people out of work. >> what a difference one year makes. a year ago, all washington thought that they needed more garments after the election there has been a fundamental change. we have watched ideas come to a floor. we have watched a leadership passed a few bills. this bill does not give all the answers. it does put in spending control and gives accountability. it does not increase spending. we started at the beginning of this date -- we just wanted to increase its two point four without any cuts. we were at a crossroads. this is a fundamental change to this country.

it is only a start. we come back the next day to work to create jobs to make progress to move this country in the right direction. >> the american people have said there are too few jobs and too much debt. the legislation that the house will soon vote on, i believe helps to address both of those concerns as reset when this debate started, there are those that call them job killing tax increases in the federal government. it is not going to happen with this piece of legislation. in this piece of legislation, for only the first time in my life, government discretionary spending will go down two years

in a row. the number relative to the problem is minimal. the directional change is huge. what i hear from job creators is we are worried about the debt. we know one day we will have to pay for it. it is one of the great factors of uncertainty and lack of confidence that is contributing to our continued high -- continued high rate of unemployment. most importantly for many of us who did not want to raise the debt ceiling will now in this piece of legislation that we will vote on plant seeds for the solution and that is to compel the house and senate to vote on the first balanced budget

amendment to the constitution in 15 years. families and small businesses have to do it. 49 of the 50 states have the requirement to do it. the american people expect nothing less out of their federal government. i look forward to taking that the debate on the balanced budget amendment to the people of america and hopefully have it reported out >> as i stand here, i cannot help but think about where we were a year ago when the congress was passing record new programs and spending in approving a record deficit. today, we completely changed course. we are debating how much we can cut and what programs we can reduce. this is not a perfect plan. i believe this as a significant

step in the right direction. when you ask yourself is this plan. to get our fiscal house in order. will it make sure we keep the american dream alive? i believe the answer is yes. i will support the plan and urge my colleagues to also support this plan. >> think about where we were in the beginning of this process. the president was asking for a blank check and he did not get to that. a big tax increase for job creators. he did not get that. we said -- we have been trying to get discretionary spending tax in lawsons i have been here for 13 years. we have introduced legislation for the last eight years to get caps on spending. we cannot get caps on spending the last time the republicans were in majority. we got that.

that is important. we see this as a good step in the right direction. it is a down payment on the deficit and a huge change in the culture of spending. we are cutting spending. we are spending less money this year than what we spent all last year. we have a long ways to go. we believe that the value of this republican majority has been changed for the country -- for the culture. the role means that we could make a sweeping change and that nobody really has to vote for it. we would do this in plain sight for the people to it -- for the public to see. we used this as an opportunity to change a culture in spending. that is exactly what this bill does.

>> are there concerns over spending cuts? >> they have some concerns about the defense numbers in this bill, this is the best defense no. we are going to get. if we do not pass the bill, the number one could go down. i believe many of our members from the armed services committee will be supporting the work of the house >> leader pelosi left the caucus and said it would be on you to bring a majority of voters on the house. >> this is not just an agreement between the president in myself. it is between the bipartisan

leaders of the congress and the president of the nine states. all of the leaders have a responsibility make sure that it passes. >> you said you cannot set caps on discretionary spending. there will be a substantial amount of republicans that may support to this. what is your argument to them and what do they say to you? >> we have been looking for this kind of thing for years. there are concerns about whether it went far enough. this gets that -- as two-thirds of the cuts we were looking for in our budget. 100 percent sign of the discretionary cuts? one. but we got two-thirds. we are going in our direction.

i think most republicans will support this. >> do they want all or nothing in this? >> you will have to ask of them. >> what kind of guarantees have you gotten from minority leader of mitch mcconnell? what will the views being? >> we have talked about our appointees for the committee. we have not made any decisions. i am sure we will contain to have conversations about our appointees to the committee. >> what will you tell leaders of your own party about this opening the door to higher taxes? michele brockman said -- what would you tell them? >> i have a big job to do here.

my goal is to get this bill passed, it into law, solve this debt crisis, and help get the american people back to work. >> also this afternoon, some members of the congressional caucus would not vote for the compromise to raise the debt ceiling and reduce the deficit. some said the deal was an attack on the most vulnerable and criticized the lack of tax increases on the wealthy. this is about 15 minutes. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] --2011.

