Kevin Brady

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Well, if the gentleman would yield, can we talk a little more about how the loss of energy in America from this moratorium drives up fuel prices, makes us more dependent? Because I don't think most people realize, as you said, the Gulf of Mexico is a key generator of oil and natural gas for America. But it actually is very key to keeping OPEC from controlling energy prices throughout the world. OPEC controls about 40 percent of the world's oil supply. And what happens is, when what we need as the world gets to about within 2 to 3 percent of everything that's produced, OPEC then has amazing leverage to drive those prices up for American families and workers. The Gulf of Mexico is our relief valve. That's where we produce energy and gas here in America. But because we have that producing, OPEC doesn't have the leverage that it historically has. But with this moratorium, as you said, the energy supply isn't today. The shortage is in 2011 and 2012, which we know from the last time. When energy went to $4 a gallon, we saw the devastating impact on American energy, American prosperity, our economy and jobs. Man, the average families and small businesses just suffered. We're going to see more of that in the future.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. The answer is none. Maybe the big guys can, but most companies cannot. So at a time when we have almost 10 percent unemployment, people are desperately looking for work, here we have a White House policy that puts at risk 150,000 good-paying American jobs or more that will impact every State in the Nation. By the way, Congressman Culberson, there have been studies that talk about what the impact is in various areas. If you think about it, the average salary in the Gulf of Mexico for petroleum-related workers is almost $118,000, average annual salary. Some of those are roughnecks, those who may not even have a high school education, who are getting $70,000, $80,000 salaries. It is a tough job. It is hard work. But it not only produces fuel to drive America's prosperity, but it gives them an opportunity to raise their family, to live the American dream, to put their kids through college, to own their own home. Those jobs are now at risk. And who is fighting for them? It seems to me the White House, so far, and I hope it changes, has a deaf ear to these American workers. These are U.S. energy workers. There are more than 2 million of them around America. But with this moratorium, as the rigs leave, as the jobs go, as our vendors and small businesses go as well, many of those are not coming back for years. And with it goes the capital, the funding from companies who have to decide soon whether they put money into exploring in the Gulf of Mexico or over in Brazil or West Africa or somewhere else around the world. Also with the rigs and capital and jobs goes our brain power. We worry about a brain drain of America's best and brightest, energy research and workers that will go. And then ultimately when that leaves, the energy headquarters leave as well, which in many communities along the Gulf of Mexico, make up such a big part, good- paying part of our economy. So this moratorium, the refusal to allow permits, sort of the tin ear on allowing these safe wells to go back to work, is having a devastating impact. I have invited, and I know you support this, I have invited President Obama to come to Houston, Texas, to meet with our energy workers, those whose jobs have been lost or are at risk. Just as he has visited every State along the Gulf, come to Texas to see the economic spill of his policy, the economic devastation that is beginning, and can be changed and can be averted, not by stopping a well from gushing, but by stopping bad policy, overly broad, that costs U.S. American jobs throughout the country, raises energy prices, makes us more dependent on countries that frankly don't care much for us. I yield to you, congressman.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Well, this moratorium's impact on our economy is greater than most imagined. It is not just along the Gulf Coast. But imagine, if you will, you have at this point both the 33 deepwater rigs that are now idle, leaving America, along with our American workers and our American vendors, but in the shallow waters, which has even a more sterling record of safe and secure exploration, which now is also idle because the Interior Department is not providing permitting in any timely fashion at all. So those rigs are going away, those workers are going away, and that impact is deep. On any one of those deepwater rigs, you have got at least 1,500 workers tied directly to the rig, Congressman Culberson, and more beyond that. Each rig may have 1,000 vendors supplying and servicing it, vendors throughout the United States. I am going to talk about that in a few moments with a map we have here on the floor as well. These companies are not the big companies. These are family-owned businesses, small and medium-sized businesses. They are already starting to lay off workers. They are already redeploying, as I think Halliburton and Schlumberger, or Halliburton Baker Hughes said they have already been forced to relocate some 4,000 jobs. And offshore development impacts at least 170,000 jobs, all of which are at risk with this moratorium. As small businesses have told us, who said, I have already laid off 20 percent of my workforce. Next week I lay off 50 percent of my workforce. What small business in America, what industry, can hope to survive without six months of its revenues?

