Providing for Consideration of of H.R. 160, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, and Providing for Consideration of H.R. 1190, Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that we might, indeed, get to H.R. 1031, the Promoting U.S. Jobs through Exports Act of 2015.

H.R. 1031--which, as it has been indicated, reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank--is a deficit-cutting, job-creating machine. And why is it important that we get to it? Because, indeed, the charter of the Bank expires in 5 legislative days.

Last week, I was at home and had occasion to be channel surfing, and I came across, inarguably, one of the top 10 movies in all of the history of American cinema, ``Blazing Saddles.'' And there is this wonderful scene where the actor, Cleavon Little, rides into town, and he is not met very favorably by the townsfolks. They all pull their guns on him. And in response, he pulls his revolver, and he puts it to his head, and he says, Stop, stop, or I will shoot myself.

Well, of course, what he was doing, given the situation, was completely turning logic on its ear and confusing everybody in his presence. And that is how I feel about this.

Those who want to end the Export-Import Bank purport to be in favor of cutting the deficit. But the Export-Import Bank has reduced the Federal deficit by $6 billion over the last 20 years. Those who want to terminate the Export-Import Bank say they are in favor of faster economic growth. But the Export-Import Bank supported 164,000 jobs just last year alone in virtually every congressional district in this great land.

Make no mistake, if the Bank expires, we will lose jobs; and we will lose jobs immediately here and there and everywhere.

And stop and think about that. What is more important than a job? It is the means by which we provide for ourselves. We are self-sufficient.

Is anyone suggesting we have too many jobs? Is anybody suggesting that work isn't worthwhile?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

Mr. POLIS. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. HECK of Washington. I will never forget when former Vice President Mondale once said, You want to know how important work is in this society? Stop, ask yourself what is the first thing you ask somebody when you meet them. ``What do you do?''

Work is important. Jobs are important. The Export-Import Bank creates jobs. Vote ``no'' on the previous question. Reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. We have 5 legislative days to go.

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