Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. FOXX. I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, our position on taxpayer funding for elective abortion is bipartisan, bicameral, and supported by the majority of the American people. We all know that. I'd like to point out to my colleagues across the aisle when they keep saying we need to be talking about jobs, when the Democrats took control of the Congress in 2007, the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent. Between then and the time that Republicans regained control of the House this January, the unemployment rate rose to over 9 percent--6.9 million more Americans became unemployed during that period of time. I'd also like to point out to my colleague that the constitutional authority for H.R. 358 is in the Congressional Record. He knows it's required when the bill is introduced. Madam Speaker, the American people are probably a little confused by listening to this debate because they hear two very conflicting stories. I would like to urge them to go to thomas.gov. H.R. 358 is only nine pages long. It's very simple to read. It's not like what they call the Affordable Care Act, which we had to get passed before we would know what was in it. There is nothing more important, Madam Speaker, than protecting voiceless, unborn children and their families from the travesty of abortion. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to put aside all this rhetoric that has been spoken of in this debate today and vote for life by voting in favor of this rule and the underlying bill. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. FOXX. I am.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Ms. FOXX. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my distinguished colleague from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Ms. FOXX. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I would like to point out to my colleague across the aisle that if we have a constitutional right for taxpayer funding of abortions, then we should have a right to taxpayer funding of guns. The Second Amendment allows us to keep and bear arms. I now would like to yield 3 minutes to our distinguished colleague from Louisiana, Dr. Cassidy.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Harris).

Ms. FOXX. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. I yield myself 1 minute. Madam Speaker, our colleague across the aisle I think was not here earlier when we talked about the fact that the jobs bill, which he says has overwhelming support by the American people, was introduced by request and has not a single cosponsor. I'm curious as to why he is not a cosponsor if he thinks we should be bringing up that bill. I would also like to point out again that this bill, this rule, is not a war on women. And if this is such a cruel act, I want to point out that this is a bipartisan bill, and that the support for not giving taxpayer funding for abortions has always been nonpartisan or bipartisan in this House. This is not purely a Republican issue. I thank God every day for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are pro-life.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I would like to insert into the Record a statement from the National Council of Textile Organizations in opposition to the Korea free trade agreement. Textile Workers Deliver 27,000 Petitions Urging ``No'' Vote on U.S.- Korea FTA United States Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) 2,584 Petitions Signed The U.S. textile industry has witnessed firsthand the damage that poorly constructed trade agreements inflict on textile and apparel producers in our country. The industry requested that the Obama Administration renegotiate the textile and apparel chapter of the Korea FTA and was ignored. At a time when our country's unemployment rate remains at record high levels, the industry would like to count on you to stand up for textile jobs and vote NO when this poorly negotiated agreement comes up for a vote. The textile industry is creating jobs in the United States. Exports have increased more than 16 percent this year alone. The industry is experiencing a shift of sourcing by brands and retailers out of China and into the Western Hemisphere in order to take advantage of the hemisphere's unique trading relationship and its ability to quickly supply major retailers in the U.S. Enacting the Korea FTA will reverse this positive trend. The reality is that this agreement benefits China and a select group of Korean exporters while it hurts U.S. textile workers. Please Vote NO on H.R. 3080, the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. As I said, I would yield to my colleague----

Ms. FOXX. I am going to yield to my colleague from Florida (Mr. Miller).