Mr. BRADY of Texas. They are in Texas, I believe. It doesn't say so right there, I should say. CapRock Communications. They will be forced to redeploy personnel to different regions or support them finding some other way. They have over 50 field service and operations personnel supporting clients in the Gulf of Mexico; employ 750 people throughout Houston, Lafayette and New Orleans. C&C Technologies, they expect to layoff approximately 10 employees to begin with; will not be hiring the dozen or so workers they expected to hire. So they're laying off workers and we're missing an opportunity to put even more people back to work. Cobalt International Energy with their exploration, their drilling rigs, services, vessels, tools and people that were contracted to support the drilling programs, all have been released. We talked about the rigs go, the jobs go, the businesses go and the capital leaves America. Cobalt will shift its capital spending program and resources to West Africa, because they have no choice. This White House, this government, is forcing them overseas. Again, as you pointed out, those are not only U.S. energy workers but U.S. energy that's leaving with Cobalt. Davis-Lynch, Incorporated has locations throughout Lafayette, Houston, Corpus Christi. This moratorium leaves them no alternative other than to implement another reduction in their workforce. They employed over 300 people last year, had to cut 100, were starting to hire people back. Now that is being reversed. Delmar Systems, operations 100 percent directly related to this, to the deepwater semi-submersibles in the Gulf of Mexico. It will directly affect their ability to operate. Heerema Marine Contractors, their business future is in a state of uncertainty here in the United States. They employ people in Texas and Louisiana. I will go on and on here a little later, but the point is these are real American workers. These are real American businesses. Some family- owned, some mid-size, some larger. But the economic devastation. I sometimes wonder, are people as important as turtles and birds? We all love our wildlife and are fighting to protect them, but shouldn't we be fighting to protect American workers and their livelihoods? How about American small businesses and their livelihoods? What about their ability to survive, to employ workers? How about an energy worker who had nothing to do with the BP spill, who no longer has a job, no longer has a future, can't put their kids through college? Mr. President, don't those workers count, too? And why won't you come to Texas and meet with them? Why won't you pay as much attention to them as you do other regions and wildlife? These lives and their livelihoods are at stake. They are already paying a price. They didn't ask for this. The energy industry did not cause this spill. British Petroleum experienced this spill. We ought not punish innocent American workers, communities, our future, force higher energy prices, become more dependent on some of America's worst enemies because of a terrible policy response, moratorium, to what has been an environmental and human tragedy of our own making now, an economic disaster of this government's own making. I would yield.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 175th anniversary of the City of Huntsville, Texas, and I extend my congratulations to its citizens on this memorable occasion. Huntsville has a rich and memorable history that is as old as the state of Texas itself. This great city started out in 1835 as an Indian trading post established by Pleasant and Ephraim Gray who moved to the area from Huntsville, Alabama. Because their trading post was situated near the Trinity River, as trade along the river's banks grew, so did the number of settlers in Huntsville. New residents found the prairie lands in and around Huntsville to be fertile grounds for farming and ranching, and they found lush timber lands for harvesting. The 1840s and 1850s were prosperous times for Huntsville, as settlers from eastern states continued to arrive and establish homesteads and businesses in the city. In 1845, the city was incorporated by the Congress of the Republic of Texas. In 1849, Austin College was founded in Huntsville. In 1850, the Huntsville Item newspaper was established and continues to be the second oldest continually published newspaper in the state of Texas. Huntsville is known as the home of the great General Sam Houston, who served as President of the Republic of Texas, Governor of Texas, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator. It is also the home of Sam Houston State University, founded in 1879, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Today, Huntsville enjoys a vibrant economy and still maintains the natural beauty that attracted many of its earliest settlers. Tourists come to Huntsville to visit the Huntsville State Park, the Sam Houston National Forest, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and statue, HEARTS Veterans Museum, the Texas Prison Museum, and the nearby attractions of the Trinity River and Lake Livingston. In keeping with the traditions of its founding, Huntsville remains a friendly city that welcomes new families and individuals to enjoy life in the Piney Woods region of Texas. It is a place that values hard work and entrepreneurship and a place where residents respect and honor the freedom provided by our Armed Forces. Its citizens are some of the most patriotic and philanthropic you will find anywhere. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to represent the citizens of the city of Huntsville, Texas, in the House of Representatives. In the words of John W. Thomason, Jr., one of Huntsville's most notable residents who wrote many years ago, Huntsville continues to remain a ``place of prominence: notable for culture, for manners, and for morals.'' Please join me in congratulating the citizens of Huntsville on this momentous occasion.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Yesterday, China and Taiwan signed the free trade agreement to open up markets, create jobs and strengthen their economies. You have to ask yourself, if these two bitter political rivals can work together to boost their economies, why isn't this Congress taking up the free trade agreement with Colombia? Colombia's one of America's strongest allies. With our help, they've instilled rule of law, defeated the FARC terrorist group. They've created labor rights and lowered their crime rate, violence rate by 90 percent. For 3 years, this Congress has done nothing. Other countries have now moved in line ahead of us, and our U.S. farmers are losing their sales to Colombia. Congress does nothing. Venezuela has imposed a trade agreement on our ally Colombia. This Congress does nothing. It's time for Congress to take up and pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement this year.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with Americans who are telling this Congress to stop spending. More than a million votes have been cast this week as part of the You-Cut initiative, which gives Americans the chance to say what spending we need to eliminate. This week, the American people said we need to stop paying federal workers to conduct union activities. These are bureaucrats who are paid by taxpayers but spend 100 percent of their time helping their unions. Their salaries should be paid for by union leaders--not hard-working American families. These workers cost taxpayers $1.2 billion This is not the ethical government the American people were promised, and today, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote to stop this unfair funding.