Kendrick Meek

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Ryan, Mr. Delahunt, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, this is what Republicans are saying. I mean, making history in all the wrong ways. Ms. Wasserman Schultz and I will be back at 11:32 for the last hour here tonight. We hope that you gentlemen will be able to join us.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. William F. Buckley. It is an article that Bush is not a true conservative when it comes down to spending. As you know, he has dethroned a number of individuals. And he is noted in this article, which was dated July 22, 2006 as the Father of Moderate Conservatism, talking about William F. Buckley. He is saying, if you had a European prime minister who experienced what we have experienced, it would be expected that he would retire or resign. This is what Buckley said about the President of the United States. He is allowed to do that because this rubber-stamp Republican Congress allows him to do it. I would like to yield to Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and hopefully Ms. Wasserman Schultz will yield to Mr. Delahunt and then yield to you, to talk about, Madam Speaker, what Newt Gingrich, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, former Speaker, is saying about this Congress. Ms. Wasserman Schultz, if you will indulge me, please.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you for sharing that, because that is so very, very important. It is going to be the issue of tomorrow and today. I mean, when we get into after the 12 o'clock hour. Mr. Ryan, I think it was important, and Mr. Delahunt brought up some comments that the past Speaker made, the person that gave birth to the Republican ``revolution,'' the Contract on America, I mean for America, and what has happened to all of that, the broken promise to America from the Republican majority. Ms. Wasserman Schultz pointed out the fact that the Republican majority talked about that they are tough on immigration, but at the same time they have been in control double digit years, and now all of a sudden they notice that we have an immigration border protection problem. And folks are burning Federal jet fuel flying down to the border for photo shots; this, that and the other that we are doing something about it. Bill Buckley, I don't need to talk about his credentials, because here in this article from Connecticut.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. What happened to the $89 billion in Iraq. This will never surface, Madam Speaker, unless we get rid of the rubber- stamp Congress and we move towards a Congress that is willing to follow the Constitution of the United States to make sure that the American taxpayer dollars have the proper oversight and that we spend it in a way that is responsible, not just giving away tax breaks to millionaires and special interests when the Republican majority feels like doing it.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Delahunt, I just wanted to say really quickly that it is important that we point out, you have got one, two, three, and I am four Members of Congress. We have friends on the majority side of the aisle. We see them every day. We have lunch together, and we go to the dining room here in the Capitol. We know one another's families. We travel together to foreign countries. We visit military bases here in the United States and abroad. Madam Speaker, this is not personal. This is business. And the bottom line is that this Congress is making history in all the wrong ways. We have a rubber-stamp Congress, as Ms. Wasserman Schultz pointed out earlier, that has rubber-stamped everything that the administration has put forth to this Congress, and now we are in a situation where the American people do not see the same vision that the Republican majority has. Now, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, before we leave here tonight, you must talk about immigration. You must talk about immigration in a way that shows that the Republican majority and the Bush White House is not leveling with the American people. Mr. Delahunt, you pointed out, Mr. Ryan was mentioning 750 earlier. I am looking here at our plan, it says 725. He was in the middle of a speech, and I wanted to make sure that we were accurate for the record. I wanted to make sure we were leveling with the American people. I want to make sure that Members watching in their offices or watching at home are saying, even on the majority side, the reason why I can't be upset with those four Members on the floor right now is because they speak the truth; not fiction, not what we think will sound good. We are sharing the facts with the American people and with the Members of Congress, Madam Speaker. So that is the reason why Members of the majority side, which is the Republican majority that is in control, we have situations where States are suing the Federal Government on education, lack of funding. We have local communities trying to figure out how they are going to stand up to unfunded mandates handed down from this Congress. We have minimum wage workers that haven't received a raise since 1997. Meanwhile, Members of Congress have received $3,100, $4,900, $3,200, in some cases $2,900, $4,100, and a proposed $3,100 this year. Meanwhile, minimum wage workers are sitting waiting on some leadership and representation in Congress. As we raise their minimum wage, what we have pledged to do in New Direction for America, Members, people that are making $8 and $9 an