House Proceeding on Feb 7th, 2008 :: 0:00:00 to 0:20:00
Total video length: 1 hours 28 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Views:1,145 Duration: 0:20:00 Discussion

Next speech:

0:01:16 to 0:01:30( Edit History Discussion )

tomorrow. the speaker: the house will be in order. the prayer will be offered by the guest chaplain. pastor wes davis, riverton friends church, riverton, kansas. the chaplain: shall we pray.

0:01:20 to 0:03:07( Edit History Discussion )

Opening Prayer given by the guest chaplain.

0:01:30 to 0:01:41( Edit History Discussion )

father god, maker of heaven and  earth, you are lord of all   things  created and sovereign   over this great nation.  we humbly bow before  you this  day to thank you for your  mercies being new every  morning.

0:01:41 to 0:01:57( Edit History Discussion )

it is because ever your great  mercy that we would again ask  for  your blessing and your   favor over these women and men   who gather  here as   representatives of our   congress.  please extend to them

0:01:57 to 0:02:11( Edit History Discussion )

your   mercy and your grace.  remind them that you love them.  your  scripture tells us as iron  sharpens iron, so one person   sharpens  another.  may these your people sharpen  one another today as their

0:02:11 to 0:02:22( Edit History Discussion )

ideologies clash together. as one philosophy great against  another  philosophy different   than their own.  help them to see this diversity  not as tearing for these are   not people of shared fabric,   for

0:02:22 to 0:02:34( Edit History Discussion )

they have been forged  stronger by the rigors of  politics and public  scrutiny,  but help them see this clashing  and greating as an opportunity    to sharpen -- grating as an  opportunity to sharpen thought

0:02:34 to 0:02:47( Edit History Discussion )

and pierce conscience for the  benefit of humanity. may their actions  and decisions  of today not being future  apologies but may they  be a  statement of this congress'  character, their firm resolve,

0:02:47 to 0:03:07( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Pelosi: and the hope for a better america. amen. the speaker: the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. pursuant to clause

0:03:07 to 0:03:21( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from new jersey, congressman sires. mr. sires: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states

0:03:07 to 0:04:57( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Nancy Boyda

0:03:21 to 0:03:31( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the speaker: the chair will receive message. the messenger: madam speaker,

0:03:31 to 0:03:47( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: a message from the senate. the secretary: madam speaker. the speaker: madam secretary. the secretary: i have been directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has passed without amendment

0:03:47 to 0:04:00( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: h.r. 3541, cited as the do not call improvement act of 2007. the speaker: thank you. without objection, the gentlewoman from can a. congresswoman boyda, is recognized for one minute. mrs. boyda:

0:04:00 to 0:04:11( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: thank you, madam speake r. reverend wes davis left the beaches of california in the literal 1990's to pastor a small church in kansas in the town of riverton. he helped to construct the

0:04:11 to 0:04:28( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: building that is the riverton friends church. and he helped to grow the congregation from about 100 to nearly 400 people. he did this while sharing hisng knowledge and faith from around

0:04:28 to 0:04:40( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: the world, from haiti to liberia, to hungary. and in addition to being pastor, family man, and missionary, pastor davis is the executive director of stoa ministes. stoa in greek means

0:04:40 to 0:04:57( Edit History Discussion )

Nancy Boyda: porch. in solomon's day people gathered on the area porches to discuss theology and their faith. wes davis is a man of faith who has made the world his porch. always striving to help others

0:04:57 to 0:05:07( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: learn god's grace. pastor wes davis, thank you for expanding your porch to the halls of congress today. the speaker: thank you. the chair will entertain up to 15 one minutes on each side. without

0:04:57 to 0:06:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Earl Blumenauer

0:05:07 to 0:05:19( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: objection, the gentleman from oregon is recognized. mr. blumenauer: thank you, madam speaker. for the first time in american history, the highway trust fund is running a deficit this year. what's

0:05:19 to 0:05:31( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: the solution for this administration? instead of having a comprehensive aroach to deal with this shortfall, they want to steal some money from the mass transit administration account and walk away.

