Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

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

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. I want to bring our attention to the upcoming Memorial Day because we are going to be honoring the fallen and praise their service and sacrifice. We need to remember the families of the fallen and reassure them that their sacrifice and the life of that hero was not lost in vain. We are also very proud of our troops who are currently serving, and we want to make sure that they get that message from us in this body, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to point out to my colleague from Massachusetts that the unemployment rate was 5 percent when they took over the Congress, or approximately 5 percent when they took over Congress in January 2007. Under their control and President Obama's, it reached 10 percent, and has stayed at around 9 percent while they were in control. So I want to again make it clear that we have worked hard to make the economy work again, and we are going to continue that. Mr. Speaker, although I have said it also before, it bears repeating: Americans are sick and tired of reckless government spending, creating only government jobs which hurts our overall economy and creates high unemployment. Americans are deeply concerned about the outrageous level of Federal debt. Our constituents are concerned about the piece of our economy that is now owned by other countries like China. They are very concerned about the fact that so much of our tax dollars, the tax dollars they pay, go toward paying interest on the debt instead of using it for the country's immediate needs. Mr. Speaker, that is why Americans are looking at the new House Republican majority for real answers to their concerns. After 4 years of a complete lack of leadership in Congress under the Democrats, we have rolled up our sleeves and are making the tough decisions to get our economy and fiscal house back in shape. The Federal Government must learn to live within its means and be accountable for how it spends taxpayer money. House Republicans are continuing to fulfill our pledge to America and keep the promises we made to the American people before the election last November. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of congressional oversight and against special interests by voting in favor of this rule and the underlying bills. The material referred to previously by Mr. McGovern is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 269 Offered by Mr. McGovern At the end of the resolution, add the following new sections: Sec. 4. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 964) to protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels, and for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions. If the Committee of the Whole rises and reports that it has come to no resolution on the bill, then on the next legislative day the House shall, immediately after the third daily order of business under clause 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of the Whole for further consideration of the bill. Sec. 5. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of the bill specified in section 4 of this resolution.

Ms. FOXX. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I need to point out to my colleague from Massachusetts, as I do almost every time that we are on the floor together, and I do enjoy being on the floor with him, that he always brings up the fact that we had a surplus when President Clinton left office. Well, the reason we had a surplus, Mr. Speaker, when President Clinton left office had nothing to do with President Clinton. It had all to do with the fact that we had Republicans in charge of the Congress. And just before the Democrats took over the Congress in 2007, as my colleague from Massachusetts so well knows, the CBO projected that there would be a surplus in the United States. However, the Democrats took over in January of 2007 and immediately we began running deficits because of their profligate spending. I would also like to point out to my colleague from Massachusetts, as he so well knows, that the Democrats who are in control of the Senate held a vote last week on whether or not to change the Tax Code in order to disallow incentives that are given to the oil companies for securing oil for this country. And as he knows, again, it's controlled by the Democrats. It was turned down by the Senate. So I would like to point out to him that Republicans are not responsible for the deficit and Republicans are not responsible for denying legal tax exemptions to oil companies. It is the Democrats who are responsible for that. I will allow my colleague to make comments, but I won't allow him to rewrite history. Mr. Speaker, we have great political unrest in the Middle East, and the growing demand from China threatens our ability to secure long-term reserves of oil from foreign entities. That's why we must pursue an alternative energy policy in this country, one that puts to use our domestic supplies and technologies. Republicans are going to continue to pursue an all-of-the-above energy plan aimed at increasing our domestic production to bring down energy prices while creating jobs here at home and ending our dependence on foreign sources of oil. What that means, Mr. Speaker, is we believe in conservation, we believe in alternatives, but we also believe in using the resources that the good Lord gave us here in this country which are being denied to the American people by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, American families cannot wait any longer for relief at the pump. American families cannot wait any longer for increased jobs. As we head back to our districts for the Memorial Day holiday, it's fitting that we should