Ann Kirkpatrick

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, we are entering the heart of wildfire season in Arizona. Over the coming months, folks in my district will be faced with serious threats to their lives and property time and again; and time and again, these threats will be contained thanks to our firefighters. As much as anyone, we in District One know the risk firefighters take to protect our communities. We remember how hard they worked to keep us safe when the Rodeo-Chediski fire forced thousands of Arizonans to evacuate their homes. We saw them heading into the forest to battle the Boggy fire, which they successfully contained 18 miles from Alpine just yesterday. These brave men and women face incredible danger as a basic part of their jobs. So far this year, 34 firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty. We must honor their service and sacrifice and renew our commitment to providing them with the support they need to fulfill their duties. It is the least we can do.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, yesterday folks across America gathered together to celebrate our national flag. For 233 years now, the Stars and Stripes have been a unique symbol of freedom and democracy across the globe, the representation of all we are and all that we stand for. Millions of young men and women fought and died for their country under that flag, and every day our servicemembers risk their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world to protect the ideals it represents. To burn or desecrate it is an insult to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and to those who helped build our great Nation. It should be illegal, and this Congress should make it illegal by finally passing a constitutional amendment to ban the burning of a U.S. flag. Every day this House begins its work by pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. We need to live up to that pledge.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of a true American hero. On May 28, we lost another of the last surviving Navajo code talkers: Reverend Lemuel Yazzie of Whitecone, Arizona. Navajo code talkers saved the lives of countless Americans during World War II and the Korean War by using Dine to help the Marines communicate without risk of interception by the enemy. Reverend Yazzie served bravely and honorably as part of this legendary group. After leaving the military, he kept giving back, serving for years as a missionary, staying involved with community work, and helping organize a committee to aid workers suffering from the effects of uranium exposure. An active member of the Navajo Cold Talker Association, Reverend Yazzie was dedicated to recognizing all Dine fighting men and women have done for this country. We must follow his lead. In his honor, I will continue my efforts to keep our promises to veterans in Navajo Country and across the Indian Nation.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, the administration is acknowledging what I and folks across the country have been saying for months: The time for business as usual in Washington is over and the time to cut spending is right now. Our demands for action are finally being heard. I have repeatedly called on the White House to crack down on this kind of waste. If done right, this push could mean real progress toward a balanced budget. But this is Washington, and everyone knows it's easier to talk about eliminating inefficiency than to make the tough choices required to actually get it done. We need to hold this plan to its promises. The Federal Government has to fully commit to doing more with less. Agencies must be creative and aggressive, using 5 percent cuts at a minimum and not a final goal. This Congress should also play an active role in finding cost-effective ways to achieve our goals. This is an opportunity that cannot be allowed to slip by.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, it seems, at times, that Washington has forgotten that Americans don't need millions of dollars to create jobs. They can do plenty if the government just gives them a chance to succeed. In my district, we are set to create new opportunities in the tourism industry with Federal action, not Federal dollars. Millions of people already visit greater Arizona to see our natural wonders, with a tremendous economic impact. We can grow our economy by preserving these sites for future generations. I am getting the ball rolling with legislation to designate the Sedona Red Rocks as a national scenic area and to expand the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. These bills will protect these magnificent attractions, bringing new visitors to Arizona, and help us get folks to work with almost no cost. The Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a hearing on these measures. I appreciate their willingness to help us make progress. Congress needs to pass these job-creating provisions as soon as possible.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, Memorial Day, folks across America will come together to pay tribute to our greatest heroes--those who fought and died to keep this Nation safe and free. We owe them and all of our men and women in uniform an eternal debt of gratitude. Sadly, Washington has not always done enough to pay their debt. Even now, many Native American veterans are struggling to keep a roof over their heads because of their service. They are being denied housing assistance because they are receiving benefits that they have earned with their sacrifices. I introduced the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act to right this wrong. This commonsense bill makes sure that veterans disability and survivor benefits are not counted as income under a critical Native American Housing Act. This program will bring housing to our veterans who have already paid the price. This House approved the bill unanimously last month, and Native veterans should not have to wait any longer for justice. I call on the Senate to observe this Memorial Day by passing this important measure.