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THE HOUSE WILL BE
IN ORDER.
THE PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED
TODAY BY OUR GUEST CHAPLAIN,
REVEREND JOSEPH SHEA FROM ST.
ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH,
CALIFORNIA.
THE CHAPLAIN.
LORD GOD, AS WE GATHER TODAY, I
ASK YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THESE
MEN AND WOMEN WHOM YOU AND THIS
GREAT NATION HAVE CHOSEN TO
SERVE US.
GRANT THEM THE GRACE TO BE
LEADERS WHOSE WALK IS BY FAITH,
WHOSE BEHAVIOR IS BY PRINCIPLE,
WHOSE VISION IS HIGH, WHOSE
PRIDE IS LOW, AND WHOSE LOVE
FOR YOU AND THIS WONDERFUL
NATION IS WIDE AND DEEP.
GRANT THAT THESE LEADERS BE
RIBBED WITH THE STEEL OF YOUR
SPIRIT SO THAT THEIR STRENGTH
WILL BE EQUAL TO THE TASK, THAT
THEY WON'T FADE UNDER THE LIGHT
OF SCRUTINY, THAT THEY WILL BE
CALM AMIDST THE STORMS OF
CRITICISM, THAT THEY WON'T BEND
AMIDST THE STORMS OF CRITICISM,
AND BEND UNDER THE HEAVY LOAD
OF RESPONSIBILITY, THAT THEY
WILL COURAGEOUSLY HOLD HIGH THE
THEM.
YOUR TRUTH TO GUIDE
WE ASK THESE BLESSINGS IN YOUR
HOLY NAME, AMEN.
THE CHAIR HAS
EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE
LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND
ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS
APLUFLE THEREOF.
PUSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1,
THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVE THE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE
LEAD BY THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW
YORK, MS. BUERKLE.
I PLEDGE
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO
THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT
STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE CHAIR WILL
ENTERTAIN UP TO -- WITHOUT
OBJECTION THE GENTLEMAN FROM
CALIFORNIA, MR. GALLEGLY IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I HAVE KNOWN FATHER JOSEPH SHEA
SINCE HE WAS APPOINTED PASTOR
LIMA IN MY HOME
PARISH IN SIMI VALLEY,
CALIFORNIA.
HE'S BEEN THERE APPROXIMATELY
FOUR YEARS AND WE'VE WORKED
TOGETHER ON SEVERAL PROJECTS
THAT HAVE BENEFITED OUR
COMMUNITY.
CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF
IT IS BEFITTING THAT WE
HAVING PASTORS FROM ACROSS OUR
COUNTRY OPEN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE
WITH A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
AND ITS PEOPLE.
I WANT TO THANK THE REVEREND
PATRICK J. CONROY, CHAPLAIN OF
THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES FOR GIVING
FATHER SHEA THE OPPORTUNITY TO
OPEN TODAY'S SESSION OF THE
HOUSE.
HAVING GUEST CHAPLAINS FROM
ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE
IN THIS HISTORICAL UNDERTAKING
TRULY DOES MANIFEST THE FREEDOM
OF WORSHIP ENJOYED ACROSS THE
UNITED STATES.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK FATHER
SHEA FOR TRAVELING ALL THE WAY
ACROSS THIS GREAT NATION TO BE
HERE WITH US THIS MORNING TO
OFFER THIS SPIRITUAL OPENING
FOR THE DAY AND MADAM SPEAKER,
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THANK
YOU.
THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN 15
FURTHER REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE
AISLE.
SPEECHES ON EACH SIDE OF THE
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
I RISE TODAY TO HONOR DONALD
KACZYNSKI FROM MY HOME STATE OF
ARKANSAS WHO HAS A PASSION OF
HELPING OTHER VETERANS WITH A
DISABILITY.
AFTER SEPARATE FROM THE
MARINES, HE FACED THE OBSTACLE
OF FINDING A NEW JOB.
AFTER MOVING TO HOT SPRINGS
VILLAGE, ARKANSAS, THE STARTED
A MOBILE FOOD STAND BUSINESS.
HE SERVES AS
COMMANDER AND ADJEW TANT OF THE
V.F.W.
HE WAS ELECTED STATE COMMANDER
OF THE DISABLED VETERANS OF
ARKANSAS.
HE WAS RECOGNIZED AS V.F.W. MAN
OF THE CAREER FOR ARKANSAS AND
IN 2008 AS THE DISABLED
AMERICAN VETERANS MAN OF THE
YEAR.
WE HONOR DONALD KACZYNSKI AND
HIS SERVICE TO ARKANSAS'
VETERANS.
I YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK SEEK
RECOGNITION?
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
AS WE RECALL THE
VOTENS, I REMEMBER THE 36 HOURS
I SPENT IN THE WAR ZONE IN
AFGHANISTAN SPEAKING TO OUR
SOLDIERS.
THE TROOPS ON THE GROUND AND
YENS CONFIRM THAT PAKISTAN
REMAINS A SAFE HAVEN FOR THE
TALIBAN AND AL QAEDA.
FIRST IT WAS PROVED TO THE
WORLD WHEN OSAMA BIN LADEN WAS
FOUND TO BE HIDING THERE FOR A
LENGTHY AMOUNT OF TIME.
NEW ON MONDAY, A DRONE STRIKE
JUST OVER THE PAKISTANI BORDER
THAT KILLED AL QAEDA'S NUMBER
TWO IN COMMAND FURTHER PROVING
BEYOND ALL DOUBT THAT PAKISTAN
CONTINUES TO HARBOR TERRORISTS.
IF PAKISTAN IS UNWILLING TO
CONDEMN THE TERRORISTS AND WORK
WITH THE UNITED STATES TO FIND
THEM, THEY SHOULD NOT BE
ELIGIBLE FOR FOREIGN AID,
PERIOD, END.
I WORKED, I PLEDGE TO CONTINUE
TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY
WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO RESTRICT
BY AND PROVIDES REFUGE TO
FUNDS AS LONG AS PAKISTAN SITS
TERRORISTS WHO PUT OUR TROOPS
AND NATION IN HARM'S WAY.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
FOR
FROM WEST VIRGINIA SEEK
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
RECOGNITION?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THE STATE OF WEST
VIRGINIA LOST ONE OF ITS
GREATEST CITIZENS LAST WEEK AND
I LOST A VERY CLOSE FRIEND.
FORMER HEAD COACH OF THE WEST
VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
TEAM AND NEW MARTINSVILLE
NATIVE BILL SHORT PASSED AWAY
ON -- BILL STEWART PASSED AWAY
ON MAY 28.
HE WAS A MAN OF INTEGRITY AND
HIGH MORAL CHARACTER WHO
PRACTICED TRULY WHAT HE
FIELD.
PREACHED, BOTH ON AND OFF THE
AS HEAD COACH OF THE
MOUNTAINEERS, HE REPRESENTED
BEST POSSIBLE WAY.
OUR STATE AND UNIVERSITY IN THE
HIS SIGNATURE WIN OVER OKLAHOMA
IN THE 2008 FIESTA BOWL
LAUNCHED HIM INTO THE NATIONAL
SPOTLIGHT.
HIS LEGACY WILL BE THAT OF A
TYPE OF LIFE HE LIVED.
COACH STU NEVER MET A STRANGER
AND NEVER LOST SITE OF -- SIGHT
OF HIS HOME.
HE LIVED EACH DAY TO ITS
FULLEST AND HAD A CONTAGIOUS
ENTHUSIASM THAT INSPIRED
EVERYONE AROUND HIM.
LEAVE NO DOUBT, BILL STEWART
WILL BE MISSED FOR YEARS TO
COME BECAUSE HE WAS A MAN OF
HIS WORD A MAN WHO OPENLY
FOLLOWED HIS FAITH AND A
DEDICATED FATHER, HUSBAND, AND
FRIEND.
BILL STEWART TOOK THAT FINAL
DUSTY WINDY -- DUSTY, WINDY,
COUNTRY ROAD HOME TO HIS PLACE
IN HEAVEN.
MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE
REMAINDER OF MY TIME.
THANK
YOU.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU VERY
MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER.
I RIDES TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE
BILL.
NEED TO PASS A TRANSPORTATION
I AM FRUSTRATED BY THE ACTION
OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN
CONFEREES AND HOW THE
OBSTRUCTIONISM IS NEGATIVELY
AFFECTING JOB CREATION IN THIS
COUNTRY.
