Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I want to say very clearly: I certainly oppose shutting down the government. I certainly oppose defaulting on this country's obligations. We have an obligation to govern; I take that very seriously. I do support the underlying bill under consideration here today, specifically because of the repeal of the medical device tax, which in my district is real.

The medical device tax is stifling innovation; it is costing us jobs; and it is raising costs, which unfortunately appears to be the health care law trifecta--raising costs, stifling innovation, and destroying jobs.

Specifically, one company in my district, with nearly 2,000 employees, said that there are no raises for their employees because of this tax this year. Another small company called me up. He makes prosthetic limbs for many folks, including troops who come back from the wars. He said, you know, we've been in business for 100 years; we have a little over 50 people. We're probably not going to make it because of this. They need our help. They're crying out for help.

Look, I understand we have to keep the government open, but we know that 79 Senators are on record in support of repealing this tax, Republican and Democrat, States from Minnesota to Massachusetts to New Jersey to Pennsylvania. This is a very big deal, but we need to do it.

I also know there is a delay of the law in this bill. I fully expect that when this is sent over to the Senate, the Senate will likely pull that out, but they will likely seriously consider the medical device tax. Let's get that done. It's imperative for us to do so. Again, so many people's livelihoods are dependent on this.

We make things in this country; we make medical devices in this country; and we ought to make sure that we don't do anything to harm them. Many of these manufacturers are going to be moving operations overseas. We know this. Let's not let it happen.

America has an advantage in this area; let's try to maintain it. A 2.3 percent tax really is harming these small startup companies that need access to capital. It's going to be much harder for folks. I can take you to the University of Pennsylvania and show you startups that are helping us deal with concussions, that are not going to be able to bring their product to market.

At this point I would again ask for support of the bill.

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