Tom Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. I thank the gentleman. You know, just listening to what we just heard from our colleague across the aisle, he said, Go back and talk to your doctors, talk to parents, talk to seniors. You are missing the point. It's time to listen. That's what we've been doing. We've been listening. And the American people in November said it's time not only to defund this but to repeal this measure. Again, the House has moved forward to do so. Maybe you should quit talking to and start listening to. Mr. Chairman, I'm here in support of this amendment because, simply put, it defunds ObamaCare bureaucrats. If this amendment is adopted, government bureaucrats cannot be paid so much as to lift a finger, move a paperclip, send an email if it has anything to do with ObamaCare.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I'm here today in support of this amendment, and I want to thank those who have been working in this effort--Mrs. Emerson, Mr. Walden, Mr. Upton, and Mr. Diaz-Balart. I appreciate them letting me join in this debate. As we've heard a lot of the conversation, it gets complicated sometimes when you have elected officials get up and start talking about broadband and Internet and FCC. Well, let's make it simple. Government control means uniformity, regulations, fees, inspections, and yes, compliance. Just think if those words had existed since the 1990s with the Internet. We wouldn't know one thing about ``broadband,'' let alone a ``tweet.'' The Internet's marketplace is defined by fierce competition, and that competition has transformed this world with innovation, investment, and what we need most of all right now--jobs. It's possible that the most intelligent and bipartisan policy that Washington has had thus far has been to leave the Internet virtually untouched by the Federal Government and regulators. And the result? Internet-based industries have flourished and employed a generation of Americans. So let's be clear today: there is no net neutrality crisis. The speed and depth of the Internet as we know it today came from consumer choice and competition. Consumers have successfully picked those winners and losers, not government, and they've done it without the FCC's help. Imagine that. Consider the choices in rate plans, the various points of access, and demand for openness and accessibility. A service provider that restricts access would do so at their own peril and to the prosperity of their competitors. So after all the life-changing innovation, the accidental billionaires, President Obama's revolutionary e-campaign, after all the groundbreaking technology that has defined this age of the Internet, we must ask that question, Why? Why would unelected bureaucrats at the FCC want to take over and feel good about this Internet takeover right now with their new rules and policies, keeping things neutral being their claim. Well, three words come to mind to me today, and that is: Trojan Horse virus. So, Mr. Chairman, let's pass this amendment today and let's install some antivirus protection for Americans on the Internet. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. I move to strike the last word.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for your attentiveness to this process. I know it is laborious. I want to draw attention, I want to go back just a few steps here when we were listening to an amendment brought to us by my good friend from New York (Mr. Reed). As we are going through this process, there are those who have been working extremely hard, the Appropriations Committee and Members all across this House, and Mr. Reed dug very deep and he found something I think all of us wanted to see, something that was exposed, that the American people pointed out clearly, that the Federal Government has been spending money where it does not need to be spending money. Think about where we are as a nation: $14 trillion in debt; unemployment unacceptable; GDP dropping; $1.5 trillion of deficit, which is almost 150 percent of what the Federal Government takes in. Think about where we are. And then children, upon conception, you ask any economist, they will vary somewhere between $42,000 and $47,000 of debt inherited upon conception. Yet Mr. Reed, he points out here today a great find: That this government is funding a Tijuana sewer rehabilitation project. There is something about that that just stinks. And I would hope that this House, that Americans all across this country, that Members of this House would see that just $10 million is being funded for a rehabilitation project of a sewer facility in Mexico, yet we are in this position of this fiscal house being out of order and in disorder. I would hope that this House would see and recognize that this simple amendment, only $10 million, a small amount compared to that $1.5 trillion deficit, is worthy of a ``yes'' vote of amending this out of this CR, and we would send a message to the American people: It doesn't matter if it is $1, $10 million, $1 billion, if it is unnecessary funding coming from this government, we are going to get it out and get this fiscal house back in order. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, early reports indicate that President Obama will call for a new spending package during his State of the Union address tonight. Now, I have heard, as many of you have, that this might be masked, as he might say tonight, as targeted investments. More stimulus. Democrats speak for stimulus, but it will be hidden with calls for tepid spending cuts. Well, Mr. Speaker, Americans know that our debt is $14 trillion. They know that the President spent $1.3 trillion over the budget last year, only to see unemployment stay above 9 percent. Now is the time to pivot to fiscal responsibility. It's time to shred the President's maxed-out credit cards and cut his weekly allowance. It's time to tell our kids and grandkids that we don't want them to bear the burden of our generation's fiscal irresponsibility. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my constituents in north Georgia, hope that the early reports are wrong about another stimulus being proposed tonight. Rather than use a few spending cuts as window dressing for more spending, tonight is the President's opportunity to seize the moment, to be a leader, and get serious about spending reform.