0:05:31 to 0:05:44( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: this will only delay the problem for one year and it will push mass transit into deficit the next year. instead of a practical solution to fix the looming highway trust fund crisis. this is

0:05:44 to 0:05:54( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: consistent with their consistent underinvestment in our nation's infrastructure. it's why the american society of civil engineers has raided our infrastructure -- rated our infrastructure a d

0:05:54 to 0:06:07( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: minus and it will cost $1.6 trillion over the next five years to repair water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure. a crisis not just for the federal government but even worse for state and

0:06:07 to 0:06:18( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: local governments. 100 years ago teddy roosevelt had a visionha for a f national conference to develop a plan to deal with the nation's infrastructure. it's time for this congress to revisit

0:06:18 to 0:06:25( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: that concept, maybe have a transportation vision for this century. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania rise? mr. murphy:

0:06:25 to 0:06:37( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Murphy: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. murphy: thank you, mr. speaker. on friday, december 14, 1 2007, the varsity football team from thomas jefferson

0:06:37 to 0:06:48( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Murphy: high school in jefferson hills, pennsylvania, won the class aaa state football championships. clinching their second tight until four years with a final score of 28-3, they finish add perfect

0:06:48 to 0:06:59( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Murphy: season. the coach became just the third head coach in western pennsylvania history to achieve a perfect win record in more than one appearance in a state championship game in her she.

0:06:59 to 0:07:09( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Murphy: thomas jefferson high school and the west jefferson hills school district also excels in academics, ranking in the top 20 of pennsylvania's 501 school districts. congratulations to the coach, the high school

0:07:09 to 0:07:18( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Murphy: jaguars for being champions on the field and champions in the classroom. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the

0:07:18 to 0:07:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: gentleman from california rise? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ct mr. mcnerney: mr. speaker, our national budget should invest in our

0:07:18 to 0:08:43( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jerry McNerney

0:07:31 to 0:07:43( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: future. unfortunately, the president's final budget is more the same. missed opportunities and misplaced priorities. the president's budget is fiscally reckless, adding $1.6 trillion in deficit

0:07:43 to 0:07:57( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: over the next five years, instead of becoming balanced over that same period. but you won't hear that from the president. he claims that the budget is balanced by 2012. but that's only because

0:07:57 to 0:08:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: he leaves out enormous costs, including the five-year cost of fixing the alternative minimum tax, and the full cost of the iraq war. when realistic costs are included, the budget runs

0:08:13 to 0:08:26( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: in significant deficits over each of the next five years. this, unfortunately, is more of the same. the president took a 10-year, $5.6 trillion of surplus that he inherited andurned it into a

0:08:26 to 0:08:34( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: $3.6 trillion deficit. the budget continues down the same path by borrow interesting our children and our grandchildren. mr. speaker, democrats can simply not afford this fiscal wreck lessness

0:08:34 to 0:08:43( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry McNerney: in the coming months. we -- recklessness in the coming months. we'll present a fiscally responsible budget. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise?

0:08:43 to 0:08:58( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: mr. poe: request permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: pr without objection. mr. poe: mr. speaker, the border war with mexico continues. on the mexican side of

0:08:43 to 0:09:59( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Ted Poe

0:08:58 to 0:09:09( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: the border mexican nationals hide on rocky hills and throw rocks at american border agents. these assaults have continued to increase escalate to the point the border patrol fired tear gas at the

0:09:09 to 0:09:19( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: mobs. these are the same mexican nationals that will later illegally sneak into america when the border patrol isn't watching. after the most recent tear gas episode, the mexican government sent

0:09:19 to 0:09:29( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: a self-righteous statement to the united states that said even those these incidents are response to hostile acts against border patrol agents by mexican citizens, the actions by u.s. authorities

0:09:29 to 0:09:40( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: are unacceptable. the mexican government seems to arrogant ly support its rock throwing nationals but doesn't want americans to defend themselves. mexico needs to get its lawless house

0:09:40 to 0:09:50( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: in order and control the disorderly mobs that lurk on the border. the united states should use every tool available to protect our borders were invaders, rock throwers, and drug smugglers.

0:09:50 to 0:09:59( Edit History Discussion )

Ted Poe: if mexico cries tears about it. too bad. that's just the way it is. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from iowa rise? >> to address

0:09:59 to 0:10:08( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. braley: mr. speaker, this week the president unveiled his final budget proposal and like previous budgets it fails to

0:09:59 to 0:11:19( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bruce Braley

0:10:08 to 0:10:20( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: properly address the needs and concerns that are central to the everyday lives of our constituents. perhaps most troubling is the fact that the bush budget continues the president's legacy

0:10:20 to 0:10:34( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: of fiscal irresponsibility and leaves behind a $407 billion deficit. the five largest deficits in american history have all occurred on the president's watch. when president bush took office, the

0:10:34 to 0:10:46( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: debt stood at $5.7 illion. and its projected to -- it's projected to stand at $9.7 trillion by the time he leaves office. this ties the hands of the next generation which faces growing obligation