THE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION
EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS
MONTH AND WE ARE IN THE HEIGHT
OF SUMMER CONSTRUCTION SEASON
AND WE ARE LOSING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO GET THESE JOBS
GOING ON CONSTRUCTION AND THE
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BACK
TO WORK.
A SURE FIRE WAY TO CREATE A JOB
IS TO INVEST IN OUR COUNTRY'S
INFRASTRUCTURE BUT HOUSE
EVERY TURN.
REPUBLICANS OBSTRUCT IT AT
LAST MONTH, WE WERE FORCED TO
PASS A 10TH TEMPORARY EXTENSION
OF HIGHWAY FUNDING BECAUSE OF
THE G.O.P. INACTION.
THIS IS MY 20TH YEAR HERE AND
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT
THIS BILL HAS BEEN HELD UP
BECAUSE OF PARTISANISM.
THIS INACTION ONLY INCREASES
INSTABILITY FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND MAKES
IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR STATE AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PLAN
LONG-TERM.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I
YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA
SEEK RECOGNITION?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND REVISE AND EXTEND MY
REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ACCORDING TO THE SOCIAL
SECURITY TRUSTEES, THE SOCIAL
SECURITY DISABILITY PROGRAM IS
EXPECTED TO EXHAUST ITS TRUST
FUND IN JUST FOUR YEARS.
IF THE FUND IS
EXHAUSTED ONLED ABOUT 80% OF
BENEFITS WOULD BE PAID OUT IF
NOTHING IS DONE.
OVER 11 MILLION AMERICANS COULD
BE IMPACTED.
AGAIN, WE HAVE ANOTHER
GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM
HEADED TOWARD BANKRUPTCY.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT COSTS AS
MUCH AS THE ANNUAL BUDGETS OF
THE DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE,
HOMELAND SECURITY, COMMERCE,
LABOR, INTERIOR AND JUSTICE
COMBINED.
I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS
PROGRAM IS TO MANY OF MY OWN
CONSTITUENTS.
MEDICARE, MEDICAID, SOCIAL
SECURITY, AND THE DISABILITY
PROGRAM, TENS OF MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE RELY ON THESE PROGRAMS.
BUT THEY ARE NOT STRUCTURALLY
APPS.
SOUND, DOING NOTHING IS NOT THE
AND TAKING FUNDS FROM GENERAL
REVENUE DOES NOTHING TO PROVIDE
NEED.
THE LONG-TERM STABILITY WE
WE NEED REAL, INNOVATIVE REFORM
THAT FIXES OUR PROBLEMS, THAT
PROGRAMS.
SAVES AND STRENGTHENS THESE
WITHOUT PILING UP DEBT.
IF WE DON'T ACT TO SAVE AND
STRENGTHEN THESE PROGRAMS OUR
CREDITORS WILL MAKE THE
DECISIONS FOR US DOWN THE ROAD.
PROBLEMS IN A BIPARTISAN
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THESE
MANNER, ONE PARTY CAN'T DO IT
ALONE.
I YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM RHODE ISLAND SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
WOGS,
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I RISE TODAY TO
HONOR ANTHONY ANDERSON A RISING
JUNIOR AT LA SALLE ACADEMY IN
MY HOME STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.
HE WAS AWARDED A GOLD MEDAL
FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC
AND WRITING AWARDS FOR A
BULLYING.
SELF-PORTRAIT HE SUBMITTED ON
HE'S BEEN RECOGNIZED EVERY YEAR
SINCE HE WAS IN SEVENTH GRADE.
HIS PAINTING IS ON DISPLAY AT A
GALLERY AT NEW YORK CITY.
HE AND HI FAMILY AND TEACHERS
WERE INVITED TO CARNEGIE HALL
TO CELEBRATE HIS WORK AND THE
WINNERS.
WORK OF OTHER GOLD MEDAL
I CONGRATULATE ANTHONY ON HIS
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WISH HIM
CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS
AHEAD.
I YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
FOR ONE MINUTE AND REVISE AND
EXTEND MY REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
TOO OFTEN PEOPLE
IN WASHINGTON FORGET IT'S THE
SMALL BUSINESSES THAT CREATE
JOBS, NOT GOVERNMENT.
BRING ABOUT GROWTH.
THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO
THEY HAVE CREATED AN IMPRESSIVE
65% OF ALL NEW AMERICAN JOBS --
JOBS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME
IN CELEBRATING THE SUCCESSES OF
OUR LOCAL JOB CREATORS,
INCLUDING TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM
MY DISTRICT, WHO ARE BEING
RECOGNIZED BY THE U.S. SMALL
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
CONGRATULATION TOSCA THI KWAN,
C.E.O. OF A PLASTICS RECYCLING
COMPANY ON BEING EXPORTER OF
THE YEAR AND A HEARTY SALUTE TO
THE MIKE ROHAN PRESIDENT OF ALL
TRUST HOME INCORPORATED WHO HAS
EARNED THE ENTREPRENEURIAL
SUCCESS OF THE YEAR AWARD.
THESE ACHIEVEMENTS ARE
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO CONGRESS
PUT POLITICS ASIDE
AND WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE LEADERS LIKE
MIKE AND KATHY CAN DO THEIR --
WHAT THEY DO BEST, CREATE JOBS.
I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLELADY
YIELDS BACK.
THE
GENTLELADY YOOLEDS BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM WEST VIRGINIA
SEEK RECOGNITION?
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN
IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
AMERICAN INNOVATORS CONTRIBUTE
TO AN ECONOMY SECOND TO NONE AND
PROVIDES STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE TO
NATIONAL SECURITY, BUT WHERE
WILL THE ADVANCEMENT OF TOMORROW
COME?
THE U.S. RANKS 27TH IN THE WORLD
IN GRADUATES WITH SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING DEGREES, AND THE
LAST THING CONGRESS SHOULD DO IS
TO MAKE EDUCATION LESS
AFFORDABLE.
YET THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WILL
HAPPEN ON JUNE 30 IF CONGRESS
FAILS TO ACT.
INTEREST RATES ON STUDENT LOANS
WILL DOUBLE.
HIKING THE YEARLY PAYMENTS,
$1,000, FOR MORE THAN SEVEN
MILLION STUDENTS IN THIS
COUNTRY.
REPUBLICAN ROOTS OF TYING
STUDENTS LOAN INTEREST RATES TO
THE EVISCERATION OF PLEA VAN
HOLLENIVE HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN
AND CHILDREN WAS AN
UNCONSCIONABLE PARTISAN EMPLOY.
NO -- PLOY.
NO PARENT SHOULD BE FORCED TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR CHILD'S
HEALTH OR EDUCATION.
NO WOMAN SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN BREAST CANCER SCREENING
AND A STUDENT LOAN.
LOWER INTEREST RATES WERE THE
RESULT OF OUR PARTISAN
COOPERATION WITH THE DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESS AND REPUBLICAN
PRESIDENT.
WE MUST STOP THE INTEREST RATE
HIKE IN A RESPONSIBLE AND
BIPARTISAN MANNER.
I URGE THIS SPEEDY ACTION AND
YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO KRAUSE
ADDRESS THE HOUSE.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
I WISH YOU COULD MEET MY FRIEND,
DR. GALIAN BIKER A. TRULY
RENAISSANCE MAN, BORN IN IOWA
BUT RAISED IN HUDSONVILLE,
MICHIGAN, IN MY DISTRICT WHERE
HE GREW UP IN A FAMILY THAT WAS
VERY ENTREPRENEURIAL AND VERY
POLITICALLY INVOLVED.
HIS FATHER ACTUALLY SERVED AS A
STATE SENATOR, GARY BIKER.
HE ATTENDED CALVIN COLLEGE WHERE
HE IS NOW PRESIDENT AND EARNED A
B.A. IN PHILOSOPHY, ENGLISH,
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SPEECH
WITH A MINOR IN RUSSIAN.
HE ALSO ENTERED THE ARMY IN 1967
AND SERVED IN VIETNAM AND WAS
CAPTAIN.
DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF
HE WENT ON TO EARN A LAW DEGREE
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
AND THEN HIS MASTERS DEGREE IN
WELL.
WORLD POLITICS AT MICHIGAN AS
AFTER THAT, HE DECIDED NEEDED TO
GET HIS PH.D. IN INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
HE THEN SERVED AND WORKED IN
ENERGY EXPLORATION COMPANY OUT
OF HOUSTON.
