I am about the people of the United States of America and the people of Houston, Texas.

We have not won the battle against drug trafficking.

Maybe I should offer a good thanks to the distinguished members of the majority, the Republicans, my chairman and others, for giving us an opportunity to have a deliberative constitutional discussion that reinforces the sanctity of this nation and how well it is that we have lasted some 400 years operating under a constitution that clearly defines what is constitutional and what is not.

Anything my staff does in my office is pursuant to congressional rules.

People have been turned away from hospitals simply because they have no insurance. People have been put out of hospitals because they have reached the lifetime caps.

Entitlements is not sic the issue. And if so, cool heads can sit down and engage the American people and tell us how many seniors in nursing homes do we want to throw out in the street? ... And then who wants to make a fuss about Medicare when it's solvent until 2024? ... Who wants to make a fuss about Social Security when it's solvent - and it's about, 'You earned it'?

America, I am not ignoring you.