hour, employers are going to have to say, we have to give them also a raise, because the minimum wage has risen. So the American everyday worker not making minimum wage will do better under our plan. Saying that, Mr. Delahunt, that is the reason why we should feel very motivated and empowered to be here any time we get an opportunity to come to the floor. So I am excited about the fact that we are armed with the facts. I am glad, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, the facts she had she got from third party validators, not what we came up with, to share with Members and the American people, because we don't want members of the rubber-stamp Republican majority to go home and say ``we didn't quite understand that,'' or ``it was the Democrats.'' We have to make it abundantly clear that the Republicans are in control. Mr. Ryan, as I close, I just want to break it down like this: On the Democratic side, we don't have the opportunity to bring a bill to the floor. We are not chairmen or chairwomen of committees. We can't order up a congressional hearing and subpoena Halliburton and other companies that obviously have done things that have reached the level of, some may say, the criminal level. We can't do that. We can't have inquiries of Federal agencies. Our good friend from Tennessee has legislation that is talking about agencies coming to the Congress and asking them, what happened to $28 million that we gave you last year? They say I don't know. They just write it off. It is the taxpayers' money.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Within the first 100 hours we are willing to move forward, and we have said it, in our new direction for America. We have said we are going to cut student loan costs in half, Madam Speaker, more than the Republican majority that is in control now. We have said that we are going to move in the direction of true energy innovation, investing in the Midwest versus the Middle East, here in America with E-85 ethanol. Republican majority has the House now. They are not doing it. We have said that we are going to pay as we go and have real fiscal responsibility, because we are the only party in this Chamber, Mr. Delahunt, that can say we have actually balanced the budget. We have balanced the budget, with surpluses as far as the eye can see. The Republican majority takes over and we are borrowing from countries that we have issues with, like China, Japan, and the U.K. Well, not the U.K., but other countries that are questionable. OPEC nations. And I don't even want to go through that list. So when we start talking about these things, gentlemen, and when they come to the floor, and this is a free country and what a democracy, but meanwhile, Mr. Delahunt, we have veterans that have fought, some are at Arlington Cemetery for paying the ultimate price for us to salute one flag. We look at the services and the things that we have promised veterans, and this is not a Democrat or Republican or Independent or nonvoter issue, this is an American issue. To see veterans having to wait 2 and 3 months to see a specialist at a VA hospital, whether it be a foot doctor, an eye doctor, or just getting a simple exam, is unacceptable, especially when the Republican majority is giving tax breaks in a record breaking way to individuals that are not even asking for them, and when billionaires have $398 million retirement packages, I think it is important for us to come to the floor and share this with the American people. It is not only important, it is our obligation. So that the reason why, Mr. Delahunt, as I land, that it is important, no matter how late, if it is 11:40 at night or it is a few minutes before 10 p.m.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Yes, I do have my chart. So that we don't have CEOs of major oil companies with $398 million retirement packages. A retirement package. And a $2 million tax break, thanks to the Republican majority. So, Mr. Ryan, when folks come to the floor and start talking about, and Mr. Delahunt, what the American people can do, tell you what, why don't we play fair? We have control of the minimum wage, Mr. Delahunt, we can raise the minimum wage. On this side of the aisle we said, number one, we will be raising the minimum wage. Okay, not raising the salaries for Members of Congress.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Or 11:30.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. We have worked all day, and some Members of Congress, Madam Speaker, are home enjoying themselves, relaxing, what have you, some are working in their offices right now answering their e-mails or regular mail, that we come to the floor, take away from what some may say is our personal time after we finish our regular business, that we come to the floor to show how we have the will and the desire to put America in a new direction and not only fight for working class folks, but making sure that those that pay their price to this country, which are a number of Americans but especially our veterans, will be treated with dignity and respect.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Delahunt, and I know you are all excited about your birthday that took place last week, and it is well noted not only amongst the Members but also in the Congressional Record. We notice that you are eligible for Medicare. We are excited about that. Hopefully, having you as Medicare recipient now, folks on Medicare will have a stronger voice in Congress because you can actually understand what they are going through. It has been 3 years and 2 months we have been doing 30-something. We are just so glad that we can have you as the something of the 30- something which I will be joining you in September.