HE WORKED ON WALL STREET, BOTH
ON ENERGY AS WELL AS DERIVATIVES
AND FUTURES.
HE THEN SERVED AS A LAWYER IN
PHILADELPHIA.
HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY
NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS AND
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES,
INCLUDING THE ROUGH GROUSE
SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES.
HE'S AN AVID HUNTER AND PRETTY
GOOD SLOT I MIGHT ADD.
HE BECAME PRESIDENT OF CALVIN
COLLEGE IN 1995 WHERE HE HAS
SERVED SINCE THEN THE LAST 17
YEARS.
HE'S TRULY A PERSON WHO HAS LEFT
A PLACE BETTER THAN WHEN HE
FOUND IT.
AND DR. BIKER, WE WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO
KOHL VIN COLLEGE AND THE GREATER
COMMUNITY IN WEST MICHIGAN.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MINUTE.
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MADAM SPEAKER, I
RISE TODAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO
WHAT IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM
FOR THE FAMILIES OF AT LEAST
1,300 WORKERS, 900 OF WHOM LIVE
IN MY STATE OF MINNESOTA.
THERE IS A LABOR DISPUTE WITH
THEIR COMPANY AND ON FRIDAY
THERE IS A CHANCE TO GO BACK TO
THE BARGAINING TABLE TO COME UP
WITH A GOOD SETTLEMENT.
NOW, THESE WORKERS, THEY DIDN'T
GO ON STRIKE, THEY HAVE BEEN
LOCKED OUT.
BEEN LOCKED OUT FOR 10 MONTHS.
AT AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR
FACTORY IN MOORE HILL,
MINNESOTA.
MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE WORKED
AT THIS FACTORY THEIR ENTIRE
LIVES, MADAM SPEAKER, AND ARE
REALLY GOOD, SOLID MEMBERS OF
THEIR COMMUNITY.
THESE WORKERS HAVE GONE TO WORK
AND THEY HAVE ACTUALLY STOOD UP
AND GONE TO BAT FOR THE COMPANY,
PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE SUGAR
COUNTLESS WAYS AS WELL.
PROGRAM, AND MANY OTHER WAYS,
THESE WORKERS EVEN VOWED NOT TO
GO ON STRIKE BECAUSE THEY KNOW
HOW IMPORTANT THEIR WORK IS TO
THE COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY.
THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE
WRONG IS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE
TO PAY THEIR HIGHER HEALTH
INSURANCE COSTS, WHICH IS THE
REAL CRUX OF THE NEGOTIATION.
THIS FRIDAY, THE SIDES ARE GOING
BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE FOR
THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR MONTHS.
I COMMEND BOTH LABOR AND
MANAGEMENT FOR GETTING BACK TO
THE TABLE.
MADAM SPEAKER, I URGE MANAGEMENT
LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE PLEAS
OF THESE WORKERS AND COME UP
WITH A FAIR SETTLEMENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
IN 2009 THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
SAID THAT UNEMPLOYMENT WOULD
NEVER REACH 8% IF THE STAY WITH
US WAS APPROVED.
THREE YEARS LATER,
IT WAS.
$1.2 TRILLION IN SPENDING,
UNEMPLOYMENT HAS REMAINED ABOVE
8% FOR 40 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.
DEPRESSION.
THE LONGEST SPAN SINCE THE GREAT
EVEN MORE ALARMING IS THAT THE
8% DOESN'T ILLUSTRATE HOW GRIM
THE SITUATION REALLY IS.
MORE THAN 500,000 MORE AMERICANS
ARE OUT OF WORK TODAY THAN THEY
WERE WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK
OFFICE IN 2009.
AND THE PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS
WORKING IS AT A 30-YEAR LOW.
UNEMPLOYMENT WOULD BE EVEN
HIGHER IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE
GRIT AND RESOLVE OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE THEMSELVES AND WITH THESE
NUMBERS IT'S CLEAR THAT
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AGENDA, IT'S
FAILED AND IT'S MAKING THE
ECONOMY WORSE.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE A PLAN.
THEY HAVE A PLAN FOR AMERICA'S
ECONOMY AROUND.
JOB CREATORS TO HELP TURN THIS
AND IT'S TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT,
IT'S TIME FOR THE SENATE
DEMOCRATS TO STOP BLOCKING JOBS
FOR AMERICANS AND TO JOIN US IN
HELPING GET AMERICANS BACK TO
WORK.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM KANSAS SEEK
RECOGNITION?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
REVISE AND EXTEND.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AL PLIED
I RISE TODAY TO MARK THE 68TH
EXPEDITIONARY FORCES LANDING IN
NORMANDY FRANCE AT THE START OF
THE END OF WORLD WAR II.
IT WAS LED BY NATIVE
KANSAN AND TRULY GREAT AMERICAN
HERO, FORMER PRESIDENT AGAIN
DWIGHT "IKE" EISENHOWER.
HE INSPIRED HIS I MEN TO FIGHT
FOR THE VALUES OF LIBERTY AND
FREEDOM, STATING, QUOTE, YOUR
TASK WILL NOT BE AN EASY ONE,
YOUR ENEMY IS WELL DWAINED, WELL
EQUIPPED, HE WILL FIGHT
SAVAGELY.
OUR HOME FRONT HAS GIVEN US AN
OVERWHELMINGLY SUPERIORITY AND
PLACED AT OUR GREAT DISPOSAL
GREAT RESERVES OF GREAT MEN.
THE FREE MEN OF THE WORLD ARE
MARCHING TOGETHER TO VICKTRY.
GOOD LUCK.
LET US BESEECH THE BLESSINGS OF
ALMIGHTY GOD UPON THIS GREAT AND
NOBLE UNDERTAKING.
WE ALL REQUIRE THE TREMENDOUS
SACRIFICES THE GREATEST
GENERATION GAVE FOR THE CAUSE OF
FREEDOM AND LIBERTY AS WE MARK
THIS SOLEMN ANNIVERSARY TODAY.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM HAWAII SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MADAM SPEAKER, I REQUEST
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, THE GENTLELADY IS
RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
MADAM SPEAKER, I'M HERE TO ASK
THAT THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET
RESPECT OUR SENIORS.
YOU'VE GOT TO ASK OURSELVES, WHY
ARE WE GIVING THOSE WHO MAKE
OVER $1 MILLION, ABOUT $394,000
ON AN AVERAGE OF TAX CUTS?
AND THOSE MAKING BETWEEN $20,000
AND $30,000 GET $129.
WHY?
AND WHY IS IT THAT THERE'S ABOUT
$3 TRILLION IN BREAKS THAT WE
ARE GIVING TO BIG BUSINESS, BIG
OIL, GAS, AND SUPERRICH?
WHY ARE WE DOING THAT?
AND THEN, AND THEN THERE IS AN
EFFORT IN THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET
TO CHANGE MEDICAID TO THE
VOUCHER PROGRAM.
THIS IS WHY THE AARP SAYS,
REPUBLICANS ARE SHIFTING THE
COST TO OUR SENIORS AND ENDING
THE MEDICARE GUARANTEE.
THAT GUARANTEE THAT MANY OF THEM
RELY UPON.
AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET
OFFICE AGREES WITH THIS.
THE ATTACKS ON THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT BY THE REPUBLICANS ALSO
, ALSO ARE GOING TO SET US BACK.
THAT ACT CLOSES THE DOUGHNUT
HOLE FOR THE SENIORS
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, ALSO ALLOWS
CARE.
THEM TO HAVE PREVENTIVE HEALTH
AND WE ARE TAKING THAT AWAY,
TOO.
MADAM SPEAKER, LET'S JUST
RESPECT OUR SENIORS, RESPECT
THEM AND NOT DO WHAT WE ARE
DOING.
THANK YOU.
THE
GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE?
MR. CHAIRMAN,
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL
MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND
EX---CLUE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON
THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF
5323, AND THAT I MAY INCLUDE
TABULAR MATERIAL ON THE SAME.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 667
AND RULE 18, THE CHAIR DECLARES
THE HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE ON THE STATE OF THE
UNION FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
OF H.R. 5325.
WILL THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM
FLORIDA, MS. ROS-LEHTINEN,
KINDLY TAKE THE CHAIR.
THE HOUSE IS IN THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON
THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
5325, WHICH THE CLERK WILL
REPORT BY TITLE.
