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| Carson Votes to Restore Fiscal Discipline |
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February 4, 2010
Washington, DC - Congressman André Carson today took a critical step toward restoring our nation’s fiscal health by voting for pay-as-you-go legislation (PAYGO). Today’s vote clears the way for the PAYGO bill to land on the desk of President Obama, who plans to sign it into law.
PAYGO requires Congress to pay for all tax cuts and new or increased entitlement programs with savings elsewhere in the budget. Similar budgeting rules helped the nation rise from deficits to record surpluses in the 1990s before PAYGO was allowed to expire under the Bush Administration.
“A recent New York Times analysis found that 90 percent of our deficit is due to fiscal policies under the previous administration,” Carson said. “But no matter how we got into this mess, the American people deserve leadership from this Congress to get Washington’s fiscal house in order.
“The PAYGO bill passed today is a critical part of Democratic efforts to restore fiscal responsibility. It’s based upon the bipartisan PAYGO law that was in place in the 1990s, which helped turn massive deficits into record surpluses. When PAYGO expired under President Bush in 2002, we saw a dramatic downturn—from surpluses of $5.6 trillion to projected deficits of more than $11 trillion.
“To rebuild our economy for the long term, we must create jobs and address our deficit head-on. We’ve had success in doing both under President Clinton utilizing PAYGO—and our economy thrived. I know we can do it again under President Obama.”
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| Carson: Outrageous AIG Bonuses Are a Slap in the Face to Main Street |
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February 4, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS- Congressman André Carson today released the following statement blasting the recent decision by AIG to pay $100 million in bonuses to employees of its financial products division-the same group that drove the company to the brink of collapse and helped fuel the deepest American recession in generations.
"I was outraged to hear of this latest move by AIG to again reward employees who nearly drove that company-and our nation's economy-into the ground. Giving huge bonuses after such colossal failure is horribly irresponsible and simply unconscionable.
"Millions of experienced, hard-working Americans are struggling right now. They played by the rules and did everything asked of them, but today they're out of work after falling victim to a steep recession that was fueled by foolish gambles taken by Wall Street. Despite all of this, AIG and its executives continue down the same path of greed and excess.
"These bonuses are nothing short of a slap in the face to Main Street; and they indicate to me and many of my constituents that this kind of irresponsibility will continue unless we pass into law the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This bill, which I crafted with my colleagues on the Financial Services committee, protects the American taxpayer by reining-in the risky excess of Wall Street. The legislation restricts outrageous executive pay and prevents any future tax dollars from being used to bailout companies deemed too big to fail, like AIG. "While the Wall Street reform bill passed the House last year, work still remains to get it to the President desk. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in both the House and Senate, to come together and send a clear message to the AIGs of the world that their reckless ways must come to an end." ### | |
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| Carson: President's 2011 Budget Lays Out Clear Priorities for Economic Progress |
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“We’re at a critical point in our nation’s history where we must balance fiscal responsibility with the need for targeted economic investment. I believe the President achieved this balance with his 2011 budget proposal—which calls on us to take bold action while making tough choices on spending.
“This budget builds on the successful steps taken by the Recovery Act to create good-paying jobs, spur investment in small business, and get our economy back on track. Not only does it continue the successful approach of smart short-term infusions in targeted areas to drive an economic comeback, the budget lays the groundwork for long-term growth and prosperity by investing in affordable health care, clean energy technology, education and infrastructure.
“The President understands that any successful economic recovery must be sustained by the growth of small businesses—which are the backbone of our economy—as well as the health and financial stability of the middle-class. That’s why I was pleased to see this budget extend tax credits for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and middle-class families. Cutting taxes for those who are the pillars of our economy will pay off many times over down the road.
“There is no doubt we’ve come a long way from the brink of economic collapse a year ago. Over the last two quarters, the economy has grown and job losses have slowed dramatically. Still too many families in
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| Carson: GDP Report Points to Progress Towards Economic Comeback |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman André Carson issued the following statement after today’s announcement that the gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter—the fastest pace the economy has grown in more than six years.
“This report on GDP growth is yet another sign of progress on the long road to economic recovery. This Democratic Congress has made the economy our top priority. We were literally on the brink of economic collapse just one year ago. The growth in GDP is a clear indication that we have since ended this freefall and begun making the investments necessary through the Recovery Act and other targeted initiatives to create jobs and lay a foundation for future growth.
“But our work is not yet finished. Too many Americans are still hurting. Nearly 1 in 10 people are still out of work and countless small businesses are struggling everyday just to keep their doors open.
“That's why we need more bold action on the economic front. We’ve got to invest in and nurture our small businesses through ideas like the President’s proposal for Small Business Jobs and Wages Cut, which would award a $5,000 tax credit to small businesses that bring on new employees while also rewarding them for increasing wages. These are types of steps that the American people are looking for from their representatives in
“Throughout the remainder of the 111th Congress, I look forward to working with my House colleagues on this and other initiatives that will create millions of new jobs, promote small business growth and continue our nation along a track towards economic prosperity.”
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| Congressman Carson, Scalise Place Friendly Wager on Super Bowl Victory |
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INDIANAPOLIS– Today, Congressman André Carson of
Under the terms of this challenge, the Congressman whose team loses will deliver a statement on the floor of the House honoring the winner while wearing a team tie provided by the winner (wearing a jersey is, of course, against House rules). The loser will also congratulate the winner on the House floor after the newly crowned Super Bowl Champion resolution.
