Mike Coffman

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,223,254,862,815.39. We've added $6,596,377,813,902.31 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,235,032,379,905.81. We've added $6,608,155,330,992.73 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,217,151,645,105.86. We've added $6,590,274,596,192.78 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our Nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Joseph B. Rogers of Denver, Colorado, whom we lost on October 7th of this year. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, at an early age Joe moved with his family to Colorado where he would spend the rest of his life. Colorado has lost a political pioneer and an outstanding advocate for civil rights and Western values. Joe attended Colorado State University, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and then went on to law school at Arizona State University, where he won the national American Bar Association Negotiation competition. Following law school, Joe returned home to serve his fellow Coloradans. He was known for practicing pro bono legal services for the poor in southeast Colorado before he went on to practice law at one of Colorado's top law firms. Joe began his career in public service as a legislative aide to Former U.S. Senator Hank Brown (R-CO). Joe Rogers was a dedicated public servant who always gave his wholehearted effort to fight for what he believed was best for Colorado. Joe was a member of the National Commission on the Voting Rights Act and received the Trumpet Award from the Turner Broadcasting System in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the African- American community. Joe went on to serve as Colorado's second African- American and youngest ever Lieutenant Governor from 1999 to 2003. He was driven by his will to serve the people of Colorado and he will truly be missed. Joe Rogers is survived by his wife, Juanita Kay Rogers, and their three children: Trent Rogers, Jordan Rogers, and Haley Rogers. Joe's dedication to public service is truly an inspiration to all Coloradans and it is with much sadness that we say goodbye. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Lieutenant Governor Joe Rogers for a lifetime of achievement and hard work for the people of Colorado.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,200,725,370,597.56. We've added $6,573,848,321,684.48 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our Nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,200,725,370,597.56. We've added $6,573,848,321,684.48 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,192,878,839,268.39. We've added $6,566,001,790,355.31 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,189,547,404,790.46. We've added $6,562,670,355,877.38 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of myself and my fellow members of the Colorado delegation, Representatives Diana DeGette, Cory Gardner, Doug Lamborn, Ed Perlmutter, Jared Polis, and Scott Tipton, about our home state's aerospace leadership and the long- term plan for sustaining America's space-faring future. Space technologies benefit the everyday lives of all American citizens and Colorado has the second largest aerospace economy in the United States. In our great state, there are more than 165,000 employees of the aerospace industry, eight of the nation's top aerospace contractors, over 400 space-related companies, four space-related military commands, and universities among the world's best for aerospace-related degrees. The United States has lost the ability to put people into space with our own national assets at the end of NASA's Space Shuttle program. Colorado is key to regaining the ability for manned space exploration with programs such as Lockheed Martin's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, Sierra Nevada Space Systems' ``Dream Chaser'' and other low- earth orbit missions aboard United Launch Alliance vehicles. Colorado was a significant contributor to one of the premier space events of this decade. The Mars Science Laboratory ``Curiosity'' mission, is at the center of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology, and is also a national leader developing satellites that support and protect our nation's civil, commercial and national security interests. Colorado seeks to remain on the leading edge of America's space- faring future, pursuing designation as a commercial spaceport and leading advocacy for America's space exploration through organizations like the Space Foundation, Colorado Space Coalition, Colorado Space Business Roundtable, and Colorado's Official Air & Space Museum, Wings Over the Rockies. Wings Over the Rockies' Spreading Wings Gala on November 16, 2013 will gather hundreds of aerospace executives and enthusiasts to honor leading advocates for America's space-faring future--Astronaut Edwin E. ``Buzz'' Aldrin, Jr., second man to walk on the Moon, and Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist and host of the forthcoming ``Cosmos'' television series. It is imperative that we strive to preserve and enhance United States leadership in space to inspire young people, spur innovation, and ensure continued national and economic security. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that we thank Astronaut Aldrin and Dr. Tyson for their positive vision of our space-faring future and commend Wings Over the Rockies and all of Colorado's aerospace community for their commitment to exploring new horizons in the frontier of space for the benefit of generations of American citizens.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,149,193,429,752.16. We've added $6,522,316,380,839.08 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,149,193,429,752.16. We've added $6,522,316,380,839.08 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,154,624,205,951.04. We've added $6,527,747,157,037.96 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,151,627,467,959.50. We've added $6,524,750,419,046.42 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,081,509,219,228.50. We've added $6,454,632,170,315.42 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,081,509,219,288.50. We've added $6,454,632,170,375.42 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Although the VA has made some progress recently, the pace is still too slow for many of our veterans waiting for their claims to be processed. As a Marine Corps combat veteran, I am proud to join my colleagues on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee to urge the passage of H.R. 2189. There are nearly 400,000 veterans in Colorado, and these men and women need Washington to step up and help the VA to reduce the backlog.

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Michaud for their leadership on the committee and their commitment to maintaining strong oversight over the VA and their goal to reduce the backlog. During my time on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have enjoyed the strong bipartisanship and the committee's dedication to get results for our veterans. Whether it is between Ranking Member Kirkpatrick and me on the Oversight Committee or Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Michaud on the full committee, we all share the same desire to help our veterans and do everything we can to help the VA operate more efficiently and effectively. Fortunately for our veterans, this desire to help goes beyond the Veterans' Affairs Committee and is present in the entire House of Representatives. Earlier this year, I, along with 150 Members of the House, sent a letter to the President urging his immediate action to reduce this backlog. Today, the House will have another opportunity to show its unity for veterans in passing H.R. 2189. This bill will aid the VA by establishing a task force to evaluate the backlog of veterans' disability claims, ensuring the VA will find innovative ways to reduce the backlog. Currently, there are over 400,000 claims that have been waiting for over 125 days to process.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,087,891,889,205.15. We've added $6,461,014,840,292.07 to our debt in 4 years. This is $5 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,078,769,687,926.64. We've added $6,451,892,639,013.54 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $17,075,230,597,788.39. We've added $6,448,353,548,875.31 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.4 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $16,747,370,534,090.62. We've added $6,120,493,485,177.54 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.1 trillion in debt our Nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $16,747,411,584,091.53. We've added $6,120,534,535,178.45 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.1 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr COFFMAN

Mr COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $16,747,421,858,503.24. We've added $6,120,544,809,590.16 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.1 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. Today, it is $16,747,409,787,772.33. We've added $6,120,532,738,859.25 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.1 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 20, 2009, the day President Obama took office, the national debt was $10,626,877,048, 913.08. Today, it is $16,747,419,536,935.48. We've added $6,120,542,488,022.40 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6.1 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.