Eric Cantor

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. First of all, I would say to the gentleman, he knows as well that my district was the epicenter of the earthquake and damage there for that as well as extremely hard hit by the high winds associated with Irene. We had almost 900,000 people out of power. There are still some people out of power. So I understand the situation that people are suffering and we need to get them their relief. The gentleman knows that I share his commitment to making sure that happens. I also applaud the gentleman for saying that, yes, because he has always been, Mr. Speaker, someone who says we have to pay for what we do here. I don't think that the two are mutually exclusive. I don't and have never said we should be holding up any relief at all for people who need it. I also think we can work together to act responsibly. The gentleman has been an advocate always for paying for what we do. And so I would say, as to the request as to where and when we were doing the supplemental, we still have not heard from the administration because, as the gentleman knows, there's a process that goes on at the local and State levels to make a determination about the need and to make a determination that the need exceeds the capacities of the local and State governments so as to then turn to FEMA and the Federal Government to come in. So I say to the gentleman, we need to understand exactly what the costs are going to be, and we will make sure that we find the money. I will also say that we continue to try and get out of the sort of ad hoc way of appropriating for such emergencies. The fact is in the past that we, in this Congress, have not adequately funded the disaster accounts and have found ourselves caught shorthanded when disaster hits. As the gentleman knows, part of the debt ceiling agreement included a 10-year rolling average to now be the amount for which we will budget for the disaster fund. Hopefully, that will get us on a much more even keel and allow for the adequate funding of what's needed, both in the short term and long. But as for the supplemental, we are still waiting for the administration's determination of what is needed. And if it is FY12 monies, we will have the opportunity to roll that into the process of budgeting for the disasters the way we set out to do that in the debt ceiling agreement.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from Maryland. Madam Speaker, the House will now meet in pro forma session only tomorrow. Therefore, no votes are expected in the House on Sunday. Given the critical fiscal and economic situation, however, Members should be prepared to return to Washington quickly if needed. We may only be able to assure a few hours' notice, at most. Lastly, I would say to the gentleman that the House will be in legislative session on Monday, and first votes are expected as early as noon.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I will not yield. So I know it makes for good politics to go throw the shiny ball out there, Madam Speaker, that somehow Republicans are wed to that kind of policy to sustain these preferences, when all along, in our budget and in our plan, we have said we are for tax reform. We have said we are for bringing down rates on everybody. And that's it, Madam Speaker. Let's get serious and stop playing politics. It's not about that. There is no disagreement that any of us want to support those loopholes. But what's really going on, Madam Speaker, in all of the debt discussion, in all of the negotiation, is the fact that the minority and its party and the President continue to insist that we raise taxes on the small business people that we need so desperately to begin creating jobs and hiring people again.

Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, it is time to be honest with the American people. At a time when our government borrows 40 cents of every dollar it spends, we have got no choice but to cut spending and begin living within our means. Contrary to what the gentleman on the other side of the aisle continues to say, no one, no one wants to bring default onto our country. And with millions of Americans out of work, we've got to focus on getting the economy growing again. We, as Republicans, as the new majority in this House, as the gentleman from Maryland knows, have put a plan on the table that ensures Washington does not continue to spend money it doesn't have. House Republicans have a plan to cut, cap, and balance our way to prosperity. This commonsense legislation provides a straightforward plan to curb our massive debt and to finally begin to limit spending. The legislation before us would require, one, a balanced budget component; two, a supermajority requirement to raise taxes on the American people; and, three, a limit on spending as a percentage of GDP. Madam Speaker, today the House has the opportunity to show the people that sent us here that we are serious about turning the page on the failed fiscal policies that this town has been about over the last several decades and begin to get the