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TABLE.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1C OF RULE
19, FURR CONSIDERATION OF HRM
R. 2250 WILL NOW RESUME THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
UNION CALENDAR
NUMBER 146, H.R. 2250, A BILL
TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIME FOR
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
TO ISSUE ACHIEVEABLE STANDARDS
FOR INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND
OTHER BOILERS, INCINERATORS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE
HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
WILL MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR.
ORDER.
WILL MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR.
WILL MEMBERS PLEASE CLEAR THE
WELL.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA RISE?
I HAVE A MOTION TO RECOMMIT
AT THE DESK.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN WILL SUSPEND.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
WILL MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR.
THE BILL?
I AM OPPOSED.
GENTLEWOMAN QUALIFIES.
THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
MS. CASTOR OF
FLORIDA MOVES TO RECOMMIT THE
BILL H.R. 2250 TO THE COMMITTEE
ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE WITH THE
INSTRUCTIONS TO REPORT BACK TO
THE HOUSE WITH THE FOLLOWING
AMENDMENTS, SECTION S,
PROTECTING SENIORS FROM
LIFE-THREATENING PLUGES.
NOT WITHSTANDING ANY PART OF
THIS ACT, TO REDUCE AIR
POLLUTION FROM WASTE
INCINERATORS AS DEFINED
PURSUANT TO THIS ACT WHERE SUCH
WASTE INCINERATORS ARE WITHIN
FIVE MILES OF ANY NURSING HOME,
HOSPITAL.
WITH RESPECT TO EACH
REQUIREMENT FROM A MAJOR SOURCE
FACILITY TO IMPLEMENT AN AIR
POLLUTION CONTROL OR EMISSIONS
RETUCK THAT IS ELIMINATED BY
THIS ACT.
FACILITIES SHALL PROVIDE
NOTIFICATION OF AFFECTED
COMMUNITIES NOT LATER THAN 90
DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF
ENACTMENT OF THIS ACT.
THE
HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
SPEAKER.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE THE BAIT ON
THE FWMPLE O.P. POLLUTION BILL
HAS BEEN VERY HEATED AT TIMES.
THE DEBATE HAS EXPOSED VERY
DIVERGENT VIEWS BETWEEN THE
PARTY HERE'S IN CONGRESS ON THE
IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN AIR AND ON
THE VALUE OF GOOD HEALTH FOR
ALL AMERICANS.
BUT DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES ON
HOW WE TREAT AIR POLLUTION MY
AMENDMENT OFFERED US -- OFFERS
US AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME
TOGETHER ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS,
SPECIFICALLY TO PROTECT THE
HEALTH OF OUR OLDER NEIGHBORS,
AMERICA'S SENIORS.
THE PASSING AN OF MY AMENDMENT
WILL NOT PREVENT PASSAGE OF THE
UNDERLYING BILL.
IF THE ALE IS ADOPT --
AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, IT WILL
BE INCORPORATED INTO THE BILL
TO A VOTE.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN WILL SUSPEND.
THE GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT, THE
HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
WILL MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE
AMENDMENT I OFFER TODAY WILL
ENSURE WE RESPECT THE HEALTH OF
OUR OLDER NEIGHBORS, OUR
PARENTS AN GRANDPARENTS BY
PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF THE
AIR THEY BREATHE.
SENIORS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO
THE HARMFUL IMPACTS OF DIRTY
AIR AN POLLUTION AND OUR
NEIGHBORS NEED TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT IS IN THE AIR THEY
BREATHE.
MY AMENDMENT PROPOSES TO DO TWO
THINGS.
ONE, REQUIRE WASTE INCINERATORS
LOCATED WITHIN FIVE MILES OF A
NURSING HOME, ASSISTED LIVING
FACILITY OR HOSPITAL TO WRUSE
THE MOSTEST EFFECTIVE POLLUTION
AVAILABLE AND
TWO, TO REQUIRE POLLUTING
EMPLOYERS TO NOTIFY NEIGHBORS
OF THE CON TENS.
NOW, MADAM SPEAKER, THE CLEAN
AIR ACT PROTECTS US ALL FROM
SOME OF THE MOST CARCINOGENIC.
ITEM, MERCURY REDUCES ABILITY
TO LEARN, SULFUR DIOXIDE IS
KNOWN TO INTERFEERN WITH
BREATHING AND IS THEREFORE
ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO SENIORS.
SOME SENIORS IS SO SENSITIVE TO
DIRTY AIR THEY REQUIRE OXYGEN
TANKS.
ANY INCREASE IN HAZARDOUS
POLLUTION WILL
DISPROPORTIONATELY HARM OUR
OLDER NEIGHBORS AT A TIME IN
THEIR LIVES WHEN THEY ARE AT
THEIR MOST AS A RULE
NORTHWESTERLY.
