Congressional Record, House Page H6311 — November 16, 2021

Summary

Page H6311 of the House section of the Congressional Record for November 16, 2021, in interleaved columns. A speaker says legislation about to pass at the end of the week would add another 24.4 percent to the debt, and that Americans will not be reassured by empty promises from those who did not see inflation coming. Another passage says young families pay more at the grocery store and for fuel every week. A further remark says 8,000 people came into the country in July a year ago, 105,000 in July this year, and that more than $11 trillion was spent in a matter of months, which are the speakers' claims.

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November 16, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6311
But the fact of the matter is, if the If you are a young family, you know same thing more, the very same poli-
left is about to pass a piece of legisla- what it is like to go to the grocery cies that put us in the hole.
tion at the end of this week that looks store and to pay more every week than Here is the reality. There is no polit-
like it is likely to add another 24.4 per- you paid the week before. You know ical spin for any Democrat. Americans
cent to the debt, does anyone see the what it is like to fill up your pickup will not be reassured by empty prom-
level of immorality in wiping out eco- and have it cost more every week than ises from those who don’t see inflation
nomic growth and the opportunity? you paid the week before. coming in the first place, and President
And we had a couple of years there The reason you are driving a pickup Biden cannot wish away this cost-of-
where it was working. The fact of the is because you are a working Amer- living crisis, no matter how much he
matter is 2018, 2019 were Goldilocks, ican. You are not driving a big pickup would like to do that.
and it was done because we invested in around the city. You are driving a big From day one in office, President
the things that create opportunity and pickup because that is what you use to Biden’s mission was clear. He wants
growth, instead of the model right now, work, whether you work on farming the American people to rely on the
where the left is going to invest in and ranching, like I did when I was government from cradle to grave.
things that functionally slow economic young, or whether you are working To sell his agenda, he is telling
growth down; make individuals depend- construction, or whether you are work- Americans that more taxing, more
ent on the Federal Government; ing and going down to the docks. Those spending, and more mandating will
disincentivize participating in the are the folks who are paying the price. solve the financial problems. But this
economy? If you are wealthy, if you are afflu- is just economic nonsense; it is an eco-
ent, if you don’t go shopping but have nomic fairy tale; and this one has a
And if any of you have ever read any
someone who shops for you, if you scary ending, the kind that only
of your textbooks from what the world
don’t fill up your vehicle yourself be- George Orwell could imagine.
looked like in the 70s, where the last But because it is Thanksgiving, we
time the left did something very simi- cause you have someone who fills up
can be thankful that we know how to
lar to this, the societal breakdowns, the vehicle for you and then picks you
solve these problems. If we didn’t know
the inflation, the misery. Once again, up, you may not realize what a painful
how to solve them, it would be much
we are about to see the financing of thing this is for Americans. But the
more worrying, much more stressful.
misery instead of investing in the vast majority of Americans do their
But the truth is, we know how to solve
things that actually would create op- own shopping. The vast majority of
them. Congress simply needs to start
portunity and growth. We are better Americans struggle paycheck to pay-
expanding that opportunity, not
than this. check. The vast majority of Americans shrinking it with mandate after man-
I know it would take someone on the know what a painful experience we find date. Congress needs to start empow-
Democrats’ side. They would have to ourselves in now. ering the people, not expanding bu-
stand up to their base and explain basic After only 10 months of President
reaucracy with tax after tax. Indi-
economics. But there is a path that Biden, Americans are facing the worst vidual liberty must always triumph
works. And if you give a darn about the inflation they have seen in 31 years. over government dependence.