all give thanks to those who have given their lives in defense of the freedom that we very much cherish. Every day, courageous young men and women from all over America volunteer to serve our country in the military. They do not join for the great pay, luxurious lifestyle and swanky accommodations. They join the military and serve with dignity and honor because they love this country and they love what we stand for. They serve a much higher purpose than themselves. What our troops provide for us can be summarized in one word: America. We need now to all come together as supporters of the young men and women of the Armed Forces and their families as proud Americans and provide them with the tools and resources that these brave volunteers deserve, which is why my colleagues and I all need to vote for the underlying bill, the Defense authorization bill. But we also need to vote for the rule, which is going to allow for almost an unlimited number of amendments to be offered, Mr. Speaker, unlike what our colleagues did when they were in charge in the 110th and 111th Congresses. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 269 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Massachusetts for bringing up some issues that need to be responded to. First of all, let me say he says that we plan to repeal Medicare. It was the Democrats who, in voting for the health care act that took over health care in this country to the Federal Government, who cut $500 billion from Medicare--a half a trillion dollars. Republicans have made no recommendations to cut Medicare at all. Only the Democrats have voted to do that. Not Republicans. Republicans want to save Medicare, Mr. Speaker. That is what we are doing. We're recommending that we save Medicare for the future. The Democrats are the only ones who want to repeal Medicare by cutting that money from it. Let me mention a couple of other things that my colleague has spoken about in terms of underlying bills. In terms of the Patriot Act, I believe it is the Attorney General, the Democrat Attorney General, Mr. Holder, who has recommended not only that the Patriot Act be renewed, but that all three of these provisions be made permanent. It is coming from that side of the aisle that they want the Patriot Act renewed. So their President is pushing for this. In terms of borrowing for the war, Mr. Speaker, you know, it is the Federal Government and only the Federal Government that provides for the national defense of this country. That is why we have a Federal Government, Mr. Speaker. It's why we became the United States. No other branch of government can provide for our national security. Every other branch of government, however, can handle health care, can handle education, can handle many of the things that the Federal Government has gotten itself into that it has no business being involved in. So if we had to borrow money, we wouldn't be borrowing money if we weren't in these other things. We would have ample resources to provide for the national defense. But I would also like to point out to my colleague from Massachusetts that it was a Democratic President who took us into a third war, with no authorization from the Congress. And it is not the Republicans who are creating this problem. Mr. Speaker, the second bill made in order under this rule is H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. Speaker, this weekend we will all pause to observe Memorial Day, as we should. As we debate this very important bill, we need to keep in mind the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. We also need to keep in mind those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of all of our freedoms, including this process of freely debating our laws and the idea of the role of government. We could not be here today without the sacrifices of those who served in the military and kept us a free people. I hope that's what everyone keeps on their mind this weekend when they celebrate Memorial Day. As James Madison wrote in the Federalist Papers, ``The operations of the Federal Government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger.'' Our Founding Fathers had a clear view that the primary and central job of the Federal Government was to ``provide for the common defense.'' Providing for the common defense is the mandate of our Constitution. It's not an issue that should divide us in partisan rancor, but unite us as a country that supports our military and provides them with the tools to do their very important job. One need not look too far back in history to find words that remind us of our responsibility to provide for the common defense. President Ronald Reagan, in his first inaugural address, promised to ``check and reverse the growth of government,'' but also to ``maintain sufficient strength to prevail if need be, knowing that if we do so we will have the best chance of never having to use that strength.'' That message, Mr. Speaker, still holds true today. Not only does this bill ensure that our troops are properly equipped, but it also provides the men and women of the military and their families with the resources and support they need, deserve, and have earned. The fiscal year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act takes a detailed approach to ensuring that the investments in our national security are in line with our fiscal priorities and realities. The bill has a clear mandate of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability within the Department of Defense. It also provides incentives to have competition for every taxpayer dollar associated with funding of defense requirements. The bill addresses a wide range of recent policy changes at the Department of Defense, including the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell; reaffirming