days within which to revise and mechanism. The Congressional Budget spending trillions on bailouts and pro- extend their remarks and insert extra- Office will continue to score legislation posing new taxes that will burden our neous materials into the RECORD. passed by Congress. The Office of Man- families even more? Why is it racking The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there agement and Budget will keep a run- up so much debt that our kids, objection to the request of the gen- ning scorecard for all of the revenue grandkids and great grandkids won’t tleman from New York? generated in new spending enacted dur- even be able to pay it off? There was no objection. ing a year. If we have not fully offset So much concern is mounting over the legislation enacted during the ses- b 1045 the profligate spending of this Congress sion, it will trigger an automatic se- that it comes as absolutely no surprise Mr. ARCURI. I yield myself such quester of funds from mandatory time as I may consume. that the Democratic leadership wants spending programs. to give the appearance of an interest in Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a mem- Mr. Speaker, the American people fiscal responsibility. Quite frankly, Mr. ber of the Rules Committee and of the have spoken, and they want a return to Speaker, as I go through the analysis fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coali- a fiscally responsible Congress that of this, and the American people are tion and as a proud supporter of this abides by pay-as-you-go principles. going to understand, we will find that rule and H.R. 2920, the Statutory Pay- This is the legislation that will make this is simply dealing with the appear- As-You-Go bill. that a reality. As a member of the Blue ance of trying to be fiscally respon- When the 110th Congress convened in Dog Coalition, I have worked, since sible. 2007, I strongly supported the rein- being elected to Congress, to reenact The leadership on the other side of statement of the pay-as-you-go prin- statutory PAYGO, and I strongly urge the aisle wants to be able to send out a ciples in the rules of the House. Today, my fellow colleagues to vote for this press release to say that they care we will take up the next step toward rule on H.R. 2920. about this $1 trillion deficit spending reinstating the statutory pay-as-you- I reserve the balance of my time. that has taken place in the last 6 go rule. These statutory requirements Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, let me months and that they’re doing some- helped turn deficits into surpluses in begin by expressing my appreciation to thing about it. the 1990s under the Clinton administra- my Rules Committee colleague for Unfortunately, rather than actually tion. When the previous statute ex- yielding me the customary 30 minutes, reining in the deficit, what has hap- pired, Mr. Speaker, the result was a re- and I yield myself such time as I might pened? They’ve proposed a bill that turn to unchecked deficit spending, consume. will do nothing to restore any sem- which doubled the national debt in less Mr. Speaker, today is the 22nd of blance of responsibility and account- than a decade. This is not a Demo- July. We are just over halfway through ability to the Federal budget. cratic problem. This is not a Repub- calendar year 2009, and the Federal def- As any hardworking American lican problem. Rather, this is a prob- icit has exceeded $1 trillion. That’s not knows, living within our means during lem for all of us. with an M. That’s not with a B. That’s tough economic times is painful, but The American people deserve better. with a T; $1 trillion. It’s so much it’s not terribly complicated. You have We in Congress must be forced to bal- money that we can’t even fathom ex- to reduce your spending. It’s very sim- ance our spending the same way that actly how much it is. You know, I’ve ple. The Democratic leadership will say every American family does. We should spent a while here, and I can’t imagine that the bill before us today requires not spend what we cannot afford. In $1 trillion. It’s the amount of money Congress to spend only what it can pay order to spend a dollar, we must find a already that the Federal Government for, but this claim is not terribly accu- dollar either in savings or in new rev- not has spent; it’s the amount of rate. enue. money, Mr. Speaker, that the Federal First of all, this bill does absolutely Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the Government has already overspent as nothing to limit discretionary spend- other side of the aisle may try to argue we are just halfway through this year. ing, which is 40 percent of the entire

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22JY7.002 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE July 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8503 Federal budget. Let me say that again, eral Treasury. And we cut the capital b 1100 Mr. Speaker. If you think about a fam- gains rate by 5 percent, doubled in a 2- Every single dollar that we spend on ily who has to reduce its expenses and year period of time. This tax relief is interest on the debt is a dollar that we who has to rein in its own personal set to expire next year. Guess what? can’t spend on health care. It’s a dollar spending, this family doesn’t have the Under this bill, we can’t extend it with- that we can’t spend on education or en- luxury of saying, Oh, well, here is 40 out raising taxes. vironmental protection or on transpor- percent that I will exempt. That is ex- So, if we double revenues by cutting tation projects or tax breaks for middle actly what is happening with this the capital gains tax, it doesn’t take a class Americans. It’s a dollar we can’t measure. Ph.D. to guess what will happen if we spend on supporting our servicemen This bill makes it virtually impos- are forced to raise taxes. This bill ties and -women or ending hunger. In short, sible for Congress to implement tax re- our hands where flexibility is nec- every dollar we spend on this debt is a forms that will get our economy grow- essary, and it fails to implement strict dollar that we cannot invest in the ing again and that will increase Fed- guidelines where accountability is des- American people, and that is why we eral revenues. If the Democratic lead- perately needed. need this bill. ership were actually interested in re- Even the Democratic leadership I am also pleased that this bill before ducing the deficit, they would simply doesn’t take this bill very seriously, us today protects the most vulnerable implement spending caps, caps on adding in five pages of exemptions to Americans. The bill protects Social Se- spending. That’s the way to do it. In- an already worthless attempt at fiscal curity, veterans programs, food stead, they have merely produced a fig responsibility. I find it interesting that stamps, and child nutrition programs leaf of a bill, a fig leaf so they can send they would even bother with these ex- and other essential services. out that press release and can then go emptions, considering that they waive Now, we hear a lot of rhetoric from right on spending this country into ob- their own PAYGO rules all the time. In the other side about how awful the def- livion, which is exactly what has been the last Congress alone, they waived icit is, and they’re right. But here’s a happening. The proposal before us does these rules to allow for legislation that question: Where were you for the last 8 nothing but mandate tax increases increased the deficit by $420 billion. years? Why did you allow PAYGO to while leaving discretionary spending Now, in this Congress, they continue to expire when you were in the majority? completely unchecked. use procedural gimmicks to get around Where were you when the Bush admin- Now, Mr. Speaker, this is not a theo- their own budget rules, which is why it istration inherited a surplus and pro- retical discussion that I am engaging comes as no surprise that we’ve al- ceeded to squander it on tax cuts for in right now. We’ve been living under ready passed the trillion-dollar deficit the wealthy few? the Democratic leadership’s so-called spending mark here