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Yes, sir, I would yield, Mr. Ryan.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. I just want to make sure that just because they say it, Madam Speaker, the Republican majority does not necessarily mean that it is true. You have heard me say this before. The good thing about the 30-something Working Group is that we come to the floor and not with rhetoric, not with a Democratic message that is not factual. We do not do that. People are looking for straightforward government, making sure that we level with the American people, not level with Democrats, not level with Republicans and Independents, but level with the American people. The American people want us to work in a bipartisan way, but only the majority can allow that to happen. We have legislation that is moving through the process that Democratic Members are not even noticed of the conference committees that are going on, some of the decisions that are being made, and we have Republican majority Members that come here and say, well, the Democrats, how can they say it when they have been in control. Let me just say this real quick. I tell you they did not share in the hour before this hour, they did not share how the Republican majority has made history in all the wrong ways. On $1.05 trillion borrowed in 4 years, 2001 to 2005, from not only President Bush but the Republican majority that dethroned 42 Presidents, 224 years of history, $1.01 trillion. Mr. Ryan mentioned who we are borrowing from. Japan, $682.8 billion. The American people had nothing to do with that. Republican majority, rubber-stamp Congress, had everything to do with that. China, at $249.8 billion; UK, $223.2 billion; Caribbean, $115.3 billion; Taiwan and on and on and on. What they also did not say is how the Republican majority has given themselves a pay increase along with all Members of Congress, meanwhile, Madam Speaker, not addressing the minimum-wage workers in America since 1997. So I would not come to the floor with a straight face talking about the American people can handle their dollars that we give them or they can handle the dollars because they can handle it best. Well, guess what, I think that is a true statement because the bottom line is the Republican majority has shown that they cannot. Just real quick, I want to make sure that we spell this out. In 1998, Members of Congress, $3,100 raise; minimum-wage workers, zero; 2000, Members of Congress, $4,600 raise; minimum wage, zero; 2001, $3,800 increase, cost of living Members of Congress; minimum wage, zero; 2002, zero minimum wage; $4,900 real money increase for Members of Congress thanks to the Republican majority; 2003, $4,700; minimum-wage workers, zero; $3,400, 2004; minimum-wage workers, zero; 2005, $4,000; minimum-wage, zero; 2006, $3,100; minimum-wage workers, zero. And the Republican leadership has said it is just not going to happen. They did not want to share that with the American people. That is why the 30-something Working Group, why we do that. The good thing about this report is that we are saying on this side of the aisle we will not vote for an increase in Members' pay if we do not vote for an increase in the minimum wage. That will mean an increase in individuals that are making above the minimum wage because the American workers should be making more than the CEOs that are retiring with big-time retirement packages. I wish I had my chart here.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. One second, Mr. Ryan. I just want to make sure we are accurate. It is $7.25, not $7.50, sir, that we want to move the minimum wage. I want to make sure that we are accurate. I know you mistakenly said $7.50. I would like to do $7.50, but our plan is $7.25, just for the record. Because we believe in making sure that even when we make a mistake to level with the American people.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Ryan, referring back to the chart, we are talking about $230 billion on the debt. And I am looking at education there on that chart, and you can stack three of those charts, the education dollars investment beside the debt and you still won't make it to the 230. You have the homeland security folks running around here talking about we have to protect the homeland on the majority side, as though, Mr. Speaker, that just became a problem. Folks burning all kind of Federal jet fuel running down to the border talking about how we are going to get tough. Sending National Guard troops from throughout the States when we already have an overextended military and saying we would like to do more in homeland security. But as it relates to the Republican majority plan, the investment dollars are not there. Look at veterans, the blue over here, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, which is quite interesting. Goodness, what we are paying down on the debt because of the Republican out-of-control spending on the majority side, the rubber stamp Congress, doing everything the President says to do for the billionaires and millionaires and all of the people that Mr. Ryan pointed out, who are not outside rallying in front of the Capitol saying we need more money, doing what I just pointed out here in The Washington Post editorial just today, just stacking on top, piling on, putting more cream, and whip cream, and whipping it on up and throwing eight or nine cherries on top of this eight-floor cake they are giving to the special interests. Looking at what the veterans are getting. Nothing. Little or no investment. Well under $50 billion. I am looking at this chart, and it is well under $30 billion. So when you look at it as it relates to the investment, it just doesn't pay off. Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Let me just say this very quickly before I yield to Ms. Wasserman Schultz here. A Washington Post editorial on Tuesday, July 25, which is today, A14, this is an editorial, Mr. Speaker, and I am just going to read the first paragraph, maybe some of the second. Do large corporations need another tax break? The House of Representatives seems to think so. It plans this week to take up a measure defining when States can tax companies doing business in their State and make it easier for companies to avoid paying State taxes. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act would drain $1 billion from State government treasuries during the first year in effect and $3 billion a year by 2011 as corporations continue to take advantage of this situation. Now, it just goes on. The National Governors Association is just totally outraged by this, and they are saying a Federal corporate tax cut using State dollars, that is what they are calling this, this is the editorial today in the Washington Post. I think it is important that we point out who the Republican majority is fighting on behalf of. We have State governments now that are in deficits have to figure out how they can make up. Mr. Ryan used to be a State senator. Ms. Wasserman Schultz used to be a State Senator and State representative in the Florida legislature. I used to be a State senator and State representative in the Florida legislature. I think it is important for us to look at the States and look at what they have to do. We are both Fleming fellows, and when we were taking that fellowship program at the Center for Policy Alternatives in Washington, D.C., for State legislatures, it talked about the devolution of taxation, putting tax cuts here, putting it on the backs of the States. We can take out a credit card and we can borrow from foreign Nations; that is this Republican rubber stamp Congress has been doing, but in the States, Mr. Speaker, they have to balance their budget. And so when they balance the budget, what do they do? Raise tuition costs. They cut dollars going to local governments, and local governments then have to put a penny here and a penny there, and a million here and a million there on property taxes to be able to make it up. Meanwhile, we have got Members here in Congress, because special interests knocked on their door and said, hey, can you help us get more money, more subsidies that you have already given us, while we are at it, let us do all we can, do not worry about it, the folks back home will pay for it, that is why it is important, 11:30 at night we are back and we are making sure we share with the Members and the American people. I just wanted to read this because we are all creatures of State government and State service, and we know how those legislatures feel. This is the National Governors Association. So these are not Democratic governors only, not Republican governors only, not Independent governors only.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to come before the House again tonight, and I can tell you that we in the 30-something Working Group come to the floor to share not only with Members of Congress, Mr. Speaker, but also the American people about the plans that we have for the country. As you know, we have been sharing with the Members our concern of this side the aisle the Republican majority and rubber stamping the Republican President and all of his ideas and original thoughts that have put this country in an unprecedented financial situation that we have never been in before, especially as relates to the borrowing that has been going on from foreign countries within the last four years and continue to happen even now. Mr. Speaker, as you know on this side of the aisle we talk about taking America in a new direction, a new direction in making sure that American workers make a liveable wage and definitely a minimum wage, raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour from what it is now. The Republican majority has not done so since 1997. We also talk about energy innovation, making sure that we invest in the Midwest versus the Middle East as relates to E-85, alternative fuels, and other technology that can assist us in working with Detroit and other motor companies here in the United States and making more fuel efficient cars. That will happen. That is our plan on HouseDemocrats.gov. Also, we talk about making sure that folks can retire with dignity, protecting Social Security, and making sure that we don't privatize Social Security. If left up to the White House, that will happen. Thanks to many of the Members here on this floor that are on the Democratic side of the aisle that we have fought time after time again in some 600 to 500-plus town hall meetings around the country, helped turn the tide on that issue because the Republican majority was all set, cocked, and ready to privatize Social Security. Another initiative there is to make sure that veterans are honored in the way they should be honored. We have made a full commitment that those that have served this country will no longer need to reap the benefits of a broken promise to