the Defense of Marriage Act, which protects one man-one woman marriage; as well as ensuring that our military is properly equipped, trained, and staffed for any future threats to our national security. Just as our men and women in uniform stand ready to defend our country, Congress must also tackle the fiscal crisis facing our Nation. Nothing, Mr. Speaker, is more dangerous to our national security than the crushing debt that our country is in. Many of my colleagues have come to the floor warning that the sky was going to fall and Armageddon would be upon us if we did not raise the debt ceiling. Well, last week we hit the debt ceiling, and guess what? The sky is still up there and we are paying our bills. History shows that in 1985, 1995, and 2002, Congress delayed raising the debt ceiling for months without an Armageddon-like economic meltdown. Our intent on this side of the aisle is to pay down the debt with fiscally disciplined and responsible budgets that reduce deficit spending. With a system like that in place, there will be no need to continue to raise the debt ceiling and create further financial burdens that could cost each American over $40,000. Imagine a better American future. Imagine what Americans can achieve if we are freed from Washington's debt burden. On March 16, 2006, a young Senator took the floor in the United States Senate and said, ``The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It's a sign we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policy.'' Mr. Speaker, that Senator voted against raising the debt ceiling, and that Senator was Barack Obama, our current President. As far as that statement goes, I agree with the President that our dependency on foreign funds is reckless and a danger to our national security. Just as dangerous is the failure to achieve energy security. Republicans strongly believe that energy security depends on domestic energy production. Our friends, the liberal Democrats and President Obama, have actively blocked and delayed American energy production, destroying jobs, raising energy prices, and making the U.S. more reliant on unstable foreign countries for energy. This is hurting American families and small businesses, who are vital to creating the new private sector jobs we so desperately need during this time of high unemployment. The liberal proposals fail to create jobs in America but help create jobs overseas for the citizens of foreign nations. We need policies that allow us to take advantage of our natural resources and our innovative culture to develop new sources of energy and create jobs here at home. To date, the Obama administration has pursued an anti-energy agenda, rife with policies that block domestic energy production and destroy jobs. The consequences of this agenda are dire. In the short term, it fuels a rise in gas prices and costs for consumers, and in the long term it limits innovation and stifles economic growth and job creation. Mr. Speaker, we need to approve this rule which we are debating and the underlying bills so that we can stop the funding of abortions and so that we can fund our military. And we need to look at the other policies that are being promoted by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle and in the White House to see that we can become more secure as a Nation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. House Resolution 269 provides for a modified open rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1216, which amends the Public Health Service Act to convert funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health centers from mandatory spending to an authorization of appropriations; H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act; and same-day consideration of a rule to consider extending certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. Mr. Speaker, this is the seventh modified open rule that the House Republican majority has offered this Congress, compared to the liberal Democrats' one modified open rule during the entire 111th Congress. The first underlying bill today, H.R. 1216, continues the fulfillment of the Republican Pledge to America and illustrates that once again Republicans are keeping our promises to the American people to cut Federal spending. The American people want transparency of Washington's spending of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. In an act of gross irresponsibility, the Federal Government is spending $1 out of $4 of gross domestic product. We hear the term ``Federal money'' as though it is manna from heaven. Let me dispel that misconception, Mr. Speaker. The Federal Government has only the money it takes away from hardworking American families through taxes or the money it borrows. As a Nation, we are currently borrowing 43 cents for every dollar spent at the Federal level. Some argue that to balance the Federal Government and pay down our debt, we should raise taxes. As a fiscal conservative, I have to disagree. Raising taxes on hardworking Americans and job creators is simply a way to pass the blame. We must rein in out-of-control Washington spending and put an end to it. The American people are sick and tired of reckless government spending and Washington's disregard for basic budgeting principles of living within its means. This is one of the many reasons I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill before us today, Mr. Speaker. H.R. 1216 restores congressional oversight to Federal spending by ending the autopilot spending for physician residency programs at teaching health centers and restoring it to the annual appropriations process. When a program is put on autopilot, Congress abdicates its authority to unelected bureaucrats and takes a hands-off approach. House Republicans are committed to ending that approach to