Statements For the Record

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3 and the on-going Republican war against women's health care in America. H.R. 3 continues the Tea Party Republican's extreme social agenda to pursue unprecedented attacks on women's health and economic security.

Mr. Speaker, contrary to what Republicans have said on the floor, the Republican budget will impose new cuts on today's seniors. The Republican plan repeals the Affordable Care Act, which strengthens Medicare and reduces costs. For seniors on Medicare today, the Republican plan brings back the donut hole - forcing seniors to pay more for your prescription drugs. It repeals seniors' free annual checkup and gets rid of reforms to better manage their chronic conditions.

Mr. Speaker, despite reservations about certain aspects of this appropriations bill, I will vote in favor of funding the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. The process over the past year, that has led us to this vote, has been filled with missed opportunities, disappointments, and extreme political posturing. This compromise agreement is a success for President Obama who prevented a government shutdown and defended America's seniors, students, working families, and the fragile economic recovery.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 37 – legislation introduced by the House Majority that would bar the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from enforcing the new rules on Net Neutrality that protect consumer freedom on the Internet.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 910, the so-called Energy Tax Prevention Act. H.R. 910 would permanently ban the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from protecting human health and the environment by enforcing the Clean Air Act and confronting the threat of climate change.

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Mr. Chair, my amendment will ensure that the Food and Drug Administration is adequately funded to protect our nation's food supply, prevent food-borne illnesses from happening, and properly investigate outbreaks when they do occur.

My home state of Minnesota has been impacted by 2 food recalls in the past few weeks, including tainted e. coli hazelnuts and salmonella-infected meat.

The number one focus for Congress must be to get Americans back to work and keep our economy moving forward. Reducing federal deficits is a necessary step to restore America's economic strength. The fastest way to shrink deficits is to grow the economy and get Americans back to work.

Mr. Speaker, reauthorization and reform of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is long overdue, and critical to our nation's future. Between 2007 and 2010, the Democratic House Majority repeatedly passed FAA reauthorization legislation – with my strong support – to modernize America's outdated air traffic control system, improve airline safety for the traveling public, and create jobs by improving our nation's infrastructure. After years of negotiation, the Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization bill in February 2011 that meets these criteria.