J. Gresham Barrett

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Friday, March 6, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Nay'' on Rollcall vote #107 (on approval of the journal), ``Aye'' on Rollcall vote #108 (Motion to Recommit with instructions to H.J. Res. 38), ``Nay'' on Rollcall vote #109 (on passage of H.J. Res. 38).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the House passed version of H.R. 1105. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Provision: Division B, COPS Law Enforcement Technology Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Anderson, SC Address of Requesting Entity: 101 S. Main St, PO Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622 Description of Request: The purpose of this appropriation is to provide $50,000 to be used in implementing 800 megahertz radio technology for emergency responders. The nine EMS providers in Anderson County responded to approximately 21,000 calls for assistance in 2008 and the numbers increase each year. By converting over to the Palmetto P25 / 800mhz interoperable communications system, EMS squads will experience approximately 95% radio coverage when responding to calls. With the current VHF radio system, EMS squads now have only approximately 65% radio coverage within Anderson County. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Provision: Division E, EPA, STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority Address of Requesting Entity: PO Box 399, Seneca, SC 29679 Description of Request: The purpose of this appropriation is to provide $500,000 to be used for the construction of 125,000 GPD Phase I Wastewater Treatment Facility at Golden Corner Commerce Park and upgrade of wastewater treatment plant to 100,000 GPD at SC Welcome Center. Infrastructure added to this region provides for job creation, enhanced investment and development resulting in an improved economy. In addition to federal funding, the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority has secured a $1 million grant from the state, and approximately $2.8 million from county government to fund the project. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Small Business Administration, Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Clemson University Address of Requesting Entity: 201 Sikes Hall, Clemson, SC 29634 Description of Request: I have secured $100,000 for the Clemson University Advanced Materials Innovation Center. The Advanced Materials Innovation Center at Clemson's Advanced Materials Center in Anderson County will serve as a research and development campus for start-up companies devoted to cutting-edge research, development, and job creation in the advanced materials field. The Innovation Center will house fledgling high-technology companies that focus on such advanced materials as optics, nanotechnology, and biomaterials. It will also provide space for entrepreneurial start-ups and Clemson University spin-off companies. These federal funds will be used to develop laboratories at the Advanced Materials Innovation Center. With many manufacturing jobs going overseas, there is a critical need in the United States, and particularly in South Carolina, of incubators such as the Advanced Materials Innovation Center to accelerate the creation of knowledge-based companies. The United States must also continue to develop new advanced materials to ensure continued military superiority. It is my understanding that $9.5 million in funding is expected to be provided by non-federal sources for this project. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Provision: Division C, Title III Department of Energy, Section: Congressional Directed Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects Account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Clemson University Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Brackett Hall Box 5702 Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 Description of Request: The purpose of this appropriation is to provide $951,500 in funding to construct and operate a pilot plant at a brownfield industrial site in Charleston, SC, to scale-up commercially viable technology for conversion of cellulosic feedstocks from the coastal plains, i.e. trees, wood residuals, and row crops, to bio-fuels and other higher value products. Currently, biofuels are the only alternative that can be readily incorporated into the existing petroleum-based transportation infrastructure. The development of commercially-viable biomass facilities will help our nation move away from dependency on traditional fossil fuels and towards energy independence, all without affecting our nation's food supply. Approximately $50,000 (5%) will go towards site utilities/grading; $680,000 (71%) will go towards building structure; and the remainder (24%) will go towards process equipment, support utility systems and construction fees. In addition to federal funding, Clemson University will contribute in-kind and financial resources, including over $1.5 million in resources already committed. It is also expected that private industry will provide a total of $6-8 million for the project. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Provision: Division I, Title I Department of Transportation, Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Laurens County, SC Address of Requesting Entity: 3 Catherine Street, Laurens, SC 29360 Description of Request: The purpose of this appropriation is to provide $285,000 in funding to widen approximately 5,400 linear feet of U.S. Highway 221 between the Hunter/Fleming-Smith Industrial Site and the City of Laurens. This highway improvement project will allow for increased volume and greater safety for commuter and truck traffic to and from the expanding Hunter/Fleming-Smith Industrial Site and surrounding areas. The Industrial Site plays an important role in the economic development of Laurens County. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of the Federal Highway Administration. In addition to this federal funding, Laurens will be providing approximately $333,000 for the project. