Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of an American hero, Lance Corporal Erik Galvan, USMC of the 1/5 Bravo Company. While out on patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan on June 15, 2011, Lance Corporal Galvan was struck by an IED explosion and lost his right hand and both his legs. Thanks to quick response and attentiveness of his fellow soldier, Sergeant Joshua Yarbrough, his life was saved. Sergeant Yarbrough immediately placed tourniquets on all of the lost limbs and then proceeded to assist another injured Marine who also lost both legs after stepping on an IED. Lance Corporal Galvan's family has a history of public service. His older brother, Lance Corporal Edward Galvan, is also with the United States Marine Corps. With the love and support of his family and friends, Lance Corporal Galvan exhibits great strength and perseverance and now hopes to become a Crime Scene Investigator upon his full recovery. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in recognizing Lance Corporal Galvan. No words can fully express our gratitude for the sacrifice of our brave and dedicated service men and women. May our thoughts and prayers be with Lance Corporal Galvan as he recovers from his injuries. Such Light (By Albert Caswell) Such . . . Such Light . . . All in that fight . . . But, comes such heroes . . . who but bring their light! Shining all there in the darkness of war, so bright! Oh . . . Oh . . . Such Light! As you Erik, have but brought to this our world . . . this night All in your most sacred sacrifice, all in this light! Which burns so bright, burns so bright! All in your most magnificent Shades of Green . . . As there as seen, all in honor's light! To win that battle, to win that fight! As when such hearts of valor do so ignite! As you so walked into the darkness of war's dark light! All for God and Country and what is right . . . is right! Such Light! And then as you lay dying! Somehow your heart of brilliance, so kept on trying! To win that fight! To live on into this world, but to bright your light . . . Because you are a United States Marine, who can win any fight! All for yourself and family, and lost Brothers In Arms, like Nic O'Brien who died in that fight! All in their most gallant . . . most gallant light! And though you have lost your two strong legs . . . And hand, you won't moan or beg! Because all inside of you our Lord so gave! So gave such light! To So Teach Us . . . To So Beseech Us . . . To So Reach Us . . . All in Such Light! And if ever I have a son . . . I pray his life has shown . . . Has shown . . . Such Light!

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize United States Marine Corporal Brian Aft. On April 18, 2011, Corporal Aft was heavily injured by an IED explosion while patrolling on duty in Afghanistan. Corporal Aft sustained life threatening injuries, losing his lower extremities. Like many of our brave and dedicated men and women in the United States armed forces, Corporal Aft demonstrates great courage in the midst of his rehabilitation and as he moves forward toward the next phase of his life. Indeed, the families and loved ones of injured soldiers like Corporal Aft play a vital role in their journey to recovery. Their unwavering love and support provide these injured warriors great strength. These family members place their own lives on hold while focusing primarily on the injured warrior. Stories such as Corporal Aft's and his family remind us why we are proud to be Americans. May God bless them all in the midst of this difficult time. I ask that the following poem ``Forever . . . Aft . . . Er'' inspired from Corporal Aft's story be placed in the Congressional Record. Forever . . . Aft . . . er (By Albert Caswell)

