Mike Coffman

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to put an end to the defined-benefit retirement plan currently available to Members of Congress. These are extremely difficult economic times. We are in a debt crisis that will require sacrifices on the part of all Americans. I served in both the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps, and I was taught that leaders should never ask others to do anything that they themselves would be unwilling to do. Congress needs to set an example and lead the way for the country. I think this is a good start. The defined benefit retirement plan gives Members of Congress an averaged percentage of their annual salary (currently $174,000) for every year they serve in Congress. To be eligible for the retirement plan they must first serve at least five years. They will then receive 1.7% for every year up to 20 that they serve in Congress, and 1% for every year after 20. For example, if a Member of Congress served for 20 years, and they were at least 62, he or she would receive 34% of their salary, or $59,160 per year, based on the current salary. Members of Congress pay 1.3% of their salary into the pension plan and are required to pay into Social Security at the same rate as everyone else. They may contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan that has a match similar to many private sector 401(k) plans. My legislation will honor any retirement benefits accrued prior to the passage of this bill, and will keep the Social Security and Thrift Savings Plan in place. I believe that Members of Congress should feel the same economic pressures the rest of society does, and I firmly believe that the current effort to reduce spending and constrain the size and scope of government requires that all possible solutions be taken, including cuts to the Congressional budget. I urge the passage of this bill.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down his life for our freedom: U.S. Army Warrant Officer 4 David R. Carter. Chief Warrant Officer Carter dedicated himself to over 24 years of military service. As a member of the Colorado Army National Guard, he deployed to Afghanistan this summer. On August 6, 2011, he was piloting a CH-47 helicopter on a mission to reinforce a unit under attack in Wardak province. On that tragic day, he was one of 30 Americans who lost their lives when their helicopter was brought down by enemy fire. David Carter was regarded as one of the most highly trained aviators in Colorado, with multiple combat deployments and over 4,000 flight hours. He is also remembered for the tremendous impact he had on his family, friends, and community. Friends recall that he was never too busy to help out with a problem. Chief Warrant Officer David Carter personified the honor and selflessness of service as a citizen soldier. His bravery and dedication to duty will not be forgotten. As a Marine Corps combat veteran, my deepest sympathies go out to his family, fellow soldiers, and all who knew him.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,717,868,058,346.24. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $4,079,442,312,052.44 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,688,259,374,281.24. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $4,049,833,627,987.44 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,711,737,198,477.91. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $4,073,311,452,184.11 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,685,550,385,913.19. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $4,047,124,639,619.39 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I rise today to recognize the Piney Creek Colorado chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, for its commitment to preserving American history and fostering patriotism across the country. The parent society's history dates back to 1890, a time marked by a revival in patriotism and an intense interest in the beginnings of the United States. While the Piney Creek chapter was only chartered in 2004, the energy and dedication directed towards the local community has enhanced the lives of many Coloradans. The founders of DAR sought to create an organization which would commemorate the patriots of the American Revolution, cultivating national pride in its members and in local communities. The Piney Creek DAR superbly embodies these tenants, and tirelessly works to forward the organization's mission of perpetuating the memory of those who contributed to American Independence, promoting educational endeavors as instructed by President George Washington, and cherishing American institutions of freedom. National events organized by DAR, such as Constitution Week, celebrate the foundations of democracy and contribute to the education of communities. Started in 1955, Constitution Week seeks to honor and reaffirm the ideals outlined by our Founding Fathers in 1787. The Piney Creek chapter of the DAR has truly taken heart in this annual event and has gone above and beyond to thoughtfully promote the importance of the Constitution. From sponsoring and performing education programs about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights at local elementary schools, to disseminating pocket Constitutions to students and patrons, the Piney Creek DAR has captured the spirit of this important week. Moreover, their work promoting the ideals of the Constitution continues throughout the year by sponsoring high school Advance Placement U.S. American History Classrooms and partnering with local libraries to publicly display copies of our founding documents. These efforts and others demonstrate the Piney Creek DAR's exceptional dedication to country and community. I'm incredibly proud to have such dedicated volunteers residing in the 6th district of Colorado, and I am certain that the Piney Creek DAR will continue to serve as an example of American spirit both past and future.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. The reason he rejected the agreement was because it didn't have enough money to get him through the election of November 2012. The President's campaign consideration is not putting America first. We need to put America first and vote down the Reid proposal.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Madam Speaker, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has said to the Congress that we need to put America first and get this debt limit done. I agree with that. I agree that we need to put America first and put politics aside. Last weekend, a bipartisan proposal emerged with Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Reid, Senator Reid, coming to an agreement, but the President of the United States got ahold of Senator Reid and said, Absolutely not.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,830,116,551.28. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,404,370,257.48 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,887,364,361.82. On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,461,618,068.02 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down his life for our freedoms, United States Army Sergeant Nathan Ryan Beyers. Sergeant Beyers, a 2006 graduate of Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, volunteered to serve in the Idaho Army National Guard. In the Army, he served with the 145th Brigade Support Battalion of the 116th Cavalry Heavy Brigade Combat Team. He deployed with his unit in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq. On July 7, 2011, he gave his life in the line of duty on a convoy security mission. Nathan is remembered not only for his heroics on the battlefield, but for the tremendous impact he had on his family, friends, and community. He was absolutely devoted to his family and his fellow soldiers. As his wife recalls, Nathan was proud of his job and serving our country. He died doing something he loved and was such a brave person. Sergeant Nathan Ryan Beyers personifies the honor and selflessness of service as a citizen soldier. His bravery and dedication to duty will not be forgotten. As a Marine Corps combat veteran, my deepest sympathies go out to his family, his fellow soldiers, and all who knew him.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,898,467,069.07. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,471,720,775.27 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,909,569,328.74. On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,484,223,034.94 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,954,633,916.80. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,694,528,887,622.61 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,965,850,128.20. On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,540,103,834.40 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,342,977,065,892.73. On January 6, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,551,319,598.93 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today our national debt is $14,343,021,848,987.23. On January 6th, 2009, the start of the 111th Congress, the national debt was $10,638,425,746,293.80. This means the national debt has increased by $3,704,596,102,693.43 since then. This debt and its interest payments we are passing to our children and all future Americans.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I would like to renew a discussion of an ongoing situation which requires our attention. The expropriation of the Half Moon Bay Resort in Antigua, owned and developed by a group of American citizens since 1971, was entered into the Congressional Record almost three years ago by my predecessor, the Hon. Thomas Tancredo (September 24, 2008--E1891). I would remind this House that the expropriation of this internationally recognized Resort has been the subject of ongoing legal proceedings from 2000 to June 2007, when the Privy Council in London allowed the Government of Antigua to ``forcibly acquire'' the property under its sovereign right of eminent domain, provided the owners' rights to payment of compensation were equally upheld. Since that date, four years ago, the dispossessed owners have had to initiate a number of legal actions against the Government of Antigua to move the process of arriving at compensation as prescribed by Antigua's own laws and Constitution. At this point, three issues still remain before the Courts: two in the Eastern Caribbean High Court and one before the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. The subject matter of the cases have to do with the value of the property as established by a Government appointed Assessment Board, and with the owners' Constitutional Right to ``fair compensation within a reasonable time.'' By request of the Attorney General, representing the Government in each of these cases, the hearings scheduled for dates in the first half of this year have been adjourned without a return date being set. The hearing before the Court of Appeal may occur during that court's next sitting in Antigua in September, but the Attorney General has already ignored a filing deadline ordered by that body, which may cause further postponement of that hearing. Meanwhile, Antigua's Ministers have announced various agreements that are being signed with developers for the Half Moon Bay property. Even more outrageous is a statement released to the Antiguan press by the Attorney General (who is also Antigua's Minister of Justice and Minister of Legal Affairs) that such re-development can legally commence prior to any compensation being paid to the dispossessed American owners. It is an established fact that expropriation of American-owned property and business is a breach of the Caribbean Economic Basin Recovery Act (CBERA) and by ignoring the rights of the owners to prompt and fair compensation, the Government of Antigua has also breached the WTO International Trade and Investment Rules. I urge the President, as mandated by the terms of the CBERA, to suspend Antigua's benefits and rights accorded to preferred trading partners. While the financial effect of such alienation may be negligible, the political aspect of recognizing the breach is essential to maintain respect for the treaty and its signatories. Our citizens deserve no less.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I object.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, war is not predictable. We have men and women today engaged in combat. And I am a combat veteran with the United States Marine Corps. I served in the first gulf war, and I served in the Iraq war. I wish that war was predictable. I wish we knew what the enemy was going to do and when they were going to do it, but we don't know that. This is a dedicated fund to the global war on terror. It provides flexibility that is necessary for our commanders in the field at this time. I rise in opposition to this amendment and would hope that it would be voted down. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, there is no question that the Pakistanis are a troubled ally. They are an unstable Islamic country with extremist tendencies and a country that has nuclear weapons. The funding that we are talking about right now is that which is for training them in counterinsurgency operations. We have troops in combat at this time in Afghanistan. The Taliban, the Afghan Taliban who are fighting our forces in the field oftentimes have sanctuary in Pakistan. We are trying to stand up a Pakistani military that is not simply exclusively engaged or exclusively focused on a conventional war with India but is able to launch counterinsurgency operations, particularly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. I think this funding is critical so long as we have troops in the field in Afghanistan that we seek to maintain, or certainly increase the capability of the Pakistani military counterinsurgency operations. With that, Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment and would urge my colleagues to vote against it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.