Media

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.

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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.

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

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House Majority repeatedly passed FAA reauthorization legislation – with my strong support – to modernize America's outdated air traffic control system, improve airline safety for the traveling public, and create jobs by improving our nation's infrastructure.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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 471, the private school voucher program for the District of Columbia.

This bill would revive the ineffective and inefficient D.C. voucher program. The bill authorizes $100 million over the next five years for only 1.3 percent of students to receive vouchers in D.C. – with no offset for the funding.