Connie Mack

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our greatest national treasure--our veterans. Throughout our Nation's history, brave men and women have been committed to protecting our freedom, security and prosperity. It is only right for us to do all we can to help those who have fought to keep us free. That is why I rise in support of two thoughtful and prudent pieces of legislation: H.R. 303--The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005 and H.R. 808--The Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, sponsored by Mr. Michael Bilirakis and Mr. Henry Brown, respectively. Mr. Speaker, these two critical pieces of legislation are smart, balanced and respectful of the time served by our Nation's veterans and the sacrifices made by their families. The Retired Pay Restoration Act would address a policy that has long been unfavorable to the men and women who have returned home from battle. This legislation will let our disabled veterans receive not only the disability compensation they deserve, but the retired benefits they have toiled long and hard to receive. It is incumbent upon us to mark the time given by these brave individuals with appropriate legislation, such as this, that honors their courage and dignity. I am also proud to support and cosponsor the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. This common sense bill ensures surviving husbands and wives of our veterans will still be able to count on the consistent income earned by their spouses in service to our country. Mr. Speaker, with the passing of the War Supplemental last week, this body came together to raise death benefits for our soldiers and sailors who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I was proud to enthusiastically support that measure. It is with that same spirit that I ardently urge my colleagues to again put politics aside, come together, and pass these patriotic and dutiful pieces of legislation to support our proud veterans.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for this resolution--sponsored by my distinguished friend and neighbor, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida--which recognizes the upcoming Assembly To Promote Civil Society in Cuba. I am proud to associate myself with causes that seek to increase freedom, security, and prosperity for people throughout the world. On May 20th, we will mark Cuban Independence Day. This is the day Cuba proclaimed to the world its sovereignty and independence. Sadly, freedom for the Cuban people was short-lived. The world stood by as Cuba lost its liberty and slipped into the abyss of authoritarian rule and the clutches of Fidel Castro's thuggish regime. Madam Speaker, today Cuba is a lonely island nation separated by 90 miles from the greatest beacon of freedom the world has ever known--the United States. Many in Cuba thirst for the waters of liberty, only to see those yearnings suppressed by a brutal dictator. America has always stood for freedom, and always will. Under the leadership of President George W. Bush, we have endeavored to spread liberty to the Middle East and throughout the world. It is past time to shine the light of freedom on the despotic regimes in our own backyard. Madam Speaker, I strongly support the right of the Cuban people to live in a free and democratic society. I am confident that the Assembly To Promote Civil Society in Cuba will help spark the flame of liberty on the island and the rest of the Americas. I urge my colleagues to stand for liberty and to champion the spirit of freedom for the people of Cuba.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for two pieces of legislation that will reform, protect and improve Social Security for generations to come. H.R. 1776, introduced by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), and H.R. 530, introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), ensure Social Security's permanent solvency without raising taxes. For those individuals 55 and older, both bills guarantee there will be no changes to their Social Security. For workers under 55, both plans provide an option for them to remain in the current Social Security system or to have a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes fund their own individual personal savings accounts. At the same time, both plans will yield substantial new savings, new investment and new economic growth, ensuring our children and grandchildren have the freedom, security and prosperity they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to take an active role in tackling Social Security's problems by supporting one or both of these bills, and I look forward to the House's active consideration of these proposals.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the Conference Report for the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2006. When I was elected to Congress last year I pledged to the people of Southwest Florida that I would work to help reduce the size and cost of the Federal Government while preserving the services that people need. For years Congress allowed spending to grow uncontrollably--25 percent since 2001--creating a deficit of almost $500 billion. That's wrong. If our children and grandchildren are to inherit a free, secure, and prosperous Nation, we must restore fiscal discipline and responsibility. As a member of the Budget Committee, I am proud to have had a seat at the table as we took a first step forward in this critical effort. This budget begins to exercise fiscal restraint by slowing the growth of both mandatory and discretionary spending while allowing room to fund our national priorities. It is the first budget since 1997 to include reconciliation instructions so that we can slow the rate of growth in rapidly expanding mandatory programs. It roughly freezes non-defense, non- homeland security discretionary spending. At the same time, it provides ample resources for our defense abroad and security at home. I congratulate the Chairman and the Conference Committee for ensuring