A BILL MAKING
APPROPRIATIONS FOR ENERGY AND
WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED
AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEN THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE ROSE ON TUESDAY, JUNE
5, 2012, THE AMENDMENT OFFERED
BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR.
FLORES, HAD BEEN DISPOSED OF AND
THE BILL HAD BEEN READ THROUGH
PAGE 56, LINE 24.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I RISE TO
STRIKE THE LAST WOORD FOR THE
PURPOSES OF ENGAGING IN A KOHLY.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
AND A
COLLOQUY, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
VIRGINIA, MR. HEARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO HIM FOR
THAT PURPOSE.
THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR, IN VIRGINIA'S FIFTH
DISTRICT, STATE AND LOCAL
OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO
ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES TO CREATE
NEW JOBS IN SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA.
IN HENRY COUNTY, A COUNTY
LOCATED IN VIRGINIA'S FIFTH
DISTRICT, LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE
IDENTIFIED A 200 ACRE SITE THAT
HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT
MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES AT A TIME WHEN
MARTINSVILLE AND HENRY COUNTY
SUFFERS FROM THE HIGHEST
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN VIRGINIA.
AT 15% AND 10%
RESPECTIVELY.
UNFORTUNATELY, FEDERAL
REGULATORS, INCLUDING THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, HAVE
RESISTED MOVING FORWARD WITH
THIS IMPORTANT INITIATIVE AND
STALLED THE COUNTY'S PERMIT
APPLICATION BECAUSE OF THE LACK
OF IDENTIFIED END USER FOR THE
SITE.
AT THE SAME TIME THE POTENTIAL
COMPANIES WHO WOULD INVEST IN
THIS SITE AND CREATE JOBS IN
SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA ARE UNWILLING
TO COMMIT THEIR RESOURCES DUE TO
THE RISK AND TIME DELAYS
ASSOCIATED WITH AN OUTSTANDING
PERMIT WITH THE COURT.
WHILE STATE REGULATORS HAVE
ISSUED PERMITS FOR THE HENRY
COUNTY SITE, THE CORPS CONTINUES
TO BE STEADFAST IN ITS
UNWILLINGNESS TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH THE PERMIT, EVEN THOUGH
THEY HAVE ISSUED PERMITS FOR
SIMILAR SPECULATIVE DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS IN THE PAST WHICH
SUBSEQUENTLY ATTRACTED NEW
AREA.
INDUSTRIES AND JOBS TO THAT
MR. CHAIRMAN, THIS SITE
REPRESENTS AN ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD BRING
THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO AN AREA OF
VIRGINIA THAT IS STILL
STRUGGLING WITH DOUBLE-DIGIT
UNEMPLOYMENT.
THIS PROJECT HAS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS WELL
AS FROM OUR GOVERNOR, BOB
MCDONNELL.
VIRGINIA HAS PROVEN IT IS THE
MOST ATTRACTIVE STATE FOR
BUSINESS AND RECOGNIZED AS SUCH
IN THE PAST YEAR.
IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY I HAVE
NO DOUBT THAT THE SITE WOULD BE
THE IMPETUS FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IN MARTINSVILLE AND
HENRY COUNTY, AN AREA WHICH
NEEDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MORE
THAN EVER.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD ASK YOUR
ASSISTANCE IN WORKING WITH ME TO
ENSURE FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE
NOT NEEDLESSLY STALLING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION IN
VIRGINIA'S FIFTH DISTRICT AND
OTHER AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN, AND I
YIELD BACK -- YIELD TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY.
I THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA FOR
ATTENTION.
BRINGING THESE CONCERNS TO MY
FEDERAL AGENCIES AND REGULATIONS
I AGREE THAT WE MUST ASSURE THAT
ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO
UNNECESSARY DELAYS THAT HARM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB
CREATION.
ESPECIALLY AT A TIME OF ECONOMIC
DISTRESS AND HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.
I PLEDGE, OUR COMMITTEE PLEDGES
TO WORK WITH THE GENTLEMAN AND
OTHERS WHO HAVE SEEN AN
OVERREACHING REGULATORY PROCESS
NEGATIVELY AFFECT JOB PROSPECTS
IN THEIR DISTRICTS TO ADDRESS
THESE PROBLEMS.
RECLAIMING MY TIME, I
THANK THE CHAIRMAN FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP ON THIS BILL AND ON
THIS ISSUE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH HIM.
I YIELD BACK MY TIME.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN
YIELD BACK?
I YIELD BACK.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES
THE --
MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
I WOULD LIKE AT
THIS POINT TO RECOGNIZE THE
DOYLE.
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I RISE TODAY TO ENGAGE IN A
COLLOQUY WITH THE CHAIRMAN AND
THE RANKING MEMBER.
MR. SPEAKER, I'M HERE TODAY TO
EXPRESS MY CONCERN WITH THE FUHR
OF THE NATION'S INLAND WATERWAY
SYSTEM.
THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY,
DESPITE THE CHAIRMAN'S BEST
EFFORTS, CONTINUES A TREND OF
UNDERFUNDING NEEDED
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN
OUR NATION'S LOCKS AND DAMS.
THIS UNDERFUNDING IS A
COMBINATION OF THE
ADMINISTRATION'S REQUEST AND
LACK OF A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO
THE INLAND WATERWAYS TRUST FUND.
LOCKS AND DAMS ARE A CRUCIAL
MECHANISM OF COMMERCE AND MODE
OF TRANSPORTATION IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
THEY ALLOW FOR THE TRANSPORT OF
COMMODITIES ESSENTIAL TO
BUSINESSES IN MY REGION, LIKE
COAL, GRAIN, AND SCRAP METAL.
ALONG THE ALLEGHENY RIVER, THE
ARMY CORPS' BUDGET FOR OPERATING
AND MAINTAINING LOCKS AND DAMS
WAS CUT BY NEARLY ONE HALF IN
JUST ONE YEAR.
PROJECTS ON OTHER RIVERS IN THE
PITTSBURGH REGION, THE OHIO, AND
MA NOTHING HAILA, HAVE SLOWED TO
A STOP OR IN NEED OF REPAIR.
THE CUTS TO THIS FUND HAS THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND
WONDERING EXACTLY HOW
OR IF A REPAIR WILL BE MADE IF
SOMETHING BREAKS.
BUT THIS IS ONLY A PORTION OF
THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
AND THE MECHANISM THAT WE HAVE
TO FUND NEW OR MAJOR
REHABILITATION PROJECTS, THE
INLAVEPBD WATERWAY TRUST FUND --
ALSO IN NEED OF REPAIR.
INLAND WATERWAY TRUST FUND, IS
EVEN AT TIMES OF FISCAL
RESTRAINT, WE MUST FIND WAYS TO
FUND PROJECTS THAT PROTECT OUR
SAFETY AND ALLOW THE USE OF OUR
WATER WAYS FOR COMMERCE.
THE LONGER WE WAIT, -- WAIT TO
FULLY RESPOND TO THE CRITICAL
NEEDS OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, THE
MORE IT IS GOING TO COST.
MR. CHAIRMAN, JUST IN A RECENT
ARTICLE IN THE "PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE," THE QUOTE FROM
OUR LOCAL CORPS PERSON SAID THIS
IS IT FOR THE ALLEGHENY LOCKS
AND DAMS.
IF SOMETHING BREAKS, WE'VE GOT
TO SCRAMBLE FOR FUNDS AND THERE
.
IS NO GUARANTEE WE'LL FIX IT.
THIS HAS FORCED THE CORPS TO A
FIX ONE -- THE AVERAGE LOCK IS
60 YEARS OLD.
IN PITTSBURGH, THEY'RE OVER 80
YEARS OLD.
I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU
AND THE RANKING MEMBER TO FIND
A SOLUTION TO THIS URGENT NEED
AND I'D LIKE TO YIELD TIME TO
MR. CRITZ TO EXPRESS HIS VIEWS
ON THIS ISSUE.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
I'D LIKE TO ADD MY
VOICE TO MR. DOYLE'S ON THE
ISSUE OF THE AGING STATE OF OUR
NATION'S WATERWAYS AND THE VAST
SHORTFALLS ON FUNDING URGENTLY
NEEDED REPAIRS.
I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY TO
FIND A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO
THIS ISSUE.
CONSISTING OF OVER 230 LOCK
CHAMBERS, OUR INLAND WATER WAYS
OF GOODS
ANNUALLY.
