Dan Benishek

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank my colleague from Maryland, and I appreciate your bringing up those great points. The President's health care act was to allow people to get more access to medicine. And as we've seen from multiple discussions here this evening, with the closure of many small hospitals throughout America due to the decreased payments under the President's health care bill, many small hospitals are facing closure. I know, like the gentlelady from New York mentioned, I have many small hospitals that are on the razor's edge of being in the black or in the red. Recently, a small hospital in my district was just on the verge of bankruptcy. How is closing five hospitals in the 200-mile area increasing access to care? It isn't. It's making access to care more difficult, more impersonal. Physicians, like ourselves, we're concerned about what's going to happen here because I'm concerned about my patients. And I'm concerned about my colleagues who complain to me about their patients. I think it's folly to be able to regulate health care from above. Health care needs reform. We have the best health care in the world. The problem is it costs a lot of money. It costs a lot of money because there's not enough market forces, as my friend from Louisiana mentioned. You know, once somebody pays their copay, they don't care what anything costs. I paid my copay, I don't care what it costs. It's all good. We need to have health insurance be more like car insurance. You can buy car insurance from multiple different companies, thousands of different companies. In Michigan, you can buy your car insurance from a company in Florida or Tennessee because there's a lot of open competition. And your car insurance doesn't pay for an oil change. It doesn't pay for new tires. It doesn't pay for the routine expenses. If your car insurance paid for your oil change and your new tires, it would be really expensive, just like our health insurance is today. We need to have people understand that health care isn't free once they pay their deductible. I think the health savings account concept where people have to save money tax free in their health savings account, use that money for their routine medical care and have health insurance be what it should be, not complete coverage of everything medicine but insurance for catastrophic disease, for items that you choose to insure for, not to insure for things that the government makes you insure for, like, you know, abortions which you may not want, or pregnancy, which you may not--you know, if you've had a hysterectomy, why should you be paying insurance for a pregnancy? There should be choice in health insurance, to allow people to have a Cadillac plan if they want, if they can afford it, or a Chevrolet plan. Or a young person may have simply a catastrophic plan if they feel they will not have significant health issues. That type of marketplace and that type of philosophy is what we need in the health insurance business in my view. I want to ask my colleague from Louisiana if that view of medicine, a market-based insurance and then competition between physicians as well, is your view?

Mr. BENISHEK. Thank you. Let me ask my colleague from Georgia if he has any other comments he'd like to make?

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank the gentleman from Georgia and the gentlemen from Louisiana and Arizona, the gentlewoman from New York, and my colleague from Maryland as well for appearing with me tonight. We've been trying to explain to the Speaker and the American people some of the issues that we have with the President's health care bill that do not solve our problem with health care and why we want to repeal it. I encourage you all to look further into this issue and become educated so that you can inform yourself and your friends how serious this problem is. With that, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to be here this evening to join my colleagues to talk about Medicare. As you may know, before coming to Congress, I served as a general surgeon in my district for the last 30 years, and many of my patients were on Medicare. And as a practicing physician, I often expressed to my patients--and my understanding wife--about our broken health care system here in America. In fact, that's one of the reasons I decided to get more involved in the political process and actually run for Congress. Most Americans don't understand that Medicare will be bankrupt within the decade if we don't do something to fix it. I didn't make this up. The actuary for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services actually provided this number. You know, I think if you ask most 65-year-olds just beginning to use Medicare, most would be very worried to learn that their primary health care provider was projected to be bankrupt within the decade. In fact, according to a recent Social Security Trustees report, Medicare seniors should expect to see a 22 percent benefit cut or workers should expect to see a 22 percent hike in their payroll taxes unless some action is taken. The bottom line is, if action isn't taken