[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONSOLIDATED SECURITY, DISASTER ASSISTANCE, AND CONTINUING 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2009

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, this is a bad week for those of us concerned 
over Congress' refusal to reign in federal spending. Not only are we 
preparing to deal with at least a multi-billion dollar bailout of the 
financial services sector, Congress today stands ready to add billions 
to the national debt by passing H.R. 2638.
  I would not object to many of the items in this bill if they were 
offset by reductions on other, lower priority, programs. For example, I 
would support the disaster relief package if the package were offset by 
reductions in other spending, particularly reductions in our overseas 
commitments. Unfortunately, H.R. 2638 not only fails to reduce spending 
to finance disaster aid; it attaches money for the country of Georgia 
onto the disaster aid package. Georgia is not receiving this money 
because it was affected by a natural disaster but because it was 
involved in a military conflict with Russia--which was started by 
Georgia! It is an insult to the American people to divert money that 
could have gone to help the victims of Hurricane Ike to promote 
interference in a conflict that in no way threatens the security of the 
American people.
  Another particularly objectionable part of H.R. 2638 is the section 
providing $7.5 billion in loan guarantees for the auto industry. In 
exchange for the loans, the industry must agree to produce the type of 
automobiles favored by federal bureaucrats. Thus, this bill not only 
increases corporate welfare, it empowers federal bureaucrats to 
displace the judgment of consumers as to where the auto industry should 
concentrate its resources. As the failure of every centrally planed 
economy throughout history shows, when government officials usurp the 
decisions of consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs the result is 
economic stagnation.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2638 represents another missed opportunity for 
Congress to exercise fiscal discipline by funding the American people's 
priorities, such as disaster relief, by reducing spending on non-
priority items, such as overseas spending. Therefore, I must oppose 
this bill. I hope that in the future Congress will fund items such as 
disaster relief by reducing spending in other areas instead of 
burdening future generations with more debt.

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