fiscal house in order. House Republicans were voted into office to change the culture in Washington, and we will not support the other side's request or the President's request to increase the debt limit without meaningful reforms to the system. Forty-nine States, including my home State of Virginia, already have a balanced budget requirement, and it's time that the Federal Government reflect the same policy to get our fiscal house in order. Cut, Cap, and Balance makes sure that we begin to treat taxpayer dollars more responsibly, just like families and businesses do with their own budgets. We need to act today. We cannot continue to kick the can down the road. Madam Speaker, the President continues to say, as the gentleman on the other side tries to imply as well, that they want to do big things. We do as well, as evidenced by our budget that we put on the table. But we implore the other side to get serious. Let's do big things. Let's get our fiscal house in order. But let's do so without imposing higher taxes on the small business people that we so desperately need to start hiring again. And the gentleman from Maryland loves to talk about those corporate loopholes. He loves to talk about corporate jet owners and the kind of preferences that exist in the Code. The gentleman from Maryland knows all too well, he and I were in discussions for almost 7 weeks when I said, again and again, that we would be happy to engage in a discussion of tax reform to get rid of those loopholes. The gentleman also knows that those loopholes and the costs associated with those loopholes pale in comparison to the problem.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I, as well as the gentleman, understand that there is a lot of uncertainty if that were to happen, a lot of risks associated with that, risks that I am not willing to take. To the gentleman's suggestion that it is imperative that we do that above all else, I would also add to that, it is imperative that we demonstrate that we can arrive at meaningful solutions to the current fiscal crisis the country is facing. That is what the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act tries to achieve. It offers a way for us to cut spending in a meaningful way this year and throughout the budget window. It also suggests ways to enforce discretionary levels so that Congress can actually begin to do what all of us would like to see us do, which is to stop spending the money that we don't have. The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act also provides for caps on total spending levels recommended in our budget resolution. These levels are spending as a share of GDP, and it provides, lastly, for ensuring that even beyond the 10 years that we actually can get back to balance. That's what the people of the country want. I know that the gentleman shares with me a desire to manage this situation back down to balance. So I'm hopeful that the gentleman and his colleagues on the other side of the aisle take a look at this legislation. As I have said to the gentleman, it will be posted online to comply with our 3-day layover requirement to provide adequate notice to the public and Members.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would say regarding the gentleman's discussion about what happened at the White House this week and my insistence that the President's, at least, statements in that meeting-- because we don't know what the details were of his proposal on this so- called ``big deal.'' My insistence was consistent with our speakers that we not raise taxes, and that's why that construct doesn't work. We don't have the votes on this side of the aisle. I am not supportive of raising taxes on people who are trying to make it right now and can't. So I would say to the gentleman when he refers to the other groups that have been out there, all of whom he states suggest that somehow we need to raise taxes, what the gentleman is talking about is how are we going to produce more revenues. We believe, Mr. Speaker, that you produce more revenues by having growth in our economy. We don't believe that you promote growth in the economy by cranking up the government spending machine by taking money from people who earn it, washing it through Washington's bureaucracy, and sending it back out. We don't believe that. We believe that growth is created through investment, through hard work in the private sector by entrepreneurs, small businessmen and - women, people who want to succeed but want to earn their success and are not waiting for government to grant it to them. So I would say to the gentleman, if the aim is for us to create more revenues, one word in response: It's growth. I would say to the gentleman as far as his reference to the Gallup Poll and when he says that overwhelmingly people in this country want to have taxes raised as part of the so-called ``solution'' to our problem----

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman that, as he has heard me say before in those meetings and on this floor, I don't want to pass August 2 without increasing the debt.

