Steny Hoyer

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I will yield to my friend, Mr. Boehner, for the purposes of informing us of the schedule.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to join Chairman Mel Watt and the entire Congressional Black Caucus in recognizing the importance of Black History Month. While Black History Month always provides us with an important opportunity to reflect on the vital accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, it has taken on a special meaning this year with the recent passing of both Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King. Although they have passed on, Mrs. King and Mrs. Parks continue to inspire us to work towards the noble goal of equality for all. These two women were among a group of brave pioneers who led one of the greatest movements of our time--the Civil Rights Movement. I have great respect for all those who risked beatings and arrests, and were even willing to make the ultimate sacrifice--their lives--to stand up for a cause that is right and just. My close friend and colleague, Representative John Lewis, stands among us as a giant of the Civil Rights Movement. During the legendary march that Representative Lewis led to Selma, Alabama, more than 40 years ago, countless peaceful, law-abiding Americans were beaten and arrested. This day came to be called ``Bloody Sunday,'' and it helped spur a nation to action to fight against the evils of discrimination and racism. Mr. Speaker, I have had the great honor and privilege to accompany Representative Lewis and other civil rights leaders to Selma several times to commemorate the events of that fateful day by marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Each time, we are reminded of the impact that one single day can have on the course of history, and we celebrate those with the courage and determination to face down the worst so that all Americans might enjoy the freedom and equality that this nation stands for. These pilgrimages to Selma vividly illustrate for us how far we have come in the quest for civil rights for all, yet also serve as a reminder that we must never be complacent in thinking that the battle is won. The plight of those who are denied civil rights is a struggle that is far from over, and we must remain ever mindful of those whose rights are in danger of being denied. In the coming year, several provisions of the Voting Rights Act are scheduled for reauthorization. It is our duty to ensure that the march toward civil rights for all continues forward, rather than stalling or going backward. The VRA is crucial in guaranteeing that the rights of all Americans remain protected, and, as such, should command broad, bipartisan support. It is a fitting tribute to Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and to all those who have participated in the Civil Rights Movement in ways large and small, to renew the very Act that codified their long struggle for enfranchisement into law. Our nation is deeply indebted to these men and women of courage and integrity. Their legacy will live on for generations.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Thank you for that information. Mr. Leader, in terms of the budget itself, the budget resolution for 2007, when is your expectation that that might be on the floor? We understand that it might be marked up in committee the first week in March. Would it be your expectation that it would be on the floor the second week in March? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. I thank the leader for those comments. I would say, Mr. Leader, not as a question but as an observation, as you know, there has been a great deal of concern on both sides of the aisle with reference to the PATRIOT Act, the provisions in the PATRIOT Act and to the extension of the PATRIOT Act. Obviously, the majority of the PATRIOT Act is in permanent law, but there are some portions that needed to be reauthorized. I do not ask you a question because I know that this is still up in the air, but we are hopeful that as soon as the majority may have a better view of the scheduling of the PATRIOT Act, the sooner you could inform us of that would be better.

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that. You mentioned the supplemental appropriation. We understand it may be coming down today. Has it come down? It is supposed to arrive today. Do you have any information as to how quickly we would attempt to consider and move the supplemental appropriation bill?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the first thing I want to say is to my good friend, John Boehner, congratulations on his election as majority leader. It is a great honor to be selected by your colleagues in the House, of course, but of your own party to be one of its leaders. John Boehner has, of course, been a leader in his party for many years now, chairman of a major committee, sponsor of one of the hallmark pieces of legislation the Bush administration points to as a great success. He worked in a bipartisan fashion on that bill. I look forward to working with him. I know our side of the aisle looks forward to working with him. I want to congratulate him on his election. Mr. Leader, let me ask you about a couple of things, and I will mention the PATRIOT Act. I know you are not sure what that status is. There are a couple of pieces of legislation, three pieces of legislation, that we do anticipate in the relatively near future. I wonder if you might comment on them. I know we are not meeting next week and will not be back until the 28th of February. The tax reconciliation conference report, I talked to Mr. Rangel about that this morning. His understanding is the conference is ongoing. Might you have any idea of when the tax reconciliation conference report, assuming it is approved, might come to the floor? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time. I will tell the majority leader that I will not ask you the question trying to predict the actions of the other House in the future. I thank him for his comments, and again congratulate the leader on his election.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, the international community, not just America, is being challenged again by a dangerous, deceptive lawbreaker whose defiant pursuit of nuclear weapons threaten America's national security interests as well as international peace and security. Now, this is an obligation that the Iranians undertook freely and voluntarily. It was not imposed upon them. I believe that this grave and gathering danger commands the collective attention, effort, and action of the entire international community. This time the nations of the world which are committed to peace, security, and the rule of law must embrace their responsibilities, not flinch from them, as, unfortunately, has been too often the case. Through this resolution today, the House speaks with one voice in condemning in the strongest possible terms the many breaches and failures of the government of Iran to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. In this resolution, we call on all responsible members of the international community to impose economic sanctions designed to deny Iran the ability to develop nuclear weapons and to encourage its people to get the government to change its dangerous and reckless policies. We urge the members of the United Nations Security Council to take action in response to Iran's noncompliance with its international obligations. Let no one harbor any illusions: The government of Iran, which is recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism, believes it can exploit international irresolution, and it will prey on vacillation. The international community must stand as one against this lawbreaker, whose record leaves no doubt of its motivations. Iran failed to properly disclose the existence of a fuel enrichment plant and facility at Natanz until both were revealed by opposition groups. It has failed to meet its obligations under its safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to report all nuclear material it has imported. It confirmed that it had conducted research on uranium conversion processes, but only after it denied doing so. On February 4, in response to a 27-3 vote by the International Atomic Energy Agency board to report Iran to the Security Council, Iran ended voluntary cooperation with the agency and announced it would start large-scale enrichment activities. I suggest to us and to our international allies that standing silent, standing back, standing without action, is not an option. It goes without saying that an Iran armed with nuclear weapons constitutes a threat to the national security interests of the United States of America. Let me remind all of us, the gentleman from Texas indicated that they were not a threat to us. There are 250,000 Americans as we debate this resolution right now in range of Iranian weapons, so it is not just those who live in the Middle East who are put at risk, it is those of us who are there, and the security of the international community is put at risk. Our concerns are only heightened by the inflammatory, irresponsible statements of the Iranian president, who has stated his hope for ``a world without America.'' That is the nation that stands on the doorstep of becoming a nuclear power. He has further stated his desire to ``wipe Israel off the map.'' The United States will not stand still for that. A regime that has the objective to have nuclear weapons will make the Middle East more dangerous in an extraordinary geometric way. Madam Speaker, when the Security Council considers Iran's flagrant and deceptive abuse in March, I urge it to act as one. Today, I urge us to act as one in sending a very clear, very clear, unmistakable message: This will not stand.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an unequivocal statement of principle, a statement of our continuing support for our ally, the democratic State of Israel, as well as an explicit rejection of the hateful ideology that seeks her destruction. And I hope every Member will support it. The resolution states quite simply that the United States should not provide direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority ``if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel,'' or, in fact, the destruction of another free country. The resolution, of course, is necessitated by the electoral victory of Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization that is publicly committed to the destruction of Israel. Anyone who questions this need only read the Charter of Allah, the platform of the Islamic Resistance Movement, otherwise known as Hamas. Consider just one passage. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen has referred to some other statements incorporated in other documents, but this is their basic charter: ``In order to face the usurpation of Palestine by the Jews, we have no escape from raising the banner of jihad.'' Destruction of a people. Destruction of children, families, of a nation. Mr. Speaker, the Palestinian people voted in January in what appears to be a free and fair election, and the democratic expression of the people will and should always be encouraged. It is clear, however, that this victory by Hamas is, in significant part, a reaction by Palestinian voters to the rampant corruption in the Fatah movement that began and continued under Yaser Arafat. However, the Palestinian side must recognize that the election of Hamas to a parliamentary majority will not change or alter the absolute, irrevocable precondition for peace, the dismantlement of the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure. In fact, I believe that the international community must now exert its collective will upon Hamas and insist that it renounce the tactics of terror and proactively dismantle that terrorist infrastructure. Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say to our friends in Israel that the United States-Israel relationship today is stronger than ever and we are fully committed to our ally's security, sovereignty, and success. I urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I wish I had at least a half an hour to respond to my friend from Florida who just spoke. We have run up $1.58 trillion of additional deficits in the last 60 months under your leadership. Last night, the President of the United States addressed the American people from this House Chamber. He demanded that we make his tax cuts permanent. Of course, he also urged new Federal spending, among other things for energy independence, a good objective; on education, math and science, a good objective; prevention and treatment for HIV/AIDS. All worthy endeavors of our great Nation. But President Bush and this Republican Congress, which have had complete control of our Federal Government for 5 years, continue to refuse to answer the most basic, most obvious and most necessary question: How do we pay for these plans and proposals? The plain truth is, they do not pay for them. The plain truth is, the President and this Republican Congress have pursued the most irresponsible fiscal policies in the history of our Nation, turning a projected $5.6 trillion surplus into a $4 trillion deficit today, a $9.6 trillion turnaround in 60 months. Now President Bush and this Republican Congress want to enact tax cuts, even as we face record budget deficits and debt brought about by their policies, even as they prepare to ask for a $780 billion increase in the debt limit, the fourth time they have done so. Today's budget bill is part and parcel of the Republican Party's free-lunch philosophy. Our Republican friends claim that they are going to cut $40 billion to ``restore fiscal discipline.'' Now, you inherited $5.6 trillion surplus. You followed an administration that had four budget surpluses in a row. And you want to restore fiscal discipline to the extraordinary fiscal irresponsibility you have been pursuing for 5 years. A good objective, folks. But the reality is they plan on cutting an additional $70 billion in taxes. Cut $40 billion in spending, cut $70 billion in taxes. You do not have to be much above the sixth grade to understand that is going to add to your deficit. No, while the President called for increased funding for education last night, this Republican majority today wants to cut funds for students going to college. While the President recognized the need to make health insurance more affordable, this majority today intends to cut funding for Medicaid to the poorest of citizens. Meanwhile, we now know that as the Republican budget axe fell on the poor and students, powerful special interests in the dark of night in the conference got $20 billion in cuts back, back. Half of all of the cuts they got back. I urge my colleagues, vote against this irresponsible, mean-spirited, negative proposal, which is contrary to the interests of the American people and the product of Republican fiscal irresponsibility, and a pretense of support for priorities of education and health care, while at the same time cutting our investment in education of our children and the health of our people, and imposing upon our children and our grandchildren the extraordinary costs of our fiscal profligacy. I would hope that a number of you would in fact be fiscally responsible and vote ``no'' on this bad package.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me the time. And I thank the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this resolution to the floor. I was honored to stand many a time on the west wing of the Capitol of the United States as Mr. Conyers led the effort to ensure that America recognized the extraordinary contributions of one of America's greatest sons, Martin Luther King, Jr., and that we set a day aside to recognize not only his contributions but to recommit ourselves to the objectives that he lived for and died for. And I want to congratulate Mr. Conyers and thank him for the contributions that he has made to live out that commitment of Dr. King's. Our Nation has lost a true hero. Coretta Scott King was one of the most eloquent and determined civil rights activists in our history, both as a partner to her husband, Dr. King, in the fight for equality and justice in the United States and as a keeper of his legacy after his assassination in Memphis on April 4. Mrs. King's grace, of which Mr. Watt spoke and of which the resolution speaks, was experienced by all who met her. Her tenacity ensured that the civil rights movement that she helped to pioneer has continued to stay in the forefront of America's consciousness. She worked closely with John Conyers and many others in this body and around the world. A dedicated mother of four children, all of whom I have had the privilege of knowing for some period of time, Coretta Scott King became a symbol of peace and human rights and justice and equality not just here in the United States but around the world. After her husband's death, she devoted her energy to carrying on Dr. King's legacy of nonviolence and his work to create an America in which all people were judged not on the color of their skin but on the content of their character. She inspired activists from South Africa to Latin America. And what is perhaps one of her greatest accomplishments, she worked with John Conyers and so many others to ensure that we set aside a day to recognize the contributions, recognize the message, and to recommit ourselves to living out the promises that America made but which Dr. King so eloquently told America we were not living out, that we had made the promises but we were not keeping them, in that extraordinary speech in August of 1963. Each year this day serves as