today, seniors in the program today, not to mention those looking to retire in the near future, begin to lose their benefits. Despite these facts, the other side of the aisle has spent the last 6 months attacking us, often saying that House Republicans' attempt to protect and preserve Medicare was, in fact, destroying it. Are you kidding me? Accusing myself and my fellow physicians in the House of wanting to end Medicare? We spent our careers caring for Medicare patients and are proud now to call them constituents. The real truth of the matter is that President Obama was elected in 2008 with the promise of hope and change. He did accomplish change in America's health care system, but I don't think it's the kind of change that Americans bargained for. Mr. Obama's health care law cut $575 billion from an already ailing Medicare system. The name of Mr. Obama's health care bill is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Mr. Speaker, I ask you: What type of patient protection cuts $14.6 billion from nursing homes, $112 billion from hospitals, and $135 billion from Medicare Advantage? While I'm on the record extensively for balancing the budget, I do not believe that our health care system should be made affordable on the backs of America's seniors. If the $500 billion in cuts made by ObamaCare were not bad enough, this bill did nothing to address the nearly 28 percent cuts to physician payments scheduled for January 1 of 2012. I believe in providing access for America's seniors, not taking it away. I am happy to announce here tonight that I'm working with members of the Doctors Caucus, House leadership, and Members across the aisle to develop legislation that will solve this issue once and for all. Mr. Speaker, tonight I call on all my colleagues to work together to ensure America's seniors that America will continue to be there for them in their time of need. I have made a pledge to seniors in my district that I will not support any changes to Medicare benefits for those 55 years of age or older. It is my belief that for those age 54 years of age or younger, some reforms will be necessary to guarantee that Medicare remains solvent in the long term for our children and our grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, we are here tonight to show that, as physicians, we want to preserve Medicare for the future. I thank Dr. Fleming for organizing this Special Order hour.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I have spent 28 years as a physician practicing rural medicine, even serving on the board of my local hospital. I am well aware of the great financial difficulties most rural hospitals and clinics experience each year. Today I was pleased that the State of Michigan celebrated Rural Health Day. On behalf of the thousands of Michiganders that call small towns and farming communities home, my State's Governor chose to recognize the hospitals and community-based centers that provide for the diverse and unique health care needs of these areas. Tonight I would like to join the State of Michigan in raising awareness about the importance these providers bring to the communities that I represent. While we recognize the importance of rural health today, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the great rural health facilities in my district. Many of my colleagues may have visited the Straits of Mackinac during a summer vacation, or perhaps they've seen the Mackinac Island featured on a ``Pure Michigan'' ad. The Rural Health Clinic in St. Ignace is the single largest employer in the community, supporting not only the local township but, in addition, the 900,000-plus seasonal visitors that depend upon the hospital for services each year. I recently received a distressing letter from Mr. Rodney Nelson, the CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System. Mr. Nelson is very worried about the impact Medicare cuts may have on his patients, employees, and ultimately the ability to keep the doors to the hospital open. Mr. Speaker, the Mackinac Straits Health System is one of 25 hospitals in my district that is considered either critical access or sole community hospital. Of these, 56 percent are already operating in the red. Unlike urban areas, my constituents often do not have another option when seeking health care. In the case of the St. Ignace Hospital, the next closest clinic is 50 miles away. What you may not know, Mr. Speaker, is that caring for patients in rural facilities is far more economic than providing urban care. In fact, rural patients cost less to treat in eight of the nine CMS regions. As my colleagues and I discuss possible ways to trim the budget, I feel it's important to remember that without rural hospitals, many of my constituents would not have access to medical care. A 2 percent reduction in Medicare spending is estimated to cost 389 jobs in my district as a direct result of the cuts to rural hospitals. If this number were raised to 10 percent, the figures would only get worse. At that point, 76 percent of the hospitals would be operating in the red; and the total impact is expected to be nearly $68 million, with 1,900 jobs affected. Mr. Speaker, I don't need to tell anyone that northern Michigan can't afford to lose another 1,900 jobs. Mr. Speaker, if we force these cuts, not only will we lose these jobs, but we will lose access to many people's sole source of health care. We are forcing rural patients to travel longer distances to seek more expensive care. This just costs everyone more money. I urge my colleagues to exercise caution when considering reductions to Medicare programs, especially those specific to physicians, critical access, and sole community hospitals.