on July 22. Now, if someone wants to argue that ‘‘PAYGO rules’’ for 21⁄2 years. When Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues: bigger tax breaks for millionaires is they reinstated PAYGO at the start of don’t be fooled by what is clearly an good economic policy, that’s fine, but the last Congress, they said it would attempt to cover up the worst spending under this bill, they will be forced to eliminate deficit spending. Now what pattern that we have seen in the his- acknowledge the cost of those tax cuts has actually happened? The deficit has tory of the United States of America. and show how they would pay for them. skyrocketed from $162 billion in fiscal The American people are figuring this I don’t think that’s too much to ask. ’07 to, as I said, this estimated $1.8 tril- out. They know what it takes to make This bill before us at long last will lion. So from $162 billion in 2007 to $1.8 ends meet; and while they are reining take a good long look at wasteful sub- trillion. Again, that’s just the deficit. in their spending and are dealing with sidies and special-interest tax loop- That’s a tenfold increase, and it all the economic challenges that they’re holes. happened under this Democratic major- facing at this time, they know that we Mr. Speaker, all of us, Democrats and ity with these brilliant PAYGO rules are moving in the opposite direction. Republicans, like to talk a good game that have been put into place. Reject this rule and the bill. Instead, about deficit reduction, but this is This bill will not cut the deficit. This we must demand true accountability where the rubber meets the road. It’s bill will not help to restore our econ- for our constituents’ tax dollars. our time to put our votes where our omy. I will say quite frankly, Mr. With that, I am pleased and privi- rhetoric is. Speaker, I am really quite concerned leged to reserve the balance of my It’s time to pass statutory PAYGO. that some will believe, with the pas- time. It’s time to dig this economy out of the sage of this bill, that we have now ad- Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 ditch that the Republican leadership dressed the problems and that it will minutes to the gentleman from Massa- created, and I urge my colleagues to lure many on the other side of the aisle chusetts, a member of the Rules Com- support this good bill. to continue on the road that they’ve mittee (Mr. MCGOVERN). Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield been going down for the past 21⁄2 years. Mr. MCGOVERN. I thank my col- myself such time as I might consume The true purpose of this bill is a league for yielding. to simply say to my good friend from very, very unfortunate one. The first is Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support Worcester, I absolutely look forward to to attempt to provide political cover of this rule and in support of the under- the day when we will not be constantly for Members who want to have it both lying statutory PAYGO legislation. looking backward and blaming the last ways, carrying the mantle of fiscal re- As a member of the Budget Com- Congress and President Bush for every sponsibility while voting for trillion- mittee, I am proud to be an original co- ailment of society. We need to look for- dollar spending boondoggles. sponsor of this bill, and I want to ward. And the thing that’s been hap- The second is to make meaningful thank our incredible chairman, JOHN pening in the last 6 months is we’ve tax reform impossible to implement. If SPRATT, for all of his hard work. seen this dramatic surge in spending we abide by the plan that was laid out Now, some of my colleagues may be and the idea of engaging in class war- in this bill, we cannot offer tax relief asking themselves, Why in the heck is fare. Taxing those who are job cre- to a single working American without a liberal Democrat from Massachusetts ators, who have created opportunity raising one’s taxes at the same time. speaking in support of PAYGO? Well, for millions of working Americans, is, I This includes tax relief that has been it’s true, Mr. Speaker, that I have don’t believe, the best way to deal with proven to increase Federal revenues. never been mistaken for a Blue Dog. I the challenges that we have. We won’t be able to do that under this support this legislation because I de- At this point, I’m happy to yield to measure. Tax relief that has proven to spise this debt just as strongly as any our hardworking colleague from Jeffer- increase dramatically the flow of reve- Member of this House. I support this son, (Mr. SCALISE). nues of the Federal Treasury would not legislation because I have two young Mr. SCALISE. I want to thank the be allowed under this measure. children, and I don’t want to saddle gentleman from California for yielding In 2003, we cut the capital gains tax them with a bankrupt Nation. I sup- time and for the comments that he rate by 5 percent. Guess what hap- port this legislation precisely because made earlier against the bill and the pened, Mr. Speaker? Capital gains tax it helps support the programs that I rule. And I rise, as well, in opposition revenues, that’s revenues to the Fed- care most deeply about. to the bill because this bill, this

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.011 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE H8504 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 22, 2009 PAYGO bill as it’s dubbed, does noth- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The about PAYGO. And then I see a sign ing to control spending. I strongly be- time of the gentleman has expired. that says, PAYGO equals tax increase, lieve we need to get our fiscal house in Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I’m happy which actually means nothing at all, order. to yield my friend an additional 2 min- but it is a very nice sign. But, in fact, I think if you look at the actions of utes. that’s not at all what PAYGO is about. this administration since President Mr. SCALISE. So 12 times in the last In fact, if PAYGO did nothing more Obama became President in January Congress alone they waived PAYGO by than put a check on spending, I would and Speaker PELOSI continued her a simple majority vote. say it’s worth voting for. But my friend reign, and she has been in office for 21⁄2 I had an amendment last night in the on the other side of the aisle says he years now as the Speaker, Rules Committee to require a three- doesn’t support it. over in the Senate as well, you have fifths vote to say if you really want to You know, we see a lot of finger- seen spending get out of control here in install fiscal discipline, then put a high pointing going on in Congress, every- this Congress, and it’s done so under bar so you can’t just waive it every body blames the other side, but the PAYGO. time you want to spend money you fact of the matter is, when they talk The PAYGO rule that they are trying don’t have. Guess what? Not one person about spending, we are spending now to put into law has gotten us to a point on the other side supported that because we are in the throes of a reces- today where we’re facing a $1.8 trillion, amendment. sion. with a ‘‘T,’’ deficit. I’ve cosponsored a constitutional When the Republicans were in con- Just last week the Federal deficit amendment that requires that we bal- trol of the House of Representatives, this year exceeded $1 trillion. These are ance our Federal budget. Many States we see that they didn’t reinstate numbers that have never been seen be- have a similar fiscal discipline that’s PAYGO and they continued to spend. fore in the history of our country, and placed in their constitutions. Unfortu- We have put the war on the books for it all happened under this rule that nately, we don’t have anything like the first time, which is a step in the we’re hearing all of these Fourth of that here in Washington, and the re- right direction towards fiscal responsi- July speeches about how great PAYGO sults are that this Congress is spending bility. is and how PAYGO is going to require at unprecedented levels that’s led to Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, will the fiscal responsibility. We have PAYGO