0:10:46 to 0:10:57( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: was increasingly limited resources. it also hurts americans struggling to make ends by cutting medicare and medicaid and the low-income home energy assistance program. his budget also hurts our long-term

0:10:57 to 0:11:06( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: efforts to prepare americans for better jobs in the global marketplace by slashing important education and literacy programs. mr. speaker, the american people do not want more of the same. this democratic

0:11:06 to 0:11:19( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: congress will propose a budget alternative that takes america in a new direction. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from south

0:11:19 to 0:11:29( Edit History Discussion )

J. Gresham Barrett: carolina rise? mr. barrett: today i want to honor an individual who has a rich background in managing health care services and agencies within theen state of south carolina. his experience

0:11:19 to 0:12:26( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: J. Gresham Barrett

0:11:29 to 0:11:43( Edit History Discussion )

J. Gresham Barrett: in edu ecation and health care has placed him throughout locations in the south affiliating with him -- him with dozens of communities and civic organizations. as february recognizes black history

0:11:43 to 0:11:55( Edit History Discussion )

J. Gresham Barrett: month, i honor dr. joseph patent who has continuously reached out to provide knowledge, support, and service to benefit those in the community. a native of spartinburg, south carolina, he's

0:11:55 to 0:12:09( Edit History Discussion )

J. Gresham Barrett: an elder in t church and holds anonorary doctor degree for his services to the church and communities. he has served overseas as a veteran of the united states army and is currently a member

0:12:09 to 0:12:16( Edit History Discussion )

J. Gresham Barrett: of the american legion and the veterans of foreign wars. during black history month i give recognition to dr. patent for serving as an educated leader of health, for being hell known as a caring

0:12:16 to 0:12:26( Edit History Discussion )

J. Gresham Barrett: husband, grandfather, and mentor to those in the community. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey rise? mr. sires:

0:12:26 to 0:12:37( Edit History Discussion )

Albio Sires: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. sires: mr. speaker, when democrats took control of congress last year we vowed to work on behalf of all

0:12:37 to 0:12:48( Edit History Discussion )

Albio Sires: americans. last year we recognized the middle class families were struggling to make ends meets and so we worked hard to ease that economic crunch. we passed billions of dollars in tax relief

0:12:48 to 0:12:59( Edit History Discussion )

Albio Sires: to middle class income families. we increased the minimum wage for e first time in a decade. and we enacted an energy bill that will save the average family anywhere between $700 and $1,000

0:12:59 to 0:13:11( Edit History Discussion )

Albio Sires: a year in energy costs and help families better afford college. this is a good start. but economic indicators continue to head in the wrong direction. we work with the white house and house

0:13:11 to 0:13:21( Edit History Discussion )

republicans on an economic stimulus package that will provide a real and significant short-term boost to this economy. the house bipartisan economic stimulus plan is the most progressive

0:13:21 to 0:13:36( Edit History Discussion )

package this decade. it will help jump-start our economic -- economy and will provide real assistance to lower and middle income families. i ho pe our friends in the senate will enact

0:13:36 to 0:13:46( Edit History Discussion )

this legislation this week. . the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from south carolina rise? mr. wilson: i ask permission

0:13:46 to 0:13:57( Edit History Discussion )

to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. wilson: mr. speaker, the city of berkley, california, recently disgraced

0:13:57 to 0:14:07( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: itself of referring to marines with slander. when they told the marine corps to close their recruiting station. as the father of four sons in the military, i know firsthand of the education

0:13:57 to 0:15:37( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Tim Walberg

0:14:07 to 0:14:26( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: and opportunities provided by military service while promoting freedom. in response to berkley, congressman john campbell has introduced legislation that would remove $2 million in secret

0:14:26 to 0:14:37( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: earmarks for the city of berkeley and instead send the money to the marines. we owe respect to the very people who are sacrificing so much to defend our freedoms. i ask them to visit bueford,

0:14:37 to 0:14:47( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: south carolina, to see how our patriotic community supports the brave men and women who support the marines. in conclusion, god bless our troops and the united states marine corps and

0:14:47 to 0:14:57( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: we will never forget september 11. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota rise? >> to address the house

0:14:57 to 0:15:08( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i think we should give the president credit, at least he's consistent. like all of his previous budgets,

0:15:08 to 0:15:22( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: this one does several things. it leaves most americans behind and puts this nation further in debt. at a time of a slowing economy, the president focuses $1 trillion in tax breaks to the top 1%

