Jim Jordan

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Chair, despite the clear message sent by the American people in November, the Obama Administration and the Pelosi Congress continue to borrow and spend like there is no tomorrow. In another attempt to bring some fiscal responsibility back to this Congress, I submitted an amendment yesterday in the House Rules Committee that would seek $149 billion in cuts to offset the $95 billion in new spending in H.R. 4853, the so-called Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010. While I am glad to see this bill temporarily stop the Democrats from raising the income tax rates of every American, I am disappointed that it includes a massive increase in the estate tax that will hurt the families, farmers and small business owners in my district and across America. I am further disappointed that the new spending in this bill will add to the deficit, further burdening our children and grandchildren with debt that must be repaid. We cannot continue to grow our debt and by loading well-intentioned bills with billions of extra dollars in borrowing and spending. My amendment would do what the American people are demanding we do: stop the out-of-control federal spending! By returning non-defense appropriations spending to FY 2008 levels, we will realize an immediate savings of $80 billion. By repealing the remaining stimulus funds, we save another $69 billion. Tacking more spending on to bills is a hallmark of Washington politics. It has landed us in record-high debt. We must break away from this trap with a commitment to passing clean bills and eliminating excess waste. Add at the end of the bill the following:

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Just a couple of quick responses to the chairman's comments. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I voted against the bank bailout, the TARP bailout. If my memory serves me correctly, the gentleman voted for that proposal. Second, the chairman's comments about how this is such a dramatic cut is a great example of how out of touch this town is with the American people. All this amendment does is say let's spend what we spent just 2 years ago, in 2008. Go talk to average Americans. They think that's probably something the Federal Government could do--spend what we were spending 2 years ago. Also, remember that this bill is a 38 percent increase over 2008. That's on top of the transportation spending that was in the stimulus bill. So it's even bigger than 38 percent, this increase over 2008. Finally, I would say this: If big government spending, if big government taxation, if big government regulation were going to get us out of this economic mess, well, heck, we'd have been out of it a long time ago because that's all this government has been doing for 2 years. Mr. Chairman, I will just close with this. How bad does it have to get before we can begin to reduce some spending around here? Do we have to have a $2 trillion deficit? Do we have to get to $30 trillion in debt? I mean, how bad does it have to get before we can start to do those things that make sense and that will guarantee a prosperous future for our kids and our grandkids? I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, who would have thought we would have witnessed the things we have witnessed in this country over the last 2 years? Who would have ever thought the President of the United States would fire the CEO of General Motors? Who would have ever thought in this great country we would see the taxpayers bail out the financial industry and bail out the auto industry? Who would have ever thought in this country we would have a pay czar--a pay czar--telling private American citizens how much money they can make? Who would have ever thought in this country we would have a major policy change, done in a completely partisan fashion, when the health care bill passed and when the majority of Americans opposed it? Who would have ever thought, as OMB pointed out this past week, that we would have a $1.4 trillion deficit--the largest deficit in American history--and a $13 trillion national debt? On the path we are on currently, by 2020, we will have a $26 trillion deficit. Who would have thought those things would take place? I would argue, although the other side is going to say, ``Oh, this is terrible. We can't reduce the spending level in this bill to the amount that the gentleman wants,'' this is a modest first step. This is a modest initial step towards providing some fiscal sanity to this town and to this Congress. My amendment is real simple. It says this bill should go back and we should spend it at 2008 baseline levels. After all, a lot of families are living on something less. A lot of families have had to live on what they were functioning on in 2008. A lot of small businesses are functioning on what they had to in 2008. Why in the heck can't the Federal Government do the same thing? This amendment takes us back to 2008 levels, which was before the bailouts, before the so-called ``stimulus,'' before the out-of-control spending. Remember, since 2008, there has been a 38 percent increase in this bill. So this takes it back to a reasonable level, and I would argue this is a modest first step that the American people want us to take. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the work of the Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker Committee to promote the career and contributions of Urbana native and vaudeville legend Billy ``Single'' Clifford. Born Clyde Shyrigh, Clifford was born in 1869 in Urbana, Ohio, to Levi and Sarah Shyrigh. His love of music was evident from his early childhood, when he would stage performances in the family barn. Clifford began appearing with a traveling circus at age 10, where he further developed his singing and dancing skills. This led him ultimately to a successful vaudeville career, with performances along the East Coast and throughout Europe. Clifford built the Clifford Theater in 1905 on the site where his family's barn had stood. The theater was the first of its kind in Urbana, with an 80-foot stage and a seating capacity of 700. In addition to performances by a vaudeville troupe formed by Clifford, it hosted many notable entertainers through the years--including the March King, John Philip Sousa. On July 24, the Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker Committee and the family and friends of Charles L. Mott will dedicate a marker celebrating Clifford and the Clifford Theater. I am honored to join them and the people of Champaign County in commemorating this event.