these debts. gentleman yield? today, and it has given us a $1.8 trillion And one other hidden secret about Mr. ARCURI. When I finish, I will be deficit this year. PAYGO. It is allowed to cut spending. happy to yield. And so what I proposed in the Rules Some people around here don’t know When we hear my friend from Lou- Committee last night was an actual what cutting spending means; they just isiana talk about PAYGO and talk ability to require some strict discipline keep growing spending. But when about all of the problems with PAYGO, on PAYGO by taking out the exemp- PAYGO has been used, 34 times in the he doesn’t acknowledge the fact that tions, the loopholes. You would ask last Congress it was used not to cut PAYGO does require that we spend yourself if we’ve got PAYGO, and if the spending but to raise taxes. only what we have. And if it did noth- people on the other side that are talk- So once again, not only is PAYGO a ing else, he should support it. Yet he ing about it and they say how wonder- hoax, it doesn’t stop spending from doesn’t support it because it’s more of ful it’s going to be, well, if it’s so good, being out of control at all because it’s how could it have yielded us a $1.8 tril- the finger-pointing that we see in Con- been waived every time they wanted to lion deficit? gress. That’s because PAYGO is a hoax. spend money, like in the stimulus bill, I yield to the gentleman. PAYGO is waived every time they want but 34 times in the last 2 years, PAYGO Mr. DREIER. I thank my friend for to spend money that we don’t have. So was used to raise taxes on American yielding. they simply waive it. In fact, in the families. Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to stimulus bill earlier this year, the larg- And so if you wonder why your tax inquire of my friend as he talks about est spending bill in the history of our burden keeps going up and up and up how great this PAYGO— country, $787 billion of money that we and then you’ve got this thing called Mr. ARCURI. Reclaiming my time, I don’t have, it was rammed through PAYGO that sounds really good and never said PAYGO was great. I said Congress. Not one person who voted for you hear all of these Fourth of July PAYGO is a step in the right direction. it had the opportunity to read it, but speeches on the other side about fiscal PAYGO is a step that we need to take, the President said it had to be done discipline, well, fiscal discipline to and that is what I said. quickly because it’s going to create them means raising taxes on American I would be happy to yield. millions of jobs. Well, we’ve seen now families or just waiving it when you Mr. DREIER. I thank my friend for that is a failure. feel like spending money that you yielding. I apologize profusely, Mr. Where are the jobs? Two million don’t have. Speaker, if I put words into my friend’s more Americans have lost their jobs The American people deserve better. mouth. He did not use the word since the stimulus bill passed. And the They deserve honesty and transparency ‘‘great’’ to describe it, but I will say— bill passed without the funding in in their government, not some bill that and this is probably not much of a place, without any kind of offsets, no purports to be about fiscal discipline stretch—that he is here propounding cuts at all; in fact, $787 billion of new and yet can be waived any time they the benefits of this legislation that is spending under the PAYGO rule. want to just look the other way. And before us. So you would ask yourself if PAYGO judging by history, they’ve waived it And in light of that, I would like to is so good, how could a $787 billion un- every time they wanted to spend ask my friend, Mr. Speaker, if, in fact, funded bill pass under that rule? Well, money that this country doesn’t have. we were to see this statutory imple- that’s because they simply waived the We can hear about George Bush all mentation of PAYGO, if it would have rule. It’s right here in the rule that day and about Republicans. For the any way diminished the kinds of in- they passed on the stimulus bill. Many last 21⁄2 years the Democrats have been creases that we’ve seen in the appro- of the people that are coauthors of this running Congress. has priations process that have already bill were happy to vote to waive it, and been the Speaker. HARRY REID has been taken place in the nine bills passed, they were able to waive it with a sim- the Senate President and Barack one of which had a 22 percent increase ple majority vote. And this bill that Obama today is the President, and in in spending. And I’d appreciate it if my they’re talking about today has the the last 6 months we’ve seen spending friend would respond as to whether or same language that still allows PAYGO at unprecedented levels with a $1.2 tril- not this bill would in any way turn the to be waived any time they feel like lion deficit. PAYGO is a hoax. Let’s get corner on that spending that we’ve looking the other way. real fiscal discipline. seen. And you would say, Oh, they Mr. ARCURI. Methinks thou doth Mr. ARCURI. My friend knows full wouldn’t do that. Well, sorry to tell protest too much. well what the purpose of PAYGO is. you, in the last Congress, 12 times they I listened to my friend from Lou- And the purpose of PAYGO is to ensure waived PAYGO. isiana, and all I hear are complaints that whatever money we spend in the

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.013 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE July 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8505 future, we have a way of providing for, would in any way reduce the appropria- table, recognizing that with the dif- either by creating cuts or by raising tion levels that we’ve seen, one of ficult economic times that we have, revenues in other ways. That’s what which had a 22 percent increase, he re- they have to rein in their spending. PAYGO is all about, and it’s about sponded by saying that I understood They have to pay down their debts. doing it over a 5-year and a 10-year pe- the process and knew that this would They have to increase their level of riod. not in any way be able to actually take savings. How is it that we, in this With that, Mr. Speaker, I would yield place. So I guess the answer to the measure, can exempt 40 percent the 3 minutes to the gentleman from question that I posed to my friend from discretionary spending level that is (Mr. CUELLAR). Utica was ‘‘no.’’ here? How is it that we can say that re- Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise So I would say to my friend from La- ducing rates on things like capital today to support this bill, H.R. 2920. I redo that I think that it’s very impor- gains, which doubled the flow of reve- rise because there are many Americans tant, Mr. Speaker, for us to realize nues to the Federal Treasury when re- who are living paycheck to paycheck, that what we all want to—— duced by 5 percent, how is it that we dollar to dollar. Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, will the can’t do that any longer under this so- As I traveled around my south Texas gentleman yield? called PAYGO provision? And I would district from Laredo through the Rio Mr. DREIER. Of course. I’d be happy be happy to yield to my friend if he Grande Valley, my constituents, like to yield to my friend from Utica. would like to respond. those around the country, are gath- Mr. CUELLAR. Sure. And again, b 1115 ering around the kitchen tables to fig- thank you very much. I appreciate the ure out how to make those hard finan- Mr. ARCURI. Half of the nondis- comments of the gentleman from Cali- cial decisions. They’re making tough cretionary spending is on the military. fornia, a good friend of mine. First, to choices about which basic needs they Do you think that we should be cutting answer this question, we have to look can afford. Many live by a very simple the amount of spending that we do for at history. When the PAYGO was im- principle. If you have $5, you spend $5. the military? plemented back in the 1990s, it expired in 2002. The majority at that time de- We should expect Congress to do the Mr. DREIER. If I could reclaim my cided not to put it back again or re- same. time, Mr. Speaker, I