Date: 2012-01-18
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 98. "Relating to the disapproval of the Presidents exercise of authority to increase the debt limit. as submitted under section 3101A of title 31. United States Code." This Joint Resolution is designed to prevent President Obama from raising the debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion. Under the agreement reached last summer. which Republicans supported. the President was given the authority to raise the debt ceiling. Republicans are now putting forth a resolution that is a direct contradiction to the agreement which we all felt was the right decision for our country. Today we are here pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011 that this body passed last summer. In the course of our efforts numerous concessions were made to placate Republicans just to do the business of the American people. to pay our bills and ensure that essential services were taken care of for the infirm. the elderly. our childrenin short: the most vulnerable in our society. This Republican led resolution is nothing more than an attempt to obstruct the government. the measure is expected to fail in the Senate. In the end. this measure will be a tremendous waste of both Congressional resources and time. The words to the resolution read as follows: "Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That Congress disapproves of the Presidents exercise of authority to increase the debt limit. as exercised pursuant to the certification." These words. less than forty by my count. are an unabashed attempt to throw cold water on the mere prospect of an economic recovery. It is notable that some jobs have been created. however. our economy continues to gradually recover. You would think that Congress would be acting in a bipartisan manner. and not acting as poseurs in the legislative picture. I am disappointed to see that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are more interested in playing political games than improving the economy. Congressional Republicans are attempting to constrain the ability of Congress to deal effectively with Americas economic. fiscal. and job creation troubles instead of working towards a bipartisan job creation bill. My Republican colleagues have put forth a measure that will impact the Presidents ability to raise the debt limit. This is a dangerous stunt and amounts to political theatrics that could result in our nation defaulting on its obligations. We are a nation that pays our bills. We are a nation that will provide for those among us who are unable to provide for themselves. To address our evergrowing and complex needs. the first debt ceiling was established in 1917. allowing the federal government to borrow money to meet its obligations without prior Congressional approval. so long as in the aggregate. the amount borrowed did not eclipse a specified limit. Since the debt limit was first put in place. Congress has increased it over 100 times. in fact. it was raised 10 times within the past decade. under both Democrat and Republican presidents. and last year. we were able to negotiate another compromise. and keep the country from default. I urge my colleagues not to undermine the agreement that was reached by attempting to block the Presidents ability to raise the debt ceiling. This Republican Congress has asked for a balanced budget amendment. It has codified the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. which is possibly unconstitutional. and has had no impact on jobs and the unemployment problem. This illustrates what happens when Congress does not work together in a bipartisan manner. laboring for the American people. We must work together and compromise. At a time when our citizens need legislation that will fuel the economy and drive the engine of job growth. before us is a measure that will take us on the road to nowhere. Our country cannot afford to take the issue of raising our nations debt limit lightly. It is reckless for Republicans to send confusing signals to international markets that could jeopardize our own fragile economic recovery. This country has made tremendous progress. even in the face of a cavalier attitude towards job creation and unemployment eradication on the part of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Housing starts are improving. the economy is adding jobs at a gradual. steadied. yet consistent pace. Retail sales were up during the recent holiday season. The American people are out there living their lives. going about their business. and hoping that we get our act together here in Congress.