Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, the general aviation industry is a vital part of the economy in Texas' 25th District. Between the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom Airport, there are dozens of smaller regional airports. Passing H.R. 1848 is not only important to those in general aviation, it is vital. As my colleagues have mentioned, this industry includes nearly 600,000 pilots, employs 1.3 million people, and contributes approximately $150 billion annually to the U.S. economy. But because the current regulations are overly strict and dated, our economy and workforce is struggling. General aviation fosters a robust workforce of engineers, manufacturers, maintenance professionals, and pilots, and it is within the FAA's power to ensure the success and sustainability of this important industry. They can do this by modernizing the regulatory requirements to improve safety, decrease cost, and set new standards for compliance in testing, just as H.R. 1848 requires. Mr. Speaker, I'm a small businessman. I can tell you this is good for jobs, it's good for the economy, and, most importantly, it's good for America.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Nervous, concerned, complex, train wreck, Third World experience. These are the words used by the Democratic authors of ObamaCare to describe their very own creation. Mr. Speaker, these aren't new concerns. These are concerns shared by families and businesses across the Nation ever since then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi rushed the bill through Congress so we could ``see what's in it.'' Now that the Democrats and the President can see what's in it, they don't like it either. As a business owner and job creator of over 42 years, I know businesses can no longer hire or take risks that would grow the economy. The President's 1-year delay of the employer mandate isn't what businesses or the economy needs. This only delays the meltdown that this complex government overhaul will cause. Business owners, parents, young professionals, senior citizens--all Americans deserve protection from this law and its mandates, its skyrocketing premiums, and its rapidly shrinking selection of coverage plans, not for 1 year, but permanently. Let's fully repeal the nightmare of ObamaCare. It doesn't work, and it won't work.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, at a time when millions of Americans are out of work and the cost of living continues to rise, the President could not be more out of touch with reality. For example, President Obama has continued pushing for car manufacturers to produce vehicles that get 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 through the EPA's Corporate Average Fuel Economy program. What he doesn't understand is that CAFE standards are expensive for manufacturers, increase the cost for consumers, and have caused a significant decrease in vehicle safety by forcing manufacturers to downsize and to use lighter materials in production. Fuel efficiency has been and always will be important to consumers. Consumer demand is incentive enough for producers to make fuel- efficient vehicles. Some families might trade off miles per gallon for greater safety or more leg room. The bottom line is that the people should make these decisions, not the Federal Government. The President needs to understand that Americans can make informed purchases without restricting our freedom to choose. That's why I've introduced H.R. 2445, a bill to repeal the CAFE standards. I hope my colleagues will join me in standing up for the free market by repealing these destructive government regulations. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, the military has taken $500 billion in budget cuts this year; Congress has slashed its budget by 11 percent in the last 3 years; and this year, at the President's command, several government agencies have cut vital programs and employees due to mandatory spending cuts. Everyone across the country is being asked to do more with less-- families, businesses, the military, and government agencies--but the President is sending Americans another message: you pay while he plays. That's right. The Obama family is taking an extravagant summer vacation to Africa, costing taxpayers an estimated $100 million. That is obscene, and Americans should be outraged. This money could keep the public White House tours funded--which the President canceled due to budget constraints--for 26 years. It could pay for an additional 22,000 college degrees for soldiers enrolled in the Army's Tuition Assistance program. It could reverse the potential $90 million in cuts for Border Patrol agents and border security. In fact, it could fund the entire Houston Astros' payroll times four. Mr. Speaker, instead of asking everyone but himself to make enormous sacrifices, it's time for the President to make his and put the people first.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act. While our brave Armed Forces continue to fight for our national security, it is vitally important that Congress ensures their economic security. Even during times of tight budgets and spending cuts, it is our responsibility to give adequate support all the way from the joint chiefs to the newest recruits. This also includes stricter penalties for personal misconduct and greater protection for victims of assault. Texas' 25th District is home to Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the world. These soldiers, and all who wear the uniform, need to know their Congress is behind them, giving them the best armored trucks you can drive, the best planes you can fly, the best weapons you can fire, and the best ammunition you can use. We need to have an unbeatable military readiness and the highest quality of life possible for the greatest military in the history of the world. Even with restrained resources, this bill will support and protect our troops and their families and provide the American people with the peace they deserve. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, nearly 4.5 million Americans have been without a job for 27 weeks or longer. This number is equal to the entire population of the greater Houston area. This should not happen in America. A job is fundamental. It gives individuals the chance to contribute both to their family and to the economy. America has always been a land of opportunity, growth, and prosperity. Sadly, Washington's policies over the last 4 years are preventing job creators from growing their businesses and creating job opportunities for these 4.5 million Americans out of work. The endless regulations, tax increases, and the burdens of complying with ObamaCare have made the Federal Government too big and out of control. Instead of continuing with its flawed policies that are crippling America's future, I hope the President and his administration will work with the House Republicans as we continue with our plan for economic growth and jobs, that cuts spending, balances the budget, lowers health care costs, eliminates red tape, takes important steps towards energy independence, and encourages responsible oversight of out-of-control government agencies like the IRS. Mr. Speaker, America is about the American Dream, not the American scheme.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work and admirable service of a very special military support non- profit in Texas--Support our Soldiers (SOS). Led by Teresa Nelson, whose father served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division, SOS was founded to care for our troops at home and abroad with support they might otherwise not receive. SOS volunteers often create custom boxes to meet the unique needs of troops. Just this week, a Marine unit serving overseas received a shipment of pillows after SOS learned they had none. Since its establishment in June 2011, over 17,000 pounds of food and supplies have been sent overseas to benefit more than 500 soldiers. Texans are always looking for ways to give back to the men and women of the United States armed forces, and SOS provides a wide range of opportunities for its surrounding communities to serve those who wear the uniform. Teresa and her team host monthly meetings with sell-out crowds and organize community events across 6 cities in Tarrant and Johnson County to raise awareness, funds, and support for our troops. Beyond collecting and distributing material goods, SOS also works with ROTC programs and students to teach them the importance of patriotism. It's people like Teresa Nelson and organizations like Support our Soldiers who embody the American spirit of gratitude and generosity. Our nation is free today because of the selfless sacrifices of thousands of brave men and women who have answered the call of duty. We owe these troops and their families abundant support, whether it's food, shelter, clothing, or comfort. I commend SOS for their commitment to providing this much-needed support, and I am proud to know the wonderful leaders and volunteers of this great organization. God bless our troops and God bless America.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, it's a rare occasion when Democrats, Republicans, the President, his supporters, and the public all agree on something. What doesn't make sense is that, while we all agree it's time to build the Keystone pipeline, President Obama has blocked its construction for over 4 years. The Keystone pipeline would create over 42,000 jobs. It will invest $7 billion into the U.S. economy, and it will increase U.S. energy security and independence by safely transporting 830,000 barrels of oil per day, which is nearly half of what the U.S. currently imports from unstable, hostile nations. At a time when gas prices are on the rise and unemployment remains around 8 percent, we cannot afford to delay this project any longer. The President's own Web site says we need an all-out, all-of-the-above energy strategy that develops every available source of American energy. I would say, Mr. President, you have a lot to worry about currently, so forget about this one, and let the oil flow. The Keystone project is ready. Congress is ready. The public is ready. Madam Speaker, is the President ready?

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, it has been 2 bad weeks for the White House: Benghazi coverups by the State Department officials, massive intrusion into phone records by the Justice Department, and the forced resignation of acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller and other top official, Joseph Grant, after one of the most unbelievable abuses of government power in recent years. After the IRS admitted to targeting conservative groups with whose messages it disagrees, the American people were shocked by this politically motivated discrimination. No matter what party controls the White House, taxpayers deserve to be treated fairly. President Obama promised an open and transparent government, yet these government lies show a complete disregard for the Constitution. In fact, the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause requires that the government treat all entities in a similar, fair, and equal manner. Let me be clear: no administration should ever use the IRS to target its political opponent--no way, no how. I will demand the administration be held accountable for this outrage. This is the United States of America, Mr. Obama, not one of your European buddies.