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"On Monday, we will join in remembering the tireless work and the inspirational life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  In his thirty-nine short years walking this Earth, Dr. King preached a gospel of peace and brotherhood that continues to resonate across the country, in the hearts of millions seeking to create a more perfect union for the generations to follow. 

"Sadly, with today's proposal we see a continuation of putting politics before policy, which the Republican majority pursued with a vengeance in the last Congress. To my knowledge, no responsible Republican leader believes that default will be anything other than disastrous.

Four years ago, President Obama took office against a backdrop of severe job losses, an auto industry on the brink of collapse and a housing market shaken by a foreclosure crisis. The very foundations of the American Dream appeared to be faltering. As he stood to address an anxious nation, our new president declared that “the state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift.”

I join in thanking Secretary Ken Salazar for his service and leadership over the past four years.  Under his stewardship, the Department of the Interior made enormous progress in the areas of natural resources conservation, federal land use management, and expanding opportunities for Native Americans.  I was proud to have worked closely with him as Congress and the Administration completed work on the Cobell settlement to see justice served for Native American tribes whose trust assets were improperly managed.  I also had the pleasure of working with Ken in 2009 to pass the most significant land conservation legislation in fifteen years, which set aside 2 million new acres of wilderness, established three new national parks, protected 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers, and designated the Baltimore Heritage Area in my home state of Maryland.  Ken has been a faithful public servant and a voice for America’s rural communities, and I wish him well in his next endeavors.

“I thank you, Madam Chair. I thank the Ranking Member, Mrs. Lowey, and I thank Mr. Rogers for his work as well bringing this bill to the Floor. I rise not only in support of the Chairman's mark at $17 billion, but also for the Frelinghuysen amendment. I think both of these together meet our responsibilities in responding to one of the most historic and damaging storms to hit the country. Not only the Northeast but to the country.

Recently, a growing number of Republicans have been threatening to either hold the debt ceiling hostage during fiscal negotiations or force a government shutdown by refusing to fund regular agency appropriations.  Instead of attempting to make either of these reckless moves, which are sure to wreak havoc on our economy for the sake of scoring political points, Republicans should immediately work with President Obama to ensure the continued recovery of our economy.  As seen in 2011, treating the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip would be dangerous, sowing uncertainty and tempting another downgrade of our credit.  And as was the case in 1995 and 1996, a government shutdown would bring turmoil to all sectors of the economy.  Republicans should not bet the fiscal stability and economic wellbeing of our country in their attempt to gain political points.

"I join in congratulating Jack Lew on his nomination as our next Secretary of the Treasury and thanking Tim Geithner for his steady leadership during a time of extraordinary economic challenges. Jack’s extensive public and private sector experience, his knowledge of both the fiscal and financial, will be an invaluable asset in this new role. He understands the economy and what makes it tick.