TO MOVE THESE GOODS ON OUR
NATION'S HIGHWAYS WOULD REQUIRE
MILLIONS MORE TRUCKS AND CAUSE
MORE POLLUTION.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS
INVESTED IN THIS INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR OVER 200 YEARS.
THE LOCK AND DAMS ARE BUILT
WITH A 50-YEAR LIFE.
YET MANY ARE OVER 100 YEARS
OLD.
I'M DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THE LACK
OF FUNDING FOR THE PROJECTS AND
THE LACK OF PROGRESS ON FINDING
A SOLUTION TO THE FUNDING
SHORTFALLS IN THE INLAND
WATERWAYS TRUST FUND THIS FUND
GENERATES ROUGHLY $85 MILLION
PER YEAR THROUGH A FUEL TAX ON
BARGES YET FALLS WELL SHORT OF
THE $380 MILLION PER YEAR THE
INLAND WATERWAYS USERS BOARD
ESTIMATES IS NEEDED TO FULLY
FUND CAPITAL REINVESTMENTS IN
THE SYSTEM.
THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THAT
THE WATERWAY TRAFFIC WILL
INCREASE 20% BY 2020.
WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO SILT
ON OUR HANDS AND WAIT FOR THESE
FAIL.
VITAL LANES OF COMMERCE TO
WE NEED TO INVEST IN AMERICA
AND KEEP OUR FEDERAL WATERWAYS
OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
THE INLAND WATER WAYS SYSTEM IS
FAR TOO IMPORTANT TO ALLOW IT
TO CONTINUE TO LANGUISH WITH
INADEQUATE FUNDING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
THE CHAIRMAN AND MR..NET TO
FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS URGENT
NEED AND I YIELD BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
I TELL THE --
I TELL THE
CONCERNS.
GENTLEMEN THAT I SHARE THEIR
THIS IS WHY YOU SEE EXTENSIVE
DUMONTATION ON THE OLMSTEAD
LOCK AND DAM.
ANY CHANGES TO ADDRESS THE
SOLVENCY OF THE TRUST FUND ARE
MOST APPROPRIATELY DISCUSSED
WITHIN THE AUTHORIZING
COMMITTEES.
I KNOW THEY'RE AWARE OF THE
SITUATION AND ARE EVALUATING
VARIOUS OPTIONS.
CHAIR: THE GENTLEMAN FROM
INDIANA'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
WHO SEEKS RECOGNITION?
I MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST
WORD AND YIELD TO THE RANKING
MEMBER.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZENED AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
I ASSOCIATE
MYSELF WITH THE CHAIRMAN'S
REMARK, MR. CHRIS' REMARK AND
-- MR. CRITZ'S REMARK AND MR.
DOYLE'S REMARK AND CONCLUDE MY
PORTION BY THANKING BOTH
GENTLEMEN FOR RAISING THIS
VITAL ISSUE.
WE ENGAGE IN INVESTING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFGHANISTAN,
WE CREATE INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT IN IRAQ AND
ELSEWHERE.
IT IS TIME THAT WE REPAIR AND
INVEST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE,
THE WATERWAY INFRASTRUCTURE IN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
TO CREATE JOBS IN THE
SHORT-TERM AND TO CREATE JOBS
IN THE FUTURE.
AGAIN, I REALLY, FROM THE
BOTTOM OF MY HEART, THANK YOU
GENTLEMEN FOR RAISING THIS
ISSUE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH THEM.
I APPRECIATE THE CHAIRMAN
YIELDING TO ME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
IS RECOGNIZED.
I YIELD BACK.
WHO SEEKS
RECOGNITION?
RECOGNIZED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA IS
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT
AT THE DESK.
IT'S DESIGNATED AS NUMBER ONE.
THE CLERK WILL
REPORT THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. FLAKE OF ARIZONA, AT THE
END OF THE BILL BEFORE THE
SHORT TITLE INSERT THE
FOLLOWING, SECTION, EACH AMOUNT
MADE AVAILABLE BY THIS ACT
OTHER THAN AN AMOUNT REQUIRED
TO BE MADE AVAILABLE BY A
.276084897576%.
PROVISION OF LAW IS REDUCED BY
PURSUANT TO THED
ORER OF THE HOUSE OF TODAY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR.
FLAKE, AND A MEMBER OPPOSED
WILL EACH CONTROL FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MA'AM.
FUNDED AT $32 BILLION, THE F.Y.
2013 WATER APPROPRIATION BILL
WE HAVE UNDER CONSIDERATION
BILL ACTUALLY SPENDS ABOUT $87
MILLION MORE THAN WE DID LAST
YEAR.
WITH A $1.3 TRILLION DEFICIT
AND A NATIONAL DEBT THAT'S NOW
MORE THAN $15 TRILLION, I THINK
WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER HERE.
SO THIS AMENDMENT SIMPLY SAYS,
LET'S PEAR IT BACK, LET'S DO --
PARE IT BACK, LET'S DO AN
ACROSS THE BOARD CUT OF .207.
THE REASON WE PICKED THAT
NUMBER, IT WOULD BRING US BACK
TO LAST YEAR EXACTLY.
WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, WHAT THE STATE AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE DOING,
SOMETIMES THEY'RE GOING BACK TO
2005, 2004, OR MAYBE MORE.
TO TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGETS.
CONGRESS, WITH A $15 TRILLION
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE IN
DEBT?
WE ARE INCREASING SPENDING ON
SOME BILLS.
NOW WE'VE CUT OTHERS AND I
SUPPORTED THE SO-CALLED RYAN
BUDGET WHERE WE DO MAKE SOME
OVERALL CUTS AND THAT'S GOOD.
BUT WHEN OFF BILL LIKE THIS, I
JUSTIFY
INCREASING SPENDING $87 MILLION
OVER LAST YEAR.
SO AGAIN, SOME WILL SAY, WELL
THIS CONFORMS TO THE BUDGET
AGREEMENT, THE RYAN BUDGET ACT
AND THE 302-A LEVELS WE'VE SET.
THAT IS TRUE, IT DOES.
BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF
WE'RE INCREASING FUNDING HERE,
SAVINGS.
THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO FIND
AND PERHAPS THE 302-B LEVEL
SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET A LITTLE
I URGE ADOPTION OF THE
LOWER.
AMENDMENT.
AGAIN THIS IS SIMPLY A CUT THAT
WERE LAST YEAR.
WOULD TAKE US BACK TO WHERE WE
2012.
NOT 2008 OR 2009, BUT F.Y.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S
UNREASONABLE.
WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN
RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY
IS RECOGNIZED.
I RISE TO
CLAIM TIME IN OPPOSITION.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED IN OPPOSITION.
I RISE IN
STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT.
TO ANY CLAIM
THAT OUR BILL UNNECESSARILY
INCREASES SPENDING.
THERE IS ONE REASON THAT THIS
BILL IS $188 MILLION ABOVE
FISCAL YEAR 2000.
IT'S DEFENSE.
NATIONAL SECURITY.
MANY MEMBERS MAY NOT REALIZE
IT, NEARLY 1/3 OF OUR BILL
SUPPORTS CRITICAL NATIONAL
SECURITY NEEDS.
INCLUDING NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
THAT IS ACTUALLY THE ORIGIN OF
WHY WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY TODAY.
THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT.
ONLY TWO SUBCOMMITTEES RECEIVED
INCREASES IN FISCAL YEAR 2013.
THE DEFENSE BILL.
THE ENERGY AND WATER BILL AND
BECAUSE THOSE INCREASES ARE
NEEDED TO SUPPORT NATIONAL
SECURITY.
THERE'S NO OTHER REASONS.
THE DEFENSE PORTION OF THIS
BILL IS ALMOST $300 MILLION
MORE THAN LAST YEAR, AN
INCREASE WHICH DIRECTLY
SUPPORTS OUR NUCLEAR WEAPONS
AND NATIONAL SECURITY.
EVEN WITH THOSE SECURITY
BILL IS STILL
LESS THAN 1/3 OF ONE PERCENT
ABOVE LAST YEAR'S BILL.
THAT MEANS THE REST OF THE BILL
IS CUT DEEPLY.
IT MEANS SPENDING FOR OUR
$800 MILLION BELOW LAST YEAR'S
NONDEFENSE ACCOUNTS IS CUT BY
LEVELS.
