Floor Statements: 2005

09 Oct

IN OPPOSITION OF H.R. 3199 CONFERENCE REPORT

I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act conference report. I would be violating my Oath to uphold the Constitution if I voted to unravel the very freedoms for which we're supposedly fighting.

15 Dec

In Opposition to Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control

(HR 4437) I rise in strong opposition to the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act because border security without immigration reform is no more effective than an umbrella in a hurricane.

15 Dec

In Opposition to Energy Basic and Applied Sciences Act of 2005

(HR 612) I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 612. The Republicans do not want any timetables to end the Iraq War because timetables would force the Bush Administration to actually create a workable strategy to end the war.

15 Dec

STARK STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 612

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 612. The Republicans do not want any timetables to end the Iraq War because timetables would force the Bush Administration to actually create a workable strategy to end the war.

15 Dec

STARK STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 4437

I rise in strong opposition to the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act because border security without immigration reform is no more effective than an umbrella in a hurricane.

14 Dec

OPPOSING H.R. 2830, THE SO-CALLED PENSION PROTECTION ACT

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 2830, which would be better titled the Republican Pension Destruction Act.

13 Dec

STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO THE 2006 LABOR, HHS & EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT

I rise in strong opposition to the newer, but not better, Labor-HHS-Education appropriations conference report.

12 Dec

INTRODUCTION OF THE MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT REFORM ACT OF 2005

Throughout this year, myself, my colleagues, and our staff have been bombarded by physician lobbyists desperate to prevent a 4.4 percent reduction in Medicare payments scheduled to go into effect in January 2006. While I can empathize with their desire for more money - who doesn't want a raise? - I think it's time that we quell this fevered pitch with a dose of reality and a few facts. That is why I am introducing the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act today.

07 Dec

OPPOSING REPUBLICAN TAX BREAKS FOR MILLIONAIRES

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4297, yet another tax break for the richest among us at the expense of those who have the least.

05 Dec

HONORING NEWARK MAYOR DAVE SMITH

I rise today to honor Newark, California's Mayor Dave Smith. His recent re-election makes him the second longest serving mayor in the country as he embarks on his 28th consecutive year of service.

17 Nov

STARK VOTES AGAINST BILL TO CUT $50 BILLION FROM POVERTY PROGRAMS

Most Americans watching their televisions looked on in horror at the extent of the poverty and desperation among the victims of Hurricane Katrina. President Bush and Congressional Republicans apparently looked at these pictures with indifference and disdain.

17 Nov

STARK STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION OF H.J.RES 73

I rise in strong opposition to this Republican stunt and their efforts to embarrass a decorated Vietnam War Veteran.

02 Nov

STATEMENT OF REP. PETE STARK IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 4128

I rise in opposition to H.R. 4128, which bars local governments from using eminent domain for economic development.

23 Oct

STATEMENT OF REP. PETE STARK IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 420

I rise in opposition to the so-called Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act because it would hurt all Americans by exposing them and their attorneys to motions intended to harass them and slow down the legal process, a tactic often used by wealthy defendants in civil rights trials.

18 Oct

OPPOSING H.R. 554, THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN FOOD CONSUMPTION ACT

I rise in opposition to the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act because I don't think that any industry should have the right to conduct its business without the oversight of the judicial system.  What the lawyer-bashers don’t want you to know is that frivolous lawsuits, by definition, get thrown out of court.  In other words, the much-feared million-dollar settlement for someone who eats 12 Big Macs a day is not going to happen.