House Proceeding 06-24-09 on Jun 24th, 2009 :: 1:14:20 to 1:19:10
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1:14:16 to 1:14:36( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: mr. lewis: madam chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number offered by mr. lewis of california. the chair: the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. lewis: thank you, madam

1:14:20 to 1:19:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jerry Lewis

1:14:37 to 1:14:57( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: chairman. as i proceed with this amendment, i want to one more time associate myself first with the remarks of think ranking member regarding the manager's amendment but in turn express my deep respect and appreciation for the two gentlemen handling this bill, chairman price, my colleague

1:14:58 to 1:15:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: from kentucky have worked professionally together and the way i think this house would be served well if we extended to all our subcommittees. the amendment which i have at the desk offers a relatively simple amendment. i rise to restore -- restore

1:15:21 to 1:15:43( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: some balance to what orse is a thoughtful and very constructive bill. my amendment tak a small fraction of funding, increases recommended for administrative expenses and adds 200 now border patrol agents out of that transfer of funding. agents that will front lines of the bloody drug

1:15:44 to 1:16:04( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: war raging in mexico and produce -- and produce increased security across our borders from entry by way of smugglers and people who are coming here for other sorts of contraband activities. my amendment seeks to increase the resources for these --

1:16:05 to 1:16:26( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: those -- for those who are charged to keep our nation safe and secure, for some reason i can't read my own writing. as well as ensnare money and illegal weapons flowing southbound. resources that will fulfill the promises repeatedly --

1:16:27 to 1:16:47( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: repeatedly made by president obama to the american people and the courageous mexican government in their fight against the cartels. in fact, it was just two weeks ago the president unveiled a new gentleman ji on securing the southwest border and fighting the cartels a strategy that calls for sustained enhancements to border security

1:16:48 to 1:17:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: and countermarkets. the president's budget request calls for only 44 new agents. that's right. only 44 new agents. contrast that with the 2,500 additional agents this congress funded last year. 44 new agents in this bill,

1:17:10 to 1:17:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: 2,500 additional agents last year. how can we support such a flattening of this crucial security asset? how can we risk a reduction in the size of the border patrol when our border security needs our -- needs are so great and the agent attrition rate is creeping up to about 11%. the decision to fund what is

1:17:32 to 1:17:52( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: essentially a current services budget for border patrol comes in conjunction with a request for more than 30% increase in administrative policy and bureaucratic functions at talk about getting your priorities all wrong. think about that. 11% versus 30%.

1:17:53 to 1:18:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: clearly a higher priority being given to border security by way of more personnel. at a time of such obvious need in the face of a bloody and all too real drug war, now is the time to follow through on border security, not plateau and rest on our laurels. as ranking member rogers has often pointed out, chairman price has done a laudable job

1:18:16 to 1:18:37( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: scaling back the president's request for more bureaucrats and made prudent enhancements to operations in this bill. however the border patrol agents are not increase boved the request and i thk it's something th chamber should weigh heavily.

1:18:38 to 1:18:59( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: so asking them to get by on no more than a 14.8% increase, an increase that's more than sufficient and one many of us think is too high given the current fiscal climate. my amendment simply asks what's more important, resources to support our operators and watch guards in the field or added bureaucracy?

1:19:00 to 1:19:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Lewis: we have all read the terrible stories the brutal murders in north mexico. let's follow through on our commitment to secure our borders, stop the advance of