a reminder to Americans that we must keep working towards equality and justice for all citizens. That is what Coretta Scott King's life was about. It teaches younger Americans about the harrowed journey the country has traveled to fulfill the promise of civil rights. In addition, she was the driving force in the founding of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta. Nonviolent social change. Ghandi changed a nation; Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the world. He and Nelson Mandela and others who believed that by peaceful demonstration, by peaceful action, they could change the world and move mountains. In addition, Coretta was the driving force in making sure that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was not a holiday, not a day off, but a day of focus, a day of commitment. Coretta Scott King's poise and determination are qualities that we would all appreciate, admire, and remember each time we met her and talked to her. She carried on Dr. King's legacy, but she had a legacy, certainly, of her own: an extraordinarily accomplished musician; a wonderful and bright, intelligent woman; a leader of our country in her own right. Today I want to join my colleagues, Mr. Conyers and Mr. Sensenbrenner and all of our colleagues, to express our heartfelt sympathies to Mrs. King's children, Yolanda, Martin Luther III, Dexter, and Bernice, as well as all of her family and friends. Today a Nation mourns the loss of a great leader and recognizes her extraordinary contributions to making America a better place.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Diana Goldberg, one of my closest friends. Diana is stepping down as Chairman of the Board, a post that she has held since 2002, for the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, one of the finest pediatric institutions in the Nation. The leadership, work and generosity of Diana and her husband, Stephen, have helped to make our Nation's Capital a stronger, healthier community. Diana has been heavily involved with Children's Hospital for the past 20 years. She has served on the Child Health Center Board, of which she was president from 1994 to 1996, and the boards of Children's Hospital Foundation, of which she was chairman from 1999 to 2001, Children's Hospital, and, eventually, Children's National Medical Center. However, her dedication to the health of children in the Washington Metropolitan region extends far beyond her leadership positions. Diana has taken a hands-on approach to volunteering and given countless hours of her time to ensuring that the patients receive the care that they need, while Diana herself has continued to be personally involved with many of the organization's operations. Furthermore, Diana has truly been a philanthropic leader in Washington, DC, especially for Children's where Children's School Services, a child health data lab, and Jazzmatazz, which is a major benefit to raise money for Children's, are among the programs and fundraising events that she has generously supported. However, Mr. Speaker, most laudatory are Diana's efforts to set up health centers across the city. In 2001, Diana and Stephen donated an astounding $25 million to Children's National Medical Center for the Diana L. and Stephen A. Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health. This significant gift allows the Center to maintain community-based health centers in Shaw, Adams Morgan, and Anacostia and three mobile vans. The Center provides immediate healthcare needs, with special attention given to primary care, HIV and AIDS, asthma, sickle cell disease, child abuse, childhood injuries, lead poisoning, and violence prevention. The Goldberg Center is also focused on the greater neighborhood by sponsoring programs like the Adolescent Employment Readiness Center, which prepares disabled adolescents and young adults to enter the workforce. The Goldbergs' benevolence also includes work with the Edmund Burke School, the Black Student Fund, the Washington AIDS Partnership, a scholarship for the Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area, Arena Stage, and numerous other worthy causes and organizations. Notably, when the Centers for Disease Control, CDC, was forced to cut its funding for important HIV prevention programs in the District, Diana stepped in and made a sizeable financial gift to make up for the shortfall. Diana Goldberg is a shining model for the good that can be accomplished through the power of giving and a passionate dedication to public service. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the thousands of children that Diana has helped over the years as a member of the greater Washington community, I would like to congratulate and thank Diana Goldberg for her leadership as the Chairman of the Board of Children's National Medical Center and for all her projects. I look forward to seeing what exciting new challenges Diana will undertake next. Undoubtedly, she will continue to give back to the community and help make Washington, DC a better place for all its citizens.