WE CAN SAVE LIVE WE CAN SAVE
MONEY BY REQUIRING THE WASTE
INCINERATORS LOCATED NEAR OUR
OLDER NEIGHBORS TO USE THE MOST
EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROL
METHODS AVAILABLE.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEALTH AND
HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR OLDER
AMERICANS, MY COLLEAGUES, WE'VE
GOT TO BE SMARTER.
IT IS NOT WISE TO AGGRAVATE
THERIES PRIER TO AILMENTS OF
OUR OLDER NEIGHBORS WHO LIKELY
ARE ON MEDICARE.
JUST AS IT IS NOT WISE FOR THE
G.O.P. TO ADVOCATE FOR ENDING
MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT.
IT DOESN'T SAVE MONEY.
THE NONPARTISAN G.P.O.
EXPLAINED THE PLAN TO DISMANTLE
MEDICARE WOULD SHIFT COSTS TO
SENIORS WITHOUT ADDRESSING
UNDERLYING ISSUES.
ACTUALLY, THE G.O.P. POLLUTION
BILLS HERE CAN BE VIEWED AS
HANDING OUR PARENTS, OUR
GRANDPARENTS, AN OUR OLDER
NEIGHBORS HIGHER MEDICAL BILLS
TIED TO DIRTIER AIR.
LET'S BE SMART.
LET'S ENSURE THAT WASTE
INCINERATORS LOCATED IN AREAS
WHERE SENIORS LIVE USE THE
MOSTESQUIVE POLLUTION CONTROLS.
OTHER INDUSTRIES HAVE DONE IT.
THIS SMALL, INDUSTRIAL SUBSET
-- SUBSET SHOULD NOT RECEIVE A
SPECIAL INTEREST CARVEOUT.
WHILE OUR OLDER NEIGHBORS WOULD
BE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED
BY THE BILL IN ITS CURRENT
FORM, THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY
ONES.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND PREGNANT WOMEN
ARE ALSO EXTREMELY VULNERABLE
TO AN INCREASE IN TOXIC
EMISSIONS THAT THIS BILL
PROMOTES.
THIS CONGRESS HAS A DUTY TO
PREVENT SUCH HARM FROM
HAPPENING WHEN THE EVIDENCE IS
SO CLEAR.
ONE SURE WAY TO HELP OUR
FAMILIES TAKE ADEQUATE STEPS TO
PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR
CHILDREN IS TO ENSURE THEY'RE
FULLY AWARE OF THE DANGERS THEY
FACE FROM SPECIFIC POLLUTION
SOURCES.
SO THIS AMENDMENT ALSO REQUIRES
LARGE BOILERS TO NOTIFY THEIR
LOCAL COMMUNITIES OF EMISSIONS
THAT ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE
BECAUSE OF THIS G.O.P. BILL.
THAT WAY, FAMILIES CAN TAKE
ADEQUATE STEPS TO PROTECT THEIR
CHILDREN FROM MERCURY, AND
SULFUR DIE OX SID.
IT WILL ENABLE OUR DIOXIDE.
IT WILL ENABLE OUR SCHOOLS TO
DECIDE WHERE TO PUT PLAYGROUNDS
AND OTHER FACILITIES.
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT
OUR FAMILIES HAVE ALL THE
INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE
THE BEST DECISIONS OF DOCTOR --
FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR
CHILDREN.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE G.O. PERFORM
BILL BLOCKS CRITICAL HEALTH
PROTECTION AGAINST AIR
POLLUTION, THE E.P.A. ESTIMATES
THAT THE G.O.P.'S ANTI-CLEAN
AIR BILL TOGETHER MEANS OVER
30,000 MORE PREMATURE DEATHS,
OVER 19,000 ADDITIONAL HEART
ATTACKS AN OVER 200,000 ASTHMA
ATTACKS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD
HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.
WE SHOULDN'T LET IT HAPPEN.
THE
JERUSALEM'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
SPEAKER.
I CLOSE BY ASKING THAT IN THE
SPIRIT OF THE ORIGINAL
BIPARTISAN ADOPTION OF THE
CLEAN AIR ACT FOUR YEARS AGO WE
COME TOGETHER ON A BIPARTISAN
BASIS TO ADOPT THIS IMPORTANT
AMENDMENT TO PROTECT THE HEALTH
OF OUR SENIORS AND CHILDREN.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
-- FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY RISE?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY RISE?
I RISE TO CLAIM TIME IN
OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION TO
RECOMMIT.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
BACK IN 2004, THE D.C. FEDERAL
COURT OF APPEALS IN A COURT
DECISION INVALIDATED THE 2004
BOILER MACRULES -- BOILER MACK
RULES PROMULGATED BY E.P.
AMPLE.
IN THAT DECISION, E.P.A. CAME
TO THE COURT AND SAID, WE NEED
ADDITIONAL TIME TO COME OUT
WITH NEW RULES.
GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND.
