Marsha Blackburn

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Reclaiming my time, that's one of those decisions that families make, that husbands and wives make, that parents and children make. It is not one that should be addressed with a ``shall'' or a ``may'' in a Federal statute. And we all know that this bill has over 3,400 new mandates in it. I yield to the gentlewoman.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentlewoman. I appreciate so much that you brought up the fact that they continue to say if you like what you have, you can keep it. The problem is you can't. Maybe you can keep it today or tomorrow or until the end of the year. But by the time you get to 2013, you're going to have to go through an exchange. I have got a list here that is 111 new bureaucracies that are created by the Speaker's health care bill, 111 new bureaucracies. There is going to be a health choices commissioner that is going to have over 60 new directives on what kind of health care you can have. And you're going to have the exchange that has to approve the plan that your employer would possibly be able to offer. And if your employer's plan is not good enough, the employer gets an 8 percent tax. So it's a little bit of a stretch to say if you like what you have, you can keep it when the whole playing field is going to change within just a few years. And as you said so very well, women make those decisions. Seventy- five percent of the women are very comfortable with what they have, and women want to be able to shop for a plan that is going to best meet the needs of their families. At this time I yield to Dr. Foxx, the gentlewoman from North Carolina, for her comments.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in welcoming Pastor Chris Williamson of Franklin, Tennessee, as he serves as our honorary chaplain for today. He brings with him today the associate pastor from his church, Anthony Hendrix, and also a longtime friend of mine, Scott Roley, who is now the senior pastor of Christ Community Church. The music industry is really what brought Pastor Williamson to middle Tennessee, and as his music performance career ended, however, he really felt a calling to the pulpit. In 1995, he founded the Strong Tower Bible Church and has built Strong Tower into one of Franklin's most dynamic and well-known churches. My colleagues will be interested to know that Congressman Joe Pitts' son and his family attend Strong Tower. His commitment to racial reconciliation is evident through his work as an author, his mission work, as well as the intentional multiethnic and diverse background of his congregation. He is a devoted family man, and I appreciate the opportunity to represent his fine family in Congress. Please join me in honoring him on his service to the House of Representatives today, and I wish him only the best in the years to come.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Pastor Chris Williamson of Franklin, Tennessee, as he serves as the House of Representatives Honorary Chaplain today. The music industry brought Pastor Williamson to Middle Tennessee as a member of the Christian rap group, Transformation Crusade. As his music performance career concluded, however, he felt a calling to the pulpit. In 1995, he founded the Strong Tower Bible Church and has built Strong Tower into one of Franklin's most dynamic and well-known churches. His commitment to racial reconciliation is evident through his work as an author, his mission work, as well as the intentional multi-ethnic and diverse background of his congregation. He is a devoted family man, and I appreciate the opportunity to represent his fine family in the Congress. Please join me in honoring Pastor Williamson on his service to the House of Representatives today, and I wish him only the best in the years to come.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating with the Hiram Lodge #7, Free & Accepted Masons, in Franklin, Tennessee, on the occasion of their bicentennial. Hiram Lodge is home to the oldest continuous Masonic Lodge in Tennessee, predating the establishment of a Grand Lodge in the state. Located just off the square in Franklin, this beautiful structure has been home to many historical occasions--from President Andrew Jackson's negotiations with the Chickasaw Nation, to serving as a lookout post, barracks, and hospital during the Civil War. The Lodge is undertaking careful renovations to ensure this magnificent structure, the oldest Gothic Revival building in the state of Tennessee, survives for generations to come. More importantly, however, is the role the Lodge has played in the life of the community over these past 200 years. So many of Franklin's leaders have been members of the Lodge, and to this day the Lodge is deeply involved in the civic and charitable affairs of the City. Please join me in honoring 200 years of the Hiram Lodge's past, and celebrating this momentous occasion.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I do rise in support of Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. I would like to begin by quoting one of my predecessors, a former Member from Tennessee who, while often my friends from Texas like to claim him as theirs, I think he was ours first, and that is Sam Houston. Congressman Houston said, ``The benefits of education and of useful knowledge, generally diffused through a community, are essential to the preservation of a free government.'' This week is our opportunity to enhance the preservation of that liberty by turning a very careful eye to adult education and family literacy. As I have before in this Chamber, I would like to highlight the accomplishments of my friend and constituent, Gretchen Wilson. Gretchen was one of 43 million American adults who had not completed high school. Inspired by her young daughter, she earned her high school degree later in life. She knew that literacy was more than just knowing how to read and write. After all, she was already a Grammy Award winning artist. Literacy is also the implementation of that skill which empowers people with worlds of new information. It is the spark that ignites curiosity. Gretchen knew how precious that spark of curiosity could be. The children of parents who have not completed high school are far more likely to drop out themselves. Indeed, children's literacy levels are strongly linked to the educational levels of their parents, especially to the levels of their mothers. Gretchen knew that her education was also her daughter's education. In so many cases like Gretchen Wilson's, that spark of curiosity has grown into a desire to give back. She, like so many others who have benefited from adult education, now works to expand that benefit to others. I will close by quoting Thomas Jefferson, whose words on the matter are more eloquent than mine could ever be, and he stated, ``Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppression of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.''

