Fiscal and Economic

House Chamber, Washington, D.C. January 19, 2011. M. Speaker:

The Department of Interior issued an announcement yesterday that perfectly illustrates the irrationality of our current approach to water issues.

California’s precipitation this season has gone off the charts. Statewide snow water content is 198 percent of normal; in the all-important Northern Sierra snowpack is 174 percent of normal. This is not only a wet year – it is one of the wettest years on record.

House Chamber, Washington, D.C. January 6, 2011. M. Speaker:

I rise to express the hope that historians will look back on the 112th Congress as the session that restored American prosperity – and to express my strong agreement with the new leaders of this House who have declared that every action of this body must be measured against this goal.

We speak of “jobs, jobs, jobs,” but jobs are a product of prosperity. And prosperity is the product of freedom.

House Chamber, Washington, D.C. December 21, 2010. Mr. Speaker:

On November 2nd, the American people spoke loudly and clearly: stop the spending.

Instead of graciously bowing to the public will, the Left has embarked on a frantic lame-duck spending spree with a majority already turned out of office by the voters.

First, they exacted another $136 billion in spending as the price to prevent a devastating tax increase on New Year’s Day.

House Chamber, Washington, D.C. December 16, 2010. M. Speaker: I commend the Senate for passing the tax relief measure yesterday, and I hope that the House passes it today.

According to the CBO, this bill comprises $136 billion in additional spending and $721 billion in tax relief. That means fifteen percent of this bill is spending – the other 85 percent is tax relief:

· No across the board increase in income tax rates next year.

· No AMT biting deeper into middle class families.

Mr. Speaker: Titles 3 through 6 of the bill purport to settle four water rights claims against the United States by signing away the public’s right to nearly 300 BILLION gallons of water annually AND in perpetuity -- in addition to spending more than $1.2 billion.

The proponents of the bill are correct that if taxpayers will end up paying more if the claims go to trial, then we should settle out of court. But I sincerely doubt this is the case.

By Congressman Tom McClintock

More than a year ago, Pollster Frank Luntz stood before a group of about 40 House Republicans in a cramped conference room. “I need to tell you something,” he said. “I’ve been looking at polling data from Congressional districts across America for the last three months. I’m convinced that you are going to be in the majority next year.” After a long pause, he added, “This time, please don’t screw it up again.”

I don’t think we will.

El Dorado Hills, California, October 25, 2010.

In a moment of breathtaking condescension during the debate over ObamaCare, Nancy Pelosi said, “We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it…”

Well, they passed it. And ever since, the American people have been finding out what’s in it. There’s a reason that not a single Democrat in a competitive race is touting his or her support for ObamaCare.