Mr. CANTOR. I will yield to the gentleman when I am finished. To the gentleman's suggestion that that is where the American public is, I just disagree. I haven't talked to anybody right now--when we have got unemployment over 9 percent officially, when people are out of work and month after month can't find a job, when small business people are having trouble just keeping the lights on, I don't talk to anybody that says, ``Please raise my taxes.'' That's what we should be focused on are the hardworking people, the people of this country who want a job, who want to see this economy return to growth. They are the ones who understand that it's cutting taxes; it's cutting the overly burdensome regulatory system in this town that will bring back middle class jobs. So to the gentleman's suggestion that somehow we have not been talking about jobs in this institution, I know it's not surprising to him that I disagree with that.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I would say back to the gentleman that the bill is currently being drafted and will be posted online later this evening, consistent with our 3-day layover requirement.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip, for yielding. Madam Speaker, on Monday the House will meet at noon for morning-hour and at 2 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. This is a change from the legislative schedule that was announced at the end of last week. We will be sending out an announcement shortly so that all Members are aware of this change. Again, Madam Speaker, the House will now convene on Monday of next week, not Tuesday. It is critical, Madam Speaker, that we solve our Nation's fiscal problem and intend to schedule the House's legislative business as intended to accomplish that goal. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for the morning-hour and noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m. on Friday. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a few bills under suspension of the rules on Monday, which will be announced by the close of business today. I do not expect any other legislative business besides suspensions on Monday. On Tuesday, the House will consider the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, which would provide the President with an increase in the debt ceiling so long as cuts are made in the short term, spending caps are put in place over the coming years, and a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution is adopted so that we never find ourselves in this position again. I would encourage as many Members as possible to participate in this important debate on Tuesday. During the remainder of the week, the House will consider legislation relating to the expiring authorization of the FAA, a series of bills reported by the Financial Services Committee that deal with the impending transfer of authority to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and, finally, the Legislative Branch appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CANTOR. Right. Because I say to the gentleman, week after week we brought bills to the floor, yes, that deal with our fiscal situation-- that cut spending--because we have got to address that, just like people address it in their homes, their families, their businesses. But we brought numerous bills week after week to the floor that go to the root of the cause of uncertainty in the business community in this country, and that is Washington's overly aggressive and burdensome regulatory reach. We have got to get back to a growth posture, Mr. Speaker. That means cut spending, lower taxes and implement a balanced and sensible pro-growth regulatory system as well as, finally, hopefully, returning to a monetary policy that promotes a strong dollar.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker may appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period from August 8, 2011, through September 6, 2011, as though under clause 8(a) of rule I.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. If I could finish.

Mr. CANTOR. I would say to the gentleman, I know he likes to engage in a lot of the decades of history before. And I don't like to go finger-pointing and engage in that. But every time the gentleman raises the issue about jobs lost here, jobs lost there, what it does is require me to posit again, there have been 1.4 million jobs lost since the stimulus bill. But that makes my point. We didn't need to do the stimulus bill. We didn't need to do the stimulus bill because now we are stuck with over $800 billion in additional debt with now unemployment today at 9.2 percent. So, again, question whether we're on the right policies here and we're spending the dollars we need to be spending. Maybe we shouldn't spend it. Maybe we should let it be invested in the private sector. I would end by saying, again, the deficit is a real problem. We've got a $1.6 trillion deficit this year, the largest in history and the third consecutive year of trillion dollars of deficits. I would say to the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, we can't tolerate that. The President shouldn't tolerate that. The American people have no patience any more. That's why we need to get to work, try and lower the hyperbole and get the job done. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. CANTOR. I would say to the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, that I have said before that America pays its bills just like the American people are expected to pay their bills at home and in their small and large businesses; but the fact is I think that the American people are expecting us to live up to the promise that we are not going to let spending get out of control again. So the purpose of the deliberations that are ongoing throughout this Capitol, at the White House, et cetera, are focused--and should be--on making sure we change the system, on making sure that we accomplish the necessary cuts which would exceed the amount that we raise the debt limit, as well as to signal to the American people that we have changed the system; that this kind of unbridled spending ceases and that we begin to live within our means and get the fiscal house in order so that we can focus on the overriding need for this country right now, which is to create an environment where jobs return. I know the gentleman has seen today's jobs report. ``Disappointing'' is an understatement, so I make the point again: As the gentleman knows, Mr. Speaker, he and I were at a meeting at the White House yesterday with the President in which I said, again, the import of our need to act and act responsibly and not--not--to raise taxes on the American people and the small businesses, and that we need so desperately to begin to create jobs again.