House Proceeding 01-28-09 on Jan 28th, 2009 :: 0:53:10 to 1:13:10
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0:51:15 to 0:53:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John B. Larson

0:52:57 to 0:53:11( Edit History Discussion )

John B. Larson: are not concerned about 15 days. they are living moment to moment and counting on us as we face this daunting reality to bring recovery,

0:53:12 to 0:53:32( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: by addressing the reality that our constituents who we are sworn to serve face every day. i yie back. the chair: the gentleman yield back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. lewis: mr. chairman, i yield three minutes to the gentleman from georgia, mr. kingston. the chair: georgia is rec minutes. mr. kingston: i thank the chairman. i wanted to respond to some

0:53:15 to 0:57:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jack Kingston

0:53:33 to 0:53:53( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: the comments my democrat friends have been making. number one, we do want to work with them on this package. we met with president obama yesterday to pledge our support of turning this economy around. we have offed a lot of good ideas. ideas the house democrats have not embraced as of yet, but we hope they will because we think president obama and we made some

0:53:54 to 0:54:14( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: progress yesterday. one of the things we talked about is extending tax breaks for small businesses so that they can create more jobs. we think that's very important. we talked about easing the credit crisis so people can go out and borrow money and make investments in new jobs. we also talked about housing. stabilizing the housing market

0:54:15 to 0:54:36( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: so people can become homeowners. one of the things that's not in this package is tax credits for small businesses to purchase health care for their employees. we think that would be very, very helpful. and also ending some of the unfunded mandates that are strapping our cities and local governments. we believe we have a lot of good ideas. we are very disappointed that

0:54:37 to 0:54:57( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: this committee, appropriations, only had one hearing and we were shut out of some of the subsequent negotiation and crafting of this bill that we think could have been helpful to do in a bipartisan basis. now, mr. hoyer had talked about history and how stimulus bills work. let's talk about the stimulus bills and let's talk about recent histories.

0:54:58 to 0:55:18( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: i don't need to go back to ronald reagan. this year, 2008, 9 billion for bear stearns, 68 billion for the other stimulus package we just passed in may. 00 billion for fannie mae bailout. 5 billion for a.i.g. bailout.

0:55:19 to 0:55:40( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: 00 billion for the tarp, the wall street bailout. if this kind of spending worked, we would be in great shape in our economy right now, but we keep throwing more and more money on the problem to the extent that this country now has a 0.6 trillion national debt. in fact, the interest on this

0:55:41 to 0:56:02( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: package alone, mr. chairman, will be 47 billion a year. so this really isn't just an 25 billion package. this is a .1 trillion expenditure that who is going to pay for it? not people here today but our children and our children's children. we are digging a hole. where does this money come from? three sources.

0:56:03 to 0:56:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: you can tax people. and i can tell you the working man is taxed to death right now. and i'm glad there's some tax relief in here for some people, but not tax relief for everybody in the middle income bracket which is what we desperately need. the second way we can do that is print the money. we print money and it lead to inflation.

0:56:24 to 0:56:46( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: or we can borrow the money. right now we owe foreign governments trillion. china being the number one lender to us at 22% followed by japan and followed by great britain. we are digging a huge hole. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from wis

0:56:47 to 0:57:07( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: mr. obey: the chair: the gentleman will suspend, please. do you wish to give the gentlen from georgia an additional minute? the gentleman from georgias recognized for one additional minute. . kingsn: let me say this. do i think there should be a balance of tax credits and balance of public work spending in this bill, but it is sad that while the national endowment for

0:57:08 to 0:57:29( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: the arts gets 0 million, i don't know what kind of job creation that's going to do, but 0 million, we only spent 7% on shovel ready projects in the year 2009. only 7%. and total public work spending for roads, whies, bridges is about 13%. we can do better and i would

0:57:30 to 0:57:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Kingston: like to work with the democrats

0:57:32 to 0:57:45( Edit History Discussion )

David R. Obey: and the president as would all the other republicans and try to make a better package than what we are looking atoday, mr. chairman. with that i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from wisconsin. mr. obey: mr. chairman, i have

0:57:35 to 0:57:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: David R. Obey

0:57:46 to 0:58:06( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: only one remaining speaker, the speaker herself. so i would ask the chair: the gentleman from wisconsin has the right to close. the gentleman from california. mr. lewis: i have many people who want to sak on the bill but they don't happen to be present d i'm very anxious to hear the close. the chair: does the gentleman yield back the balance of his time? mr. obey: did the gentleman yield back his time?

0:57:50 to 1:06:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Nancy Pelosi

0:58:07 to 0:58:27( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: mr. lewis: i said yes. california wish to yield back the balance mr. lewis: how much of my time do i take? the chair: you have 10 1/2 minutes. mr. lewis: i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from wisconsin. mr. obey: i thank the gentleman for his cooperation. i yield our speaker.