>> i have a statement from the progressive caucus that i'd like to share right now. the deficit reduction measures included in this deal will further harm our economy and hurt hard-working americans. with unemployment above nine% and stagnant economic growth, taking out of the economy and money that will place a heavier burden on working families. this is the wrong approach for our economy at the wrong time. it goes against cover basic values. for that reason, we and many

other members will be voting no. -- no. we believe reasonable deficit reduction can be achieved while the dancing and rebellious. republicans have sought to dismantle basic services for average working americans while spending more to help millionaires and big corporations. deficit reduction should be -- should not be enacted in a hostile situation. default on the credit of the united states is not acceptable. we urge the president to use his power under the 14th minute -- commitment to raise the debt ceiling and avoid default. we stood with millions of people across the country to protect social security and medicare and medicaid from being cut.

preventing the worst from happening is not enough. americans will not stand by while their livelihood comes under attack. we need to find something that benefits everybody, not just the special interest or the extremely wealthy. we need to make decisions based on what americans can achieve. that is what america needs now. i invite my co-chair and other members of the progressive caucus to speak. >> thanks very much. >> we are disappointed in the deal. frustration and with the deal. frustrated with the items that we wanted to put on the agenda that needs to be heard. in terms of revenue generation.

the negotiations from the inception. putting programs on the block. the tax breaks for corporations and individuals were left off of the table. that frustration is not just one of built out of the idea that we did not just get our way. we want our leadership to take this to heart and present a balanced and fair package. we believe in this shared sacrifice. we believe in the concept of compromise. we do not believe in in a concept that is all give and all take. this is not a compromise.

we will stand in opposition to it. the president should use his authority given to him under the constitution. we need to proceed in a calm and rational way to look at revenue generation. after that, the two party agenda should win and get to the boats that they need. let me introduce ms. barbara lee, who has been a leader in the progressive caucus and chair of the black caucus and one of the voices we depend on for this congress to raise the issue for average working americans. >> thanks. thank you for your leadership. thanks for bringing together the abrupt -- progressive caucus that can come forward and be the

voice of the american people. none of us want to see our nation default. i am unable to support this bill. i associate myself with all of the remarks that have been made already. the lack of jobs and economic growth in our country at a -- a time when investments are needed to jump-start our economy and put people back to work. this deal and its cuts only approach -- that is the wrong approach. it is an outrage that as we stand here today and claimed that sealing boats in a reasonable approach this fall

short of achieving the balance necessary. this will likely result to paetz to vital programs that we need and hurt our abilities to hurt out -- to help our most vulnerable communities, including seniors, and struggling people. it includes a no revenue or guarantee of revenue going forward. 35 million people living in poverty and the wealth gap at an astronomical level, we must and demanded that the super rich and big corporations that enjoy tax giveaways and loopholes also contributed to this deficit reduction. enough is enough. we cannot allow a extreme to the party republicans to dismantle

our government while rewarding their constituents. i supported the president using the 14th amendment if necessary to raise the debt ceiling. i will be voting no. >> i am from california. we voted over the weekend for the read compromise. at that time, we said, that we would not vote for anything worse than the compromise. this is worse today. we will not hold our nose and vote for a bill that is flawed. this is not a balanced approach for spending. it does not ask for shared sacrifice.

it purchased -- puts the entire burden on working families in the middle class while asking nothing from billionaires', millionaires, and huge corporations and corporations that in jobs overseas. this bill does nothing to address the single greatest challenge we face today, creating jobs. for ordinary americans, barely getting by, they go to bed worried every single night -- this bill has nothing to offer them. i cannot believe something as routine as a debt ceiling is being used to extort $2.50 trillion in cuts from investments that the american people need. we can reduce spending without taking it out on ordinary people. they did not cause this deficit. it is not their responsibility to fix it.

we can meet our fiscal challenges in a way that is fair, within our constitutional rights, and with all americans doing their part. i will vote against the bill whenever it comes to the floor. >> i think my colleagues have basically articulated the feelings of the progressive in this country. i would like to thank them for their leadership in the progressive caucus for the work they have done consistently in leading the progressive caucus. i cannot understand how we can walk out of a deal.