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a concurrent resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. House Resolution 382 waives the requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported by the Rules Committee. This would allow for the same-day consideration of any resolution reported through the legislative day of August 2, 2011. This rule will ensure that Congress has the necessary tools to pass a bill that ensures we cut spending without defaulting on our national debt. Madam Speaker, today you will hear my friends the Democrats argue about a closed process, but you will not hear them discuss the unprecedented spending spree that my friends the Democrats on the other side of the aisle went through for the last two Congresses. We will discuss how Republicans continue to come up with thoughtful solutions-- and I add, balanced, thoughtful solutions--to our Nation's economic troubles, what we think will, and what has up to now, only failed in the Senate. We will talk about the magnitude of this vote and the importance of reaching an agreement before Tuesday. Madam Speaker, it is time to stop pontificating and start acting like Members of Congress. The Nation calls for a solution, and Republicans are the only ones to offer solutions in legislation, in debate on the floor, and with actual votes. My friends on the other side of the aisle will go on and on today about how Republicans are closing the process and shutting out Members of Congress, when we're really here providing for the flexibility for the Speaker of the House to simply work with the Senate to ensure a solution to the looming debt crisis deadline is met so that we will not default on our obligations. If my Democrat colleagues were serious about finding solutions to this problem, they would vote in favor of this rule today. The facts of the case are clear: The chairman of the Rules Committee, the gentleman from California, David Dreier, has issued more open rules in the last month than Congress has seen over the last two Congresses-- or for a total of 4 years combined. Additionally, in the 111th Congress, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and the chairman of the Rules Committee at the time, Louise Slaughter, 26 same-day rules were reported out of the Rules Committee. And in the previous Congress, the 110th Congress, under the same leadership, 17 same-day rules were reported out by the Rules Committee. In comparison, the process regarding these rules in this Congress is a far cry from the previous Democrat leadership's unorthodox and unprecedented closed processes. I rise today in support of this rule. This rule is essential to allow the House of Representatives the flexibility it needs to ensure the safety and soundness of our country's economic future. Over the past 4 years we've seen record debt and deficits, which have brought us to the crossroad that we face with the looming August 2 deadline for raising the debt ceiling. Americans continue to speak out loudly and clear. And just as they did last November, they are saying it is time to stop the out-of-control spending, wasteful Washington spending, and excessive government. Republicans have cut spending at every opportunity in this Congress, and we are hoping to do that again today. Discretionary and mandatory spending at Federal levels are on unsustainable paths. In the last 2 years of Democrat control, Congress has approved and the President has signed into law an 84 percent increase in non-defense discretionary spending, and the President's budget proposes to freeze discretionary spending at these inflated levels. America can no longer support or afford this kind of leadership. The President's proposed FY 2012 budget also doubles, then triples the Federal deficit over the next 10 years. And while increasing taxes on the Nation's job creators by $1.6 trillion sounds like a good deal to the President, in fact, free enterprise system employers and American workers know otherwise. Additionally, the President's budget makes no substantial effort to address the unsustainable rate of entitlement spending, one of the major aims of the President's own fiscal commission, which he has ignored. Obviously, the President has no intention of cutting spending or reining in Big Government programs. Big Government, more taxes, more regulations are directly in the President's strike zone. And that is the process he intends to challenge Congress to come right along with him on and keep marching toward the cliff. Madam Speaker, we're at the end of the road. Once again today, Republicans are saying, We are going to have to make tough choices. That's why we came to Congress. And the majority party will continue to do that today. Over the past 7 months, Republican leadership has been steadfast in their support for cutting spending and getting control of our record deficit and debt. The House passed H.R. 1, a continuing resolution that brought back spending levels to 2008 levels, cutting $100 billion in 1 year. In April, this House passed a budget that would cut $6.2 trillion in government spending over the next decade compared to the President's budget. Just last week, this body passed Cut, Cap, and Balance, which would limit discretionary spending, cap spending to a lower percentage of GDP, and lead to a Balanced Budget Act, so Congress could no longer write checks that they can't cash without passing the debt on by asking foreign governments and others to make up the difference for us. Republicans are willing to pay the balance if the President is willing to cut up the credit card. And that is why we are here also today. Republicans have again and again in the House offered commonsense solutions to rein in spending and cut down our debt. My friends on the other side of the aisle continue to reject every single proposal. So, one might ask, What is their solution? What have they have offered this Nation to spur economic growth and to put Americans back to work, we would ask. So, let me tell you. By raising taxes. By raising taxes on individuals, on small businesses, and corporations alike. This is no wonder why we see stagnant job growth, GDP that lags behind, and high employment rates--and that means we cannot meet the needs of this country. Even when the increase in taxes hurts our economic recovery, slows job growth and places more uncertainty in the marketplace, our friends the Democrats continue to argue for more spending and more taxation. President Obama has asked Congress for an increase in the debt ceiling, and my Republican colleagues and I refuse to grant that request without a commitment to long-term spending cuts. We reject President Obama's insistence for a blank check to pay the credit card bills that he has run up over the past 2\1/2\ years. President Obama's unwillingness to address the true drivers of our debt assured me and my party that we cannot achieve a true solution to the debt crisis we are facing today unless we're able to make tough decisions. The Budget Control Act we discussed yesterday and what we will discuss today is a step in the right direction. It accomplishes what Republicans and the American people have been asking for since the beginning of this process. It will reduce spending more than we increase the debt limit, it imposes no new taxes on anyone, and it guarantees to Americans that the House and the Senate will vote in the next 6 months on the only permanent solution to our debt crisis. Yes, Madam Speaker, the Republicans are here on the floor again working on behalf not only of employers and employees but the middle class of this country, those of us who are concerned about where we are headed. There is nothing in this resolution that should cause anyone to worry about losing Social Security or Medicare. That is not even intended in this process. What is is to solve the spending and the debt crisis that we have in this country. I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this rule. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 382 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis), my friend, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. SESSIONS. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Rosalyn, congratulations. I am going to miss you. It is a good day for you; it's a bad day for us. It is with regular occurrence that I look over at you. You have a bright, smiling face. You have the enthusiasm not only of a bright, young professional staffer on the Rules Committee, but I think you will be a true asset to Senator Stabenow, as you take the experiences from a body that does a lot of work to a body that needs to do more work, and I wish you the very best. If I could, I would also like to tell the gentleman that Jenny Gorski, who is behind me, a professional staff member of the Rules Committee, will also be leaving, I have found out, after this process. She will be going to Congressman Doc Hastings' office to be his adult supervision. So we're taking two Rules Committee professional staff members who will aid and help other Members in their betterment. I again thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to a brand new member of the Rules Committee, one of our 87 new Republican freshmen, the gentleman from Lawrenceville, Georgia, Congressman Woodall.