Federal spending and ensuring that government programs are accountable for how they are spending money. No longer will we accept politically popular excuses. Each program must prove that it is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars. If Congress will not address out-of-control spending now, we are passing the buck to our children and grandchildren. Therefore, I commend my Republican colleagues at the House Energy and Commerce Committee for seeking to end mandatory or autopilot funding for programs in the liberal Democrats' government takeover of health care. Because the liberal elites knew their government takeover of health care was unpopular and would likely have consequences at the ballot box, they included $105 billion in mandatory taxpayer spending in the law itself to protect their favorite programs. Let me take a moment, Mr. Speaker, to explain the difference between discretionary and mandatory government spending. Discretionary spending is appropriated by Congress annually and, therefore, subject to congressional oversight and review. Discretionary spending allows Members of Congress the opportunity to be wise stewards of the taxpayers' money by not funding ineffective or duplicative programs. On the contrary, mandatory spending operates irrespective of congressional appropriations and must be spent whether we have the money or not. The most recognized mandatory spending programs are Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security which operate on autopilot and have not been subject to congressional oversight from year to year as funds automatically stream from the Treasury to anyone who qualifies for a particular benefit. It cannot be emphasized enough that the liberal elites in Washington chose to hastily ram through their government takeover of health care with no regard for the staunch opposition of the American people. The audacity of an elected official or, worse, an unelected bureaucrat basically saying to a taxpayer that he or she knows how to spend the taxpayer's money better than the individual taxpayer is appalling. That is what the ruling liberal elites in Washington did when they chose to forgo the annual appropriations, also known as oversight, process by putting their favorite programs on autopilot under ObamaCare. Mr. Speaker, it is my firm belief that Washington should not be in the business of picking winners and losers. During committee consideration of the underlying bill, my Republican colleagues rightly pointed out that the liberal Democrats in control last Congress put the funding for residencies at teaching health centers on autopilot but left residency programs at children's hospitals to fend for themselves in the annual appropriations process. In fact, President Obama's FY 2012 budget proposes eliminating funding for residency programs at children's hospitals. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to understand why residencies at teaching health centers should receive special treatment. Why were these residency programs protected while others languished and were eventually proposed to be eliminated? This is a classic example of Washington bureaucrats deciding which programs will win and which will lose. As I said earlier, every program should be properly scrutinized by Congress through the appropriations process and be accountable for how it is spending taxpayer money. While this accountability should always be important, it's even more critical because we're facing the third straight year of trillion dollar deficits. This fiscal year our deficit will be $1.6 trillion. Mr. Speaker, remember the figure I mentioned earlier about our Nation's borrowing habits? We're borrowing 43 cents of every dollar the Federal Government spends. This translates to a national debt that has now reached more than $14 trillion and has gotten the attention of the American people. If you're having a hard time visualizing $14 trillion, let me put it this way: If America was required to pay back its national debt right now, each citizen--man, woman, and child--would owe more than $46,000. The simple truth is that we have a spending crisis in this town due in large part to mandatory spending that operates on autopilot. House Republicans are committed to bringing government spending under control, and we're continuing to build on our Pledge to America by restoring congressional oversight and accountability for government programs. Again, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this rule and the underlying bills. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment is designed to protect life and the livelihood of those who defend it. Since 1973, approximately 50 million children have been aborted in the United States. This is a tragedy. According to a CNN poll last month, more than 60 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer funding for abortion. This number includes many of my constituents and is consistent with my strong pro-life convictions. I am offering my amendment today to ensure that their hard-earned money will not be used to pay for elective abortions or given to organizations that discriminate against pro-life health care providers. Earlier this month, the House passed H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which codifies many longstanding pro-life provisions and ensures that taxpayer money is not being used to perform elective abortions. H.R. 3 is now awaiting consideration in the Senate, but I will not cease to fight to protect the unborn children in America at every turn. This amendment ensures that the grants being provided to teaching health centers are not being used to perform elective abortions and makes it crystal clear that taxpayer money is not being used to train health care providers to perform abortion procedures. Mr. Chair, when