poor, the working poor, the middle Democrats keep saying these prices are If President Biden cannot accept that
class, ultimately, the data says, at the only temporary. reality, we can expect more of what we
end of the decade if the left passes We are told that all the time. We have seen and felt over the last 10
their Build Back Better social entitle- have been told that by the Secretary of months. If he can’t understand that
ment spending bill, they are going to the Treasury. We have been told that people, not the government, are the
be poorer. That is what we are about to by the Chairman of the Fed. We have key to our success, American culture,
do to this country, and this place been told that by the President. And American businesses, and American
should be ashamed. they continue to say that. families will reap the results.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- But the truth is that $4 trillion in I sincerely hope that he will. I sin-
ance of my time. spending, when he says it is zero dol- cerely hope the President will look at
lars that it will cost, the American the pain the American people are feel-
f
people aren’t stupid, and they know ing and will recognize the responsi-
b 1800 that is not true. They know inflation bility he has not to make it worse, not
MOST EXPENSIVE THANKSGIVING when they see it. to keep doing the same thing and just
The consequences of this President’s do it harder and faster, not to do the
IN HISTORY
tax and spend agenda hits Americans, same thing and just excuse it away,
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under as I have already said, in their every- but to try to do something different.
the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- day lives. It hits Americans when the Until then, I am afraid we will see
uary 4, 2021, the Chair recognizes the price of heating jumps from $574 to much of the same.
gentleman from Utah (Mr. OWENS) for $746, which is what the Energy Infor- I think I speak not only for Repub-
30 minutes. mation Administration predicts it will licans on this, but many independents
Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I am cost the average house this winter. and many Democrats feel the same
proud to be here today with the Utah It is a tough choice when you have way. We hear from them when we go
House delegation to say a few words some people who say: Hey, we would back home as well.
ahead of the Thanksgiving season to like to have it warm. We would like for I thank Mr. OWENS for organizing
those we are so fortunate to represent our little children to be comfortable. this on this incredibly important sub-
here in Washington. We all agree that But we want to be able to buy the food ject. It is an honor to be with him.
it is a blessing, as a team, to represent that we want for them, other than just Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I yield
the great State of Utah. macaroni and cheese. to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. CUR-
Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- Some people are left with that deci- TIS), my friend from Utah’s Third Dis-
tleman from Utah (Mr. STEWART), my sion. trict.
friend from Utah’s Second District. It hits Americans at their Thanks- Mr. CURTIS. Madam Speaker, I rise
Mr. STEWART. Madam Speaker, I giving table. As we have said over and today to join my voice with my Utah
thank Mr. OWENS, my friend, for orga- over again, this will be the most expen- colleagues, vocalizing our great con-
nizing this event and for his interest in sive Thanksgiving in American his- cern about the runaway inflation im-
something that I think every American tory, when frozen turkeys cost an aver- pacting Americans across the country.

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shares. age of 22 percent more than they did I remember the inflation of the 1970s.
I have a young family. I have six just last year. When I bought my first home, we as-
kids. Many of them are just young cou- What does the President do to allevi- sumed a loan at 12 percent interest and
ples. They are starting their careers; ate some of this financial strain and thought that that was a bargain at the
they are starting their families; and the pressure that so many American time. I remember what it is like to lose
they are starting to make their way in families are feeling? Unfortunately, he 15 percent of the value of a savings ac-
the world and their mark on life. does the same thing again and the count in just 1 year.

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H6312 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2021
I saw firsthand the devastation to our children and grandchildren and our office. As President Biden rushes to
our senior citizens and those on a fixed future generations. spend trillions more, as he is doing
income with runaway inflation. Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I yield now, to spend trillions more as of this
Here we are, 40 years later, pre- to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. week, economic pressure will only con-
tending that trillions of dollars of MOORE), my friend from Utah’s First tinue to drive everyday costs up and
wasted government spending is okay District. incomes down.
and that it won’t impact inflation. Mr. MOORE of Utah. Madam Speak- The Wall Street Journal editorial
Madam Speaker, in the simplest er, it is very much an honor to share board said: ‘‘The current burst of infla-
terms, inflation is financially the podium with my colleagues from tion isn’t an accident. . . . This is the
handcuffing the American people and Utah. Utah is a very special, very result of reckless policy.’’ This is sim-
their families, which is further evi- unique place. ply incompetence.
denced by the fact that the Consumer At this time of Thanksgiving, I CNN noted President Biden’s $1.9 tril-
Price Index is now showing the highest would like to focus on what Utah real- lion American Rescue Plan fueled in-
level in over 30 years. That is not okay. ly is. We often get lauded as having the flation by sparking demand that it
The White House tells us not to lowest unemployment in the country could not keep pace with.
