It was at least fair, where the 1 were getting 45 and the bottom 99 were getting 55 . What is the configuration now . I might venture to say, mr. Jeffries, that the 99 are getting zero and the top 1 may be right now at 100 . So im asking for the conference to go and work for america. Not this configuration, but to in the 99 investment america. To be able to take the c. B. C. Budget and look at some of the tax reforms that could be utilized, to look at our job creation, which would include the maintenance and repair for public transit, highways, airports, port, railroad and bridges. The houston metro would appreciate having the opportunity to expand and create work from those who would on the rail lines to those who would build the rail cars, to those who would run it. And the opportunity for people going to work to ride on it. Work force Development Programs such as the Work Force Investment act, programs that ive had in times legislation ive introduced in times of high unemployment, to gively give those unemployed a say to pend while they retrain and retrofit themselves into new jobs. Veterans programs which provide for investment in our veterans, one of the greatest gifts we could have given to the Second Generation of veterans was a second g. I. Bill that democrats passed for the returning iraqi and afghan veterans. They provided opportunity. So, i simply come today with a number that, as i close, that i wanted to leave. Maybe my friends in texas will understand why this is so drastic. Because were losing out of the Gross Domestic Product in texas some 15. 2 billion. 153, losing 1,53,541 jobs in the state of texas alone. Someplace where theyre celebrating that theyre creating jobs. The sequester is causing the loss of jobs all across america. So tomorrow well be standing against the snap cuts that will be coming on november 1. Through mr. Obamas and the Democratic Congress or caucus support we passed stimulus that gave more food money to those who are in need. Why couldnt we keep that going . Simply to keep that going. But on november 1, because we have not acted, this congress will shut down the food for those who have gotten just a little bit to feed their family. So i am hoping that when they go to conference, what will be on their mind is their pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, not to the 1 , but the 99 and we will come back out of this economy and there will not be a tale two of americas. But it will be one america where everyone has an opportunity and thats the model of america, united, investment into more than just a few people, but to a lot of people, giving them the opportunity to build this economy. I thank the gentleman for yielding and i thank my constituents in houston for understanding and recognizing that we must Work Together to build a better houston, a better texas and a better america. I yield back. Mr. Jeffries i thank the distinguished gentlelady from texas for a very, powerful, strong, thoughtful and comprehensive remarks and hopefully as we move forward in this congress, with the Conference Committee that representative lee just discussed, they will take heed to her plea that you keep in mind those in america and the middle class and working families, those who aspire to be part of the middle class, and be compassionate as we move forward to address the issues that confront this nation. Now, earlier this month, as a result of the reckless behavior of some in this house of representatives, we experienced 16 days of a government shutdown. It was a legislative joyride that was doomed to end in a crash and burn scenario as it did. And unfortunately as a result the American People have been left with the damage of a 24 billion hit to the economy in erms of loss, economic productivity. Thankfully as a result of the agreement that reopened the government, both sides agreed to finally move forward with the appointment of negotiators to try and resolve differences in the House Republican budget and the Senate Democratic budget and move forward with a plan for america. That both reenergizes our economy and deals with the longterm deficit problems that we will have to confront. The c. B. C. Budget that has been discussed here on the floor of the house of representatives we believe provides insight into the type of things that should be considered by the negotiators in the house and the senate as they move forward. I would note paraphernalia thetically that partner thetically that partner thetically that though the Conference Committee is just at the early stages at this point in time, this process really should have occurred months and months ago. This house passed its budget in. The Senate Passed its budget shortly in march. The Senate Passed its budget shortly therefore. And democrats in the house and the senate have been calling for the appointment of conferees since the early spring. But for some reason there was a refusal amongst our friends on the other side of the aisle to move forward, but were thankful that at this point theres an agreement finally to sit down. The American People have demanded that we attempt to find Common Ground to resolve the issues of concern for this great nation. Now there are two different approaches that have been put forth. Our approach is designed to deal with the deficit problems that we have in a balanced fashion. The other approach i believe is designed to balance the budget on the backs of the most Vulnerable People in our society. Children, working families, the poor, the disabled, middle class folks, senior citizens. Now, some may say, thats just hyperbole. Well, what does the budget on the other side of the aisle actually do . It cuts assistance pursuant