March 17, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1697 who were willing to die for the right to pro- We are storytellers, writers, poets, artists portunity. For those struggling, our tect it. If we want to honor this day, let that who abhor unfairness, and despise hypocrisy, country works to prevent families from hundred go back to Washington and gather and give voice to the voiceless, and tell becoming destitute and provides crit- four hundred more, and together, pledge to truths that need to be told. ical supports to help them out of dif- make it their mission to restore that law We’re the inventors of gospel and jazz and this year. That’s how we honor those on this blues, bluegrass and country, and hip-hop ficult circumstances so they can earn a bridge. and rock and roll, and our very own sound living and support their families. This Of course, our democracy is not the task of with all the sweet sorrow and reckless joy of support serves as a statement of our Congress alone, or the courts alone, or even freedom. values, that you don’t have to be born the President alone. If every new voter-sup- We are Jackie Robinson, enduring scorn lucky to overcome hardship and suc- pression law was struck down today, we and spiked cleats and pitches coming ceed. would still have, here in America, one of the straight to his head, and stealing home in But the budget released today by my lowest voting rates among free peoples. Fifty the World Series anyway. colleagues in the majority does not re- years ago, registering to vote here in Selma We are the people Langston Hughes wrote flect these values. Instead of strength- and much of the South meant guessing the of who ‘‘build our temples for tomorrow, number of jellybeans in a jar, the number of strong as we know how.’’ We are the people ening vital services like food assist- bubbles on a bar of soap. It meant risking Emerson wrote of, ‘‘who for truth and hon- ance or investing in K–12 education, it your dignity, and sometimes, your life. or’s sake stand fast and suffer long;’’ who are slashes them. It reinforces the idea What’s our excuse today for not voting? ‘‘never tired, so long as we can see far that your circumstances are your des- How do we so casually discard the right for enough.’’ tiny. which so many fought? How do we so fully That’s what America is. Not stock photos We should be investing in American give away our power, our voice, in shaping or airbrushed history, or feeble attempts to workers and creating an economy that America’s future? Why are we pointing to define some of us as more American than somebody else when we could take the time will help everyone get ahead. Unfortu- others. We respect the past, but we don’t nately, the priorities expressed today just to go to the polling places? We give pine for the past. We don’t fear the future; away our power. we grab for it. America is not some fragile do not reflect this vision, and I hope we Fellow marchers, so much has changed in thing. We are large, in the words of Whit- can work together toward a budget 50 years. We have endured war and we’ve man, containing multitudes. We are bois- that does. fashioned peace. We’ve seen technological terous and diverse and full of energy, perpet- f wonders that touch every aspect of our lives. ually young in spirit. That’s why someone We take for granted conveniences that our like John Lewis at the ripe old age of 25 A BALANCED BUDGET FOR A parents could have scarcely imagined. But could lead a mighty march. STRONGER AMERICA what has not changed is the imperative of And that’s what the young people here The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under citizenship; that willingness of a 26–year-old today and listening all across the country deacon, or a Unitarian minister, or a young the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- must take away from this day. You are uary 6, 2015, the gentleman from Indi- mother of five to decide they loved this America. Unconstrained by habit and con- country so much that they’d risk everything vention. Unencumbered by what is, because ana (Mr. ROKITA) is recognized for 60 to realize its promise. you’re ready to seize what ought to be. minutes as the designee of the major- That’s what it means to love America. For everywhere in this country, there are ity leader. That’s what it means to believe in America. first steps to be taken, there’s new ground to Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, we are That’s what it means when we say America cover, there are more bridges to be crossed. here today to talk about the Repub- is exceptional. For we were born of change. We broke the And it is you, the young and fearless at lican budget that was just announced old aristocracies, declaring ourselves enti- heart, the most diverse and educated genera- today, and I do that with a great tled not by bloodline, but endowed by our tion in our history, who the nation is wait- amount of pride and excitement as vice Creator with certain inalienable rights. We ing to follow. chairman of that committee. secure our rights and responsibilities Because Selma shows us that America is not the project of any one person. Because I also look forward to working with through a system of self-government, of and the gentlelady who just spoke during by and for the people. That’s why we argue the single-most powerful word in our democ- racy is the word ‘‘We.’’ ‘‘We The People.’’ the 1-minute speeches, not only to cre- and fight with so much passion and convic- ate a sustainable budget and priorities tion—because we know our efforts matter. ‘‘We Shall Overcome.’’ ‘‘Yes We Can.’’ That We know America is what we make of it. word is owned by no one. It belongs to every- for America, but to debunk many of Look at our history. We are Lewis and one. Oh, what a glorious task we are given, the things that she just said. Clark and Sacajawea, pioneers who braved to continually try to improve this great na- I am pleased to be joined by several the unfamiliar, followed by a stampede of tion of ours. members of the Committee on the farmers and miners, and entrepreneurs and Fifty years from Bloody Sunday, our Budget to help me do this. hucksters. That’s our spirit. That’s who we march is not yet finished, but we’re getting Before we get into the details, I feel are. closer. Two hundred and thirty-nine years after this nation’s founding our union is not it appropriate, Mr. Speaker, and abso- We are Sojourner Truth and Fannie Lou lutely necessary to yield to the gen- Hamer, women who could do as much as any yet perfect, but we are getting closer. Our man and then some. And we’re Susan B. An- job’s easier because somebody already got us tleman from Louisiana (Mr. SCALISE), thony, who shook the system until the law through that first mile. Somebody already the majority whip of the House of Rep- reflected that truth. That is our character. got us over that bridge. When it feels the resentatives, a friend of mine, to dis- We’re the immigrants who stowed away on road is too hard, when the torch we’ve been cuss some of the things that have hap- ships to reach these shores, the huddled passed feels too heavy, we will remember pened to the great citizens in Lou- masses yearning to breathe free—Holocaust these early travelers, and draw strength isiana. survivors, Soviet defectors, the Lost Boys of from their example, and hold firmly the Sudan. We’re the hopeful strivers who cross words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘‘Those who HONORING THE LOUISIANA GUARDSMEN WHO the Rio Grande because we want our kids to hope in the Lord will renew their strength. PERISHED LAST WEEK know a better life. That’s how we came to They will soar on [the] wings like eagles. Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I want to be. They will run and not grow weary. They will thank my colleague from Indiana for We’re the slaves who built the White House walk and not be faint.’’ yielding. and the economy of the South. We’re the We honor those who walked so we could As we observed a moment of silence ranch hands and cowboys who opened up the run. We must run so our children soar. And on the House floor just a little while West, and countless laborers who laid rail, we will not grow weary. For we believe in ago, I rise today in honor of the 11 and raised skyscrapers, and organized for the power of an awesome God, and we believe brave American servicemen involved in workers’ rights. in this country’s sacred promise. We’re the fresh-faced GIs who fought to May He bless those warriors of justice no last week’s tragic helicopter crash off liberate a continent. And we’re the longer with us, and bless the United States the coast of Florida. It is heart- Tuskeegee Airmen, and the Navajo code- of America. Thank you, everybody. breaking events like this, Mr. Speaker, talkers, and the Japanese Americans who f which remind us that freedom is not fought for this country even as their own lib- free. erty had been denied. THE GOP BUDGET Four of those heroes were members We’re the firefighters who rushed into of the Louisiana National Guard sta- those buildings on 9/11, the volunteers who (Ms. BONAMICI asked and was given signed up to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq. permission to address the House for 1 tioned within the 1st of the 244th As- We’re the gay Americans whose blood ran in minute.) sault Helicopter Battalion out of Ham- the streets of San Francisco and , Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, Amer- mond, Louisiana, which is located in just as blood ran down this bridge. ica has always been the country of op- my district.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17MR7.052 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2015 Our hearts are heavy, Mr. Speaker, lift Command. ‘‘As one of the most tal- brothers in Alpha Company. His dedi- as our Nation joins the battalion in ented and respected warrant officers in cation to duty and loyalty was without mourning the loss of Chief Warrant Of- the Louisiana National Guard, he had a equal, always ready to accept any mis- ficer George Wayne Griffin, Jr., Chief tremendous passion for flying and a sion and extra duty in order to help the Warrant Officer George David Strother, God-given natural ability to fly both unit meet the mission. He will be Staff Sergeant Lance Bergeron, and helicopters and airplanes and to teach greatly missed by the unit and the Staff Sergeant Thomas Florich. Their others to be the best aviators and crew- flight facility.’’ names will forever be engraved in our members they could be. He was a great Florich is survived by his wife, hearts and in our minds. They were de- friend and brother to all. With his loss, Meghan, who is expecting their first scribed by their fellow soldiers as ex- there will be a void that may never be child, as well as his father and step- traordinary and amazing aviators. filled.’’ mother. Colonel Patrick Bossetta, the com- Griffin is survived by his wife, Becky, b 1630 mander of the State Aviation Com- four children, and his father. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, these four men mand, who I spoke with over the week- Now, Chief Warrant Officer 4 George served their country and the people of end, said this, Mr. Speaker: David Strother was 44 years old. Chief Louisiana with great honor. They de- ‘‘This crew was made up of the larg- Warrant Officer Strother was from Al- ployed to war zones and served during er-than-life men who have had a pas- exandria and served in the Louisiana times of great emergency for our State. sion for Army aviation that was so evi- National Guard from 1988 to 2007 and They represent the very best of what dent in the dedication that they had again from 2009 until his death last our military stands for. towards their profession. I know this, week. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 and On behalf of my family, the Lou- as I have personally flown with each 2005, to Afghanistan in 2011, and Kosovo isiana congressional delegation, and one of them. They were driven by their in 2014. He also served during State de- the entire House of Representatives, I intense desire to selflessly serve their ployments for Hurricanes Katrina, want to say thank you to these four country, fellow soldiers, and marines.’’ Rita, and Isaac. Strother commissioned men and their families for the sac- I want to talk about what some of as a warrant officer in 1994 before going rifices they have made and for their their other colleagues said about them. on to become an instructor pilot, with service to our country. Their service Lieutenant Colonel John L. Bonnette over 2,400 flight hours, including more and sacrifice will not be forgotten. II, who is the commander of the 244th than 700 combat hours. They will remain in our prayers. said: ‘‘To describe Dave Strother as a big God bless these heroes, and God bless ‘‘When I say they were heroes, I personality would not be accurate. He America. mean it many times over. They risked was more like a force of nature that Mr. ROKITA. I thank the gentleman their lives under difficult conditions, could best be observed and marveled at, from Louisiana for those eulogies and flying in combat and during national never opposed or altered,’’ said Major for being all too appropriate in the emergencies, to ensure our security Andre Jeansonne, commander, F Com- honor that we should give these fallen and help save thousands of people. I pany, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Americans, as great as they have been. don’t have the words to sum up their Regiment. ‘‘His huge heart touched the Today, after votes for the day, Mr. lives in a few sentences. You just can’t. lives of all men he met.’’ Speaker, I want to recap some of the Our whole aviation family is reeling Strother is survived by his wife, Me- things that happened earlier in the from this loss. The hole that is left is lissa, his son and a stepdaughter, and day. enormous. They were part of the fabric his mother. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to of this unit. The difference they made Staff Sergeant Lance Bergeron, 40 say that at about 10:45 this morning, with everyone they served with will be years old. Staff Sergeant Lance the Republican members of the Budget a lasting legacy. Personally, flying Bergeron of Thibodaux, Louisiana, en- Committee held a press conference with all of them was a privilege and an listed into the U.S. Marine Corps in where we explained to the American honor. I am a better person for having 1998 before joining the Louisiana Na- people our vision for our priorities and known them.’’ tional Guard in 2001 as a Black Hawk for the priorities of America to get us These heroes, Mr. Speaker, were hus- repairman. His extensive experience as back on track. ‘‘A Balanced Budget for bands, fathers, and sons. We reflect a qualified enlisted flight instructor, a Stronger America,’’ is our theme. upon the countless sacrifices they graduate of the aircraft crewmember Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased and made for our great Nation, the selfless standardization instructor course, air- proud to say that this theme isn’t alto- call they answered to defend our free- craft maintainer force, and warrior gether new for the United States House doms. They died doing what they loved. leader course made Bergeron a crew of Representatives Republicans. In I want to take a few moments now to chief others aspired to be, according to fact, in large part, this is the fifth year let the American people know about members of his own unit. The combat in a row that we have proposed these these four members of the Louisiana veteran deployed to Iraq twice, in 2004 kinds of ideas so that we can live re- National Guard who died in this tragic to 2005, and again in 2008 to 2009. sponsibly in the here and now to accident. Bergeron also served during State de- produce and afford a better tomorrow First is Chief Warrant Officer 4 ployments for Hurricanes Katrina, for our children and grandchildren. George Wayne Griffin, Jr., who was 37 Rita, Isaac, and Operation River Isn’t that, Mr. Speaker, what we are years old. Chief Warrant Officer Griffin Guardian. Bergeron is survived by his here to be about? Hasn’t it always been was from Delhi, Louisiana, and joined wife, Monique, two children, and his the history of these great United the Louisiana National Guard in 1994 mother and father. States that we would leave the next and was commissioned as a warrant of- Finally, Staff Sergeant Thomas generation better off than the current ficer in 1999 before going on to become Florich, 26 years old. Staff Sergeant generation has had it? the battalion standardization pilot Florich, of Fairfax County, Virginia, As you know, Mr. Speaker, and as my with over 6,000 flight hours, including enlisted in the Louisiana National colleagues will help me point out here more than 1,000 combat hours. He later Guard in 2007 as a Black Hawk re- over the next hour, we stand here as deployed to Iraq in 2004 to 2005 and pairer. He was posthumously promoted actually the first generation in Amer- again was redeployed in 2008 and 2009. from sergeant to staff sergeant. Staff ican history that is poised to leave the He also served during State deploy- Sergeant Florich served during State next one worse off by any objective ments in the aftermath of Hurricanes deployment for Operation Deepwater measure. Katrina, Rita, and Isaac, as well as in Horizon and Hurricane Isaac. He earned That is why the budgets that we support of Operations River Guardian more than 125 flight hours and was a produce, the spending that we promul- and Deepwater Horizon. graduate of the warrior leader course. gate here in the United States Con- ‘‘G. Wayne Griffin was born to be an ‘‘Tom was full of life, and his person- gress really needs to be scrutinized, Army Aviator,’’ said Chief Warrant Of- ality could light the room,’’ said really needs to be prioritized. ficer 5 Reggie Lane, commander of De- Marquez. ‘‘He was family with this unit It is going to take people with a tachment 38, Operational Support Air- and felt at home working with his great degree of personal responsibility