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, what a great day for America--a victory for the American people. You know, last November the American people loudly demanded the repeal of ObamaCare, and today the House delivered. Earlier today, I outlined why the American people were so opposed to this legislation. So tonight I thought I would remind my colleagues on the left as to why they rejected ObamaCare. It was the employee mandate and the mandates on individuals that tax, penalize, and punish Americans who choose not to opt in to a government-approved health care system. Maybe it was the $569 billion in new taxes or the $2.6 trillion cost or the $700 billion in deficit spending over the first 10 years this law is fully implemented, and who knows what after that. More importantly, it violated our Constitution and our personal liberties. So earlier today I asked my friends and folks back in the district who follow us on Facebook, the Georgians I work for and I represent, to respond to us as to how the legislation has already impacted them today. So we got a few of those responses; and, Mr. Speaker, I thought I would share some of those. From north Georgia, Elisabeth in Rossville said her health insurance premiums have already almost doubled. Jimmy in north Georgia said his health care premium is certainly more expensive. Brian said his health insurance just went up by at least 8 percent, and the cost of his mother's Medicare part D coverage has doubled. BJ in Calhoun, a health insurance agent, said premiums have risen, and companies he represents are reducing or eliminating commissions. Then there is Jeremy in Ringgold. He was going to expand his business this year, but he was forced to put those plans on hold because of the costly and burdensome 1099 tax filing requirements that were required under ObamaCare. It is because of these Americans that we not only repealed ObamaCare today but that tomorrow we will also vote on a House resolution directing the committees of jurisdiction to begin working on legislation through a transparent process--open to the American people--that will embody free market principles that, under many circumstances, will foster economic growth and private sector job creation; lower health care premiums through increased competition and choice; ensure patients have the opportunity to keep their health care plans if they like them; reform the medical liability system to reduce unnecessary and wasteful health care spending; remove barriers that prohibit health care plans from being purchased across State lines; provide the States greater flexibility to administer the Medicaid programs. More importantly, it will be policy that empowers Americans with options instead of mandates coming from the Federal Government. Above all, our reforms will not infringe upon individual liberties. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank those tonight who on Facebook responded to us in helping us start that round two of the ObamaCare debate. Today, we voted to repeal. Tomorrow, we begin the work to replace with free market solutions.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today is a historic day in America. Acting on the will of the voters and the majority of all Americans, today we will vote to repeal ObamaCare. Now, while the Senate appears less interested in following suit, here in the House this vote marks the beginning of round two of a vigorous and spirited national debate on health care. Over the coming months and weeks, this debate will go from Congress to kitchen tables all across this country. So as we reengage in this debate, the party on the left questions: Why do the American people want this policy repealed so bad? So let's revisit some of those areas. Number one, the employee mandate, penalizing and punishing businesses for not having government-approved health care; the individual mandate, punishing and taxing Americans who choose not to have government- approved health care; the $569 billion in new taxes on the American people; jobs being lost; the cost of the bill, $2.6 trillion with a $700 billion deficit over the first 10 years of its life; and, yes, 222 corporations already exempt and waived from this policy. That's why. It's time to reopen the debate, debunk the myths, and replace this law with less costly, market-driven solutions that truly expand access and affordability, and above all, preserve our individual liberties.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Amendment 12: ``The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice President.''

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Well, thank you. But being appointed to the Appropriations Committee, it is clear, and I have made it clear to my constituents, that I am not going on as a spender. I'm going on as a saver. It seems for far too long Members would seek to be on appropriations because they wanted to spend money. Well, guess what. It's a new day, a new era. And it's a just fresh day when you have Members going on to say, Here is how we are going to save money. So what a great debate we are going to have in the next several weeks.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Oh, you are absolutely right. I think what we've heard about repealing ObamaCare--yesterday I introduced the legislation again to defund it, to take away all authorizing funds going to the legislation as well, which is another step forward. You know, why don't we defund some czars. That's a whole other discussion that we've all seen. And then as we move back to those 2008 levels, and we might need to go even just a little bit further and begin cutting more and more and more, I mean, are the decisions going to be difficult? Sure, they are. But that's why your constituents and mine elected us to come here and make those tough decisions.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Clearly the word is provide for common defense. The next phrase or clause is then promote general welfare. Not provide. Promote the general welfare.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. You're right. I will wrap up with this, two quotes from two very different Presidents. Ronald Reagan once said: ``Revenue is not the problem; spending is the problem.'' We all know that. But then another quote is this: ``Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and our grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership.''