0:58:28 to 0:58:50( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: the chair: california, the speaker of the house, is recognized for one minute. the speaker:: i thank the chairman for yielding and his tremendous leadership. mr. speaker, one week and day ago our new president delivered a great inaugural address that offered hope to the american people and a new

0:58:51 to 0:59:11( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: direction for our nation. president obama pledged action bold and swift, not only to create new jobs, but to lay a newfoundation for growth. today we are passing historic legislation that honors the promises our new president made from the steps of the capitol,

0:59:12 to 0:59:33( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: promises to ke the future better for our children and our grandchildren. only eight days after the president's address this house will act boldly and swiftly by passing the american recovery and reinvestment act to create and save three million jobs by rebuilding america.

0:59:34 to 0:59:54( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: that is why the bill has the support of 146 eminent economists, including five nobel prize winners who in a letter to congress this week stated, and i quote, the plan proposes important investments that can start to overcome the nation's damaging loss of jobs.

0:59:55 to 1:00:16( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: by saving or creating millions of jobs and to put the united states back on to a sustainable long term growth path. end of quote. on the steps of the capitol president obama pledged to, quote, build the roads and bridges, the electric grids, digital lines that feed our

1:00:17 to 1:00:37( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: commerce and bind us together. and to restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. today we are acting swiftly and boldly to do just that. to assert america's role as a

1:00:38 to 1:00:58( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: world leader in a competive global economy, we are renewing america's investments in basic research and development and health care i.t. and deploying new technologies into the marketplace. and that is why this legislation has the support of more than 100 high-tech c.e.o.'s and business leaders who have endorsed these

1:00:59 to 1:01:19( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: job creating investments. as these innovative leaders expressed in their letter to congress supporting this bill, and i quote, investments in america's digital infrastructure will spur significant job creation in the immediate term. and investment of 0 billion in

1:01:20 to 1:01:42( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: america's i.t. infrastructure in 2009 will create more than 949,000 u.s. jobs, more than half of which will be in small businesses. end of quote. then president obama pledged that we will harne the sun and the wind and the soil to fuel

1:01:43 to 1:02:05( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: our cars and run our factories. today we are acting swiftly and boldly to do that. this act makes an historic job creating investment in clean, efficient american energy. to put people back to work and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we set the goal of doublg our renewable energy production and renovating public buildings

1:02:06 to 1:02:26( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: to make them more energy efficient. that is why the apollo alliance, a coalition of many, many groups committed to energy independent future for our country and reversing climate change, has said that this package is, quote, big, bold and will serve as a down payment on long

1:02:27 to 1:02:47( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: neglected investments in clean energy, good jobs made in america economy. president obama pledged to quote, transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. the american recovery and renewal act which we are voting on today will make bold

1:02:48 to 1:03:09( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: investments to provide children with a 2 isst century -- 21st ce hundreds of thousands of jobs by investing in school and other infrastructure. make college more affordable, and build a topnotch work force trained for the jobs of the future. about the future. that is why the committee for

1:03:10 to 1:03:30( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: education, another coalition, endorsed this bill saying, quote, the package would retrain displaced and unemployed workers, create new jobs by modernizing the country's classrooms, and increase america's competitiveness in the global economy. education groups from across the spectrum and across the country,

1:03:31 to 1:03:53( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: from the american association of community colleges, to the united states student association, support this bill. president obama pledged that, quote, those of us who managed the public stallers will be held to account to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day.

1:03:54 to 1:04:15( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: because only then c we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. this act that we are passing today has unprecedented accountability measures built in. providing strong oversight and historic degree of public transparency, and no earmarks. that is why the national

1:04:16 to 1:04:38( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: governors association strongly supports this legislation and our efforts to ensure that these investments are effective uses of tax dollars. with the adoption of the bipartisan plats-van hollen amendment today, a broad ranging vole cole ligs of public interest groups say we have set,

1:04:39 to 1:04:59( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: quote, a new standard of accountability and transparency by empowering federal employees to call attention to waste, fraud, and abuse of tax dollars without fear of retaliation. as we know, my colleagues, last year 2.6 million americans lost their jobs. some say we are moving too quickly with this legislation.

1:05:00 to 1:05:20( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: i say this legislation is long overdue. for all the time that we do not pass it, each month, 500,000 americans will lose their jobs. we simply cannot wait. and we say to the filies of america who are affected by this or fear to be by this downturn

1:05:21 to 1:05:41( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: in our economy, we are all in this together. the success of america is dependent upon the success of america's families. by investing in new jobs and science and innovation and energy and education and doing so with strict accountability and fiscal responsibility, we are investing in america's families.

1:05:42 to 1:06:06( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: which is the best guarantee for the success of our nation. my colleagues, the ship of state is difficult to turn. but that is what we must do. and that is what president obama called upon us to do in his inaugural address, which i believe is a great blueprint for the future.

1:06:07 to 1:06:27( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: with swift and bold action today we are doing just that. we are moving the ship of state in a new direction in favor of the many not the few. we are with this vote today, we are taking america in a new direction. i thank all of my colleagues who worked so hard to make this

1:06:28 to 1:06:49( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: legislation the great statement of values, principles, and action that it is. i urge a yes vote from our colleagues. look forward to working together in a bipartisan way as we go into the future into this new direction under the leadership of our new president, president barack obama. thank you.

