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 $16,747,429,285,635.12. We've added $6,120,552,236,722.04 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 $16,747,458,528,953.05. We've added $6,120,581,480,039.97 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, I rise in support of H.R. 3223, the Federal Employees Retroactive Pay Fairness Act. This is an issue of fairness. Five days ago, the President signed my legislation, the Pay Our Military Act. However, hours later, the DOD comptroller sent an email to all DOD civilian employees who were included in the act, which is now law, that there would be furloughs starting immediately despite acknowledgment of the new law. Last night, media sources reported that the Secretary of Defense had a change of heart--no doubt due to the multitude of letters he had received from me and my colleagues on this subject--and decided to bring these furloughed employees back to work. Mr. Speaker, it would be a shame if the thousands of DOD civilian employees who were needlessly furloughed were not paid for time they could have spent working had the Secretary given the same level of priority to this issue that he did to college football.

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 $16,747,468,275,799.27. We've added $6,120,591,226,886.21 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. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3230, the Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act. On September 30, Congress passed and the President signed H.R. 3210, which, I believe, is the Pay Our Military Act, which I introduced. Every Member of the House voted for that bill. Yet there are those here today who seem to have sort of temporary amnesia about that and are saying we are not going to vote for anything piecemeal, that we will only vote when there is a clean CR for everything, for everybody, for all aspects of the Federal Government--the discretionary budget. Yet you already voted piecemeal. You voted for Active Duty personnel. You voted for Federal civil service. You voted for the contractors essential for them. You already did that. The message that you're sending is that the soldiers, the marines, the airmen, the Reserves, and the Guardsmen, who have sacrificed their lives for this country, are of lesser status than the Active Duty. You are wrong. That is simply wrong.

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 $16,747,468,940,509.72. We've added $6,120,591,891,596.64 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 $16,747,478,675,335.18. We've added $6,120,601,626,422.10 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 $16,738,183,526,697.32. We've added $6,111,306,477,784.24 to our debt in 4 years. This is $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, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for his leadership, as well as our own Congressman Cory Gardner from the State of Colorado whose district was very significantly impacted by this. I had the opportunity last Monday to go up with the Vice President, the Governor of the State of Colorado, Congressman Jared Polis, and Congressman Cory Gardner, whose districts were both severely impacted by the flooding, to see that damage. And it was extraordinary how much--certainly the houses were lost, and we mourn for the people that were lost--but the road damage was extraordinary. There were miles and miles of roads that we saw with whole sections missing. So this legislation, H.R. 3174, is vital to the State of Colorado to get those roads back to where they're usable and so that, in fact, our residents in those affected areas can get to and from their homes and their businesses.

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 $16,738,433,470,635.61. We've added $6,111,556,421,722.53 to our debt in 4 years. This is $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, as we near the final days of the fiscal year and come face-to-face with the possibility of a government shutdown, I have introduced this legislation in order to ensure that our military is not used as a political pawn in negotiations between the United States House and the Senate. My legislation, H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act, ensures that until such time as the President signs a continuing resolution, our military and the Department of Defense civilians and contractors who support our men and women in uniform will continue to be paid, regardless of a shutdown. I've had five overseas deployments during my military career between the Army and the Marine Corps. I returned from my last assignment with the Marine Corps in Iraq in 2006. I fully understand the stresses that our men and women in uniform face on a day-to-day basis, particularly when we are still a Nation at war. Things are very different today than it was when I was a Marine Corps light armored infantry officer during the first Gulf war. We didn't have the Internet. All of our communications from home were delivered by regular mail that could take weeks to reach us. Back then, you literally checked out when you left your family and checked back in when you came back home. Today, most of our deployed military personnel, whether sailors aboard a ship in the Persian Gulf or soldiers and marines at forward operating bases in Afghanistan, have some level of access to instant communications with their families. Today, a marine rifleman can literally be out on a combat patrol, return to his base camp, and then be on the Internet communicating with his family in real-time. When things don't go well at home, the stress that our deployed men and women are already under is multiplied, particularly if their families go without an income and suffer financial hardships due to a government shutdown. In the event of a government shutdown, we must ensure that the men and women who defend our Nation in the armed services, and their families, will continue to be paid. Mr. Speaker, regardless of what happens in the days ahead, this is a bill that should receive unanimous support. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation, and hope that the Senate will act on it before it might be too late.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman just got up and eloquently spoke about the need to keep these insurance reforms in place, particularly about preexisting conditions. I would encourage him to read the bill--and it does that. What the bill, in fact, does say is that those insurance reforms that were in place in the provisions of ObamaCare prior to 1 October will remain in place and that the rest of it will, in fact, be delayed.