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.058 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1699 and leadership, Mr. Speaker, to have a Now, that is new information, Mr. minute speech. Throwing money at great, truthful conversation with the Speaker. Never before has our GDP something—into a system that is bro- American people to, number one, tell growth been calculated to be that low; ken, that doesn’t work—is no way to them what the situation really is, but yet it is because of our current policies fix a problem. It only grows our debt just as important, number two, to let over the last several years that they and makes people more dependent on them know that there are solutions, must calculate our GDP growth to be broken programs. that we can fix it if we just show them that low. We call for changing that for- Let’s trust our fellow citizens. Let’s what they are. mula. trust our local elected officials to Let me quickly go through some of A fairer, simpler Tax Code allows for know their communities and their con- the points of our budget that we will job creators to create those jobs, to stituencies best. That is how you get mark up in committee tomorrow and create more investment, and to invest people out of dependency. expect to be on the floor next week for more in their people and businesses. Our goal with the Republican budget a vote. That creates a net economic positive is to get people off these programs, not Again, the first point, this plan will effect that creates economic value that to make them lifetime dependents. balance the budget in less than 10 ultimately, Mr. Speaker, will allow There is no freedom, there is no lib- years. That is faster than any of the re- more tax revenue into the govern- erty, there is no personal responsibility cent House Republican budgets. Mr. ment’s coffers to help balance the in that. Speaker, it is in stark contrast to the budget and then begin to pay off our The Republican budget also recog- President’s budget, which never bal- debt. nizes and focuses on the dignity that ances, ever. Mr. Speaker, our budget also proudly comes with a job, the dignity that How can we pay off this $18 trillion- provides for a strong national defense. plus in debt that we have right now, comes with work. That is altogether As we have heard now for the last sev- important and, Mr. Speaker, altogether plus the hundred trillion that is on the eral weeks, months, and years, the way over the next several decades, if lost in so many ways in so many places global war on terror is very much in this city and in this Congress—the we never first get it to balance? This alive, very much real, very much a se- Republican budget does that. We do it dignity of work, earning the success, rious threat, and it would be irrespon- the happiness that comes with that. in less than 10 years. sible of us to continue cutting our mili- Now, many American families are This Republican budget reflects all of tary at a time when these threats saying, 10 years? I wish I had 10 years that. exist. Our budget recognizes that. to balance our budget. I have to bal- I am pleased at this time to yield the Our budget calls for more spending in ance it immediately in our households, floor to several members of the Budget our military than President Obama, some might say. For a government Committee, all of whom have helped the Commander in Chief, has said he that spends over $3 trillion a year, it put this document together, all of needs; and I think it reflects the re- takes a while to turn that big aircraft whom have worked diligently and seri- ality of the situation around the world carrier, so to speak, around. ously on behalf of the American peo- That is why I use the word ‘‘respon- today, Mr. Speaker. You will see the ple—and especially their constituents— sible,’’ Mr. Speaker. We are being re- Republicans stand strong for our mili- to make this document not only bold, sponsible in these reforms, in these pri- tary men and women and the defense but accurate, in terms of its numbers ority changes, so that people have time budget that they need. and philosophically correct. This budget also, Mr. Speaker, gives to adapt, so that we can get the econ- First, I yield to the gentleman from power back to the States. In legislative omy going again to produce more rev- , a new Member to this parlance and philosophical parlance, enue to make perhaps that 10 years body, Congressman ALEX MOONEY. He that is called federalism. Really what even go by quicker, but this is a re- lives in Charles Town in Jefferson this budget is and recognizes is that sponsible way to do it. County in West Virginia and has three those individuals and the States are All we have to do is show the rest of children. He is the son of a Cuban ref- much better at governing the affairs of the world that we have a pathway to ugee and Vietnam veteran. their respective lives and their respec- prosperity and we will continue to be Alex grew up with a deep sense of ap- tive people than a prescriptive, one- the best place in the world to invest, to preciation for the American ideals of grow a business, to grow a family for size-fits-all recipe from Washington. Our budget calls for flexibility, giv- individual freedom and personal re- the next several decades, as we have sponsibility. That, Mr. Speaker, is been for the last several hundred years. ing the property of individuals and States, i.e., their tax dollars, back to what makes him a great member of the The other thing our budget does, Mr. House Budget Committee. Speaker, is it repeals ObamaCare, sav- them so they can run social programs Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia. Mr. ing nearly $2 trillion in the process. that they think are important, that fit Speaker, thank you to Congressman This is government-controlled health the needs of their constituencies and TODD ROKITA for arranging this Special care. It has never worked in the past. their communities, and that gets Order to talk about the House budget It is not going to work now. Washington out of the way. We get rid of it, encouraging us to Our Medicaid reform proposals, for released today titled: ‘‘A Balanced start over with health care reforms in example, are a great example of this Budget for a Stronger America.’’ a way that Americans feel comfortable concept, where we send the States’ and As a freshman member of the House in keeping their doctor, for example, in the individuals’ property back to Budget Committee and the Representa- ways that respect free market prin- them—their tax dollars, in terms of tive of West Virginia on the com- ciples of supply and demand, in ways Medicaid—and say: You know what, mittee, I worked to deliver on West that naturally stop us from overcon- you are better at determining who is Virginia priorities in the House budget. suming. That is the baseline from really poor in your communities and The first of these priorities is to bal- which we should have a health care re- your States and what kind and what ance the Federal budget. It is totally form debate and policy, not from a gov- amounts of health care those people unacceptable for West Virginia—and ernment-controlled perspective. need. all Americans—to live within their Our budget also proudly relies on a Then, finally, the third leg to that is means while the Federal Government fairer and simpler Tax Code. It is inter- what the delivery system for those allows spending and debt to run ramp- esting to note, Mr. Speaker, that the services would look like. ant. While the House budget released Congressional Budget Office, those that Who says that we have the answers today is