the liberal Democrats rammed through their government takeover of health care, in an unprecedented fashion, they refused to include longstanding pro-life provisions. With this bill, House Republicans are seeking to restore a grant program for residency programs to the regular appropriations process, and my amendment explicitly and permanently ensures that should the appropriations committee fund this program, taxpayer money will not be used to pay for elective abortions or train abortion providers. In addition to the need for a permanent prohibition of taxpayer funding for elective abortions, it is also important that scarce resources are allocated to the most worthy applicants. An applicant that demands that individuals and institutions provide or refer for abortions is simply not the kind of applicant that should be funded under this program. Numerous doctors, nurses and other health care providers refuse to perform or participate in abortions because they believe it is wrong to kill a child. Congress should ensure that these individuals are not discriminated against because of their beliefs. Any form of discrimination is abhorrent, and individuals should not be forced to act against their convictions. This amendment is similar to previous efforts to protect pro-life health care providers and is consistent with these efforts. To be eligible for funding under this grant program, centers have to agree that they will not discriminate against pro-life health care providers. My colleagues across the aisle may argue that we already have the Hyde amendment that prohibits taxpayer funding for elective abortion for programs that are included in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations legislation. However, this amendment must be included every year. My amendment ends the uncertainty for this program by providing a permanent prohibition on taxpayer funded elective abortions and protects pro-life health care providers. Until we have a permanent prohibition on taxpayer funding of elective abortion and protections for health care providers who cherish life, I will continue to offer and support efforts to support taxpayers, families and children from the scourge of abortion. The unborn are the most innocent and vulnerable members of our society and their right to life must be protected. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Record.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as it celebrates its 93rd anniversary of independence from the Russian Empire, I would like to take the opportunity to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of its May 28th Republic Day. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the start of diplomatic relations with the United States. Azerbaijan has made incredible progress in the last 20 years and has become a key ally of the United States in a strategically important region. Azerbaijan is located between Russia and Iran in the strategic region between Europe and Asia. A stable and secular country, it is one of the few places in that part of the world where Muslims, Jews and Christians live together in peace. The U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership is based on shared values and common goals and is a key component to regional security. As highlighted by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a recent visit to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan provides multi-faceted support for U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan and is a key part of the Northern Distribution Network providing ground and naval transit for roughly 25 percent of the Coalition's supplies bound for Afghanistan. Beyond support for U.S. security interests in the region, Azerbaijan plays a paramount role in strengthening U.S. and European energy security and is expanding its commercial and economic ties with the United States. Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim country that maintains close friendly ties with Israel and supplies roughly a quarter of Israel's oil. My colleagues are encouraged to join me in honoring Azerbaijan on the occasion of its 93rd Republic Day and celebrating a robust U.S.- Azerbaijan relationship.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I recently attended a celebration of the bicentennial of the community of Jonesville, NC. Not only was I impressed by the level of volunteerism that made the celebration possible, but I was also amazed by the rich history of the town of Jonesville. According to the Jonesville Historical Society, the current town of Jonesville was called Allen's Settlement in the 1700's--name after pioneer businessman David Allen. Allen's Settlement took root near the bluffs that once stood on the south bank of the Yadkin, at the junction of current-day Elm Street-- West Main Street and River Road and was surrounded by wilderness, isolated farms and occasional plantations. David Allen owned an iron ore forge on the Big Elkin Creek, which was supplied with iron ore by the surrounding mountains and foothills. Examples of these types kind of ore mines, also known as ``pits,'' are still found in Jonesville, particularly adjacent to West Main Street, which was once called Iron Works Road. Most iron ore was transported across the Yadkin River in the shallows until a ferry was constructed near the mouth of Big Elkin Creek, according to the Historical Society. A section of the Old Ford Road is preserved today in Mineral Spring Park. In 1811, the town that is now Jonesville was initially incorporated as Martinsborough, most likely in honor of North Carolina's recent Governors, Alexander Martin and Josiah Martin. However, in 1815 the town name was changed to Jonesville in honor of Hardy Jones. Hardy Jones was the son of Samuel Jones, a settler from Virginia who fought