Providing For Consideration of H.J. Res. 68, Continuing Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2006
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 68, CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 2006 -- (House of Representatives - September 29, 2005)
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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me this time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this rule will allow us to debate H.J. Res. 68, a continuing resolution that will fund the Federal Government past September 30. While this is an essential procedural measure, it also represents an opportunity. Between now and November 18, when the resolution expires, Congress has a responsibility to step back and consider its priorities. The facts on the ground have changed, and our agenda here in the House must change accordingly.
I am confident that we will do right by those affected by the hurricanes, but we still need to ask ourselves where our financial and legislative duties are in response to Katrina construction, continued funding for Iraq and Afghanistan, and increasing fiscal deficit. Are we looking at the big picture? Are our priorities in line with our financial obligations? We know that because of Katrina, the victims, those displaced from their homes, are more likely to rely on medicaid. With that known expense, can we honestly reduce the funding for this responsibility and still extend tax cuts?
Mr. Speaker, we need to take care of our fellow citizens, but what we do now should not mean we pass on an unsustainable debt to future generations, especially when we know there is a way we can offset these costs. For the costs of this year's installments of the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003, $225 billion this year alone, we could pay for the gulf States' recovery from Katrina. We know that we need some of these cuts, such as AMT relief, but let us at least be reasonable and put them on the table.
We must have an honest discussion about our fiscal situation. I urge my colleagues to step back and take a hard look at how we will move forward, not just this fall, but next year and the decades after that.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that all of my colleagues have heard me talk about my granddaughter Anna, and we all have someone like her, someone we see as our future, someone that means the world to us. I believe that she will grow up to a better future. But, to do right by them, we must all step up to the plate, not as Members of one party or another, but as leaders and statesmen willing to accept the reality of our fiscal situation and make the difficult decisions.
Our priorities in the coming months should not waver from the ultimate goal.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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