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, over the past months, we have witnessed firsthand the potential consequences of allowing the national debt to continue growing out of control. Greece borrowed heavily during the last decade during the boom and the bubble and found itself at risk of default when global credit dried up. Now the country is facing financial disaster. The crisis should serve as a warning to Washington. This country's debt is now $12.9 trillion and is approaching unsustainable levels. We must address the fiscal imbalance here before it's too late. Washington must start by making major changes to the budget--changes that go beyond freezing spending and instead look to make significant budget cuts. That means we have to crack down on the consequence-free spending culture in Congress. Washington needs to put a priority on eliminating waste and finding cost-effective ways to achieve this country's goals. Budget cuts are not always easy or popular, but business as usual in Washington is not working. Greece's rapid spiral shows that it is past time that we start to take serious steps--both big and small--to address our fiscal health.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, Arizonans are dealing with the consequences of Washington's failed border policies, and the dangers are growing worse as cartel violence increasingly threatens our communities. Friday's attack on a Pinal County sheriff's deputy is just the latest example. Our law enforcement is doing the best they can, but border security is a national problem. It is time for the Federal Government to start fulfilling its responsibilities. Washington needs a comprehensive strategy to tighten security and they need to provide the resources to execute the plan. I introduced legislation to put more boots on the ground along the border, and I firmly believe that any long-term solution must include greatly expanding the Border Patrol. The Federal Government should move forward and enlist thousands of additional agents. Since that process will take time, I call on Washington to immediately deploy the National Guard to the border. This is a necessary step for the short-term. The risks to Arizonans are too great to allow the inaction to continue.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House passed a bill to stop the 2011 congressional pay hike. I am proud to cosponsor this effort. Member salaries come out of taxpayer dollars. Washington needs to know it would be unacceptable to have taxpayers who are making less pay us more. When millions of Americans are tightening their belts, folks have the right to expect their elected officials to do the same. Blocking the pay hike was a necessary first step, but it cannot be the last. Washington can and must do more. Members have not reduced their salaries for 77 years, since the Great Depression. I do not know anyone back in Arizona who has gone eight decades without a pay cut. Senators and Representatives should be no different. That is why I introduced legislation to cut congressional pay by 5 percent. This Congress needs to pass my bill now. Americans are tired of waiting for Washington to get it.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, while we are beginning to see signs of recovery, hardworking families and small business owners are still contending with the worst economic downturn in decades. Creating jobs and helping to get Arizona back on track remains my top priority. Washington can serve those goals by providing much needed tax relief for middle class households and entrepreneurs. It will be the American people, not the government alone, who will get our economy moving again. This Congress needs to support them by helping them keep more of their hard-earned money. That's why I fought for the largest middle class tax cut in American history. According to a report by Citizens for Tax Justice, 99 percent of working Arizonans benefited from that package on tax day, saving an average of over $1,000 each. Tax relief is putting money back into our local economies, spurring job creation and growth. I am proud to be standing up for this effort every step of the way.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. I wish to extend my thanks to Mr. Cleaver for the opportunity to address my bill, H.R. 3553, the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act. And I also want to thank Chairman Frank and Ranking Member Bachus for their support of this. I especially want to thank Chairwoman Maxine Waters and her staff, Jeff Riley and Keo Chea, who traveled the long distance to Window Rock, Arizona, to have a field hearing on April 10 on this bill.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I just returned from a trip to Arizona's border, and I thank the men and women at Customs and Border Protection for allowing me an inside look into their operations. One the most striking things I saw is the toll that violence has taken on our border communities, and tensions are high. As the cartels become desperate to keep smuggling routes open, our border agents and their vehicles are hit with rocks, shot at, and assaulted on a nightly basis. I am convinced that our border personnel need more equipment and manpower to prevent the violence and keep Americans safe. There is no silver bullet for fixing our border. A solution will require a comprehensive approach to security. We must put every option on the table, including the use of the National Guard.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, for too many years, the southern border has been a gateway for the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, money, and people. It is a challenge we, in Arizona, have to live with every day. On Tuesday, Secretaries Clinton, Gates, and Napolitano led a high- level delegation of defense, law enforcement, and intelligence officials to Mexico City to discuss a new border security plan that builds on the work of the Merida Initiative. This is an important step forward. I call on them to expand current efforts and to develop a new initiative that takes full advantage of the civilian and military resources of both governments to provide a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges at the border. We must do whatever it takes to take this fight off our streets and straight to the doorsteps of the cartel leaders.