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of freedom and free enterprise, the hallmarks of our great American democracy. A government that places high value on these principles does not force its citizens to hand over their hard-earned money for a mandatory product, in this case health insurance. This is not how it's done in America. Mr. Speaker, Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues rushed this bill through Congress more than 3 years ago. Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing, that this is very flawed and is not even what Americans asked for in the first place. Even President Obama has signed into law seven bills that dismantle provisions of his health care law. Defying common sense, the President and Democrats and Congress continue pushing forward with implementation of this disastrous law. And who wants it? Members of Obama's own party are now doubting how the law will work. Some of the key players who wrote the bill don't even want it. Senator Max Baucus said the health care law is a train wreck, and Senator Jay Rockefeller said that it's overly complicated and beyond comprehension. Architects of this law don't want it, insurance companies don't want it, the majority of the public doesn't want it, organized labor doesn't want it, and as a small business owner of nearly 42 years, I can tell you that small businesses don't want it. No business owner would run their business like the President is running this government and this massive health care overhaul. I can say from firsthand experience that small businesses--the backbone of our economy--are literally hurting. As a job creator, I know how businesses can no longer hire. They can't take risks that would grow the economy. I've heard from people all over my district who have work available and positions ready to fill, but they can't hire anyone or else they risk going over the number of 50 employees and being subject to the ObamaCare employee mandate. Everybody wants to be at 49. How is this good for Americans and America? The struggling economy has already forced families to cut back and tighten their budgets. How does the President expect these hardworking taxpayers to pay an additional $3,000 each year for ObamaCare? I've had employees come to me in tears wondering how they're going to provide coverage for their families. And even the few Americans able to keep their current insurance will see their premiums rise by an average of 73 percent. Again, I ask, how is that good for America? Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to quote Patrick Henry. He claimed: The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people. It is an instrument for the people to restrain the government--lest it come to dominate our lives and interest. Let's put an end to the chaos and do what's right for our families, our businesses, and our tax dollars. Repeal ObamaCare today--the quicker the better.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, April 26, 2013, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 128 and 125. Please let the record reflect that I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act, which is consistent with my position on this legislation. Please let the record reflect that I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1765, Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013, which is consistent with my position on this legislation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing on Earth more precious than life. No matter where you stand on the abortion issue, most Americans find the practice and actions of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, an abortion provider, to be brutal, unconscionable, and barbaric. The astounding reality is that Dr. Gosnell's methods of killing babies who survive abortions are commonly used by clinics across the Nation. Similar deadly actions take the lives of 1 million unborn children each year in the United States. This is a violent act that is entirely unjustifiable. I am a firm believer that every human being is created in God's own image, every life is precious, and we have an obligation to protect life at every stage. It's time we get rid of this gruesome procedure once and for all, and I hope and pray that the President will consider it before more innocent lives are taken.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, we owe it to the American people to produce a smart, responsible budget; a budget that balances, that encourages job growth, and supports job creators; a budget that simplifies our overly complicated Tax Code and lowers tax rates for corporations and the middle class. This budget just doesn't add up. In fact, it further complicates the Tax Code and will greatly hamper job creation. It would create five new tax brackets for upper-income individuals and small businesses, and would raise taxes on hardworking middle class Americans. It's not good policy to raise taxes ever, and especially not in a struggling economy. I know what it takes to run a successful business. I have owned and operated my small business for 41 years, and it was said I walked the walk, I talked the talk. This budget won't work in the real world, and it won't work in any world. This budget contains trillions in new taxes, trillions in new spending, and adds trillions more to the deficit. Pretty soon this budget would need its own bailout. The American people deserve better. They beg for the Ryan budget. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this substitute.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, every business, every family, and every person in America eventually has to balance a budget. I am a small business owner; I still own a business. I have owned and operated my business for 41 years, and I balance my budget every month--and in many cases every day. The government should be no different. Now, until we balance our budget, we don't know the true fiscal condition of our country, or our company, or our family. Just like a business that is overleveraged or a family that has overborrowed, deficit spending can obscure the real picture; but eventually the truth comes out. Once the numbers line up, you get an exact view of your fiscal condition. We've gone far too long without knowing our country's financial condition. In the last 4 years, we've had trillion-dollar deficits. In 2011, our Nation's credit rating was downgraded. This year, our publicly held debt is on track to exceed 76 percent of GDP in 2013. Yet we still spend more money that we don't have, pushing the country towards a debt-driven financial crisis. If the Federal Government didn't have the ability to print money, we'd have a negative net worth, and we'd be in a weak financial position. A budget is a blueprint. A budget is a roadmap; it's a plan. Our Nation's budget doesn't need to have balance as its end goal; it needs to be our starting point. It's the only way to guarantee that the public debt will not outgrow the economy, which would certainly crowd out private investment, raise interest rates, and increase inflation. Now, I'm proud to stand in support of the Path to Prosperity. It's a responsible, balanced budget that is right for America. This budget balances, cuts wasteful spending, and fixes our broken Tax Code--all without raising taxes. I applaud Chairman Ryan and my colleagues on the House Budget Committee for their tremendous work in presenting the American people with what they want--a budget that works. With this plan, we will apply the same principles that families and businesses use every day. I predict our country's best financial days will surely be ahead of us, because unlike our Democratic friends, we balance. It means jobs, it means prosperity, and it means opportunity. Small business and the people of America are begging for this budget.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, 3\1/2\ years ago, our Nation was viciously attacked when an Islamic extremist opened fire on our troops at Fort Hood. We lost 14 innocent Americans that day, 12 military servicemembers, one civilian, and an unborn child. Since the attack, the Ford Hood community has seen and felt an outpouring of support from across the State of Texas and the Nation, but not from the Federal Government. Currently, the troops killed and wounded in this horrible attack are denied the treatment, benefits, and honors granted to soldiers who are attacked overseas in a declared combat zone. The Pentagon deems this attack ``workplace violence'' rather than ``combat violence.'' This is shameful, and Americans should be outraged by the administration's refusal to acknowledge this wrong. Our troops were attacked on U.S. soil in a blatant terrorist attack, and we owe it to these patriots and all who wear the uniform to provide for them. They willingly and admirably put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedom. I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 705, the Fort Hood Victims and Families Benefits Protection Act, and start providing the needed assistance for the victims and families of this terrible tragedy. Our troops deserve better. May God bless all who serve.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud supporter of the right to keep and bear arms. I am appalled by the President's attempts to erode our constitutional freedoms and impress his will by executive order. Our Founding Fathers would not have imagined that the right they listed second in the Bill of Rights, the right to bear arms, would be systematically attacked. My opposition to what the President has proposed is based on the fact that his plan is not only unconstitutional, it is not effective. The Federal Government has tried a ban on these weapons before, and it did not work. The National Institute of Justice states that ``there has been no discernible reduction in the lethality and injuriousness of gun violence'' due to the 1994 assault weapons ban. Gun control laws do not make our communities safer. They do not take firearms from criminals but, rather, from law-abiding citizens. Second, the phrase ``assault weapons ban'' is a term of art. These are semiautomatic guns that essentially shoot the same kind of bullets as small-game hunting rifles. Simply put, these are hunting rifles made to look like a military gun. Banning it for cosmetic reasons doesn't make sense and won't save any more lives. Third, banning large capacity magazines will do little to stop criminals. Any gun that uses a magazine can use a magazine of any size. That's true of rifles and handguns. So-called ``assault weapons'' are not any different. In the end, if the President wants to begin a national dialogue about stopping violence, he shouldn't start by taking away our rights as citizens. I am willing to work with the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a real solution to the challenges we face, but that solution will have to look at all the issues involved. But perhaps the most important part of the solution is restoring a culture of life in this country again. May God bless America.