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
WILL MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR.
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
IN THAT COURT
DECISION, E.P.A. MADE THE
ARGUMENT THEY NEEDED ADDITIONAL
TIME TO COME FORTH WITH A MORE
BOILERMAC RULE.
OUR LEGISLATION, H R. 2250,
DOES NOTHING THAT.
P.A. DID NOT ASK THE COURT TO
DO AS FAR AS EXTENDING TIME.
OUR LEGISLATION IS A BALANCED
APPROACH, PARTICULARLY AT THIS
TIME OF A WEAKENED ECONOMY AND
JOB, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 9.1%
AND OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO
STRUGGLE.
IT'S IMPERATIVE WE HAVE A
BALANCED REGULATION THAT
CONSIDERS JOBS, YES, BUT ALSO
CONSIDERS HEALTH CARE AND THE
THE REGULATION AND
THE IMPACT THAT HAS ON HEALTH
WE'VE HAD EXTENSIVE HEARINGS ON
THIS LEGISLATION.
WE'VE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM
HOSPITALS, WE'VE HAD
REPRESENTATIVES FROM
UNIVERSITIES, REPRESENTATIVES
FROM MANUFACTURERS, INDUSTRIAL
USERS, AND OTHERS AND ALL OF
THEM, ALMOST UNIVERSALLY, HAVE
ASKED THAT WE PASS 2250 TO
PROVIDE A MORE BALANCED
APPROACH IN THESE REGULATIONS.
TESTIMONY HAS SHOWN THAT OVER
230,000 JOBS ARE AT RISK IF
E.P.A. MOVES FORWARD WITH THESE
REGULATIONS.
SO WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IN OUR
REGULATION IS WE GIVE E.P.A. 15
MONTHS TO COME FORTH WITH A NEW
REGULATION.
WE THEN SAY THAT THEY NEED AT
LEAST A MINIMUM OF -- THAT THE
INDUSTRIES AND HOSPITALS AND
OF FIVE
YEARS TO COMPLY WITH THOSE
REGULATIONS.
AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THE
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME CAME
AND INDICATED THAT THEY HAD
SPENT $20 MILLION TRYING TO
COMPLY WITH THE OLD REGULATIONS
AND NOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO COME FORTH WITH
ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COMPLY WITH
THESE NEW REGULATIONS.
SO ALL WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE
PROTECTING JOBS, WE'RE
PROTECTING THE HEALTH CARE OF
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE GIVE THE
E.P.A. 15 MONTHS TO COMFORTH
WITH NEW RULES, 2005 -- COME
FORTH WITH NEW RULES, FIVE YEARS
AT A MINIMUM TO COMPLY AND FOR
THAT REASON I THINK IT'S
IMPERATIVE THAT WE ADOPT OUR
LEGISLATION AND I WOULD URGE
EVERY MEMBER TO OPPOSE THIS
MOTION TO RECOMMIT AND I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION IS ORDERED.
THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE NOES HAVE IT.
MADAM SPEAKER.
THE
RECOGNIZED.
OLDER AMERICANS
WOULD LIKE A RECORDED VOTE.
A
RECORDED VOTE IS REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING
THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
UNTIL COUNTED.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 9 OF RULE 20,
THE CHAIR WILL REDUCE TO FIVE
MINUTES THE MINIMUM TIME FOR ANY
ELECTRONIC VOTE ON THE QUESTION
OF PASSAGE.
THIS IS A 15-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY
PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON
THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 170RK
THE NAYS ARE 246, THE MOTION IS
NOT ADOPTED.
THE QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT IS
VOTE.
A
RORED VOTE IS REQUESTED.
THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE
WILL RISE.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
RISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDER.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS IS A FIFE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING
INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION
WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED
COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE
PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR
EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON
THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 275,
THE NAYS ARE 142, THE BILL IS
WITHOUT OBJECTION, A MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE
TABLE.
THE
HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE CHAIR IS PREPARED TO
ENTERTAIN ONE-MINUTE REQUESTS.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA
RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND REVISE AND EXTEND MY
REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
THE MOTTO INSCRIBEDEN ON THE
PRISONER OF WAR MISSING IN
ACTION FLAG READS, YOU ARE NOT
FORGOTTEN.
RISE TO HONOR THOMAS CLARK, AN
AIRMAN WHO FAVE HIS LIFE TO
DEFEND THIS COUNTRY HE STUDIED
AT PENN STATE BEFORE BEING
ACCEPTED INTO THE AIR FORCE
ACADEMY AND GRADUATED IN 1963.
HE FLEW AN F-100 IN A MISSION
OF LAOS, HIS AIRCRAFT WAS HIT
BY ENEMY FIRE.
THE PLANE CRASHED
INTO THE JUNGLE CAN PI.
HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION FOR
FOUR YEARS WHEN THE AIR FORCE
DEMOCRATTED HE WAS KILLED IN
ACTION, BODY NOT RECOVERED.
IN 1991, SOME OF THE WRECKAGE
WAS FOUNT.
FINALLY IN 2009, THE
OF MAJOR CLARK.
NEXT WEEK THE AIR FORCE WILL
BRING HOME MAJOR CLARK TO
EMPORIUM, PENNSYLVANIA, TO HAVE
HIM PROPERLY LAID TO REST IF
HIS FAMILY'S PLOT.
I'M PROUD AND HONORED TO
RECOGNIZE HIS BRAVERY AND I
THANK HIM FOR MAKING THE
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR HIS
COUNTRY.
HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
PEACE.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
ARE THERE FURTHER ONE-MINUTE
REQUESTS?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE AND REVISE AND EXTEND MY
REMARKS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
I RISE TODAY TO CONGRATULATE
WISETTA WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH
TEACHER SETH BROWN ON WINNING
THE 2011 MILKIN EDUCATION
AWARD.
HE WAS HONORED FOR HIS EFFORTS
TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP
AND USE TECHNOLOGY IN THE
CLASSROOM, PARTICULARLY USING
IPODS AS MATH AIDS.
THE MILLKIN
FOUNDATION GIVES THIS TO
TEACHERS WITH A $25,000 REWARD
WITH NO STRINGS ATTACH HE PLANS
TO USE THE MONEY TO HELP PAY
HIS GRAD SCHOOL BILLS AND ALSO
DONATING SOME OF IT TO THE
SCHOOL'S PERFORM T.A. WHICH
SUPPORTED HIS USE OF TECHNOLOGY
IN THE CLASSROOM.
TO SETH AND ALL THE OTHER
TEACHERS OUT THERE, THANK YOU
FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO IN
EDUCATING AND INSPIRING THE
NEXT GENERAL REAGS OF AMERICAN
LEADERS.
I YIELD BACK.
ARE
THERE FURTHER REQUESTS FOR ONE
MINUTES?
UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED
POLICY OF JANUARY 5, 2011, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA, MR.
ELLISON IS RECOGNIZED FOR 60
MINUTES AS THE DESIGNEE OF THE
MINORITY LEADER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'M CONGRESSMAN KEITH ELLISON,
CLAIMING THIS HOUR ON BEHALF OF
THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS WHICH
TONIGHT IS GOING TO FEATURE A
NUMBER OF CRITICAL ISSUES.
ALL FOCUSING ON THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND THE
ASSAULT THEY HAVE BEEN UNDER IN
THIS CONGRESS.
TO GET STARTED, I WANT TO
INTRODUCE A GREAT COLLEAGUE FROM
CALIFORNIA, WHO IS GOING TO LEAD
OFF OUR HOUR.
CONGRESSWOMAN LEE HAS BEEN A
CHAMPION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL
PEOPLE AND PEACE AND JUSTICE
AROUND THE WORLD AND SHE HAS
BEEN A CHAMPION FOR CIVIL AND
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR WOMEN, AND FOR
ALL PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
LET ME FIRST RECOGNIZE ON BEHALF
OF THIS SPECIAL ORDER HOUR,
CONGRESSWOMAN LEE.
CONGRESSWOMAN LEE, I YIELD THE
FLOOR TO YOU.
FOR
YIELDING AND FOR YOUR AMAZING
LEADERSHIP ON SO MANY TOUGH
ISSUES WE ARE DEALING WITH.
WE ARE JOINED WITH OTHER MEMBERS
AND PLEASED TO BE DOWN HERE TO
DISCUSS THIS CRITICAL ISSUE, A
VERY SAD DAY FOR WOMEN IN THIS
COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY FOR POOR
WOMEN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.
THIS BILL THAT WAS PASSED TODAY
IS THE NEWEST ATTACK IS THE
REPUBLICAN WAR ON WOMEN.
TODAY INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON
WAYS TO FIND JOBS FOR WOMEN, THE
REPUBLICANS ARE ELIMINATING
FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS,
UNDERCUTTING WOMEN'S RIGHT TO
CHOOSE AND RETURNING OUR COUNTRY
TO THE DAYS OF BACK-ALLEY
WELL.
H.R. 358, THE PROTECT LIFE ACT,
YOU BELIEVE THAT, PLOKET
LIFE ACT, FORCES WOMEN TO BE
DROPPED FROM STATE EXCHANGES
WHICH WILL CUT OFF MILLIONS OF
WOMEN FROM AFFORDABLE,
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE.
THIS BILL MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE
FOR ANY HEALTH CARE PLAN TO
OFFER ABORTION COVERAGE AND
REFUSE HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE
LIFE-SAVING CARE TO A WOMAN WHO
OWN LIFE.
THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED AND SHOULD
HAVE BEEN REJECTED ON THIS
THIS LEGISLATION IS PART OF A
COORDINATED, NATIONWIDE WAR ON
WOMEN.