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. ``Americans deserve better.'' End quote. That was then-Senator Barack Obama on the Senate floor.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. A big difference. But he is absolutely correct that America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Mr. President, here is your opportunity.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. I think the connection is in his quote--a failure of leadership.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Well, I thank the gentleman from Missouri. And you're right. I mean, today, what a breath of fresh air to hear the syllables of the Constitution recited from Members all throughout this body, leading into this topic and this discussion because we really want to address spending cuts and the proper role of government. What better way to start it than reciting the Constitution today. And hopefully Members of this body listened and heard. They didn't get up and just read a sentence or two or an amendment. They actually consumed it in their mind and are starting to understand what it means. Because for too long, the Federal Government has been kicking the can down the road on spending. Saying, Oh, elect me; elect me, and we will cut spending. When you look at the data, it's clear: deficit spending has occurred at an average, just in the last fiscal year, of probably $110 billion a month deficit spending.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Right.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. You are right. And that leads up to this discussion that we are hearing now in the media which I don't know where they've been over the last several months talking about the debt ceiling. Well, the reason we're approaching and about to pierce the debt ceiling is this deficit spending that has occurred from the previous leadership here in the House as well as the administration who is still there. And as we approach this debt ceiling, we have got to push spending cuts more and more and more. And I'm thankful that I just was sworn in for the second time yesterday--

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Yes, I would be happy to just add a little bit more to that. I think a few approaches you could take when you ask the question, Is it duplicative? Is it occurring somewhere else? Is another agency or Department doing it? And that is after you've cleared the hurdle. Is it a role of the Federal Government in general itself? Then you could also ask, is it something you could devolve back to the States? Have we usurped the States in which I would think many Members of our conference here would probably agree. In some cases, the Federal Government has overstepped its bounds, and it's time to remove ourselves from the States and allow the States to take over. But you know, from a business owner's perspective, what if you looked at the Department heads or the agency heads, and you said, You go back and you cut 25 percent and you bring back your recommendations; and then you show us a budget estimate with 20 percent cuts and then one with 10 percent, empower those agency heads to make those decisions, to analyze their Departments and come back. While we're also on the theme of physicians, we're taking a surgical approach as well as pulling out those unnecessary programs. So that would be some approaches I would take.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. With unemployment at what?

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Well, thank you for yielding some time. And, Madam Speaker, this should be the final few minutes of my discussion as I am going to leave and yield to the gentleman from Utah. I sort of want to follow up on what he said. But before I do, I want to point out that the Republican Study Committee, which I believe all of us are members of and actively a part of, is putting together a rescissions plan which has $2.6 trillion in cuts identified already that would occur over the next 10 years and an amazing set of proposals that, to me, as we stand here today in the majority, John Boehner as our Speaker that we nominated, we elected, and we are still talking about spending being the number one issue. That's how committed we are. Going back to the gentleman's statement, he was referring to the Constitution and the general welfare clause in the Preamble there. I thought I would bring up an interesting point, because it says to ``promote the general welfare,'' not ``provide the general welfare.'' An interesting distinction there. And what a notion we have taken from a central government role to want to provide for everyone. But if you go one clause prior to that, it says, ``provide for the common defense.'' Not ``promote,'' but ``provide'' common defense and ``promote'' general welfare. Two distinct differences and clauses. And we have certainly mistaken that second clause there.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the DREAM Act. When I think back to the early days of our country and its inception and what we were founded on, it was on freedom, it was on liberty, it was on the opportunity to dream and to achieve a better future for one's self. That is what has made us great, and that is what has made us exceptional among all nations on this globe. But make no mistake, this bill is not the American Dream. This bill is the amnesty dream. This bill will give amnesty to nearly 2 million illegal immigrants right away, while providing a pathway to amnesty to encourage millions more illegal immigrants to enter our country. Adults up to 30 years old will now be eligible for amnesty as a result of this. If a person who illegally enters this country will receive amnesty through this bill, you can bet they will petition, because of this bill, to have their relatives join them. Illegal immigrants who have been convicted of less than three misdemeanors are eligible for amnesty through this bill. Lastly, anyone who simply applies for the program will have temporary amnesty. Earlier we heard that this is not about illegal immigrants, that this is about undocumented persons. Well, that begs the question. If one is undocumented, how could you even verify their age or eligibility for this very program? This is no dream. This is a nightmare. This is a nightmare for the taxpayers of our country. This is a nightmare for America itself. Besides the fundamental problem of rewarding and incentivizing illegal behavior, this bill worsens our debt and puts a further strain on American families. Simply put, an open-door amnesty policy, with no spending cap, no limit in scope and a free invitation to all the Federal benefits of this country, adds up to a cost that our taxpayers cannot afford. I urge my colleagues tonight to vote for the American Dream by rejecting the amnesty dream.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I hear all these grand arguments today about the majority party's tax cut bill when in fact not one American taxpayer's taxes will be reduced as a result of passage of this bill. Let's be clear on what's at stake today: A vote for this bill is a vote to raise taxes on millions of American families and small business owners. The Democrat leaders argue that we have to raise taxes to reduce the deficit, but this is absolutely false. The burden to reduce the deficit should be on Congress and not on the backs of hardworking Americans. It is our job to make the tough spending cuts and restore fiscal discipline, not to make millions of businesses and families a scapegoat for our debt. Keep this in mind: No tax increase has ever created one job. If America's private sector is going to create the jobs that we desperately need, Congress must stop the threat of new taxes, get out of the way, and let employers have some certainty for once. So Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to respect the message of the American people from Election Day and let's reject this tax hike scheme.