EVEN WITH THE INCREASE FOR
DEFENSE SPENDING, OUR BILL IS
STILL BELOW 2009 LEVELS.
ACTUALLY, QUITE CLOSE TO 2008
LEVELS.
SO I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY
CRITICISM THAT OUR BILL IN ANY
WAY IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF THIS
BODY'S WORK TO REDUCE SPENDING.
THE HOUSE'S COMMITMENT TO CUT
SPENDING, FEDERAL SPENDING, WAS
FULLY ENGAGED IN P IN A
BIPARTISAN WAY BY THE ENERGY
AND WATER SUBCOMMITTEE.
THE GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT WOULD
CUT THE BILL SIMPLY BECAUSE OF
THE INCREASES WE PROVIDED FOR
DEFENSE SPENDING.
TO BE CLEAR, THE AMENDMENT IS A
CUT TO NATIONAL SECURITY,
THAT'S THE POINT I'LL MAKE VERY
CLEAR TO ANY MEMBER WHO HAS
FOR THIS AMENDMENT.
QUESTIONS ON WHETHER TO VOTE
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO
TO PROTECT DEFENSE SPENDING.
A POST-SCRIPT.
OUR BILL HISTORICALLY HAS DONE
THINGS FOR A LOT OF STATES.
AND ARIZONA HAS BENEFITED FROM
THE CENTRAL ARIZONA WATER
PROJECT.
IT MAY NOT HAPPEN DURING MR.
FLAKE'S TENURE AS A MEMBER OF
CONGRESS BUT IN A BIPARTISAN
WAY, WE'VE LOOKED AFTER THE
NEEDS OF ARIZONA, HIS
CONSTITUENTS AND ARIZONANS.
WE ARE REDUCING SPENDING.
EVEN AS WE REDUCE SPEND, WE
HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO LOOK AFTER
OTHER NEEDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
IN THE ENERGY SECTOR AS WELL AS
THE WATER SECTOR WHICH I RELATE
THE ARIZONA -- CENTRAL ARIZONA
PROJECT.
SO WE'RE CUTTING SPEND,
REDUCING SPENDING, WE'RE
KEEPING OUR COMMITMENT TO THE
AMERICAN TAXPAYERS AND I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS
RECOGNIZED.
MOVE TO STRIKE THE LAST
WORD.
OBJECTION.
I APPRECIATE THE
RECOGNITION AND I WANT TO ADD
MY VOICE TO THE CHAIR'S IN
AMENDMENT.
OPPOSITION TO THE GENTLEMAN'S
WE JUST HAD A COLLOQUY ON THE
HOUSE FLOOR WITH SEVERAL
MEMBERS FROM THE STATE OF
PENNSYLVANIA, RELATIVE TO THE
FATE OF 230 LOCK CHAMBERS ON
OUR INLAND WATERWAYS THAT CARRY
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF TONS OF
CARGO.
IF THEY FAIL, WE WOULD NEED, AS
HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED THIS
MORNING, 24 MILLION ADDITIONAL
TRUCKS THAT WOULD COST BILLIONS
MORE IN FUEL AND GENERATE
MILLIONS OF TONS OF POLLUTION.
THESE LOCKS THAT ARE THE BACK
BONE OF THIS NATION'S INLAND
WATERWAY SYSTEM WERE BUILT WITH
A 50-YEAR DESIGN LIFE.
MANY OF THOSE THAT EXIST IN
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE NOW
OVER 100 YEARS OLD.
RELATIVE TO CUTS, I WANT TO
EMPHASIZE TO OUR COLLEAGUES
THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK
THAT THE CHAIRMAN, THE MEMBERS
OF THIS SUBCOMMITTEE, THE
STAFFS, PUT INTO THIS BILL TO
MAKE VERY DISCREET, DISCERNING
DECISIONS AND IN MANY INSTANCES
TO MAKE CUTS.
I WOULD TAKE SIMPLY ONE PROGRAM
AS AN EXAMPLE.
THAT'S ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP.
WE HAVE AGAIN A NATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO CLEAN UP
THESE LEGACIES OF THE COLD WAR
FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
$300 MILLION -- OF 300 MILLION
PEOPLE.
WE MADE DISCREET DECISIONS.
FOR DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL
SITE-BY-SITE DECISIONS, FOR
OFFICE OF RIVER PROTECTION IN
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, WE ARE
$30 MILLION BELOW LAST YEAR'S
LEVEL.
FOR THE OAK RIDGE NATIONAL RAB
RAH -- LABORATORY IN THE STATE
OF TENNESSEE, WE ARE $20
MILLION BELOW LAST YEAR'S
LEVEL.
FOR THE RIVER SITE IN SOUTH
CAROLINA, WE ARE $43 MILLION
CURRENT YEAR LEVEL.
PILOT
PLANT, WE ARE $12 MILLION BELOW
LAST YEAR'S LEVEL AND FOR
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, TO DO A
BETTER JOB ON THIS, WE'RE $1
MILLION BELOW.
WE MADE DISCREET DECISIONS.
I WOULD SIMPLY CLOSE BY SAYING
THE GENTLEMAN AT THE CLOSE OF
HIS REMARKS SAID HE WANT THIS
IS CUT TO TAKE US BACK TO WHERE
WE WERE.
THOSE LOCKS WERE BUILT 100
YEARS AGO.
I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK THERE.
WE ARE HERE TO TAKE THIS NATION
FORWARD, TO INVEST IN THE
FUTURE OF THIS NATION, SO THAT
THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS NATION
HAVE A FUTURE.
I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO
WHERE WE WERE.
I AM ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT AND WOULD
YIELD BACK MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA IS
RECOGNIZED.
I THANK THE CHAIR.
I WOULD -- WHAT I SAID WAS TAKE
BACK SPENDING LEVEL TO WHERE WE
WERE LAST YEAR.
NOBODY WANTS TO GO BACK IN
TIME.
BUT IF WE WANT TO TALK A FUTURE
FOR OUR KIDS, AS WAS MENTIONED,
SADDLING THEM WITH $15 TRILLION
IN DEBT DOESN'T GIVE THEM MUCH
OF A FUTURE.
THAT'S A PROBLEM HERE.
WE JUST KEEP DOING THAT, BILL
AFTER BILL AFTER BILL AFTER
BILL.
INCREASING SPENDING.
I TAKE THE GENTLEMAN'S POINT ON
THE NEEDS OF DEFENSE BUT WE'VE
GOT TO FIND SAVINGS.
WE'VE GOT TO FIND SAVINGS HERE.
WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO GO ON AND
PILE UP MORE DEBT.
AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT
FINDING SAVINGS AMOUNTING TO
ONE QUARTER OF ONE PENNY ON
THIS BILL IS NOT UNRM.
WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
SHARE, --
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
IS NOT AGREED TO.
THE NOES HAVE IT, THE AMENDMENT
I ASK FOR A RECORDED
VOTE.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6
OF RULE 18, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
ON THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
.
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA WILL BE
POSTPONED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON SEEK
RECOGNITION?
THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE
AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY
MR. DEFAZIO OF OREGON, AT THE
END OF THE BILL, BEFORE THE
SHORT TITLE, INSERT THE
FOLLOWING --
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED.
I RESERVE A
POINT OF ORDER ON THE
GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT.
POINT OF ORDER IS
RESERVED.
THE CLERK WILL CONTINUE READING
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT THE READING BE
SUSPENDED.
IS THE OBJECTION TO
SUSPENSE WITH FURTHER READING OF
THE AMENDMENT?
WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
RECOGNIZED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON IS
I THANK THE CHAIR.
THIS IS A VERY, VERY DRAMATIC
MAP.
THE COLORS INDICATE GASOLINE
PRICES ACROSS AMERICA AS OF LAST
WEEK BY COUNTY.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE ENTIRE WEST
COAST OF THE UNITED STATES IS IN
BRIGHT RED.
NOW, WE OFTEN HEAR FROM THE OIL
AND GAS INDUSTRY, PRICES ARE
SET.
INTERNATIONALLY.
THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING.
CRUDE OIL PRICES ARE DOWN
DRAMATICALLY.
U.S. PRODUCTION OF CRUDE IS UP
1.5 MILLION PERILS A DAY.
WE ARE EXPORTING GASOLINE FROM
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
BUT SOMEHOW WE ARE MISSING THAT
INTERNATIONAL MARKET ON THE WEST
COAST.
