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Mr. Chair, Section 9012 of this Defense Appropriations bill contains language authorizing the Pentagon – under the direction and control of the Secretary of Defense – to operate a Task Force for Business and Stability Operations in Afghanistan.

The bill appropriates $150 million to the Secretary of Defense to operate this business task force.

Our brave military men and women have been in Afghanistan for 10 long years confronting the Taliban, killing terrorists, and helping secure a better future for the Afghan people.

This amendment is simple: it cuts $124.8 million from the overall bill.

For all my colleagues who say they are committed to deficit reduction, this is your chance to prove it.

This amendment reduces government spending while protecting the Pentagon's national security mission by reducing the funding for military bands to the authorized level.

Currently, this bill and the Pentagon's budget includes a total of $324.8 million for 154 military bands and more than 5,000 full-time, professional military musicians.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment requires the Department of Defense to limit their spend on motorsports sponsorships for NASCAR, the National Hot Rod Association, the Indy Car Series, or AMA Super Bike Racing to no more than $20 million in Fiscal Year 2012.

With our nation is in a fiscal crisis I can't imagine anyone wanting to spend more than $20 million for taxpayer funded racing teams.

As Members of Congress we need to make choices with the American taxpayers' money.

Congress needs to set priorities that will reduce the deficit and grow our economy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the capable and courageous men and women of the Minnesota Air National Guard on the 90th anniversary of its founding. The Minnesota Air National Guard holds the distinction of being the first in our nation Air Unit of the National Guard recognized by the United States government.

Mr. Speaker, this week in Minnesota our state government is shutdown due to a budget crisis. I want to applaud Gov. Mark Dayton for negotiating in good faith, making productive compromises, and never forgetting the needs of Minnesotans, especially our most vulnerable citizens.

The Republicans controlling the Minnesota Legislature issue ultimatums and want to mortgage our state's future by cutting health, education, and law enforcement.