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CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED GROSS
INCOMES FOR PURPOSES OF
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY OF
HEALTH CARE RELATED PROGRAMS.
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE]
[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY
STEVE WOMACK TO ACT AS SPEAKER
PRO TEMPORE ON THIS DAY.
OF THE HOUSE OF
SIGNED, JOHN BOEHNER, SPEAKER
REPRESENTATIVES.
THE
PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY OUR
CHAPLAIN, FATHER CONROY.
CHAPLAIN CONROY: LET US PRAY.
COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GOD,
WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR GIVING
US ANOTHER DAY.
AS THIS HOUSE COMES TOGETHER AT
THE END OF THE WEEK, BLESS THE
WORK OF ITS MEMBERS.
GIVE THEM STRENGTH, FORTITUDE
AND PATIENCE, FILL THEIR HEARTS
WITH CHARITY, THEIR MINDS WITH
UNDERSTANDING, THEIR WILLS WITH
COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING
FOR ALL OF AMERICA.
IN THE WORK TO BE DONE BEFORE
THE END OF THIS SESSION, MAY
THEY RISE TOGETHER TO
ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR
FOR ALL
THE WORLD FOR YOU HAVE BLESSED
US WITH MANY GRACES AND GIVE US
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEING A
LIGHT SHINING ON A HILL.
MAY ALL THAT IS DONE THIS DAY
BE FOR YOUR GREATER HONOR AND
AMEN.
GLORY.
THE
CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL
OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS
AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS
APPROVAL THEREOF.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1
THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL
BE LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM
TEXAS, MR. JOHNSON.
WILL YOU JOIN ME,
PLEASE?
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 FIVE
REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE
SPEECHES ON EACH SIDE OF THE
AISLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK
RECOGNITION?
TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO
REVISE AND EXTEND.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THIS WEEK THE PRESIDENT ADOPTED
A NEW CAMPAIGN SLOGAN, "WE
CAN'T WAIT," IN EFFORTS TO GET
HIS $447 BILLION JOBS BILL
PASSED BY CONGRESS, EVEN AFTER
THE SENATE'S REJECTED IT
ALREADY, TWO OR THREE TIMES.
THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO
PROMOTE HIS MORE OF THE SAME
FAILED POLICIES LIKE HIGHER
TAXES AND INCREASED SPENDING
AND WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE
PRESIDENT TO GET BEHIND
POLICIES THAT WILL HELP THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY CONTINUE TO
STRUGGLE IN THIS ECONOMY.
THAT'S WHY REPUBLICANS HAVE
PASSED BILL AFTER BILL TO GET
OUR ECONOMY MOVING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
TODAY, THE HOUSE WILL VOTE ON
REPEALING THE I.R.S. 3%
WITHHOLDING RULE IN ORDER TO
REDUCE UNCERTAINTY FOR OUR
BUSINESSES AND ALLOW JOB
CREATORS TO DO WHAT THEY DO
BEST, CREATE JOBS.
I URGE THE PRESIDENT AND MY
COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE TO
FOLLOW OUR LEAD, GET OUR
ECONOMY MOVING FORWARD.
AMERICANS WANT, NEED AND
DESERVE NO LESS.
I YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM CONNECTICUT SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ARE DISGUSTED WITH THE
MR. SPEAKER, FOR AMERICANS WHO
OBSTRUCTIONISM OF THE
REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE,
YESTERDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA CUT
THROUGH THE MORASS ISSUING NEW
RULES FOR STUDENT LOAN
ASSISTANCE, IMPLEMENTING A LAW
THAT WAS PASSED BY THE LAST
CONGRESS, THE DEMOCRATIC
CONTROLLED CONGRESS, THE
STUDENT AID AND FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY ACT.
THIS PROGRAM WILL
ALLOW MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TO
CONSOLIDATE THEIR STUDENT
LOANS, LOWER THEIR INTEREST
RATES AND ALSO CAP LOAN
PAYMENTS, AGAIN, FOR MILLIONS
OF AMERICANS AND ANYONE
LISTENING CAN GO TO
STUDENTAID.GOV/IBR TO FIND OUT
THE NEW RULES OF ELIGIBILITY
WHICH, AGAIN, WILL SAVE
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR PEOPLE
WHO ARE DROWNING IN STUDENT
LOAN COSTS.
RATHER THAN TRYING TO BUILD ON
THAT ACCOMPLISHMENT, THIS
CONGRESS PASSED A RYAN BUDGET
WHICH WOULD BUTCHER THE PELL
GRANT PROGRAM AND DO NOTHING
FOR PEOPLE, AGAIN, WHO ARE
RACKING UP HUMAN AMOUNTS OF
STUDENT LOAN.
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
CONNECTICUT'S DISTRICT, GO
HUSKIES, CONGRATULATIONS, MR.
PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR MOVING FORWARD
FOR ADDRESSING THE REAL NEEDS
OF AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS AND I
TIME.
YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MINUTE.
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
PAUL MAN HAS SENT THE FOLLOWING
LETTER TO ME.
WE DON'T NEED OR WANT MORE
GOVERNMENT SPENDING.
CUT REGULATION, CUT TAXES,
REPEAL THE 2010 HEALTH CARE LAW
AND LET BUSINESSES DO WHAT IT
DOES BEST, CREATE JOBS BASED
NOT GOVERNMENT
DICTATES SPENDING AND ATTEMPTS
AT MARKET MANIPULATION.
WELL, MR. MAN HAS, YOU'RE
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THE HOUSE PASSED
15 BILLS THAT LAY DORMANT IN
THE SENATE BECAUSE THE SENATE
REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION, LIFT
REGULATIONS, CREATE NEW
ENVIRONMENTS AND NEW
OPPORTUNITIES.
WE ARE WORKING NONSTOP IN THE
HOUSE MAJORITY FOR AWFUL OUR
AMERICAN CITIZENS AND YOU, MR.
MANAHAN, TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY YOU DESERVE AND
THE PROSPERITY YOU NEED.
PLEASE URGE YOUR SENATOR AND
ALL SENATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
TO FREE THOSE 15 BILLS AND GET
THIS ECONOMY GOING.
AND I YIELD BACK, MR. SPEAKER.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MAINE SEEK RECOGNITION?
TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I CALL ATTENTION
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LAST
FRIDAY THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE
FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS FOR
COLOMBIA, PANAMA AND SOUTH
KOREA.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T
SUPPORT MORE FLAWED TRADE
AGREEMENTS, SO THE PRESIDENT
SIGNED THEM INTO LAW QUIETLY.
THE WHITE HOUSE ISSUED NO PRESS
RELEASES OR STATEMENTS, NO
PHOTOS WERE TAKEN, NO SIGNING
PENS WERE PUBLICLY HANDED OUT.
IF THESE AGREEMENTS ARE JOB
CREATORS THAT THE PRESIDENT
PROMISED US WOULD BE, THEN WHY
WOULDN'T HE HAVE A PUBLIC
SIGNING FOR SIGNING THE P.T.A.?
IT'S BECAUSE THESE F.T.A.'S
AREN'T GOING TO CREATE AMERICAN
JOBS.
THEY MIGHT CREATE JOBS IN KOREA
AND CHINA BUT THEY WON'T CREATE
THEM HERE AT HOME.
IF I WERE THE PRESIDENT I'D
WANT TO KEEP THESE AGREEMENTS
QUIET TOO.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM VIRGINIA SEEK RECOGNITION?
I ASK PERMISSION TO ADDRESS
THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY ON
BEHALF OF THE CONGRESSIONAL
PRAYER CAUCUS TO NOTE THE
IMPORTANCE OF FATE IN OUR
NATION'S HISTORY AND HIS FIRST
INAUGURAL ADDRESS IN 1789
GEORGE WASHINGTON SAID IT WOULD
BE IMPROPER TO EMIT THE RULES
OVER THE UNIVERSE WHO PRESIDE
IN THE COUNCILS OF NATIONS AND
WHOSE PROVIDENTIAL AIDS CAN
SUPPLY EVERY HUMAN DEFECT.
NO PEOPLE CAN
IGNORE THE INVISIBLE HAND THAT
CONDUCTS THE AFFAIRS OF MEN
MORE THAN THE UNITED STATES.
EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE
DISTINGUISHED BY A TOKEN OF
PROVOCATION.
BACK.
WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION?
TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
EXTEND.
MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER.
I ASK TO -- RISE TO ASK MY
COLLEAGUES TO CO-SPONSOR THE
APPROPRIATION SPENDING ACT.
SOMETIMES WE GIVE THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH THE FREEDOM TO SPEND
WITHOUT OVERSIGHT.
THE CONSTITUTION ***
OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT
TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE SPENT
WISELY LIES WITH CONGRESS.
MY LEGISLATION WOULD ANYTHING
OVER $1 MILLION BE EXPLICITLY
APPROVED BY CONGRESS.
HAD MY BILL BEEN APPROVED A
YEAR AGO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO
STOP SOLYNDRA FROM HAPPENING.
IT HAPPENS AFTER THINGS GO
WRONG AND THINGS ARE LOST.
CONGRESS NEEDS TO REASSERT
ITSELF AND MAKE SURE ALL
PROGRAMS ARE PROPERLY VETTED.
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE.
I ASK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO
ME END WASTEFUL SPENDING
BY CO-SPONSORING THE RECLAIMING
THE OVERSPENDING FOR THE
EXECUTIVE ACT AND I YIELD BACK
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM ARKANSAS RISE?
TO ADDRESS THE
HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
I RISE TO REMEMBER
ARKANSAS NATIVE HAIRY HARRISON
WHO DIED AUGUST -- HARRY
HARRISON WHO DIED AUGUST 2, AT
THE AGE OF 95, AND WHO WILL BE
BURIED TOMORROW IN ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY.
A DISTINGUISHED NAVAL AVIATOR,
HE COMMANDED THE JEEP CARRIER
IN SUPPORT OF ALLIED FORCES
DURING THEIR FIGHT AGAINST
GERMANY IN SOUTHERN FRANCE IN
AUGUST OF 1944.
HE WAS AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS
FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM
DURING LOW-LEVEL RECONNAISSANCE
MISSIONS OVER ENEMY
CONCENTRATIONS.
LIKE MOST OF AMERICA'S GREATEST
GENERATION, HE BECAME PRESIDENT
OF A METAL FIRM, WAS ACTIVE
VOLUNTEER OF THE LEEWOOD FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS WIFE,
SHIRLEY, TO WHOM HE WAS MARRIED
70, THE CAPTAIN WILL ALWAYS BE
REMEMBERED BY HIS FAMILY AND
FRIENDS FOR HIS COURAGE,
LEADERSHIP AND SELF-LESS
SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY --
SELFLESS SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY
AND FELLOW MAN AND I YIELD
BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION?
MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK TO
SPEAK FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO
REVISE AND EXTEND.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE
MINUTE.
THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
FAR TOO MANY AMERICANS HURT
TODAY.
THEY HURT BECAUSE OF
UNFAIR TAX POLICY.
THEY'VE WITNESSED AS MORE AND
MORE REPORTS ARE ISSUED THAT
THE TOP INCOME STRATA HAS SEEN
ITS INCOME GROW MORE THAN 275%
WHILE THOSE OF MORE MODEST
MEANS HAVE SEEN A GROWTH THAT
PERHAPS IS SOME 15% TO 20% AND
FAR TOO MANY HAVE SEEN NO
GROWTH WITH A FLAT OUTCOME.
THEY ALSO WITNESS NO MEANINGFUL
JOBS AGENDA COMING FROM THIS
HOUSE OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS,
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE
112TH SESSION OF CONGRESS,
THEY'RE WAITING FOR A JOBS
AGENDA.
SO, MADAM SPEAKER, AS THE HOUSE
DRAGS ITS FEET, AMERICA
STRUGGLES.
MANY STRUGGLE TO FIND A JOB.
MANY STRUGGLE TO KEEP A JOB.
MANY STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS
MEET.
MANY STRUGGLE TO MAKE STUDENT
LOAN PAYMENTS.
MANY STRUGGLE TO PAY THOSE
MORTGAGES.
WE NEED TO GO FORWARD WITH THE
PROGRESSIVE AGENDA THAT
RESPONDS TO STRENGTHENING THE
MIDDLE CLASS, STRENGTHEN THE
PURCHASE POWER OF THE MIDDLE
CLASS.
WITHOUT A STRONG MIDDLE CLASS
THERE ISN'T A STRONG AMERICA.
WITH THAT, MADAM SPEAKER, I
YIELD BACK.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION?
I ASK PERMISSION TO
ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE
MINUTE.
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
MR. SPEAKER, DURING
THE TEXAS WAR OF INDEPENDENCE,
THE ENEMY TRIED TO REMOVE A
CANNON FROM THE TOWN OF
GONZALEZ.
THE DEFIANT TEXANS FLEW A FLAG
WHICH STATED, "COME AND TAKE
IT."
NOW IN MONTANA A RADICAL
ANTI-RELIGIOUS GROUP WANTS A
STATUE OF JESUS TAKEN DOWN FROM
THE MOUNTAIN.
THE FOREST SERVICE IS UNDER
PRESSURE NOT TO RENEW A LEASE
FOR THE 58-YEAR-OLD STATUE.
THE STATUE IS MORE THAN A
RELIGIOUS SYMBOL.
IT WAS ERECTED AS A MEMORIAL
AND TRIBUTE TO MONTANA FREEDOM
FIGHTERS DURING WORLD WAR II
FOR THEIR BRAVERY, DEDICATION
AND PATRIOTISM.
WHAT'S NEXT?
IS THE ANTI-RELIGIOUS CROWD
GOING TO DEMAND THE GOVERNMENT
CHIZZLE OFF THE CROSSES, THE
STARS OF DAVID AND OTHER
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS ON THE
TOMBSTONE OF THE WAR DEAD AT
ARLINGTON CEMETERY?
AS THOSE EARLY TEXAS SETTLERS
WERE SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING
THE ENEMY FROM TAKING THAT
CANNON IN THE RIGHT TO BEAR
ARMS, I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF
MONTANA ARE SUCCESSFUL IN
KEEPING THE ANTI-RELIGIOUS
BUNCH FROM TAKING THE JESUS
IT IS.
STATUE AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MICHIGAN SEEK RECOGNITION?
MR. SPEAKER, PURSUANT TO
HOUSE RESOLUTION 448, I CALL UP
THE BILL H.R. 674 AND ASK FOR
ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
UNION CALENDAR
NUMBER 169, H.R. 674, A BILL TO
AMEND THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
OF 1986 TO REPEAL THE
IMPOSITION OF 3% WITHHOLDING ON
CERTAIN PAYMENTS MADE TO
VENDORS BY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
448, THE AMENDMENT PRINTED IN
HOUSE REPORT 112-261 IS ADOPTED
AND THE BILL, AS AMENDED, IS
CONSIDERED AS READ.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN,
MR. CAMP, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM MICHIGAN, MR. LEVIN, EACH
WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES.
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
CAMP.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE
UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND TO
INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON
H.R. 674.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
CAMP CAMP MR. SPEAKER --
MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
CONSUME.
MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I RISE IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF H.R. 674.
WHILE THIS LEGISLATION HAS 269
CO-SPONSORS, I'D LIKE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEADERS ON THE
BILL -- WAYS AND MEANS HEALTH
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, WALLY
HERGER, AND OUR DEMOCRAT WAYS
AND MEANS COLLEAGUE,
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER.
IN ADDITION TO THESE ADVOCATES,
WE HAVE 25 MEMBERS OF THE WAYS
AND MEANS COMMITTEE SUPPORTING
THIS LEGISLATION, A CLEAR
SIGNAL OF THE STRONG BIPARTISAN
.
SUPPORT FOR REPEAL OF THIS 3%
WITHHOLDING RULE.
THIS PROVISION LIKE MANY EFFORTS
TO INCREASE FEDERAL REVENUE AND
TAX COMPLIANCE IS LINED WITH
PAPERWORK, COMPLEXITY, AND COST,
ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HINDER
RATHER THAN HELP PROMOTE A
CLIMATE FOR JOB CREATION.
