David Dreier

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. I look forward to it.

Mr. DREIER. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. We all know that the American people are hurting. We have a protracted unemployment problem that has gone on for an extended period of time, the longest period of time since the Great Depression, and it's important for us to realize the reasons for this. One of the very important reasons for this is that we have seen a dramatic expansion of the size and scope and reach of government. During the 4 years that my friends on the other side of the aisle were in the majority, we witnessed an 82 percent increase in non-defense discretionary spending. We now have a $15 trillion national debt, and I think Democrats and Republicans alike acknowledge that that cannot be sustained. As I've been saying throughout this week, our job is jobs. Right now our job is jobs. We need to have a laser-like focus on creating job opportunities for our fellow Americans, people who are so frustrated they've given up the effort to look for work. So that's why the things that we're dealing with today are so critically important to address those needs. Now, since there has been bipartisan recognition that we can't continue down the road with an 82 percent increase in non-defense discretionary spending which we witnessed over the past several years, it's important for us to come together, and that's exactly what's happened. This is Norm Dicks' birthday, and we're very happy about that. We're happy that on his birthday we're going to see a bipartisan agreement that will bring about a $95 billion reduction in non-defense discretionary spending. And that's what this work product does, Mr. Speaker. And again, bipartisan recognition and even bicameral recognition, and even recognition from down Pennsylvania Avenue with the second branch of government, that we are right now altering the course that we had been on of dramatically increasing spending. And we're doing it, Mr. Speaker, in a very fair and balanced and open way. I don't like the process that got us to where we are right now. I said earlier that I believe that this multi-thousand-page package was available on Monday; it was agreed to on Monday; but it wasn't made available until early Thursday morning. Yet we are where we are, and there was an agreement. Mr. Inouye and Mr. Rogers came to this agreement on Monday. We could have done this earlier, but we know that our friends in the other body chose--and as I said, I wasn't going to say it earlier, but it has been characterized in the media as having held hostage this very important appropriations bill. We also dealt with the threat of a government shutdown that would take place 13 hours from now. We are not going to see that happen. We are not going to see that happen because Mr. Dicks and Mr. Rogers and other members of the Appropriations Committees in both bodies--and the leadership--came together to ensure that that doesn't happen. We still have a long way to go. We still have much work that needs to be done. But by the passage of this measure today, Mr. Speaker, we are going to do exactly what is necessary. We are going to finally have a clean slate. We've all commiserated over the fact that we've had this mess to clean up of the past. It's been ugly and it's been difficult; but we have, in fact, by virtue of this agreement cleaned it up so that we can continue to work down this path towards balancing the budget, getting our fiscal house in order, and doing what we need to do--our jobs, which is to create jobs. I think we have a chance to do that. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this rule, and I urge support of the previous question so that we can move ahead and make sure that we have what's necessary to meet this very important deadline by midnight. With that, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. DREIER. I am happy to yield to my friend from Rochester if she would like to ask me a question or ask the Chair a question. I am more than happy to yield to her, I would say, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In the spirit of bipartisanship, in the spirit of recognizing that we need to ensure that the government doesn't shut down at midnight, I'd like to engage in a discussion with my friend from Worcester, as I was trying to when he was in the well, to say a few things. First of all, as we all know, last year no appropriations bills were passed. Nothing was completed in the last Congress--nothing at all. And we have spent, with Mr. Rogers and Mr. Dicks, virtually this entire year cleaning up the work of the last Congress. And the gentleman will recognize that, I'm sure. I mean, the gentleman acknowledges that, Mr. Speaker, that we have spent this year working to clean up the fact that no appropriations work was done last year. I am happy to yield to my friend.

Mr. DREIER. Yes, absolutely. If I could reclaim my time, Mr. Speaker, I would say absolutely, we're talking about this year. And the responsibility that was thrust on us this year was so overwhelming because last year nothing was done, nothing was accomplished. And so what's happened, Mr. Speaker, is we are in a position where the appropriators have been shouldering this responsibility. And, unfortunately, our colleagues in the other body, the majority leadership there, Senator Reid and others, according to the National Public Radio report, as I discussed this morning, as others have acknowledged, it was pointed out in the publications out this morning, this was held hostage, and that's why we are where we are. Now, my friends are enjoying holding up the 2,300-page conference report and the additional 700 pages of the joint managers' report that is included in there. But guess what, Mr. Speaker, all of that was available on Monday, 5 days ago. And the only exception in this measure is one item has been pulled out. That one item pulled out happens to be the Cuba language that was there, and there was obviously a lot of concern about that. That was pulled out. Then one item was added, and that has to do with the Commodity Futures Trading Corporation. And so, as our colleagues hold up these thousands of pages, we need to realize it's been available since Monday. This is Friday, Mr. Speaker. That's more than the 3-day layover requirement. And we've pointed to these minor modifications. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the very distinguished chair of the Committee on Appropriations, my very good friend from Somerset, Kentucky (Mr. Rogers).