LAST WEEK, THE
REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE VOTED
TO DEFUND THE UNITED NATIONS
POPULATION FUND, AN ORGANIZATION
THAT SUPPORTS LIFE-SAVING
ACTIVITIES FOR WOMEN AND
FAMILIES IN POST-CONFLICT AND
DISASTER SITUATIONS.
AND BEFORE THAT, THE VERY SAME
COMMITTEE VOTE TODD REINSTATE
THE GLOBAL GAG RULE WHICH
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
FROM DISCUSSING OR OFFERING
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE
SERVICES TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.
THIS EFFECTS WOMEN AND GIRLS IN
SUBSAHAR AND AFRICA.
AND THE REPUBLICANS TARGETED
PLANNED PARENT HOOD AND THIS
NONPROFIT WHICH PROVIDES
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, BLACK
WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR, LATINO
WOMEN, IF PLANNED PARENTHOOD
WANTS TO RECEIVE FEDERAL
FUNDING, THEY HAVE TO STOP
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CHOICES,
WHICH IS A TINY CHOICE WHICH
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OFFERS.
IT'S NOTHING LESS THAN SHOCKING
THAT AFTER HOLDING THE FISCAL
YEAR 2011 BUDGET HOSTAGE OVER
THEIR CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSALS,
THEY SEEM EAGER TO PICK SOME OF
THIS YEAR.
THE REPUBLICAN APPROPRIATIONS
BILL CONTINUE THIS ATTACK ON
WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BY
ELIMINATING THE NATION'S FAMILY
PLANNING PROGRAM, CUTTING
FUNDING FOR TEENAGE PREVENTION
INITIATIVES AND REDIRECTING
THOSE FUNDS INTO FAILED
ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS.
AND THE LIST GOES ON.
LET'S RETURN TO THE BATTLE THAT
TOOK PLACE TODAY.
INPUTTING FORWARD THIS DIVISIVE
BILL, REPUBLICANS MADE THE FALSE
CLAIM THAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED THAT WE
DON'T FUND TAXPAYER ABORTIONS.
THAT IS JUST WRONG AND REALLY
AMAZING THAT THAT ARGUMENT COULD
BE PUT OUT THERE, BECAUSE THE
FACT IS THE HYDE AMENDMENT HAS
BEEN IN EFFECT FOR DECADES AND
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
CONTINUES THE HYDE AMENDMENT
POLICY DESPITE MY PERSONAL VIEW
THAT IT SHOULD BE OVERTURNED.
THE REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO
INVENT NEW WAYS TO DENY WOMEN
THEIR GUARANTEED RIGHTS PURELY
ON RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND ON
IDEOLOGY.
THIS IS A DEMOCRACY.
THIS IS NOT A THEOCRACY.
AND I'M A WOMAN OF FAITH, BUT I
HAVE TO TELL YOU THE PERSONAL
RELIGIOUS VIEWS OF SOME SHOULD
NOT DICTATE PUBLIC POLICY FOR
ALL.
I'M AWARE OF THE FACT THAT
SOMETIMES WE AS A NATION, WE
REALLY DON'T GIVE YOUNG WOMEN
AND GIRLS THE RIGHT TO PREVENT
UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES IN THE
FIRST PLACE.
THIS REPUBLICAN WAR ON WOMEN AND
THIS BILL WILL PUT MORE LIVES AT
RISK, ISOLATE US FROM WOMEN WHO
HAVE NO MONEY, WHO ARE POOR,
ESPECIALLY WOMEN OF COLOR, WHO
HAVE BECOME CENTRAL TARGETS OF
THESE EFFORTS.
EVIDENCE OF THIS IS SEEN ALL
OVER THE COUNTRY AND IN THE FORM
OF VERY OFFENSIVE BILLBOARDS
THAT DENIGRATE WOMEN IN MY OWN
DISTRICT, WHICH WE FOUGHT
DOWN.
BY TRYING TO USE A COMBINATION
OF LAW AND GUILT, THESE EFFORTS
UNDERMINE THE BAMBING HEALTH
CARE -- BASIC HEALTH CARE RIGHTS
OF WOMEN.
BLACK WOMEN MAKE DECISIONS EVERY
DAY WHETHER TO PARENT OR NOT.
THOSE WHO THINK THEY SHOULD
DICTATE OUR CHOICES WON'T BE
THERE WHEN THE CHILD IS IS BORN
TO GET BETTER EDUCATION,
INCREASED CHILD CARE, KEEP OUR
KIDS OUT OF JAIL, SEND OUR KIDS
TO COLLEGE OR GET AFFORDABLE
THIS WAR ON WOMEN MUST STOP.
WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE
REPUBLICANS TO TURN BACK THE
CLOCK ON WOMEN, ON CHOICE AND
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO FIGHT
THIS WAR.