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Provision: Division I, Title I Department of Transportation, Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Account Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Orangeburg County, SC Address of Requesting Entity: 1437 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 Description of Request: The purpose of this appropriation is to provide $95,000 in funding for the installation of an interchange at the intersection of US Highway 301 and I-95 in Orangeburg County. Currently, U.S. Highway 301 stops at the intersection of I-95, causing the 301 traffic to enter onto an extremely busy portion of I-95 for just one mile in order to exit off onto Hwy 6. This highway improvement will help traffic flow more smoothly and support the planning for an intermodal transportation facility as well as distribution centers and transportation-related businesses. This interchange is included on the State Transportation Infrastructure Plan (STIP) as part of the Lower Savannah Long-Range Transportation Plan. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of the Federal Highway Administration and is a continuation of funding from fiscal year 2008. The County of Orangeburg has committed $2 million to the project and the state of South Carolina has committed an additional $3 million. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Requesting Member: Congressman J. Gresham Barrett Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Provision: Division I, Title I Department of Transportation, Account: Interstate Maintenance, Discretionary Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Orangeburg County, SC Address of Requesting Entity: 1437 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 Description of Request: The purpose of this appropriation is to provide $950,000 in funding for the installation of an interchange at the intersection of US Highway 301 and I-95 in Orangeburg County. Currently, U.S. Highway 301 stops at the intersection of I-95, causing the 301 traffic to enter onto an extremely busy portion of I-95 for just one mile in order to exit off onto Hwy 6. This highway improvement will help traffic flow more smoothly and support the planning for an intermodal transportation facility as well as distribution centers and transportation-related businesses. This interchange is included on the State Transportation Infrastructure Plan (STIP) as part of the Lower Savannah Long-Range Transportation Plan. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of the Federal Highway Administration and is a continuation of funding from fiscal year 2008. The County of Orangeburg has committed $2 million to the project and the state of South Carolina has committed an additional $3 million. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1106 because I believe the bill is unwise, unproductive, and most of all, unfair. My heart goes out, Mr. Chairman, to anyone facing foreclosure. It's never easy to hear the stories of families losing their homes. But allowing bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages is not the right solution for our economy or for our housing market. The provisions in this bill allow bankruptcy judges to cram down principal in mortgages on primary residences, and it will have long- lasting adverse and unintended consequences on our housing market. I offered an amendment that would take out these cramdown provisions, but unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it wasn't even allowed to come to the floor. This legislation is unfair to Americans who have made difficult decisions to cut back their spending in order to pay for their mortgages. By further tightening the credit market, this bill forces homebuyers to pay more for their mortgages. Allowing judges to rewrite mortgage contracts will effectively increase the cost and reduce the availability of credit to homebuyers. No matter how narrow the mortgage cramdown provisions are, allowing these mortgages to be modified in bankruptcy courts will create additional uncertainly in the housing market. America needs certainty right now, Mr. Speaker, and this bill moves us in the wrong direction. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 1106 to protect responsible homeowners.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule to this conference report between Democrats to H.R. 1. This backroom-written Democrat spending bill costs too much money, doesn't fix the problem fast enough, and fails to make enough good jobs. In the long run, Madam Speaker, this bill will cost working families over $1 trillion. After today, each American household will owe $100,000 to pay for government debt. What's even scarier, in this conference report Democrats took what little bit of tax relief was in there away from families and small businesses so they could increase spending on pet projects like $50 million to the National Endowment of the Arts and $300 million for green golf carts. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that less than half the money in the Democrat stimulus plan will be spent in the next 2 years. Madam Speaker, folks in South Carolina and across this country are losing their jobs today. American families are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford to wait 2 years to see a potential improvement in their economy. The real problem, Madam Speaker, is Democrats have lost their faith in the American people. They don't see what I see. I look at the people back home in South Carolina, and I know that they are the key to moving America forward. The barbershop on the corner, the hardware store down the street, they're the driving force of the economy, not the bureaucrats in Washington. And it's because of my faith in the American people that I support the House Republican economy recovery plan. This plan allows small businesses, the heart and soul of our economy, to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income, a deduction that will allow small businesses to hire new employees, to grow. In South Carolina, this plan will create 34,000 jobs more than the Democrat plan and will cost half. It's my sincere hope that the spending bill fails, and we in Congress can debate a bill that won't put a crushing burden on our children, won't take 2 years to work, and will rely on our small businesses. Vote ``no'' on this plan.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday February 3, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote #47 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 82),'' ``yea'' on rollcall vote #48 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 103), ``yea'' on rollcall vote #49 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H.R. 559)