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I was absent from the House Floor during yesterday's three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Res. 1472, H. Con. Res. 126, and H. Res. 1219.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, l was absent from the House Floor during yesterday's three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 288, H. Res. 546, and H. Res. 1407.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the outstanding contributions of Lieutenant Colonel Theodore M. ``Ted'' Epple to the Army and to our nation. Since August of 2007, Colonel Epple has served as commander of the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, where so many have worked since World War II to provide cutting-edge military equipment to our armed forces. During his service in Lima, he deployed to Iraq for a year in support of the Defense Contract Management Agency's efforts there. Throughout his military career, Colonel Epple's dedication and valor have been recognized by his peers and superiors. Among numerous other awards and commendations, he has earned a Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. A 1988 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in leadership studies, Colonel Epple also earned a Master of Science degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Barbara, are the proud parents of Ben, Matthew, and Bentley. Madam Speaker, Colonel Epple will relinquish command of JSMC to Lieutenant Colonel Yee Hang at a June 15 ceremony at the facility. On behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I thank him for his distinguished service in Lima these past three years. I am proud to join everyone at JSMC in wishing him and his family every success as they move to a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, Ohio's National Statuary Collection Study Committee was asked to compile a list of distinguished Ohioans from which one could be recommended for recognition in Statuary Hall. As the citizens of Ohio now weigh in on this list, I want to highlight the many accomplishments and distinguished record of public service of one member of that list, the late William Moore McCulloch. William McCulloch was born in Holmes County in 1901. He attended the College of Wooster and in 1925 earned a law degree from The Ohio State University. He subsequently established a law practice in Piqua, from which he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1932. McCulloch quickly ascended to the speakership and became the first person to serve three consecutive terms in that role. He resigned from the Ohio House in 1943 to enlist in the Army, where he served our great Nation in the European Theatre during the Second World War. Following the war, McCulloch returned to his law practice in Piqua, but his passion for elective service led him to run for and win a 1947 special election to Congress. He readily won respect from all sides of the House for championing limited government and sound fiscal policies--but most notably for his groundbreaking work on civil rights issues. McCulloch worked behind the scenes with the Eisenhower White House to ensure passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960. Because of these successes, during deliberations on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, President Kennedy famously said of McCulloch, ``Without him, it can't be done.'' President Johnson called him ``the most important and powerful force'' behind that legislation. As ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, McCulloch also played key roles in crafting and passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. He won accolades from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights for this vital work, as well as for defending the Voting Rights Act when it was reauthorized intact in 1970. McCulloch did not seek re-election in 1972, returning to Piqua to resume the practice of law. He passed away in 1980 and is interred in Arlington National Cemetery. The people of Piqua renamed their public square in his honor last year. Madam Speaker, William McCulloch's statesmanship, political foresight, unwavering conservative principles, and commitment to freedom and dignity inspired all who knew him and served with him. Honoring him by inclusion in Statuary Hall would allow countless generations to be inspired by his distinguished record of service in the future.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, 40 days. April 15 by law is when we are supposed to have a budget resolution in place. And yet here we are, 40 days later, no budget resolution. No budget when we have a $1.4 trillion deficit, $12 trillion national debt. I mean, look, let's just be honest; the Democrats are going to take a pass. They are just going to take a pass on setting priorities and establishing a budget, and they are just going to keep spending. American families, American small business owners, they don't get to take a pass. I am reminded of the old TV ad--I think it was the Wendy's restaurant who had this ad. The lady walks up and she says as she is handed the bun, ``Where's the beef?'' I think the same thing is being asked by the American people. They are going to be handed the bill. They are asking the question, where's the budget? Where's the priorities, where's the guidelines, where's the work we are supposed to do. Where is it being done? Why isn't it being done? Let's get focused, and let's do a budget that actually sets priorities, sets the spending guideline and actually balances. Imagine doing something like that.