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the House will meet at noon for morning-hour debate and at 2 p.m. for legislative business. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate and at noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. The last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m. on Friday. On Monday, the House will begin amendment debate on H.R. 2354, the Energy and Water appropriations bill; and consider H.R. 2417, the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, under suspension of the rules. For the remainder of the week, the House will consider H.R. 1309, the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011; H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011; H.R. 2434, the Financial Services appropriations bill; and potentially legislation relating to the expiring authorization of the FAA. Finally, Mr. Speaker, as a scheduling notice, Members are advised that the House will now be in session during the week of July 18. I expect legislative business for the week to begin on Tuesday, July 19, at 2 p.m., with first votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. The last votes for the week are expected to conclude no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, July 22. And I thank the gentleman.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would respond to the gentleman, as he knows--he and I have had plenty of discussions about this; so I assume we are just on for show here--that he wants me to say yes. I believe it would be a grave consequence if we did not reach the point at which we could arrive at a solution and put a bill forward that would permit an increase in the credit limit of this country, with an associated cut in spending, and move to get our fiscal house in order. And as the gentleman correctly pointed out, the reason why now we will not be in our districts on the week of the 18th is to ensure that we do get it right and that we recognize that the markets, the investors around the world are smarter than expecting us to just go and check the box to meet the date. At the end of the day, what the markets and investors, and, more importantly, the American people, are looking for is that we act responsibly, that we begin to manage down the debt and deficit. That means trillions of dollars of cuts are necessary. Because I think most Americans are looking at Washington in disbelief, that somehow we think there's not enough money coming into the Federal Government. I mean, just look at the jobs report today. I cannot fathom how anyone thinks right now is a good time to raise taxes. Who thinks that raising taxes on individuals and small businesses can help create jobs? We are in a crisis. People in this country need to get back to work. And let me just, Mr. Speaker, for the point of explanation because the gentleman insists on going back decades to recount the past--and as the gentleman knows, I'm the first one to say that we came to this majority with some contrition--that, no, we weren't always acting in the best interests of the fiscal health of this country, that's why we have taken the job at hand and acted responsibly and passed a budget that actually puts a plan in place to manage down the debt and deficit, unlike the other body, unlike this President. And that's why we come to the table right now, as we approach this debt ceiling vote, with a well thought out, deliberative plan to get people back to work while we get the fiscal house in order. But let's just review some of the statistics, Mr. Speaker. There have been 2.5 million jobs lost since this President took office. There are 13.9 million Americans unemployed right now. A gallon of gas is significantly higher--well into the $3.50, $3.60 a gallon in some places in this country, if not higher, up from $1.85 when this President took office. $14.3 trillion in current national debt, up from $10.6 trillion when this President took office. If you work that out, $46,042 debt per person, up from $34,371 when this President took office. So you can go through line by line of how things have gotten worse for the American people. Now, we can sit here and blame and point fingers all day long, but I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, the American people are tired of the bickering. They want to see some solutions. They want to see us come together. That's exactly why we have altered the schedule so we can begin to actually deliver on the promise. So I agree with the gentleman from Maryland, the Democratic whip; we've got a serious challenge ahead of us. We on this side of the aisle have been consistent in our efforts to meet that challenge in a responsible way. But I would underscore again that now is not the time to raise taxes. Now is not the time to say that Washington needs more money because that money comes off the hard work and backs of the American people.

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. I would just try to keep my remarks short, and that is to say, listen, it's about jobs right now. The gentleman correctly points out we have a real spending problem here. And the question is, how do we address the first priority to get Americans back to work and address that spending problem we've got? Now, if the gentleman says we have to pay for what we buy, I certainly agree with that. We ought to just be buying less as a government because the money doesn't belong to the government, it belongs to the people. And if we want more people to get back to work, we should allow them to keep more of their money so that they can create jobs. And that's really where the fundamental disagreement has been over the last couple of weeks. It certainly was what put the Biden talks into abeyance because there was a lot of good work that was done by both sides of the aisle in those talks. And I still believe that the product of those talks will prove to be the basis upon which we can arrive at an appropriate resolution of the challenge before us around the debt ceiling. But why these talks ended was that your side insisted that we raise taxes. And I would say to the gentleman, raising taxes is, as he would put it, paying for what we buy. And I'm saying let's stop buying so much and let the people decide what it is they want to do with their money.