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'' We all know this quote, Madam Speaker, and it is no accident that life is mentioned first. It is our most basic right given to us only by our Creator. Every life is a gift given to us by the grace of God, and there can be no doubt that life begins at the moment of conception. But as I stand before you today, my heart breaks for the faces that are missing because they were never born. Madam Speaker, I pray for the men and women throughout this country and the world who are expecting a child and they believe they are in an impossible situation. I hope they would understand that with God, all things are possible. We recently saw thousands descend upon the Supreme Court to stand up for the rights of the unborn. To them, and all those who work every day to give a voice to the unborn, I say thank you and God bless.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule of H.R. 1. And it's surprising that out of the 206 amendments submitted to the Rules Committee only 11 were accepted and going to be debated here today. Today, we will spend about 8 hours on a bill that cost about $825 billion and could potentially put our country in much more debt than we can handle. Without a doubt, Madam Speaker, the American people are suffering. In my home State of South Carolina, the unemployment rate was about 9.5 percent in December, the highest in 25 years. Our national debt is increasing. And on Monday alone, 70,000 Americans lost their jobs. Unfortunately, rather than focusing on job-creating measures like infrastructure and tax cuts--like I think should be in there--the Democrats have put forth legislation with billions in unwarranted and unrelated spending. I believe the government's responsibility is to ensure the actions taken are aimed at providing immediate and meaningful economic stimulus while at the same time trying to offer long-term solutions. The Democrat plan fails to provide a swift and substantial positive impact on the economy. The Congressional Budget Office alone has estimated that much less than half of this money would be spent over the next 2 years. American families, Madam Speaker, are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford that long to see an improvement in this economy. In addition to having reservations regarding the effectiveness of the proposed stimulus package in the short term, I'm concerned that my Democrat colleagues have filled this bill with non-stimulative spending. The Democrat plan provides, for example, $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, $250 million for NASA to study climate change, and $1 billion for the 2010 census package. If Congress truly wants to stimulate the economy without damaging our future by increasing the debt, we should make real choices and cut programs in order to pay for other initiatives that truly stimulate the economy. In these challenging financial times, we cannot afford to open the door to more spending. I urge my colleagues to vote against this rule.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this fall when my colleagues and I voted to pass the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, our banking sector was facing an unprecedented and immediate threat that affected the ability of all American businesses, large and small, to get credit to obtain inventory, purchase needed supplies or even make payroll. Our credit markets were effectively frozen, and our economy faced extraordinary peril that required exceptional measures. Our financial system and larger economy still have enormous problems. But the threats to our economy are shifting and rapidly evolving. The situation that we are facing today is critical and urgent. But our economy has different challenges from when we passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. And frankly, I'm not sure whether the Troubled Assets Relief Program, TARP, is the right tool to combat these problems. It concerns me to see that TARP is spinning out of control with rapidly expanding goals. I did not vote to provide a fund to prop up failing companies or expand government interference into companies' business decisions. I supported the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to give us the tools to fight our immediate and critical economic threats this fall. And I'm glad that it worked to prevent even greater economic turmoil. But now, we need to stop and reevaluate where we are. We need to take a measured approach. We need to be better stewards of the taxpayers' money. And we're talking about billions of dollars here. We need to figure out exactly what problem we are trying to fix and whether we are using the right tool. Now yesterday, when I came down to the House floor to offer a motion to recommit that was similar in the nature of the resolution today, but with one fundamental difference, if passed by the House and Senate and signed into law, the bill as amended with my motion would have actually stopped the $350 billion from going to TARP. In his rebuttal to my motion to recommit, I was told by the distinguished Chair of the House Financial Services Committee that my Republican colleagues and I were getting our marching orders from the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal on disapproving the final $350 billion payment from TARP. Now, I can only speak for myself, Mr. Speaker, but I'm here to protect the American taxpayer. And spending this money right now is not the right thing to do. I urge my colleagues to send a clear and convincing message to the American taxpayer that we want to stop TARP's expansion and to vote ``yes'' on disapproving of the final $350 billion to the program.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. In its current form, I am.