Today, I joined my Republican colleagues in participating in a “House Call” on the current government-run health care bill. The public press conference held on the steps of the U.S Capitol attracted thousands of citizens from across the country.

Republican Members and concerned Americans gathered today with a common purpose: to speak in strong opposition to a government takeover of health care.

Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat Majority are racing to make massive changes to our current health care delivery system without regard for the voice of the American people.

As a vote on Speaker Pelosi’s now 2,032-page health care bill is nearing, Americans are fighting to have their voice heard in Washington. Today, we sent a clear message against Speaker Pelosi’s plan for government interference in every American’s health care.

Today, I was pleased to meet with Dallas residents Johanna Bortnem and Dr. René Schmidt of the George Bannerman Dealey International Academy.  They visited Washington, DC to accept an award from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan honoring Dealey International Academy as a 2009 Blue Ribbon School. 

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors both public and private schools across the country that have either made exceptional advancements in student achievement and have helped close gaps in achievement seen in minority and disadvantaged students, or schools that are academically superior.  This year, Secretary Duncan awarded 314 schools – 264 public and 50 private – as 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools.

Dealey International Academy is a magnet middle school in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD).  Although students must qualify to attend, Dealey International Academy accepts students with more average test scores than the typical magnet school.  Sixteen buses run daily to bring students from all areas of Dallas to Dealey International Academy.

David and Johanna Bortnem and Dr. René
Schmidt with Congressman Pete Sessions

The Dealey International Academy’s principal, Johanna Bortnem, attributes much of the school’s success to its relationship with the Dealey Montessori Vanguard, which shares a campus and principal with the International Academy.  A majority of the students who attend the Montessori Vanguard from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade go on to attend the International Academy for middle school.  Students from the International Academy leave academically prepared to attend the high school of their choice, and many continue their education at DISD magnet high schools.

I congratulate the George Bannerman Dealey International Academy for being named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School and for its commitment to providing a positive learning environment that shapes students to be future leaders in our community.  The faculty and administration’s teamwork and leadership has made them truly deserving of this award and I am happy to have had the opportunity to personally thank Principal Bortnem and Dr. Schmidt for their efforts.

1,990 pages. Over 400,00 words. And approximately $3.25 million tax dollars per word. That’s House Democrats’ latest government-run health care bill — filled with dense legislative language that can have a lasting impact on your family’s health care coverage as well as mine.

The stakes are high, and I am committed to knowing exactly what is in the bill before it comes for a vote in the House of Representatives. That is why I joined Texas Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D. and other Republican Members this afternoon in participating in a Health Care Reform Bill “Reading Room.” Together, we read pages of the bill and discussed the impact those provisions will have on American families.

Unfortunately, we are finding a bill full of government mandates, higher health care costs, fewer options for patients, more taxes for working families, and interference in the patient-doctor relationship. As we continue reading through the bill, the American people have a right to know how their health care will be affected. And I have been a strong supporter of requiring at least 72-hours for Members and the American people to review substantial legislation online before a vote – especially on this government takeover of health care.

In the coming days, I will continue studying the bill to ensure that patients and physicians in the 32nd District of Texas know exactly how Congress plans to change their health care.

It’s decision time. General Stanley McChrystal – the Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan – has requested an additional 40,000 troops for Afghanistan because he believes that they are critical to achieving victory and stability in the region.

The Administration has had months to decide on a course of action, yet President Obama has produced no plan. Citing a pending run-off between Afghan presidential candidates Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, last month President Obama and his Administration stated that they would wait to outline a plan and goals for Afghanistan until after a clear and legitimate leader emerged.

But this past weekend, Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the run-off, removing President Obama’s pretext for indecision.

Today, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial regarding President Obama’s responsibility to act in this “war of necessity” in Afghanistan:

[. . .] The main problem now isn't Afghanistan's President. It is that no one in Washington or around the world is sure whether America's President is committed to his own strategy—or even if he'll stick with that strategy if he reaffirms it.

As long as those doubts persist, everyone in this conflict will hedge their bets: the NATO allies, on the number of troops they'll commit and the fighting they will do; Mr. Karzai, in his dealings with Afghan's regional kingpins and drug lords; and the Pakistanis, in their own battles with the Taliban.

Most important, the American people will quickly lose faith in a war that they conclude their Commander in Chief is ambivalent about fighting. Reports of puzzled commanders and troops in the field are already multiplying as they wonder why they're risking death by IED if Mr. Obama isn't sure about the mission. [. . . ] (Wall Street Journal, “Waiting for Obama,” November 3, 2009. Click here to read full article.)

Our brave men and women fighting for freedom in Afghanistan deserve an answer about their future role in that country, and they deserve the support of their Commander-in-Chief.

