[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE

  (Mr. BOEHNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, our hearts go out today 
to those in Oklahoma who are suffering as a result of this storm. I've 
asked that the flags here in the Capitol complex be lowered to half 
staff in honor of the victims of this terrible tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, this House is going to continue to be 
focused on the issue of jobs. It's the number one issue of concern to 
our fellow citizens. We're going to continue to be focused on the 
things that get in the way of job creation in our country.
  Most notably, this week we will work on trying to get the Keystone 
pipeline approved that will create some 20,000 direct jobs and over 
100,000 indirect jobs, and trying to make sure that those who have 
student loans won't see their interest rates double. That will be the 
work of the House this week.
  But in addition to that, we have a responsibility to the American 
people to provide oversight of the executive branch. I think Americans 
understand and my colleagues understand that the American people 
deserve the truth. Whether it's Benghazi, whether it's the IRS, whether 
it's the Justice Department investigating journalists, the Congress of 
the United States and the American people need to know what the truth 
is--to hold this administration accountable.
  Those of us in public office understand that our job is to serve the 
American people, and not the other way around.

                          ____________________