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate my fellow freshman and colleague from Michigan for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Chairman, this is a simple amendment that addresses a growing problem with our friends at the EPA--their love of bureaucratic red tape. I represent a district with more Great Lakes coastline than any other. Shipping and ferries are a part of the Great Lakes heritage. The USS Badger continues this tradition, transporting travelers, cars, trucks, and equipment across Lake Michigan. Don't be confused. This amendment does not make the Badger exempt from EPA regulations. The EPA will continue to regulate discharge limits and other requirements. It simply keeps in place the current regulations that recognize the Badger as a unique and historic vessel. Keeping the Badger operational means saving 1 million gallons in fuel a year from vehicles driving around the lake. Passing this amendment is simple and common sense. It allows a national historic place to continue to function on the Great Lakes. I urge passage.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of talk about the partisanship and venom in Washington this year. And while we will certainly see fierce debates in the future, I believe Members of this body can still come together and find common ground. On the surface, my colleague Hansen Clarke and I are very different. He is a lawyer representing the city of Detroit with a liberal voting record. I'm a conservative physician representing rural northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. We are both new to this House and share an interest in learning more about the unique challenges facing Michigan's citizens. After meeting Hansen during freshman orientation, we agreed to tour each other's district. In August I had the opportunity to head down to Michigan's 13th District in Detroit. There we toured employers such as Edward C. Levy Company and Mercy Primary Care Center and got to have some lunch on Mack Avenue. It was great to learn more about the district and be back in Detroit where I did my medical training. Next week Congressman Clarke will tour with me in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We will be meeting with area employers in Marquette and Escanaba, and will be getting a chance to see the splendor of Lake Superior with a visit to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising. I hope Hansen will even get to try one of northern Michigan's famous pasties for lunch. Mr. Speaker, although Hansen and I are from different parties and dramatically different parts of the State, we are united in the goal of improving economic conditions in the great State of Michigan. We believe that neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and by working together, we can help shape a better future for our children and grandchildren. Despite our difference of opinion on many issues, we both recognize that America remains a place in the world like no other, and that with liberty, courage, and hard work, there is no limit to one's destiny. I encourage all Members of this Chamber to pair up and schedule a visit to a different district. Congressman Clarke, I'm honored to have you as my friend, and I look forward to having you in Upper Michigan next week.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I came to the floor to speak in favor of this bill because frankly, I find it hard to believe what I'm hearing from those arguing against it. Does anyone honestly believe that passing this bill will create jobs only for an army of robots? Are you kidding me? Robots? According to one study, this bill may create as many as 3,000 real jobs for humans. Mr. Chairman, my district in northern Michigan is a long way from Arizona, but we, too, have a rich history of copper mining. Today, people need copper in their daily lives, and the growing demand means we need more mines, creating more jobs in Arizona and Michigan. My own father was a miner. Congress needs to demonstrate to the American people that it supports mining jobs and developing our Nation's resources, as this bill does in a way that is both environmentally responsible and culturally respectful. I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, last week, instead of making campaign bus stops and touting more stimulus spending, President Obama may have been better served coming to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, for a conference on jobs in the timber industry. At the conference, Representatives Cravaack, Duffy, Ribble, and myself, along with Chief Tidwell of the U.S. Forest Service, met with loggers, mill operators, and forestry experts. And the consensus was clear: Bureaucratic roadblocks and lack of direction are preventing the responsible harvest of Federal timberlands and killing jobs. Mr. Speaker, this is not about clear-cutting our Nation's forests. Responsible timber harvests make for healthier forests. They also create real jobs and grow the economy. As it stands, timber in the forests of the Great Lakes and across America is literally rotting on the stump and the Federal Government's bureaucratic snares are allowing it to happen. This cannot continue. It is time President Obama and Congress recognize that the simplest and quickest way to create jobs is to release the handcuffs of overregulation and red tape.