to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, snap, by 135 billion. Thats not hyperbole, thats in the budget. In a country at this moment where 50 Million People are hungry, 18 million of them children can. The budget put forth by the other side of the aisle also cuts spending on higher. Ducation by 168 billion thats not hyperbole, thats in the budget. Making it more difficult for young people in this great country to access the American Dreams. Young people who are already in a debt crisis, Student Loan Debt in this country exceeds 1 trillion. We should be doing more to help people get a higher education, not less. Not less in this country. The document that was presented by the other side that will be subject to negotiation at the Conference Committee also cuts assistance and spending on medicaid by the amount of 810 billion. Thats not hyperbole, thats in the House Republican budget. Notwithstanding the fact that the majority of people who benefit from medicaid assistance in this country are actually children and the disabled and senior citizens. So weve got very different priorities, blue prints, road maps as it relates to dealing with the problems that we confront here in america. The balanced approach that we advocate for essentially has four different elements. First, we believe its important to invest in the american economy. Its time to invest in america. Invest in job training and education, transportation and infrastructure, research and development, technology and innovation. Lets invest in america. So we can create increased economic activity. Were in the midst of a very schizophrenic economic recovery. Its a recovery that has disproportionately benefited the wealthy in america. Lets just look at the facts that have been laid before us. Weve got corporate profits that are way up. Stock market way up. C. E. O. Compensation way up. Productivity of the American Worker way up. Yet wages have remained stagnant and unemployment is still stubbornly high. Working families and middle class folks have been left behind in the context of this recovery. Thats why we believe the first element of any budget has to invest in america. Because if you invest in america , you increase economic activity, you increase economic activity, you raise consumer demand. You raise consumer demand, the economy grows. If the economy grows by definition the deficit will be reduced. And let me also note, despite all the rhetoric from some of my friends on the other side of the aisle, under this administration , barack obama, the deficit has ctually been reduced by half during his fiveyear five years in office. In fact, i think as a percentage of g. D. P. , the deficit has been reduced to a degree that has not been seen since the drawdown in the aftermath of world war ii. So we hear a lot about fiscal irresponsibility directed at the white house, notwithstanding the fact that this white house has presided over a nearhistoric level of deficit reduction. Invest in the economy. Second thing thats important is that we should get rid of some wasteful corporate loopholes that have outlived their usefulness. If we just close or change the or modified some of the benefits that oil and Gas Companies have received, theyre making record profits, theres no reason for the loopholes and the benefits and the subsidies that exist right now. If we just were to address them, we could save the American People 25 billion over the next 10 years. If we were to change some of the loopholes that actually incentivize companies to move jobs overseas, we could save the American People 168 billion over the next 10 years. If there is such a moral imperative not to saddle our children with the debt burden that we have in america, if thats such a moral imperative, cant we not agree upon a single loophole that can be closed in the name of the children and the grandchildren of america . Not one . Thats what we believe is the right thing to do here in the c. B. C. He third thing that i think all of us on this side of the aisle are willing to concede that there are probably some areas where efficiencies can be found in the name of fiscal responsibility for the American People. Spending reductions sensitive to the fragile nature of our recovery should be part of any balanced approach to dealing with the problems that we face n america. And we believe that any budget agreement has to stand up for important social safety net programs in america. Like Social Security and medicare and medicaid. Programs that have been phenomenally successful particularly in reducing poverty amongst older americans. There are times when these programs are unfairly demonized. And made part of deficit reduction talks, even if the facts suggest they dont necessarily have a place in that regard. Social security, for instance, mains a solvent program at this moment and into the foreseeable future. Social security has nothing to do with the deficit. That in fact was a statement hat Ronald Reagan made in 1984 in a debate with walter mondell. It was true then, its true almost 30 years later. When you think about the attack on our social safety net programs and the obsessive desire to change, decimate socalled entitlement programs, often this discussion is raised in the context of the enormous debt problem that we have in america. 16. 