not perfect, it balances, unlike are tasked with keeping track of our to all this? It is no one-size-fits-all, the President’s budget. economic indicators and scoring the prescriptive policy. The States are As you can see right here, it is a 10- different bills that come through Con- where it is at. The individuals and year budget cycle. Our budget balances gress, has indicated that our GDP—our their communities know better than in year nine. Not only does the Presi- gross domestic product in this coun- we do how to serve those most in need. dent’s budget not balance, it creates try—will be assumed to be about 2.3 That gets right to the heart of Ms. more debt and deficit each and every percent over the next several years. BONAMICI’s allegations during her 1- year as you go along. We don’t have a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.059 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1700 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2015 partner to work with at the adminis- I am proud of this budget’s rejection It is not an accident. It is an inten- trative level in the President’s office to of discrimination against certain forms tion of this administration because balance the budget. of energy production, such as coal, they stated it when they said they We had to do this on our own because which the President deems to not be want a war on coal. They stated they the American people demand and de- politically correct. are going to make it—the President serve a balanced budget. It is the right To cut Federal waste, my third pro- himself said he is going to make it so thing to do, and that is a bipartisan posal defunds the Legal Services Cor- expensive that it would bankrupt the statement. As I traveled my State and poration, an agency which operates far coal production companies and shut my district last year, I heard from ev- outside its original mandate after dec- down coal that way. So it is their goal erybody, Republican and Democrat, ades absent of any congressional over- to make standards that aren’t just rea- that they wanted a balanced budget. sight. sonable, but that are intended to stop This puts us on the path to do so. Defunding the Legal Services Cor- an agency from producing. I also successfully led three budget poration is a proposal supported by I would like to also point out, we proposals through the committee proc- both the Congressional Budget Office ship coal to other countries. We ship ess, and each are now included in the and The Heritage Foundation. Instead coal to China, for example. Well, guess final House budget released today. The of providing legal services to the poor, what? first two will stop the President’s war as is its mandate, the organization has There is no EPA in China. They burn on coal in its tracks, and the third cuts been used to advance pro-abortion and the coal there much, much dirtier than unnecessary Federal spending. politically ideological policies, as well we do in this country. So it is cleaner The first proposal stops the adminis- as increase spending on welfare. to burn it here anyway than to ship it tration’s efforts to close coal-fired Defunding this organization would to other countries and have them burn power plants. We simply did this by remove a Federal agency operating it. So it makes no sense. eliminating any funding for the devel- outside of its mandate and would also In fact, they are harming the envi- opment and implementation of new save taxpayers millions of dollars. ronment. These very policies that are ozone standard regulations by the En- I am proud these proposals were in- intended to help the environment are vironmental Protection Agency, or the cluded in the House budget to stop the actually harming the environment. It EPA. President’s assault on energy jobs and makes no sense. It is harming every The coal industry has already spent cut waste from the Federal Govern- taxpayer, every family who wants this billions of dollars over the last few ment. I look forward to continuing to affordable form of energy. years coming into compliance with fight for West Virginia priorities as the Mr. ROKITA. Right. Reclaiming my previous ozone standard rules, but the budget process continues. With real so- time, I would say that every person we President’s EPA is expected to release lutions, we can restore fiscal conserv- employ in West Virginia, in Indiana, new ozone standards anyway, designed atism to Washington and foster eco- and anywhere else in the country, gets intentionally to shutter coal plants. nomic prosperity for our Nation. a paycheck for sure. That is a great The President and his radical envi- Mr. ROKITA. I thank the gentleman. thing. ronmentalist allies fail to recognize If the gentleman would stay, I would The government, both at the State that many States still rely on coal to like to engage him in a question if he and Federal levels and maybe even the provide energy at affordable household could. local level, gets a cut of that, right? prices. I am very interested in what you are And that eventually gets here to Wash- Over 90 percent of West Virginia saying. You come from an area of this ington, D.C. households rely on coal for affordable, country, like so many areas of this Sir, does it not make sense then that reliable energy. Recent estimates say country, that understand the meaning that would help pay down—excuse me, implementation of the President’s new of the fact that when you pull some- let’s look at your chart—pay down the rule would cost over 10,000 jobs in West thing out of the ground and you proc- deficits, eventually getting us to bal- Virginia. ess it, you have just created wealth. ance, as we stated, in less than 10 The second proposal I secured in the You have just created jobs for people. years, and then allowing us to begin to House budget to stop the President’s That is not a dirty thing. And, in work on our surplus over the next sev- war on coal was to prevent funding for fact, the coal industry and the fossil eral decades? a new stream buffer rule from the De- fuel industry today, they are the clean- So we certainly have to cut spending, partment of the Interior. est they have ever been and have done and that is the main driver of our debt, The administration has already spent so much good work. They have been and reform the social entitlement pro- over $7 million writing this rule, which chided and bullied for so many years grams that are driving the debt. But is designed to allow the administration now. every little bit of economic growth, to claim regulatory jurisdiction within But I want you to tell us about how economic activity that comes with a 100 feet of anything they deem to be a the electricity that comes from coal job, that comes with a paycheck, al- stream. eventually not just is less dirty than it lows us, if we wanted to, like we do in was before, but that it produces the this budget, to pay down those deficits b 1645 electricity that gives people clean in the debt. That dubious proposition would allow water, and not just in West Virginia or I yield to the gentleman. Federal regulators to shut down sur- in Indiana, but in Africa. It raises peo- Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia. Yes. face mining operations in almost every ple altogether out of poverty. Thank you for yielding. region of West Virginia with the stroke Could you talk more about what hap- I would say tens and really hundreds of a pen. That is not how we make pens in West Virginia and the good it of thousands of jobs are on the line laws. brings to people there and around the with these coal policies that prevent Some studies estimate that Federal world? people from having good-paying jobs and State governments will lose $4 bil- Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia. Sure. and feeding their families. And both lion to $5 billion in tax revenue if it is We burn clean coal and we see the use parties can agree—it is a bipartisan enacted, and the coal industry would of coal. As I mentioned, 90 percent of proposal—the best way to help the poor lose $14 billion to $20 billion in revenue our State uses coal for their energy. It or to help anybody not get on govern- and as many as 85,000 jobs in our re- is the cheapest, most affordable type of ment assistance is to get a good-paying gion. energy, electricity, that can be cre- job, and that is what we are trying to Stopping the War on Coal is good pol- ated, so it is a blessing to have that in provide here, good-paying jobs, the dig- icy for hardworking West Virginia tax- our State and other States that have it nity that you mentioned, Congress- payers and good policy for our Nation. as well. man, in your earlier remarks about the We must continue to pursue an all-of- We already burn it clean. The coal in- dignity of having a good-paying job. the-above energy approach to secure dustry has dealt with regulations Folks in my State and, I am sure, energy independence and grow our under previous administrations for others, want those good-paying jobs be- economy. many years. We are burning it clean. cause they want that dignity. They