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the bill I introduced with Mr. Peters, the Sensible Steps Toward a Balanced Budget Act, legislation that requires that money left over in a Member's Representational Allowance, or MRA, at the end of the fiscal year be deposited in the Treasury and used to reduce the budget deficit or national debt. As a lifelong resident of greater Arizona, I grew up around hardworking families who knew that, when times get tough, you tighten up your belt and make every dollar count. I brought this sort of thinking with me when I came to Washington last year to represent those same hardworking families. By emphasizing efficiency in my office and focusing on the most critical items, I managed to spend over $100,000 less than what was authorized of my MRA. I was proud to save the taxpayers money and looked forward to seeing that money used to lower the national debt in this year and for years to come. Every year, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee includes language in its appropriations bill to require that unspent allowances are used toward the national debt. Given these times, it is important that we make this requirement permanent. The Sensible Steps Toward a Balanced Budget Act would do three important things. First, it would make the requirement to use unspent MRA funds toward the national debt automatic so that congressional action would no longer be necessary for this important provision to be put into place. Second, it would make the requirement permanent so that Congress does not have to pass another provision year after year. Finally, it would put the power of Federal statute behind this requirement rather than depending upon appropriations language. In these tough times, we must get on a path of finding every opportunity, big and small, to put our fiscal house in order, and I believe that this bill is a concrete first step the Congress can take in that direction. Thank you again, Chairman Brady, for the opportunity to discuss the Sensible Steps Toward a Balanced Budget, and I urge its passage.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, three people connected to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez were brutally murdered by drug cartels in front of their young children. What more must happen to focus our attention on the serious threat along 2,000 miles of our southern border? For the safety of Americans living in border States and traveling or working in Mexico, we must take this danger seriously and crack down on the cartels. U.S. citizens are increasingly at risk of being innocent victims of this brutal violence, but the administration budget would cut resources intended to crack down on cartels and to secure our border. I call on the White House to provide necessary support for law enforcement, at all levels, to track down these criminals and their networks. This is a fight we cannot lose. It is too close to home. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in these attacks.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, for too many years the Mexican drug cartels have taken advantage of our unsecured borders, smuggling drugs and people into our country in exchange for the illegal weapons and cash they use to keep their supply routes open. For too many years, failed policies from the Federal Government allowed these violent gangs to grow and thrive. Politicians in Washington fought each other rather than dealing with the problem. As a result, crime is spilling over into Arizona and throughout the entire Southwest. While our State, local, and tribal law enforcement do a great job with the resources they have, they cannot do this job alone. Securing our borders is the responsibility of the Federal Government, and the Federal Government has to live up to that responsibility. This government has begun to give this danger the attention it deserves, but there is so much more that has to be done to make up for years of neglect. I am fighting for the folks in my district who have to live with the consequences of Washington's mistakes, and I am continuing to push for the support that our border agents need. I will not let up. As a part of my efforts, I am happy to announce that I will be touring the Arizona-Mexico border later this week. I will be visiting with our border agents on duty, accompanying them on the job and hearing directly from them about how I can help to address the challenges they face. I am ready and eager for this opportunity to make sure that the voice of our law enforcement on the front lines is heard and not the voice of politicians playing games in Washington.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, every day this country is falling deeper in debt. Today we owe more than $12.4 trillion, and by 2016 our debt could be as much as $20 trillion. After more than a decade of mistakes and neglect by both parties, Washington can no longer afford to ignore this issue. It is time for Congress to get serious about getting Federal spending under control. We should start with our own salaries. Today I am introducing the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act, which will cut pay for Members of the House and the Senate by 5 percent. This would be the first salary reduction for Members since April 1, 1933, in the heart of the Great Depression. Restoring fiscal discipline in Washington will require some difficult decisions, and every agency has to do their part. Congress needs to lead by example to get the job done by taking action, and not just by making speeches. With this change we are fighting to change the culture in Washington and beginning to make the tough choices it takes to cut waste and find savings. It will be an important step toward bringing back real fiscal responsibility. We are facing historic challenges. It will take historic action to address them. I urge my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the problem and taking responsibility for fixing it.