AND PASSING THIS
BIPARTISAN BILL, WE WILL UNLOCK
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIRING.
JOB CREATORS HAVE TOLD US JUST
THAT AND THAT'S WHY THIS
LEGISLATION HAS THE SUPPORT OF A
DIVERSE COALITION OF MORE THAN
170 GROUPS, INCLUDING THE
GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDING RELIEF
COALITION.
LIKE THOSE JOB CREATORS, OTHERS
RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR REPEAL.
INCLUDING PRESIDENT OBAMA.
IN THE STATEMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION POLICY IN SUPPORT
OF H.R. 674, THE ADMINISTRATION
NOTED THAT, AND I QUOTE, THE
EFFECT OF THE REPEAL OF THE
WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENT WOULD BE
TO AVOID A DECREASE IN CASH FLOW
TO THESE CONTRACTORS WHICH WOULD
ALLOW THEM TO RETAIN THESE FUNDS
AND USE THEM TO CREATE JOBS AND
PAY SUPPLIERS, END QUOTE.
MORE.
MR. SPEAKER, I COULDN'T AGREE
SUPPORTING THE REPEAL OF THE 3%
WITHHOLDING LAW IS A
DEMONSTRATION THAT WASHINGTON
CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH A STRONG
BIPARTISAN VOTE WE CAN REDUCE
THE UNCERTAINTY FACING AMERICA'S
JOB CREATORS AND WE CAN FREE UP
VALUABLE RESOURCE BUSINESSES --
HIRING.
RESOURCES BUSINESSES CAN USE FOR
I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES
ON H.R. 674 AND URGE THE SENATE
TO SWIFTLY TAKE UP AND PASS THIS
LEGISLATION.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO HAVE THE GENTLEMAN
FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. HERGER,
CONTROL THE REMAINDER OF OUR
TIME.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
I YIELD SUCH TIME AS
I SHALL CONSUME.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF
THIS BILL.
IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED EARLIER.
I THINK MOST OF US IF NOT ALL OF
US AGREE THAT THIS PROVISION
SHOULD BE REPEALED.
IT IS NOT NEARLY TARGETED AND IT
WOULD INDEED IMPOSE SIGNIFICANT
AND COSTLY BURDENS ON FEDERAL,
STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
I THINK WE SHOULD ALL REMIND
OURSELVES IT WAS PASSED SOME
YEARS AGO AND IT WAS, I THINK,
MISGUIDED WHEN IT WAS ENACTED IN
2006 WHEN WE IN THE MINORITY
HERE DID NOT CONTROL THE
CONGRESS.
INDEED, THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE WHEN WE WERE IN THE
MAJORITY APPROVED A REPEAL OF
THE PROVISION IN 2009 AND THE
CONGRESS ULTIMATELY DELAYED ITS
EFFECTIVE DATE.
I DO WANT TO COMMENT ON THE
TITLE OF THIS BILL THAT REFERS
TO JOB CREATION, AND IT SHOULD
BE NOTED THAT THIS IS REALLY NOT
GOING TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR
CREATION OF JOBS IN OUR COUNTRY.
MONTHS.
WE HAVE BEEN HERE NOW NINE
THERE IS STILL NO EFFORT BY THE
MAJORITY HERE IN THE HOUSE TO
BRING UP ANY MEANINGFUL JOB
LEGISLATION.
THE PRESIDENT BRINGS UP
PROPOSALS TO CREATE JOBS, THEY
ARE THWARTED BY THE MAJORITY
HERE AND BY THE REPUBLICANS IN
THE SENATE.
SO LET'S SUPPORT THIS BILL BUT
NOT PRETEND THAT IT WILL CREATE
JOBS.
AND IN THIS RESPECT I REFER TO A
RECENT STATEMENT BY MARK ZANDI,
THE CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR MOODY'S
ANALYTICS, WHO SAID THIS ABOUT
THIS BILL.
I DON'T THINK IT'S MEANINGFUL IN
TERMS OF JOBS.
IT'S MORE TRYING TO CLEAN UP
SOMETHING THAT NEEDS CLEANING
UP, END OF QUOTE.
AND INDEED THIS NEEDS TO BE
CLEANED UP AND THEREFORE WE NEED
TO PASS IT.
LET ME ALSO COMMENT AND WE'LL
TALK ABOUT THIS LATER ON THE
SECOND BILL, THE PAY FOR.
I WENT BEFORE THE RULES
COMMITTEE TO ASK THAT THERE BE
CONSIDERATION OF A DIFFERENT PAY
FOR.
WHAT WE'LL BE CONSIDERING LATER,
AND I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO
UNDERSTAND THE FACTS AND EACH
CAN JUDGE ON HIS OWN OR HER OWN
HOW THEY'LL VOTE, THAT THE
IMPACT OF THE PAY-FOR THAT CAME
THROUGH THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE MAJORITY COULD CAUSE
UP TO 500,000 INDIVIDUALS TO
LOSE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.
I OFFERED AN AMENDMENT IN THE
RULES COMMITTEE THAT WOULD HAVE
OFFSET THE COST OF A BUSINESS
TAX PROVISION BY CLOSING A
LOOPHOLE ON THE BUSINESS SIDE
THAT'S PROPERLY ENJOYED BY OIL
AND GAS INDUSTRY -- IMPROPERLY
ENJOYED BY OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
GIANTS AND UNFORTUNATELY MY
AMENDMENT WAS RULED OUT OF
ORDER.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER.
I URGE ITS SUPPORT.
WE ARE NOW ON THIS BILL.
LET'S NOT PRETEND IT'S A JOB
CREATION BILL.
LET'S GET BUSY HERE ON BILLS
THAT WILL, INDEED, HELP TO
PROMOTE JOBS IN THE PRIVATE
AMERICA.
SECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AS OUR PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED
AND HE HAS PLEADED THAT THERE BE
CONSIDERATION BY THE HOUSE AND
THE SENATE ONLY TO BE RESPONDED
TO WITH DEAF EARS.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H.R.
674, THE 3% WITHHOLDING REPEAL
AND JOB CREATION ACT.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE
REPEATEDLY CALLED ON CONGRESS TO
WORK TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN
WAY TO ENCOURAGE JOB CREATION.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING
HERE TODAY.
H.R. 674 REPEALS A TAX THAT
REQUIRES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AT
ALL LEVELS, FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL TO WITHHOLD 3% OF ALL
PAYMENT FOR GOODS AND SERVICES
BEGINNING AT THE END OF NEXT
YEAR.
THIS WILL AFFECT EVERYONE FROM
MANUFACTURERS, TO ROAD BUILDERS,
TO PHYSICIANS WHO TREAT SENIORS
ON MEDICARE.
MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES OPERATE
ON MARGINS OF LESS THAN 3%,
MEANING THAT THIS PROVISION WILL
HARM THEIR CASH FLOW AND
EFFECTIVELY FORCE THEM TO GIVE
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A NO
INTEREST LOAN.
EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T GO INTO
EFFECT FOR ANOTHER YEAR, THE 3%
WITHHOLDING TAX IS HOLDING BACK
JOB CREATION RIGHT NOW.
COMING FROM A SMALL BUSINESS
BACKGROUND, I CAN ATTEST THAT
BUSINESSES LOOK SEVERAL YEARS
AHEAD WHEN THEY ARE DECIDING HOW
TO INVEST.
THIS WEEK THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL
CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA RELEASED
A SURVEY FINDING THAT NEARLY
HALF OF ALL CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
WOULD BE FORCED TO HIRE FEWER
WORKERS IF THE 3% WITHHOLDING
TAX TAKES EFFECT.
AS ONE A.G.C. MEMBER PUT IT,
QUOTE, THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS
NOW WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO MAKE 3%
PROFIT.
THIS COULD PUT US OUT OF
BUSINESS ALONG WITH OTHER
300-PLUS EMPLOYEES, CLOSE QUOTE.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ELIMINATE THE
BARRIERS THAT ARE STANDING IN
THE WAY OF JOBS FOR AMERICAN
WORKERS.