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues today in joyfully rising in strong support of House Resolution 650. The cultural and financial impact of country music on Nashville and indeed our State and our Nation cannot be overstated. From the daily recording sessions on Music Row to the annual CMA Music Festival in June, and the annual awards show that takes place this month, country music is the lifeblood of Nashville and the reason we are affectionately known as Music City USA. The music industry creates employment opportunities in many industries, including musicians, songwriters, agents, managers, audio engineers, public relations and promotion firms, financial services, security, stage promotion, stage production, transportation operators, and business services. And Madam Speaker, most of these are small businesses, and they are fueled, not only by the love of the music, but also by that entrepreneurial spirit that draws so many people into the music industry. This vital industry maintains tens of thousands of jobs. And it is responsible for generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and in economic impact for our local economy. The entertainment product created is enjoyed not only coast-to-coast but also around the globe, and it plays a significant role in our Nation's trade products, certainly bringing joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world each and every day, many of those choosing to come to America and choosing to come to the home of country music to visit and experience this uniquely American art form. So it is with great pride that I, along with my colleagues and on behalf of my constituents in Tennessee's Seventh Congressional District, rise today to take a moment to recognize the tremendous impact of country music, our unique American art form, and to join in asking my colleagues to join with us in this celebration.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. If the gentleman will yield.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. And, Madam Speaker, I find it just so unfortunate as we are seeking to address and find bipartisan agreement on an issue of paramount importance to the American people on an issue that our seniors continue to talk to us about every day because of their concerns over Medicare, what the delivery is going to be, that we would have someone, Madam Speaker, who would come to this floor and would make such a statement and would make such accusations. And, Madam Speaker, I think that it is fully appropriate that the gentleman return to the floor and apologize to the Members of this body.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring world recognized, figure skating star and cancer prevention activist, Scott Hamilton, as he receives the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award from the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program today in Washington. At the age of 13, Scott began training with former Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Pierre Brunet, and was only able to continue his training because an anonymous couple volunteered their financial sponsorship. By 1980, Scott was taking the ice skating world by storm. Over the years, Scott has claimed over 70 titles to include: national and world skating champion, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, professional ice skater, Emmy nominee, best-selling author, actor, and television commentator. A member of the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and a member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, he was the first solo male to receive the Jacques Favart Award from the International Skating Union, and also the first figure skater to ever be inducted into Madison Square Garden's Walk of Fame. Scott has accomplished many notable achievements in his skating career, yet he has also overcome significant challenges. Scott courageously battled and survived testicular cancer in 1997, and he is successfully recovering from his 2004 diagnosis of a benign pituitary brain tumor. Scott is the official spokesperson for Target House at St. Children Hospital in Memphis and is very involved in the Scott Hamilton C.A.R.E.S., Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship, Initiative at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Center. He promotes his informative and educational website, www.chemocare.com, and he also serves on the board of directors for the Special Olympics. In his leisure time, Scott can be found on the golf course or spending time with his wife and two sons, Aidan, age five, and Maxx, age one, at their home in Nashville. Madam Speaker, Scott is a true testament to determination and the human spirit, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his life-time of achievements and notable contributions to cancer prevention.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Grammy winner and country music recording artist Gretchen Wilson as she receives the 2009 National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award. This multi-platinum, acclaimed singer/ songwriter was one of millions of Americans who had not finished her high school education. Gretchen left high school to pursue her music career, and has since had three number one albums. She realized, as a mother, it was important for her to lead by example and to demonstrate to her daughter just how important it is to have an education. So last year, at the age of 34, Gretchen earned her GED. She is teaming up with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to honor GED graduates and organizations dedicated to the achievement of literacy. I congratulate Gretchen on her hard work, on her resilience and on her many notable achievements. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her dedication and contributions to adult education and literacy awareness.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 57 expressing the importance of swimming lessons and recognizing the danger of drowning in the United States. With almost 10 unintentional and fatal drowning deaths each day in our country, it is important to recognize those most vulnerable to drowning, and it is usually our precious children under the age of 14 who have not yet learned to swim. Swimming education programs in communities and swimming lessons for those as young as 4 years old could help lower the number of fatal drownings each and every year. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which was signed into law in December 2007 by President Bush, has led to increased pool and spa safety requirements and education. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida who has joined us on the floor for her excellent leadership and outstanding work on that issue. It is one that was important to all of us in dealing with the FTC and the regulations. We commend you, and we thank you for your work. Effective prevention strategies like the Pool and Spa Safety Act and nonprofit initiatives like the U.S.A. Swimming Foundation's ``Make a Splash'' program have been successful in teaming up with local communities to offer all children access to swimming education and lessons. I want to thank the sponsor of this bill, Representative Albio Sires from the Garden State of New Jersey, for his work on this resolution. I stand in support of the legislation, and I hope that my colleagues will join me. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Grammy Award winner and country music recording artist, Ms. Gretchen Wilson, as she receives the 2009 National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award at The Library of Congress. Gretchen is being recognized by the National Coalition for Literacy and the Center for the Book for her contributions to the advancement of adult education and literacy. Until recently, the multi-platinum acclaimed singer/songwriter was one of millions of Americans who had not finished their high school education. Ms. Wilson left high school to pursue her music career; she has since had three #1 albums. Last year at the age of 34, Gretchen earned her G.E.D. Her friend and mentor, Charlie Daniels, was guest speaker at her graduation ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN. As a mother, it was important for Gretchen to lead by example and demonstrate to her eight-year-old daughter, Grace, just how important it is to have an education. Gretchen is currently teaming up with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to honor GED students and organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. Ms. Wilson has won Female Vocalist of the Year from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music and a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. She also had her first book and autobiography, ``Redneck Woman: Stories from My Life,'' appear on the New York Times Best Seller List. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Gretchen on her hard work, resilience, and many notable achievements and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her dedication and contributions to adult education and literacy awareness.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to support H. Res. 260, supporting efforts to reduce infant mortality in the United States. I want to thank my colleague Congressman Cohen for his work on this resolution. It has been exemplary, and we thank him for his leadership. I also want to recognize other members of our delegation who have stood with him and with me in this work to address infant mortality, Congressman Tanner and Congressman Gordon, both of whom are original cosponsors, as is Congressman Wamp; and we thank them for their participation. Congressman Cohen has championed the cause of prenatal care since he and I served together in the Tennessee Senate, and I am honored to stand and work on this resolution with him now. I stand in support of the legislation, and I hope that all of our colleagues will join us in this effort. It is an important issue for Memphis, Tennessee, which, as Mr. Cohen said, is a community we both represent. And I hope that our conversation on the floor today will be just one more step in a unified effort to end the staggering rates of infant mortality that plague many of our communities. In this conversation, I am reminded of the Healthy Start program that was reauthorized and signed into law by President George W. Bush on September 3, 2008. Healthy Start provides services tailored to the needs of high-risk pregnant women, infants, and mothers in geographically, racially, ethnically, linguistically diverse communities with exceptionally high rates of infant mortality. The goal of the program has been to reduce the factors that contribute to infant mortality, particularly among minority groups, and remains a very important program to help reduce the deaths of children each year. Congressman Cohen's work certainly builds on this goal. Adequate prenatal care should be available to all mothers in Tennessee and certainly in this country to ensure healthy infants and pregnant women. The Department of Health and Human Services has stated that children of mothers who receive no prenatal care, and this is a staggering statistic to me, those children born to mothers who receive no prenatal care are three times more likely to be born at low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who receive prenatal care. Again, that is three times more likely to be born at a low birth weight which makes that first year very difficult, and five times more likely to die. This is an area where working together, we can do something. It is important that our communities and also young mothers get the care that they need in early pregnancy. Memphis, Tennessee, has one of the highest infant mortality rates of any city in the U.S. That isn't a statistic that only impacts the neighborhoods in Memphis where infant mortality is a daily reality, it is a tragedy that all of Tennessee mourns. By stating today that the rate of infant mortality in Memphis, Tennessee, and in America is unacceptable, we are making another important step toward solving the problem. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, just to add to the gentleman's comments and to talk a little bit about the efforts that we have participated in in our State, as you look at Shelby County and Memphis, you see there has been a wonderful partnership between your local, State, and Federal entities to address this. Also between the community and the not-for- profit sector, individuals who have said this is a problem. These children deserve to have a healthy start in life. They deserve to have a good solid first year. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first important step in solving that problem. Certainly we have all worked together for many years to make certain that education is an enormous component of the step forward to address low birth weights, to address infant mortality, and to make certain that our children get that healthy start that they need in life. I commend those who have worked with us at the local, State and Federal level, as well as the community partners in Shelby County and across the State of Tennessee, who have made this a priority. I thank the gentleman for his leadership on the issue. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of this House resolution, which, as the gentlelady from Florida said, recognizes the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, or VAWA. One out of every three people in the United States has been a victim of domestic violence, and that is according to Department of Justice statistics. Legislation proposing a Federal response to this violence against women was first introduced in 1990, although such violence was identified as a serious problem as early as the 1970s. So in 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act to protect women against violent crime, including domestic abuse. The act created grant programs to be administered by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services. Funding under the bill recognized enforcement as well as educational and social programs to combat violent crime targeted against women. VAWA grants provide funding for the investigation and the prosecution of violent crimes perpetrated against women and support increased pretrial detention of defendants. VAWA also imposes automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted. In 2000, Congress reauthorized many VAWA programs, set new funding levels, and created new grant programs to address sexual assaults on campuses and assist victims of domestic abuse. These programs continue the essential work begun by the earlier act and add important services for immigrant, rural, disabled and older women. The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2000 also created new stalking offenses by creating penalties for a person who travels in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent to kill, injure, harass or intimidate a spouse or intimate partner. VAWA was reauthorized for an additional 5 years when President Bush signed the act in 2005. The legislation expanded VAWA to include initiatives to help children who have been exposed to violence and to train health care providers to support victims of abuse. The 2005 reauthorization also provided funding for crisis services for victims of rape and sexual assault. The act also improved support services, such as transitional housing, to women and children who have been forced to leave their homes because of this violence. As the resolution notes, over the last 15 years VAWA has provided Federal support for efforts by law enforcement officials and victim service providers to hold offenders accountable and to keep those victims safe. I join my colleagues in recognizing the 15th anniversary of the enactment of VAWA and urge continued support of the goals and the ideals of the Violence Against Women Act. Mr. Speaker, in yielding back the balance of my time, I would thank so many of the volunteers in our communities who have been instrumental in working with many of us in starting rape and sexual abuse centers and supporting those victims, especially the children that we've been able to reach out and provide additional help and support for over the last few years. I know many of my colleagues have served in local and State legislative bodies, and we have had this as a very important focus of much of our work to make certain that women and children were protected from this strike of violence, and so I commend all of them. I thank the gentlelady from Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Tommy Stephenson upon his retirement from the United States Postal Service. Mr. Stephenson has serviced the same route for over 30 years, becoming an important part of the community in Southern Madison County, Northern Hardeman County, and Western Chester County, Tennessee. Over three generations of West Tennessee families have come to know and love Mr. Tommy. The humble spirit and cheerful whistle he brought to work each and every day has touched these families in many ways. Most inspiring to me is the fact that Mr. Stephenson has endured a physical disability that limits the use of his right hand, yet he has always been able to adapt to the many changes these past thirty years. The type of dependability and dedication he has brought to his work is rare, indeed, and we honor him for it. Please join me in celebrating Mr. Stephenson's achievement, and wishing him well upon his retirement.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Christ Church, of Nashville, Tennessee, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary on Sunday, September 13. From humble beginnings in 1950, Pastor L.H. Hardwick has led, nurtured, and grown this fine congregation into one of Nashville's leading churches. With over 3500 members, Christ Church impacts the entire Middle Tennessee region through its wide array of community involvement. One small example is the church's activity center, which includes fitness facilities and an indoor playground. Rather than restricting access to the church's members, the activity center is open to both friends and neighbors to utilize. I am awed by the personal commitment Pastor Hardwick has demonstrated through his service to Christ Church. When one considers the many changes that have occurred in our country over the past sixty years, Pastor Hardwick's continuous service is real inspiration. Please join me in honoring 60 years of Christ Church's past, and celebrating the next 60 years of Christ Church's future.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the President is going to be a stone's throw from the Tennessee border when he is out on the trail speaking with people. And I have no doubt he is going to have something to say about health care and say we can't put off health care reform any longer. And most people agree that we need some smart reforms on cost, on access, on insurance liability and on insurance accountability. I would also say that we need to heed the warnings that will come from some of the public option experiments that have taken place in our States. My home State of Tennessee is home to one of these public option experiments. And our governor, a Democrat, has even called this a disaster. Now, 15 years after that experiment being put in place, our State is still digging out from a system that went horribly wrong, and it is a system that rationed care and cost billions more each year than anticipated. I have asked the administration repeatedly for assurances if they understand what went wrong. I am still waiting. Let's learn these lessons from TennCare.