[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H4257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                         AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1664

  (Mrs. DAHLKEMPER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. DAHLKEMPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 
hardworking families of my district in the State of Pennsylvania who 
have been hit especially hard by the economic downturn. Across my 
district, paychecks just don't seem to stretch as far to buy groceries 
and to pay the utility bills. Many have had to take a pay cut simply to 
keep their job.
  Madam Speaker, my constituents are struggling just to make ends meet, 
and they are sick and tired of seeing their hard-earned tax dollars go 
to pay the excessive bonuses at companies like AIG. However, I have 
good news for those who want to put an end to this shameless practice. 
Today, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have an opportunity to 
support my amendment to H.R. 1664.
  The purpose of my amendment is to close any loopholes and to make it 
crystal clear that excessive taxpayer-funded bonuses are absolutely not 
allowed, regardless of when the executive worked at the company. Let me 
repeat that. It does not matter when the executive was employed at the 
company, it does not matter what the official name of the bonus is 
called; all excessive bonuses at taxpayer expense are prohibited.
  Madam Speaker, I came to Congress to represent my constituents on 
Main Street, not the corporate executives on Wall Street. That is why I 
voted against the Wall Street bailout, and that is why I am offering my 
amendment today, to protect taxpayer dollars and hold Wall Street 
executives accountable.

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