7 drl. Certainly its a problem trillion. Certainly its a problem that weve got to confront in this country. But what also is often not clear is the fact that spending on socalled entitle am programs entitlement programs really do not account for the debt problem that we confront in america. And this is what this poster board and the chart so clearly illustrate. In fact, much of the debt that we currently confront in this america can be tied directly to policies emanating from the eight years that george w. Bush was at 1600 pennsylvania avenue. More than half of more than half of our debt can be traced to the failed war in iraq, totally unjustified in search of weapons of mass destruction that still havent found. Und and never will the debt can be tied to the war in afghanistan, the fact that it was misprosecuted as a result of being distracted by the joyride that took place in iraq costing lives in american treasure. The debt problem can be traced to the bush tax cuts passed in this congress in 2001 and 2003, without being paid for. And then, of course, the attitude towards wall street resulting in reckless behavior by some that collapsed the economy, robbed mills and mills of americans millions and millions of americans and the resulting bailout that took place and the need for an economic stimulus package through the recovery act, all of that accounts for a significant amount of the debt that we now confront. So now when both sides sit down at the negotiating table in the context of the budget committee, facts, d do so with objectively established as opposed to putting a bulls eye on the back of important social safety net programs like Social Security and medicare, just because some folks in this capitol dont like those programs from their very inception. The last observation that ill make is that the budget that has been set forth by the c. B. C. And by democrats in the house and the senate, as compared to the budget that has been been put are by the house g. O. P. Very different in the context of how we review and evaluate tax fairness in america. I think some would be surprised to know that in the house g. O. P. By t, it cuts taxes owering the top tax rate for highincome americans from 39. 6 to 25 . His is not a reagan budget supplyside economics. This isnt George Herbert walker bush or george w. Bush in 2001 or 2003, this is the current budget that we are going to have to negotiate and find Common Ground, cuts the tax rate from 39. 6 to 25 in order to slash all of the socialsafety net programs that we reviewed earlier. Wrongheaded policy . Well, as i close, and as this chart illustrates, when the top tax rate was at 39. 6 , notwithstanding the fact that so many people on the other side of the aisle in good faith constantly say that type of tax rate is the type of rate that hurts the economy, but under the eight years of the Clinton Administration, 39. 6 top tax rate, 20plus million jobs created. Eight years later, when the top tax rate was cut by this to 35 , we 39. 6 jobs, thats an applestoapples comparison that discredits the notion that lowering the tax rate somehow stimulates growth in the economy when the eight years of the Clinton Administration as compared to the eight years of the Bush Administration clearly discredit that theory in the manner that a former president referred to as voo do economics. So, im just hopeful as we move forward with this Conference Committee, weve got big differences, but that we can sit down and endeavor to find Common Ground, do the business of the American People, keep government open, invest in our economy, protect our social safety net programs and help create prosperity for the greatest number of americans possible. And with that, i yield back the alance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2013, the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Roirk, for 30 minutes. Mr. Rohrabacher, for 30 minutes. Mr. Rohrabacher well, here we go again. Over the last 25 years, i and a small band of just refuse to go along to get along have engaged in a constant fight to maintain the intellectual property of american investors. The intellectual Property Rights of our invent tors is something that has been a great treasure. Our Founding Fathers felt so strongly with technology, freedom and with the profit motive, that that was the formula that would uplift humankind and they believed in it so much that they wrote it into our constitution. Article 1, section 8, clause 8, the Congress Shall have power to promote the progress of science, huesful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. While this provision in the constitution and only place in the constitution, the body of the constitution where the word right is used. Bill of rights comes into the amendment process of the constitution but our Founding Fathers thought so highly of technology and tech noling advancement, the right of inventors was included in the body of the constitution and this provision served america well. Its led to general prosperity that we would not have had otherwise. It has led to National Security where we faced foes who outnumbered us so heavily but we relied on the technologies that were developed to help our armed forces defend themselves and thus defend the country and of course, served us well, because the technology and the freedom we have has created a society where ordinary people, decent people can live very fruitful lives and can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Americans work hard. And this wasnt just created by hard work. Thats the important thing to remember. Without hardworking americans, it wouldnt have worked, but the Technology Made the difference. People worked hard all over the world and worked long hours and with n poverty and we technology and thus what we have had is a success that has uplifted the common man and served as a light of hope for all of human beings that we can produce the wealth needed for regular people to live decent lives. That is the secret of americas success. Technology and freedom, and yes, perhaps, can include values. But it was our strong patent system and a respect for law that made the difference in th