[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RULES OF THE HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 5, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed in the Rules 
package assembled by my Republican colleagues. In their campaigns, they 
promised to improve transparency and to reduce the deficit. These Rules 
break those promises.
  Under these Rules, the new Republican majority will enact a draconian 
budget without a single hearing, without any input from the Budget 
Committee, without any outreach to Congressional Democrats, and without 
a direct vote by the House of Representatives. Merely by entering a 
statement into the record, the Budget Chairman can subject all spending 
beyond whatever levels he deems appropriate to a point of order. This 
level of concentrated authority runs contrary to the premise of 
transparency that Republicans campaigned on, and, given its disregard 
for scrutiny, runs the risk of greatly damaging our economy and the 
welfare of millions.
  The rules themselves make a mockery of prudent budgeting. While the 
Republican rhetoric has been laudable in some instances, their ``Cut-
as-you-go'' rule is riddled with loopholes. For instance, it allows tax 
cuts for corporations to be deficit financed, while programs like child 
tax credits must find offsets. In fact, these rules forbid eliminating 
even the narrowest special interest tax loophole to find revenue for 
effective government programs.
  The most casual glance at the origin of this country's debts 
illustrates the fallacy of their approach. Without finding a dime to 
offset the cost to our Nation, these rules make it possible to both 
make permanent the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the highest-income 
taxpayers and to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which not only saves 
nearly $150 billion during the next 10 years, but reduces healthcare 
costs by nearly a trillion dollars during the following decades.
  In no way do these rules result in the type of prudent budgeting that 
my Republican colleagues campaigned on, nor does it resemble anything 
like what any hardworking American family must do. At a time when the 
Republican majority is pledging greater openness, the Rules are also 
anti-democratic by depriving 600,000 taxpaying D.C. residents of their 
ability to have their voice heard in the Committee of the Whole.
  The Rules package also undermines opportunities to continue investing 
in America.
  By eliminating the point of order guarding Highway Trust Fund 
balances this Republican majority threatens investments in communities 
large and small across the country. Historically, this point of order 
ensured that Congress delivered on the transportation investments 
promised in the transportation authorization, and that States and 
communities could count on the long-term commitments made in that 
legislation. By removing this point of order, and allowing Highway 
Trust Fund balances to accrue and mask the actual deficit, the 
Republicans are engaging in budget gimmickry that undermines our 
economy and the safety of our communities.
  Organizations from the Chamber of Commerce to the American 
Association of Highway Transportation Officials have expressed their 
strong concern about destabilizing transportation funding, and have 
urged the Republican Conference to make changes. I join with these 
organizations in expressing my concern and disappointment.
  At a time when the need to invest in our communities is higher than 
ever, these rules will make it possible for the Republican Congress to 
decrease our investment in infrastructure, undermining efforts to 
rebuild and renew communities across the country. In addition to the 
new rule regarding the Highway Trust Fund, these Republican rules also 
limit the ability of the House to raise revenue for the Highway Trust 
Fund. At a time when our needs are greater than ever, and individuals 
and organizations across the country are calling on Congress to upgrade 
our Nation's roads, bridges, and transit systems, limiting our 
options--as these Rules do--is shortsighted and foolhardy.

                          ____________________