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I commend to the House the dedication of the Veterans Freedom Flag Monument in Lima, Ohio. Twenty-five feet high and 36 feet long, this unique, five-panel monument is the largest free-standing American flag in the nation. It pays rich tribute to the more than 43 million veterans who have sacrificed for the many freedoms we enjoy. The idea for the monument dates back to 2002, with design bids solicited the following year. Ground was broken and construction commenced in 2007, with much of the work performed by volunteers of all ages working regardless of weather conditions. Appropriately, it sits on land adjacent to Lima's Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, where so many have worked since World War II to provide cutting-edge military equipment to our armed forces. This land was leased in part from the Norfolk Southern Corporation and the General Dynamics Corporation, which operates JSMC for the federal government. Members of United Auto Workers Local 2075 at JSMC spearheaded construction efforts and worked diligently to raise money for this important project. Madam Speaker, the UAW will host a dedication ceremony at the monument this Saturday, when it will be formally accepted into the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Ohio, I congratulate the monument committee and everyone else who aided in construction and fundraising to make this fitting tribute to our veterans a reality.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the people have spoken. They said stop the ridiculous spending, and with the YouCut proposal, they have said stop the ridiculous spending which incentivizes the wrong behavior and insults basic American values. Think about the old welfare system. Think about what it said in particular to the single mother out there. It said, Don't get a job, don't get married, have more children, and we will pay you more money. That's exactly the wrong kind of incentives you want to send in government policies, but that's exactly where the Democrats' proposal takes us back to. Our amendment would change that. Our previous question would change that. Democrats want to move back in the wrong direction. We think that it's completely the wrong way to go, particularly at a time, particularly at a time when we have a $1.4 trillion deficit, a $12 trillion national debt. It is the wrong thing to do. You know, one of the things that makes our country so special, one of the things that makes America the greatest Nation in history is this simple little concept: parents make sacrifices for their children so that when they grow up, they have life better than we did. And when they, in turn, become adults and become parents, they'll do the same things for their kids. Each generation in this country has done that for the next. Now we find ourselves with the policymakers, where the political class is making decisions that say spend now, focus on the moment, and send the bill to somebody else. And it is wrong. It is wrong to trap people in this welfare system. It is wrong to keep spending and spending. It is wrong for future generations of Americans, and that's why, Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to commend to the House the admirable service of R. Stanley Crosley, chief of the city of Sidney's Department of Fire and Emergency Services, as he retires after a career of more than three decades with the city. Joining the department in 1978, Stan was tapped to serve as chief in 1992. Under his leadership, the department has continually met the challenges inherent to the lifesaving work entrusted to it. The chief is hailed by his colleagues and peers for setting up a joint city- county fire investigation unit, initiating firefighter wellness programs, and expanding Sidney's fire prevention program. Stan was named Shelby County Firefighter of the Year in 1977. He received the county's Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2006. In addition, he served as President of the OFCA from 2002 to 2004. His dedication to civic duty is further expressed in his work with the Shelby County United Way and Wilson Memorial Hospital. Stan received the department's Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor, at a Sidney City Council meeting earlier this month. This Friday, the department will host an open house where the public will gather to thank him for his 32 years of service on their behalf. I am proud to join the Chief's fellow firefighters in congratulating him on his long and distinguished career in public safety. He established a solid foundation on which his successor can continue to build to the benefit of everyone in Sidney. We wish Stan and his wife, Carole, every success as they move to a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Where is the budget? I thank the gentleman for yielding, thank him for taking the time to do this Special Order this evening on a critical, critical issue. You know, April 15, by law, the Congress is supposed to have a budget resolution in place. We're supposed to have a document that actually places the parameters, sets the framework for all the spending that the Federal Government plans to do. And yet, here we are, 5 weeks later, still no budget. And, frankly, all the talk from the Democrats in Congress is that they're not going to do a budget resolution. Look, families have to do a budget. Small business owners have to do a budget. Local school boards do a budget. Village councils do a budget. Mayors and city councils, States, everyone has to do a budget. But somehow the Federal Government, the biggest spender of money in the world, is not going to put a plan together. Who'd have ever thought we'd see this day? I mean, think about this past year. Who would have ever imagined we'd see the things that we have witnessed from this Congress? Talk about a VAT tax, talk about a-- you know, a $1.4 trillion deficit. Did you ever think we'd see that in America, a $12 trillion national debt? And again, the talk of not even putting a budget together. Look, when the President--part of the reason I think the Democrats don't want to actually do that document and show