H.R. 674 HAS THE SUPPORT OF
BUSINESSES, STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS, AND 269 BIPARTISAN
CO-SPONSORS IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS WELL AS THE
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD
A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNMENT
WITHHOLDING RELIEF COALITION
SIGNED BY MORE THAN 150
BUSINESSES, HEALTH CARE,
EDUCATION, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
GROUPS SUPPORTING PASSAGE OF
THIS LEGISLATION.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
WITH THAT, I RESERVE
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
I YIELD NOW AS MUCH
TIME AS HE SHALL CONSUME TO MR.
BLUMENAUER WHO IS A LEAD SPONSOR
OF THIS BILL.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON IS
RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE YOUR COURTESY, MR.
LEVIN, AS I APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MY
FRIEND, MR. HERGER, NO MOVING
THIS BILL FORWARD.
-- ON MOVING THIS BILL FORWARD.
IT WAS ONLY A COUPLE MONTHS AGO
WE WERE HAVING A PRESS
CONFERENCE IN THE TRIANGLE WITH
A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM
SOME OF THE COALITION MEMBERS
THAT MY FRIEND, MR. HERGER,
REFERENCED, TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS
ON THE NEED TO REPEAL THIS
LEGISLATION.
MR. SPEAKER, I THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT TO MARK THIS CRITICAL
STEP TODAY.
IT WILL PASS ON THE FLOOR OF THE
HOUSE IN A STRONG BIPARTISAN
VOTE.
REAFFIRMING THE BIPARTISAN
COOPERATION THAT GOT US TO THIS
POINT.
I THINK THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE
OF WHAT POTENTIALLY WE COULD DO
BECAUSE A NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE COALITION THAT MR. HERGER
REFERENCED AND THAT HE'S
ENTERING INTO THE RECORD ARE
LIKEWISE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A
VISION ABOUT HOW CONGRESS AND
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD
HELP REBUILD AND RENEW AMERICA.
THE CONTRACTORS, THE ENGINEERS,
THE ARCHITECTS THAT WE HAVE
HEARD FROM WOULD ALSO LIKE US TO
STEP UP IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER
TO DEAL WITH THAT.
THE REFERENCES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE
DEALING WITH HEALTH CARE.
WE ARE FACING -- WE STILL FACE
SORT OF A HEALTH CARE CRISIS IN
THIS COUNTRY.
WE MAY BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH MUCH
OF IT WITH HEALTH CARE REFORM
BILL, BUT MANY OF THE PROVISIONS
THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN LAW NOW
THEIR CORE AS BIPARTISAN
IDEAS, AND I HOPE THE SAME
BIPARTISAN SPIRIT COULD HELP US
ACCELERATE BIPARTISAN REFORMS SO
THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
BENEFITS IN THE HEALTH ARENA AS
WELL.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LITTLE
SPIRITED EXCHANGE IN THE FLOOR
OF THE HOUSE ABOUT HOW WE PAY
FOR THIS LEGISLATION.
BECAUSE IT HAS A C.B.O. SCORE
THAT'S ATTACHED TO IT THAT
SUGGESTS THAT THIS WILL RAISE
REVENUE.
WELL, I HAVE TWO OBSERVATIONS
THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO
NOTE DEALING WITH PAY FOR.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE SAD FACT
IS THAT THIS BILL ACTUALLY WOULD
COST MORE TO IMPLEMENT THAN IT
GOVERNMENT.
WOULD EVER RAISE FOR THE FEDERAL
BUT WE HAVE A QUIRK IN OUR
SCORING RULES WHERE THEY CREDIT
REVENUE, THEY DON'T DEAL WITH
THE COST OF COMPLIANCE.
COMPLICATED PIECE OF
LEGISLATION WERE IT EVER ENACTED
WOULD REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE, THE GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION, UP AND DOWN THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THERE WOULD
BE MECHANISMS TO TRY AND IMPOSE
ON IT.
IT WOULDN'T JUST COST
CONTRACTORS, HOSPITALS, STATE
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
IT WOULD ACTUALLY COST THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FAR MORE THAN
WE WOULD COLLECT.
I THINK ONE ESTIMATE WAS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, IT WOULD
BE $17 BILLION, WHICH WOULD
DWARF WHAT WOULD BE COLLECTED.
AND WE NEED, MR. SPEAKER, AS WE
MOVE FORWARD, TO DO A BETTER JOB
OF THINKING ABOUT THIS -- THE
SCORING RULES.
IT'S NOT C.B.O.'S FAULT, BUT
THAT'S HOW WE PLAY THE GAME.
AND I FIND IT TROUBLING.
IT ALSO, I THINK, SPEAKS TO --
VOLUMES ABOUT HOW WE OPERATE IN
PROCESS.
THIS WAS PASSED IN 2005, KIND OF
DROPPED IN IN SORT OF A BACKROOM
NEGOTIATIONS.
IT WAS NEVER PART OF REGULAR
ORDER.
THERE WAS NO HEARING BEFORE OUR
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TO TALK
ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THE ELEMENTS
THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED IN OUR
COMMITTEE AND ON THE FLOOR ABOUT
THE UNWORKIBILITY OF THIS WOULD
NEVER HAVE SURVIVED A REGULAR
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
WELL, I'M PLEASED THAT THE
DEMOCRATIC SIDE HAS AT LEAST
TRIED TO DELAY AND TO TRY AND
FIX THIS.
I'M PLEASED THAT WE HAVE WORKED
WITH MR. HERGER IN A BIPARTISAN
FASHION TO BRING THIS
LEGISLATION FORWARD.
AND I THINK MR. CAMP AND MR.
LEVIN ARE COMMITTED TO REGULAR
ORDER.
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING, I THINK,
SOME VERY PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS
ON MAJOR ISSUES.
I HOPE WE CAN KEEP THIS
COMMITMENT TO REGULAR ORDER TO
BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T
HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THE
THAT HAS MASSIVE
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS AN IDEA
THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN
ADVANCED IN THIS FORM.
IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD TO TRY AND
CORRECT IT, BUT TODAY WE ARE
MAKING AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS
THAT CORRECTION.
BUT I WOULD ADD A NOTE OF
CAUTION.
THE SAME SPIRIT OF COOPERATION
AND FOCUS THAT HAS GOTTEN US TO
THIS POINT WITH WHAT WILL BE AN
OVERWHELMING VOTE, I HOPE IT'S
UNANIMOUS, WE NEED TO KEEP GOING
SO THAT THIS ISN'T A CASUALTY OF
THE BACK AND FORTH PROCESS
BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE
SENATE.
THE SENATE PLAYED A LARGE ROLE
IN GIVING US THIS IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS
NOT CAUGHT UP IN THE LARGER
DRAMAS THAT OCCUR AROUND HERE
WHERE WE CAN KEEP OUR EYE ON THE
BALL AND WE CAN FIX IT.
AND I DO WANT TO SAY JUST ONE
BRIEF WORD ABOUT THE PAY-FOR.
SAY IT'S ILLUSORY BECAUSE
IT WOULD COST FAR MORE THAN WE'D
EVER COLLECT, BUT WE HAVE TO
DEAL WITH THE SCORING RULES AS
THEY ARE.
THERE ARE TWO PROPOSALS, ONE
WOULD TIGHTEN SOME ELIGIBILITY
FOR THE HEALTH CARE REFORM, THE
OTHER WOULD TAKE AWAY SOME
UNNECESSARY TAX BENEFITS TO
LARGE OIL COMPANIES THAT LONG
AGO CEASED TO HAVE ANY IMPACT ON
.
OIL EXPLORATION OR REDUCING
PRICE.
WHILE I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE
PAY-FOR FROM OUR SIDE OF THE
AISLE DEALING WITH THE OIL TAX
ADJUSTMENT IS SUPERIOR, I THINK
AS A PRACTICAL MATTER WE ARE
GOING TO HAVE TO DO BOTH OF
THESE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD IF
WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH OUR
BUDGET PROBLEMS, REDUCING
EXPENDITURES.
SO I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE DON'T
ALLOW THE DEBATE OVER THE
PAY-FOR TO OBSCURE THE NEED TO
MOVE FORWARD, AND AS A
PRACTICAL MATTER, WE HAVE BIG
CHALLENGES AHEAD TO GET OUR
DEFICIT UNDER CONTROL.