FIGHT AGAINST TCHESS UNNECESSARY
AND THESE HARMFUL INITIATIVES
THAT KEEP COMING FORWARD THAT
CONTINUE TO DO DAMAGE TO WOMEN
AND CONTINUE TO ERODE OUR BASIC
RIGHTS.
WE NEED TO CREATE JOBS RATHER
THAN CONTINUING TO DENY HEALTH
CARE TO WOMEN.
THANK YOU, MR. ELLISON.
I THANK YOU FOR I DON'T REMEMBER
LEADERSHIP.
OUR JOBS INITIATIVE, ON EACH AND
EVERY EFFORT THAT THE
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS HAS
MOUNTED.
THANK YOU.
LET ME THANK THE
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA,
LEE, FEARLESS,
RELENTLESS.
TONIGHT, WE ARE HERE AND TALKING
ABOUT THE HARM THAT H.R. 358
WOULD DO TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
IT WOULD HURT THE RIGHTS OF
WOMEN.
IT WOULD DEPRIVE THEM OF HEALTH
INSURANCE COVERAGE AND EMERGENCY
LIFE-EMERGENCY COVERAGE.
PRIVATE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
COVERAGE WILL BE RESTRICTED AND
SO TO CARRY THE DISCUSSION
FURTHER AND FROM A VERY
IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE, MY GOOD
FRIEND FROM NEW YORK, CAROL
MALONEY, A FIGHTER FOR THE
RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE, A LEADER
IN THE AREA OF CHOICE AND
WOMEN'S RIGHTS, LET ME YIELD THE
FLOOR.
THANK YOU,
CONGRESSMAN ELLISON, WHO IS THE
CHAIR OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON
THIS AND SO MANY OTHER AREAS AND
THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS
SPECIAL ORDER ON THIS DISTURBING
VOTE THAT TOOK PLACE TODAY IN
THE CONGRESS.
THERE IS NO QUESTION AND THERE
CAN BE NO DEBATING THE FACT THAT
THE BILL THAT THE REPUBLICANS
PUT FORTH ENDANGER WOMEN'S
HEALTH, PUTS THEIR LIVES AT RISK
AND INTRUDES ON THEIR
CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED
LIBERTIES.
THE BILL EXTENDS THE REACH OF
GOVERNMENT IN A VERY PROFOUNDLY
DISTURBING WAY.
AND THAT IS WHY PRESIDENT OBAMA
PUT OUT A VETO THREAT ON
WEDNESDAY THAT HE WOULD VETO ANY
BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT
INSURERS FROM PAYING FOR
ABORTIONS, SAYING IN THE
PRESIDENT'S WORDS, IT GOES TOO
AND I WOULD LIKE TO QUOTE FROM
THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT ON
THIS.
LONG-STANDING FEDERAL POLICY
PROHIBITS FEDERAL FUNDS FROM
BEING USED FOR ABORTIONS, EXCEPT
IN CASES OF *** OR *** OR
WHEN THE LIFE OF THE WOMAN WOULD
BE ENDANGERED.
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
PRESERVED THIS PROHIBITION AND
INCLUDED POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT
FEDERAL FUNDING IS SEGREGATED
FROM ANY PRIVATE DOLLARS USED TO
FUND ABORTIONS FOR WHICH FEDERAL
FUNDING IS PROHIBITED.
SO THAT'S VERY, VERY CLEAR.
AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE
REPUBLICANS FORCED A VOTE ON
THIS, LIKE THE OTHER ANTI-WOMEN,
ANTI-CHOICE, ANTI-RESPECT OF A
WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND HER
THE SENATE.
SO I FEEL THAT INSTEAD OF
LOOKING AT CREATING JOBS, WHICH
IS A PRIORITY AND THE REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY HAS SAID THAT JOBS AND
JOB CREATION IS THEIR PRIORITY,
BUT THEN THEY SPEND THEIR TIME
ON DEBATING A BILL THAT EVEN
THEIR OWN MEMBERS ADMIT THE
PRESIDENT WILL VETO AND IS GOING
NO WHEREIN THE SENATE.
SO INSTEAD OF CREATING JOBS,
THEY REMAIN FOCUSED, MR.
ELLISON, ON CREATING OBSTACLES
FOR WOMEN TO ACCESS SAFE, LEGAL
AND BADLY NEEDED HEALTH CARE.
THIS BILL, H.R. 358, IS AN
ATTACK ON WOMEN'S ACCESS TO
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND
OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO LIFE
-SAVING MEDICAL CARE.
IT IS STUNNING IN ITS SCOPE,
APPALLING IN ITS INDIFFERENCE
AND OUTRAGEOUS IN ITS ARROGANCE.