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Before coming to the floor, I was with two couples from back home. Lisa and Fred Koetting and George and Jeanette Coiner and their grandchildren were up here visiting. Mr. Coiner said his goal in life is to make sure he helps leave a country that is better for his grandchildren than the one that his parents bequeathed to him. They are, like all of us, so worried about the deep debt this country is amassing each day, $10 trillion of new debt over the next decade if these spending plans go forward. On top of a failed stimulus bill, on top of the 2,000-page health care bill no one read, this week Congress is going to take up an almost 2,000-page bill that will institutionalize bailout and, I think, harm our economy. We don't have a budget for the first time in 40 years, and this week they're going to make up budget numbers. We're not going to have a vote on it, not have a debate. We haven't funded our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. They need money, but it's hung up because people here want to spend it on other things. We've got to get this deficit under control. We have to do it or we're putting an anchor around our children's necks.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I appreciate and applaud the leadership of Mr. Camp on job-creating issues in this Congress. My friend from Washington is correct; there are no excuses on this bill. Democrat leadership has known for months that this would run out for those who need unemployment, and they did nothing. Now it's lapsed for 30 days, and the question is why. The answer is, to Democrats deficits don't matter. They thought they could attach this bill to a big spending bill and talk the rest of Congress into adding even more to our deficit, and Congress balked. Today they think they can add another $33 billion to our deficit and Congress will go along with it. But we won't. At a time when Democrats believe deficits don't matter, the rest of the American public says it does matter. People are frightened by the amount of debt this country owes. They are frightened by how much more dangerous debt is added every day. In fact, every second in America, under the Obama-Democrat budget, every second more is added to the national debt than most average Americans make all year long, every second more debt than most of us make all year long. And there is no end in sight. Deficits are going to drag this economy down. It's going to put an anchor around the young people's necks, those of our children and grandchildren. What I think is frustrating is it's so easy to pay for this bill. As Mr. Camp said, a trillion-dollar stimulus bill. They spent $3 million on a turtle crossing in Florida; $50,000 for a hand puppet grant. They have $390,000, this is hard to believe, they spent $390,000 of your money at the University of New York at Buffalo to study the relationship between malt liquor beer and smoking marijuana. Those are your tax dollars. That's what we are spending this deficit on. And what's even I think worse, as bad as the deficit is, if Democrats in Congress succeed in reinstating the moratorium on drilling in deep water, we will add 50,000 direct unemployed to these rolls. We will lose hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses who won't be able to survive this moratorium. The White House is determined to reinstate it, even though a Federal judge said it was completely inappropriate. Let's not turn an environmental catastrophe into an economic catastrophe. Bills like this that get ignored, try to run up deficits, moratoriums that kill more U.S. jobs, we can do better than this. I will vote ``no,'' and I urge commonsense Americans who support a balanced budget to vote ``no'' as well.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I thank the gentlelady for her leadership and for yielding. I want to congratulate the Colombian people and President-elect Santos on a successful and democratic election. Madam Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record this editorial from The Washington Post calling on the administration and congressional Democrats to support the incoming Santos administration by acting on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. President-elect Santos will continue the great work done by President Uribe to strengthen the rule of law and improve the lives of all Colombians. Colombian workers are safer now than ever before. Despite this progress, Colombia faces real challenges. Venezuela has imposed a trade embargo because of Colombia's strong support for the United States, severely damaging the Colombian economy. We have a powerful tool to help Colombia weather the embargo, the U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. With this agreement, the United States would provide both economic and political support for a truly democratic government and a longstanding ally. Unfortunately, Dem- ocrats in Congress have denied us even the opportunity for a simple up- or-down vote on the agreement. But other countries aren't standing still. They are reaching agreements with Colombia, racing ahead to put their workers and their businesses ahead of ours. Just yesterday, the Canadian Legislature ratified the Canada-Colombian Trade Agreement. That agreement could go into effect in just a few months. Colombia is negotiating agreements with Europe, Panama, and South Korea, as a result, American workers are falling behind. There is no credible reason to oppose the U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement. It levels the playing field for American workers, creating over $1 billion in new U.S. sales to Colombia. The bill imposes stronger labor protections for Colombian workers, which is why thousands of union workers in Colombia support the agreement. And it demonstrates America's commitment to a valuable and longstanding ally. The administration says it wants to increase U.S. exports, create jobs, and ensure strong U.S. foreign policy, but none of this is credible while it ignores the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement and does not make it ready for a vote in Congress. [From the Washington Post, Tuesday, June 22, 2010] Will Washington Treat Colombia's Santos as an Ally? Juan Manuel Santos has demonstrated that pro-American, pro- free-market politicians still have life in Latin America. Mr. Santos, who romped to victory in Colombia's presidential runoff on Sunday, has no interest in courting Iran, unlike Brazil's Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva. He has rejected the authoritarian socialism of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. A former journalist with degrees from the University of Kansas and Harvard, he values free media and independent courts. His biggest priority may be ratifying and implementing a free- trade agreement between Colombia and the United States. So the question raised by Mr. Santos's election is whether the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders will greet this strong and needed U.S. ally with open arms-- or with the arms-length disdain and protectionist stonewalling to which they subjected his predecessor, Alvaro Uribe. Mr. Uribe will leave office in August as one of the most successful presidents in modern Latin American history, though you would never know it from listening to his critics in Washington. He beefed up Colombia's army and economy, and smashed the terrorist FARC movement; murders have fallen by 45 percent and kidnappings by 90 percent during his eight years in office. Though most Colombians wanted him to remain in power, he bowed to a Supreme Court ruling against a referendum on a third term--which means that unlike Mr. Chavez, he will leave behind a strong democratic system. Colombia has nevertheless been treated more as an enemy than friend by congressional Democrats, who have steadily reduced U.S. military aid and worked assiduously to block the free-trade agreement Mr. Uribe negotiated with the Bush administration. The Obama administration, which has courted Mr. Lula and sought to improve relations with Venezuela and Cuba, has been cool to Colombia, recommending another 11 percent reduction in aid for next year and keeping the trade agreement on ice. Mr. Santos's election offers an opportunity to revitalize the relationship. As defense minister, he demonstrated a commitment to addressing the human rights concerns that troubled some in Congress. He has pledged to seek better relations with both Venezuela and Ecuador, despite the material support those countries have provided to the FARC. Ratification of the free-trade agreement would serve the administration's stated goal of boosting U.S. exports while bolstering a nation that could be an anchor for democracy and political moderation in the region. It would also allow the administration and Congress to demonstrate that friends of the United States will be supported and not scorned in Washington.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5569--To extend the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. It's Hurricane Season--we cannot put off the reauthorization of this program. We can no longer wait on the extenders package--we must pass an extension now. I have constituents in Southeast Texas both in flood-prone and hurricane-prone areas that are unable to access flood insurance. This is a major problem for potential homeowners, if their lender requires flood insurance before closing. Though I am supportive of this measure, I am advocating for a longer term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program through May 31, 2011. I hope my colleagues will join me in advancing such a measure.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joel L. Deretchin, a great community leader and a dear friend. Mr. Deretchin has held numerous leadership roles throughout the community in The Woodlands, Texas. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Deretchin has served several executive positions with many respected organizations in the Woodlands area. He held leadership positions at The Woodlands Development Company, served as a board member of The Woodlands Community Association, and served as President and sitting board member of both the Woodlands Association and the Woodlands Commercial Owners Association. Mr. Deretchin has strived to keep the community focused on improving education in The Woodlands by supporting and establishing The University Center, The John Cooper School and the Academy for Lifelong Learning at Montgomery College--all which have given valuable opportunities to students in and around The Woodlands community. The Conroe Independent School District has recognized and honored Mr. Deretchin's achievements by naming one of their elementary schools in his honor, the Joel L. Deretchin K-6 Elementary School. As you can see, he has truly impacted innumerable lives in The Woodlands community. His servant leadership on the Interfaith of the Woodlands Board and the South Montgomery County/Woodlands Chamber of Commerce Board are clearly evident as he continuously volunteers his time and lends a hand to organizations and non-profits. For his countless service efforts, Mr. Deretchin was awarded ``Citizen of the Year'' by the South Montgomery County/Woodlands Chamber of Commerce in 1990. He was also honored in 1999 as a ``Hometown Hero'' during the Woodlands 25th Anniversary Celebration. While these awards and honors are significant, nothing can truly commemorate the extent of service Mr. Deretchin has provided for his community. His leadership and commitment to The Woodlands is selfless and something that merits applauding. His compassionate heart as well as his desire to help others has continued to drive him to remain active throughout the community--he never expected to be honored with these awards, but boy is he deserving! Wanting nothing in return, Mr. Deretchin committed over 33 years to The Woodlands community and has watched it flourish and grow. I know Mr. Deretchin is proud to have been so heavily involved in the community development of The Woodlands, but I also know The Woodlands is proud to say he is one of our residents. The Woodlands has more than benefited from his leadership, knowledge and philanthropic focus. Madam Speaker, it is such an honor to recognize Joel Deretchin as a significant part of The Woodlands' community and pay tribute to his contributions to the people of The Woodlands as he retires, however there is no doubt in my mind that he will continue be heavily involved! I urge you to join me in recognizing Mr. Deretchin and his achievements.