Also, following a longstanding tradition, Congressmen Carson and Scalise have offered up some of their respective city’s most famous cuisine to the winner and his staff. In the event of a Colts victory, Congressman Scalise will provide alligator sausage and blackened redfish to Congressman Carson and his staff. Following a Saints victory, Congressman Carson would provide Congressman Scalise and his staff with glazed donuts from Long’s Bakery and corn beef sandwiches from Shapiro’s Deli.
Along with the announcement of their wager, Congressmen Carson and Scalise also expressed confidence that they will see victory on February 7.
“As a diehard fan of one of most successful football teams in recent history, I don’t feel the need for superstitions or game day rituals like some of my House colleagues,” said Congressman Carson. “The Colts are a powerhouse team and that has shown its strength and dominance in every area of the game this season. It will be a great game, but I have no doubt that
“The Saints have become the modern-day version of '
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| Floor Statement on Executive Compensation - July 31, 2009 |
REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ FLOOR REMARKS ON H.R. 3269, CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION COMPENSATION FAIRNESS ACT OF 2009 FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009
Mr. CARSON of My constituents sent me to Congress to move beyond the status quo of a broken financial regulatory structure. They sent me to enact commonsense reforms like those included in the legislation we're discussing today, Mr. Speaker. They know that average families have cut back, work longer hours, and have saved their money during this crisis. Meanwhile, Wall Street execs have acted irresponsibly and enjoy the lavish compensation packages that have allowed their companies to fail. So I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill that will bring about a new era of responsibility on Wall Street. I encourage my colleagues to do the same. | |
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| Floor Statement on the Urgency of Health Care Reform - July 30, 2009 |
REMARKS BY THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009 Mr. CARSON of | |
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| Floor Statement on the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act - July 16, 2009 |
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REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON H.R. 3147, THE YOUNG ADULTS FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009
Madam Speaker, I come to the floor to discuss the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act, which I introduced last week to help community organizations provide better financial education to young adults.
As our recession drags on, it is clear that many of the problems we now face could have been avoided by better educating people about the financial system.
Today, across our country, thousands of young people are getting their first credit card, taking out loans for college and renting their first apartments.
Yet statistics show that many of these young adults never learned basic financial skills like budgeting, saving and maintaining manageable debt.
My bill will help young people receive the financial education they need—before they take these critical first steps.
It will provide grants for the development and implementation of effective education programs—empowering a young generation of consumers at this critical economic time.
So, I encourage my House colleagues cosponsor the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act.
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| Floor Statement Honoring the Life of Senior Airman Ashton Goodman - June 16, 2009 |
REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS HONORING THE LIFE OF SENIOR AIRMAN ASHTON GOODMAN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen hero who was laid to rest in my district earlier this month.
Senior Airman Asthon Goodman was killed by a roadside bomb in
Her ultimate sacrifice is a stark reminder of the human cost of war.
However, it is her life that should serve as the shining example of American achievement in
While tasked with protecting vital reconstruction teams, she also worked to win over the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
She regularly mentored Afghan women, providing the tools they needed to stand up against oppression and violence.
Because of Ashton, many women are now combating the economic and social conditions that breed terrorism.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Senior Airman Ashton Goodman.
Through her support of Afghan women and her sacrifice for the American people, she has represented the best our nation has to offer. | |
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| Floor Statement on the Recidivism Reduction Act - June 12, 2009 |
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REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON H.R. 2829, THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION ACT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009
Madam Speaker, yesterday I introduced the Recidivism Reduction Act, a bill that will quickly restore federal disability and health benefits to eligible individuals after they are released from incarceration.
As a former law enforcement officer, I’ve seen the public safety risks that exist when ex-offenders leave prison without the tools or resources they need—only to commit further crimes that return them to the criminal justice system.
Currently, these benefits are regularly suspended or terminated upon incarceration and take considerable time to be reinstated after an individual is released.
Without the health coverage they so desperately need, many newly released individuals cannot fully focus on securing gainful employment and developing a supportive home life.
My colleagues should rest assured that this legislation will not provide new benefits to recently released individuals.
Rather, it ensures that individuals receive the timely benefits they need to begin breaking the cycle of recidivism.
Join me in supporting H.R. 2829, the Recidivism Reduction Act. | |
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| Congressman Carson on the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act |
Congressman Carson on the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act – November 2, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson on the Minority Business Development Agency |
Congressman Carson on the Minority Business Development Agency - September 15, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson on the Urgency of Health Care Reform |
Congressman Carson on the Urgency of Health Care Reform – July 30, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson on the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act |
Congressman Carson on the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act – July 16, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson Honoring Senior Airman Ashton Goodman |
Congressman Carson Honoring Senior Airman Ashton Goodman – June 16, 2009 | |
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| Haiti Relief Effort |
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of | |
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District Office
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425 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-1407
Phone: 202-225-4011
Fax: 202-225-5633
View google map
District Office
300 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr.
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205-4258
Phone: 317-283-6516
Fax: 317-283-6567
View google map