AND I THINK FRANKLY THAT BOTH
OF THESE ARE ITEMS THAT WE
SHOULD ENACT IT INTO LAW, WILL
BE ENACTED INTO LAW.
WHILE THERE WILL BE A SPIRITED
DISCUSSION AND I RESPECT PEOPLE
ON BOTH SIDES AND I THINK THEY
WILL BE MAKING GOOD POINTS, I
HOPE IT DOESN'T GET IN THE WAY
OF THE BIG PICTURE.
I APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MICHIGAN PERMITTING ME TO SPEAK
ON THIS, HIS LEADERSHIP IN
THIS, SALUTE MY FRIEND, MR.
HERGER.
I HOPE WE CAN MARK THIS STEP
TODAY FOR WHAT IT IS BUT KEEP
OUR EYE FOCUSED ON HOW WE DEAL
WITH THESE LARGER ISSUES GOING
FORWARD SO WE'RE NOT BACK IN
THIS SITUATION IN THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
MR. SPEAKER, I
CONSUME.
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
AND I WANT TO THANK
MY GOOD FRIEND FROM OREGON, MR.
BLUMENAUER, FOR YOUR SUPPORT
FOR THE LEAD CO-SPONSOR ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
READ A FEW OF THE COMMENTS THAT
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
RECEIVED FROM BUSINESSES AND
ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY DEMONSTRATING WHILE
REPEALING 3% WITHHOLDING TAX IS
CRITICAL TO LAYING A STABLE
FOUNDATION FOR JOB CREATION.
BUFFALO PLY, INCORPORATED, OF
BOULDER, COLORADO, WRITES, WE
ARE A 20-YEAR-OLD SMALL
BUSINESS THAT SELLS HIGH-VOLUME
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AT A LOW
MARGIN WITH A VERY SIGNIFICANT
PART OF OUR SALES GOING TO THE
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT.
THE 3% WITHHOLDING TAX WILL
EXCEED OUR COMPANY TAX
VIABILITY WHICH WILL DESTROY
CASH FLOW AND ULTIMATELY HINDER
OUR ABILITY TO GROW THE
BUSINESS AND ADD NEW EMPLOYEES.
CLOSED QUOTE.
IAN FROST, PRINCIPAL AND
FOUNDER OF E.E.E. CONSULTING IN
VIRGINIA SAYS, QUOTE, IF
ENACTED THE RULE WOULD MEAN THE
WITHHOLDING OF APPROXIMATELY
$130,000 OF REVENUE, USING OUR
PROJECTED 2011 REVENUE.
THIS 3% WITHHOLDING WOULD
ESSENTIALLY BE A LOAN TO THE
GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR UNTIL
OUR TAXES ARE FILED.
WORSE STILL, IT MIGHT REQUIRE
OUR COMPANY TO SECURE A LOAN TO
HELP US COVER OPERATING
EXPENSES AT A TIME WHEN CASH IN
THE BANK IS LIMITED.
THE WITHHOLDING COULD LIMIT OUR
ABILITY TO MAKE PAYROLL EACH
MONTH AND LIMIT OUR USE OF
PROFITS TO GIVE BONUSES TO OUR
EMPLOYEES, EXPAND OUR BUSINESS
AND HIRE NEW EMPLOYEES.
$130,000 EACH YEAR WOULD
DEPLETE OUR CASH RESERVES BY
ABOUT 30%.
CLOSED QUOTE.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
NOTES, QUOTE, THIS WILL ADD
EXPENSES AT A TIME WHEN OUR
UNIVERSITY, LIKE MANY OTHERS
AROUND THE COUNTRY, IS FACING
REDUCED STATE SUPPORT.
WE WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO
PASS THESE EXPENSES ON TO OUR
STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE ALSO
STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET,
CLOSED QUOTE.
THE AMERICAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION STATES, QUOTE, IN
REPEALING THE 3% WITHHOLDING
PROVISION ALTOGETHER, H.R. 674
WILL HELP MEDICARE
BENEFICIARIES MAINTAIN ACCESS
TO CARE WHILE ASSISTING
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PHYSICIANS
AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
AVOID SUBSTANTIAL
IMPLEMENTATION COSTS THAT WILL
OUTWEIGH THE BENEFITS.
CLOSED QUOTE.
AND I'D LIKE TO ADD THAT AT A
TIME WHEN MANY OF US ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT FIXING THE
S.G.R. THAT THREATENS MASSIVE
CUTS TO PHYSICIANS
PARTICIPATING IN MEDICARE AND A
LOSS OF ACCESS TO PHYSICIAN
SERVICES FOR MANY SENIORS, THE
LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS ADD
YET ANOTHER POTENTIAL CUT TO
PHYSICIANS' PAYMENTS.
AGAIN, THIS IS A FEW OF THE
DOZENS OR HUNDREDS OF LETTERS
AND TESTIMONIALS THAT THE
COMMITTEE RECEIVED FROM
BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE NEED TO PASS H.R. 674 AND
REPEAL THIS HARMFUL TAX TODAY.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
I NOW YIELD AS MUCH
TIME AS HE SHALL CONSUME, A
MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF OUR
COMMITTEE, MR. PASCRELL FROM
NEW JERSEY.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS
RECOGNIZED.
I COME TO THE
FLOOR TODAY TO SUPPORT H.R. 674
REPEAL A BURDEN ON
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS,
PARTICULARLY SMALL BUSINESSES.
I OPPOSE THE ENACTMENT OF THE
3% WITHHOLDING WHEN A
REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND A
REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION
ENACTED IT.
OF COURSE, I KNEW IT WOULD HURT
ECONOMY.
THE ECONOMIC ENGINES OF OUR
THE REPEAL OF THIS REQUIREMENT
WILL FREE UP SMALL BUSINESSES'
CASH FLOW, INCREASING THEIR
ABILITY TO ADD JOBS AND TO BID
ON NEW PROJECTS.
THIS IS ONLY A VERY SMALL PART
OF A JOBS PLAN THAT COULD HELP
TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT.
THE MAJORITY, THE
INFRASTRUCTURE BANK OR FUNDING
FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND
TEACHERS, THEY DID NOT SUPPORT.
SO I IMAGINE THAT'S NOT VERY
IMPORTANT, THOSE ITEMS.
HAS DECIDED TO
PROMOTE THEIR FALSE 15 BILLS
THAT ATTACKS CLEAN AIR, SAFE
WATER AND CONSUMER SAFETY.
BE PREPARED, AMERICA, TO EAT
POISON.
NOT ONLY DO INDEPENDENT
ECONOMISTS THINK THAT THESE
BILLS DO NOT CREATE JOBS, A
RECENT REPORT FOUND THAT THE
SO-CALLED ECONOMICALLY STIFLING
REGULATORY ATMOSPHERE IS NOT AS
BAD AS THEY SAY.
THE REPORT SAYS THIS -- THE
OBAMA'S WHITE HOUSE HAS
APPROVED FEWER REGULATIONS THAN
GEORGE W. PUSH AT THIS POINT --
BUSH AT THIS POINT IN THEIR
TENURES.
AND THE COST OF THOSE RULES
HAVEN'T REACHED THE ANNUAL PEAK
SET IN FISCAL 1992 UNDER
PRESIDENT BUSH'S FATHER,
PRESIDENT BUSH I.
YOU WOULD NEVER THINK THAT BY
TO THE PROPAGANDA ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.
WE'VE OVERREGULATED,
SUPPOSEDLY, AND WE'VE SPENT --
COST BUSINESSES TO SPEND SO
MUCH ON THESE REGULATIONS WHEN
AGAIN WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
FACTS, THIS IS NOT TRUE.
EAT YOUR WORDS.
EVEN FORMER REAGAN TREASURY
OFFICIAL, BRUCE BARTLETT,
QUOTED "THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL" SAYING THE MAIN REASON
U.S. COMPANIES ARE RELUCTANT TO
STEP UP HIRING IS SCANT DEMAND.
RATHER THAN THE UNCERTAINTY
OVER GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
SO YOU CAN GROW AS MANY HORNS
AS YOU WANT AROUND THE
PRESIDENT AND ONTO THE
PRESIDENT.
ONCE AGAIN, LOOK AT THE FACTS
AND THE STATISTICS.