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Marine Corporal Jeffrey Johnson of Tomball, TX, part of the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, who was killed on May 11, 2010, while on foot patrol by an improvised explosive device south of Marjah in the Garmsir District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was 21 years old. In 2007, after graduating from Waller High School, Corporal Johnson accepted the call to become one of the few and the proud as a Marine. In doing so, he joined a family legacy of service to America, with grandfathers having served in the Navy and Air Force and four of his uncles in the National Guard. His family, friends, and fellow Marines recall Corporal Johnson as a smart, humorous, loving, and hard working person. His father, Jerry, said that his son loved being a Marine and believed strongly in America's fight for freedom and against terrorists overseas. Corporal Johnson leaves behind a wife, Katy, his parents, grandparents, three siblings, and many other family members. He also leaves behind a very proud community. The people of Tomball and Magnolia, Texas, lined the streets of town to welcome this man home, and stand today behind his family and support them in their grief. Madam Speaker, the Bible says in John 15:13, ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' Corporal Johnson paid the ultimate price for his fellow Marines, his wife and family, and this country. May we, as the House of Representatives, never forget that our freedoms are given by almighty God and secured by our Armed Forces, one soldier at a time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, sadly, this isn't a jobs bill. This is pork barrel spending wrapped in tax increases and dipped in debt to China, and the way it treats our local doctors, like beggars, is just shameful. Continuing to tax and spend like we are Greece is not the answer to getting people back to work or to tackling this growing and dangerous debt, especially when you have tax increases that kill jobs for our small businesses, for our real estate, and for our U.S. companies that are trying to compete overseas. This is alarming. Sometime this weekend, America's debt will reach $13 trillion for the first time in our history; $13 trillion. So who is responsible for running up all this debt? A new report by the Joint Economic Committee shows that, since 1946, congressional Democrats have added twice as much to America's debt than have Republicans. They like to blame Bush or Reagan or anyone else for the staggering debt, but they are squarely to blame for generating two- thirds of the Federal debt that American families must now repay through higher taxes or a slower economy, and they're just getting started. Our national debt is 83 percent of our economy. It's whoppingly huge. It's going to grow to over 100 percent under the Obama budget. Unless we stop congressional Democrats and President Obama from spending us even deeper into a hole, future generations of Americans will be dragging an anchor of debt that will drown their dreams and cripple our Nation's prosperity. We can start today by preventing another $54 billion in spending we can never hope to repay and that our children can never hope to repay-- $54 billion--larger than our agencies of Treasury, Commerce, and Social Security combined. So new debt, new tax increases, job-killing provisions. Let's stop the madness. Let's say ``no'' to this bill and ``yes'' to real jobs.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5160, the Haitian Economic Lift Program Act. This bill will provide real economic benefits to Haiti to help it recover from the devastating earthquake on January 12 that claimed so many lives and shattered the already struggling Haitian economy. The bill also provides trade benefits to Haiti and other Caribbean nations though a long-term extension of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, a program that also supports the American textile industry. I am firm believer that expanded trade can produce sustainable economic development and create jobs. By providing increased duty-free access to the U.S. market, the bill creates the investment incentives desperately needed in Haiti to keep existing apparel production in the country and encourage even more development in the future. These investments will create badly needed jobs and encourage stability in local communities. The long-term extension of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act will continue important incentives that have attracted apparel producers to Haiti and throughout the region to use fabric and other inputs produced in the United States. The U.S. exports generated by these incentives will support American jobs. This is why the long-term extension of the Caribbean Basin Act has been such a priority for the U.S. textile industry. In addition to these important economic benefits, this legislation demonstrates America's commitment to the region. It has long been America's policy to strengthen economic ties through trade and investment with other countries in the Western Hemisphere. President Reagan followed that policy by starting the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which forms the foundation of the programs we are extending today. Presidents and Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle continued this policy by enacting NAFTA, the Andean Trade Partnership Act, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, CAFTA, HOPE, the Peru Trade Agreement, and now the legislation before us today. I hope we can add to this progress and create the means to bring the pending agreements with Colombia and Panama to a successful vote. In addition, this legislation shows again that Congress can and will adjust and expand U.S. trade preference programs as necessary to ensure that they are working properly and providing the maximum benefits possible. Mr. Speaker, this bill really does get it right: it provides real economic development assistance to Haiti; it supports U.S. jobs; and it demonstrates that carefully balanced, regionally focused U.S. trade preference programs can bring our trading partners, development experts, and U.S. manufacturers together to support pro-trade legislation. For these reasons, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1103, honoring the anniversary of