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, on the morning of September 22, the inaugural flight of the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight departed for Washington, DC. On this flight were more than 80 World War II Veterans bound for the memorial that was built in their honor. Surrounded by the giant, granite pillars and spraying fountains, there was a renewed sense of shared sacrifice among the Veterans, and the honor of having been one of the 16 million men and women who served during World War II. This ``Greatest Generation'' is responsible for so much of America's prosperity, and on behalf of the citizens of Michigan's First District, I would like to recognize these heroes for their service, sacrifice, and continued patriotism. The motto of the Honor Flight Program reads ``We can't all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.'' It was my pleasure to do so on September 22, 2011, and honor these heroes who are responsible for the greatest victory of the 20th Century.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and final passage of the bill. In a time when government is borrowing over 40 cents for every dollar it spends, this bill makes needed cuts and puts forward a responsible and sensible framework for managing our Nation's natural resources. I represent a vast district in northern Michigan that includes Federal forests, national parks, and three Great Lakes. I am particularly pleased that the committee included language to boost and streamline timber harvests in Federal forests, similar to legislation that I introduced earlier this year. Right now on the Federal forests, for them to plan a timber harvest takes nearly 8 years to complete a harvest, from the beginning of the attempt to sell a parcel of land for timber and the actual harvesting; whereas, certified sustainable State forests take less than 2 years and certified sustainable county forests take a year. Basically it comes down to jobs in my district. We have a lot of Federal land in northern Michigan, and people in my district depend on the timber industry for jobs. Every little town has a mill, a flooring mill. Jobs, high-paying jobs, and the frustration that comes from having a forest full of timber and being unable to harvest it because of onerous regulations and rules result in a less healthy forest and less jobs for northern Michigan. We have a long way to go to responsibly harvest timber in northern Michigan and elsewhere in this country, but I believe this is a good start, and I am certainly looking forward to working with this committee in the future to continue to promote jobs in northern Michigan.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize several long time residents of Alger County Michigan, who were instrumental in resolving a long standing controversy about road access within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. When Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1966 as America's first national lakeshore, the enabling legislation called for the construction of a ``scenic shoreline drive'' as part of the park's development. However, the legislation did not specify exactly where that road should be located. Due to other national priorities, including the Vietnam War effort, funds were never appropriated to actually design and build the road. This delay led to tremendous frustration on the part of local individuals and units of government, many of whom felt misled into supporting the establishment of the park. However, as local pressure increased to fund the project, opposition to building a road through undeveloped portions of the park also increased, leading to many years of controversy. Over the years, several alternative locations were considered for the road. But, in 1998, to protect the most pristine portions of the park, Congress amended the park's enabling legislation to actually prohibit the National Park Service from constructing a road through the main portion of the park, forcing a compromise solution. That compromise, ultimately endorsed by the National Park Service and the Alger County Road Commission, called for the reconstruction and paving of an existing sand and gravel road; Alger County H-58. Using a combination of federal and state funds between 1990 and 2010, H-58 was re-designed and paved to provide improved access to and through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and connect