will say that I be- implement it. We saw from history in So, today, I stand in support of the lieve we need to have a cost-effective early 2000 there was a surplus that we statutory pay-as-you-go legislation be- national defense. I believe that when got. And I believe part of the reason cause it will rein in national spending we can bring about reductions in the was because we had a statutory pay-as- and help reduce our national debt dur- level of expenditures when it comes to you-go provision. When this was let go, ing these very difficult times. waste, fraud and abuse within the mili- and it expired in 2002, you saw that the If we return to the fiscal responsi- tary, absolutely. I want to bring about deficit—and again this deficit that bility philosophy that we had in the those reductions. But when you, Mr. you’re talking about, and I’m con- 1990s when PAYGO spending created Speaker, look at the dramatic in- cerned about it just like you are, but record budget surpluses, we would creases, the $1 trillion in deficit spend- this deficit didn’t occur on January 20 change our economy. Americans can’t ing that has gone into a wide range of of this year. It is something that has spend their money recklessly right new areas into which the Federal Gov- been happening for the last 4 or 5 now, and Congress shouldn’t either. ernment has never ever been involved before, it is essential we recognize— years. Our children deserve more, and the So if I can just finish my thought, Mr. ARCURI. Will the gentleman people in Texas and the Nation deserve what we need to do is, I know that we yield? better. have some differences, but I hope we Mr. DREIER. Yes, of course, I will Today’s consideration of PAYGO is a can get both the Democrats and Repub- yield. golden opportunity to start getting licans and both sides of the aisle work- Mr. ARCURI. Do you think that any this country’s bank account out of the ing together to come up with a way increases in military spending that we red. It’s time to stop the borrow-and- that we can go ahead and stop this def- have made should have been cut as spend mentality. It’s time to return to icit. Because as you very well know, if well? pay-as-you-go, especially as we con- I can just finish this, look, this is what Mr. DREIER. If I can reclaim my sider the health care reform bill. It’s we have. We have over $11 trillion in time, Mr. Speaker, of course. I think important that we spend taxpayers’ debt that we have right now. Forty per- dollars wisely. that we have yet to deal, by the way, cent of that is owned by foreign coun- I’ve always been supportive of good with the Department of Defense Appro- tries. And again, the gentleman from government efforts to increase fiscal priations bill. I know that it is going to California, if you had a business, imag- responsibility to make sure that we be marked up. I anxiously look forward ine what would happen if one day you have an accountable and effective gov- to seeing what this will consist of. But woke up and your neighbor, your ernment. This is why the Blue Dogs frankly, in the proposed budget I be- friendly competitor, suddenly owned 40 have been supporting the performance- lieve that that has, as an increase, one percent of your mortgage. That would based budgeting bill to make sure that of the smallest levels of increases com- put us in a very difficult situation. And we have effective, accountable govern- pared to the 22 percent increase that this is what we are facing in this coun- ment. That increases government we saw on other appropriations bills. try. transparency and efficiency in spend- The fact is there is a role for the Fed- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank ing. eral Government. The number one pri- my friend for his thoughtful remarks. Americans and Texans are doing ority of the Federal Government hap- If I could reclaim my time, I would their share to be fiscally responsible. pens to be the national security of the simply say that as we look at the dis- Now it’s time for Congress to do our United States of America. And so to cretionary spending caps that were put part, and this is why we need to pass say that because we might have an in- into place in the 1990s with the PAYGO pay-as-you-go. crease in the level of defense expendi- provision that were there, they were Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, my friend tures, as we live in a very dangerous thrown out the window in the package from Laredo is a very thoughtful Mem- world, and that somehow justifies a that my friend is touting today. And ber and very good personal friend of multi—now what we are headed to- my argument is that families don’t mine, and I will say that the opening wards—a multitrillion-dollar increase have the luxury of saying, Oh, we will statement, I think, really gets right to in deficit spending is apples and or- just exempt—let’s go and buy a new this point, talking about how families anges when one looks at what should car, we are going to purchase a new have to deal with the economic chal- happen. car. lenges that we are facing today. So I would like to engage, if I might, You know what, we don’t need to The thing that concerns me greatly with my friend from Laredo and say, as worry about how much the purchase of is that when I engaged in a colloquy I look forward to yielding to him, that that new car is going be to. Let’s just with my friend from Utica on whether as we look at this challenge that fami- think about maybe the cost of some ad- or not the implementation of PAYGO lies face when they are at the kitchen dition to the house, and we have to be

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.015 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE H8506 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 22, 2009 concerned about that. Families don’t the first step in countering the bad us in this Chamber yearn for more bi- have that luxury. And my argument, habits throughout the 8 years of the partisanship. I would urge our col- Mr. Speaker, is that as my friends on Bush administration. The massive leagues to seize this moment to em- the other side of the aisle tout this buildup of debt that occurred over that brace a concept that makes absolute PAYGO measure as somehow relating period not only threatens our economic common sense, a concept that the gov- to the challenges that families are hav- future but puts our national security ernment pays for the programs it en- ing to make today, it is preposterous at risk. By August of 2008, foreign-held acts, including the defense programs to do that because there is no correla- debt had grown more than 200 percent, that it enacts. One of the great prom- tion with the ability of the Congress to increasing from $1 trillion in January ises of this legislation is that we will simply waive these provisions and the 2001 to $2.7 trillion, which works out to finally put predictable war costs on necessity that families are facing be more than 80 cents of every dollar of budget, as we should, and consider today. new debt issued since 2001 being bought them in the context of a large budget And with that, I reserve the balance by foreign entities. China alone upped at a time of deficits and debt that are of my time. its holdings of Treasury securities by much higher than any of us would like Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I thank 850 percent. to see. my friend from California for his com- Today, we finally have a President So, Mr. Speaker, with this bill, we ments. And I would just point out that who is committed to PAYGO. The first have the opportunity to hit the reset we are in unprecedented times. We are bill he sent to Congress was a statutory button and to engage in more honest in a time when we are conducting two PAYGO bill. Many of our friends on the budgeting. Yes, some compromises had wars overseas, one ending in Iraq and other side of the aisle have suddenly to be made, and I would support a one continuing in Afghanistan. And become concerned about deficits. And I tighter version of PAYGO than the one that requires increases in military welcome that concern. We should all be we are considering. But I also believe spending. It