the birth of a great Texan, Sam Houston. Due to a conflict I was unable to cast my vote in support of this bill yesterday. Sam Houston was a larger than life character who left a lasting impact on the history of Texas. Already an established statesman--as first a member of this body and Governor of the state of Tennessee--Sam Houston's leadership was essential in Texas gaining independence from Mexico and later in achieving statehood. Sam Houston led the Texas Revolutionary forces in the Texas War of Independence and was instrumental in achieving victory over at the Battle of San Jacinto. The only person to have been the governor of two different states, Sam Houston also was an inaugural Senator from Texas. I have long been impressed with Sam Houston. In my office, I proudly display two portraits of Houston. Sam Houston's legacy is important to the people of Texas' Eighth congressional district. A much larger than life statue of Sam Houston greets all who come to Huntsville--the east Texas town where Sam Houston spent his golden years and where his name lives on at Sam Houston State University. At 67 feet tall and 25 tons, the steel and concrete statue aptly named ``A Tribute to Courage'' is a testament to how the Huntsville community continues to cherish Sam Houston. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate the life of Sam Houston. For all his accomplishments, the people of the great state of Texas remain forever in his debt and will continue to honor his memory and public service on this anniversary of his birth.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I yield myself as much time as I may consume for closing remarks. Mr. Speaker, if the Democrat stimulus plan had worked as promised, we wouldn't be here tonight. If we had really created 3.7 million new jobs, as President Obama promised, as this Democrat Congress promised, these programs would have phased out already. Instead, we witness another 3 million Americans sitting home tonight without a job. If the unemployment rate were 7.4 percent and falling as Democrats promised, these programs would be phased out, and we would be celebrating job creation. Instead, unemployment is near 10 percent and will remain at that level for more than a year. Consider that when the other side says we have to extend unemployment benefits to reduce unemployment, we have to extend unemployment to reduce unemployment. Consider that when the other side claims that Vice President Biden once said we have to spend money to keep from going bankrupt. We have to raise health care costs to reduce health care costs. Well, we have done the stimulus and spent and spent and spent and added trillions of dollars to this dangerous American debt. Meanwhile, we are 6 million jobs short of where Democrats promised we would be. It hasn't worked. It's time to stop the madness. It's time to stop the spending. Defeat this bill and bring back legislation that will actually create jobs, not add to our Nation's horrible debt. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself so much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support American workers and families, and that is why I must oppose the legislation before us that would heap another $18 billion onto the dangerous deficits this Congress has already amassed and that American workers will ultimately be made to pay for in the coming years. On this Tax Day, as an overburdened Nation staggering under dangerous deficits, we need to send this bill back to the drawing board and return with legislation that is paid for that will not create more debt, that will help create more jobs instead of economic uncertainty and, ultimately, more job losses. The legislation before us would extend for another 2 months special Federal spending programs that today allow unemployed workers to collect up to 99 weeks of benefits in most States. That is nearly 2 years of unemployment checks today which are by far an all-time U.S. record. That compares with a total of up to 26 weeks of benefits payable in almost all States during normal times. We all want to help unemployed workers who are frustrated by a White House who has taken their eye off the economic ball. They're frustrated by this Congress that has sought an extreme agenda rather than focusing on jobs. But it is impossible to ignore the fact that those extra 73 weeks of Federal benefits paid today, a full 17 months courtesy of Federal taxpayers, come at an enormous price. In all, this bill would add $18 billion--that is more than the size of the entire NASA budget--add that to this year's trillion dollar deficit, including $13 billion more for the unemployment benefits it would extend. That is on top of the approximately $100 billion spent so far on these programs; and, if extended for the remainder of this year as we expect, another $50 billion more would be added to the national debt. None of this has or will be paid for. In fact, the Federal unemployment account has long since been bankrupted; yet we continue to spend, and now are being bailed out with general revenues. And who will bail out general revenues when they run out? Taxpayers, through more taxes and more general revenues the government extracts from them. So far in the past year and 2 months since the President has been in office, taxpayers are paying $2,100 more per individual because of $670 billion in new tax increases. And if President Obama's budget is approved by the Democratic Congress, we will heap almost $3 trillion more on American taxpayers. And what's sad, again, is that we continue to heap debt without any opportunity, without any promise that is kept to pay for them. When our Democrat friends took office, they promised they would pay for the wars, pay for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but not a dime yet. They promised they would balance the budget. Today we see trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. They enacted PAYGO and said we're going to pay for all new spending, but as this bill today shows, they've done nothing of that and, in fact, have invented extravagant loopholes, declared anything an emergency simply as an excuse to continue spending. And, of course, they promised to curb earmarks. In fact, eliminating earmarks could nearly pay for this bill, but they've not kept that promise either. Mr. Speaker, we can do better than this. What unemployed workers really want are jobs and paychecks, not almost 2 years of