Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 1255, Government Shutdown Prevention Act Of 2011

Floor Speech

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Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1255. And I say to my friend from Georgia that no matter how he slices it, if you are saying in this bill that if the Senate fails to act, then H.R. 1 becomes law, check Webster's. That's deeming.

This is blatantly unconstitutional deem-and-pass legislation offered by Representative Womack, and it makes me wonder what sort of April Fool's Day joke is being played on the American public.

To be sure, Congressman Womack cited constitutional authority for his bill. First, he cites clause 7 of section 9 of article I of the Constitution for the concept that Congress has the authority to spend money by passing laws. He then cites clause 1 of section 8, article I for the idea that Congress shall have power to lay taxes and pay the debts.

But what my Republican colleague fails to cite is clause 1, section 1, article I for the fundamental concept that Congress shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. As much as we don't like that much of the time, that is what the Constitution says.

I also refer him to clause 2, section 7 of article I that lays out the basic constitutional construct that a bill becomes a law if, and only if, it is passed by the House and the Senate and signed by the President.

The House has no magic wand to do this all on its own. Glinda, the good witch of the north, is not coming to save you. H.R. 1 is more like a product of the wicked witch of the west. Perhaps at the start of the next Congress we should show the ``Schoolhouse Rock'' video ``I Am Just a Bill,'' as a refresher on how a bill really becomes a law. It appears reading the Constitution on the floor hasn't stuck so well.

Now, while today is April Fool's Day, it also feels a bit like Ground Hog Day because here we are again deeming to pass the majority's job-killing spending bill, H.R. 1.

In case anyone has forgotten, that job-killing spending bill would destroy 700,000 jobs and threaten the economic recovery now underway.

The Democratic minority remains committed to our goals for the 112th Congress to create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and responsibly reduce the deficit. I say defeat this misguided legislation and make sure that Members of Congress aren't paid when government employees aren't.

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