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia

Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished service of seven men from Georgia's First Squadron, 108th Cavalry of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in northwest Georgia. On September 2, 2010, these men received the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals with ``V'' Device for their personal valor and action in an intense firefight during Operation Brest Thunder. Operation Brest Thunder, an operation involving U.S. troops, French marines, and the Afghanistan National Army, was designed in order to persuade the citizens of Afghanistan that it was safe for them to participate in the electoral process in the dangerous insurgency area of the Shpee Valley and the Kapisa Province. It was through their bravery and boldness during this operation that the following men have been recognized for their outstanding action. The Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' device was awarded to: Captain Nathaniel C. Stone of Monticello, Georgia; Sergeant First Class Kenneth Brooks of Calhoun, Georgia; Staff Sergeant William Bookout of Villa Rica, Georgia; Sergeant Roger Mavis of Dallas, Georgia; and Specialist Christopher Lowe from Savannah, Georgia. Receiving the Army Commendation Medal with ``V'' device were Staff Sergeant William Moore of Newnan, Georgia, and Specialist Justin Evans of Silver Creek, Georgia. During Operation Brest Thunder, a large number of Taliban had entered the Shpee Valley in Afghanistan in order to reinforce insurgents already there. At the start of their mission, U.S. forces immediately took heavy fire from enemy forces in every direction. After a fellow captain was mortally wounded, and the assisting soldier, Specialist Lowe, wounded and incapacitated, Captain Stone and Specialist Evans sprung into action. Captain Stone was dispatched to lead the Quick Reaction Force to evacuate Specialist Lowe and the fallen soldier from the battlefield back to the combat outpost. Meanwhile, Specialist Evans treated Specialist Lowe's wounds while staving off enemy fire. Maneuvering under fire, Captain Stone and Sergeant First Class Brooks, the onsite commander, immediately assessed the situation and the course of action for evacuation. They soon realized that the only way to retrieve the casualties was to immediately employ their men to lay down fire at a tree line that had been the source of the heaviest assault. Once their men were in place and able to begin an aggressive attack, Captain Stone, along with another soldier, sprinted approximately 50 meters up high ground towards the house where the casualties were located without regard for their own personal safety. Upon reaching Specialist Evans and Specialist Lowe, Captain Stone realized Specialist Lowe was losing a lot of blood and must be rapidly evacuated out of harm's way. Captain Stone sprinted towards one of the vehicles where Specialist Lowe was placed, while several rounds of enemy fire shot around him, skimming the top of his right boot. And Captain Stone ran through enemy fire to ensure that Specialist Lowe received medical attention and that the body of his fellow soldier was retrieved. This quick thinking and courageous action by Captain Stone and Specialist Evans, without regard for their own safety, saved Specialist Lowe's life and assured the retrieval of their fellow man. Throughout the duration of Operation Brest Thunder, Sergeant First Class Brooks, Staff Sergeant Moore, Sergeant Mavis and Sergeant Bookout endured heavy enemy fire. These men led valiantly, calmly, and decisively. Although they were under heavy enemy fire, these men and their team pressed on and unfortunately sustained two casualties. However, they were able to maneuver their forces and hold overwatch positions until the Quick Reaction Force could respond to medevac any casualties and help neutralize the enemy threat. They simultaneously oversaw the defense of their combat outpost from heavy fire upon the return of their mission. A few of these men have noted Operation Brest Thunder to be one of the toughest battles they have fought. But it is because of their strength of skill that a Taliban commander and almost two dozen insurgents fell, helping the United States and her allies grow stronger, protecting her from those who wish to do her harm. The courageous actions of these men show their commitment to their mission, to each other, and to their country. Madam Speaker, I have taken this opportunity to commend the heroic actions of these men. But I would also like to take this opportunity to thank them. I would like to thank these men for sacrificing their lives and their livelihoods for this country. I want to thank their families for showing tremendous support, strength, and resiliency, and I want to be sure that they and their brothers and sisters all across the United States Armed Forces know that we at home are always thinking and supportive of them. Americans can sleep more peacefully, Americans can live their lives more freely knowing that soldiers like these brave men from Georgia's First Squadron, 108th Cavalry of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are out there fighting for our freedoms. God bless them and their families, and may the Lord continue to bless this great and glorious cause called America.