unemployment checks and more massive debt for our country. Unfortunately, jobs are something Democrats in this Congress have been totally incapable of delivering. Instead of creating 3.7 million jobs as promised, their stimulus bill was followed by 3 million more job losses. Instead of holding unemployment under 8 percent as promised, it soared to nearly 10 percent and remains close to that today. Sixteen million Americans are unemployed, including record numbers for over a year. In fact, the White House promised, if you passed the stimulus, 90 percent of the new jobs we create would be in the private sector. The opposite is true. The private sector has lost 3.7 million jobs, but government jobs have been created--almost 300,000. So the people who are getting these unemployment benefits are the ones whose promises have not been kept by this White House and this Democrat Congress. We need to start over and actually start paying for new spending, starting with this bill. The only way to do that is to defeat this bill and bring it back in a paid-for fashion. But beyond that, Mr. Speaker, we also need to do the things that really help create jobs for workers. We can start by stopping frightening the job creators; businesses who are delaying important rehiring decisions, investment decisions, frightened by all of the new taxes proposed in Congress, the new health care mandates, the rising energy taxes, the talk of new regulations. We have to stop frightening consumers who know that, ultimately, they'll be relied on to pay this terrible debt. We need to reward innovation and small business job creation through lower taxes and support for innovation, and we need to pursue free trade agreements that find new customers for American workers and American companies. That is why, Mr. Speaker, we must send this bill back and make it paid for, and stop punishing American workers and families. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I yield myself 30 seconds. I would remind people the Democratic Congress handed President Obama a trillion dollar deficit, eight times larger than Republicans when we held this Congress. The stimulus bill alone was larger than the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. And, unfortunately, only 6 percent of Americans feel the stimulus has helped create jobs in America. What a terrible waste. With that, I would yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the leadership of Chairmen Oberstar and Costello, as well as our ranking leaders, Mr. Mica and Mr. Petri, on the aviation infrastructure, but I rise in opposition to the bill which includes a number of provisions which would hurt our Nation's airlines, especially when many are suffering losses. By sunsetting in 3 years the antitrust immunity for airlines participating in international alliances, this bill puts at risk the global competitiveness of U.S. airlines, and reduces benefits for consumers. International alliances help better serve Americans when traveling abroad. When airlines partner together, consumers benefit from the enhanced competition. They get greater access to lower fares, better online services, and more connecting options. And if airlines are at risk of losing their immunity, airlines may not enter into alliances and may cut back on cooperation with foreign air carriers. And consumer benefits would be put at risk, along with 15,000 American jobs supported by the industry. Oversight has been raised as an issue, but there is more than adequate oversight already and review of these alliances by both the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation. The Transportation Department may amend or revoke any existing immunity grant, and the Department of Justice is able to investigate antitrust concerns. Mr. Speaker, alliances often require significant and long-term investments for U.S. carriers. Unnecessarily sunsetting them would compromise the viability of the industry, benefits to consumers, and American jobs in a weakened economy.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today we're debating more disaster- related spending. What we have to ask ourselves, what about the money Congress has already sent to help families and communities? As I stand here, Texas is still waiting for the supplemental disaster funds for Hurricane Ike that Congress approved 18 months ago, Congress, led by Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis, to try to help communities who have suffered the sixth most costly hurricane in American history. But this time the hold up isn't FEMA; it's HUD. Other States have received their disaster funds, but HUD continues to hold Texas hostage. My fellow Texans and I, from both parties, have written to HUD on this issue. We've requested meetings or calls, and our letters go unanswered. The State of Texas has worked tirelessly with its local communities to put together a strong recovery plan, and we know it because we've just recovered from and are recovering from Hurricane Rita as well. But HUD keeps moving the goal posts. They say Washington knows best. And if the HUD gets their way, the people most impacted by Hurricane Ike won't even be eligible for help. It's been 541 days since Congress acted to provide help for disaster victims. Yet HUD continues to tell Texans, your recovery doesn't matter. There's no rush. Well, tell our communities, tell our families, tell our region that there's no rush. 541 days. HUD needs to act now to approve the Texas plan and simply help our communities rebuild.