worry about inflation; it is all under and the strongest economy in the coun- Even The Washington Post editorial
control. I think Utahns know better. try, or as the fastest growing State in board—I did not expect to ever be using
They see the gas prices, and they see the country. What Utah is, is the most sort of liberal media outlets to defend
the difference they pay at the grocery philanthropic State in the country. It some of my points when I came to the
stores. shares more volunteer hours and dol- House floor. But The Washington Post
Utahns, specifically, have seen their lars than any other State. That is the says that you cannot ignore that the
gas prices rise by over 70 percent this type of stuff that our delegation and American Rescue Plan bears some of
last year. What is the response from Members of Congress, the community this blame.
Washington, D.C.? We can fix this. All that we serve, are really proud of. We
reflect on that often, particularly dur- b 1815
we need to do is spend trillions of dol-
ing this time of year. We cannot simply spend more. We
lars more.
Seriously? Employers can’t find em- We are more than a week away from have to stop President Biden’s tax-and-
ployees to do the work, and the Presi- Thanksgiving Day. Like Utahns across spend monstrosity.
the State, my family—and I have three All of this comes as the administra-
dent touts his $1.2 trillion infrastruc-
little boys, a fourth boy on the way, tion botched a military exit from Af-
ture bill as job-creating.
and an amazing wife who deals with a ghanistan, created a sustained crisis at
We also know that inflation is an
lot during this crazy time of my time the border, and has failed to address a
unlegislated tax on hardworking Amer-
in Washington. We look forward to this looming debt crisis.
icans, most notably some of our most With this as the backdrop, Thanks-
vulnerable communities, like low-in- annual opportunity to come together,
enjoy each other’s company, and give giving may feel uniquely challenging.
come communities and rural commu- Yet, through the most difficult times
nities with less access to goods and thanks for all of our many blessings.
Turkey and stuffing are staples, but in our Nation’s history, Thanksgiving
services. Day has been a celebration when com-
each Thanksgiving Day looks a little
But instead of focusing on finding
different from the last. That is okay. munities come together to give thanks
ways to address critical supply chain
Unfortunately, this year’s Thanks- for life’s great blessings.
shortages, to lower our energy costs Following the Battle of Gettysburg
giving is going to be much more dif-
through policies designed to generate in October of 1863, President Lincoln
ficult than others.
more independence on energy, and to proclaimed Thanksgiving to be a na-
Americans are bracing for this year’s
address the growing behavioral tional holiday to ‘‘heal the wounds of
turkey tax, which we expect to be the
healthcare crisis, we are doing just the the Nation.’’
most expensive in modern history as
opposite. We shut down U.S. pipelines As our Nation experiences great chal-
inflation rates hit their highest level in
and then ask our enemies to produce lenges, I can’t think of a better holiday
decades.
more dirty oil. My colleagues from Utah can talk to observe this coming week.
Here are the facts: 40 percent of all about this a little bit better than I can My colleagues and I in the Utah dele-
the money printed in the history of because they are a little bit older than gation are working every day to carve
this country was printed in the last 20 I am, but they talk about how this a more prosperous path forward for our
months. Forty percent of all the money hasn’t been this high in the last 40 State and communities. There is hope
printed in the history of this country years. That is how old I am. on the horizon.
was printed in the last 20 months. I don’t want to experience this type Earlier this month, Democrats and
Congress has already authorized, just of inflation. I haven’t had to yet, and I Republicans in this House came to-
this year alone, $3 trillion of additional am very concerned about what we are gether to pass the Fiscal State of the
spending in addition to our normal going to have to experience. Nation Resolution, which I cospon-
spending, and we are about to spend That was not a cut at their age. sored. If agreed to in the Senate, this
another $2 trillion. According to the Department of resolution will mandate the U.S. Comp-
It is hard to get your arms around Labor, the Consumer Price Index for troller General conduct an annual joint
what is a trillion dollars. Let me put October was 6.2 percent, the highest in session before the members of the
this in perspective. This $5 trillion of over three decades. This high rate House and Senate Budget Committees
spending is approximately $25,000 for means that, compared to last year, to provide a report on the fiscal health
every man, woman, and child in the home heating will be 50 percent more of our Nation.