MORE REGULATIONS AT THIS POINT
WHEN FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH WAS
THE PRESIDENT, BUSH II.
IT IS IRONIC THAT THE
MAJORITY'S ADJUSTING HEALTH
REFORM TO PAY FOR THIS
LEGISLATION.
YOU CONDEMN THE HEALTH ACT AND
THEN YOU TAKE THE MONEY FROM
THE HEALTH ACT TO PAY FOR THIS
ACT.
THAT IS A PONZI SCHEME IF I
EVER HEARD ONE.
THE MAJORITY ALREADY VOTED TO
REPEAL HEALTH REFORM.
YET, TO PAY FOR THIS
LEGISLATION, WHICH IS A
SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION,
HEALTH REFORM MUST BE IN PLACE
FOR 10 YEARS.
HOW DO THEY DO THAT?
THEY GET RID OF THE HEALTH CARE
ACT.
WELL, THEY'RE TRYING TO,
ANYWAY, AND THEY USE THE DIME
FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS TO PAY
FOR THE FIRST BILL.
HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW YOU DO
THIS.
JUST AS THEIR 2012 BUDGET WAS
PAID FOR BY HEALTH REFORM
SAVINGS -- WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS
IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE -- THIS
BILL IS AGAIN PAID FOR BY THE
HEALTH REFORM WHICH THEY WANT
TO ANNIHILATE.
IF THE MAJORITY IS AGAINST THE
HEALTH REFORM BILL, PERHAPS
THEY SHOULD STOP MAKING THEIR
AGENDA SO DEPENDENT UPON IT.
WHILE I SUPPORT H.R. 674, WE
CANNOT PAT OURSELVES ON THE
BACK AND CLAIM VICTORY, THAT
THIS IS A VICTORY FOR JOBS.
CONGRESS MUST DO MUCH MORE.
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
MR. SPEAKER, I
YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA, MR.
PAULSON, A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER
OF THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER, I
RISE IN FAVOR OF H.R. 674, A
BILL THAT WOULD REPEAL THIS 3%
WITHHOLDING RULE FOR PRIVATE
CONTRACTORS INCLUDING HOSPITALS
THAT ACCEPT MEDICARE AND
MEDICAID PAYMENTS AND EVEN
THOSE WHO PROVIDE LUNCHES FOR
SCHOOLS.
THIS IS A BILL WHERE
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE
WORKING TOGETHER AS PRESIDENT
OBAMA SINGLED OUT THIS
PROVISION AS BURDENSOME TO OUR
NATION'S JOB CREATORS.
HE PROPOSED DELAYING THIS RULE.
YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT THIS
RULE CONTINUES TO BE DELAYED,
HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE
FIRST CREATED IN 2005, SHOWS
HOW TRULY A BAD IDEA IT IS.
CAN HE SHOULD NOT DELAY IT.
WE SHOULD REPEAL IT
IMMEDIATELY.
I'VE SPOKEN WITH MANY SMALL
BUSINESSES IN MY DISTRICT THAT
HAVE BEEN -- THAT WILL BE
NEGATIVE IMPACTLY BY THIS LAW
BECAUSE THE PROFIT MARGIN FOR
MANY OF THESE COMPANIES THAT
HAVE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS IS
RIGHT AROUND 3%.
ONE MINNESOTA COMPANY, VALLEY
PAVING, SAYS WITHHOLDING 3% --
THE NEW 3% WITHHOLDING LAW
WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON THEIR
BALANCE SHEETS MEAN COVERING
COSTS, PAYING BILLS AND JUST
BE A CHALLENGE.
COVERING OPERATING COSTS WOULD
AND AS THEY POINT OUT, DURING
THESE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES,
WITHHOLDING MORE MONEY FROM
SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE
THEMSELVES THAT THEY MOST
LIKELY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
UPDATE THEIR EQUIPMENT, NOT
GROW AS FAST AND NOT HIRE MORE
PEOPLE.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS GOES AGAINST
EVERYTHING THAT WASHINGTON
SHOULD BE DOING, GIVING OUR
EMPLOYERS CERTAINTY TO CREATE
MORE JOBS.
THIS LAW NEEDS TO BE REPEALED.
ANOTHER CONTRACTOR IN MY
DISTRICT, HARD DRIVES,
INCORPORATED, POINTED OUT THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT
NEED TO BE PLAYING BANKER WITH
OUR EARNED INCOME.
THIS LAW MAY SOUND LIKE A GOOD
IDEA ON PAPER BUT THIS WILL BE
DISASTROUS.
IMPLEMENTING IT FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ALONE IS
ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $17
BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS.
AND HERE'S THE IRONY, MR.
SPEAKER.
THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO -- IS
FORECAST TO BRING IN A LITTLE
OVER $11 BILLION ACROSS THE
WHOLE SPECTRUM OF GOVERNMENT,
SO THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO COST
MORE TO IMPLEMENT THAN IT WILL
TAKE IN.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS
COMMONSENSE APPROACH AND
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO ADOPT
THIS.
FOR SUPPORT.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE
MAJORITY HAS ANY FURTHER
SPEAKERS.
I'M PREPARED TO
CLOSE.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL
CLOSE.
HAPPY TO RESERVE.
I SUPPORT THIS
LEGISLATION.
IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PASSED
IN THE FIRST PLACE.
IT WAS NOT VETTED EFFECTIVELY
BY THE THEN MAJORITY.
IT'S TIME WE SUPPORT THIS BILL.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH
TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
AND I REQUEST
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ENTER INTO
THE RECORD A LETTER FROM THE
OF THE PRESIDENT.
PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE OFFICE
WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
IN THIS LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT, THE
ADMINISTRATION -- JUST TO QUOTE
FROM IT -- THE ADMINISTRATION
SUPPORTS PASSAGE OF H.R. 674
WHICH WOULD REPEAL A 3%
WITHHOLDING ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS
MADE TO PROVIDE CONTRACTORS BY
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.
THE EFFECT OF THE REPEAL OF THE
WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENT WOULD
TO AVOID A DECREASE IN CRASH
FLOW TO THESE CONTRACTORS WHICH
WOULD ALLOW THEM TO RETAIN
THESE FUNDS AND USE THEM TO
CREATE JOBS AND PAY SUPPLIERS.
MR. SPEAKER, JOBS ARE THE
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE AND JOBS SHOULD
BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF
THIS CONGRESS.
MANY INITIATIVES THAT ARE BUILT
AS, QUOTE, CREATING JOBS, ARE
CONTROVERSIAL.
THIS IS NOT.
WE'RE REPEALING A TAX THAT
HURTS SMALL BUSINESSES, AND
THAT WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT
MORE TO IMPLEMENT THAN IT
COLLECTS.
A WIN-WIN-WIN FOR
BUSINESSES, WORKERS, LOCAL
PUBLIC SERVICES AND TAXPAYERS.
I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO VOTE TO
REPEAL THE 3% WITHHOLDING TAX
AND CREATE NEW JOBS NOW.
WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE
REMAINDER OF MY TIME.
PURSUANT IT HOUSE RESOLUTION
448 THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS
ORDERED ON THE BILL AS AMENDED.
THE QUESTION IS ON ENGROSSMENT
AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THIRD READING.
A BILL TO AMEND THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986
TO REPEAL THE IMPOSITION OF 3%
WITHHOLDING ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS
MADE TO VENDORS BY GOVERNMENT
ENTITIES.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1-C OF RULE
.
19, FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF
THE BILL IS POSTPONED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, PURSUANT TO
HOUSE RESOLUTION 448, I CALL UP
THE BILL H.R. 2576 AND ASK FOR
ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
UNION CALENDAR NUMBER
170, H.R. 2576, A BILL TO AMEND
THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF
1986 TO MODIFY THE CALCULATION
OF MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS
INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR
CERTAIN HBLING -- HEALTH CARE
RELATED PROGRAMS.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION
448, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MICHIGAN, MR. CAMP, AND THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR.
LEVIN, EACH WILL CONTROL 30
MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE
UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND TO
INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON
H.R. 2576.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
CONSUME.
MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I'M PLEASED TO COME TO
THE FLOOR TODAY AND SHARE MY
TIME WITH ONE OF OUR COMMITTEE'S
DIANE BLACK.
NEWEST MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVE
IN TAKING THE LEAD SHE'S TAKEN
STEPS TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS $13
BILLION.
I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT HER AND
THIS LEGISLATION.
H.R. 2576 MODIFIES THE INCOME
DEFINITION FOR DETERMINING
ELIGIBILITY FOR EXCHANGE SUBS
DAYS, MEDICAID, AND THE
CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM.
THE LEGISLATION CONFORMS THE
DEFINITION OF INCOME IN THE
DEMOCRATS' HEALTH CARE LAW TO
THE STANDARDS USED BY OTHER
FEDERAL LOW-INCOME PROGRAMS SUCH
AS FOOD STAMPS AND PUBLIC
HOUSING.
BY ALIGNING THIS DEFINITION WITH
OTHER FEDERAL SUBSIDY PROGRAMS,
THE LEGISLATION ENSURES THAT
TAXPAYER FUNDS WILL NOT BE USED
TO ENCONTROL MIDDLE CLASS
INDIVIDUALS INTO MEDICAID, WHICH
IS AN ADDUCE OF THE PROGRAM'S
MISSION, TO PROVIDE TARGETED
ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO ARE IN
MOST NEED OF HELP.
ONE OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING
OUTCOMES OF REPRESENTATIVE
BLACK'S LEGISLATION IS IT HAS
GARNERED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT,
INCLUDING THE SUPPORT OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA.
IN ITS STATEMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION POLICY, THE OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION AFFIRMS ITS
SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE AND GOES SO
FAR TO SAY THAT, I QUOTE, THE
ADMINISTRATION LOOKS FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH THE HOUSE TO
ENSURING THE BILL ACHIEVES THE
INTENDED RESULT, END QUOTE.
TODAY I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
VOTE YES ON H.R. 2576.
I ENCOURAGE OUR COLLEAGUES IN
SUIT.
THE SENATE TO QUICKLY FOLLOW
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
MRS. BLACK BE DESIGNATED TO
CONTROL THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
I NOW YIELD AS MUCH
TIME AS HE SHALL CONSUME TO A
VERY DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF OUR
COMMITTEE, MR. CROWLEY, FROM THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS
RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I THANK MY FRIEND FROM MICHIGAN
AND THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS FOR
YIELDING ME THIS TIME.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN
OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
AS WE LOOK AT THIS REDEFINITION
OF TERMS UNDER THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT, LET ME TAKE A MINUTE
OR TWO OR THREE AND GO TO THE
FACTS ON THE HEALTH CARE LAW AS
IT EXISTS TODAY.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AISLE AND IN THE MEDIA
CONTINUE TO REFER TO THIS
PROVISION THAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT TODAY AS A GLITCH.
AS WE LEARNED FROM THE
NONPARTISAN JOINT COMMITTEE ON
TAX FROM THE MARKUP OF THIS BILL
ON THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE,
THIS PROVISION WAS NOT A GLITCH.
AGAIN THE OTHER SIDE WILL MAKE
THE REPORT THAT THIS WAS A
GLITCH IN THE LAW.
IT WAS NOT A GLITCH.
DELIBERATELY.
IT WAS WRITTEN INTO THE LAW
AND ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY READ THE
BILL WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT.
THIS LANGUAGE WAS DELIBERATELY
PUT INTO THE HEALTH CARE LAW TO
EXPAND AFFORDABLE HEALTH
INSURANCE.
AND WILL PARTICULARLY HELP EARLY
RETIREES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 62
AND 64, AS WELL AS AMERICANS ON
DISABILITY.
BUT AGAIN FOR THOSE OF US WHO
SUPPORT THIS LAW AND SUPPORT THE
HAVE NOT
-- WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF
DISTORTION, A LOT OF FALSEHOODS,
AND OUTRIGHT LIES ABOUT WHAT IS
IN THIS BILL.
THAT IS WHY I ENCOURAGE ALL MY
COLLEAGUES, DEMOCRATS AND
REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF
YOU WHO ARE NEW TO CONGRESS WHO
WERE NOT HERE WHEN THE BILL WAS
PASSED, TO READ THE BILL.
I THINK IF YOU DID SO YOU'D LIKE
A LOT ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE BILL.
THERE ARE NO DEATH PANELS IN
THIS BILL.
NO GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH
CARE IN THIS BILL.
AND BUREAUCRATS WILL NOT BE IN
THE OPERATING ROOM WITH YOUR
SURGEON.
THESE ARE ALL FALSEHOODS SPREAD
ABOUT THE LAW.
AND AGAIN PEOPLE WHO READ THE
LAW KNOW THAT THESE CLAIMS
SIMPLY ARE NOT TRUE.
BUT HERE IS WHAT IS IN THE LAW.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE REMINDED.
NO LONGER WILL INSURANCE
COMPANIES BE ABLE TO DECIDE
OR NOT YOU OR YOUR
FAMILY DESERVE CARE BASED ON
COST OR PROFIT MAKING.
NO, THESE DECISIONS WILL BE MADE
BY DOCTORS AND PATIENTS.
THAT'S NO GLITCH.
CHILDREN CAN NO LONGER BE DENIED
COVERAGE ON THEIR PARENTS'
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE
OF A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION LIKE
ASTHMA, WHICH IS VERY PREVALENT
IN MY DISTRICT IN THE BRONX.
THIS WAS NO GLITCH.
CHILDREN CAN STAY ON THEIR
PARENTS' PRIVATE HEALTH
INSURANCE UNTIL THE AGE OF 26
WHICH HAS LED TO OVER ONE
MILLION MORE YOUNG ADULTS BEING
COVERED THIS YEAR.
IT'S NO GLITCH.
NO MANDATES ON ANY EMPLOYER WITH
UNDER 50 EMPLOYEES, NONE.
ZERO.
NO MANDATING, TO ANY EMPLOYERS
WITH UNDER 50 EMPLOYEES.
DELIBERATE BY THE WRITERS
OF THIS BILL.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR SENIORS
ARE BEING MADE MORE AFFORDABLE
AND THIS YEAR SENIORS GET DEEP
DISCOUNTS ON THEIR BRAND NAME
DRUGS IF THEY CALL INTO THE
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE GAP.
A BLACK HOLE THAT SENIORS FALL
INTO IF THEY NEED MORE THAN A
FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF
MEDICATIONS ANNUALLY, WHICH
IT WAS NO GLITCH.
MILLIONS OF OUR SENIORS DO.
NO GLITCH.
AND FINALLY, SOMETHING ELSE IN
THIS BILL.
IT.
PEOPLE WILL KNOW IF THEY READ
YOUNG FAMILIES WITH PRIVATE
HEALTH INSURANCE CAN NO LONGER
BE DENIED COVERAGE OR CARE UNDER
THE DISGUSTING TERM KNOWN AS
LIFETIME LIMITS.
IF A YOUNG MOTHER GIVES BIRTH TO
A SEVERELY ILL CHILD, NO
LIFETIME LIMITS.
IF THE PRACTICE OF TELLING YOUNG
PARENTS THAT NOT ONLY IS THEIR
NEWBORN SEVERELY ILL, BUT THAT
THEIR PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY
WON'T PAY FOR ANYMORE
HOSPITALIZATION CARE BECAUSE
IT'S TOO COSTLY, THAT'S OVER.
THAT'S NO GLITCH.
THOSE PARENTS WILL BE ABLE TO
GET THEIR SICK CHILD THE CARE
THAT HE OR SHE NEEDS WITHOUT
SELLING THEIR HOME, WITHOUT
DECLARING BANKRUPTCY, AND
WITHOUT HAVING TO FIGHT THEIR
HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY TOOTH
AND NAIL TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR
CHILD.
RATHER, THEY COULD FOCUS ON
THEIR CHILD'S WELL-BEING.
IT'S NO GLITCH.
IT'S IN THE LAW.
DEMOCRATS PUT IT THERE
DELIBERATELY.
WHAT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY
MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WILL
CONTINUE TO WORK TO RIP AWAY
HEALTH CARE FROM PRIVATE
INSURANCE TO MEDICARE AND
MEDICAID.