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. Today, it is $16,738,443,175,473.97. We've added $6,111,566,126,560.89 to our debt in 5 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, I would like to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Michaud for working with the members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees to pass this important legislation. Specifically, I am happy to see the extension of the Veterans Paralympic program, which reflects my legislation, H.R. 1402, the Veterans Paralympic Act, which passed unanimously out of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee before being combined in an omnibus bill in the full committee. This program ensures that disabled veterans in local communities throughout the country continue to have opportunities for rehabilitation, stress relief, and higher achievement through adaptive sports. U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympics Chief Charlie Huebner testified at a hearing that ``participation in sports and other athletic activities can help speed the rehabilitation process for disabled veterans.'' As a Marine Corps combat veteran, I couldn't agree more with Mr. Huebner, and I personally understand the importance of rehabilitation opportunities for returning veterans. Finally, although I fully support the passage of the extenders package, I am disappointed that the substance of H.R. 1412 was not included in this bill. H.R. 1412, the Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act, seeks to build on an existing, yet little known and underutilized on-the-job training program that assists veterans by allowing them to use their educational benefits to learn a trade or skill by participation in an approved apprenticeship or on-the-job training program. Employers in my district have expressed their desire to work with this program and hire more veterans because they know how valuable a veteran can be to their organization. Additionally, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has endorsed the legislation by saying, ``IAVA stands ready to support and promote innovative ideas like this to end the veterans' unemployment crisis.'' It is my understanding that the original provisions of H.R. 1412 were dropped without prejudice and that they will be part of an upcoming negotiation between the House and the Senate. I look forward to seeing the substance of that legislation advance, and I will be working with Chairman Miller to ensure that happens.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, we in Congress have a responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. No Federal department should get a free pass, especially one responsible for managing over 50 percent of all annual discretionary spending. The law requires all Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to present auditable financial statements to Congress. Unfortunately, it has been over 16 years and the Pentagon has yet to comply with this law. How can we be expected to oversee the Pentagon's spending habits when we have no confidence in the numbers that DOD has presented? My ``Audit the Pentagon Act'' presents a ``carrot and stick'' approach to addressing this issue. It gives the DOD additional transfer authority if it receives a clean audit, allowing it greater flexibility to reprogram funds among accounts. Failure to achieve a clean audit results in serious consequences. I urge my colleagues to support this bill which improves fiscal accountability and oversight of the Pentagon's budget 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 $16,738,444,833,205.56. We've added $6,111,567,784,292.48 to our debt in 5 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, I rise today to recognize an article by Dr. Winston L. Yang, Professor Emeritus of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University in New Jersey published in the Asian Pacific Business Journal, a Colorado-based news outlet, in its June 2011 issue. It is my privilege and honor to share this article with the American people and enshrine it in the Congressional Record. Cheng Ming, A Powerful Voice for Democracy in China (By Winston L. Yang, Ph.D.) Since the establishment of the Communist Government in China in 1949, the Chinese people have been suffering under the Communist one-party tyranny. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has denied such universal values as democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. Even though the People's Republic of China (PRC) has recently replaced Japan as the world's second largest economy, the Chinese people have been living under the widespread official corruption and the Communist suppressions. All pro-democracy movements have been crushed by the CPP. Hundreds and thousands of political prisoners who advocate democratization are still in the PRC's jails. One of the best examples is Mr. Liu Xiao Po, who advocated peaceful political reforms and stressed the need for political liberalization in China. He was put on trial and sentenced to an 11-year jail term. Nevertheless, Mr. Liu was honored with the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. He has been hailed all over the world as a ``democratic hero.'' Yet his wife, Liu Ciao, has been under house arrest ever since. Back in May, 1989, well over half a million Chinese college students gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to demand freedom and democracy. The students protested against the suppressive policy of the Chinese Communist Government. Such legitimate, peaceful protests and demands, however, were suppressed by the Communist armed forces. When the smoke cleared, hundred of students lay dead. In the view of the violent Communist suppression of freedom and democracy, Mr. Wen Hui, a well-known writer and journalist, founded Cheng Ming, a monthly political commentary, in Hong Kong in 1977 to advocate democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law for the Chinese people. Since its founding, Cheng Ming has become one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, voices for political change and liberalization in China. In 2007, Cheng Ming, the most popular political journal published in Hong Kong, celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding. Mr. Wen, its publisher, received hundreds of congratulatory messages from leaders in various circles all around the world. One of the best examples is U.S. Congressman Mark Udall, now a U.S. Senator, who in a letter to Mr. Wen dated October 2, 2007, pointed out that ``with a worldwide readership, Cheng Ming has extended far-reaching influences beyond Hong Kong.'' Mr. Libby Davies, a member of the Canadian Parliament, in a letter dated October 17, 2007, congratulated Mr. Wen on Cheng Ming's achievements and contributions. Mr. Wen also received many, many other congratulatory messages. Despite Cheng Ming's great influences, achievements and contributions, Mr. Wen continues to condemn, in his writings, China's one-party dictatorship and advocates an end to political suppression in the PRC. A strong critic of China, Mr. Wen voices his criticisms and advocacy in his monthly column published in Cheng Ming. Mr. Wen will not end his critical writings until and unless China renounces its totalitarian system and becomes a free, democratic country.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January 3, 2009, the day I took office, the national debt was $10,627,961,295,930.67. Today, it is $16,738,454,664,319.38. We've added $6,110,493,368,388.71 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. We must stop this unconscionable accumulation of debt.

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 $16,738,503,812,337.79. We've added $6,111,626,763,424.71 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to engage in a colloquy with Chairman Lucas. Colorado has been a leader in training programs. And I want to ensure, when passing this Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reform bill, that the formulas for States to receive Federal funds for operating training programs are done in a way that encourages States to be active in helping individuals become self-sufficient. To clarify, I would like to work with the chairman to make sure Federal dollars are available to States like Colorado that actively move people to self-sufficiency.

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 $16,738,482,606,783.04. We've added $6,111,605,557,869.96 to our debt in 4 years. This is $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 $16,738,492,645,235.04. We've added $6,111,615,596,321.96 to our debt in 4 years. This is $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. Today, it is $16,738,502,722,145. We've added $6,111,625,673,232 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. COFFMAN

Mr. COFFMAN. Madam Speaker, according to The Wall Street Journal, without the legislation just passed by this Chamber, fraudulent subsidy payments under the Affordable Care Act could account for $250 billion over the next decade. For this reason, I'm proud to have voted in support of H.R. 2775, the No Subsidies Without Verification Act. The White House has come out in strong opposition to this proposal, citing the fact that a program to verify eligibility already exists. I wonder, though, if a plan already exists, why the strong opposition to this proposal? And in the broader context, why the strong opposition to any proposal that seeks to create accountability with respect to Federal spending? Across the Nation, millions of families sit at their kitchen tables in order to figure out their limited finances and to make difficult decisions, ensuring that their hard-earned dollars are being stretched to maximum effect. The Federal Government, however, shies away from any opportunity to ensure the same accountability. Madam Speaker, Americans are tired of seeing their hard-earned tax dollars wasted through fraud. I hope to see this commonsense legislation signed into law.

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 $16,738,557,190,345.35. We've added $6,111,680,141,432.27 to our debt in 4 years. This is $6 trillion in debt our nation, our economy, and our children could have avoided with a balanced budget amendment.