Ms. FOXX. I thank the gentleman from Florida, Chairman Miller, for bringing this legislation to the floor. Madam Speaker, in 30 days, our country will pause to celebrate and thank the millions of Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States. As we approach Veterans Day, we should ask ourselves if this Congress is doing all that can be done for our veterans. This bill maintains our promise not only to the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, but to their families as well. Out of concern that some families of veterans were being excluded from benefits that common sense would dictate that they be eligible for, I authored H.R. 120, the Disabled Veterans' Spouses Home Loans Act. It is only right that these surviving spouses be eligible to receive the VA Home Loan Guaranty, even though the veterans' deaths are not identified as service-connected, because such veterans had permanent and total service-connected disabilities for at least 10 years immediately preceding their deaths. H.R. 120 has been endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans, who agree that this legislation is long overdue. The legislation has also been endorsed by the 2.1 million of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who believe that ``allowing a military widow to utilize the VA home loan program is the right thing to do.'' This legislation rightfully gives disabled veterans the peace of mind that their surviving spouses will be able to benefit from the VA Home Loan Guaranty after their death. These veterans and their families have sacrificed so that others may live freely, and for that they deserve to be eligible for this benefit. Again, I thank Chairman Miller for including H.R. 120 as part of H.R. 2433 and for the great work that the committee is doing on behalf of America's veterans. On behalf of our veterans, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, President Obama and his liberal allies in the Senate are at it again. After proposing a new $447 billion stimulus bill last month, the President has seen the bill languish in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Why? Because there are some, even in his own party, who know that more government spending and job-killing tax hikes are not going to get our economy moving again. But the Senate majority leader has come to the rescue with another new class warfare proposal. That's right; he wants a permanent tax increase on small businesses and job creators to pay for a temporary stimulus program. Oh, goody. Long-term, job-destroying tax increases to finance another short-term government spending program. How about we focus on creating an environment that encourages job creation by eliminating harmful government regulations that stifle hiring and by fixing our broken Tax Code without raising taxes?

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ronald Boyles Jr. of Mount Airy, NC. Mr. Boyles, who is a fixture in the Mt. Airy community, was inducted into the Mount Airy Sports Hall of Fame this year, receiving the prestigious Granite City award for his years of dedication to sports in Surry County. Not only did Mr. Boyles have an illustrious high school sports career in Mount Airy, he also dedicated much of his life to coaching local youth in various sports, sponsoring countless sports teams in his work at Boyles Shoe Store and officiating more sporting events than anyone in Mount Airy could hope to ever tally. Few have ever deserved this honor as much as Ronald Boyles. His love of sports and his commitment to helping young people develop character, fair play and sportsmanship was second to none. For example, by his own estimate he has attended more than 2,000 Surry County high school and youth league games over the course of his 70 years of involvement in Mount Airy sports. He has truly seen it all--from Mount Airy's football title in 1948 to more recently it's 2009 state championship title. Ronald Boyles dedication to sports in Surry County has been an example of true community spirit during the decades he's been active playing, coaching, officiating and cheering the young people of Surry County. He truly deserves his place in the Hall of Fame thanks to the many lives he touched through the years.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished service of His Excellency Yashar Aliyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America. Mr. Aliyev is completing his term as Ambassador to the United States after five years of service. Before he accepted his assignment to come to the United States in 2006, he served as Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Ambassador Aliyev has worked tirelessly and effectively to strengthen the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States. Through frequent and productive communications with the United States Congress, Ambassador Aliyev has helped raise awareness of the issues pertaining to Azerbaijan and foster mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Ambassador Aliyev for his exemplary service and valuable contributions to promoting bilateral relations and in extending best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, one hundred years is a long time. Much has happened in these last 100 years since a group of Chinese people, led by Sun Yat-sen, threw off the yoke of warlords and emperors to become the Republic of China (Taiwan). China has a long history as one of the earliest centers of human civilization. It brought us the invention of paper, the written word and so many scientific developments, but it is during these last 100 years that we have seen the great progress of Taiwan developing into one of the strongest democracies in the world. We congratulate Taiwan on its 100th anniversary and for its role in shaping the destiny of its people. We look forward to continuing Taiwan's partnership with the United States through the Taiwan Relations Act in promoting peace and progress for humanity.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Ms. FOXX. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would only say to the gentleman from California that Republicans have passed many, many bills in this session that would help to create jobs in this country. I did a little research this morning on what has happened with bills that have gone over to the Senate. A total of 28 bills have passed the House and the Senate and been sent to the President for his signature. Of those, only six were substantive bills. One of those was the 1099, one was the continuing resolution, one was DOD appropriations, a couple of bills were bills that came from here, one on lead for toys. I think the gentleman from California needs to look to the other body to see what is happening to the bills that are passing out of the House that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans. The problem is not in the House. The problem is in the Senate, that as one headline said and one Senator said, the Senate is moribund, and I believe that's where the problem lies. It is not with Republicans in the House. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.