My Republican colleagues and I are ready and willing to stand with the President if he decides to listen to General Stanley McChrystal and provide our troops on the ground with the additional support they need to eliminate Taliban safe-havens that harbor Al-Qaeda.

I have spent the majority of my tenure in Congress as a Member of the House Rules Committee, which is responsible for crafting the rules for debate on each bill that comes to the floor.  This includes the length of debate, which amendments will be debated, and how many will be debated.  Consequently, the party that controls the Rules Committee has power to determine what amendments come to the floor for a vote.  My Republican colleagues and I often present our alternatives or ideas to the Rules Committee in the form of amendments.  But many of our common-sense amendments never see the light of day because they are voted down by the Democrat-controlled committee.  We simply want our ideas to be debated and voted on by Members on the House floor. 

Unlike other committees, the Rules Committee does not have cameras installed in our main hearing room.  To bring transparency to this closed and restrictive process, I have cosponsored a resolution by Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) to require that cameras be installed in the committee room and that the live proceedings be broadcast on the internet.  The American people have a right to access the most powerful committee on Capitol Hill.  It’s time to bring sunshine and transparency to the Rules Committee so that the American people can see firsthand how the Democrats are continually stifling debate on important issues.

Today I joined the majority of my Republican colleagues in giving one minute remarks on the House floor regarding the looming health care debate in Washington. 

Instead of empowering people to control their own health care dollars, Congressional Democrats are racing to create an unsustainable government-run program.  The result of this government takeover will be fewer options for seniors, reduced access to quality care, and interference in the doctor/patient relationship.

Listen to my speech on the House floor representing my concerns with the Democrat’s unsustainable health care plan that is full of mandates, taxes, and job loss:

Click Here to View Video

Today, the Washington Post published an insightful article highlighting how temporary government spending intended to “stimulate” the economy may only artificially and temporarily prop up industries and fail to produce lasting results.

Noting that “a sustained rebound may be elusive,” the article cites significant private sector dependence on government economic spending such as cash for clunkers, temporary homebuyer credits, and “stimulus” funding:

This afternoon, I managed the House floor debate for an energy and water funding bill that would spend nearly 8 percent more tax dollars than last year’s energy and water bill.

At a time when many American families and small businesses are forced to tighten their fiscal belts, this Congress continues to drive our nation deeper into debt, failing to display a basic sense fiscal responsibility or accountability. I believe that the American people are tired of these hasty spending sprees.

Listen to my speech on the House floor regarding the need for fiscal sanity, transparency in the legislative process, and the opportunity for Members and the American people to know what is in a bill:  

Click Here to View Video

Dallas resident Jenny L. Womack spends her days doing what she loves most: finding safe and loving homes for children in the United States and around the world.

As a family law attorney with Palmer & Manuel, Jenny Womack has handled over 200 domestic and international adoption cases and represented agencies, adoptive parents, and birth parents. In addition to being a published legal author, Jenny is also actively involved in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.

Based on her outstanding advocacy on adoption issues, I selected Jenny Womack as the 2009 Angel in Adoption honoree for the 32nd Congressional District of Texas.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), a nonpartisan organization that orchestrates the Angels in Adoption™ program, honored Jenny L. Womack and more than 190 other “Angels” at an awards ceremony and gala event in Washington, DC on September 30, 2009.

Jenny Womack visits me in my Washington, DC Office

Jenny matches her dedication to the law with a deep passion for helping children, and she is an outstanding choice for the Angels in Adoption Program. Thanks to Jenny’s work, hundreds of children have found safe and loving homes, and I look forward to her continued positive influence in our community.

The Angels in Adoption™ program is CCAI’s signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. For more information visit http://www.ccainstitute.org/.

Yesterday, the House passed H.Con.Res. 64, a bill urging the President to designate 2009 as the "Year of the Military Family." To honor this recgonition of our Armed Services, today I submitted this extension of remarks into the Congressional Record:

"I rise today to recognize and commend the honorable service and devotion to duty of our men and women of the United States Armed Services. These men and women in uniform have put themselves in harms way – many having given the ultimate sacrifice – in defense of freedom and liberty at home and abroad. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my utmost thanks and appreciation to their selfless service and to wish them all the best in the years to come.

As part of this recognition, I would like to thank the military spouses who spend weeks and months without their significant others, often having to raise families on their own. My appreciation also goes out to the parents, family members and communities who provide support for the soldier and their family during these trying times. I would also like to extend my condolences and appreciation to the American Gold Star Mothers who have lost a son or daughter while serving our great country. These women are too counted as heroes for our country.

In addition to our active duty soldiers, I would like to thank our veterans, Reservists and Military Academy personnel. These individuals are the past, present and future of what protects American values each day. May all those who are involved with the Armed Services know the support of a grateful nation."