Floor Statements: 2009

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16 Dec

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Opposing Wasteful Defense Spending

"Congress should not be giving more money to the Pentagon to wage war. We should be focused on creating jobs, providing health care for all Americans, and improving our education system. That is why I am voting for the Jobs for Main Street Act and against the wasteful Defense Appropriations bill."

11 Dec

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Supporting Comprehensive Financial Reform

"I urge all of my colleagues to put consumer interests over those of the Big Banks. Let’s finally start policing Wall Street. Vote yes."

03 Dec

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Opposing Permanent Extension of the Estate Tax

"Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the permanent extension of the 2009 estate tax. The American people have more pressing concerns. Our priority should be to create jobs, enact health reform, and extend unemployment insurance and COBRA assistance, not provide gifts for the wealthiest 7000 Americans."

22 Oct

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Recognizing the Retirement of Thomas J. Orloff

"I have known Tom Orloff for many years. In the time he has served as Alameda County's district attorney he has given me the highest confidence that the administration of criminal justice in Alameda County was in the most capable hands possible."

15 Oct

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Introducing the Every Child Deserves a Family Act

"Abused and neglected children in our child welfare system are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. We cannot allow divisive politics to further harm these children by shrinking the number of prospective adoptive and foster parents. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in saying yes to children and no to bigotry by cosponsoring the 'Every Child Deserves a Family Act' and working with me to make it law."

13 Oct

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Recognizing the Retirement of Elizabeth "Jackie" Noyes

"She has been a valuable asset to the American Academy of Pediatrics and their mission to improve the health of America's children. I thank her for her dedication, wish her well in retirement, and fully expect to continue to hear her name in connection with initiatives to improve children's health."

08 Oct

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Opposing Unchecked Defense Spending

"No one on the international stage comes close to our military spending. The United States accounted for 41.5 percent of the entire world's military spending in 2008 – the next closest country was China at 5.8 percent."

22 Sep

Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Supporting Jobless Workers

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 3548), legislation that I co-sponsored. This bill provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to jobless workers in states, such as California, with unemployment rates over 8.5 percent. This extension is fully federally funded, does not increase the deficit, and will have no cost to individual states. H.R. 3548 passed by a vote of 331-83, and now moves to the Senate.

16 Sep

For the Congressional Record Statement of Congressman Pete Stark on the Student Aid and Fiscal Resp

"The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act is an example of reform that this Congress can achieve when we are willing to put aside the narrow concerns of special interests and support common sense policies that will provide greater educational opportunity."

30 Jul

Statement In Opposition to Wasteful Defense Appropriations

This giveaway to defense contractors comes at the same time that Members of Congress are balking at health care reform that will cost a fraction of our defense spending over the same time period.

24 Jul

Statement Supporting Substantial Education Investments

"This bill continues the commitment to reconstruct our public schools and address the health care crisis by building on the historic education and health investments made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."

16 Jul

Statement Welcoming Congresswoman Judy Chu

Dr. Judy’s Chu’s experiences as a professor, a public servant, and an advocate for families and the less fortunate will make her an important voice in this Congress. She will continue to show the same dedication to public service she has shown throughout her career, and I know she is ready to hit the ground running.

26 Jun

Statement Opposing Watered-Down Global Warming Legislation

We have the opportunity and the responsibility to confront catastrophic global warming with bold action. Congress should seize that opportunity by passing legislation that would end our addiction to fossil fuels, prove our leadership to the world, and build a foundation for long-term prosperity. This legislation falls short of these goals.

16 Jun

Statement Opposing the War Funding Agreement

These wars have cost us the ability to properly address the biggest problems facing our country. Healthcare reform, our economy, and reforming energy policy are top priorities of Congress. We cannot justify hundreds of billions of dollars for these wars at the expense of the American taxpayer.

11 Jun

Statement Opposing Military Aid to Pakistan

"The people of Pakistan do need our help to strengthen their democratic institutions, educate their citizens, and provide social and economic opportunity. What they do not need is an influx of guns, tanks, and other weapons that will lead to further destabilization and violence."

04 Jun

Statement Supporting Paid Parental Leave for Federal Workers

"It is the responsibility of the Federal government to take the lead in the promotion of workers’ economic security and family-friendly policies, which is why I am pleased to lend my full support to the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. Providing parental leave to federal workers is an important first step toward what must be our ultimate policy goal of providing paid family and medical leave to all workers, and I look forward to the day when all workers have the chance to care for their families and still be able to pay the bills."

03 Jun

Statement on Introduction of the Healthy Transitions Act of 2009

It has become increasingly difficult for young adults to navigate our current fragmented mental health system. The Healthy Transitions Act aims to fill the cracks in the system by coordinating the work of federal, state, and local partners. It is our social responsibility to help these youth develop into successful, independent adults.

14 May

Statement Opposing H.R. 2346, War Supplemental Appropriations For FY2009

President Obama is moving America's foreign policy in a better direction, and he has shown superior judgment to President Bush on when we should send our troops into harm's way. However, I cannot support any more funding for these wars.