Statements For the Record
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed that I must rise in opposition to H.R. 1960, the FY14 Defense Authorization Act. America’s men and women in uniform deserve, and Congress must pass, legislation that provides them with the resources they need to preserve our national security. Unfortunately, this bill does not reflect the range of 21st-Century threats the United States must prepare for, nor does it reflect the urgent fiscal crisis this Congress must address. What this $638 billion defense bill does reflect, however, are misplaced priorities.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to a bad bill that increases the cost of financing a higher education and adds to the burden of debt for students and their parents. Without quick Congressional action, the interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans will climb from 3.4% to 6.8% in July for all new loans. Students and families struggling to afford increasing college costs are relying on us to stop this dramatic increase now, and to work in a bipartisan way to find a long-term solution that will make financing a college education more affordable.
MS. McCOLLUM: Mr. Speaker, I had the honor of serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for eight years prior to being elected to Congress in 2000. One of my Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party colleagues from Minneapolis, State Rep. Karen Clark, was a constant and vocal champion for social justice, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and human rights. State Rep. Clark continues to serve in the Minnesota House, having just completed her thirty-third legislative session.
Mr. Speaker, the House Agriculture Committee will vote today on a Farm Bill that cuts $20 billion from nutrition support from the poorest, most vulnerable Americans – children, seniors, the disabled, and the working poor.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – is a lifeline for nearly 50 million Americans to have access to healthy, affordable food and avoid hunger.
More than half of SNAP recipients live in deep poverty – an income of less than $10,000 a year for a family of three.
May 8, 2013
MS. McCOLLUM: Mister Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R.1406 – a bill more appropriately titled the ‘More Work, Less Pay Act’.
My colleagues on both sides of the aisle have spoken today about the challenges facing working families. Far too many families are still struggling financially to make ends meet, and as their Representatives we should be voting on legislation that provides more opportunities and support for America’s workers.
Mr. Speaker, Congress should never have passed sequestration. These reckless cuts are affecting families and communities throughout our nation, including those in Indian Country. Yet, when sequestration passed no one thought about how it would disproportionately impact tribal communities.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize this week as National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
The National Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity to learn about invasive species in our communities and the risk they pose to our environments, economy, and native wildlife. These non-native plants, animals, and other microorganisms are costing our local communities, states, and the federal government millions of dollars each year. One species of concern for my district is Asian Carp.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. I join you in welcoming Assistant Secretary Washburn and our other witnesses to the subcommittee this morning.
Education is the cornerstone of the foundation on which we build our future. And, Native American parents, like parents all across this nation, look to a good education as an investment in a better future for their children.
Dear President Obama, Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi:
As negotiations on the fiscal cliff continue, we urge you to address the largest and fastest growing area of federal spending – health care. We must keep moving away from fee-for-service health care and toward a system that provides better care at a better cost. We urge you to build on delivery system reforms and find further efficiencies through incentivizing the value of care provided instead of the volume of care.
Mr. Speaker, The American people expect Congress to work together to create jobs and grow our economy. We heard that message loud and clear in last week’s election. We have an opportunity to save 75,000 American jobs RIGHT NOW by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit.
In Minnesota, this tax credit helped create an entire industry that employs thousands of people from construction workers to high-tech analysts. All of these jobs are now under threat.