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.060 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1701 want to work. They don’t want to have never balances, a refusal to live within on the budget or our vote on appropria- to be relying on government programs. the government’s means. tions bills because the funding formula So the assault on the coal industry Out-of-control Federal spending has for those programs is found in the un- and the energy industry in general is exploded the national debt. In 2014, rev- derlying law. something that is particularly harmful enue to the Federal Government was 49 So Congressman ROKITA doesn’t get to our State. And anyone listening percent higher than in 2000. Yet, spend- to decide how much Social Security an across this country, I would be careful, ing for 2014 was 95 percent higher than eligible citizen receives year to year, because if they can discriminate 2000. or what the Medicare services are against one form of energy, which is As part of the economy, the debt is going to be, or what the costs or pay- coal, what is next? at its highest point since the 1950s. outs for them are going to be, or deter- There is an agenda here that exists Much of the problem is spending re- mine right now what the one-size-fits- to discriminate against various types quired by unsustainable government all Medicaid program looks like. That of energy production. Look, we just programs. This spending has increased is all determined by the underlying want to be fair. We want an all-of-the- dramatically and crowded out funding law. above energy policy. We want these for national security and other prior- This spending, until we reform these jobs here at home that are going to ities. programs, is on autopilot. It just goes happen anyway because they are doing Mandatory spending alone in 2014 on and on and on and on, and that is it in other countries, so we want these cost $2.3 trillion, more than was spent why these programs too need to be re- jobs here at home. They are good-pay- funding the entire government in 2004. formed. ing jobs. As a member of the House Budget So we have taken the extra step in Mr. ROKITA. I thank the gentleman. Committee, I have worked with our our House Republican budget and out- Reclaiming my time, I thank Con- colleagues to craft a budget that ad- lined solutions for the other commit- gressman MOONEY for his expertise in dresses our country’s fiscal challenges. tees, for Members of Congress, for the this area, coming from the State of The House Republican budget balances American people, that would work to West Virginia. within 10 years and does not raise not only pay down the deficits but then Again, I would say he is an excellent taxes. our debt over time after we come into member of the Budget Committee and It reforms unsustainable government balance, recognizing, being honest with takes his job seriously, and I welcome programs while keeping the promises the American people about what is him to continue with our discussion that have been made to our seniors. It causing our debt. here. grants flexibility to the States on Med- If you see from this pie graph, it is Mr. Speaker, if I can inquire how icaid, allowing them to craft their own only about 40 percent of our budget much time we have remaining. health care programs for those in need. year to year that we can dial up or The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- This change brings Medicaid closer to down simply by a vote on the budget. tleman has 28 minutes remaining. the American people it was meant to b 1700 Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I would serve. like to turn our attention now to an- I hope that Members of both parties, Over 60 percent is on autopilot. other hard-charging member of the in both the Senate and the House, will So you can’t possibly pay off our Budget Committee, someone else who be able to come together and address deficits and our debt until you address is new to Congress and who is bringing the budget in a responsible way, with- the underlying cause—what is driving that energy, along with great ideas, to out raising taxes on hardworking fami- our debt—and that is these entitlement the discussion. A lot of his ideas are lies who have seen their wages stag- programs of Medicare, Medicaid, Social found in this budget. nate during this historically slow eco- Security, the interest we owe ourselves Congressman of nomic recovery. and other countries for this debt we are Michigan was a chemist, or perhaps is The House Republican budget puts racking up, and a smorgasbord of other still a chemist. He worked in the pri- our country on a path toward a more mandatory spending, mostly welfare vate sector prior to joining us here. He stable and responsible fiscal future. programs. is an example of a team that created Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, Mr. The Republican budget not only rec- the jobs that better our economy, that MOOLENAAR points out some of the ob- ognizes that, not only tells the Amer- allow us to crawl out of this deficit and vious and perhaps maybe not so obvi- ican people the truth, but then offers debt that we are facing because of our ous problems the budget faces and solutions of what could solve the situa- overspending, and his experience will what we face as a Congress. tion over a reasonable amount of time. allow us to be part—allow the con- Really quickly, before introducing a A fellow who has been integral to versation to illustrate the solutions veteran member of the committee, I making sure that these good ideas have that come with raising our GDP level want to illustrate a little bit what, Mr. stayed in our budget now for the fifth back to where it used to be not just a Speaker, Mr. MOOLENAAR was dis- time in the last several years is a gen- few years ago so that we can have a cussing. tleman I have come to know as a good better economy now and a better fu- Here you see, in a pie graph form, friend, a trusted confidant, a fellow ture for our children. what our Federal Government, what whom I have said from this microphone Before serving in Congress, JOHN your Federal Government spends its before represents the people in his dis- MOOLENAAR served on the Midland City money on. I have taken the liberty of trict in Georgia so very, very well, and Council and in the State legislature. dissecting or pushing out two pieces of not only that but represents America Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman that pie to show you, really, from a so well because of his excellent ora- from Michigan (Mr. MOOLENAAR). year-to-year perspective situation, tory, his good ideas, and his intense Mr. MOOLENAAR. Thank you very what we get to vote on as Members of work ethic, which we need more of, much. I want to thank my colleague Congress. frankly, around here, Mr. Speaker. from Indiana for his leadership orga- It is defense discretionary, as we call I yield to the gentleman from the nizing this presentation today. it, and there is nondefense discre- great State of Georgia, Mr. ROBERT Mr. Speaker, as it is clear from the tionary. In terms of the fund centers WOODALL. charts and the discussion we have al- and the lines in the budget, we can dial Mr. WOODALL. I thank my friend, ready had today, Washington has a those up or dial those amounts down the vice chairman for yielding. spending problem. year to year, Budget Control Act deals I know the vice chairman won’t brag In January, the nonpartisan Congres- and all that notwithstanding. about himself, Mr. Speaker. So let me sional Budget Office estimated that the But it is the rest of this pie that Mr. brag about him just for a second. Federal Government would collect $3.4 MOOLENAAR indicates that is so alarm- He got elected when I got elected 4 trillion in revenue in fiscal year 2016. ing, because the rest of this pie, I can’t, years ago. But when you think about The week after that, the Obama ad- Mr. Speaker, you can’t, Mr. what the American people have asked ministration released a $4 trillion MOOLENAAR can’t dial up the spending for from this Congress in