Media

The legislation on the floor today, a bill to defund National Pubic Radio, is another example of a Republican-Tea Party agenda which kills jobs and imposes an extremist right-wing ideological agenda on the American people. This bill and debate is about titillating right wing passions and silencing public broadcasting – nothing more. It is time for listeners of public radio, viewers of public television, and all citizens who value non-commercial broadcasting to make their voices heard or some valuable radio stations and important programming will disappear.

Please join Congresswoman McCollum's official Facebook page to stay informed on her activities in St. Paul and Washington, DC.

(As prepared.)

Thank you, President Ford, for the kind introduction. Ford Bell is doing great work at the American Association of Museums.

This is not a partisan issue. I am a Democrat, but it was my Republican Mom who took me to the library. She is the one who taught me to ride the bus from South St. Paul to the science museum. For a child whose family had financial challenges, museums and libraries provided education opportunities to me.

It is an honor to be with you this morning - to thank you for the work you are doing.

Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks, hundreds of Minnesotans, as well as citizens from across the country, have contacted my office about the military's multi-million dollar taxpayer sponsorship of NASCAR race cars. Frankly, many of my constituents and citizens of all political persuasions - Democrats, Republicans, and Tea Party activists - are dumbfounded when race car drivers receive millions of dollars from the Department of Defense while the Speaker of the House of Representatives tells the American people our country is "broke."

Mr. Speaker, I stand today in solidarity with the working men and women of America.

There should be no doubt that there is a war going on right now against workers, unions, and middle class Americans who want more jobs.

In Wisconsin, Ohio, and here in Congress, workers rights are under attack by union busting politicians.