the American people where they plan on spending their money is because the budget we got from the White House was so ridiculous. The budget from the White House that the President sent to Congress, sent to the Budget Committee, we heard testimony from the various Federal agencies. The budget they sent, by Budget Director Orszag's own testimony, was unsustainable because it ran deficits anywhere from 7 to 10 percent of GDP each and every year of the 9-year budget window. And so it's no wonder they don't want to deal with that document. It's no wonder they don't want to put together their own budget. But, frankly, you shouldn't be able to take a pass. Families, taxpayers, business owners out there, they don't get to take a pass. They have to put their budget together, and the Federal Government should do no less. You know, last year the RSC offered a balanced budget, a budget that actually got to balance. We're working on that document again. We plan to bring it forward. We plan to lay out there what a balanced budget looks like, what fiscal responsibility looks like. We plan to do what families and small business owners have to do. So it's a troublesome day. It's a sad day today when we have here the Congress of the United States not doing their responsibility and not putting together a budget document. I yield back.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I just want to pick up where the gentlelady from Tennessee was talking about. She says it's irresponsible not to do a budget. It most certainly is. Thirty-four days and counting. April 15, here we are May 19, 34 days the Federal Government hasn't done what the law tells us we are supposed to do in putting a budget resolution together. It is irresponsible, it is arrogant. It is arrogant to not go through the markup, not have the debate, not have the hearings, not put that out there so the American taxpayer, the American family, the American small business owner can see how in fact this government plans in fact to spend their money. But it is not just irresponsible, it is not just arrogant, it is immoral to do what this government is doing. It is just plain wrong to tell future generations of Americans, to tell our children and our grandchildren you are going to have to deal with a $12 trillion debt and counting and growing. You are going to have to pay that back. That is just plain wrong. I mean one of the things that makes our country so special, one of the things that makes America the greatest Nation ever is the simple concept that parents make sacrifices for their children so that when they become adults they have life better than we did. And then they in turn do it for their kids, and each generation has done it for the next, and we get to be America, the greatest Nation ever, the highest standard of living in human history. And now for the first time we have the political class in this town telling the next generation, telling future generations, You know what, we are going to live for the now, we are going to spend for the moment, we are going to live for the moment, and we are going to send the bill to you. It's not just arrogant and irresponsible; it is wrong. It is just plain wrong. This money has to be paid back. Way back in one of my first economics classes in college we learned a simple thing: There is no free lunch. You have to pay it back. Somebody's got to pay this back. And it shouldn't be put on the backs of our kids and our grandkids. Think about where we are at today. And as we talked about the budget that the Democrats are proposing, the budget that the President sent to Capitol Hill makes matters worse. But where we are at today, we have to pay this year $200 billion just in interest on the debt. Within a couple years the interest payments alone will be a billion dollars a day. So it is not just arrogant and irresponsible, it is immoral. It is just plain wrong to do this. That's why, because they are addicted to spending, they don't want to actually make cuts like we do in our budget. That's why they don't want to do this process. That's why they don't want to have a budget. And it is just, as I said, it is just plain wrong. And I appreciate the gentleman taking this hour to talk about this most fundamental issue, this most basic issue, and let people understand what in fact is really going on with their government today. With that I would yield back.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to share positive stories about young people from my congressional district who overcome adversity. Today, I am pleased to share the stories of seven such individuals. Nella Blackford, St. Peter's High School. Coping with many physical difficulties stemming from the effects of spina bifida and numerous surgeries, Nella is an inspiration to everyone at her school, where she participates in the volleyball and softball programs. She is undertaking an advanced placement courseload and was active in her school's spring musical. Steven Broeske, Clear Fork High School. Steven has earned the respect of his peers and teachers for the selfless way he deals with cystic fibrosis. He prides himself on his independence and goal-oriented work ethic, carrying a demanding workload in the classroom and dedicating countless hours to his school's Future Farmers of America chapter. Jackie Bucksbaum, Ontario High School. Jackie's positive attitude in dealing with a lymphatic disorder is a model to her fellow students, who admire her leadership skills. Although challenged recently by medical emergencies and some family-related setbacks, she maintains an aggressive academic schedule and plans to continue her studies at the University of Findlay. Christian Lauber, Madison Comprehensive High School. Despite the physical challenges presented by cerebral palsy, which he has dealt with since birth, Christian is active in numerous sports. He also enjoys participating in his school's media and technology programs and plans to study business and computer technology in college. Michael Lupo, Mansfield Senior High School. Michael has worked through many autism-related difficulties in recent years with