1:06:50 to 1:06:56( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: i yield back the balance of m time. the chair: all time for general debate has expired. pursuant to house resolution 92, the amendment printed in part a

1:06:57 to 1:07:18( Edit History Discussion )

of house report 111-9 is adopted. the bill is amended shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of further amendment under the five-minute rule and shall be considered as read. no further amendment to the bill as amended shall be in order except those printed in part b of the report. each amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be oered only by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read,

1:07:19 to 1:07:40( Edit History Discussion )

debatable for the time specified in the report, equal divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. it is now in order to consider amendment number 1 printed in part b of the house report 111-9. gentleman from minnesota rise. >> i have an amendment at the desk, mr. chairman.

1:07:41 to 1:08:01( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: the chair: the clerk will please designated the amount. the clerk: amendment number 1, printed in part b report number 11-9, offered by mr. oberstar of minnesota. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 92, mr. observer stas and a member opposed will each control five minutes.

1:07:55 to 1:11:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: James L. Oberstar

1:08:02 to 1:08:23( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: mr. oberstar: i yield mys three minutes. the chair: the gentleman from minnesota is recognized for three minutes. mr. oberstar: i ask unanimous consento revise and extend my remarks. the chair: without objection. mr. oberstar: this amendment will shorten the time that stes, cities, transit agencies to obligate 50% of the highway transit and aviation funds provided under this recovery act

1:08:24 to 1:08:45( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: to 90 days. from the proposed 180 days. . i've had extensive consultations over the past five months with state and local officials ability creating jobs by june to show that we can deliver economic

1:08:46 to 1:09:06( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: recovery to this country. transit agencies and state departments of transportation have for years said, give us the money, we have the jobs, we need to get things going, so here is your opportunity. they have said, we can deliver. there are 1,400,000 construction workers out of work.

1:09:07 to 1:09:27( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: when bud shuster and i, he was chairman of the committee at the time in 1998, we moved the t-21 bill we had three million new construction jobs as a result of that legislation. we can do that again. there's 15% unemployment in the country.

1:09:28 to 1:09:48( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: at a recent brown, chair of the chicago transit authority, testified they have an -- a maintenance back log of million. she said if you write me a check today, i'll be spending the check tomorrow, close quote. governor doyle of wisconsin said, quote, there is not going

1:09:49 to 1:10:09( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: to be any barrier on getting this thing done immediately. i think any governor would have a pretty hard explanation about ?? why the state next door, the other state is actually using the money while they are losing the money. he said, further, quote, we are looking at what we can put up to bid before the actual grant

1:10:10 to 1:10:30( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: is in hand. california, commissioner of california, will kempton on the conference call and again today in our committee hearing on rail issues, said, not only do we have contractor capacity, we have well over 100,000 building trades aftsmen out of work.

1:10:31 to 1:10:52( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: we're getting eight to nine bids per contract and they're coming in at 25% below engineering estimates. 're getting a good deal. we can deliver. the contractors are rea, he said. the contractor community is prepare. transit options. transit systems have options to

1:10:53 to 1:11:13( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: buy 10,000 buses, billion worth. options for more than 1,000 rail vehicles, valued at billion. they can be exercised in weeks, not months. weeks. we heard today from the rail car institute that they're down 50% in orders.

1:11:14 to 1:11:16( Edit History Discussion )

James L. Oberstar: even of those that were on backlog, they're now 50%

1:11:17 to 1:11:37( Edit History Discussion )

John L. Mica: because of the recession in the rail sector. we need we could put these to work. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves who claims time in opposition. mr. lewis: i claim time in i do not gentleman's amendment but i yield the gentleman, mr. mica,

1:11:20 to 1:13:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John L. Mica

1:11:38 to 1:11:58( Edit History Discussion )

John L. Mica: two minutes. the chair: the gentleman from florida is recognized for two minutes. mr. mica: thank you, mr. chairman, and mr. speaker. i rise in strong support of the oberstar amendment. this is a very simple amendment to understand. chairman oberstar and i have

1:11:59 to 1:12:20( Edit History Discussion )

John L. Mica: worked, as he said, we've worked together since last fall to create a stimus package of infrastructure projects that are ready to go and in which we can employ people as soon as possible. that's the objective of this

1:12:21 to 1:12:42( Edit History Discussion )

John L. Mica: oberstar amendment. we need to pass this amendment because we're not interested in funding projects or proving a stimulus package and not having the money into our states and communities to build that infrastructure that will be

1:12:43 to 1:13:03( Edit History Discussion )

John L. Mica: real and not employ people this stimulus package is all about employing people. whether it's minneapis, the mr. oberstar represents, or my state, look at the stachist -- statistics. look at the newspapers of the people who are losing their jobs.

1:13:04 to 1:13:10( Edit History Discussion )

John L. Mica: we need to get this money out as soon as possible so people who want to work have the