[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H1629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1220
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EARMARK RECISION, SAVINGS AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
(Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, the majority has now been in power for 10
weeks and has yet to offer a plan for job creation. Instead, they have
chosen to ignore the warnings of economists from across the political
spectrum and are promoting a continuing resolution that threatens to
derail and reverse our Nation's recovery.
Instead of slashing programs that are vital to job creation and
economic growth, we need to carefully examine the budget and eliminate
all wasteful spending. That is why I am introducing the Surface
Transportation Earmark Recision, Savings and Accountability Act of
2011, and I'd ask for bipartisan support on this. This legislation will
reduce the deficit by $584 million by rescinding unspent funds
authorized by Federal transportation projects requested by Members of
Congress that date back to 1978.
Instead of eliminating research at the National Institutes of Health
or eliminating funding to protect our air and water, let's focus on
elimination of wasteful, unnecessary spending. I encourage you to work
with me to include this language in the continuing resolution.
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