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield the gentleman 2 additional minutes.

Mr. SESSIONS. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I am delighted that the gentlewoman comes down and talks about this game that's going on about jobs. I am going to read from an article that I will insert into the Record regarding information on tax hikes and what that does to American jobs: ``This past January, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a 67 percent increase in the State personal income tax rate and a 45 percent increase in the State corporate tax rate. Between its passage then and June, Illinois lost 56,223 jobs. ``To combat the job loss caused by the higher taxes on businesses, the Illinois Department of Commerce `has already shelled out some $230 million in corporate subsidies to keep more than two dozen companies from fleeing the State.' '' Well, this is exactly what President Obama is suggesting for America, the same thing that they do in his home State in Illinois, raise taxes substantially on all of those rich people and corporations. Madam Speaker, a 56,000 job loss. They're now having to spend an incredible amount of money to convince people, really to pay them off, just to stay. This is the game that the Democratic Party plays. This is exactly what the gentlewoman was talking about about the serious elements of jobs and the consequences of killing jobs in this country. Madam Speaker, I will tell you the Republican Party will not fall victim to raising taxes like the Democratic Party and like President Obama want us to do. We will not raise the debt limit without making tough choices. And, Madam Speaker, we're going to add jobs and do the things that are right that the American people expect us to do. And that's why we're here today. The Real-World Impact of Tax Hikes on American Jobs (By Rep. Pete Sessions & Rep. John Shimkus) [From the Daily Caller, July 28, 2011] Over the last few weeks, President Barack Obama has adamantly supported raising taxes on corporations and small businesses that employ millions of American workers as a precondition for cutting our bloated federal spending. To see the real-world effect of this proposal on jobs and the economy, President Obama's home state provides a useful and cautionary example. This past January, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a 67 percent increase in the state personal income tax rate and a 45 percent increase in the state corporate tax rate. Between its passage and June, Illinois lost 56,223 jobs, according to statistics released last week. To combat the job loss caused by the higher taxes on businesses, the Illinois Department of Commerce ``has already shelled out some $230 million in corporate subsidies to keep more than two dozen companies from fleeing the state.'' So not only is Illinois bleeding productive jobs, but it's now allowing the government to pick winners and losers. Extracting an ever-increasing toll from job creators is simply the wrong answer for American jobs. Just ask the 56,000 Illinoisans who have lost their jobs since January. Spreading this failure nationwide is simply not an option. We are in a debt crisis not because we tax too little, but because Democrat-led Washington spends beyond its means. House Republicans have been focused on encouraging and providing certainty (not new burdens) to our nation's job creators--and trying to get our debt and deficit-spending under control. The rest of America simply cannot afford more of the failed policies of the president's home state, and House Republicans will fight against tax hikes so that we may ensure a brighter future for generations to come. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Savannah, Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to another one of our 87 new freshmen, Mr. Womack, the former mayor of Rogers, Arkansas, one of the most beautiful cities in America.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I would like to inquire about the time remaining on both sides, please.

Mr. SESSIONS. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, day after day the American people receive more bad news, economic bad news, about the shape our country is in. That is what Republicans respond to. Today, news came out that the first quarter GDP that was provided by the Federal Government, first quarter, was actually wrong, dead wrong. They said the GDP growth was 1.9 percent. Today we find out it was .4. Madam Speaker, the disastrous results of the Obama-Pelosi years are evident. Republicans want jobs. We need a middle class, and we are willing to fight for it. That's why we are here today with commonsense legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, the reason why we're here today is because we're spending too much money. Another reason why we're here today is because the Democratic Party and the Members--many of them who have spoken today--took $500 billion out of Medicare, and that's why that system is in real trouble. Republicans will save Medicare, not bankrupt it like our friends the Democrats have done. I reserve the balance of my time.