the assistance of family members and his teachers. He excels as a mainstreamed student--especially in his mathematics and science classes--and routinely ranks in the top ten percent of his class. Timothy Ritchey, Lexington High School. Tim was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma earlier this year and has been undergoing monthly chemotherapy treatments. Although he has missed many school days as a result, he has kept up-to-date on his studies and continues to work in his school's athletic department. Tim plans to study nursing. Travis Stone, Crestview High School. In addition to his many academic achievements, Travis has amassed 73 career wins as a four-year varsity starter on the wrestling team--all this despite a birth defect that affected the development of his arms and hands. He received the 2010 Team Attitude Award and was ranked third in his conference. Madam Speaker, the Rotary Club of Mansfield, Ohio, will present these seven students with the McGowan Courage Award on May 11. I am proud to join the Rotary in acknowledging their significant achievements and wishing them continued success in everything they do.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the outstanding contributions of Dr. DeBow Freed. Dr. Freed is departing the presidency of the University of Findlay after serving in that office for nearly seven years. DeBow Freed's distinguished service is a shining example to everyone in the field of higher education. He is a 1946 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, to which he returned as a physics instructor at the conclusion of more than two decades of Army service. He also earned nuclear science and nuclear engineering degrees from the University of Kansas and the University of New Mexico. He served as dean of Ohio's Mount Union College from 1969 until 1974, when Illinois's Monmouth College selected him as its president. At Monmouth, as would be true in his future assignments, Dr. Freed helped solidify the school's fiscal standing, increase enrollment, and strengthen ties between the campus and the local community. In 1979, Dr. Freed was chosen to serve as Ohio Northern University's ninth president, a position he held for two decades. At ONU, he oversaw continual balanced budgets, bolstered the school's endowment funds, and supervised numerous renovation and construction projects--including the completion of a performing arts center that bears his name and that of his wife of 61 years, Catherine Moore Freed. Dr. Freed was elected president emeritus in 1999. In 2003, Findlay's Board of Trustees invited Dr. Freed to accept the presidency on a temporary basis and assist in the search for a longer- term president. He quickly endeared himself to Findlay's students, faculty, and staff through his vision, integrity, and high personal standards. Because of his strong leadership and commitment to the school and the local community, the trustees asked him to remain in office. The university has benefited tremendously from Dr. Freed's outstanding skills as a manager and educator. During his tenure, he has helped expand the school's academic offerings to include doctoral programs in pharmacy and physical therapy. He has overseen an increase in the number of full-time faculty members from 155 to 195. He is held in the highest regard by students, who appreciate his direct engagement with them and his dedication to their success. Dr. Freed models the service to community that he encourages in others. He is a trustee of the Toledo Symphony and the Blanchard Valley Health Association, as well as a former chair of the Center of Science and Industry Foundation Board of Trustees. Dr. Freed is insistent that he is not ``retiring,'' noting that retirement implies a departure. The students, faculty, and staff of the University of Findlay will never be far from his thoughts--just as he will never be far from theirs. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I offer my congratulations to Dr. DeBow Freed on a long and distinguished academic career. I wish him and his family every success as they move to a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, imagine this: The Democrats' health care bill will not reduce health care costs, but actually increase them. That's right. According to CMS, the costs will increase over $300 billion. It brings to mind Yogi Berra's line: this is deja vu all over again. Of course, taxpayers and families knew this would happen. Any time you have a big government, Washington-based program, it always costs more than advertised. The CMS findings underscore what taxpayers and families across this country understand: we need to repeal this bill and replace it with the right kind of reform.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have a simple motion that every American can understand. It says: Stop the out-of-control spending until we balance the budget and get our fiscal house in order. People are worried. They are worried about what this Congress is doing to their children's futures, and rightly so. This year, the Federal Government will take in $2.1 trillion but will spend $3.6 trillion. Let me say that again. It will take in $2.1 trillion and spend $3.6 trillion. Only in Congress does that math make sense. That's like a family making $50,000 a year but spending $80,000. If that were your family, Mr. Speaker, making 50 and spending 80, you'd do something about it. You'd cut back. You'd tighten the belt. You'd make responsible decisions. But not this Congress. No, not this Congress. This Congress is spending like there is no tomorrow. This year, the Federal Government will run a deficit of at least $1.4 trillion. That's 10 percent of GDP. Any economist in the world will tell you that deficits shouldn't be more than 2 or 3 percent of GDP. What are we spending money on today? Estuaries. That's right. Estuaries. Most Americans have probably never heard of the term. With our Nation over $12 trillion in debt, borrowing money from China every day to pay our bills, taking in $2.1 trillion, spending $3.6 trillion, record deficits as far as the eye can see, not dealing with