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, President Obama's sequester is bad for America. There's no getting around it. Good programs are going to be cut, good people are going to be furloughed; and bad leadership from President Obama is to blame. In the last four years, almost every important budget deadline has been met with impasse and little has been done to enact a responsible budget. Systematic failure to perform the basic responsibilities of governing has led us to the catastrophic sequestration we see today. President Obama came up with this idea for the sequester as a temporary solution for another fiscal crisis in 2011. As we've been saying for months, House Republicans are the only ones who have taken action to balance the budget. Last Congress, the House passed two bills, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act and the Spending Reduction Act. However, in recent remarks at the White House, President Obama attempted to blame House Republicans--who control only one-half of one-third of the government--for the looming cuts. If there's going to be a solution, President Obama is going to have to work with his own political party in the Senate and negotiate with the House. Yet all the President has done so far is call for higher taxes again. He got his higher taxes--$600 billion from higher earners, with no corresponding spending cuts--at the end of 2012. It seems he will not stop until every single American has to hand over more of their hard-earned money to the Federal Government--which, I might add, has a bad track record of spending it. There is no denying that the government spends too much, but these blind cuts are irresponsible and will have a disastrous effect on our military. Yesterday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified at a hearing that our national security will be put at risk if they are forced to make deep reductions in spending for manpower, training, and equipment modernization programs. This is no longer a debate between Congress and the White House to gain the upper hand. This is real, this is serious, and this is the time to take action. In fact, I sent a letter to the President this week urging him to act now to prevent the harmful fallout that the sequester will cause. I pray that he reads it. While Friday does mark the sequester deadline, we have until March 27 to do the right thing on behalf of our men and women in uniform, as well as the hundreds of thousands of employees expected to be drastically impacted by the sequester. If the President continues his unwillingness to stop campaigning and start helping the American people who elected him to lead, then at the very least we need to allow the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate under a budget rather than a continuing resolution. This would give them greater flexibility and put them in the best possible position to absorb these across-the-board cuts. By letting the DOD and VA operate under a budget, these agencies can prevent permanent damage from the arbitrary sequester cuts. Madam Speaker, I represent Texas' 25th Congressional District, which includes a large portion of Fort Hood--one of the largest military installations in the world. The United States Army estimates $291 million in cuts for Fort Hood, including nearly 600 civilian jobs and nearly 30,000 jobs statewide. This is preventable. And quite frankly, it's totally unacceptable. We shouldn't have to move a third bill in the House before the Senate finally acts. It's time for President Obama to drop the politics and campaign speeches and do something. Putting our public safety, national security and economy at risk by letting the sequester pass without preventative action is reckless and destructive. Our troops, our businesses, and our families deserve better. Americans expect our President to lead. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, February 25, 2013. Hon. Barack H. Obama, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear President Obama: I am writing to express my outrage over the proposed cuts to the Department of Defense as part of the sequestration phase of the Budget Control Act of 2011. As commander-in-chief of the U.S. military, your inaction to prevent these cuts from happening to our military and their families is unconscionable. In the 112th Congress, the House of Representatives passed two bills, H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 and H.R. 6684, the Spending Reduction Act of 2012 which would have canceled the sequester of approximately $98 billion in discretionary defense, discretionary non-defense, and mandatory defense FY2013 spending. Neither bill was even considered by the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives shouldn't have to move a third bill before you or the Senate finally acts. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta recently stated, ``If sequester happens, it is going to badly damage the readiness of the United States of America. We have the most powerful military force on the face of the earth right now. It is important in terms of providing stability and peace in the world. If sequester goes into effect, and we have to do the kind of cuts that will go right at readiness, right at maintenance, right at training, we are going to weaken the United States. And make it much more difficult for us to respond to the crises in the world.'' Gen. Martin Dempsey went further in recent testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee and stated that sequestration would put our military on a path where the ``force is so degraded and so unready'' that it would be ``immoral to use the force.'' Mr. President, I represent the 25th Congressional District of Texas which includes a large portion of Fort Hood--one of the largest military installations in the world. The United States Army estimates $291 million in cuts for Fort Hood including nearly 600 civilian jobs, and nearly 30 thousand jobs statewide. This is preventable! Let's cut the nonsense-- drop the politics, drop the campaign speeches, and do something. We shouldn't put our national security, public safety, and the economy at risk by letting the sequester pass without preventative action. Our troops, our businesses, and our families deserve better. Mr. President, Americans expect you to lead. Sincerely, Roger Williams, Member of Congress.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. I rise to salute the mighty Stephenville Yellow Jackets for winning their fifth State championship in football. Texas football has been written about in TV shows, movies, and books, but Hollywood's version isn't nearly as exciting as the real thing. During the 2012 high school football season, Stephenville lost only one game as it prepared to enter the playoffs. In the championship game, quarterback Tyler Jones threw for five touchdowns and 422 yards and rushed for another 126. What makes this team so remarkable is not only that it won, but that it was worthy of winning. These are good kids who do credit to their school and their town. Stephenville, Texas, is the cowboy capital of the world. The 17,000 Texans who live there are patriotic, passionate people who take care of business and take care of their neighbors; and, like their high school team, they are winners at everything they do. I am proud to represent Stephenville, Texas, in the United States Congress, and I am proud to salute the Yellow Jackets on their fifth State title. I look forward to congratulating them next year on another championship.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. I'm honored to stand here today and say a few words about one of my personal heroes and friends, and one of America's greatest patriots, Sam Johnson. This month is cause for celebration as it marks 40 years since nearly 600 American POWs, including Congressman Johnson, stepped foot on American soil after enduring years of captivity during the Vietnam war. Many of us couldn't endure for one day what Sam Johnson endured for 7 years, much less endure it with unbreakable strength, unending faith in God, and constant hope that this incredible man has. His captors knew him as a die hard, one of the few POWs who refused to give in and cooperate with their anti-American propaganda. His fellow American prisoners knew him as a leader, one whose spirit could not be broken, whether he was in leg stocks or solitary confinement, for 4 years. And his family knew him as their hero, a man who loved serving his country and was willing to sacrifice his life in defense of freedom. I'm honored to know him as a friend. Throughout his 29-year career in the Air Force, he earned many distinguished decorations, awards, and merits. But for those who have had the pleasure of sitting at the dinner table with Sam, you know those years were also filled with laughter and antics. After all, he did fly with the legendary Thunderbirds before the FAA existed. Men like Sam Johnson are what have made our military great--and our country--the greatest force on Earth. He has built a remarkable legacy with his lifelong service to America, to the great State of Texas and, most importantly, to his family and loved ones. Colonel Johnson, thank you for your service to our country and for your example to us all. And I'd like to remind people, America doesn't give because it's rich; America is rich because it gives. And it's given us Sam Johnson, and for that we're very grateful. Luke 6:38 says: A good measure be given to you, pressed down, shaken together, put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Sam, you gave it all to us, and you deserve every great thing that happens to you. So may God bless you, and may God bless our troops.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I stand here in support of H.R. 273, a commonsense bill to overturn President Obama's recent executive order that authorizes a .5 percent pay raise for Federal workers. With the looming threat of sequestration just weeks away, Federal agencies should be focused on how to do more with less, like every other business does in America and every other family does in America. But the President's order would cost taxpayers more than $10 billion over 10 years. Here are the facts: in the last decade, the average Federal civilian salary has increased by 62 percent. When you factor in benefits and total compensation packages for Federal employees, it tops $126,000, compared to less than $63,000 in the private sector. I haven't heard the other side say anything about that. I'm a business owner. I have been in business for 41 years. I still own a business, and I hope to stay in business. When I pay pay raises to my employees, it's because of their loyalty and hard work, not simply because they're on payroll. My constituents in the 25th District of Texas are fed up with a government that spends, borrows, and grows too much. Let's protect hard-earned taxpayer dollars and pass this commonsense solution, H.R. 273.