continues to require in- concerned about the national debt as that the bill before us today makes an creases in veteran spending, which we one of the most pressing and most con- unequivocal statement by Congress have done. We have seen unprecedented sequential issues facing our country. that the delusional out-of-control natural disasters, which we have had to And we should likewise recognize stat- spending of the past years is finally be- spend upon. We have seen an economy utory PAYGO as one tool among many, hind us. Surely, this is something that in a downturn. As a result of those but a very strong tool, in forcing the Democrats and Republicans alike can things, it is necessary for spending to Congress to spend within its means. celebrate. Mr. Speaker, millions of American take place. I think my friend knows Statutory PAYGO, controlling both families are swallowing hard, surely that. spending and tax policies, is absolutely those families in my State of Cali- With that, I will yield 3 minutes to critical in the long term for long-term fornia are, and making tough financial the gentlewoman from South Dakota, a growth and prosperity. And that is member of the Blue Dog Coalition, Ms. choices right now. The Federal Govern- something that people across the polit- ment must do the same. I urge an HERSETH SANDLIN. ical spectrum should be able to agree Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Mr. Speak- ‘‘aye’’ vote on the PAYGO Act of 2009 on. and call on our friends in the Senate er, I thank the gentleman from New Many people talk about a commit- not to allow this much-needed legisla- York, a fellow member of the Blue Dog ment to fiscal responsibility. But no Coalition, for yielding. I rise today in tion to languish. one can be taken seriously in that Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I think I strong support of the rule on H.R. 2920, claim if they do not support the strong, will continue to reserve the balance of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of effective and proven tool of statutory my time in light of the fact that there 2009. I would especially like to thank PAYGO. So today, Mr. Speaker, on be- are other speakers on the other side. Speaker PELOSI and Majority Leader half of our Nation’s children and grand- We have one other speaker, and then I HOYER, whose steadfast support for children, I urge the House, for col- plan to close. PAYGO rules have been absolutely es- leagues on both sides of the aisle, to Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 sential to the efforts of the Blue Dog vote to restore this crucial tool of fis- minutes to the gentlewoman from Coalition and others across the spec- cal responsibility for the sake of the Pennsylvania (Mrs. DAHLKEMPER). trum in our caucus, including GEORGE future of the Nation. I thank the gen- Mrs. DAHLKEMPER. Mr. Speaker, I MILLER of California and PETER WELCH tleman from New York for the time. thank the gentleman for yielding. I of Vermont, who have worked to re- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve rise today to address this Chamber not store this critically important budg- the balance of my time. as a Member of the House of Represent- etary tool, a tool that helped to move Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 atives but as someone who knows first- the Nation from dangerous deficits to minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- hand the balancing act that American surpluses in the late 1990s, a tool that fornia (Ms. HARMAN). families and small businesses have to was abandoned by the Republicans dur- Ms. HARMAN. I thank the gentleman negotiate in order to make ends meet. ing the Bush administration. for yielding. I rise in strong support of When raising our five children, my hus- In 2007, the new majority established this rule and the underlying PAYGO band, Dan, and I had to make tough House PAYGO rules in an effort to re- bill. For those who worry about hem- choices every day. We had to choose a store fiscal discipline to Congress. The orrhaging deficits and debt, this bill is smaller house so that we could put the House PAYGO rules and this statutory for you. I was here in the early 1990s, in food on the table and buy shoes and PAYGO bill stand for a simple prin- another century, and remember well clothing for the five children. We had ciple: new entitlement spending and casting a career-risking vote in 1993—it to choose to go camping in our State new tax cuts should be paid for. We was a totally partisan vote—for the park rather than Disney World so that can’t have everything we want. We Clinton budget that I believe history we could save enough for our children need to do what families in South Da- will show put the country on a glide to go to college. And every day we had kota and across the Nation do: make path to a balanced budget and created to make tough choices in running our hard choices and budget responsibly. If surpluses for the first time in a genera- small business to ensure we could not, make no mistake, our Nation will tion. Sadly, it was also the last time in make our payroll, pay the bills and pay the price. a generation that we saw those sur- grow our business all at the same time. When OMB reports that we paid, as a pluses. Mr. Speaker, this balancing act is Nation, $249 billion in net interest to Today is a proud moment for the not unique. Any parent who has service government debt in fiscal year Blue Dog Coalition in our dogged pur- shopped for dinner at the grocery store 2008, we know something is terribly suit of bipartisan budget solutions. As and any entrepreneur who has handled wrong with our priorities. Think of a self-proclaimed ‘‘grandmother dog,’’ I the books for their small business un- what we could do with an extra quarter salute my colleagues in the group, and derstands the importance of living of a trillion dollars. We could invest in especially our former leader and col- within their means. So this begs the needed priorities, or we could pay down league, Charlie Stenholm, for cham- question: if families and small busi- the debt. The House PAYGO rules are pioning PAYGO. I know that many of nesses across this country have to live

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.016 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE July 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8507 within their means, why shouldn’t Con- body would be well-served to make sewer, electricity and so on. The gov- gress as well? That is why I rise today that 5 percent haircut; set a nickel ernment has to invest in infrastruc- to support reestablishing statutory aside out of every dollar that is going ture. PAYGO to the House of Representa- to be spent for our children and our And the second thing is human cap- tives. We have important work to do grandchildren, their future and oppor- ital. If you read history, no country here in Congress, such as rebuilding tunity. has been strong and free with an our economy to create good-paying Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, before I uneducated, unhealthy population. And jobs and ensuring quality, affordable yield, I would just like to say to my so public education and health care, health care for all Americans. colleague from that if particularly preventive health care for However, it is simply irresponsible to Katrina was not an emergency and did children, is necessary for the govern- build our children’s and grand- not merit emergency spending, then I ment to invest in so that we can re- children’s future upon a foundation of cannot, in my wildest imagination, main a strong and healthy society. debt. If we do not begin to balance imagine what would. That is the reason The SPEAKER pro tempore. The short-term deficit spending with long- why we have an emergency spending time of the gentleman has expired. term fiscal discipline, our children will exception to any PAYGO requirement, Mr. ARCURI. I yield the gentleman face an even greater mountain of debt, to allow government to do that which an additional minute. even higher taxes, and cuts to Federal the voters sent us here to do, and that Mr. TANNER. As we transfer more investments in priorities like edu- is to ensure that when a catastrophe and more of our tax base to interest, cation, health care and our national se- and when an emergency strikes, that we necessarily cripple our own ability curity. I thank my colleagues for mak- we are there to do everything that we as Americans, not as Members of Con- ing fiscal responsibility a priority. I possibly can to help the people who gress, our own ability to make those urge passage of the rule and the impor- have been injured by it. investments that are necessary for our tant underlying legislation. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would yield country to be successful. And so, this 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ten- is, as I said, the first step to restore 1130 b nessee, a proud member of the Blue some sort of constraint in the system Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, at this Dog Coalition, Mr. TANNER. where, when we change the law regard- time I am very, very happy to yield 2 Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, this bill ing mandatory spending or mandatory minutes to our good friend and hard- today is not what some of us would tax reduction, then we have to figure working colleague from Brentwood, like, but it is something that we think out a way to offset it. It is common Tennessee (Mrs. BLACKBURN). maybe can pass the Senate, which, sense. Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I after all, has a hand in this statutory We’re going to demand, if we can, want to say thank you to our col- approach. It is the first step to restore that it pass the Senate so we can have leagues across the aisle for bringing a rule that was allowed by this Con- a statutory backstop, a statutory con- forward a PAYGO statute. gress to expire in 2002, which effec- straint, not as strong as we’d like, but I will tell you, it is of concern to me, tively removes a constraint, one con- it is a first step. though, that the statute, the way this straint on what almost everybody And I would sure urge everybody who is written, the way they’re approaching wants to see happen, and that is, you cares about the future of this country, PAYGO could lead to tax increases be- want to vote against any taxes, and and I know we all do—we may have dif- cause what we are not seeing from our you want to vote for all the programs. ferent ideas about how to address it— colleagues on the other side of the aisle This is one small step to try to address but I wish you’d seriously consider vot- is a willingness to reduce spending. that urge that, I guess, all of us share ing for this. And we know if you’re going to have an from time to time. Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield effective PAYGO policy, that you have If you look back at this decade, in myself the balance of the time. to be able to reduce what you’re spend- the year 2000, revenue and expenditures The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ing. That is a requirement. were both around 19 percent of GDP. tleman is recognized for 6 minutes. On every appropriations bill that we The country basically was breaking Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, this has have, I file a 5 percent, across-the- even. By 2002, when PAYGO was al- been an interesting debate. And I have board reduction amendment for a lowed to expire, and we had seen the to say that my fellow Angeleno, Ms. spending cut. The reason I do that is economic policies of the country HARMAN and I, join in a desire to deal because what we have learned from our change dramatically in the summer of in a bipartisan way with our chal- States, what I learned as being a State 2001, shortly before 9/11, we had a situa- lenges. I will acknowledge from the Senator is that across-the-board spend- tion develop where, by 2003, the expend- get-go, that everyone, Democrat and ing reductions work. They work. They itures were over 20 percent of GDP, and Republican alike, decries deficit spend- reduce what you are going to lay out, the revenue coming in was less than 17, ing. I mean, we all regularly talk about the amount of money that you are actually 16.3 percent of GDP. And with- the fact that we need to get our fiscal going to spend. out changing our economic game plan house in order. That was a plank of the So, let’s do this in a bipartisan way. that was enacted in June of 2001, we platform that President Obama ran on. Let’s agree that we are actually going began to borrow money, mostly, 75 per- And it’s the plank of the platform of to reduce spending. Let’s agree that cent of it, from foreign sources. What virtually every candidate for public of- we’re going to have PAYGO enforce- that has done is created a situation fice. And I believe that we should work ment, that we’re not going to cry where we now are beginning to be more in a bipartisan way to get our fiscal ‘‘emergency’’ every time we have a and more vulnerable to our foreign house in order. Katrina, every time we have a tsunami, creditors who may or may not see the The problem that I have with the every time we have a need for extra world as this country does. And sec- measure that’s before us is that, to me, spending, that we don’t go call for a ondly, we are transferring more and it is the quintessential example of the special appropriation that allows us to more of our tax base, whatever it may effort that we often see on legislation. circumvent the PAYGO rules. And let’s be, to interest, for which we get noth- Sometimes we tend to do what makes be certain that we put all that spend- ing. us feel good, rather than doing good. ing on the table, that we put it all on As my friend from New York just The reason I say that is as I listened the table, and that we agree we’re said, the government has to do two to the thoughtful remarks of my Blue going to reduce what we are going to things, in addition, of course, the first Dog friends, they talked about exactly spend. thing to keep our country safe. But the what I raise, that being the challenge What we have seen is the PAYGO other two things it has to do is, first, that families are facing at the kitchen rule, the way it is written, the way invest in infrastructure. If you go any- table; recognizing that because of dif- they’ve put it in place, has led to a def- where in the world where there’s no in- ficult economic times, it is essential icit that has gone from $162 billion to frastructure, nobody’s making any for them to reduce their spending, to over $1 trillion. That’s over a 1,000 per- money. It’s almost impossible to make increase their savings, and to pay down cent increase. And I think that this money on a dirt road with no water, their debts. Those are the three things

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.018 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE H8508 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 22, 2009 that families across this country are So I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. tion adopted by the House and the Sen- doing today at the kitchen table. I yield back the balance of my time. ate, the deficit will be cut by $1.7 tril- And you know what, the notion of Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I want to lion, or 12.3 percent of GDP, in 2009 to saying that the Federal Government is thank my friend from California for his 3 percent of GDP in 2014. not going to expend dollars that it management of this rule. I strongly believe that we in Con- doesn’t have, or able to offset, is some- Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of gress must balance our own books and thing that does have a lot of appeal, 2007, the Democratic leadership of the maintain fiscal responsibility similar and it makes us all feel very good. But House of Representatives has shown a to what is asked of all taxpayers in that family sitting at the kitchen strong commitment to the pay-as-you- dealing with their own personal fi- table, or a small business man or go rules, first, by reinstating the nances. I urge all members to vote woman can’t say, We’re going to ex- PAYGO rule in the rules of the House ‘‘yes’’ on the previous question, ‘‘yes’’ empt 40 percent of our expenditures. on the opening