Speeches
March 13, 2013
This budget reflects a great struggle between American families and their government over whether they, or the government, can best spend the money that they have earned.
Issues:Fiscal and Economic
February 28, 2013
The decline and fall of the Roman Empire offers us a sobering warning of a great a nation that became over-extended and war-weary abroad, while it became utterly profligate and decadent at home. Its economy in shambles and its treasury bankrupt, the mightiest military power on Earth finally fell easy prey for backward hordes that had previously existed only beyond the fringe of civilization. Three years ago, Admiral Mike Mullen sounded the alarm for our nation with this chilling warning: "Our national debt is our biggest national security threat."
Issues:Fiscal and Economic
February 27, 2013
Water - particularly in California - has become such a complicated tangle of competing interests and ideological agendas that I think we have lost sight of some self-evident truths. Self-Evident Truth #1: More water is better than less water.
February 18, 2013
Placer County Navy League
Auburn, California
February 18, 2013
When I visited you a year and a half ago, I spoke of four significant threats to our nation’s defense, the biggest of which was collapse of the finances of the United States Government, which would make it impossible for us to respond to a foreign enemy.
In the time since then, that danger has not only not abated, but it has increased – and increased dramatically.
January 23, 2013
Mr. Speaker: The House is poised to pass HR 325. I respect the sincerity of its supporters, but I must firmly dissent. This bill accommodates spending at ruinous levels far beyond the limits set by the House budget. It sets a terrible precedent by abolishing the debt limit for nearly four months, giving an unlimited credit card to this administration.
Issues:Fiscal and Economic
January 15, 2013
This rule brings us a spending package of more than $50 billion that is supposed to be for emergency repairs in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. That averages $450 from every household in America. $450. These families have a right to expect that this money is being used for genuine emergency relief. But it's not.
December 12, 2012
To understand the federal budget mess and the so-called fiscal cliff, it's important to remember three numbers: 39, 37 and 64.
Issues:Fiscal and Economic
December 3, 2012
The world has become an infinitely more dangerous place in the four years since you first invited me to this annual luncheon.
December 2, 2012
The world has become an infinitely more dangerous place in the four years since you first invited me to this annual luncheon.
September 28, 2012
The good news about our economy is that it hasn't been struck down by some mysterious act of God. Acts of Government plague our nation -- and acts of Government are entirely within our power to change.