United States. It gets worse. Thirty expensive, a gallon of gas will be 61 per- This is a huge, important time to
years from now, unless we pay that cent more expensive, and the cost of have done something like that after
money back—and I don’t think any- groceries will be 5.4 percent more ex- what we have seen over the last year.
body believes we will have paid it pensive. Beef is 20 percent higher; pork This expertise would provide our lead-
back—that is now three-quarters of a is 14 percent higher; and the cost of ers with the information they need to
million dollars for every man, woman, used cars is 26 percent higher. correct our course and back away from
and child just in extra spending this This is data. This is directly related our patterns of destructive spending.
year. That is not okay. to policy decisions here in Washington. Back home, I have also convened a

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It is simply time to stop the bleeding As Utahns get ready to celebrate debt and deficit task force, which has
and time to earnestly focus on bipar- Thanksgiving and find reprieve from provided me an opportunity to work
tisan solutions that will address the this challenging past year-and-a-half, with local leaders to begin crafting in-
growing needs of the American people. inflation is threatening to stifle this novative solutions to our Nation’s debt
We literally cannot afford to play entire time of year. crisis.
partisan politics at the expense of our In fact, real wages have decreased in My colleagues from Utah and I genu-
constituents and, more importantly, 7 of President Biden’s first 9 months in inely hope to help those in our home

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November 16, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6313
State find more blessings in the days, It is within our DNA to confront our People say, Well, you are kicking the
months, and years ahead. As we work crises and weather rough storms to can of debt down the road to our kids
toward those brighter days, let us re- leave our country a little bit better or grandkids. That is nonsense. We will
flect and be grateful for the good mo- than we found it for our children and never get to our grandkids if we spend
ments we have had this year. our children’s children. trillions of dollars in a matter of
Though our year has been filled with This season of thanksgiving, I hope months. We will never get to our kids
difficulty, it has also been filled with, that we can continue to support one if we spend $11 trillion in 18 months.
in the words of Lincoln, ‘‘the blessings another and unite in our shared grati- This problem will correct itself. It
of fruitful fields and healthful skies.’’ tude. Despite our daily struggles, we will correct itself in a painful way and
Today, I am back in Washington with have so much to be thankful for. I pray in not a matter of generations, a mat-
my colleagues to continue the impor- that Utahns across our beautiful State ter of years, if we don’t try to fix it
tant work we do on behalf of Utahns. I will continue to be blessed this holiday now.
look forward to next week when I will season. If you think inflation is because of
join my family and the community in Madam Speaker, I yield to the senior bottlenecks and supply chains, that
Utah in celebrating this important hol- member of our delegation, CHRIS STEW- was part of it. But the vast majority of
iday. ART. this is explained by one thing: The Fed-
Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, before Mr. STEWART. Madam Speaker, eral Government spending trillions of
I get started, I just want to say what what an honor it is to be here with my dollars. And the American people pay
an honor it is to serve with my friends friends, people that I have tremendous the very unfortunate, the very painful
from Utah. They are remarkable men. respect for, colleagues, people who love price.
As the holiday season approaches and their country and want to serve their Once again, I thank Mr. OWENS for
families across our great Nation gather country. the honor to be with him tonight.
for these special moments, I am re- Several of them have said something Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I yield
minded of what brings us all together that I think is worth emphasizing, and back the balance of my time.
as Americans: Not our creed, race, or that is, for example, when Mr. CURTIS f
ZIP Code, but the gratitude for one an- talks about 40 percent of the money
other that lifts us higher and brings that was printed in the history of this BUILD BACK BETTER
out the best in each of us. country was printed in the last several The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
I am the father of 6 children and 15 the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan-
months, I am not sure that that is easy
grandchildren. My pride doesn’t come uary 4, 2021, the Chair recognizes the
to convey to people how important
from my years on the football field or gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
that is.
decades in the corporate world. It
We talk about a million dollars or a GROTHMAN) for 30 minutes.
comes from the joy of watching them Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I
billion dollars or now a trillion dollars,
grow up and start families of their
and I am not sure we have an under- would like to use this time to speak for
own. I am so deeply thankful for them
standing, again, what those numbers a half hour on a variety of issues, pri-
and the entire Owens family.