the energy crisis, not dealing with the entitlement crisis, replacing freedoms with mandates, replacing private-sector growth with 16,000 new IRS agents, what are we spending people's money on today, on Tax Day? We are spending it on estuaries, a massive increase in funding for estuaries. Mr. Speaker, come on. Americans are taking to the streets all across the country today, Tax Day, dumping tea in the harbor and standing up against Congress, which is bankrupting their country. What are the Democrats offering them? More spending on estuaries. Mr. Speaker, before Congress even considers doubling the funding for this program or any other nonessential spending, we must first balance the Federal budget and begin paying down some of the money we borrowed from China and other countries. Estuaries can wait, Mr. Speaker, but fiscal responsibility cannot. All this motion says is to keep the spending at what it was last year. After all, a lot of families, a lot of taxpayers, a lot of small business owners have been living on last year's spending levels, maybe even something less. I would ask my colleagues this, Mr. Speaker: How bad does it have to get before we can begin to take that modest first step and say maybe estuaries can get by on the same amount of money they were on last year? That's all this motion says. All this motion says is let's just keep them where they were last year. A ``yes'' vote on this motion tells the people you represent back home, the people who are paying their taxes today, who elected us and entrusted us to protect their hard-earned money: Yes, I agree that Congress must set priorities. Yes, I agree that we should forgo such increases until the budget is balanced. Yes, I respect you, the taxpayer, enough to say that I can hold the line on spending even if it means only $35 million for estuaries this year. Mr. Speaker, I had a coach in high school who was a chemistry and physics teacher--the toughest teacher in the school and the toughest coach in the State. Every single day in class, every single day in the practice room, he would talk about discipline. He had a great definition. He said that discipline is doing what you don't want to do when you don't want to do it. Basically, that meant doing it his way when you'd rather do it your way. It meant doing things the right way when you'd rather do them the convenient way, the easy way. Discipline is the quality we need in this Congress today. The easiest thing to do in the world is to spend money, particularly someone else's money. Really simply, this amendment says: Let's have the discipline to say ``no'' to spending. Let's have the discipline to say let's do the right thing today. Let's not do the convenient thing. Let's hold the line on spending and treat taxpayers with a little respect on this day of all days. Treat them with a little respect. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. I am.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Elizabeth Trisler on winning the National Right to Life Committee's Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest. This contest offers young Americans the opportunity to speak on an issue of great importance to them and to our Nation--the right to life. Public speaking is an essential skill and I commend Elizabeth for her eloquence and articulacy. Whether in politics, business, or education, the ability to speak with confidence is essential to success in the 21st-century world. Elizabeth's decision to use her ability in support of a great cause deserves the respect of her peers and elected officials. I am pleased that Elizabeth is taking an interest in politics. It is always encouraging to see young Americans speaking out on issues important to them. Our democracy depends on engaged citizens exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. Her words should be a clarion call to a generation of Americans that life is a precious gift from God that we must all cherish and defend. Elizabeth's achievement was recognized by the Ohio State House and State Senate, each of whom designated proclamations in her honor. Such an honor has become a tradition in my home State of Ohio, where honorary resolutions are presented at the beginning of sessions of the State legislature. Unfortunately, Elizabeth's recognition was delayed by partisanship and division. Just 5 days before the award was scheduled to be presented, Elizabeth's State representative was informed that the House Speaker was cancelling the ceremony due to the political controversy surrounding abortion. This highly politicized decision sent the wrong message to our young men and women--that even in our legislative chambers, the way to deal with opinions with which we disagree is to ignore them. After a 2-week controversy, the Speaker finally allowed Elizabeth to accept her award on the House Floor. I respect the Speaker's decision to withdraw his previously announced policy and allow for the significance of Elizabeth's achievement to be celebrated. In conclusion, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing Elizabeth for her outstanding performance and having the courage to enter the public square and speak eloquently about one of the great moral issues of our time.

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio

Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, who would have ever imagined in the greatest country in history we would see the things we have over the last year from the Democrat Congress and the Obama administration? Who'd have ever thought we'd see a $1.4 trillion deficit? Who would have ever thought we'd see a $12 trillion national debt? Who would have ever imagined we'd have $670 billion and counting in new taxes imposed this year on American taxpayers, including taxes on the middle class? And, now, who would have ever imagined coming soon to you and your family, a value added tax? How bad does it have to get before we stop the madness, before we stop the excessive spending, the excessive borrowing and the excessive taxation? Mr. Speaker, today, on tax day, the American people get it. Hopefully, soon the Democratic Congress will.