Congress
Today, Rep. Jane Harman announced that she is resigning from the House of Representatives to serve as the president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonpartisan policy think tank. For many years, I’ve known Jane as a close friend and a trusted colleague; she has brought to Congress her deep knowledge of both foreign and domestic policy and a willingness to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance our nation’s interests. Those qualities have made her a true asset to Congress and have won her wide admiration from Democrats and Republicans alike. She is a leading voice on national security, who has built strong relationships with leaders around the world. And the same qualities that made Jane so valuable to Congress will also serve her well as leader of the Wilson Center. And while I will miss her sincerely, I wish her all the best as she continues her service to our country in a new role.
Last night, President Obama issued an inspiring call for all Americans to conduct our public debates with more civility and respect for one another, even when we strongly differ on the best course for our nation. I agree, and I believe Congress has a responsibility to set an example of less ugly, less divisive debate. Coming together to hear an address on the state of our union in a few weeks is an especially important moment to recommit ourselves to approaching our public life with the respect and honesty that our serious, shared problems demand.
Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.
We do not anticipate any recorded votes in the House this week. We all continue to keep Congresswoman Giffords, her family, her staff, and the families of the other victims in our prayers.
This is not simply an attack on Ms. Giffords. This is an attack on democracy itself, on the ability, as she said in that reading of the first amendment, to peaceably assemble, to come together to talk to one another. That's what democracy is all about—representatives listening to their constituents and trying to reflect their views.
The Republican leadership has announced, in consultation with Democratic leadership, that there will be no legislative action in the House next week that does not relate to today's tragic event in Arizona. Consideration of Health Care Repeal legislation has been postponed to a later time. We are all keeping the victims and their families in our prayers.
It is absolutely unacceptable to deny nearly 5 million Americans a voice in Congress,” said Democratic Whip Hoyer. “Republicans continually declare they are focused on listening to the American people. With this rules change, they are ignoring the voices of 5 million American citizens. We can listen to our people by continuing the constitutionally-sound policy of the last two Congresses, which gave Delegates and the Resident Commissioner a vote in the Committee of the Whole House. I hope Republicans work with us to reinstate this fair and common sense policy, rather than disenfranchising millions of citizens.
I rise in opposition to this rules package, not for small reasons, but because it authorizes trillions of dollars of new debt, without paying for it. There are two ways to create debt: you can buy things and not pay for it, or you can simply cut revenues and make yourself unable to pay for things. If you don’t cut spending or maintain revenues consistent with your spending, then you will inevitably create new debt.
Today, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, my colleague from the State of Maryland, becomes the longest-serving woman Senator in American history. It’s a fitting milestone for a public servant who has been a trailblazer for her entire career. From her beginnings as a social worker and community activist, Sen. Mikulski’s career has always been motivated by a deep commitment to open doors of opportunity, to serve the people of Maryland, and to carry their voices to Washington.
As the 112th Congress begins, the “new” House Republicans are starting off by returning to their old ways. Their Rules Package shows that while they made promises to the American people that they would govern differently and cut the deficit, they are already failing to live up to their pledge.