And so basically, my opinion ill conclude that we dont need tar sands because of the Carbon Pollution that comes from it. We have our own sources of oil. Were using less oil because our cars are more efficient. The pipeline isnt going to help lower gas prices or enhance our Global Security or fight Climate Change. For all these reasons i oppose the bill and request that the committee grant an open rule allowing amendments to be offered, at a minimum. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate your consciousness, not only being here and taking time to be a witness today, but also it is good to see be. I hope youre going to have a good new year. You too. Mr. Kramer welcome. Previously when youve been with us youve been on the resources committee. I dont know if you still are, but you are also a member now of the energy and commerce committee. I am. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I am the prime sponsor of the bill. That was what i was going to say. Were delighted that youre here. The gentlema
Like the members of congress that have spoken today i long advocated for modernizing our relationship with cuba. I led a bipartisan bill to make it easier to finance exports to cuba. The bill is led in the house by ranking agriculture chair colin peterson. My home state of minnesota digs into exports while we export to cuba in 2o 13. With the president s action alone, the Minnesota Department of agriculture estimates that exports could increase by another 20 million. Increasing agriculture exports and promoting normal commercial relations with cuba will ensure cubans can provide for their families. The growing community of cuban Small Farmers and coops need advice and assistance to aid in the large Stateowned Enterprises to a more entrepreneurial system u. S. Agriculture can develop a new generation of cuban agriculture. The success of this policy shift and the potential for openings does not hinge solely on the u. S. The government must take serious steps to reform politically and eco
Be it. If it takes a week who cares . We ought to do this the right way. I think i would hope that we could all agree on that if not on the substance of the underlying bill, at least on the process to which we bring it to the floor. With that, i will yield back my time. I thank the gentleman very much. I stated earlier we live in glass houses up here. The gentleman is making a good point. I would like to retort that in the 110th congress when mrs. Slaughter was chairman the congress in the first year of the majority, the rules package had a consideration of five measures. Not a hearing. Not about the substance. The original day the rules package five measures. In the 111th congress the same. They were in the original package, not in the individual hearing. Six for six right in there. You know we all live in glass houses. Im not trying to call anybodys bluff. Just remember, you are trying to get your work done, too. And we can argue if this is about you do it so were going do it thats n
85 of the projected growth in spending over the next decade is driven by health care and retirement entitlements and interest on the debt. So thats where reforms need to target. To balance the budget before the end of the decade, we saw in the last house budget, it takes more than 5 trillion in cuts. That is assuming you start cutting right away. If you decide to cut in future years and not address spending next year, it takes bigger cuts to get to that ballpoint. So the sooner lawmakers can start cutting, the better. Where exactly should they start . Repealing obama care has to be their First Priority simply because 44 of the growth in sbiltsment spending is driven by the health care law. So if we are to rein in growing spending and debt obama care is where we need to start. This needs to be combined with reforms to Medicare Medicaid, and Social Security. During this process, lawmakers should be guided by focusing benefits on those individuals with the greatest need and delivering tho
We want your reaction on president obama should take and how serious the u. S. Should take. Are open. S host you can catch up with us on all your favorite social on twitter, facebook or email us. A very good monday morning to you. I want to start with a story osted overnight from foxnews. Com. North korea issues new threats hacking he u. S. Over claims as obama weighs action oting north korea issued its new threats against the United States yesterday and accused resident obama of recklessly spreading rumors that pyongyang is behind the cyber attack on picks the long statement from the powerful National Defense commission warned of the white house, pentagon and we will u. S. Main of terrorism pool from a statement fox news noting was hours threat after president obama confirmed that he was considering returning north korea to the list of statents sponsors of terrorism. President obama of course going shows yesterday to talk about this issue. Cnns state. Union. Here is a bit of it. [vide