of the 110th Congress, on the rule, and to vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. Yes, we all want to get the auto indus- and now, in working to bring this im- 2920. try going, but the idea of saying that portant legislation before the House. I Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in we want to buy a nice new car, and we applaud the Blue Dog Coalition, my strong support of the rule and the underlying don’t have to deal with any kind of off- colleagues there, for their outspoken bill. set for that. leadership on PAYGO. Since being elected to Congress, I have It’s essential for us to get the econ- When I explain to folks back home been a member of the fiscally conservative omy growing. And we know that, while what PAYGO is, I ask them the ques- Blue Dog Coalition, fighting to rein in reckless it may sound counterintuitive, every tion, if they have to balance their own federal spending and put an end to our spi- shred of empirical evidence that we books each month, if they have to en- raling deficit. have going in recent history to John F. sure that they have enough income I believe we must get back on the road to Kennedy or Ronald Reagan is that if coming in to cover their expenses; and fiscal responsibility before we pass the na- we can bring about marginal rate re- of course they respond that they do. tion’s keys—and our debt—onto our children duction, we can increase the flow of And I then ask, shouldn’t the Federal and grandchildren. revenues to the Federal Treasury. Most Government operate in the same way You can spin this debate any way you want recently, it was done when we brought when it involves spending your tax dol- to, but these are the facts. about that 5 percent reduction in cap- lars? My constituents get it. The President Bush inherited a $5.6 trillion sur- ital gains. American people get it. plus from President Clinton. This was squan- Now I know that in the economy Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, there dered leaving a record deficit of $1.8 trillion for we’re in, there are not many people are still some Members of Congress 2009 alone. In just 8 years under President George W. who have capital gains today. But we who are steadfastly against the idea of Bush, our Nation’s debt—now more than know this, that if we were to bring being fiscally responsible and bal- $11.6 trillion—nearly doubled meaning more about a reduction in the capital gains ancing the Federal books, the same debt was accumulated over the past 8 years rate, we would have, as we’ve seen way that our constituents balance than under all of the Presidents from George most recently, a doubling of the flow of their checkbooks each and every week. revenues to the Federal Treasury. And Washington to Ronald Reagan combined. The legislation we will consider later We are in tough economic times and these yet, Mr. Speaker, under this measure, today will require Congress to balance extraordinary times call for extraordinary we’re not able to do that. the books or face the harsh con- So what we’ve got is an effort that measures. sequence of automatic cuts to offset But plain and simple, we cannot afford to can make us all feel good. And it is the shortfall in our spending. continue writing blank checks and borrowing true. I mean, there have been a lot of Now I certainly appreciate the born- money from countries such as China to pay great statements made juxtaposing the again Republican commitment to fiscal our bills. challenges that working families are responsibility. But the real question is The PAYGO legislation before the House facing and the challenges that we face why the Republicans allowed PAYGO today reinstates one of the fiscal discipline here in Washington. to expire in the first place under the tools that worked so well throughout the But implementation of this statu- last administration. Not only did they 1990s, and that led to the first budget sur- torily will in no way address the fact not advance the cap discretionary pluses since 1969. that, as of July 22, today, we have a spending, which they are criticizing us I would point out that it was the first Presi- Federal budget deficit that is $1 tril- for not coupling with the PAYGO stat- dent Bush, working with a Democratic Con- lion. And we’re headed towards 1.8, ute, but they wouldn’t even renew the gress, that instituted the first PAYGO rules. maybe even beyond that, meaning that PAYGO provision, which we are now The Clinton Administration and Democrats the deficit, the Federal Government doing. in Congress continued to work with Repub- this year alone will spend more than My colleagues on the other side of licans on a bipartisan basis and turned dec- has brought in, and that level will be the aisle criticize the majority for the ades of exploding budget deficits into 4 higher than the entire Federal budget increase in the deficit since the begin- straight years of budget surpluses with record was just 10 years ago. ning of 2007. One of the reasons for this economic growth through the continued use of And so it’s wonderful to say that is that we have put the full cost of the PAYGO. we’re going to work in a bipartisan war on the books for the first time. Under President Clinton, for the first time in way; and it’s wonderful to say that we That is a hard thing to do, but it is the 30 years, America actually began to pay down all decry deficit spending. But because responsible thing to do. The Repub- its debt to foreign nations. the American people are hurting, and licans kept this off their budget bal- It was only when President George W. Bush we need to get our economy growing, I ance sheet, but the Democratic major- and the Republican Congress abandoned any do not believe that this measure before ity has taken the fiscally responsible sense of fiscal discipline and allowed the prov- us will do one thing, other than make approach and placed the entire cost of en PAYGO rules to expire in 2002, that gov- a lot of people feel very, very good. the war on the books, which adds near- ernment spending spun out of control and we With that, Mr. Speaker, I’m going to ly $1 trillion to the deficit. rang up the largest deficits in our Nation’s his- say that I believe we can get it better. tory. 1145 This is not only not a step in the right b My point is that when both the Administra- direction, it is, in many ways, some- So to say that we have single- tion and the Congress are willing to cooperate thing that will create a climate where- handedly raised the deficit over $1 tril- and adhere to fiscal discipline, PAYGO works. by people will say, we’ve taken care of lion since 2007 is disingenuous at best. Our side knows it. The other side of the this. And I’m afraid that it will send Furthermore, the budget adopted by aisle knows it. There is absolutely no denying the wrong message to the American Congress this year cuts the deficit by PAYGO has worked in the past, and with a people, and it will send the wrong mes- nearly two-thirds in 4 years and con- new Administration with a strong commitment sage in our quest to get our economy tains even deeper cuts in the deficit to reversing the reckless fiscal policies of the going, to create jobs and more oppor- than were proposed by the President. past 8 years, we have that willingness to co- tunity for the American people. Under the concurrent budget resolu- operate again today.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:42 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K22JY7.020 H22JYPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE July 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8509 Blue Dogs know that we should not be in Whereas, the Associated Press highlighted Cooper Kaptur Price (NC) the ‘‘huge amounts of political donations’’ Costa Kildee Rahall this situation today. Costello Kilpatrick (MI) Rangel And as we all know, despite the Blue Dogs’ from the firm and its clients to select mem- bers and noted that ‘‘those political dona- Courtney Kilroy Reyes best efforts—and the efforts of many other Crowley Kind Richardson tions have followed a distinct pattern: The Cuellar Kissell Rodriguez members on both sides of the aisle—cutting giving is especially heavy in March, which is spending and making tough choices is never Cummings Klein (FL) Ross prime time for submitting written earmark Dahlkemper Kosmas Rothman (NJ) easy. requests.’’ Davis (AL) Kratovil Roybal-Allard But enough is enough. It’s time to stop Whereas, clients of the firm received at Davis (CA) Kucinich Ruppersberger blaming. It’s time to stop pointing fingers. It’s least three hundred million dollars worth of Davis (IL) Langevin Rush earmarks in fiscal year 2009 appropriations Davis (TN) Larsen (WA) Ryan (OH) time we return to the fiscal accountability DeFazio Larson (CT) legislation, including several that were ap- Salazar measures that I and my fellow Blue Dog col- DeGette Lee (CA) ´ proved even after news of the FBI raid of the Sanchez, Linda leagues have long advocated. And it’s high Delahunt Levin T. time we start doing the right thing and start firm’s offices and Justice Department inves- DeLauro Lewis (GA) Sanchez, Loretta tigation into the firm was well known. Dicks Lipinski paying for what this country buys. Sarbanes Whereas, after a cursory review, the fiscal Dingell Lowey Schakowsky ´ I ask my colleagues on both sides of the year 2010 defense appropriations earmark list Doggett Lujan Schauer aisle to support this common sense legislation. Doyle Lynch Schiff recently made available includes at least Driehaus Maffei Mr. ARCURI. I yield back the bal- Schrader seventy earmarks worth hundreds of mil- Edwards (MD) Maloney Schwartz ance of my time, and I move the pre- lions of dollars for former PMA clients. Edwards (TX) Markey (CO) Scott (GA) vious question on the resolution. Ellison Markey (MA) Whereas, the Associated Press reported Scott (VA) Engel Marshall The previous question was ordered. that ‘‘the FBI says the investigation is con- Serrano Eshoo Massa The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tinuing, highlighting the close ties between Sestak Etheridge Matsui special-interest spending provisions known Shea-Porter question is on the resolution. Farr McCollum Sherman The question was taken; and the as earmarks and the raising of campaign Fattah McDermott Shuler cash.’’ Filner McGovern Speaker pro tempore announced that Sires the ayes appeared to have it. Whereas, the persistent media attention Frank (MA) McIntyre focused on questions about the nature and Fudge McMahon Skelton Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Gonzalez Meeks (NY) Slaughter timing of campaign contributions related to Snyder demand the yeas and nays. the firm, as well as reports of the Justice De- Gordon (TN) Melancon The yeas and nays were ordered. Grayson Michaud Space partment conducting research on earmarks Speier The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Green, Al Miller (NC) and campaign contributions, raise concern Green, Gene Miller, George Spratt ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- about the integrity of Congressional pro- Griffith Mollohan Stark ceedings on this question will be post- ceedings and the dignity of the institution. Grijalva Moore (KS) Stupak poned. Now, therefore, be it: Resolved, That the Gutierrez Moore (WI) Sutton Committee on Standards of Official Conduct Hall (NY) Moran (VA) Tanner f Halvorson Murphy (CT) Taylor shall immediately establish an investigative Thompson (CA) RAISING A QUESTION OF THE subcommittee and begin an investigation Hare Murphy, Patrick Harman Murphy, Tim Tierney PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE into the relationship between the source and Hastings (FL) Murtha Titus Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to a timing of past campaign contributions to Heinrich Nadler (NY) Tonko Members of the House related to the raided Higgins Napolitano Towns question of the privileges of the House firm and earmark requests made by Members Hinchey Neal (MA) Tsongas and offer the resolution previously no- of the House on behalf of clients of the raid- Hinojosa Nye Van Hollen ´ ticed. ed firm. Hirono Oberstar Velazquez The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Holden Obey Wasserman The SPEAKER pro tempore. The res- Holt Olver Schultz Clerk will report the resolution. olution presents a question of privi- Honda Ortiz Waters The Clerk read as follows: Watson lege. Hoyer Pallone H. RES. 667 Inslee Pascrell Watt MOTION TO TABLE Israel Pastor (AZ) Waxman Whereas, reported that a promi- Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I move Jackson (IL) Payne Weiner nent lobbying firm, founded by Mr. Paul Jackson-Lee Perlmutter Wexler Magliocchetti and the subject of a ‘‘federal to table the resolution. (TX) Peters Wilson (OH) investigation into potentially corrupt polit- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Johnson (GA) Peterson Woolsey ical contributions,’’ has given $3.4 million in question is on the motion to table. Johnson, E. B. Pingree (ME) Wu political donations to no less than 284 mem- Kagen Polis (CO) Yarmuth The question was taken; and the Kanjorski Pomeroy Young (AK) bers of Congress. Speaker pro tempore announced that Whereas, noted that Mr. Magliocchetti ‘‘set up shop at the busy the ayes appeared to have it. NAYS—189 intersection between political fund-raising Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, on that I Aderholt Cao Gingrey (GA) and taxpayer spending, directing tens of mil- demand the yeas and nays. Akin Capito Gohmert lions of dollars in contributions to law- The yeas and nays were ordered. Alexander Carter Goodlatte makers while steering hundreds of millions Austria Cassidy Granger The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Bachmann Castle Graves of dollars in earmarks contracts back to his ant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15- Bachus Chaffetz Guthrie clients.’’ minute vote on the motion to table Barrett (SC) Childers Hall (TX) Whereas, a guest columnist recently high- Bartlett Coble Heller lighted in Roll Call that ‘‘. . . what [the will be followed by 5-minute votes on Barton (TX) Coffman (CO) Hensarling firm’s] example reveals most clearly is the adoption of H. Res. 665; and motions to Biggert Cole Herger potentially corrupting link between cam- suspend the rules on: H.R. 1675, H.R. Bilbray Crenshaw Herseth Sandlin paign contributions and earmarks. Even the 2938, and H. Res. 69. Bilirakis Culberson Hill Bishop (UT) Davis (KY) Himes most ardent earmarkers should want to The vote was taken by electronic de- Blackburn Deal (GA) Hodes avoid the appearance of such a pay-to-play vice, and there were—yeas 224, nays Blunt Diaz-Balart, M. Hoekstra system.’’ 189, answered ‘‘present’’ 14, not voting Boccieri Donnelly (IN) Hunter Whereas, multiple press reports have noted Boehner Dreier Inglis questions related to campaign contributions 6, as follows: Bono Mack Duncan Issa made by or on behalf of the firm: including [Roll No. 605] Boozman Ehlers Jenkins Boustany Ellsworth Johnson (IL) questions related to ‘‘straw man’’ contribu- YEAS—224 tions, the reimbursement of employees for Brady (TX) Emerson Johnson, Sam Abercrombie Berman Capuano Bright Fallin Jones political giving, pressure on clients to give, a Ackerman Berry Cardoza Broun (GA) Flake Jordan (OH) suspicious pattern of giving, and the timing Adler (NJ) Bishop (GA) Carnahan Brown (SC) Fleming King (IA) of donations relative to legislative activity. Altmire Bishop (NY) Carney Brown-Waite, Forbes King (NY) Whereas, Roll Call has taken note of the Andrews Blumenauer Carson (IN) Ginny Fortenberry Kingston timing of contributions from employees the Arcuri Boren Chu Buchanan Foster Kirk firm and its clients when it reported that Baca Boswell Clarke Burgess Foxx Kirkpatrick (AZ) they ‘‘have provided thousands of dollars Baird Boucher Clay Burton (IN) Franks (AZ) Kline (MN) Baldwin Boyd Cleaver Buyer Frelinghuysen Lamborn worth of campaign contributions to key Barrow Brady (PA) Clyburn Calvert Gallegly Lance Members in close proximity to legislative ac- Bean Braley (IA) Cohen Camp Garrett (NJ) Latham tivity, such as the deadline for earmark re- Becerra Brown, Corrine Connolly (VA) Campbell Gerlach LaTourette quest letters or passage of a spending bill.’’ Berkley Capps Conyers Cantor Giffords Latta

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