[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 26 (Thursday, February 17, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 0910
AMERICANS WANT JOBS
(Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in strong opposition
to the Republican spending plan that would hurt Missouri families that
I represent and make it harder for police to keep our neighborhoods
safe.
In St. Louis, we learned yesterday that a $4.6 million budget
shortfall for our city's police department might not be covered, which
would cost the city 65 active duty officers. Now, some in Congress are
talking about slashing critical programs like the COPS program and
pulling over 1,300 police officers off the streets.
I'm in favor of a vigorous debate here on cutting red tape and
finding commonsense solutions to our Nation's challenges, but
eliminating the essential police officers from our streets would put
families at risk. Americans still want this Congress to take up a jobs
agenda. Instead, we're debating what's been called ideologically driven
cuts that kill jobs.
We live in an era of divided government and shared responsibility for
America's future. I look forward to working with members of both
parties to make tough choices before us and to finally be able to take
up the jobs agenda that our constituents need.
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