the two gateway communities of Munising and Grand Marais. In the end, the Alger County Road Commission and the National Park Service worked very closely to design and build a roadway that would provide an outstanding scenic experience worthy of a national park. It is also noteworthy that in 2009, as the road project was coming to an end, Congress also provided permanent legal protection to the central portion of the park by establishing the Beaver Basin Wilderness. It took over 40 years, but with these two actions, the controversy about how best to balance road access and protection of nationally significant resources at Pictured Rocks had finally come to an end. Over the years, many Alger County residents continued to strongly advocate for a road that would provide better access to the National Lakeshore. These included Connie Berube Binsfeld, who later served as Lt. Governor of Michigan and a member of the National Park Advisory Board; Doug Miron and Paul Heyrman, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Alger County Road Commission; the late Dennis ``Fuzzy'' Boyak, President and CEO of Peoples State Bank of Munising; Rochelle Cotey, Director of ALTRAN, the local transportation authority, and Richard and Chuck Nebel, a Munising banker and attorney-at-law. Munising native Mike Pond, a professional civil engineer, was involved in the design of virtually every detail of the road. Now that the road is complete, these local residents, along with others, have left a lasting legacy for Alger County and the visitors to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, Northern Michigan mourns the loss of Army Specialist Robert L. Voakes, Jr., 21, from L'Anse. Robert, who was posthumously promoted from private first class, was killed during an insurgent attack in Lagham Province, Afghanistan. Robert was just three months into a 15-month Operation Enduring Freedom deployment in Afghanistan. Robert graduated in 2009 from Baraga High School and enlisted in the military that November. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and was then stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. Robert was in the 164th Military Police Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Robert enjoyed sports, particularly basketball, and was a proud and active member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. He is remembered as a quiet, thoughtful young man with an excellent sense of humor. While Robert could have stayed in L'Anse, he chose instead to serve the cause of freedom and defend America's liberty in a distant country. Robert's deeds and daring will forever be illustrative of the selflessness and bravery that lives in Northern Michigan's young people. I can find no words that can express my gratitude for Robert's service or for the sypthathy I feel for his many loved ones whose lives have been shattered by this loss. To Robert's family, I can offer only the hope that you may be comforted by the kind providence of the Almighty, and the knowledge that so many in our area are praying for you more than they have ever prayed for themselves. I am well aware that my words will not soften your overwhelming grief, but in the words of President Lincoln, ``May God give you that consolation which is beyond all earthly power.'' On behalf of the First District of Michigan, I would like to express my profound sadness for the loss of such a noble young man as Robert Voakes. Northern Michigan has certainly lost one of its finest, and his memory and service will not be forgotten.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Speaker, over the past couple weeks, we've seen an increase in the false attacks on this House's plan to save Medicare for future generations and prevent America from falling into an abyss of debt and deficits. These falsehoods represent a new low in political attacks. And to those of you who are trying to scare this country's seniors, I say, Shame on you. America deserves better. Before coming to Congress this year, I spent 25 years as a physician treating patients in northern Michigan, many of whom were on Medicare. I find it ridiculous that some on the other side of the aisle accuse us of wanting to hurt seniors. The fact is we put forth a plan that ensures our children and grandchildren will have access to Medicare and doesn't change benefits for those at or near retirement. These false attacks are nothing more than a smoke screen from the other side. The Democrats' plan, ObamaCare, calls for bankruptcy and rationing. I ask my colleagues on the other side to stop playing politics and do what the American people sent us here to do, work together and face reality.