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this is a commonsense motion to recommit that is very straightforward and simple. The motion would repeal the third and final payment of the funds to the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP. It will require the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan and a timetable for all TARP recipients to pay back the taxpayer. Let me say that again. It would require the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan and a timetable for all TARP recipients to pay back the American taxpayer. Given that the Senate has already rejected this Joint Resolution of Disapproval, President Obama will receive his final $350 billion. Voting for this motion to recommit is the only way to stop a new, expanded TARP program, which has spun out of control. Like many of my colleagues, Madam Speaker, I voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to restore liquidity and stability into America's financial system, allowing American businesses access to credit that they needed to obtain inventory and purchase needed supplies and make a payroll. Simply put, the program, as it was sold to Congress, was necessary to prevent an even greater economic disaster, and I am glad we haven't seen the widespread financial turmoil that I believe was certain, had the government not taken unprecedented measures during the extraordinary times. However, at the same time, I agree with my colleagues that the first $350 billion was spent too hastily and haphazardly and without the proper oversight. I have not yet seen that there was a credible plan in place to assure the taxpayer money was spent effectively and efficiently. I appreciate the fact that we are facing an unprecedented emergency economic situation, but trial and error, Madam Speaker, is simply not an acceptable strategy for spending taxpayers' hard-earned dollars. Now, a brand new administration is asking for more taxpayer money to see if they can do a better job. While I appreciate that we should not punish the new TARP implementation team for the poor planning of the prior group, we owe it to the American taxpayer to take our time and examine their plans more closely before we throw more money in an unsuccessful foreclosure mitigation program. I think it's only fair that we take a step back before we further expand TARP to prop up more failing businesses. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues agree that before continuing down a path toward greater government intervention, we fully consider all of our options. We need to stop the expansion of the TARP, and considering the actions of the Senate last week, this motion to recommit is our best, the House's best, and only option. Our economic situation, while still critical, has stabilized from where it was this fall. We now have the time and the responsibility to fully consider whether this program is the best way to get our troubled financial sector working and allow our economy to recover. In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in protecting the American taxpayer by voting for this motion to recommit to stop the next $350 billion from going out the door and to make sure that we are paid back for the first $350 billion. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday January 13, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on Rollcall vote No. 11 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 41), ``yes'' on Rollcall vote No. 12 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 50), ``no'' on Rollcall vote No. 13 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 43).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, before coming to Congress, I owned a small furniture store, the best and only store in Westminster, South Carolina. We sold only furniture. We did one thing, and we did it pretty good. And before that, I was a captain in the United States Army. I had a pretty clear job title. In both organizations, I was taught to keep operations focused and not expand our mission beyond its initials goals. So what does this have to do with the legislation that we're talking about today? Well, unfortunately, this bill is a perfect example of Congress' bad habits of expanding its initial missions, a habit that brought us Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Community Reinvestment Act, and guess what, the alternative minimum tax. I voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to restore liquidity and stability into America's financial system, allowing American businesses to access credit so they could obtain inventory, buy supplies, and make payroll. I supported this act to prevent what many experts called an ``economic tsunami,'' and I'm glad that we haven't seen the widespread financial mayhem that I think was certain. We had to take extraordinary measures during those extraordinary times, but don't you think it's common sense to examine how we spent the first $350 billion before we even discuss how we're going to spend the second $350 billion? I agree with my colleagues that the first $350 billion was spent too hastily and haphazardly, and I believe there was not enough oversight or planning by the Treasury Department for how this money was to be used. However, I fully support the efforts of this bill to improve transparency, oversight and disclose exactly how the taxpayer money is being used, but I'm extremely concerned that this legislation expands the goals of the Troubled Assets Relief Program and brings us even further from its original mission, which did not include providing a fund to prop up failing corporations or putting politically-motivated mandates on private businesses in exchange for government funds. This legislation will expand government interference in the private markets even more, Mr. Chairman, and I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 384.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, we come here today in the midst of the biggest economic crisis this Nation has ever faced. The proposal that was put forth by the administration earlier was unacceptable, no accountability, no government oversight, too much burden on the American taxpayer. But politics is the art of the possible. This House is a place where policy and reality come together, where people solve problems. I was sitting right there when the vote was taken Monday. As soon as it went down, I turned to my colleagues and said, It's time to roll up our sleeves, it's time to solve this problem for America, and let's move forward. And we did that. I was on the phone with Treasury, with the administration, with Senate and House leadership, with the SEC. We've got suspension of mark to market. We've got increased FDIC insurance. We've got tax relief, AMT, child tax credit. This is a better bill. But it's tough out there. I've talked to my moms, I've talked to my pops, I've talked to my corporations. No matter what we do or what we pass, there are still tough times out there. People are hurting. People are mad. I'm mad. Men and women that have fought in this House, I have fought in this House for spending regulations and tougher restraint, and we have seen what has happened and where it has led us. Do I still have concerns about this bill? Yes. Do I still have concerns that it will affect the free market system? Yes, I do. But we have to act and we have to act now. It's our job to lead. If we don't solve these problems, not just these problems