Jerry Weller

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the balanced budget amendment that this body will soon consider. The American taxpayers demand it. It is our duty to pass the balanced budget amendment and answer their outcry. Mr. Speaker, if we pause and listen carefully, we can hear the giant sucking sound of the special interests draining the American people's money from Capitol Hill. I say it is time to plug that drain by passing the balanced budget amendment. No longer should Americans be asked to stand by and watch their tax dollars be wasted away. No longer should hard-working citizens be forced to hand over their paychecks, only to see them thrown into the abyss of big bureaucracy. I am proud to support this greatly needed balanced budget amendment and urge my colleagues to join me.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment and reflect on the great loss Illinois has felt with the passing of our friend, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Madigan, a longtime Member of this House. Growing up on a farm in Dwight, IL, and being an active member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America, I have very fond memories of my onetime Congressman, Secretary Madigan and the great impact he had as a respected leader in Illinois and among the farming community. His gentle ways, strong midwestern values and great sense of humor are how I remember him best. He was a staunch supporter of his party and a tireless campaigner on behalf of those he felt could make a difference in Washington. It was an honor this past summer when Secretary Madigan came to the 11th District of Illinois on my behalf and spoke to a group of supporters about the need to send new leaders to the U.S. Congress. He said we needed to elect Representatives who would bring with them the hard work ethic and sense of family that is so entrenched in the Midwest. Whether Secretary Madigan was talking about international trade concerns on behalf of the United States of America or discussing bean prices with local farmers in Peotone, IL--he was always gracious and respectful. He was always mindful of where he came from. The great State of Illinois has truly suffered a loss.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, last week, Republicans began the passage of the contract with America. We are changing the way Congress does business, and we are changing the business Congress does. No longer will we pander to the big government, big bureaucracy legislation as Congress has in the past. We want to make the Government smaller, less costly, and more effective for the American taxpayer. To begin on this journey we must pass a balanced budget amendment. In the next week, we will have on the floor legislation to make the Government live under a balanced budget. This concept makes sense to the American people--they live under a budget. It is time to make the Government do the same. We will keep our promise to the American people to bring a balanced budget amendment to the floor. It is up to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure it is passed.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the Democrats' call for specific cuts in the Federal budget. They well know that Republicans have pledged to consider all proposals except for Social Security. Their insistence is an effort to divert attention from the real issue. Congress can only tackle the issue of how to balance the budget after we decide to balance the budget. The Democrats' desire to place the proverbial cart before the horse led the American people to give their House to the new Republican majority. We must not let empty partisan rhetoric sway us from the task we have been sent here to do; namely, to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington. We owe the American people that much. It is time to stand and deliver by passing the balanced budget amendment.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the balanced budget amendment that will be voted on later this month. It is time for Congress to live with the same fiscal responsibility as hardworking Americans. By enacting this important constitutional amendment, we would stop the irresponsible practice of increasing spending today while leaving the bill for future generations. Once the amendment took effect, Congress will finally have the discipline to make long-overdue reforms in Federal programs and finally set fiscal priorities. Further, a balanced budget amendment would strengthen the economy by making it harder to increase Federal spending. The amendment prohibits Government borrowing as a means of financing Government spending. By leaving more resources in the private sector, the amendment will create new jobs and raise the standard of living for Americans. The American outcry for a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility in Washington must not be delayed.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule for the Congressional Accountability Act. For years, Members of Congress have exempted themselves above many of the laws that we impose on the private sector. It is time we held ourselves accountable to the same standards that we expect of our constituents. The House passed this bill last August by a vote of 427 to 4. At that time, the provisions of this bill were deliberated to the fullest extent possible. The rule today allows the House to expedite the process to bring Congress in line with the laws of the land under which every American citizen must live. When this measure is adopted, Congress will be subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 will apply to Congress. We are here to make positive changes in the way Congress operates. Congress has delayed far too long on this initiative requiring us to live by the same rules as everyone else. Congressional Accountability is a step in the right direction, and it is time to bring it to a vote.