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the outstanding 2005 National Championship Women's Field Hockey team at the University of Maryland. On Sunday, November 20 in Louisville, Kentucky, the Terrapins defeated Duke University 1-0 to capture the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship crown. This year marks the Terrapins' fourth NCAA title overall and their first NCAA title in 6 years. The University of Maryland Women's Field Hockey Program has achieved several significant honors this year. The Terps earned a No. 1 final ranking by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. Five Terrapins were named All-Americans, while three were also named All- ACC. Nine team members were named to the Mid-Atlantic All-Region team. The Terrapin defense was ranked second in the Nation and the offense was among the top 15. Finally, the University of Maryland ended the season with a 23-2 record, the most wins since 1999, and recorded its fifth 20-win season in program history. The coaches who have led the Field Hockey team to victory are Head Coach Missy Meharg, Assistant Coach Tjerk (T.J) van Herwaarden, Assistant Coach Marybeth Freeman, Assistant Coach Clemens Arnold, Trainer Sandy Worth, Assistant Trainer Joey Sierzega, and Strength & Conditioning Coach Barry Kagan. Also deserving recognition are Jim Knight with Equipment, Natalia Ciccone with Media, and Supervisor Troy Tucker. These talented young athletes include the following University of Maryland students: Emily Beach, Kendall Beveridge, Jackie Ciconte, Kristina Edmonds, Megan Fox, Alica Grater, Paula Infante, Linzi Jones, Danielle Keeley, Meredith Long, Tiffany Marsh, Kathryn Masson, Katie Mockus, Ellen Ott, Louisa Powell, Lauren Powley, Christina Restivo, Susie Rowe, Sarah Scholl, Emily Trycinski, Janneke van Leeuwen, and Kim Ziegler. University of Maryland Athletics Director Debbie Yow was also essential to their success. Mr. Speaker, collegiate athletics promote camaraderie, leadership, responsibility, and good health. They are a vibrant and essential component of American culture. I commend the University of Maryland's 2005 Field Hockey team and wish each of its members great success.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the University of Maryland Men's Soccer Team, the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Champions. The Maryland Terrapins claimed the 2005 NCAA Championship, 1-0, over the University of New Mexico Lobos at SAS Complex in Cary, North Carolina, on December 11, 2005. The University of Maryland Men's Soccer Team has had a very successful season of which we can all be proud. In addition to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, the Terrapins won the 2005 Atlantic Coast Conference Regular Season Championship and had an overall record of 19-4-2. They also set a school record of 66 goals. Additionally, the Maryland Terrapins are the first team since 1992 to win the tournament as the number one seed. The Terrapins' Men's Soccer Program has a history of successes. In just the past four seasons, the Terps have amassed 76 wins, the most in the NCAA during the 4-year span. In addition, the Terrapins won their first national soccer title in 1968, when it shared the title with Michigan State. The coaches who have led the Terrapins to victory are Head Coach Sasho Cirovsky, Assistant Coach Russell Payne, and Assistant Coach Rob Vartughian. Also assisting the team were Associate Athletics Director Shawn Flynn, Trainer Terry Gee, and Adam Zundell with Sports Information. University of Maryland Athletics Director Debbie Yow was also essential to their success. The gifted athletes include the following University of Maryland students: Spencer Allen, Matt Beckman, Kenney Bertz, Marc Burch, Robbie C'deBaca, Kwame Darko, A.J. Delagarza, Michael DelIo-Russo, Maurice Edu, Jason Garey, David Glaudemans, A.J. Godbolt, Aki Kadotani, Stephen King, Chris Lancos, Michael Marchiano, Kevin Reiman, Doug Rodkey, Robbie Rogers, Craig Salvati, Chris Seitz, Kevin Tangney, Michael Vallie, Pat Wilson, and Graham Zusi. Mr. Speaker, in addition to promoting discipline and health, collegiate athletics provide a wonderful training ground for future leaders and I expect that we will see great things come from these young men in the future. I applaud the University of Maryland's 2005 Men's Soccer Team on its success.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Ruth Marcus, a reporter for the Washington Post, wrote the other day that those who forget history are condemned to be spun by it. I remember history. I have been here for a quarter of a century, and I have heard the representations made by Republicans in the administration and on this floor over those years, telling me how their policies were going to lead to fiscal responsibility, reduction of deficits, elimination of debt. It hasn't happened. Not in one of the 17 years has that happened. In fact, when Washington is under the total control, absolute control of Republicans over the last 5 years, we have had the worst deficit performance in our history, and we have had much larger spending than we had under Bill Clinton. There is only one person that can stop spending in America. You have heard me say this before. It is the President of the United States. He can veto a bill, and we have never in the 25 years I have served here overridden a President's veto that said we were spending too much. As a matter of fact, the only veto override that I remember in the Reagan years was when we overrode a veto where President Reagan said we did not spend enough money. In that instance it was on defense; $4 trillion of deficits under Republican Presidents, $62.5 billion surplus under a Democratic President. That is the experience of the 25 years. My friends, if we were responsible people, we would say we will cut spending, and then we will cut revenues. Because if we have the courage to cut spending, then we do not need to pay for the things that we cut. But if we do not have the courage to pay for what we buy, we are misserving the American public and, even more deeply, our children and our grandchildren. That is the consequence of your policy. You come here cutting revenues. That is an honest policy, but you do not have the courage to cut the spending. You cut $50 billion, you say, in this bill, but you then cut $56 billion in revenue. You don't have to be much of a math expert to know that that is a $6 billion addition to the deficit. Ladies and gentlemen, America expects better of us. America expects honest leadership. America deserves honest policies. The absence of honest policies has led to us incurring $1.5 trillion of deficits in less than 60 months. We can do better. We ought to do better. We must do better. Reject this irresponsible bill.