WE ARE BEING PRICE GOUGED ON THE
THROUGH A SERIES OF RATHER
WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES
INTERESTING OR PERHAPS
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE LARGEST REFINERY IN
WASHINGTON STATE, CHER WILL I
POINT -- CHERRY POINT,
EXPERIENCED A FIRE IN FEBRUARY
AND IT'S BEEN QUITE A BIT OF
TIME IN RECOVERING.
IT'S BEEN DELAYED SEVERAL TIMES.
IT'S NOW COMING BACK ONLINE.
BUT GIVEN THE FACT THAT IT WAS
KNOWN THAT THE LARGEST REFINERY
IN THE NORTHWEST WAS OFF LINE,
ONE WOULD THINK THAT OTHER
REFINERIES IN CALIFORNIA WOULD
ENDEAVOR TO STAY ON LINE,
PARTICULARLY AS WE BEGIN THE
SUMMER DRIVING SEASON.
WELL, NO.
ACTUALLY NOT.
BECAUSE THEY HAD TO DO ROUTINE
MAINTENANCE.
SO FIVE REFINERIES IN CALIFORNIA
JUST BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
IN MAY DECIDED THAT IT WAS TIME
FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.
THEN SUDDENLY WE HAD A SHORTAGE.
ACTUALLY, WE DIDN'T HAVE A
SHORTAGE.
THERE WERE NO GAS STATIONS WITH
LITTLE YELLOW FLAGS.
THERE WERE NO GAS STATIONS WITH
LITTLE RED FLAGS.
THERE WAS, YOU KNOW -- NO ONE
WAS GOING WITHOUT GASOLINE, BUT
A SHORTAGE WAS DECLARED BY THE
INDUSTRY AND THE PRICE WAS
JACKED UP.
SO WHILE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY
HAS SEEN PRICES COME DOWN
FOLLOWING THE INTERNATIONAL
MARKETS, THE PRICE ON THE WEST
COAST HAS GONE UP, SPROKETTING
LAST WEEK 13 CENTS --
SKYROCKETING LAST WEEK 13 CENTS.
DROPPED A PENNY YESTERDAY, ALL
RIGHT.
WE ARE ON THE WAY DOWN.
SEEMS IT ALWAYS GOES DOWN A LOT
SLOWER THAN IT GOES UP.
KIND OF INTERESTING.
SO I'VE CONTACTED THE
PRESIDENT'S WORKING GROUP FOR
OIL PRICE AND MARKET
MANIPULATION, AND MY INQUIRY HAS
BEEN REFERRED TO VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE
GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, TO LOOK AT
ANTITRUST IMPLICATIONS, THE
COMMODITY FUTURE TRADING
COMMISSION, AND OTHERS, TO LOOK
AT POTENTIAL MARKET
MANIPULATION.
SO I JUST THOUGHT THAT IN LIGHT
OF THE FACT THAT THERE MAY HAVE
BEEN, MAY HAVE BEEN SOME MARKET
MANIPULATION HERE AND PERHAPS AT
OTHER TIMES IN THE PAST, THAT WE
SHOULD JUST HAVE A SIMPLE
STATEMENT OF FACT ON BEHALF OF
THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
NO OIL OR GAS COMPANY CONVICTED
OF ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS SHOULD
BE ABLE TO ACCESS ANY OF THE
$500 MILLION IN THE FOSSIL
ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SECTION.
THAT IS TO SAY, TAXPAYERS OF THE
UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT GIFT
MONEY TO OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
THAT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF
PRICE GOUGING THE TAXPAYERS OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
PRETTY SIMPLE.
I MEAN I HAVE EVEN GREATER
CONCERNS OVER THAT ACCOUNT AND I
JOIN WITH THE 102 REPUBLICANS
LAST NIGHT AND 36 DEMOCRATS IN
VOTING TO DELETE THE $500
MILLION FOR FOSSIL ENERGY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK THE INDUSTRY CAN FUND IT
ON ITS OWN.
AND I WOULD HOPE AT LEAST THOSE
102 REPUBLICANS LAST NIGHT WHO
VOTED TO TOTALLY ELIMINATE THAT
ACCOUNT AND 36 DEMOCRATS WHO
VOTED TO TOTALLY ELIMINATE THAT
ACCOUNT, WOULD JOIN WITH ME
TODAY TO SAY, WELL, WE DIDN'T
ELIMINATE THE ACCOUNTS BUT WE
GOING TO ALLOW ANYBODY
CONVICTED OF ANTITRUST, THAT IS
PRICE GOUGING AMERICAN CONSUMERS
AND TAXPAYERS, TO ACCESS THESE
TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO SUBSIDIZE
THEIR PRIVATE RESEARCH AND
PROFITS.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
I WOULD SIMPLY
NOTE THAT WHAT THE GENTLEMAN
FROM OREGON PROPOSES IS A
COMMONSENSE APPROACH TO ENSURING
THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS
CONTRACT WITH THE D.O.E.'S
FOR A COMPANY THAT RECEIVES A
OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY.
WE SHOULD NOT BE REWARDING
COMPANIES THAT HAVE A HISTORY OF
PREDATORY ECONOMIC PRACTICES
WITH FEDERAL CONTRACTORS.
IF HIS AMENDMENT IS ALLOWED IN
ORDER, I WOULD CERTAINLY URGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT.
I YIELD BACK MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
RECOGNIZED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS
MADAM CHAIR,
I RISE TO CLAIM TIME IN
OPPOSITION.
THE GENTLEMAN HIGHLIGHTS SOME
VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT
DESERVE OUR ATTENTION, AND
ESPECIALLY I SHARE MY
COLLEAGUE'S CONCERN ABOUT
GASOLINE PRICES.
THAT'S WHY THE COMMITTEE HAS
FOCUSED ON TRYING TO REDUCE GAS
PRICES IN THE FUTURE.
HOWEVER, THE AREAS OF ANTITRUST
DETERMINATIONS, COMPLIANCE, AND
ENFORCEMENT THAT HE MENTIONS
QUITE HONESTLY ARE WITHIN THE
PURVIEW OF THE AUTHORIZING
COMMITTEE.
ACUTELY AWARE OF THEM.
WE ARE AWARE OF THEM.
WE UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S COMING
FROM.
MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A POINT OF
ORDER AGAINST THE AMENDMENT
BECAUSE IT PROPOSES TO CHANGE
EXISTING LAW AND CONSTITUTES
LEGISLATION ON AN APPROPRIATIONS
BILL AND THEREFORE VIOLATES
CLAUSE 2 OF RULE 21.
THE RULE STATES IN PERTINENT
PART, AN AMENDMENT TO A GENERAL
APPROPRIATION BILL SHOULD NOT BE
IN ORDER IF CHANGING EXISTING
LAW.
DUTIES.
THE AMENDMENT IMPOSES ADDITIONAL
CHAIR.
I ASK FOR A RULING FROM THE
DOES ANY MEMBER WISH
ORDER?
TO BE HEARD ON THIS POINT OF
IF NOT, THE CHAIR WILL RULE.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
MAKES A POINT OF ORDER THAT THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON PROPOSES
TO CHANGE EXISTING LAW IN
21.
VIOLATION OF CLAUSE 26 OF RULE
THE AMENDMENT WOULD LIMIT FUNDS
FOR AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO
IMPLEMENT OR ADMINISTER ANY
CHANGE TO A CITED REGULATION AS
IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 19, 2001.
THE CHAIR IS AWARE THAT SUCH
STANDARD IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE
UNDER CURRENT LAW.
THE AMENDMENT WOULD THEREFORE
REQUIRE A DETERMINATION BY THE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE STATE
OF PRIOR REGULATION AND A
FURTHER DETERMINATION OF WHAT,
IF ANYTHING, HAS AFFECTED A
CHANGE TO THAT PRIOR REGULATION.
BY REQUIRING A NEW
DETERMINATION, THE AMENDMENT
CONSTITUTES LEGISLATION WITHIN
THE MEANING OF CLAUSE 2-C OF
RULE 21.
THE POINT OF ORDER IS SUSTAINED.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT IN ORDER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA RISE?
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT
AT THE DESK.
DESIGNATED AS FLAKE NUMBER 2.
THE CLERK WILL
DESIGNATE THE AMENDMENT -- THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT BY MR.
FLAKE OF ARIZONA, AT THE END OF
INSERT THE FOLLOWING --
THE BILL BEFORE THE SHORT TITLE,
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO DISPENSE WITH THE
READING.