To my fellow Utahns: I am thankful even mean. I think a lot of times peo- marily the Build Back Better bill.
ple think of a trillion dollars, well, it But first, I would like to address
to call Utah’s 4th District my home. It
is the honor of a lifetime to represent sounds like a lot of money. Is that like today National Apprenticeship Week.
our State. I am constantly inspired by double a billion or what is a trillion? Apprenticeships are a very good way to
the resiliency of our communities. I think I found a really good way to begin your working career. Rather
We have faced a couple of very dif- illustrate it and for us to visualize than working your way into debt as
ficult years. The COVID–19 pandemic what it means when we are printing you go to school, you are making
kept us from our friends, families, and this kind of money. money while you go to school, and
loved ones. Disruptions from work, Let me start with this: A million sec- there is no better preparation for a job
school, and worship made everyday life onds is 11 days. A billion seconds is 31 than doing the job itself.
very different. There are empty seats years. A trillion seconds is 31,000 years. Be it in construction, be it in manu-
at the table this year. We pray for com- Think about that. 11 days to 31 years to facturing, be it in healthcare, there is
fort and healing for those families as 31,000 years. The people watching at a strong need in America for skills, and
they navigate this time of grief. home can’t see this enormous Chamber apprenticeship is a way to get those
With the current economic crisis at we are in but imagine that I stretched skills and ensure that you hit the
home, rising prices at the gas station, a string from this wall to this wall, and ground running and get a good-paying
grocery store, and everywhere in be- let’s say that over here is zero, and job immediately.
tween, more and more Utah families then I ask them to go touch 11 days, I strongly encourage all Americans,
are worried about losing a job, keeping they would go touch and they would be particularly young Americans, who are
the doors of their small business open, nearly touching the wall. But then if I looking for a job to look at apprentice-
paying their mortgage, and making said touch 31 years, if this one over ship and encourage administrators of
ends meet. here is 31,000 years, they would still secondary schools to present appren-
Even during the toughest of times, I nearly be touching the wall, and all the ticeships as options for young people.
know the spirit of Utahns. I have seen rest of that distance is a trillion. I Now I would like to address the Build
how families across our State have think that gives us a sense and gives us Back Better bill. A lot has been writ-
helped each other through dark times a way to visualize when we talk about ten and talked about the Build Back
toward better and brighter days. spending trillions of dollars, it is mag- Better bill from this very microphone,
I am wishing all Utahns good health, nitudes more than billions. It is an un- and a lot has been focused on the addi-
especially the men and women who imaginable number, like Mr. CURTIS tional taxes that will be needed to pay
have put on the uniform to serve in our said, the percentage of that that has for it and the overall level of spending
great State, across the country, and been created in the last few months. resulting in more inflation.
abroad. They make the world and our Since COVID hit, we spent about $2 All that is true, but I think the most
country a safer place. trillion on the COVID 1 relief package; dangerous thing about the bill is what
Especially during the holidays, I we spent about the same, $1.9 trillion, the money is being spent for. I am
think Norman Rockwell’s Four Free- on the second COVID relief package. going to address five areas in general
doms are very appropriate: The Free- This President suggested a budget that tonight for the American public to re-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
dom of Speech, the Freedom to Wor- takes us from about $4.8 trillion a year member.
ship, the Freedom From Want, and the to $6.3 trillion. We just spent $1.2 tril- Right now, I think the biggest prob-
Freedom From Fear. This is the Amer- lion on infrastructure. This govern- lem in America deals with illegal im-
ican way. This is the American Dream. ment has spent, taken together, more migration. The numbers are well
As Americans, we hold these freedoms than $11 trillion in a matter of months. known. In July, a year ago, 8,000 people
incredibly dear and commit to protect That should scare the life out of every came into this country. This July it
them for future generations. American. was 105,000 people. This October we hit

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