terms of solv- spending plan that raises taxes and or dial it down year to year by our vote ing the problems that affect their lives,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.061 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1702 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2015 in terms of dealing with the issues that Georgia are bringing to a markup in been here. My expectation is that, as threaten economic prosperity, in terms the Budget Committee tomorrow. They hard as the Budget Committee has of doing the heavy lifting that is re- couldn’t balance the budget in day one. worked on this document, as much quired, they have cleared out more There is a lot of sweat equity in this sweat equity has gone into doing the than half of this institution. chart. They could not balance the difficult things that need to be done, Well, if you got elected in the class budget in day one because the red ink my guess is that they are going to that the vice chairman and I were is just too thick. You have got to do it allow any Member of this Chamber who elected in 4 years ago, you are already in a responsible way. They made the wants to write a budget to offer their in the top 50 percent of seniority in tough decisions to cut deficits in half ideas and get a vote on those ideas too. this institution. by year two, in half by year two and on We have seen it year after year after We talk about how folks come to out to budget surpluses by the time year. I suspect we are going to see it Congress and stay forever. America has you get to the end of the 10-year win- again. been turning people out on their ear dow, a balanced budget for America. This isn’t about trying to shut folks left and right over these last 4 years, You can’t see the sweat stains on this out of the process, Mr. Speaker. This is which has allowed folks like the gen- chart, Mr. Speaker. But there is sweat about trying to bring folks into the tleman from Indiana (Mr. ROKITA) to equity in this chart. We are not talking process. The kind of collaborative proc- rise to these levels where they can lead about, are you going to spend an extra ess the vice chairman of the committee on these issues. million dollars here, an extra million has driven, along with Chairman TOM Mr. Speaker, as you know, the vice dollars there. We are not talking PRICE, is the difference between taking chairman didn’t come from a legisla- about, are you going to prioritize envi- the responsibility on our shoulders, as tive background. He came from a back- ronmental spending or national park parents, grandparents, legislators, citi- ground as a shot-caller. He was the sec- spending. We are not talking about, are zens, or kicking that can down the retary of State in Indiana. He didn’t you going to prioritize transportation road to the next generation. have somebody else to blame when spending via roads or transportation I just couldn’t be more proud of the things went wrong. The buck stopped spending via air. effort and the work product that my on his desk. Every single day, the buck We are talking about, are you going friend from Indiana has created. stopped on his desk, exactly like it to balance the budget ever. Or are you Mr. ROKITA. I thank the gentleman does for every father and every mother going to borrow from your children and from Georgia. As much as I appreciate and every employer anywhere across your grandchildren as far as the eye his comments about the work we have this country. And when you now have can see? all done on the Budget Committee, filled this institution with folks who And I have news, Mr. Speaker. Every they are certainly undeserved with re- were shot-callers yesterday and now single one of these dollars and deficits gards to me. It was a team effort from have been asked to find agreement you see in the President’s budget rep- the beginning. It continues to be a among 435 of their colleagues, you get resents a dollar of future tax increases team effort. exciting results, exciting results. or future benefit cuts. I want you to I would say, Mr. Speaker, that the I am going to keep the chart that the think about that. gentleman from Georgia is exactly gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. What Mr. ROKITA and the Budget right, though, that every Member of this Chamber—and that is Republican MOONEY) had up here, Mr. Speaker. Committee have done is to put to- The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. gether a courageous package that says, or Democrat—can be proud of this MOOLENAAR) is a freshman. He sold We should pay for the bills today that budget. This honestly and accurately himself short when he talked about the we are incurring today. We should not solves this country’s Federal Govern- hard work to get this budget done, and sacrifice tomorrow’s prosperity for to- ment fiscal problems. And they should you need look no further than this day’s indulgence. We should do the also be proud of the fact that, as the chart to see it. tough things when we can so that our gentleman mentions, other ideas are Mr. Speaker, I don’t fault the Presi- children don’t have to labor under going to be accepted in regular order dent’s work ethic. I think the Presi- those burdens. and be voted on. And it really doesn’t dent works hard to do what he thinks Every single one of these dollars that get more American than that. That is best for this country. But there is the President borrows and spends—and, will be an honor that has continued to not one family in America that be- I should add, this is with a $1 trillion be our tradition, and I see no reason lieves you can borrow as much as you tax increase; even with $1 trillion in that that won’t continue. If the gentleman would, I would like want to borrow, spend as much as you new taxes, the President still is run- to hear his thoughts on the Medicare want to spend, and your family’s eco- ning these kinds of deficits—represents part of our budget. nomic future will be secure. They all either a tax increase for your children The gentleman heard me reference know that is a path to disaster. and your grandchildren or a benefit cut the fact that the autopilot spending, This blue line represents the budget for your children and your grand- these social programs need to be re- deficits in the President’s budget, the children. Those are the only two ways formed. And I want to be very clear not budget that he just sent to Congress. It to get a dollar in this country. only with my colleagues, with the gen- is his legal responsibility to do it. He We should have the courage, if we tleman from Georgia, but also with the did it. This is the plan that he laid out want to spend money, to go find the American people, Mr. Speaker, that we for America—deficits as far as the eye money to spend. We should have the are not cutting, we are not slashing, we can see, borrowing not just for the next courage that if we want to cut benefits, are not ending Medicare or these other year or the next 10 years or the next 20 to cut those benefits today, not 100 programs, as I know perhaps there will years or the next 30 years, but forever. years from today. We should have the be some scare tactic language pre- The work that Mr. MOOLENAAR and courage to do the difficult things that sented. I hope that is not the case. I Mr. ROKITA have done isn’t easy. It is need to be done. And I am just grateful continue to hope. But the fact of the unpleasant work. I don’t know why you to the gentleman from Indiana and his matter is, we save and we strengthen took the job, I will say to my friend leadership on the committee. What we Medicare. from Indiana. It is an awful job to be are going to mark up—it will probably I yield to the gentleman for his com- vice chairman of the Budget Com- be a 12-hour markup tomorrow. I am so ments in that regard. mittee because your job is to do the excited about it. I am so excited about Mr. WOODALL. Well, I appreciate my things that haven’t gotten done before. it. What we are going to mark up is a friend for yielding. Your job is to do the things that were budget that every Member of this I know my friend is well known in too hard for everybody else to do, and Chamber can be proud of. this body for his work on Medicaid and you have stepped into the breach to do And I will tell you a secret, Mr. the effort to save that important it. Speaker. I don’t want to let the cat out health care program as well, and I This red line, Mr. Speaker, represents of the bag. I don’t think it is too soon thank him for that. deficits under the budget that Mr. to break the news. But I have seen Medicare is a great example. It is a ROKITA and Chairman TOM PRICE of some patterns in the 4 years I have great example. There is not a Member