IS THERE AN OBJECTION
OF THE AMENDMENT?
TO THE DISPENSING OF THE READING
IF NOT, PURSUANT TO THE ORDER OF
THE HOUSE OF TUESDAY, JUNE 5,
2012, THE -- DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM WASHINGTON RESERVE THE
RIGHT TO OBJECT?
I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT
THE REQUEST WAS.
TO DISPENSE WITH THE
READING OF THE AMENDMENT.
THAT'S FINE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO
ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO THE ORDER OF THE
HOUSE OF TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012,
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR.
FLAKE, AND A MEMBER OPPOSED,
EACH WILL CONTROL FIVE MINUTES.
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
I THANK THE CHAIR.
I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN ON THIS BILL
A LONG TIME AND I DON'T PLAN TO
TAKE MY FULL FIVE MINUTES HERE.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD SIMPLY
PROHIBIT FUNDING FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BATTERY AND
ELECTRONIC -- ELECTRIC DRIVE
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM, PREVENTING
UNNECESSARY FEDERAL SPENDING TO
THE TUNE OF ABOUT $171 MILLION.
WE ALL KNOW THAT FOR TOO LONG
WASHINGTON HAS MEDDLED TOO MUCH
IN THE ENERGY MARKET.
NOT ONLY HAS THE GOVERNMENT
PROVIDED -- PROVED ITSELF TO BE
ILL-EQUIPPED TO PICK WINNERS AND
LOSERS, I THINK GOVERNMENT IS
JUST PLAIN BAD AT IT.
A LIST OF WINNERS IS DUPEOUS AT
BEST AND IT'S A DIVERSE ONE.
FROM OIL SUBDIES, SOLYNDRA, AND
NOW THE CHEVY VOLT.
THE COMMON THREAD IS A SEEMING
ENDLESS SUPPLY, ENDLESS STREAM
OF TAXPAYER FUNDING.
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
THE BATTERY AND ELECTRIC DRIVE
THIS IS ONE OF THE COUNTLESS
ACRONYMS THAT TAXPAYERS KNOW
LITTLE OF.
DESPITE HELPING TO FUND THESE
PROGRAMS TO THE TUNE OF A FEW
MILLION DOLLARS.
INTERESTINGLY THE BEDT IS THE
VERY PROGRAM THAT DEVELOPED THE
CHEVY VOLT BATTERY WE HAVE ALL
HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT.
AND I THINK THE MANUFACTURING
LINES THAT ARE NOW STOPPING OR
DIMINISHING.
WHILE I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT
MY COLLEAGUES' COMMITMENT TO
WORK TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF
RISING ENERGY AND GASOLINE
PRICES, I BELIEVE THEY WOULD BE
IMPRUDENT TO ACQUIESCE KEY
FUNDING IN THIS REGARD TO
COMPONENTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S GO
GREEN OR GO BUST INITIATIVE.
THIS
ENCOURAGING FREE MARKET GROWTH
AND INNOVATIONS.
WE COULD START OUT BY
BEDT.
ELIMINATING FUNDING FOR THE
I URGE SUPPORT FOR THE AMENDMENT
AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY RISE?
MADAM CHAIR,
I RISE TO CLAIM TIME IN
OPPOSITION.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
RISE TO
OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT.
THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE VALUABLE
CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY THAT
ENABLES FUTURE GENERATIONS OF
VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES TO PROCEED.
TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE TOO FAR IN
THE FUTURE FOR AMERICAN'S
SECTORS TO SUPPORT BUT THAT WILL
KEEP FUTURE GENERATIONS OF
MANUFACTURING AND JOBS HERE IN
THE UNITED STATES AND HAVE THE
CONSEQUENCES LOWERING WHAT
AMERICANS HAVE TO PAY FOR
GASOLINE AT THE PUMP.
THIS AMENDMENT, WE ARE ALL
SUPPORTING CUTTING WASTEFUL
SPENDING, WOULD VIRTUALLY
ELIMINATE THIS IMPORTANT PIECE
OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
AND THEREFORE I STRONGLY OPPOSE
IT.
TIME.
YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.
MOVE TO STRIKE
THE LAST WORD.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I ALSO RISE IN
AMENDMENT.
OPPOSITION TO THE GENTLEMAN'S
WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM OUR
ON FUEL IMPORTED BY
UNPRESENTED -- UNFRIENDLY
NATIONS, I HAVE IN PAST DEBATES
ON THIS FLOOR AND WOULD DO IT
AGAIN REFERENCE THE SENIOR
SENATOR FROM INDIANA, SENATOR
LUGAR, WHO HAS LONG
CHARACTERIZED OUR ENERGY CRISIS
PARAMOUNT AS ONE OF NATIONAL
SECURITY GIVEN WHERE THOSE
PETROLEUM PURCHASES TAKE PLACE.
THE FACT IS IF WE CAN GET MORE
MILES PER GALLON, WE HAVE SOLVED
PART OF THAT NATIONAL SECURITY
CRISIS.
NONE OF THIS TODAY STANDING HERE
OR SITTING HERE ARE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO DO MUCH ABOUT THE PRICE
OF A BARREL OF OIL.
BUT IF EACH ONE OF THOSE
INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS CAN GIVE SOME
RELIEF BY GETTING AN EXTRA MILE
PER GALLON FOR THEIR VEHICLE, WE
HAVE ALSO HELPED AMELIORATE
THEIR ECONOMIC PRESSURE AND THE
COSTS THEY HAVE.
I THINK IT IS SHORTSIGHTED TO
ELIMINATE THIS PROGRAM WHICH HAS
THE POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS A MAJOR
ISSUE IN THE LIABILITY AND
PRACTICALITY OF ELECTRIC
VEHICLES, AND THAT IS THE
BATTERY.
WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THE
COST, PERFORMANCE, LIVE, AND
ABUSE TOLERANCE OF BATTERIES AND
I DO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT'S
EFFORTS ON THIS FRONT AND HAVE
BEEN ACTIVE FOR A NUMBER OF
YEARS IN SEEKING ADDITIONAL
FUNDS FOR IT BECAUSE I THINK IT
DOES A GREAT VALUE TO THIS
COUNTRY'S FUTURE.
I OPPOSE THE GENTLEMAN'S
AMENDMENT AND WOULD YIELD BACK
MY TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS
BACK.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA
VIRGINIA TECH.
I THANK THE CHAIR.
IT WAS MENTIONED -- IS
RECOGNIZED.
I THANK THE CHAIR.
IT WAS MENTIONED THAT FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT GETS RESEARCHED WHEN
THE RETURN IS TOO FAR OUT FOR
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE TO REALIZE
ANY BENEFIT.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT JUST
DOESN'T APPLY HERE AT ALL.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BATTERIES.
AND THOSE WHO TOUT THIS PROGRAM
CLAIM THAT WE ALREADY HAVE
EVIDENCE ON THE ROAD, THE CHEVY
VOLT, OF THIS TECHNOLOGY
WORKING.
SO THAT'S NOT TOO FAR OUT.
IF THERE IS TECHNOLOGY ON THE
ROAD OR IN THIS CASE MOSTLY
STILL SITTING IN THE LOTS
BECAUSE THESE CARS AREN'T
SELLING WELL, IT'S NOT OUT THERE
TOO FAR IN THE FUTURE.
SO I THINK WE GET CONFUSED ABOUT
WHAT REALLY IS THE ROLE OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH REGARD
TO RESEARCH WHERE WE HAVE
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WHERE THERE
COULD BE PROFIT AND IS IN
CERTAIN TECHNOLOGIES TOMORROW,
IT BECOMES LESS RESEARCH EVEN
MORE -- AND MORE SUBSIDY.
THAT'S WHERE THIS PROGRAM FALLS
INTO.
I URGE SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT
AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.
THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY THE
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE
NOES HAVE IT.
THE AMENDMENT IS NOT AGREED TO.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA RISE?
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT
AT THE DESK DESIGNATED AS FLAKE
NUMBER THREE.
THIS -- THE CLERK
WILL REPORT THE AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT NUMBER
THREE PAFEREDE MR. FLAKE OF
ARIZONA.
AT THE END OF THE BILL INSERT
THE FOLLOWING, --
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO DISPENSE WITH THE
READING.
IS THERE OBJECTION?
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
PURSUANT TO THED ORER OF THE
HOUSE OF TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012,