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1657. I want to thank Congressman Stutzman for his leadership on this bill. Before coming to Congress, I spent 20 years as a physician working at the VA health care system at Iron Mountain, and I am fortunate at this time to represent 68,000 veterans who call Michigan's First District home. When those veterans in my district decided to serve their country, they gave up the opportunity to pursue experience in a civilian career. Recognizing this sacrifice, Congress enacted laws giving service-disabled veteran owned small businesses preference when competing for government contracts. Unfortunately, in a 2009 report, the GAO estimated that more than $100 million dollars had been awarded to firms that fraudulently claimed service-disabled veteran ownership due to ``significant control weaknesses'' within the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Small Business Administration. By expediting the debarment process and strengthening the penalties for those who misrepresent their status, this new bill provides more protection for service-disabled veteran owned businesses. I urge my colleagues to vote with me in support of this bill.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, let it be known, that it is a pleasure and honor to pay tribute to Joseph A. Tormala of Chassell, who was born and raised in the Copper Country by his parents, Ken and Mary Tormala of Atlantic Mine. He attended schools in Stanton Twp., and graduated from Houghton High School in 1983. He joined the Marine Corps in 1983 and married his high school sweetheart Sheila (Alatalo) in 1984, and they have one child, Katrina. Joe attended Marine boot camp and Infantry Training in California during the Beirut crisis of 1983 and was trained as a Huey & Cobra helicopter crew chief, and in marine security forces. He served in numerous deployments from 1985 through 1988 in Operation Northern Wedding and in missions to the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. He served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and in Operation Fiery Vigil in the rescue, cleanup and evacuation of the Philippines during the eruption of Pinatubo. He left active duty in 1993 and moved back to the Copper Country. As a civilian, Joe went on to complete his education with an Associate Applied Science degree from Vincennes University, and certifications in Forensic Science--Criminal Investigations, Certified Security Supervisor, Certified Protection Officer and FEMA Emergency Program Manager. He was Director of Campus Security for Suomi College/ Finlandia University, Houghton CO. Special Deputy Sheriff, Hancock Reserve Police Officer, Chassell Township Fireman, and DNR Volunteer Conservation Officer. He rejoined components of the Army and Marine Corps 1994-2004 and participated in training missions across the United States, deployed with Task Force Timberwolf in Central America and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in security missions following the 9/11 attacks, until his mobilization and activation for 15 months in the Liberation of Iraq and Operation Iraqi Freedom I. During his service in the Marine Corps and Army, Joe was decorated for Combat Action and received other awards for personal leadership, achievement and meritorious service; including the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Iraq. His units were cited in Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Valorous Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendations, Navy Battle E, Navy Sea Service, Army Overseas, and other Service and Campaign Medals for his 3\1/2\ years spent overseas in five tours with Marine and Army Units. He is a volunteer by nature and has applied his entire adult life to serving others in the military, public safety, veterans' groups, and non-profits. He has been active in veterans' affairs for 25 years, notably organizing the Keweenaw Detachment #1016, Marine Corps League and Copper Country Chapter #789 Military Order Purple Heart with Vietnam veterans Gary Mattson and Tom Heikkinen. Joe continues to serve as a volunteer Michigan CCP Firearms Instructor and U.S. Army Ambassador for CRSC/TSGLI claims. He is a Christian and man of faith in God. He serves his local church in many capacities, and he and his wife, with their dog, Sunny greatly enjoy wandering the wilderness of the U.P. of Michigan and across America. The Copper Country is greatly honored to have Joe as the Grand Marshal of the Sixth Annual Parade of Thanks in Michigan's Keweenaw.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, this morning, a gallon of gasoline in my hometown of Iron River, Michigan, was $4.29. Unfortunately, most people are plagued with the fact of knowing that prices are going to go up even further in the next few weeks. I believe that we in Congress know that there is no silver bullet that is going to lower prices at the pump. However, we have a responsibility here to craft policy and to pass legislation that will increase the supply of crude oil that will be produced here at home. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to take these actions to help lessen the pain of these prices on our families in Michigan and throughout the country. Mr. Chairman, we need to find a long-term solution to high fuel prices. I believe that the full-day markup we held in committee last month was the first step and that passing this bill today will be the next step, but we have many further steps to take.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 273, I was at a doctors appointment across town. Had I been present, I would have voted, ``no.''