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize the Prescott Fire Department in Prescott, Arizona. On March 6th, the City of Prescott will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of their Fire Department's founding. Over the past 125 years, the brave men and women to be honored next Saturday fought some of the most tenacious fires in one of the toughest fire districts in our Nation. Growing up in Arizona, I heard stories about the Prescott Fire Department fighting the fire that destroyed one block of historic ``Whiskey Row'' in the summer of 1900 and I remember the Indian Fire--a wildfire that nearly burned through town in the Spring of 2002. Events like these, gave me a deep respect for firefighters, especially those in Prescott. Since 1885 the citizens of Prescott have benefitted from the expert services provided by Arizona's oldest fire department and I look forward to joining the Prescott Fire Department for many future celebrations.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, this week Arizonans are celebrating our latest success in the fight to preserve our second amendment rights. Yesterday, a new law took effect allowing law-abiding citizens to bring guns into national parks and wildlife refuges. I was proud to join members from both parties to pass this law which ensures we can now move freely throughout State and Federal land with our firearms. Greater Arizona is home to the most beautiful sites in the country, including thousands of miles of parkland. National parks are not just places we visit on vacation. We live and work in and around them. It was unacceptable to leave our rights behind each time we left home. Now folks can become confident that their freedoms are protected wherever they travel in Arizona. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue fighting to protect our constitutional right to bear and keep arms with measures like this.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, as we face the challenges of a stalled economy and a record debt, it is critically important that we find ways to create jobs without spending millions of dollars. I rise today in support of large scale job creating projects in greater Arizona that would require Federal action, not Federal money: the Copper Basin Jobs Project and the Four Forests Restoration Initiative. The Copper Basin Jobs Project will create more than 1,000 well- paying, 21st century jobs in District 1, jump-starting our recovery and diversifying our economy. The Four Forests Restoration Initiative would create more than 600 jobs across greater Arizona, revitalizing key industries while preserving our environment and protecting our communities from wildfires. These projects will produce new opportunities for our families, and serve as economic engines for my district and the entire State. They will attract new businesses and investment, creating jobs, not handouts. That is why they have both earned support from across the region, across the State, and across party lines. Last week I had the opportunity to share the value of these projects with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. We traveled across greater Arizona to meet with stakeholders on each project and visit with folks in the communities that will benefit from these projects. It was a real milestone for our efforts. Arizonans were able to make their voices heard on the projects and let the Secretary know about the positive impact they could have on our economy. Along with the communities, I would like to thank the Secretary for his time. I hope his trip helped him gain a better understanding of these projects and what they can do for Arizona. Efforts like these will help in the downturn and get folks back to work. Creating jobs has to be our top priority. And these projects are my top priority.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express outrage, outrage at the information that has recently come to light about the AIG bailout. Though it may not be clear yet who should be held accountable, one thing is clear: The American people will not tolerate the use of taxpayer dollars for use in backdoor bailouts where the details are treated as classified, using methods typically reserved for matters of national security. Though some financial matters may require protection as a matter of national security, it does not appear that the AIG bailout rises to that standard. At a time when our Nation is actively engaged in wars on two fronts, and terrorists and traffickers are always looking for means to breach our defenses, such treatment should be reserved for documents pertaining to actual security threats. I opposed the Troubled Asset Relief Program from the very beginning because it focused too much on Wall Street and its executives and not enough on the problems that face working Arizona families. It does too little to hold accountable the banks and corporations that have benefited from billions in taxpayer dollars. The House Oversight Committee and the GAO are now investigating the entire AIG bailout. They should complete their work as quickly as possible so the results can be released to the American taxpayers.