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield my friend an additional 30 seconds. And I would ask my friend to yield to me, if he would.

Mr. DREIER. I thank my friend for yielding. I would like to just say that I misspoke. The agreement was reached between Mr. Rogers and Mr. Inouye on Monday, and the pages were not made available until it was filed at 12:27, at just after midnight on Wednesday.

Mr. DREIER. I am happy to yield my friend an additional 30 seconds. So I just want to say that I did misspeak when I said the agreement was struck on Monday. It was made available after midnight on Wednesday. I would like to yield an additional 30 seconds to my friend from Somerset.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 2 minutes to my good friend from Bainbridge Township, Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of my friend how many speakers she has remaining on her side.

Mr. DREIER. I plan to close and then move the previous question so we can move ahead to ensure we don't shut down the government. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. I thank my friend for yielding, and I would like to join with my friend in stating that this great level of patriotism and dedication to the United States of America is something that obviously does transcend party. And while we obviously disagree on lots of issues, I appreciate the fact that she has pointed to this spirit of agreement and comity. I think it's very key on this particular day, as we have dealt in a bipartisan way with the threat of a government shutdown that's looming just hours away from us now, we have been able to successfully avert that. But the reason that I have asked my friend to yield is that we met in the Rules Committee until early this morning, and I've been going for the last couple of days, and I just heard over the past several hours of the passing of a good friend of mine who was one of the greatest essayists and witticists of our time. And when I heard the news of Christopher Hitchens' passing, I was struck with what a dedicated and patriotic individual he was. I suspect that he would have disagreed with my friend on the issue of dealing with radical Islam, but it's one of the things that brought the two of us together. He and I, over the last decade-plus, have spent a great deal of time talking about that and other international policy issues. But if one looks at the series that he wrote in Vanity Fair, as he was diagnosed with cancer, they are very, very powerful. And, again, Christopher Hitchens and I didn't agree on every issue, but I always enjoyed the exchanges and the time that I was able to spend with him and, of course, have been fascinated by his works. I think that the world is a better place for Christopher Hitchens having lived and, obviously, we're saddened by his passing. I want to say to his wife and daughters that our thoughts--I hesitate to say prayers when it comes to Christopher--go to him, because he was a very committed atheist; but I will say that our thoughts and, since we have them, our prayers are with the members of the Hitchens family, and to say that his works, because he was such a great writer, will continue for years and years to come to fascinate and intrigue and create the kind of intellectual curiosity that is necessary. I just would like to say that I am saddened by the passing of my friend, Christopher Hitchens, and certainly have had my life improved and bettered by his having lived.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected to this body in 1980, the preeminent national security threat that gravely concerned us all was the Soviet Union. A decade later, as we know very well, the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War came to an end. As we quickly near the twentieth anniversary of that transformative event, we should not forget the role that the United States Congress played in supporting democratic development in the legislatures of many of the former Warsaw Pact and Soviet republics. The Frost-Solomon Task Force partnered with the newly democratically elected members of post-Soviet legislatures to offer support and guidance in building an independent, co-equal legislative branch of government. A key part of that effort was the role our Congressional Research Service played in building strong, independent, nonpartisan research and analysis capabilities for these nascent institutions. Many of these countries are now members of NATO, the European Union, and in some cases, the Eurozone. They are fully integrated into the Trans-Atlantic partnership. However, the work of democratic development in the region is not over. I have the privilege of leading, along with my friend and colleague Rep. David Price, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP). Our commission is committed to helping strengthen legislatures in new and re-emerging democracies by engaging with our counterparts throughout the world. Two of our partner countries are Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia. Both are former Soviet republics working to consolidate their democracies. To date, their efforts have been met with varying levels of success, but HDP has been honored to work with reformers in both countries as they strive to throw off the shackles of their authoritarian past. The world has watched over the past week as Russia's citizens have stood up and demanded greater political freedom and transparency, which is indeed a hopeful step. However, there is another country in Eastern Europe that has resisted all efforts to transform itself into a modern democracy and maintains itself as an authoritarian dictatorship. The country of Belarus remains Europe's only dictatorship. Under the unyielding grip of dictator Alexsandr Lukashenko, the people of Belarus are denied the basic freedoms of assembly, association, and expression. The press is heavily restricted and intimidated. The internet is censored. Independent nongovernmental organizations are not allowed to operate. There is little freedom of religion. And 100,000 Belarusians have been barred from leaving the country. For the people of Belarus, the oppression of the past did not dissolve with the Soviet Union, but remains a bitter reality. While their neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe are able to freely elect their own leaders, Belarusians have witnessed one stage- managed election after another under the current regime. Lukashenko has held illegal referenda to change the constitution, eliminate term limits, and dissolve an elected parliament. In December 2010, the Government of Belarus conducted a presidential election that failed to meet basic standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and followed that election by detaining and beating more than 600 peaceful opposition protestors. Seven of nine opposition presidential candidates were jailed and what remains of the independent media was attacked. Rather than address the OSCE's criticisms, the OSCE was kicked out of the country by the government. To highlight the continued abuses of the Lukashenko regime and once again demonstrate Congressional support for the aspirations of the Belarusian people, the House voted to renew the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, with a unanimous vote on July 6 of this year. This bill not only imposes additional sanctions on the leaders of the corrupt Belarusian regime, but allows the United States to work with groups who are promoting freedom and democracy, particularly media groups such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Voice of America, European Radio for Belarus, and Belsat. The U.S. Congress will continue to stand with the Belarusian people as they fight for self determination and the rule of law. I look forward to the day that they are able to join their European neighbors on the right side of history with a lasting, peaceful and prosperous democracy.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wayne Grisham. From serving as a decorated combat pilot during World War II, to his public service as Mayor of La Mirada and later, as a Member of Congress, Wayne Grisham honorably served his nation, his state and his community. After graduating from Jordan High School in Long Beach, California, Wayne Grisham joined the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he became a prisoner of war after his aircraft was shot down on a combat mission over Germany. For his valor, he was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Wayne completed his studies at Whittier College and the University of Southern California and went on to build a successful real estate company. In 1970, Wayne began his political career on the La Mirada City Council and soon became the city's mayor. Wayne was elected to Congress in 1978 and was immediately known for his civility. President John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address that ``civility is not a sign of weakness.'' This was certainly true of Wayne Grisham. In 1982, Wayne and I found ourselves in the unfortunate circumstance of having our districts drawn together. I was honored to call Wayne Grisham, not only a colleague, but a friend, and while we engaged in a rigorous campaign, I will never forget Wayne's strength of character and enduring friendship. Wayne continued his dedication to public service through elected office in California and as the director of the Peace Corps in Kenya. Mr. Speaker, it was a privilege to have served in Congress with Wayne Grisham and I am pleased that we are able to honor him today.