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, this day marks an historic moment for our country. The rise in Federal spending that has defined the last 3 years has ended. The bill that we will pass in the House today contains the largest cuts in our budget since the end of World War II. This bill is by no means perfect, and I, like many Americans, want more cuts, and I believe we will get them. These cuts are just the start. The words of Winston Churchill, which were spoken during a different battle, echo true today. He stated, ``This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end; but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.'' Mr. Speaker, it is time to move beyond last year's business and start doing the work the American people sent us here to do. Tomorrow, we will take up legislation that will save us not billions but trillions; and as this House considers addressing the debt ceiling, the Senate and the President need to know that these cuts do not represent the end-- they represent our resolve to continue the fight.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, it is my strong belief that the pre- eminent reason a majority of Northern Michigan's citizens selected me to be their representative in Washington was to do everything possible to rein in out-of-control Federal spending. My focus has been to support such efforts while working to ensure that policies coming out of the Nation's Capital--tax, monetary, and regulatory--serve to encourage private enterprise so Northern Michigan has the chance to experience economic growth. My first 44 days in office have taught me a great deal about the budget process and the ``spending ways of Washington.'' Each day we have been in session I have typically had 5-10 meetings with organizations, companies and Washington reps all seeking to keep their programs free of any spending cuts. No one in Washington has asked me to spend less. In fact, it seems in every Washington meeting while there occasionally is a recognition of the doom America faces if the current spending continues, each meeting usually closes with an expected refrain ``. . . yes we need to spend less but not our program.'' By contrast, during my first visit home, just about everyone in the First District asked me to make sure the Federal Government spends less. In Northern Michigan there seems to be a strong consensus that Federal budget red ink can no longer continue at record pace. Here are my guiding ``spend less'' principles in this 112th Congress: Shared Responsibility: Before there is any comprehensive entitlement reform effort, every Federal department should be prepared to live with less money in 2012 than it received in 2011. Sunlight and Transparency: All spending decisions should be made in a fully transparent legislative process. No backdoor earmarks, no special interest amendments. If a program has merit its supporters should defend the program in public floor debate. Tighten the Revenue Spigot: Simply sending more money to Washington is not going to solve the problem of unchecked spending; every year the U.S. Treasury receives more money; every year the Federal Government spends more than it takes in. Consequently, increasing taxes is not the answer. If not now, when? I have publicly promised to limit my career in Congress to just three terms. America's future is more important than any one of us in Congress, certainly more important than any political job. I'd rather do what I think is right than simply keep this position. I trust the voters. In my view, the debt is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It is an American issue. The failure of previous Congresses to act means America now faces a $14 trillion debt. For every dollar Congress allocates the U.S. Treasury has to borrow up to $.40 to pay for it. That means indebting ourselves to countries like China and mortgaging our children's future. Let me be clear, this will not be easy. To stem the tide, many tough decisions will need to be made. Northern Michigan--like the entire country--has a backlog of worthy projects and its people have benefited from admirable public programs. The reductions in H.R. 1 affect every community in the nation. These are hard decisions for Congress to make, and not everyone will be happy with everything that has been proposed. This is understandable, but I believe these reductions are necessary to show that Congress is serious about returning our country to a sustainable financial path. The Continuing Resolution to be considered on the House Floor this week is just the first step. Fortunately, the President's budget proposal is merely a suggestion that Congress can improve upon. In my view, Congress needs to offer a more fiscally sound budget for FY 2012. Additionally, it is my view that Congress will need to consider reforming entitlements programs. Social Security and Medicare are important programs that millions of Americans depend on. Without reform, both of these programs face bankruptcy. In my opinion, Congress needs to consider solutions to avoid this crisis that ensures benefits under Social Security and Medicare are not reduced for those Americans currently receiving benefits. And I think most of my colleagues agree this is not a time to play politics. The inflamed rhetoric and scare attacks on cutting grandma's benefits have no place here. This week's vote will not take away benefits for anyone receiving benefits. Instead, Congress will have completed the first step and as the Constitution dictates, the Senate and the President will have their say.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Speaker, before coming to this House, I have actually been taking care of patients for the last 30 years, and as a surgeon, I work with patients to provide care and earn their trust. The doctor-patient relationship is the very foundation of the practice of medicine. Unfortunately, the health care law passed in the last Congress does not build the doctor-patient relationship; it undermines it. Full of hidden costs and red tape, the law overregulates and limits patient choices. We need to repeal this bill, start over, and craft health care legislation that actually puts patients first and puts them in charge of their care. Repealing this bill is not the end of health care reform. This gives us a second chance to tackle the problems of our system while focusing on what makes our system great.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Speaker, while campaigning this fall, people in northern Michigan made it clear that they are not happy with the government takeover of health care. That's why I'm pleased that one of my first votes in Congress will allow me to keep a promise to my constituents and vote to repeal that legislation. As a surgeon who spent more than 30 years working directly with patients, I view the government takeover of our health care system as an attack on the doctor-patient relationship. Now, as a member of the freshman class of 2011, I invite all Members to join us in repealing this law and developing realistic health care reform that lowers costs, improves insurance options, and puts patients, not government bureaucrats, at the center of health care.