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1065, the White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Act. Water is a precious resource to all of us in the Southwest. In my district, farmers have to fight to keep their crops growing, firefighters are constantly challenged by raging wildfires, and local officials consider the drinking water supply in every discussion of the community's future. We know we need to make each drop count. That is why I am proud to have worked with the White Mountain Apache and other stakeholders to introduce this bill. The White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Act finalizes a settling agreement that will end a long-running water rights dispute in greater Arizona and provides a path toward a reliable long-term water supply for the White Mountain Apache tribe and areas across the State. The agreement under consideration continues a long history of settlements of Indian water rights disputes in our State. We have found time and again that these settlements, as opposed to litigation, help the tribes and their neighbors achieve real certainty in their water supply. They are able to better plan for the years to come. The negotiating process also builds working relationships between the parties involved, allowing them to cooperate and more effectively manage their watersheds for the future. With this legislation, folks here will finally begin to see these benefits. Along with approving the agreement, this bill authorizes construction of the Miner Flat dam and pipeline, which will provide a 100-year municipal drinking water supply to towns on the White Mountain Apache tribal lands. That is critically important because our need for drinking water is both immediate and serious. People in the area are being threatened with water shortages even now, in the winter of what was a great water year in the rest of the State. Nearly 15,000 tribal members will be served by the project, and it cannot come a moment too soon for them. Furthermore, it lets us move forward with a number of projects that are crucial economic drivers for the region: fish hatcheries, irrigation projects, and infrastructure improvements to a local ski park. We will be able to create jobs and get folks back to work. I was born and raised on White Mountain Apache tribal lands, and my hometown is one of those that would gain from this project. I have seen firsthand the challenges that these communities face, and I am confident that this legislation will make a real difference in addressing them. At this point, I would like to address the cost issue that has been raised by my esteemed colleague from Washington. When I was a kid, we had to boil our water, and if we didn't, we got sick. We got real sick. That was over 50 years ago. We didn't have the convenience of purified water that comes delivered in big jugs that I've seen in most congressional offices here in Washington. That situation, where folks living in the United States today do not have access to running water that they can drink, is not acceptable. My confidence that this legislation will make a real difference in addressing those critical needs is shared by many in Arizona where the bill has earned widespread support. Every single member of our State's delegation in the House is cosponsoring H.R. 1065, and I want to point out that that includes my esteemed colleague Congressman Jeff Flake, who I think is the watchdog of the House on spending in Congress. I have worked closely with Senator Kyl to move forward on this critical project in both Chambers. Folks on both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of securing our water supply. They also recognize the effort and care it has taken to get to this point. The settlement has taken 21 different stakeholder groups years of negotiation and compromise to reach. It is carefully crafted to best fit the needs and demands of all those involved. It is time for folks in my district to get the infrastructure and water supply they have been working toward for so long. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, our national debt is setting new records each week, and Washington cannot ignore it any longer. Unless we take action, the debt could bring our recovery to a standstill, and raise interest rates for our families. Allowing excessive spending to continue is not an option. In 2010, we must draw the line and put fiscal discipline at the top of our agenda. This Congress should develop and execute a plan to start paying down the debt and ensure sustainable spending levels for the long term. We can and should continue smart investments that create jobs, develop our critical infrastructure, and help new industries grow. But at the same time, we have to start cutting waste and demanding efficiency. Government programs should be actively searching for ways to do more with less. And if they won't, Congress has to step up and do it for them.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Madam Speaker, 2010 may be a new year, but our top priorities remain the same: jobs, jobs, and jobs. We must stay focused on job creation to end this economic downturn. With our national debt well over $12 trillion, we cannot just rely on more spending to achieve our goals. Washington has to find the right balance between investing in our future and doing more with less. This year, I will continue to push for projects that require common sense, not millions of dollars; projects that help communities attract new industries that will create jobs, get folks back to work, and put the economy back on track. I will also work to remove barriers to success for small businesses and curb excessive regulations that can slow growth. These low-cost job creation efforts will spur economic recovery without further increasing the debt. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting them.

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, last week, I released a report outlining how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has benefited greater Arizona and identifying where improvements can be made. I surveyed communities receiving recovery funds across my district to bring more transparency and oversight into the process. I found significant progress has been made in bringing jobs to greater Arizona with 1,098 jobs created or saved in District One. Support to our State also prevented deep cuts in Arizona's education and public safety funding. However, delays were reported on more than 40 percent of projects, despite the hard work of local officials. Our rural communities are finding the bureaucracy to be an obstacle. I will continue working with local officials and Federal agencies to allow greater Arizona to take full advantage of the Recovery Act so they can create more jobs and get folks back to work.