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 444, the Require a PLAN Act. I am a small business owner, and I have submitted a budget to my bank for 41 straight years. It is astounding that the President has shirked his responsibility to submit a budget on time for 4 of the last 5 years. Our Nation has trillion-dollar deficits. They are threatening the economic future of this great country, yet the President and his Democratic Party leaders in the Senate have made it a habit to ignore their budgetary obligations. Under President Obama, the national debt has increased faster than under any U.S. President in history. Now is not the time to sit back and continue racking up debt that our children and our grandchildren will have to shoulder, not to mention small businesses. The American people deserve better leadership. They have made it abundantly clear that Congress should balance the Federal budget just like families and business owners do across the country, and they do it every single day. That's why I support the House bill requiring the President to submit a balanced budget and to get Washington's spending under control, so I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote ``yes'' on this bill. I remember that Ronald Reagan's birthday is today. May God bless our country.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in the United States Congress in honoring the life and legacy of Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle. Every warrior has a story . . . Chris Kyle had a legend. Throughout our history, America's military has been served by many but shaped by only a few. From Washington to Petraeus, from Porter to Nimitz, a few great individuals have changed the way we fight wars and the way we view warriors. Now we can add the name of Chris Kyle to that elite list. For ten years, this Texas native served his country as a member of Seal Team 3. Along the way, he set the standard for all snipers. Though his innate humility prevented him from talking about the number, Navy records confirm that Chief Kyle successfully took out 160 enemy combatants--the highest number in American military history. He did it over the course of many years--he served four tours in Iraq during his career. And he did it in difficult circumstances and over long distances--he once perched himself on top of a baby's crib for hours in a house . . . and another time he gunned down an enemy combatant from 1.2 miles away. No matter the challenge, Chris Kyle always met it No matter the odds, he always overcame them. Chief Kyle's incredible courage as a warrior was matched only by his extraordinary grace as a man. This was a man of faith who believed God had a plan for him. This was a man of family of who knew being a husband and a father were his important tasks. And this was an American who thought that his country was worth fighting for and even dying for. Chief Kyle didn't like to talk about the number of enemies he killed; instead, he would say, I'd like to be known ``for the people I saved.'' And so he is. He saved so many, more than we will ever know. And he never stopped trying to save people, all the way to the last seconds of his life. Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle has left us; but his legacy remains. The people of Texas are rightfully proud of this native son; and the people of America rightfully mourn this national hero. The U.S. Navy Seals have a motto: ``the only easy day was yesterday.'' No one personified this more than Chief Kyle. Each day was a new challenge; and each time, it was met with courage and conviction, with devotion and dedication. Chief Kyle's mission is completed; his tour has ended. Now, the work of carrying on his legacy remains for all of us. May we always try to live up to the standard of courage set by this great and gallant man . . . and may we never forget his service and sacrifice. May God bless Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle and his family.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your leadership and what you're doing. My name is Roger Williams. I have been a small business owner for 41 years. I represent Congressional District 25 in Texas, a great district. I have been meeting payrolls and creating jobs for 41 years and have been fighting government regulations for that period of time. I must tell you that, at a time when our national debt is over $16 trillion--more than $52,000 for each American--we must restore fiscal sanity in Washington. We do this by cutting spending, shrinking the deficit, and balancing the budget. As a businessman, when you're not selling your product, you don't raise taxes and you don't raise prices. You cut spending. That's where the money is. That's where the cash flow is, and that's what we've got to get to. Our Nation's economic future is at stake. The Federal Government currently borrows more than 40 cents of every dollar it spends. I think we all agree it's time to get our fiscal house in order. Across this great Nation, the families have stretched their hard-earned dollars in order to make it through this struggling economy. The Federal Government must do the same and must do it now. We are facing a crisis because Washington just simply spends too much and wastes too much. As I said, families all across this country are not looking to spend more money. They're looking to cut expenses and to meet the problems we all face today. The American people, I believe, do not support raising the debt. I ran on lower taxes, less government, to cut the spending. That's what my district wants. We don't need to raise the debt ceiling without cutting spending at the same time. That's what it's about. We need to create a net worth in America. I'm looking forward to the debate. We need to bring business principles back to Washington, D.C. May God bless America.