House Proceeding 02-25-09 on Feb 25th, 2009 :: 0:11:30 to 0:14:40
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0:11:27 to 0:11:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: so without proposing any other solutions for nuclear disposal. mr. chairman, this seems the height of irresponsibility. i recognize the process that has led us to the floor of this house afternoon will not allow us to have a real debate on the issue. for this and other reasons, mr. chairman, i oppose this omnibus. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired.

0:11:30 to 0:14:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jo Ann Emerson

0:11:49 to 0:12:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: the gentleman from wisconsin. mr. obey: reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from wisconsin continues to reserve his time. the gentleman from california. mr. lewis: mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to my colleague from missouri, mrs. emerson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from missouri is recognized for two minutes. mrs. emerson: thank you, mr. speaker. i come to the floor today to speak on the financial services

0:12:10 to 0:12:30( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: and general government section of the omnibus. the bill includes $22.7 billion for this subcommittee, which is an increase of almost 10% above the fiscal year 2008 level. nearly every account in the bill is funded at or above the budget request. if you look closely at this $410 billion legislation you'll see most of the bill provides operational funding for

0:12:31 to 0:12:53( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: government agencies. not program funding for grants or other services. i'm very concerned that this bill focuses on the federal bureaucracy at the expense of the bricks and mortar projects we need to spark our economy. even within the areas of spending on infrastructure, i harbor concerns. one example is the funding provided for the g.s.a.

0:12:54 to 0:13:14( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: in the stimulus bill just passed by the house last week, the g.s.e. received $6 billion for the construction and alterations of federal buildings. this bill provides the bill another $1.4 billion. in the last fiscal year, they received a total of $1.4 billion for all of these activities. this year they'll receive a

0:13:15 to 0:13:36( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: total of $7 billion. we've all had experience with g.s.e. projects in our districts. does anyone really believe they have the contracting, program management, building engineering, experties to manage $7 billion of new projects in one year? i also note the bill includes language prohibiting new district of columbia students

0:13:37 to 0:13:58( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: for opportunity scholarships and stating the program will be terminated after the 2009-2010 school year unless the authorization is extended. the opportunity scholarship program provides close to 2,000 disadvantaged children the opportunity to atend tend private schools in the nation's capital. all of these students who don't have the means to pay private

0:13:59 to 0:14:19( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: tuition beyond the 2009-2010 school year will be forced out of the schools they and their parents have chosen. these children are from some of the poorest families in the district of columbia with average incomes of approximately -- mr. cha can i have 30 seconds? in the district of columbia with average incomes of

0:14:20 to 0:14:41( Edit History Discussion )

Jo Ann Emerson: approximately $23,000 per year. the mayor and chancellor are to be commended for their reform efforts. however, the d.c. public school system is the only place in the country where i personally support school vouchers and d.c. is trying to address school violence. now, isn't the time to limit academic choice for d.c.'s poorest families, an i look