Speeches

Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-05) delivered remarks on the House floor today honoring the retirement of El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini.

In order to enforce our laws, we have given terrifying powers to such agencies as the FBI, the IRS, and the CIA, among others.  The misuse of these powers to affect political outcomes would be fatal to freedom and it is the hallmark of any dictatorship.  This, our Constitution was written to prevent – whoever is in power.

Whether in 60 seconds or 60 hours, it’s impossible to do justice to the heroism, patriotism and service that defines the life of Bud Anderson. God bless you, General Anderson. Congratulations on your honorary promotion to brigadier general. Thank you from a grateful nation.

It is time we spend taxpayers’ money as carefully as they spend what they have left after we’ve taxed them into debt.  This bill falls short of that responsibility.

Republicans must reclaim the mantle of fiscal integrity and fiscal responsibility – and we should start by renouncing the tawdry, corrupt, and irresponsible practice of congressional earmarks: in which individual members direct spending to pet projects in their districts or grants to favored supporters, bypassing merit-driven competition.

This bill imposes $1.4 billion of new fees on large companies seeking mergers and makes it easier to block those mergers. Now mergers only occur when they promote efficiency and productivity – they only occur when they enhance a company’s ability to provide better goods and services at lower prices.  Interfering in this process harms the prosperity of every American. Let’s start with the simple fact that taxes and fees on businesses aren’t paid by businesses.  They’re paid by consumers through higher prices, employees through lower wages and investors through lower earnings.  How does increasing consumer prices protect consumers? Where will these fees go?  Well, they’re going to go to increasingly corrupt bureaucracies like the FTC.  That agency is now led by a radical leftist who has declared her intention to use the powers of government to replace consumer decisions with her own – all to advance her brand of ideological zealotry.

Mr. Speaker: For two weeks now, the long-suffering people of Iran have taken to the streets to confront the thugocracy that has oppressed them for more than 40 years. Today, America must stand with the people of Iran.