Mr. CANTOR. The gentleman is correct. It is my hope that we can have some deliberative processes and open discussions so that we can arrive at an appropriate conclusion of the challenges surrounding the issue of the debt limit expiration. That is correct.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentlelady, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I thank the leadership of the gentleman from California as well in support of this resolution. Madam Speaker, we call today on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to renounce the path they have set in planning to announce statehood in the upcoming United Nations session. By threatening to sidestep the principles of the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority is beginning to dismantle the framework of future peace process agreements. We have seen the death and destruction that Hamas perpetrated against both Israeli civilians and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, yet Hamas refuses to accept responsibility for its actions or rein in terrorists called to strike at the heart of the Israeli people. Today, we ask and call upon the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table and join the Israelis in direct discussions to end this conflict. Furthermore, we call on the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to renounce the violence Hamas condones and teaches to its followers. This resolution, Madam Speaker, directs the Palestinian Authority to be responsible actors on the world stage and to return to negotiations. For far too long, the Palestinian Authority has not acted on behalf of its people. Corruption has caused many to discredit its legitimacy. The people of the region deserve an honest broker that accepts and respects the state of Israel. Israel has stood by America in its fights against extremist ideology. Madam Speaker, we stand by Israel as our most valued ally in a region in need of more who respect freedom of speech and the free assembly of people, a region that, frankly, must follow the example set by Israel in its work in promotion of human progress. It is time for the Palestinian Authority to accept a peaceful solution to this conflict and teach their children that violence is never the answer to their problems. The Palestinian Authority must understand that peace is only achievable when they are willing to recognize the legitimacy of Israel to exist as a Jewish state. And they must understand that the solution to this conflict will only come through direct negotiations with the Israelis, and not by circumventing the peace process through international parliamentary gimmickry.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Chairman, I support the request for unanimous consent.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and legacy of an individual that served this body, the Commonwealth of Virginia and our Nation tirelessly for many, many years, Mr. Laurence Butler Dillard, who most of us came to know simply as Larry. I had the pleasure of meeting Larry many years ago, during the early days of my own journey in public service. Larry proudly served the people of Virginia's 3d Congressional District in the office of my friend and colleague, Bobby Scott. With Larry's passing, Congressman Scott's office has lost not just an employee, but a friend, and I offer my condolences to Representative Scott and his entire staff. Larry's quest for knowledge and genuine appreciation for history, especially Virginia's history and culture, was infectious to all that had the pleasure of interacting with him. In an environment that is often described as unyieldingly partisan, Larry's approach to the legislative system and constituent service was indeed refreshing. His unique ability to overcome differences, backed up by his positive and enthusiastic personality, bridged the parties together and remains a model for all of us. And that's how Larry was-- never deterred, no issue insurmountable, always finding that common ground. He devoted his life to the service of others. I hope this body will join me in offering sincere condolences to Larry's wife Sherry, his son Brandon, his brother Randy, Congressman Scott and his staff and Larry's many family members and friends. Larry Dillard's contributions to this institution will always be remembered.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman. I will just underscore the sense that the gentleman, Mr. Speaker, says that the markets are watching. I believe that is the case. I also believe the markets are looking for us to enact real reforms, real spending reductions. So by just acting to increase the credit limit of this country without following through on our commitment for spending cuts and reform is just checking the box and is reckless. That's why I say to the gentleman it is important for us to come together, to walk together, to make sure that we are able to execute on a plan to reduce spending once and for all and to reform this system here in Washington so that the markets understand we mean what we say. It's time for us to make the tough decisions now and not to just stall and say we'll do it later. The people of this country have seen that over and again, and they're tired of it.