them, to make sure that we fulfill that. I think, also, for us to talk about the issue of access to college. We have said that we are going to cut student loans price cost in half and also roll back the interest rate, and make sure that we have tax breaks for those that wish to go to college and pay for their college. And, also, make sure, Mr. Speaker, that we implement the real security, Homeland Security here and overseas. We have our plan here. This is just a small pamphlet here that talks about the real security plan. We have put forth this plan and legislation here on the Democratic side of the aisle. Unfortunately, none of those bills have surfaced to the floor or many of them are stuck in subcommittees and not heard in committees and not worked in a bipartisan way. And we have committed to the American people that we will continue, we will promote bipartisanship versus not working in a bipartisan way as the Republican majority has decided to do so. I talked about energy efficiency and HouseDemocrats.gov right here energizing America. Talked about innovation. We want to make sure that we have the scientists, we have the school teachers that can teach the next generation, making sure that we carry out broadband opportunities throughout the country not just in certain parts of the country, but to make sure we have that in here. We want to educate 100,000 new scientists and engineers within the period of 4 years, and provide scholarships to students that qualify to work in those fields of innovation, making sure that we have highly qualified teachers in every math and science 12th grade classroom by offering tuition assistance to talented undergraduate students, and also paying competitive salaries to make sure that teachers will go into the profession and won't have to make a sacrifice beyond their means. I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, that we point these things out. We were in the majority; and if we have the opportunity to do so after November going into January, those are things that we will implement immediately, that we would make sure, and other initiatives. One other, Mr. Ryan, before I yield to you, is the issue of making sure that we work towards balancing the budget. The Republican majority talks about cutting it in half. We are the only party here in this Chamber that has actually balanced the budget and know how to do it. Pay as you go is how you do it, not borrowing, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Speaker, from foreign nations at the record number that the Republican majority has done. We have said we will do away with the rubber stamp, Mr. Ryan. No longer will the White House have their original thoughts pass through this Congress without any question, without any oversight, without any major questions, and very little change. Energy companies will not be able to come here and use the power of this House, either be Democrat or Republican. When we are in the majority, they will not use it to their benefit, we will use it to the American people's benefit.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Ryan.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, can you clarify what is vulgar or profane? Just an inquiry of the Speaker.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. Today, the House is considering the Senate-passed version of H.R. 4472, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which includes the language of the National Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) Youth Enrichment Reauthorization Act of 2005, H.R. 4005, of which I am a prime sponsor. PAL is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. It is based on the understanding that young people--if they are reached early enough--can develop strong positive attitudes toward police officers and gain the skills needed to achieve success throughout their lives. The bill will reauthorize the National Police Athletic League Youth Enrichment Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-367). It will also authorize $16 million per year in assistance to National PAL and the 350 local PAL chapters around the country; help establish 250 (50 per year) new PAL chapters; and provide support for the annual Youth Leadership Conference. The PAL program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency and expands public awareness about the role of a police officer in the local community and reinforces responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, so that we can continue to fund this program, which provides such good guidance and direction to so many of our youth.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a not-so-closely-held secret that Congressional staff plays a crucial and indispensable role in making it possible for Members of Congress to carry out their constitutional duties. That is certainly the case for Tim Friedman, who will mark 30 years of service--15 terms, if he were a Member--to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 19, 2006. Tim is a true ``Man of the House.'' He began his career in 1976, under Speaker Carl Albert. From his first job in the office of the Doorkeeper, he transferred to the House Sergeant at Arms office where he worked until 1985, when Speaker Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill appointed him as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985. The Democratic Cloakroom is the crossroads of the Caucus, and Tim Friedman stands right in the middle of the intersection. He has been a constant source of information, wisdom and assistance, dispensed with characteristic good humor there for the past 20 years. He is so professional in his job that, like a great golfer, he makes something very hard look easy. Tim's distinguished service in the House Democratic Cloakroom has touched the lives of countless Members--and staff members--of this body. He plans to retire this September, and we all wish him and his wife, Colleen, our very best. But we'll keep him for as long as we can, because his absence will certainly leave a large void in the House Democratic Cloakroom and in this wonderful institution that he has served for so long.