all we have our cuts. this is a very fragile economy. it is fragile in some ways. the unemployment rates are astronomical. 9.2% in this country. in the minority communities, sometimes the unemployment rates are 40%. attitude that the loss of wealth by latinos and with african americans, over 60% loss. we need to be talking about stimulating the economy. think about this. we are about to take federal money out of the economy to stimulate the economy.

that is no way to deal with the predicament we are in during this week the economy. i am disappointed that we have allowed the tea party to drive this deal. we have a small number of people that were held hostage and holding the democratic party and the american people hostage with their threats of not allowing us to lift the debt ceiling and using this as a way to dismantle the budget. i am disappointed that our negotiators are not tough enough. they must do the work to bring them to the point where everybody can agree that we do not want to default. we have some of the worst policy

that has ever been made in the history of this institution. a lot of people will be hurt. the economy will be even more fragile and our citizens will fill the loss of jobs and opportunity and this will be four years to come. i think the progressive caucus for standing tall in the standing strong. >> this is not the first time the progressive caucus has taken a leadership role on tough issues. i managed to see a segregated america where people lived separately and were treated differently. i want to give this brief statement. this is not really about the members standing here and the constituents, have to see

groups, it is about whether america wants the country to continue in this pathway or if they want change. never in my lifetime that i think i would see the tyranny of the minority. that are the voices that have been compromised by the media and have been seen as the darlings of change. they are individuals who want to say my way or the highway. there will be boats coming up on this issue into the fall. the question is will america rise up, rushed to this capital, this city and announce that enough is enough and that although the voices of the minority are to be heard, they have a right under the flag that they will not control this nation in the most distasteful way they have done to undermine

those that cannot speak for themselves. that is what we are facing today and have some tough decisions to make. >> maybe we can get about two questions. by all indications, most are very dissatisfied and many will be voting no. >> are you prepared to accept partial responsibility of the tea party. you are willing to accept that responsibility? >> it is a definitive no. 18 times, reagan asked for it and got it. bush got seven. it is the normal course of

congress to raise the debt ceiling when it these questions go before the congress. we all have done it and are prepared to do it. it is beyond dispute that coupling the debt ceiling with a debt reduction is what got us to this point. we have been fighting for the economy, not trying to wreck it. . do you think the president for you under the bus? >> president obama is given a hand to fight from. he was not -- our dispute is

tactical. these are core democratic volumes. they are core american values to stand up for. they will help americans be better off. we support the president in using his constitutional executive authority to protect people faith and credit of the united states. he has a powerful support on that. we have to go vote. thank -- thank you very much. >> next, a house debate leading up to the final vote on raising the debt ceiling. this is one hour and 25 minutes. man om california seek recognition? mr. dreier: mr. speaker, pursuant to house resolution 384, i call up s. 365 and ask for its immediate consideration.

the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 365, an act to make a technical amendment to the education, sciences reform act of 2002. the speaker pro tempore: the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in house report 112-190 is adopted and the bill as amended is considered read. the bill shall be debatable for one hour with 30 minutes equally divide and controlleby the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on rules, 15 minutes equal request divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on ways and means and 15 minutes quelly divide and controlled by the chair -- equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member by the committee on budget. the chair recognizes t gentleman from california, mr. dreier. house will be in order. members, please take combingses from the floor. -- conversations from the floor. members in the rear of the

chamber, please take your conversations from the floor. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. dreier: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the measure before us. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. dreier: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i might consume and ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. dreier: mr. speaker, at this moment we are beginning debate on a measure which i believe will finally send a signal to job creators in this country and

in the global marketplace that we are finally, finally getting serious about getting our fiscal house in order. we know that we're dealing with a very sad 9.2% unemployment rate in this country, we know thathere are people hurting. we all have constituents who have lost their homes, people who have lost their jobs, people who have lost their bunesses, people are hurting. it is absolutely imperative that we do everything that we can to get our economy back on track. we've just gotten the report of this downward report of the g.d.p. growth rate down to 1.3%. we need to get back to robust dynamic d robust, dynamic, stro growth. we need to get to 4%, 5%, 6% g.d.p. growth. and, mr. speaker, one of the main reasons that we have not done that is that we have