I rise today in strong support of H.R. 325, the “No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013.”  This legislation directs members of the House and Senate to adopt a budget resolution by April 15, 2013.  If either body does not, members of that body will have their pay withheld until they pass a budget.  It’s simple: no budget, no pay.  The American people understand that they ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge what a colleague from Georgia called a “legacy vote” – making permanent the tax cuts Republicans enacted back in 2001 and 2003.  I couldn’t agree more and let me say why – because we are making PERMANENT tax policies REPUBLICANS originally crafted.  Now, back then, despite having a majority in the House, a majority in the Senate and ...

I rise today in support of H.R. 6655, the Protect our Kids Act of 2012.  As we are too painfully reminded this week by the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, for all the good this nation has done to lift up children, we still have much, much more work to do.  So before I get into my remarks about the bill, I first want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims ...

I urge passage of this bipartisan legislation to ensure that American companies, workers, farmers, and ranchers benefit from Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization.  Almost three months ago, Russia became the 156th member of the WTO.  Since then, exporters from every WTO member but one – the United States – have been guaranteed to benefit from the concessions ...

I rise today in support of H.J.Res. 118, a resolution to disapprove of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule waiving the work requirements in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF cash welfare program.The requirement that 50 percent of a State’s welfare caseload work or prepare for work was a central part of the bipartisan 1996 welfare reforms ...

I rise today in support of H.R. 6410, a bill to provide a simple way for individuals to voluntarily donate funds to pay down the national debt.Under current law, you can contribute to debt reduction.  But like all things with the IRS, it isn’t easy.  If you dig deep into the 189 pages of instructions that accompany the 1040, you will find on page 88 the following: “Do not ...

(Remarks as Prepared)I urge passage of this legislation to strengthen trade and investment ties with Africa and the CAFTA-DR countries and support well-paying jobs in the United States..  The legislation also extends the President’s authority to impose the import ban on products from Burma for an additional three ...

(Remarks as Prepared)I rise today in support of H.R. 6169, the Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act.  Yesterday, House Republicans – joined by 19 House Democrats – voted to extend the current tax policies through the end of next year.  That was an ...

(Remarks as Prepared)I rise today in support of H.R. 8, the Jobs Protection and Recession Prevention Act.  In doing so, I, and my fellow Republican House colleagues, have made an important choice, the choice to focus on job creation.  Unfortunately, my colleagues on the other side of the ...

(Remarks as Prepared)We are here today to repeal a law that is both fundamentally flawed and overwhelmingly unpopular.  The problem with this law – among its many faults – is it puts government at the center of health care decisions; not doctors and patients.  Instead of families and employers deciding what coverage is ...