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Ryan, it was a pleasure being on the floor with you this evening. As you know, we want to thank the Democratic leader for allowing us to have this time. We also would say that it was a pleasure addressing the House

Mr. MEEK of Florida. In closing, we really have to look at what is happening right now. I know we are doing all that we can do. We have filed legislation. We were able to stop the privatization of Social Security by having over 500 town hall meetings throughout the country. The President burned all kinds of Federal jet fuel flying around the country trying to convince people that they need to privatize their Social Security. That was very, very unfortunate. Taxpayers' money was spent. Still the plan was abandoned. We also pushed very hard to make sure that we pay as we go here on the floor. We are still fighting on that as it relates to our Federal spending. You talk about the tax and spend and whatever the case may be. I can tell you that Republicans can't look in the mirror here in the House, the majority can't look in the mirror and say that they are the example of fiscal responsibility because I think the history of this country will show and this 109th Congress, and even the Congress before that, that there has been more spending now than any other time in the history of this country, especially when you look at what happened during the Lyndon Johnson years versus the Bush years. Because right now you are seeing with the rubber-stamp Congress and President Bush that the Lyndon Johnson administration and the Congress at that time has been dethroned as it relates to spending. So I think it is very important that we look at that. I think it is also important to look at our plan, America going in a new direction, going into a new direction, making sure that they have representation here in this House. And this is for every American, not just Democrats, not just Republicans, not just Independent, not just individuals that have decided to participate in the political process, making sure that we help working families every day and the individuals that are retired and our veterans and all of the folks that we should be fighting for in a very fierce way. I think it is important that if you folks really want to look at making sure these oil companies no longer price gouge Americans, making sure that we have affordable health care and prescription drug care, making sure that working families are able to make a livable wage, that is something that we are working very hard on. We are going to start with the minimum wage, moving that to $7.25 from $5.15, making sure that the Congress doesn't give themselves another raise. And the Democratic leader and the Democratic whip and myself and a number of members of our caucus have said, no increase for Members of Congress until the American people get an increase. And also, what Mr. Ryan talked about a little earlier, Mr. Speaker, cutting the student loan interest rate in half so that it can be affordable for folks to go to college to be able to make a stronger workforce for us. Also, as it relates to tax breaks for those that are paying for college. I already hit the issue on preventing the administration and those here in Congress from privatizing Social Security. And I think it is also important for us to note that all of this is on our Web site with our energy plan, our real security plan as it relates to protecting America, and our plan on investing in the Midwest versus in the Middle East, of E85 and other alternative fuels.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Somebody needs to be embarrassed? Somebody needs to be fired. Embarrassed? Oh, please. They are just following the lead of the Republican majority. If I was an agency department head or secretary or someone confirmed by the Senate, I mean, when I look at my chart here, when I look at $1.05 trillion in borrowing from foreign nations, dethroning 42 Presidents, 224 years of history where they only borrowed $1.01 trillion, how in the world could I rein in a department head where I have endorsed this, in the trillions of dollars, $1.05 trillion in 4 years alone. It is almost like me calling my children into the room and to say: You're doing the wrong thing. You're eating at 11 o'clock at night. You're going to get heavy. You're going to get sick. They say: Well, Dad, look at you. You have eight gallons of ice cream sitting right in front of you. How can you talk to me about not eating at 11 o'clock at night and eating too much sugar? How in the world can the Republican Congress go to these department heads who can't find $24 million that are missing in their agency and they have borrowed, here in this Congress, $1.05 trillion, record breaking, from foreign nations. I am not going to even spend time taking the stuff off because I wish I had time to deal with it but I don't. The bottom line is