AMERICANS WANT CONGRESS TO
CREATE JOBS, STRENGTHEN THE
MIDDLE CLASS AND FIND BIPARTISAN
SO IT'S TIME TO END THIS ATTACK
ON WOMEN AND GET TO WORK ON OUR
OR WHAT SHOULD BE
OUR TOP PRIORITY KSCRE --
CREATING JOBS AND THIS IS AN
ATTEMPT TO KEEP WOMEN DOWN AND
BACK AND NOT PROTECT WOMEN AND
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.
I THANK YOU FOR ORGANIZING THIS.
AND I YIELD BACK TO OUR
CHAIRMAN.
CONGRESSMAN MA
MOANY, WOULD YOU YIELD?
-- MALONEY.
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF
OBJECT AT THE TRISH ANSWER, THEY
MUST HAVE ACCESS TO MEDLEY
APPROPRIATE, LEGAL-MEDICAL
PROCEDURES REGARDLESS OF THE
ABILITY TO PAY.
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF
GYNECOLOGISTS OPPOSES
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR WOMEN.
THESE PROPOSALS CAN JEOPARDIZE
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR
PATIENTS AND PUT GOVERNMENT
BETWEEN A PHYSICIAN AND A
PATIENT.
MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, THIS
BILL, H.R. 358, THE VERY DID HE
ACCEPTTIVELY TITLED, PROTECT
LIFE ACT, DOES THIS BILL HAVE
SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL BACKING
BEHIND IT AS THE OPPOSITION TO
THIS BILL HAS?
IN OTHER WORDS, DO THEY HAVE
TRAINED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
OPERATING ON THE BASIS OF
SCIENCE SUPPORTING THEIR
I YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY?
NO, THEY DO NOT.
THE SCIENTISTS AND MEDICAL
PROFESSIONS ALL SUPPORT ACCESS
TO ALL APPROPRIATE LEGAL,
MEDICAL PROCEDURES.
THERE IS SOMETIMES WHEN THE
NOT LIVE OR HAS
DIED AND IS IN JEOPARDY FOR
CAUSING LITERALLY THE
DESTRUCTION OF ORGANS OR DEATH
OF A WOMAN.
THIS IS A LIFE-TAKING BILL FROM
THE HEALTH AND WELFARE.
AND THIS BILL ALLOWS HOSPITALS
TO DENY LIFE-SAVING CARE.
THIS IS A BIG CHANGE IN OUR
VALUES AND PROCEDURES IN OUR
AND I WANT TO POINT OUT VERY
IMPORTANTLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT
AT THE SAME TIME, THEY ARE
RESTRICTING REPRODUCTIVE
CHOICES, REPUBLICANS ARE
LIMITING ACCESS TO FAMILY
PLANNING AND PRIMARY CARE AND BY
THEIR EFFORTS TO DEFUND PLANNED
PARENTHOOD, WHICH IS A PRIMARY
CARE PROVIDER TO MOST WOMEN TO
THEIR BASIC HEALTH IN THIS
COUNTRY AND THESE ACTIONS, I
WOULD LABEL JUST PLAIN TOO
EXTREME.
YOU KNOW, THE
GENTLELADY HAS BEEN ELOQUENT
ABOUT THE ASSAULT ON WOMEN'S
HEALTH.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, GIVEN THAT
YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE JOINT
ECONOMIC COMMITTEE, WHICH IS A
BICAMERAL COMMITTEE, BIPARTISAN
COMMITTEE, I THINK, IN THE
CONGRESS, I WONDER IF YOU DON'T
MIND TALKICING WITH ME ABOUT THE
ASSAULT ON THE WOMEN'S ECONOMIC
PROSPECTS.
IN YOUR OPINION, CONGRESSMAN
MALONEY, HOW WILL ASSAULTS AND
CUTS TO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
AND SOCIAL SECURITY IMPACT
WOMEN, GIVEN THAT WOMEN
STATISTICALLY LIVE LONGER THAN
MEN AND HAVE A GREATER
REPRESENTATION FOR USE OF THOSE
IMPORTANT PROGRAMS?
ARE WE SEEING -- ARE WE SEEING
-- NOT JUST THE HEALTH, BUT ALSO
THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF WOMEN
UNDER THREAT AS WELL AS WE SEE
IMPORTANT PROGRAMS THAT WOMEN
ON DISPROPORTIONATELY CUT
INTO?
REGRETTABLY,
WOMEN ARE THE LARGEST SEGMENT,
OLER WOMEN, ARE THE LARGEST
SEGMENT OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
POVERTY.
THE DISCRIMINATION THAT HAS
EXISTED IN PAY, THERE'S STILL
FOR OVER 0 YEARS AN UNEXPLAINED
GAP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN, THE
PAY GAP, WELL OVER 20% AND THIS
THEN TRANSLATES YOUR SOCIAL
SECURITY, LESS SOCIAL SECURITY,
LESS PENSION, AND THE NEED FOR
SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICAID, AND
MEDICARE TO HELP WOMEN AND
ALSO, A LOT OF WOMEN AROUND THE
AGE OF 55, WHEN THEIR SPOUSES
DIE AND THEY'VE BEEN STAY AT
HOME MOTHERS AND WIVES, THEY
LOSE THE COVERAGE THAT THEIR
HAVE AND THERE'S A GAP
THAT'S NOT THERE UNTIL THEY
REACH MEDICARE AGE OF 65.