Mr. HOYER. The chairman of the Budget Committee came to this floor and put a bag over his head because he was ashamed of serving in this House. He was ashamed.

Mr. HOYER. Not yet.

Mr. HOYER. I did reference you and I may do it again, but I will not yield yet. He came to this floor, and he said he was ashamed. He was ashamed because of a bank scandal. It wasn't handled very well but there were no tax dollars involved, nobody lost anything and the account at Riggs Bank was never overdrawn. But, my friends, under his administration over the last 5 years, $1.5 trillion in deficits. Now, let me tell you something. Economic performance, these are facts. This is not Dickens or Chaucer or Shakespeare or anybody else. These are facts from your budget book. Average weekly earnings, Bush I, minus 1.1 percent; Bush II, minus three-tenths of 1 percent; Bill Clinton, plus eight-tenths of 1 percent; Median household income, Bush I, minus eight-tenths of 1 percent; Bush II, minus nine-tenths of 1 percent; Clinton, plus 1.6 percent. Poverty, Bush I, went up 1.8 percent. Bush II it has gone up 1.4 percent; Clinton, down 3.5 percent. Jobs, you talked about jobs. Bush I, plus-2.13 million; Bush II, now about 4 million; Clinton, 21 million new jobs average. Now, let me give you the averages. Bush I, 44,500 per month; Bush II, 34,678 per month; Clinton, 228,464 per month. Real GDP. Bush I, up 2.1; Clinton, plus-3.6 percent; Bush II, plus-2.6 percent. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we like a lot of polls. The Dow Jones, that is sort of a poll on economic security, growth, confidence in our economy, Dow Jones under Bush I, up 46.7 percent. Under Bush II, now it has gone up a little bit the last few days, about 1 percent, from the time he took over to now. Now, listen to this, my friends. This is a poll that counts about people who think our economy is doing well. Up under Clinton, remember it was 46 percent under Bush I, 1 percent under this President, under Bill Clinton, 255 percent increase in those 8 years. So in conclusion, my friend, I will tell you that on every statistic, the representations you have made have been wrong. I will tell you the last 2 months, the last 2 months, ladies and gentlemen, the deficit in America went up $130 billion of deficit spending in just the last 2 months. That is the fiscal management that presents this program on the floor today. America ought to reject it, and we surely should on their behalf.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I do not know that I have ever voted against this bill, and I am not sure I am going to tonight, but I share the view of the ranking Democrat on our committee (Mr. Obey) that this bill has been misused. This bill, as Mr. Young has said so correctly, is not controversial as it relates to the defense of our Nation and the support of our troops. This bill has been held hostage to the issue of the abuse of detainees for some 3 months. Finally, that was resolved, in my opinion correctly. It has been burdened now with very controversial issues, and it has been subjected to a cut of the very defense that it seeks to support. I know that is not what either the chairman of the committee or the chairman of the subcommittee or indeed the ranking member wanted to see happen, but it is a sad handling of this bill. I thank the gentleman for his leadership.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Lewis Carroll continues to write their material. Mr. Pence, your Republican leadership has taken us $1.5 trillion into deficit over the last 60 months. That is the so-called revolution. Seventeen years you have controlled the presidency. You have taken us $4 trillion into debt. Bill Clinton was President of the United States for 8 years, $62.5 billion surplus. This time you cut $50 billion. But when we cut $250 billion not one of you had the guts to vote for it.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that information. Can you tell us, can Members be relatively assured that they will be able to plan at least at some point in time Sunday or early Monday morning that that would be the end of the session, at least for the period of time prior to Christmas? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that information. Mr. Speaker, I would hope on behalf of my side, and I have talked to my friend from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) on the other side, I know both of us want to bring this session to a close. Members had hoped to be home certainly this weekend. Christmas is a week from tomorrow. I am hopeful that we can conclude tomorrow, and I would hope that we would all work towards that end.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, we do understand that the Defense appropriations committee conference report would probably be on the agenda. Can you tell us whether we expect the Defense authorization and/or the budget reconciliation bill also might be under consideration tomorrow? I yield to my friend.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, what I think then the message, correct me if I am wrong, Mr. Leader, is that Members can be assured that they will not have votes prior to 5 p.m. tomorrow, and presumably, notice would go out at 3 o'clock if votes were to be at 5 o'clock; would that be accurate?