these are the countries that own a part of the American apple pie because of the mismanagement of the Republican majority. That is the bottom line. You see the countries. I don't need to call them out. They are buying our debt. If you came to me and said, my good friend, can I borrow $50 from you? I consider us good friends, but if I loaned you $50, our relationship is now changed. Even if you pay me back, which I think you will, within 5 or 6 days, our relationship has changed because you have asked to borrow some of the money that I work hard for, that I can spend on issues dealing with my family. These countries have bought our debt. The relationship has changed, thanks to the Republican majority and the White House. $1.01 trillion, 224 years, Mr. Speaker, of the country's history, 4 years under the Bush administration and the rubber-stamp Congress. You dethrone 224 years of history, of borrowing from foreign nations. We borrow a record number and these are the nations: Japan, China, the U.K., the Caribbean, Taiwan, OPEC nations. Who are the OPEC nations? Let's just go down the list because there are so many but they own $67.8 billion of our debt: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Nigeria, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE. I can go on. Ecuador. I can go on and on and on. Meanwhile, folks come to the floor and get all swollen and saying, we need to watch these foreigners and what they're doing and how they're doing it. The bottom line is the foreigners have bought our debt, thanks to you. It is upsetting. It is upsetting to the point that we have veterans that are out there allowing us to salute one flag, laid their life down, watched their friends die, and we are sitting here giving tax cuts to billionaires and misappropriating dollars and not providing the oversight. So how in the world a Member of Congress can sit up here, especially on the majority side and talk about reining someone in because they have misappropriated dollars and they don't know where they are. This rubber-stamp Republican majority has given the White House everything they want. And what do we have to show for it? Let's look at the Middle East. Let's look at something as far as the eye can see that folks start talking about an exit strategy. How in the world can you even come up with a strategy when you have done it alone and have given the White House everything they wanted? The Congress, well-documented, misled. You got the White House saying, well, you know, we were misled, too. The President has said, well, as it relates to trying to take the training wheels off the Iraqi government, saying that they have to provide their own security, that's for a future President to deal with. He has already punted and said, That's for a future President to deal with. Congress, of course, rubber-stamp Republican Congress, yes, sir, Benny Hill salute, yes, sir. Whatever you want. So shall it be written, so shall it be done, Mr. President. That is not the case in a democracy. Bill Clinton did not celebrate that relationship. Even Bush I did not celebrate that relationship. It goes to show you when democracy breaks down and governance breaks down and you have this rubber-stamp, rally-rally-rally Congress, that we're going to support you no matter how bad your policies are, we're going to rubber-stamp everything that you do, how in the world can they rein someone in and have oversight and say, oh, so you don't know where $24 million that we've given you of the taxpayers' dollars are and how they were spent? Or wasted? You can't answer that? You're fired. The bottom line is we are going to subpoena you and the rest of the folks that work in that agency until we find out where the $24 million has gone. The real issue is this. The American people, Democrat, Republican, Independent, someone that is not voting now and is now taking interest in what is happening up here in Washington, D.C. has to have a problem of what's going on. I am just going to say that the facts are what they are. Some nights I come to the floor, I say, it's not even fair. It's just too much stuff. It's too much to talk about. It's too much to even shed light on. We come to the floor and we share the same information many times because it is so historical. It is historical in a way to where that never, never before in the history of this country has it ever been this way. I know it took me 10 minutes to answer your question that you put out there, but I had to put it out there.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. There are agencies, Mr. Speaker, in the millions, oh, we do not know what happened to $24 million. They just write it off like it is nothing. I mean, you do not even have to go as far as Iraq. Right here in Washington, D.C., because the rubber-stamp Congress will not call these individuals in. People are in committee talking about, I do not know where it went; it came to us.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. But you look at that, and then when you look at veterans, and this second chart is so that we can take it. We can leave that chart on the floor. Because when we start talking about a Republican majority making history in all the wrong ways, this chart needs to go with us throughout this Capitol. Do you know what we need to do? We need to put this chart and that chart, just like this one, outside of our office. That is what we are going to do. All next week, this chart and your chart that looks just like it, we will get an easel and put it outside of our office.