[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 4, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H2939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 109TH CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Ethics. The principles of honor and morality. 
The accepted rules of conduct. The moral principles of an individual.
  Mr. Speaker, the 109th Congress recently passed its 100-day mark, and 
I would like to reflect on the progress we have made under the strong 
leadership of the Republican Party to create jobs, to strengthen the 
economy, support our troops, and to protect our borders. And we have 
done this with strong bipartisan support as wiser, calmer heads have 
prevailed on the other side of the aisle.
  The energy bill, supported by 41 Democrats. This bill will create 
nearly half a million new jobs in the manufacturing, construction, 
agriculture and technology sectors by reducing our dependency on 
foreign oil while exploring domestic sources and alternative energy 
sources. This was opposed by the minority leader.
  Class action reform, supported by 73 Democrats. This will unclog 
overused courts, end the harassment of local businesses by stopping 
predatory forum shopping by some trial attorneys and will protect 
consumers with a consumer class action bill of rights. Small businesses 
pay an average of $88 billion each year on lawsuits and this cost is 
simply passed on to consumers. This money could be much better spent 
growing businesses and creating jobs. This bill was opposed by the 
minority leader.
  Permanent repeal of the death tax, supported by 42 Democrats. The 
death tax is the leading cause of dissolution for most small 
businesses. Seventy percent of businesses do not make it past the first 
generation because of death tax rates. According to one small business 
survey, more than 80 percent of small businesses spend $25,000 annually 
on attorney-consultant fees and life insurance premiums in an attempt 
to avoid the crushing blow of the death tax. Again, this money could be 
much better spent growing businesses and creating jobs. This was 
opposed by the minority leader.
  The Border Security Act, supported by 42 Democrats. This will 
implement a much-needed national standard for driver's license 
requirements and strengthen our borders so that those who intend to do 
us harm find it harder to enter our country. This was opposed by the 
minority leader.
  Thank goodness for the moderates in the Democratic Party who are 
willing to put aside partisan bickering and work together to get things 
done for America. The minority leader's continued opposition tactics 
more closely resemble the pirates of the South Seas who hijacked 
commerce and progress and accomplished absolutely nothing in the long 
run.
  What a shame.

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