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I am encouraged by passage of todays conference report, which contains a number of positive investments for our nation and the Fifth District.

Mr. Speaker, on Veterans Day, I had the privilege of attending the annual parade honoring our veterans in Leonardtown and remembering the fallen service members from St. Marys County, Maryland.

In 1995 I spoke on the Floor in support of a balanced budget amendment. That was sixteen years ago.

Last year, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Mike Mullen, said that and I quote: 'Our national debt is our biggest national security threat.' We must do something to start paying down the debt, and that something is in the hands of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

A year from now, millions of Americans will head to the polls to exercise their most fundamental right the right to vote.

I oppose todays efforts by House Republicans on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to greatly decrease the federal workforce, a ploy to once again make federal employees a scapegoat for spending.

Community banks, Mr. Speaker, are the lifeblood of our local economies. They are locally owned and operated.

I thank Congresswoman Fudge and I am honored to be on the Floor with John Lewis, who came close to losing his life to make sure that Americans could register and could vote.