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Another week, another stimulus. This ministimulus, the third or fourth such effort--I've lost count--is more proof of the failed economic policies of Washington Democrats and an acknowledgment that the massive $860 billion stimulus bill has fallen far short of its debt-driven, wastefully spent promises to revive America's recovery. From a jobs standpoint for small business, this bill does next to nothing. In fact, by increasing taxes on global companies that invest and create jobs here in America, this bill may actually kill more jobs than it creates. This bill wrongly breaches longstanding tax treaties and increases taxes by more than $7 billion on global companies with subsidiaries here in the United States. We want America to be the place Americans choose to put their workers. Why punish them, especially thousands of Americans without jobs? This measure also expands the heavily taxpayer subsidized Build America Bonds, which are popular but are taking shape as a long-term entitlement to which our local governments are quickly becoming addicted. That's bad news for America's taxpayers. Finally, much has been made of the centerpiece of this bill. It's a 100 percent cutout of capital gains on small businesses. But who qualifies for this? I can tell you who doesn't qualify as a small business. Look closely at the section that says, if you're in health, in law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services, brokerage services, or any trade or business where the reputation of your employees counts. You're not eligible if you're in banking, insurance, financing, leasing, investing, or similar business. You're not eligible if you're a farming small business, a business involving extraction of commodities like energy or mining. You can't be a hotel, a motel, a restaurant, or similar business. You can't have ownership or dealings in or renting of real estate property or rental property. The question is: Who does qualify for this? The answer is nobody. That's why this does so little for small business, so little for our economy. The truth of the matter is, the reason businesses aren't hiring back workers or hiring new ones is they're scared of the policies in Washington. Cap-and-trade, new health care mandates, new taxes, new regulation, the scary debt. That's what's keeping small businesses on the sidelines. That's what's holding our economy back. This bill does not deserve our support. We can do better.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. The government promised you health care. When forced to buy the government-approved plan or face the tax man, you complied. But the cost didn't go down, it went up; it's the highest ever. It takes now 3 months to see a doctor. And when you need care, the government plan denies it four times more often than your insurance company. Now the government is short on money. They started rationing care, cutting hospital payments, withdrawing coverage from some families, and it has just been 3 years since it all began. Folks, this isn't the future, this is Massachusetts today. Higher costs, slower care, and rationing. That is why Massachusetts said ``no'' to Obama care. America is saying ``no'' too because bigger government doesn't mean better health care.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. I thank and commend the gentlelady from Guam for her resolution. We have so many heroes, aviators who have been shot down in foreign countries, defending our freedom and enduring tremendous hardship, even death. One of those who was shot down over Vietnam, the longest-serving POW in America, Congressman Sam Johnson of Plano, Texas, is a friend and a true hero to many of us. He opposes this health care bill because he is worried about the impact it will have on veterans. He believes by taking on a huge new entitlement we can never hope to pay for, at the end of the day we will end up robbing Peter to pay Paul, and we will rob from veterans' health care, which we don't even fully fund today as a Nation. It's embarrassing. And yet we are going to launch a brand new health care bill we can never afford to pay for. He is worried about rationing. He has seen what happens when Congress has the greatest intentions. They passed this wonderful new GI Bill and updated one, yet never even bothered to put in place a mechanism today. Most of the veterans waiting in our offices are just trying to get the fair benefits this Congress promised them, but this administration, this government can't deliver. He is worried about the fact that we can't fund health care under this bill. And I think what frustrates people is we already have a Medicare program that is going bankrupt. We have Social Security not far behind. We don't fully fund veterans for military care, yet we are going to add this new entitlement. Americans, I don't think, are very easily fooled. They know the Democrats in Washington aren't really blameless when it comes to who is responsible for driving health care through the roof. Fueled by labor and lawyer contributions, millions and millions of dollars from them in their pockets, Democrats have for decades successfully killed lawsuit reform and efforts to allow small businesses to join together to buy health care at the same discount the big companies get. As champions of government mandates have driven up health care premiums and union contracts have demanded unsustainable health benefits, Democrats have fought voraciously against reasonable efforts to keep health care costs down. Yet today Democrats in Washington wield this sword of a massive government takeover in order to slay the health care beast that they have been feeding for decades and decades. So tomorrow, even if the powerful combination of threats, union paybacks, and backroom deals ultimately produce 216 votes, the fight isn't over, and nor are the consequences. The images of Democrats in Washington running from town halls, hiding from C-SPAN cameras, slipping in sweetheart deals and arrogantly ignoring the voices of constituents is also indelibly etched in the public's mind. It is a disturbing picture the American people won't easily forget. I object to that bill. I will fight it with all my might. It is not the right solution for America.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Isn't this troubling? Eight out of ten Americans now believe Congress governs without the consent of the governed. The Democratic Congress and White House simply aren't listening. Americans oppose this $2 trillion takeover of health care, but Democrats are ramming it through over the public's objection. Americans oppose the tax increases, mandates, deficits, Medicare cuts, and government interference in their most intimate health care decisions, but House Democrats arrogantly claim they know what's best for you. Americans want open, honest government. Democrats are cutting backroom deals, pressing Members of Congress, proclaiming bills passed without a vote of the House--all to circumvent the will of the American people. Americans want Washington to start over immediately; to go back to the basics, to have a step-by-step bipartisan bill that focuses first on lowering health care cost. So, Madam Speaker, why aren't you listening? But know this: A Congress that governs in secrecy and arrogance will not govern long. The American people will see to that.