in the American Revolution. It was Jones who established the Academy for which early Jonesville was famous. Jones' remains and a marker honoring his life can be found at Jonesville First United Methodist Church, which is also the site of the former Jonesville Male and Female Academy. The Jonesville Academy was moved from what is modern-day Bermuda Run to Jonesville by Hardy Jones in 1816. By the 1853-54 school year, 150 students attended the academy, coming from every state in the country. The town of Jonesville grew in prominence thanks to the academy and the students it attracted from around the country and the south. However, soldiers from Union General George Stoneman's cavalry ransacked the school in the spring of 1865. Fortunately, the soldiers missed the academy's prized possession, a bell made of bronze and 99 silver dollars. Today the bell resides atop the Jonesville First United Methodist Church. According to Moravian journals from the time, Jonesville also likely served as a stop for fugitive slaves trying to escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The town of Jonesville experienced unprecedented growth after Interstate 77 opened in 1974, and it was consequently named a ``Governor's Community of Excellence'' in 1980. In 2001, Jonesville merged with the neighboring town of Arlington, which added about 800 people to Jonesville's population and made it the town it is today.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, one of the joys of representing an area like northwest North Carolina is participating in the many unique and volunteer-powered community celebrations that happen throughout the year. Last weekend I had the honor of attending the Jonesville Jubilee and Bicentennial Celebration that marked the town's 200th anniversary. This event celebrated the distinct history and culture of the town of Jonesville and brought out the local community to participate and recall the past. I was very impressed by the huge array of activities, the fantastic turnout, and the volunteers who pulled this off. The weekend-long event featured trolley car tours through Jonesville, as well as a Civil War and wagon train campsite along with Civil and Revolutionary War reenactors, the opening of the history center, a Civil War-era mill, and historic displays from communities throughout the area. This could hardly have been a better event, and the many volunteers who made it possible are to be praised for their dedication and hard work. It's what is so great about our country.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. I thank my colleague for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, Americans are demanding relief at the pump and for Congress to create an environment that creates jobs. Republicans are answering that demand with practical solutions that will have an immediate impact on the price of gasoline, energy security, and jobs. Liberal Democrats are still adhering to the sort of demagoguery that may score political points with their base, but that doesn't create a single job nor does it reduce the cost of energy by 1 cent. Republicans strongly believe that energy security depends on strong domestic energy production. The liberal Democrats and President Obama have actively blocked and delayed American energy production, destroying jobs, raising energy prices, and making the U.S. more reliant on unstable foreign countries for energy. This is hurting American families and small businesses who are vital to creating the new private sector jobs we desperately need during this time of high unemployment. The liberal proposals fail to create jobs in America but help create jobs overseas for the citizens of foreign nations. President Obama's reckless moratorium on domestic energy production has cost the gulf coast region 12,000 jobs since it was enacted last year. His moratorium now threatens an additional loss of over 24,000 jobs in the gulf and 36,000 jobs nationwide if we do not reverse this dangerous liberal endeavor. The Republicans believe that energy security will not only create jobs but will also help reduce the deficit. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 1231 will generate $800 million in revenue over 10 years while reducing foreign oil imports by nearly one-third. The solution provided by the Democrat elites? More taxes, resulting in higher costs that will get passed on to American families. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service says Democrat tax increases ``would make oil and natural gas more expensive for U.S. customers,'' and even some liberals admit ``it would cost thousands of jobs.'' Renowned economist Dr. Joseph Mason has stated that Republican proposals for domestic energy production will create 1.2 million American jobs. If the liberal Democrats care about our energy security, prices at the pump, job creation, and strengthening our domestic energy capability, they would join Republicans in supporting this rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, American families cannot wait any longer for relief at the pump. American families cannot wait any longer for jobs. If you stand with American families, if you stand with American energy security, and if you stand for job creation in America, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania for his leadership on this issue and for yielding time. Madam Speaker, not using the hard-earned money of taxpayers to destroy innocent unborn children is not extreme, and it is not radical. It is the right thing to do. The majority of Americans agrees with us that it is the wrong thing to use their money for this issue. I want to support my colleague in this legislation in saying we need to pass this bill, and we need to send a message to the American people that we are wise stewards of their money.