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.063 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE March 17, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1703 in this institution, Mr. Speaker, who critical to understanding our reform ef- law, ObamaCare created the Inde- believes that we have the money or forts because of the fact that our pro- pendent Payment Advisory Board, a could even find the money to pay for posed changes don’t even have to affect Board of 15 unelected, unaccountable Medicare as it is structured today. anyone who is on these programs or bureaucrats who will cut Medicare in It is not a question of, is it going to near to being on them. ways that would deny care to current go bankrupt; it is a question of when is Our modeling, our reform, our ideas seniors. That is not the way forward. it going to go bankrupt. And that is would start in 2024. So the younger That doesn’t save and strengthen these not a Budget Committee member from guys—men and women, of course—in popular programs. That is what will the State of Georgia talking. Those are America, those of the age group that end up destroying them for future gen- the Medicare trustees talking. The the gentleman from Georgia ref- erations. folks who are in charge of looking after erenced, would have time to prepare. Some may ask—I know the gen- the program year after year after year And it is not like these changes tleman from Georgia has heard this tell us that it is going to go under. would be draconian. They would just question—well, didn’t the President’s What people in my district ask for, I reflect how we live now and how long health care law improve Medicare’s will say to my friend from Indiana, is we live in the 21st century. Again, the solvency? No. It absolutely did not. not a leg up, not something for noth- main part of our reform is giving peo- The President’s health care law raided ing, not a free lunch. They just want to ple choice. Medicare to fund ObamaCare. Advo- know what the rules are. And if you We believe and we know from data cates of the President’s health care law tell them what the rules are, they will and from experiences in the States— claimed that the law both improved rise to the occasion. those laboratories of democracy that I Medicare solvency and paid for the new I am in my forties. I know Medicare referenced earlier, the notion of Fed- entitlement at the same time, but this is not going to be there for me the way eralism, where the best government claim is contradictory. Medicare’s it is for my parents. I worry it won’t be comes from those that govern closest chief actuary testified before the House there at all for folks in my age brack- to the people—that if you give people a Budget Committee that the Medicare et. choice, no matter their socioeconomic savings had been double counted. The House Republican budget stops What the Budget Committee has background, now matter how old or the raid on Medicare and ensures that done in this budget is absolutely to young they are or how smart or simple any current law Medicare savings are protect Medicare. It has gone from some may think they are, they can devoted to saving Medicare. So that is something that might not be there for make the best choices for themselves what I mean when I say and when the me—and certainly wouldn’t be there in all facets of their lives. And that in- gentleman from Georgia says that this for me in the way that my parents cludes health care. Once we do that, is an honest budget. It is truth telling have known it—to a commitment that once we have folks invested in the deci- I can count on. Not I, the United States to and for the American people, but it sion-making process, you will see costs also offers the solutions that can hon- Congressman; I, as a 45-year-old citizen naturally go down. in America for whom payroll taxes— estly and responsibly get us out of this 1715 those taxes that pay for Medicare— b situation. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman have been the largest tax burden that That is a large part of our plan. Let people choose what works best for from Georgia. 80 percent of American families have Mr. WOODALL. What my friend says them, what works best for that time in paid all of their lives. about people being able to rely on this their lives, and you will see them take These dollars that you see here rep- budget, about the honesty and integ- an ownership interest just like they resent dollars that the President, in rity in the budget, it really is con- would an ownership interest in any many cases, is frittering away on to- trasted with these deficit numbers that other thing that they have a vested in- day’s consumption but that we are re- you see coming out of the White House, terest in, whether it is repairing their investing in Medicare to ensure that it because there is not an honest broker automobile, buying an automobile, or survives for another day. in this room who would not tell you And what it does, Mr. Speaker—I even their health care. It will work the that if you continue to run these defi- don’t know how deeply you have dug same way. That is a good portion of cits, eventually you are going to hit into the Budget Committee Medicare our plan. the wall. You are going to have to pull proposal—it anticipates providing Again, anyone who is on these pro- the rug out from under current bene- choice in the Medicare system the grams or near to be on them can take ficiaries. That is what bankruptcy likes of which Medicare has never seen. the promises that were offered, the means. I mean, America has seen that wildly deal that was given, and can continue Mr. Speaker, that is what we mean successful Medicare Advantage pro- on with their lives and planning for when we say ‘‘bankruptcy.’’ We don’t gram. Have you seen that, Mr. Speak- their future. mean that Social Security goes away er? I mean, it has been the source of at- The gentleman from Georgia, I, and Medicare goes away and you get tempts to slash over and over and over members of the Budget Committee, zero. We mean you are still stuck on again by this administration for rea- and previous Congresses now for 4 the program, but we are slashing your sons that I cannot imagine because it years in a row have talked to the benefits in half overnight. That is im- is the most popular Medicare program American people about this idea of moral. It is immoral to make promises in America, Medicare Advantage, down the road let’s change the system, to people and not keep them. which for the first time allowed tax- not so it goes away, but so that it can I don’t want the gentleman from In- payers to make choices about how they be strengthened and saved so that it diana’s job, Mr. Speaker. I don’t want were going to receive their Medicare can be around for those in the future. I it. Being vice chairman of the Budget benefits. think what every parent and every Committee is hard because you have to What the gentleman from Indiana grandparent ultimately wants is a bet- make tough decisions. And the decision and our entire committee has put to- ter life for their children and grand- that the Budget Committee made was gether in this budget is a pathway children. we can be honest with folks who have through that premium support pro- Now, if we contrast that for a minute not yet attained Medicare age that the gram to let every Medicare beneficiary with the President’s idea, you see a program will not be there for them as going forward, folks—even young peo- much different picture. First of all, in it was for their parents if we make no ple like me at 45, folks at 18—know order to fund his government-con- changes. We can keep our commitment that when they get to Medicare, not trolled health care plan, Mr. Speaker, to older seniors—those folks on the only will it still be there for them, but he basically takes from Medicare. The program—to say, if we promise it to they will have a choice of plans to President’s health care law makes you, you are going to get it. Then we choose the one that works best for drastic cuts to the Medicare program can bring in this new element of them. without improving the long-term sol- choice, again, for folks in my age Mr. ROKITA. If the gentleman will vency of that program. In addition to bracket, to say, when you get to Medi- yield, that is so very important and the reductions already proposed in the care, we will have protected it, and you

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:40 Mar 18, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.064 H17MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H1704 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2015 will have some personal decision- nomic growth for the last almost 25 all of these elements in it: rail, a full making in terms of how do you get the years now, not seen a pay increase, rail program that is a freight program; benefit package that best serves you, husband and wife or a single parent how you connect the rail system, the best serves your spouse, and best serves struggling to make ends meet here in highway system, and the port system; your family. America? The President came here and buses; light rail and the intercity I am so appreciative in a town where he brought to us this middle class eco- transportation systems that are so im- people dodge responsibility like it is nomics. portant for our urbanization. We are the plague that the Budget Committee Why is it important? Well, basically, seeing a major need for these buses, for has said that we are either going to if the middle class is healthy, if the the light rail, the metro systems across break promises tomorrow when we run middle class paycheck is growing, the the Nation. Ports: 90 percent of the out of money or we are going to be economy grows. It is an economy that commerce comes through our ports, honest with people today about the is based upon the consumer, and the and so the ports—Los Angeles, Long state of the affairs that we are in: $400 consumer really is the middle class. So Beach, in California, Oakland, San billion deficits, $600 billion deficits, it becomes absolutely important that Francisco, and Sacramento in my dis- trillion-dollar deficits in the Presi- we look at how we are going to grow trict—are critically important. So dent’s budget. And if you saw the chart the middle class in America. there are all of these elements. that the vice chairman held up earlier, There are many different ways to do We know we need to repair the that pie chart of where America spends that. Obviously, we need to strengthen bridges. We have a nice picture of the its money, interest that we are paying the wages that the middle class have. Golden Gate Bridge here. We probably today dwarfs education spending, We have seen very little wage growth should put the new Bay Bridge, or in the last two decades. We need to transportation spending, environ- maybe we could actually put up this really make sure that the men and mental spending, and the like. bridge. This actually happened about 3 women that are out there working day I thank the gentleman for his leader- years ago. This is Interstate 5 from the in and day out have the increase in ship. Canadian border to the Mexican border their paycheck. We have seen little Mr. ROKITA. I thank the gentleman down the west coast, Interstate 5. Well, tiny bumps now as we look across the from Georgia again. He is not only a for about a month and a half you Nation, and as more and more people blessing to his State, he is a blessing to weren’t going to get very far on Inter- become employed and the labor market this Congress and to this country for state 5 because this bridge is right near becomes somewhat tighter, we would his integrity, his hard work, and for his the Canadian border, and it collapsed. hope to see this. But an important ele- oratory. Thank you, sir, very, very So bridges across the United States are ment of this paycheck is the minimum much. in desperate need of rebuilding. Many Mr. Speaker and Members of this wage. So we advocate for $10.10 min- imum wage all across this Nation. We of them are decades old, some more body, please pay attention to the hope to get it. than 100 years old; and, finally, high- House Budget Committee tomorrow as But what we really want to spend ways. we mark up this bill, hopefully not for time on today is the infrastructure and So this is the GROW AMERICA Act 12 hours, but maybe so. We will be how to really see the infrastructure— Surface Transportation Program that there for as long as it takes. And be the foundation for economic growth— the President has proposed, about $160- ready—be ready and be proud—to vote really be put in place in America. We some billion over a 6-year period of on the floor of this House next week for now have until mid-May, May 15, to time. It is a large program. It provides a budget that offers honesty, real solu- put in place a new version of the high- a lot of money for all of the things we tions, a balanced budget for a stronger way bill. Can we do it? We have to do need to do: freight, intercity travel, America. it. If we don’t put in place and extend buses, light rail, metro systems, ports, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance the Surface Transportation Act, we are bridges, and highways. It is all there. of my time. going to see contractors all across There is a separate bill dealing with f America shut down their work, new our airports. This is our program. This MIDDLE CLASS ECONOMICS contracts for highways and bridges not is what we need to do. When we do this, go into effect but, rather, be delayed. we are going to put America back to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under So Congress has an enormous task at work. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- its hand, and that is to reauthorize the Now, one of my colleagues from Cali- uary 6, 2015, the gentleman from Cali- Surface Transportation Act. fornia, the former speaker of the Cali- fornia (Mr. GARAMENDI) is recognized The current one? We kicked it down fornia Assembly, is here to talk about for 60 minutes as the designee of the the road last fall. Well, the stop sign is an element in this program. I welcome minority leader. right in front of us, so we need to get to this 1-hour discussion. Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I am with it. We are going to talk about Ms. BASS, if you would like to tell us thankful for the opportunity to speak. some of the elements in that. We know what is going on in California. I hadn’t intended to talk on Medicare, that if we put in a robust, full Surface Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- although I think that the ultimate re- Transportation Act, we are going to woman from California (Ms. BASS). action to what we just heard is that see the American middle class go back Ms. BASS. I thank the gentleman for the Medicare guarantee that has been to work. yielding. the bedrock, foundation, for seniors Let me just show you some of the Mr. Speaker, last year, Congress took really will terminate if this budget pro- elements that are in that Surface an important first step. The CR/Omni- posal that we just heard discussed for Transportation Act. Here they are. bus allowed transit agencies to pursue so long continues because it will basi- Last year, the President proposed the local hiring. It didn’t require them to cally give seniors an option not to have GROW AMERICA Act. I am going to adopt local hire policies, but it put hir- Medicare. I don’t think we want to do call this the GROW AMERICA Act II. ing decisions in the hands of local gov- that. This has been an extremely im- So we are looking now at how we can ernment officials. I think my good portant program for more than 40 years do that. The President came out with a friend and colleague from California is now, and I want to look really, really full, 6-year program, a very robust in- making the point that transportation hard at the proposal that is being put crease in the amount of money avail- is the backbone of this country, and forth by my colleagues on the other able for surface transportation—fully certainly we have been the world’s side of the aisle. paid for without increasing the excise leader in infrastructure, in projects What I came to talk about today is tax on gasoline and diesel. No, you are like has been described by my col- something that the President actually not going to see an increase in the league, but we need to do more of that. spoke to us about here in the Chamber pump because of this program. Now, Every now and then, Congress does in January, and it was middle class ec- the oil companies may stick you, but something in a bipartisan manner, and onomics—middle class economics. How not the government. because of this action, the Department is it that we can grow the middle class And so the President’s plan, which of Transportation established pilot pro- which has been stagnant in its eco- we call the GROW AMERICA Act 2, has grams that will permit L.A. Metro to

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