[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, this continuing resolution spending bill 
contained needed funding provisions, many of which I support. In fact, 
three separate Appropriations bills--Defense, Homeland Security, and 
Military Construction--Veterans Affairs are included in the Continuing 
Resolution (CR) package. The insertion of these individual bills within 
the CR will ensure the safety and security of our Nation, maintain the 
commitment of Congress to our men and women in uniform, and provide for 
the needs of our veterans through the next fiscal year.
  Despite the needed funding to our troops and veterans, the Democrat 
leadership decided to take political advantage of this spending bill 
and slipped in several inappropriate spending measures. This 
legislation includes unjustified spending measures that should have had 
the opportunity to be considered through the normal legislative 
process, and not tacked onto a massive, catch-all Appropriations bill.
  One of these unjustified spending measures includes a $25 billion 
bailout of the auto industry of which $7.5 billion is appropriated in 
the bill. First in line were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac then Bear 
Stearns, and now a bailout to the auto manufacturing industry--Mr. 
Speaker, where does it end?
  We must address the core economic problems that hold back workers 
from better paying jobs and that stifle businesses from being 
successful. The best and most responsible approach Congress can take is 
to continue to pursue policies designed to get our economy growing 
again. After September 11, 2001, our Nation's general aviation and 
airline manufacturing industry greatly suffered. Congress had a choice, 
to throw millions of dollars at the aviation industry or take a market 
based approach and allow accelerated depreciation of its products. The 
Republican majority chose to pass a jobs and economic growth bill that 
included depreciation and expensing provisions, which according to 
manufacturers, have resulted in back orders until 2012-2013. This is 
just one example of a market based solution to an economic crisis.
  This is the type of policy that should guide this Congress in dealing 
with the failings of the auto industry, the housing industry, and so 
on. I cannot support a bill that attempts to undercut the integrity of 
our Nation's free market infrastructure through a $25 billion bailout 
of the auto industry.

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