Floor Statements
November 29, 2012
We are deeply disappointed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to seek symbolic non-member observer status through the General Assembly of the United Nations. We have long believed the only way to achieve a two-state solution is through direct negotiations leading to a peace treaty fully accepted by both governments and both peoples. We are concerned that today’s unilateral action by President Abbas represents a repudiation of the Oslo Accords and a setback for the peace process. To be clear, non-member observer status puts the Palestinian people no closer to achieving statehood, and may in fact set back this goal by inflaming tensions and making already difficult negotiations even harder.
November 16, 2012
“Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today from both sides of the aisle to stand with the people of Israel in support of their sovereign right to defend themselves against Hamas terror.
October 20, 2012
"It is shameful that House Republicans have continued to politicize the attack that killed four Americans in Libya. Our focus should be on working together to bring the perpetrators to justice, and we must ensure that those who are on our side in Libya are not hurt by the irresponsible disclosure of their names."
October 14, 2012
"I was saddened to hear about the passing of Arlen Specter. For thirty years, he served the people of Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate well, often working across the aisle to get things done. He was a moderate who put the needs of his constituents and country before politics - something seen all too rarely now. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
October 2, 2012
“I appreciate this opportunity to discuss the dangerous impact of the Ryan-Romney-Republican House budget on Medicare and the positive impact of the Affordable Care Act Democrats passed in 2010.
September 21, 2012
“Our Republican colleagues are leaving without getting their work done. I say their work done. Without getting our work done. The work of the American people. Comprehensive jobs bills, middle-class tax cuts have not been extended, farmers are left on their own to face the worst drought in decades, … and a Farm bill reported out of the Republican committee lays unconsidered by this Floor. Reported out of their committee from their majority and they haven't brought it to the Floor while farmers remain in trouble. We've not re-authorized the Violence Against Women Act, and we have not passed a postal reform bill. I am glad to take this special order, Mr. Speaker, to say to the American people that we're prepared to stay. we're prepared to stay and work on these bills.”
September 20, 2012
“Mr. Speaker, in order to compete in today’s global economy, we need to attract the best and brightest math and science students from around the world.
September 13, 2012
“Madam Speaker, this bill is another instance of this Republican caucus walking away from its responsibility. The budget sequester was never intended to be a solution in and of itself. It was meant to be the blunt instrument to force compromise. Unfortunately, compromise is a dirty word around here in some quarters.
September 12, 2012
“Thank you, Madam Speaker. First I want to of course associate myself with the remarks from [Rep. David] Dreier and [Rep. David] Price, who have done such terrific work in the spread of democracy, but also to lament the tragic loss of life and the courage displayed by our men and women in our foreign service and who are deployed abroad to represent the United States, its democracy and its principles.
September 11, 2012
“I want to congratulate Dan Lipinski for authoring this legislation. It is one of the key pieces of our Make It In America agenda, which my distinguished colleague from North Carolina [Rep. G.K. Butterfield] has discussed. I want to thank my dear and good friend Mary Bono Mack for her leadership on this effort. As the gentleman said, and I could adopt his remarks, the previous speaker, Mr. Kinzinger, we do need a manufacturing policy, we do need a manufacturing renaissance, and we do need a psychology that America’s going to be number one and stay number one and create the kind of good paying jobs for our people that manufacturing provides.
August 2, 2012
“Mr. Speaker, we are now at some point and time going to conclude four weeks in session with little to show for it. Over the past month, the Republican Do-Nothing Congress has continued its relentless pursuit of message over substance.
August 1, 2012
“Designed to fail, that's what this bill is – designed to fail. And, very frankly, you made sure that it was going to fail when you passed the amendment that added the reform bill and this bill together. Designed to fail – how sad.
August 1, 2012
“First I want to rise and thank Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for her continuing leadership and focus on this important issue, as she does on so many other issues as well.
August 1, 2012
“Mr. Speaker, this week’s middle class tax cut debate is an unnecessary sequel to December’s fight over extending payroll tax cuts. Republicans campaigned on a pledge to seek bipartisan solutions to our pressing challenges, but, when faced with a bipartisan agreement in December, they chose to walk away. And they appear ready to do so again this week.
July 26, 2012
“I thank the Gentleman from Colorado [Rep. Perlmutter] who has been so involved and so eloquent in expressing the grief that his constituents share and all the members from Colorado on either side of the aisle who have come together to share this grief.
July 24, 2012
“Mr. Speaker, when the sponsors of the bill talk about auditing the Federal Reserve, they don't mean a traditional audit.
July 23, 2012
"Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friends in the Congressional Black Caucus for organizing today's special order. As my colleague, Mr. Engel, as my colleague on the Republican side, and as Dr. Christensen has pointed out, our hearts and thoughts go out to and with those people who by happenstance of going to a movie have lost their lives. Been injured badly. Have lost family members. Have had the confidence of going out and about in this country put at risk. How we lament that loss of life, that loss of confidence, that loss of a sense of safety in their community.
July 17, 2012
“Again, as I do repeatedly when I rise to speak on issues related to our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel, and the relationship between our two countries to congratulate the Chairman of the Committee, the Gentlelady from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership on this issue and focus on the importance not only of the relationship but on the importance of making sure that Israel is strong and able to defend herself. And also to congratulate the Gentleman from California, Mr. Berman.
July 11, 2012
“‘Repeal it and replace it.’ For the 31st time we have a repeal with no replacement. No alternative. No protection offered by my Republican colleagues. Not one. You could of course introduce legislation that said, ‘we're going to repeal and replace with this.’ You haven't done it. You haven't done it. So the American people have no idea.
June 28, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this is a sad day for the House of Representatives. It is an irresponsible day for the House of Representatives. It is a day in which the Majority party asked us to take an action that has never been taken in the history of America - never once holding a cabinet officer in contempt of the Congress.
June 21, 2012
“Mr. Speaker, tomorrow will mark, as I said a little earlier, 100 days since the United States Senate approved its bipartisan compromise highway bill in the United States Senate. Seventy-four senators voted for that. Essentially half of the Republican conference in the United States Senate voted for that bill.
June 8, 2012
Mr. Speaker, some of the most pressing legislative items were nowhere to be found on the Floor this week. We had an opportunity to make headway on critical legislation. Unfortunately, the leadership provided no action. Not solutions, not action, only obstruction and delay.
May 31, 2012
I believe today’s decision by the First Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a previous ruling that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional was correct. By preventing the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages – even in states where those unions are legal – DOMA denies these families the same federal rights and benefits available to others. Today’s decision is a victory for the basic tenet of equality for all.
May 25, 2012
On Memorial Day, we pause to remember the fallen – those brave men and women who, throughout our history, fought courageously and sacrificed all to protect Americans and the values we hold dear. To them we owe our rights and freedoms and express our eternal gratitude.
