Nixon was the most dishonest individual I have ever met in my life. He lied to his wife his family his friends his colleagues in the Congress lifetime members of his own political party the American people and the world.
Earmarks have become a symbol of a Congress that has broken faith with the people. This earmark ban shows the American people we are listening and we are dead serious about ending business as usual in Washington.
With gridlock the norm Congress's approval rating is below 10 percent and the public has lost faith in its national leadership.
It has now been over 7 years since Congress last raised the minimum wage to its current level of $5.15 per hour. Since that last increase Congress's failure to adjust the wage for inflation has reduced the purchasing power of the minimum wage to record low levels.
If we do not get No Child Left Behind right for Limited English Proficient students the law will be a failure for most schools in the 15th Congressional District and for many across the nation.
The failure of the White House and Congress to seriously address the nation's fiscal situation is certain to broaden the belief among many voters that the U.S. political system is broken.
It is crucial that members of Congress cast votes that are supportive of the values upon which our nation was founded: equality freedom and opportunity for all people.
I hope that in future Congresses there will reemerge a recognition that climate change is a reality that our policies to meet our energy needs must also deal responsibly with environmental issues including the damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
My efforts in Congress are guided by the belief that environmental preservation and restoration are a critical part of the legacy we leave to future generations.
Liberals in Congress have spent the past three decades pandering to environmental extremists. The policies they have put in place are in large part responsible for the energy crunch we are seeing today. We have not built a refinery in this country for 30 years.