these elements remain in the budget, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve a balanced budget that funds our national priorities without raising taxes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This important legislation is critical to protecting and preserving our Nation's freedom, security, and prosperity. Over the past decade, the United States' energy consumption has increased by more than twelve percent; however, our domestic production has increased by less than one-half of one percent. That means that our Nation is more and more reliant on foreign sources of energy. When our Nation depends on just a few countries for the majority of our energy, this adversely impacts American security. This is unacceptable. Mr. Chairman, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 sets forth a comprehensive national energy policy. It reduces foreign energy dependence by requiring conservation and domestic exploration. By using less energy and opening up new areas for environmentally-responsible exploration, we will become less dependent on foreign sources of energy. Finally, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 will provide an environment of certainty and stability that will foster prosperity in America. Rising energy prices is like a tax that Americans must pay everyday in the form of higher gas prices, higher costs to heat and cool our homes, and higher prices to move products across the country. Having a comprehensive energy policy will allow businesses to flourish as we will have reliable and dependable sources of energy. Mr. Chairman, as a supporter of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, I encourage my colleagues to vote for this responsible measure.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. I came to Congress to promote the ideals of freedom, security and prosperity. Embodied within these principles is the duty of the American people to take responsibility for their actions--including control of one's personal finances and investments--without undue influence from the federal government. Under current law, bankruptcy protection has increasingly become a first stop rather than a last resort. Our credit markets have been undermined on a daily basis because of the abuse of the existing laws. All too often, people run to the shelter of bankruptcy to escape the consequences of their actions, all to the detriment of the rest of society. That is fundamentally wrong. Mr. Speaker, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act reforms existing bankruptcy law to stem the rise in bankruptcy abuse while maintaining its protections for those who really need them. The act places compassionate, coherent, and common-sense reforms on the current system. It ensures that frivolous costs are no longer unfairly passed on to American families. Mr. Speaker, as a supporter of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, I encourage my colleagues to vote for this well-balanced measure that will protect those individuals who need a fresh start while cracking down on abuse of the system.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support of the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005. As a cosponsor of this important legislation, I think it is absurd for the federal government to continue punishing the families through double-taxation. Rather than taxing people when they die, we should be encouraging families to save for the future through hard-work and sound financial planning. The Death Tax is one of the most burdensome and counterproductive of all taxes. Small businesses create two-thirds of all jobs in the United States, and 40 percent of GDP in the United States is generated by small businesses. When the owner of a small family business passes away, this tax causes families and small business owners severe financial hardship, often to the point that the business must be liquidated. It is offensive that the government taxes someone all their life then taxes them one last time when they die. Families should never have to visit the IRS and the funeral home on the same day. A permanent repeal is good for small businesses, family farmers, and the next generation of entrepreneurs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the repeal of the Death Tax.

Mr. MACK

Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to China's proposed anti-secession law--a highly provocative measure which will further increase tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Earlier this week, Premier Wen Jiabao spoke to the about 3000 delegates from all across China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In Premier Wen's speech, he said the law reflects the ``strong determination of the Chinese people to . . . never allow secessionist forces working for Taiwan independence to separate from China.'' The proposed law ignores reality and assumes that China and Taiwan are now unified. The law authorizes an attack if Taiwan moves toward formal independence. Simply put, it would give China the legal authority that China has been seeking to push for reunification of Taiwan by force, if necessary. The majority of the 23 million people of Taiwan view this proposed law as hostile and unnecessary. China already has hundreds of missiles pointed at Taiwan. Passage of this law will only further already tense relations across the Strait. The people of Taiwan live in a vibrant democracy and enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Taiwan is a beacon of freedom and an engine of prosperity in eastern Asia. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the right of the Taiwanese people to live in a free and democratic society. This proposed law threatens Taiwan's freedom, its security, and its prosperity. During President George W. Bush's address earlier this year, he said ``when you stand for liberty, we will stand with you.'' I urge my colleagues to stand for freedom and liberty and to stand with the people of Taiwan in its opposition to the Chinese anti-secession law.