0:15:22 to 0:15:37( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Walberg: of americans. the president cuts vital energy, education, and health care investments. at a time of rising energy cost, the president slashes low-income energy assistance program. at a

0:15:37 to 0:15:47( Edit History Discussion )

Timothy Walz: time of college costs skyrocketing, they eliminate nearly $1 billion in grant programs. the president proposes devastating medicaid and medicare. the one good thing that people know

0:15:47 to 0:15:56( Edit History Discussion )

Timothy Walz: is the winds of change have been blowing. this democratic congress will restore these and put the priorities of american people first. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman

0:15:56 to 0:16:06( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota rise? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro trempore: without objection. mr. ellison:

0:15:56 to 0:17:18( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Keith Ellison

0:16:06 to 0:16:14( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: mr. speaker, at a , time when more and more americans are struggling to obtain affordable health care, the president's budget drastically slashes health care for seniors and low north carolina working

0:16:14 to 0:16:25( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: americans. -- low-income working americans. 36 million seniors get health care coverage through medicare. the president's budget takes a swipe at their pocketbooks by proposing to nearly save

0:16:25 to 0:16:40( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: $6 billion by increasing the monthly premiums that seniors pay. if the president was concerned about seniors, he would instead go after the vast overpayments made by medicare to private managed

0:16:40 to 0:16:54( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: care plans. instead, he has raised premiums on our seniors and focused his cuts on our nation's hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other health care providers. the president also cuts medicaid

0:16:54 to 0:17:05( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: by $33 billion over the next five years. today, medicaid serves 55 million low-income and disabled americans, such cuts would force cash-strapped states to either reduce benefits or cut

0:17:05 to 0:17:18( Edit History Discussion )

Keith Ellison: provider payments . mr. speaker, as our economy faces difficult times, this is the worst time for the president to promote drastic cuts in medicare and medicaid. the democrats will not allow

0:17:18 to 0:17:27( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: these cuts to become law. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida rise? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro

0:17:18 to 0:18:41( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Ron Klein

0:17:27 to 0:17:40( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: tempore: without objection. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, our economy is in trouble and millions of ll american families are feeling the impact as we speak. since 2001, the real income

0:17:40 to 0:17:56( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: has fallen by $2,500. and workers' wages have failed to keep up with the inflation for the fourth time in the past five years. in december, the unemployment rate shot up to a two-year high

0:17:56 to 0:18:08( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: to up to 5% with more americans looking for work over the same period last year. stagnant wages are not only forcing families to squeeze every dollar, but it's taking a toll on our economy

0:18:08 to 0:18:19( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: consumer confidence fell this month to its lowest point on record. last week, the house approved a bipartisan economic package that will provide urgent relief to 117 million americans. this is a

0:18:19 to 0:18:33( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: fair economic package that gives money to the workers, the people who need it the most, and they're most likely to spend it on necessary its like groceries and gas. economists estimate that

0:18:33 to 0:18:41( Edit History Discussion )

Ron Klein: each dollar the rebate will lead to $1.26 in economic growth. america, -- mr. speaker, economists say we need to act fast. i hope the senate joins us. thank you so much. the speaker pro

0:18:41 to 0:18:50( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas rise? ms. jackson lee: to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend. the speaker pro

0:18:41 to 0:20:07( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Sheila Jackson-Lee

0:18:50 to 0:19:01( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: tempore: without objection. ms. jackson lee: today, mr. speaker, the house will address one of the most important issues in america's future. that is the opportunity to give young people a chance

0:19:01 to 0:19:15( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: for a higher education. h.r. 4137, the college opportunity and affordability act, does just that. it is interesting, however, that the president's budget, unfortunately, does not recognize

0:19:15 to 0:19:24( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: that opportunity. and it is in the business of cutting those opportunities for our young people. the supplemental opportunity education grants is now being cut. so i hope that on the floor

0:19:24 to 0:19:36( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: today we will make a statement to support our schools. i represent texas' southern university, a school that's been under siege by the republican state government. a school that is historically

0:19:36 to 0:19:47( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: black. received money from the past administration. but today is not receiving the funding it should receive from the state of texas. i'll be introducing legislation that will assure that

0:19:47 to 0:19:57( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: historically black colleges, hispanic-serving colleges cannot be undermined by state government funding when they come under the supervision of the department of education. our bill is a good

0:19:57 to 0:20:07( Edit History Discussion )

Sheila Jackson-Lee: bill. it's a step forward.p mr. president, i hope you recognize that we cannot cut the opportunities of young people. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired.