[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 34 (Friday, February 28, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ELECTRIFY AFRICA ACT OF 2014

  (Mr. BROOKS of Alabama asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the House Foreign 
Affairs Committee passed H.R. 2548, the Electrify Africa Act of 2014.
  Another day in Washington, another boondoggle on the backs of 
American taxpayers.
  I am flabbergasted that in the same week our Secretary of Defense 
warns of severe defense cuts caused by America's deteriorating 
financial condition, cuts that risk national security, Congress seeks 
to force American taxpayers to help build electrical power plants and 
transmission lines in Africa.
  Financial prudence dictates that we reduce our deficits by not 
spending the money at all. If we must spend it and must choose between 
Africa or America, Mr. Speaker, I choose spending it in America.
  America spends more than $40 billion a year on foreign aid with money 
we do not have, borrow to get, and cannot afford to pay back. Mr. 
Speaker, if financial irresponsibility and economic insanity have a 
home, rest assured they live in Washington, D.C.

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