but Medicare and Social Security, if this House doesn't lead, America will fail. And if we don't get anything out of this conversation today, we need to understand that. It's about leadership. It's about moving forward. I've had experts on both sides say, Gresham, this is a good thing, this is a bad thing. I asked the good Lord to give me the guidance and the wisdom to make the decision. I will vote ``yes,'' and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. First off, I want to commend my colleagues, especially Minority Leader John Boehner, Roy Blunt, Eric Cantor, and certainly Ranking Member Spencer Bachus, for their hard work in improving this bill. However, Madam Speaker, after careful and agonizing consideration, I cannot support H.R. 3997 and will be voting ``no.'' I understand the need to act, and I understand the urge to act quickly. We must restore the flow of credit. I firmly subscribe to the belief that Main Street and Wall Street are inextricably linked. Instability in the financial markets leads to instability in taxpayers' personal accounts and their personal funds. Meanwhile, that capital that flows through our financial markets is vital to the continued success of our businesses, large and small. We should all agree that a failure of our credit markets would be an enormous catastrophe, and the government does have a role in ensuring that the financial markets function soundly. At the same time, we cannot allow the American taxpayer to become the insurance policy for financial decisions that didn't quite turn out as planned. Whether you're talking about someone from South Carolina who took a mortgage they couldn't afford or a Wall Street banker who gave that mortgage, we see just how important personal responsibility must be to the American society. And I fear that this legislation erodes this accountability and the freedom that comes with it. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, our government is in debt, and we're in a lot of it. In fact, this whole crisis is built around debt, where much bad debts has caused an inability to get new credit--otherwise known as debt. My daddy always told me that you can't borrow your way out of debt. And he was right. There are other reasonable options that we should explore to help the markets heal themselves and that would not burden our country under even greater mounds of debt. I was pushing for a plan that would use more free market principles, such as suspension of capital gains, a repatriation of earnings to help spur economic growth by helping all Americans whose retirement accounts are invested in the stock market or own a house or business so they can jump start the flow of funds back in the system. There is no doubt we find ourselves in a precarious situation, and the people are angry, and rightfully so. I'm angry. But we must not allow this anger to cloud our judgment and make choices that will divide this country. This is not a matter of Main Street versus Wall Street. But when it comes time to vote on this bill, Madam Speaker, I will be voting ``no.'' I understand my colleagues for their reasoning, and I'm confident that we all want to do the best for this country. But I believe so strongly in the principles of the free market and the belief in the word ``freedom.'' That's why I'm opposing this bill. My fear is that today the government will forever change the face of the American free market.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the House amendments to Senate amendments to H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act. Name of Requesting Member: Gresham Barrett. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account Number: 31 0603003A Aviation Advanced Technology. Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding for this project is Aviation Advanced Technology located in Anderson, Laurens, and Oconee counties, South Carolina. Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: Requested amount of $1.28 million. This funding will be used to develop programs to improve transmission capabilities of military rotorcraft platforms. Such programs to enhance the performance of military rotorcraft platforms such as the Chinook, Apache, and Blackhawk would benefit significantly from the availability of a demonstrated, high performance gear material system technology. This project will develop advanced gear material systems for helicopter power transmissions. The program will quantify performance enhancements resulting from the implementation of advanced steels incorporating various technologies against the current state of the art material system. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my spouse or me.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the House amendments to Senate amendments to H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act. Name of Requesting Member: Gresham Barrett. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account Number: 33 0603005A Combat Vehicle and Automotive Advanced Technology. Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding for this project is TC Designs, LLC., located in Charleston and Pickens, South Carolina. Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am requesting $2.0 million of funding. This funding will be used for floor protection for Humvees for increased IED countermeasure protection for US military personnel. The Humvees will receive a Tom Cat V-shaped hull with integral up armor that is less than 800 pounds. The unique design of this hull protection is specifically designed to be light enough for the Humvee, but strong enough to resist and deflect blast. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my spouse or me.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the House amendments to Senate amendments to H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act. Name of Requesting Member: Gresham Barrett. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account Number: 2 Darpa 0601101E Defense Research Sciences. Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding for this project is Clemson University, located at Clemson University, South Carolina. Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am requesting $1.28 million of funding for Clemson University Advanced Photonic Composites Research. This program will be used for development of the next generation of materials for use in optical and laser-based communication, health, automotive, and defense platforms. It will provide the necessary coordinated and concentrated effort to bring high information capacity, low power consuming optical technologies to the soldier. The research will continue to focus on novel active and passive materials and optical devices for advanced lighting, directed energy, sensing, and switching, as well as ways to make their performance controllably adaptive, such that one technology may now be used for a myriad of applications. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my spouse or me.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the House amendments to Senate amendments to H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act. Name of Requesting Member: Gresham Barrett. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account Number: 33 Cbdp 0603384Bp Chemical And Biological Defense Program, Advanced Development, Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding for this project is Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, located at 511 Leitner Street Graniteville, South Carolina. Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am requesting $2.4 million of funding for Chemical and Biological Threat Protection Coating. The objective of this program is to develop self- decontaminating chemical and biological fabric with a comfort profile necessary to maintain extended protection during pandemics. This new and advanced material can be deployed either as an individual protective garment, respiratory mask, or protective shelter. The technology will adhere to the US DOD requirements for the Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD). This program will ultimately develop advanced chemical technology for coating suits, tents, and other equipment for military and first responder personnel. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my spouse or me.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of the House amendments to Senate amendments to H.R. 2638, Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act. Name of Requesting Member: Gresham Barrett. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account Number: 050 Field Medical Equipment. Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding for this project is North American Rescue Products, located at 481 Garlington Road, Suite A, Greenville, South Carolina 29615. Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am requesting $3.2 million of funding for Combat Casualty Care Equipment Upgrade. The funding would be used for developing equipment for navy surface ships to improve field medical equipment to meet the stringent requirements of today's counter-insurgency combat operations and littoral warfare. The state-of-the-art lifesaving medical capabilities of this program will equip navy Medical Corpsman and USMC tactical units such items as lightweight NATO compatible litters, vehicle on- board lifesaving kits, individual combat lifesaving kits, and high threat extraction kits. This program benefits U.S. military personnel through unique lifesaving and trauma-mitigating field medical equipment. I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my spouse or me.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, there was an energy bill brought to the floor yesterday, but unfortunately, it was not a comprehensive bill or open for debate, and no Member was allowed to offer any amendment expanding the scope. The bill passed restricts miles of coastal States like my State of South Carolina. It tells us what we can explore, and it prohibits the States from sharing any revenues. That's a bad deal for coastal States, and it's a bad deal for this country. It imposes a new 15 percent renewable energy requirement on utilities, but it leaves out energy sources like nuclear, most hydro and even clean coal. South Carolina gets about 50 percent of its power from nuclear energy, and this legislation will penalize my State. So it's a bad deal for South Carolina, and it's a bad deal for this country. Madam Speaker, what I also left out of this so-called comprehensive bill is coal-to-liquid technology, increased refinery capacity, domestic exploration in ANWR, and nuclear energy--our cleanest and safest supply of energy that we have. Madam Speaker, the bill passed is a bad deal for America. There is a smarter way. Let's bring comprehensive energy legislation like the American Energy Act to the floor.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, due to my attendance at events in my district and state discussing legislation that will help move our country toward energy independence, I unfortunately missed recorded votes on the House floor on Monday, September 15, 2008. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 589, Motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1200, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 590, Motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 390, and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 591, Motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 6889.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, due to my attendance at events in my district and state discussing legislation that will help move our country toward energy independence, I unfortunately missed some recorded votes on the House floor on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 592 (Motion to adjourn), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 593 (question of consideration on H. Res. 1433), and ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 594 (Motion to adjourn).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, today we remember all those lost on September 11, 2001, a day that changed America forever. No American will ever forget where they were on that fateful morning as the images began to flash across the television screens. September 11, 2001 shook us to our core. And while our hearts broke, our spirits did not. In fact, Madam Speaker, they grew stronger. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those innocent individuals who died on that fateful morning. Seven years later lessons have been learned. Our security, intelligence capabilities, and our intergovernmental communications have all improved, but we must always remain vigilant. On this day also, Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to our Armed Forces who have answered the call of service after 9/11. Their dedication and sacrifice cannot be overlooked. Every day we live in peace and freedom we owe to them. The passage of time will heal the scars from September 11, but we will never forget.