Ms. FOXX. I thank my colleague from Florida for yielding me time to speak on the importance of protecting defenseless unborn children and ensuring taxpayer money is not used to pay for elective abortions. I do want to explain to my glib friend from Vermont, who is so good on the floor, that the Hyde amendment itself covers plans as well as direct funding. So I think the people need to know there's a slight correction to the comments that he made. According to a CNN poll last month, Madam Speaker, more than 60 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer-funding for abortion. Today, this House has the historic opportunity to end the patchwork of policies that are intended to prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion by passing a government-wide prohibition on funding elective abortions. H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, codifies many longstanding pro-life protections that have been passed under both Republican and Democrat-controlled Congresses. In fact, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has voted 14 times to prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion in the District of Columbia. President Obama voted against taxpayer funding of abortion in the District of Columbia twice when he was in the Senate; and since being elected President, he's signed appropriations legislation into law that prohibits this funding. As you can see, Madam Speaker, opposition to taxpayer funding for abortion is bipartisan, bicameral, and supported by the American people. There's nothing more important than protecting voiceless unborn children and their families from the travesty of abortion. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote for life by voting in favor of this rule and the underlying bill and say that my colleague from Vermont said we can differ on opinions, but this is the right position to take.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, yesterday (5/3/11) during consideration of H.R. 1213, a bill to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges, I stepped away from the House floor to speak with a constituent and inadvertently missed a vote (roll No. 283) on the Ellison of Minnesota Amendment No. 3 (H. Amdt. 262). If I had been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. If your car is speeding into a ditch, the only thing to do to survive is to slam the brakes as fast and hard as you can. Anything else only stalls the disaster to come. At this moment, America is speeding into bankruptcy, and the only way to stop the descent and save our country is to slam the brakes on government spending and set our Nation on a brand new fiscal trajectory. Critical times call for critical measures. The American people deserve honest and courageous leadership from Washington that will act to save the future of our great Nation. The Path to Prosperity would lift the crushing burden of record high debt, spur economic growth and job creation, and fulfill our Nation's obligations to the health and retirement security of every American. With the Path to Prosperity, the budget that Republicans adopted in the House 2 weeks ago, Americans will be back on the road to more jobs for today and a bankrupt-free nation for tomorrow.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. I thank my colleague from Texas for yielding time. Mr. Chair, the American people know that we are borrowing 43 cents for every dollar we spend these days. We do not need to be giving grants of dollars that we have collected from hardworking taxpayers to local entities to build or renovate school-based health centers. This is not a core function of the Federal Government. It is not a core function of our taxpayers. We do not need to be spending this money like the minority wanted to spend it when they were in the majority. It is also very duplicative, Mr. Chair. Between the stimulus bill and what we affectionately call ObamaCare, $3 billion in funds have been made available to Health Resources and Services Administration at the Department of HHS for facility improvements at community health centers. Providing an additional $50 million a year for construction is duplicative and unwarranted. This bill deserves the support of every Member here. We are soon going to have to have a vote to raise our debt limit. People say over and over again on both sides of the aisle, We have to cut spending. We have to cut spending. What better place to start than in these funds that are going out for a function that is not appropriate for the Federal Government to be involved in so that we don't have to continue to borrow 43 cents for every dollar that we spend. So I think we should cut out duplicative programs. This bill definitely needs to pass, and I give it my full support.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. This budget strengthens the social safety net and promotes policies that help people recover from poverty and lead self-sufficient lives.

Ms. FOXX. I thank my colleague from Wisconsin for the exceptional leadership he has been bringing to this House on this issue of the budget. I want to say I agree with my colleague from Georgia. We are the greatest country in the world. We also have the smartest people in the world, and they're not going to buy this demagoguery anymore. The President and Democratic political strategists are engaged in demagoguery of the worst sort. Yesterday the President accused us of wanting to leave sick kids to fend for themselves. But we've heard this before. On the eve of the 1996 welfare reform, Senator Frank Lautenberg voiced his concern that the bill would transform America into a Third World nation leaving ``children hungry and homeless, begging for money, begging for food and even at 8 and 9 years old engaging in prostitution.'' Senator Carol Moseley-Braun trumped Lautenberg by wondering aloud whether the welfare reform bill would prompt the widespread auctioning of abandoned children into slavery. Jill Nelson of The Nation did them one better by predicting that ``working- and middle-class communities all over America will become scary, violent wastelands.'' Representative Jim McDermott made a more prosaic prediction that within 2 years of enactment, the bill would ``put 1.5 million to 2.5 million children into poverty.'' Even Daniel Patrick Moynihan warned that the law would ``have children sleeping on grates.'' What happened? Child poverty rates fell by 1 percent per year in the 5 years following the passage of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, and they remain below 1995 levels, even though the Nation is still emerging from a severe recession. Transforming welfare, by among other things block granting the program and giving States more control over its implementation, cut caseloads in half against a backdrop of falling poverty rates. In almost every particular, the critics were wrong. The aim of the social safety net should be to empower individuals, putting them in stronger position to achieve. Government can play a positive role in this area with policies aimed at helping those who are down on their luck get back on their feet.