SO THEY RELY DISPROPORTIONATELY
ON THESE SAFETY NET PROGRAMS SO
ANY CUTS, AND I HEAR FROM MY
CONSTITUENTS, AND I KNOW YOU DO
TOO, THEY SAY, I CAN'T ABSORB
ANOTHER CUT TO MY MEDICARE,
CAN'T ABSORB A CUT TO MY SOCIAL
SECURITY, I BELIEVE THAT'S ONE
REASON WHY DEMOCRATS HAVE
FOUGHT SO HARD TO KEEP THAT
SAFETY NET IN PLACE FOR WORKING
MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR COUNTRY.
I YIELD BACK.
I APPRECIATE THE
GENTLELADY SHEDDING SOME LIGHT
ON THIS ISSUE.
THE FACT IS, TODAY WE ARE
LOOKING AT A BILL THAT WOULD
RESTRICT WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE
ACCESS BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW
THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO
FEND OFF ASSAULTS ON THE VIABLE
OF WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SITUATION.
WE STILL KNOW THAT WOMEN EARN
ABOUT 80 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR
THAT MEN MAKE.
THIS IS UNEXPLAINED, OR IT IS
EXPLAINED, IT'S EXPLAINED BY
GENDER DISCRIMINATION.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVEN
MEN TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THIS
IMPORTANT FACT, THAT IF YOUR
WIFE OR PARTNER IS BEING
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THE
WORKPLACE BECAUSE SHE'S A
WOMAN, THEN YOUR TOTAL FAMILY
INCOME IS BEING HURT BECAUSE OF
WORKPLACE.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT MEN AND
WOMEN COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT
THESE ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS
BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE DIRECT
VICTIM OF THIS KIND OF
DISCRIMINATION ARE WOMEN, THIS
INVARIABLY HURTS THE ENTIRE
FAMILY AND SO THIS IS
EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS TO STAND
UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL
PEOPLE.
I TELL YOU, ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME IS THIS
GAP IN PAY BETWEEN MEN AND
WOMEN.
THE MEDIAN WEEKLY -- WOMEN EARN
ABOUT 81.2% OF WHAT MEN EARN,
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY HAVE
HEALTH CARE.
WHEN YOU ADD THESE THINGS UP
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN TERMS OF
THE MAJORITY'S COMMITMENT TO
WOMEN'S RIGHTS?
WHAT DOES IT ALL ADD UP TO?
I WONDER IF THE GENTLELADY
WOULD OFFER HER VIEWS ON THIS
SUBJECT.
I THINK ALL THESE
EFFORT, WHETHER IT'S THE PITS
BILL THAT PASSED TODAY THAT
THREATENS WOMEN'S ABILITY TO
PURCHASE PRIVATE HEALTH
INSURANCE THAT INCLUDES
ABORTION COVERAGE WITH THEIR
OWN MONEY AND CODIFIES BROAD
AND TROUBLING CONSCIENCE
PROVISIONS, IT'S ANOTHER
ATTEMPT TO UNRAVEL THE HEALTH
CARE LAW WHILE AT THE SAME TIME
EXPANDING ANTI-CHOICE LAWS THAT
WILL HARM WOMEN'S HEALTH.
THAT'S AN ANTI-WOMAN'S AGENDA
THAT JUST PASSED THIS GREAT
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE
ASSAULTS ON WOMEN THAT -- ON
PROGRAMS THAT WOMEN
DISPROPORTIONATELY RELY ON,
IT'S ANOTHER STEP THAT WILL
KEEP WOMEN DOWN AND BACK.
I'M PROUD OF THE DEMOCRATS FOR
STANDING UP FOR WOMEN AND
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
YOU RIGHTFULLY POINTED OUT WHEN
YOU DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A
WOMAN YOU DISCRIMINATE AGAINST
HER HUSBAND AN CHILDREN.
YOU AND I KNOW THAT IT TAKES
TWO WORKING PARENTS, SOMETIMES
TWO JOBS BY EACH PARENT, TO PAY
THE BILLS AND KEEP THE FOOD ON
THE TABLE.
SO THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS
CONCERNS AND WAYS THAT WE NEED
TO FIGHT BACK AND STAND UP FOR
THE WOMEN OF AMERICA.
CONGRESSWOMAN
MALONEY, I KNOW YOU MIGHT HAVE
TO RUN, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU
STAYING HERE WITH ME, I THINK
THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA NEED TO
HEAR FROM A PERSON LIKE