Skip to main content

Speeches

February 7, 2012
Speeches
The subcommittee on Water and Power meets today to consider what steps need to be taken to remove government-imposed impediments to the construction of new dams and reservoirs. The need for action can be summarized quite succinctly: The Bureau of Reclamation has built over 600 dams and reservoirs in the last century, but two-thirds of them were built in the first 60 years of its existence – more than 50 years ago.
February 2, 2012
Speeches
The simple question now before us is whether it is better for Congress to have more information or less information when it is deliberating on matters that directly affect the economy of this nation. The answer should be self-evident, but apparently, some members of this house prefer blissful ignorance than having to go to the fuss and bother of actually assessing the full ramifications of the policies they are enacting.
Issues:Fiscal and Economic
February 2, 2012
Speeches
Today I have introduced a bill to name the United States Post Office in Granite Bay, California in honor of United States Marine Corps Private First Class Victor Dew. This young man was only 20 years old when he left his family and friends in late September of 2010 for Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Just three weeks later, on October 13th, Private Dew was killed in action when his convoy was ambushed.
Issues:Local Issues
January 23, 2012
Speeches

Long ago, Jefferson warned, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.” The exceptions to that rule have been few and far between recently, and ought to be celebrated when they occur.

Issues:Government Regulation
December 20, 2011
Speeches
In all this debate, I fear both parties have missed a critical point. Both versions of this bill impose a permanent new tax on every mortgage backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
December 15, 2011
Speeches

One of the items of unfinished business remaining before this session is extending the payroll tax cut of last year that funds Social Security.

Issues:Fiscal and Economic
December 14, 2011
Speeches

I rise in opposition to Section 1021 of the underlying Conference Report (H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act).

This section specifically affirms that the President has the authority to deny due process to any American it charges with "substantially supporting al Qaeda, the Taliban or any ‘associated forces'" – whatever that means.

Issues:Constitution
December 6, 2011
Speeches

Topping the list of unfinished business this year is the impending collision of two closely related crises: the expiration of the payroll tax cut and the acceleration of Social Security’s bankruptcy.

Last year, Congress voted for a payroll tax cut that averages roughly $1,000 for every working family in America.

December 1, 2011
Speeches

In the Sierra Foothills in northeastern California lies the little town of Colfax, population 1,800, with a median household income of about $35,000.

Over the past several years, this little town has been utterly plundered by regulatory and litigatory excesses that have pushed the town to the edge of bankruptcy and ravaged families already struggling to make ends meet.

Issues:Local IssuesCalifornia Water CrisisGovernment Regulation
November 16, 2011
Speeches

Today the House will consider HR 822, a long-overdue measure to assure that states recognize the concealed weapons permits issued by other states.

Issues:Government Regulation