Mr. DREIER

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 491 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that I am going to be claiming time in opposition to the point of order that my friend has raised, and I'm not going to consume the entire amount of time. So, when I do that, I would like to yield 1 minute to my friend in the spirit of the season and in the spirit of bipartisanship. I would just like to state that for the record.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will yield, I will just remind her that when I claim my time, I will be yielding an additional minute to my friend. So she certainly can feel free to yield any of that time once I do that.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my good friend from Worcester, Mr. McGovern, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time will be yielded for debate purposes only. General Leave

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to claim time in opposition to the point of order and in support of proceeding with the resolution.

Mr. DREIER. With that, as I said, in the spirit of bipartisanship, which is the basis of the underlying legislation and the spirit of the Christmas season, I am happy to yield not just a minute, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to yield a minute and a half to my good friend from Milwaukee, with whom I share an affection for our great, fine music.

Mr. DREIER. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, as I have said, to speak in opposition to the point of order and in support of our moving ahead with the resolution. My friend is a very, very thoughtful poet herself, and I've been the beneficiary of much of her fine work. She and I share an affection for R&B music. She quoted Cameo and ``Talkin' Out The Side Of Your Neck.'' I don't really know that song, I have to admit, Mr. Speaker; but I'll have to check it out. But what I would like to do is, since we've heard of the eloquence of Cameo and the eloquence of Gwen Moore, the great poet, I would like to quote William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare said, ``In such business, action is eloquence.'' Now we have before us a measure that is designed to do one thing and one thing only, and that is to focus on getting our economy growing and generating job opportunities for the American people. The American people are hurting. We know that. There are people across this country hurting. And as my friends have just outlined, there are individuals who have suffered greatly. It is absolutely imperative that we do everything that we can to ensure that they have job opportunities and that those who are unable to find job opportunities have the assistance that they and their families need to proceed, especially during this time of year. Any action that my colleagues are proposing on the other side will simply delay our effort that will ensure that we extend the payroll tax holiday for an additional year, and it will prevent us from providing those benefits to people who are unable to find work today. So I will be discussing the underlying legislation when we proceed with consideration of this rule, but I urge my colleagues to oppose this point of order and allow us to proceed with consideration of the resolution so that we can put into place a legislative package that will get the American people back to work and ensure opportunity for all. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.