mr. fitzpatrick: i thank the gentleman. mr.aker, the american people do not get an automatic pay increase and neither should members of congress. my bill, the congressional pay freeze and fiscal pocket act, gives us the chance to show the american people that at least in this regard that we do get it. freeze salaries now, including for members of congress at current levels. mr. speaker, there are too few opportunities in this town where issues can bring us together. the president has done that for us this week. unbelieveably in the middle of talks this week on tax rates and sequestration revision, in the midst of high deficits and a groke national debt, the president has proposed pay increases for members of congress and has done so by executive order dated december 28. i have to say that nobody in this town saw this coming. and very few think it is warranted. the congress has not produced a budget in three years because the senate refuses to do their job. the last thing they need is a pay increase. in fact, the no budget no pa

mr. fitzpatrick, for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. fitzpatrick: this is not a gimmick for the past going on four years now, our friends in the senate have failed in their most basic act of governance, to pass a budget. the people i represent back in bucks county and montgomery county, pennsylvania, they wouldn't survive without being able to operate on a budget. the school districts, municipalities, boroughs, even this commonwealth of pennsylvania, all required to pass a budget that balances on time. i'm proud to have over the course of the past year been advocating consistently for no budget new york pay in this house. the hard working men and women that i represent wouldn't be paid if they didn't show up and they didn't do their job or get their job done on time this place should operate no differently. i call on all our members of the house, all my colleagues, support no budget new york pay in these difficult and troubled times. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan. mr. levin: i yield one minute to the

mr. fitzpatrick: every child deserves the opportunity to be raised in a caring environment. over the past 20 years, almost 60,000 russian children have been welcomed into the united states. many of these children have found loving parents in my congressional district. regrettably president putin's new law now takes away this possibility. this law not only prohibits future adoptions, but even more disturbingly it attempts to put a halt to those already in progress. among those impacted is a family from my district, mark and april rill who were in the process of -- april, who were in the process of adopting two children from russia. after months of paperwork, background checks an interviews, this family's dreams are now crushed and there's dozens of cases out there just like theirs. it is truly disturbing that the russian government would punish parentless children in retaliation for an entirely unrelated american law. we all know that the well-being of children should not be used as a bargaining chip for diplomatic means. this weekley be introducing a house resolution to righ

mr. fitzpatrick: the chief has been loved by those who lived there. upon his retirement, he looks forward to spending time with his three daughters and seven grandchildren. chief gorea has spent 33 years and during his three decades, the force has grown from eight officers to 18. chief gora has dealt with everything from bears to undercover narcotics investigations and even spent a brief time working for the olympics. for years joseph has not only portrayed the top line work ethic but has also displayed great pride, integrity and courage. both of these public serve ants have devoted their lives -- servants have devoted their lives to making the community a safer place to live, and i'm proud to represent them in the united states congress and i wish both jack and joseph many years of continued success. happy retirement. they will miss both their chiefs. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the