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I will simply point out that we have to realize that this is taxpayer money, not government money, and what we are hearing from the taxpayers of this great Nation is that spending is out of control. A $1 trillion deficit is too much. A Federal debt that is at record levels is too much spending. And taxpayers are telling us they are tired of us spending money on programs they don't want. And it's, as one of my constituents has said, that we are spending money she hasn't made on programs that she doesn't want. And they are right to speak out to us about this. I will also point out that our States, which function under balanced budget amendments, are great labs of experimentation in State budgeting. Our States make across-the-board cuts. In making an across- the-board cut in this appropriations bill, you would still have 11 percent growth in these programs. And that is significant because in the last 3 years, as I said, this funding has increased 146 percent. You have programs in this bill that received 62 billion additional dollars through the stimulus, and a 5 percent cut would save the American taxpayer $3.44 billion. That would be the savings that is there. We all know as we budget at the Federal level we use baseline budgeting, and a good thing about making across-the-board cuts is that it helps reset that baseline. And what we have seen with our Federal budget, as we have had the additional spending with our stimulus, with these additional appropriations, is those numbers are rising. And yes, indeed, the taxpayers are reminding us they are going through the roof and they are tired of that. They want the spending, the out-of-control spending to stop. Every year, taxpayers sit down and they write out their check to Uncle Sam, and when they send that check in, they know they're delaying their priorities. I urge support of the amendment.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, as I have said so often this year, I rise in defense of the American taxpayer. And once again, we find ourselves on the floor considering still more Federal spending. That spending hasn't brought back the millions of lost jobs. Our constituents are still asking, Where are the jobs? And as my colleagues have promised me, they're going to continue to ask that question. It hasn't promoted the economic growth that is so desperately needed. What it has done, it has produced a deficit that will likely top $2 trillion this year. It has contributed to the largest Federal debt this Nation has ever known. That is the debt that my grandchildren will have to pay in missed opportunities and needless sacrifices. Mr. Chairman, my amendment applies a 5 percent cut to this appropriations bill. That is a 5 percent cut to programs whose spending has increased by 146 percent over the last 3 years. That is 146 percent over the last 3 years. That is a 5 percent cut to programs that have already gotten $62 billion this year from the stimulus. Mr. Chairman, I will shortly yield my time, but before I do, let me preview what I am sure my distinguished colleague will say in objecting to my amendment. He is likely to suggest that across-the-board cuts are bad because they do all the careful bipartisan work that is necessary to produce a good bill. And we know that everyone works hard on this legislation. We appreciate that. But we know there is more work that can be done in perfecting these bills. He'll tell us that this bill has made tough choices already this year, and respectfully, I disagree. How many hard choices have we really made as a body when we have seen spending more than $14 billion than was spent last year? My esteemed colleagues may go through a litany of vital programs that would be destroyed by a 5 percent across-the-board cut. What my colleagues don't many times mention is that a 5 percent cut would allow each of the programs to still grow by 11 percent from last year's funding. And probably what we will hear is that this committee isn't really spending that much more, if you don't count the stimulus spending. Now, all of these are things that we have heard this year during these 5 percent debates, but, Mr. Chairman, I will say I do count that stimulus spending. I count every penny we're spending because, indeed, it is my grandchildren who are some day going to have to pay this money back. And with that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you to our colleagues across the aisle for bringing forward a PAYGO statute. I will tell you, it is of concern to me, though, that the statute, the way this is written, the way they're approaching PAYGO could lead to tax increases because what we are not seeing from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle is a willingness to reduce spending. And we know if you're going to have an effective PAYGO policy, that you have to be able to reduce what you're spending. That is a requirement. On every appropriations bill that we have, I file a 5 percent, across-the-board reduction amendment for a spending cut. The reason I do that is because what we have learned from our States, what I learned as being a State Senator is that across-the-board spending reductions work. They work. They reduce what you are going to lay out, the amount of money that you are going to spend. So, let's do this in a bipartisan way. Let's agree that we are actually going to reduce spending. Let's agree that we're going to have PAYGO enforcement, that we're not going to cry ``emergency'' every time we have a Katrina, every time we have a tsunami, every time we have a need for extra spending, that we don't go call for a special appropriation that allows us to circumvent the PAYGO rules. And let's be certain that we put all that spending on the table, that we put it all on the table, and that we agree we're going to reduce what we are going to spend. What we have seen is the PAYGO rule, the way it is written, the way they've put it in place, has led to a deficit that has gone from $162 billion to over $1 trillion. That's over a 1,000 percent increase. And I think that this body would be well-served to make that 5 percent haircut; set a nickel aside out of every dollar that is going to be spent for our children and our grandchildren, their future and opportunity.