BUT THEY REFUSE TO EVEN
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY THEMSELVES
BENEFIT FROM TAXPAYER FUNDED
HEALTH CARE IN THIS CONGRESS.
I HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE
EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO
PUBLICLY DISCLOSE IF THEY ARE
RECEIVING THE TAXPAYER
SUBSIDIZED HEALTH CARE BENEFITS
THAT'S PROVIDED TO ALL FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
MY BILL HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT UP
FOR A DEBATE OR VOTE YET.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S A SIMPLE BILL
TO MAKE MORE INFORMATION
AVAILABLE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
ABOUT THE BENEFITS THAT WE IN
CONGRESS ENJOY.
FINALLY, I WANT TO ADDRESS
ANOTHER SERIOUS ISSUE ABOUT THIS
BILL AND HOW IT COULD AFFECT
TENS OF MILLIONS OF MIDDLE CLASS
AMERICANS.
DURING THE COMMITTEE DEBATE ON
THIS BILL, IT WAS CERTIFIED BY
THE NONPARTISAN JOINT COMMITTEE
ON TAX AND SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFITS.
GENERALLY ARE NOT -- THE
BENEFITS ARE GENERALLY NOT ADDED
BACK IN DETERMINING ONE'S
MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME
FOR OTHER BENEFITS THAT THEY
RECEIVE SUCH AS I.R.A.
CONTRIBUTIONS, STUDENT LOAN
BENEFITS.
INTERESTS, AND ADOPTION TAX
BUT WE ARE CHANGING THAT
DEFINITION TODAY FOR
CONSIDERATION OF WHO CAN OBTAIN
TAX CREDITS TO PURCHASE PRIVATE
HEALTH INSURANCE.
I ARGUED AND NO ONE CORRECTED ME
DURING THAT DEBATE THAT THIS
BILL COULD BE THE REPUBLICAN'S
FIRST STEP ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE
TO LIMIT MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS'
ABILITY TO CLAIM CERTAIN
DEDUCTIONS FOR RETIREMENT
SECURITY, COLLEGE TUITION
EXPENSES, AND EVEN ADOPTIVE
ASSISTANCE.
YES, THE FIRST STEP ON THE
REPUBLICAN PLAN TO RAISE TAXES
ON WORKING CLASS FAMILIES.
AND THIS MORNING MY FEARS ARE
BEING PROVEN CORRECT.
RIGHT NOW THE OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE IS DISCUSSING A REPORT
THEY WROTE, QUESTIONS TO TAX
CUTS PROVIDED TO WORKING
FAMILIES TO AFFORD HEALTH
ACT.
INSURANCE IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE
THEY DON'T ARGUE THAT THE TAX
CUTS ARE TOO LIMITED OR TOO
WEAK.
THEY ACTUALLY ARGUE THAT THE TAX
CUTS ARE TOO GENEROUS TO WORKING
FAMILIES.
AND THAT FOR TOO MANY AMERICANS,
TOO MANY AMERICANS WILL BENEFIT
FROM TAX CUTS THAT WILL MAKE
OBTAINING PRIVATE HEALTH
INSURANCE CHEAPER.
THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT
STATES THAT THE HEALTH CARE LAW
WILL, QUOTE, TAKE MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE OFF THE TAX ROLLS,
UNQUOTE.
AND LET ME CONTINUE FOR THE
REPORT THAT SAID, AMERICANS
RECEIVING THESE TAX CUTS IN THE
HEALTH CARE LAW WILL HAVE THEIR
TAXES REDUCED AND I QUOTE, WILL
NO LONGER PAY THE COST OF
GOVERNMENT BY CONTRIBUTING
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.
END QUOTE.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS BECAUSE THE
TAX CUTS IN THE LAW WILL LOWER
TAXES FOR PEOPLE SO THEY COULD
AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE.
AMAZING HOW TAX CUTS FOR
MILLIONAIRES ARE SACROSANCT.
BUT TAX CUTS FOR WORKING PEOPLE
SO THEY CAN GET AFFORDABLE
HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, SO THE
KIDS CAN SEE A DOCTOR, ARE
SOMEHOW EVIL.
THE HYPOCRISY WITH RESPECT TO
HEALTH CARE AND MEDICARE FOR OUR
CONSTITUENTS, AND THEN THE LIES
ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
AND LET'S NOT PASS THIS BILL.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD THE CUSTOMARY ONE MINUTE
TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA,
THE MAJORITY LEADER CANTOR.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS
RECOGNIZED.
I THANK THE SPEAKER
AND I THANK THE GENTLELADY.
MR. SPEAKER, IT IS CLEAR THAT
MANY BUSINESSES ACROSS THIS
COUNTRY ARE FEELING THE ILL
EFFECT OF THE REGULATORY AND TAX
BURDENS PLACED UPON THEM BY
CONTINUED POLICIES COMING OUT OF
WASHINGTON AND THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
SMALL BUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR,
THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY,
FACE A CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY.
THIS UNCERTAINTY PREVENTS
ENTREPRENEURS FROM TAKING A
RISK, FROM STARTING A BUSINESS,
AND FROM CREATING JOBS.
BUT, MR. SPEAKER, HOUSE
REPUBLICANS WANT TO WORK WITH
OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE,
AND WE WANT TO HELP EMPOWER
THESE SMALL BUSINESS MEN AND
WOMEN TO ONCE AGAIN BEGIN THE
ENGINE THAT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY.
THIS IS THE FOCUS OF THE HOUSE
REPUBLICAN PLAN FOR AMERICA'S
JOB CREATORS, MR. SPEAKER.
THIS IS ABOUT JOBS.
THERE ARE SOME WHO REPEATEDLY
CLAIM THAT THEY WANT TO VOTE ON
A JOBS BILL.
WELL, WE PASSED ONE YESTERDAY ON
A BIPARTISAN BASIS.
AND TODAY WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER
CHANCE.
AND WE WILL PASS ANOTHER.
CURRENTLY THE HOUSE HAS PASSED
16 BILLS FOCUSED ON JOB CREATION
THAT ARE SITTING IDLY IN THE
U.S. SENATE.
MR. SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT HAS
TRAVELED THE COUNTRY TELLING
AMERICANS, QUOTE, WE CAN'T WAIT
TO PASS SOME JOB BILLS.
WE AREN'T WAITING.
WE CONTINUE TO PASS JOB BILLS.
PERHAPS IT'S TIME FOR THE
PRESIDENT TO DELIVER THE WE
CAN'T WAIT MESSAGE TO THE OTHER
BODY IN THE CAPITOL.
TODAY THE HOUSE WILL TAKE
ANOTHER STEP IN SOLVING OUR JOBS
CRISIS BY REPEALING THE 3%
WITHHOLDING RULE.
UNDER THIS RULE, FEDERAL, STATE,
AND MANY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL
BE REQUIRED TO WITHHOLD 3% OF
ALL GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS MADE TO
CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS.
THE IMPACT OF THIS RULE WILL BE
HUGE ACCOUNTING BURDENS ON
GOVERNMENTS AND POTENTIALLY
HARMFUL CASH FLOW DISRUPTIONS
FOR SUPPLIERS, CONTRACTORS, AND
SUBCONTRACTORS.
THOSE ARE DOLLARS, MR. SPEAKER,
THAT COULD OTHERWISE BE USED TO
GROW A BUSINESS OR HIRE MORE
WORKERS.
THE COST OF THIS LAW WOULD THEN
BE FELT BY STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS, UNIVERSITIES, LIKE
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
UNIVERSITY, THAT TOLD ME IT IS
AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN ON AN
OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
IT IS AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN ON
HEAVY EQUIPMENT DEALERS AND
OTHER BUSINESSES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
COMPLIANCE COSTS WOULD MOVE
CAPITAL THAT COULD OTHERWISE BE
USED TO HIRE ADDITIONAL WORKERS
TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MANY OF MY FELLOW VIRGINIANS IN
THE COUNTY WHICH I LIVE WILL BE
SEVERELY IMPACTED.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF THIS LAW HAD
BEEN IN EFFECT IN 2000 AND 2010
IN THE COUNTIES I LIVE AN
ESTIMATED $15 MILLION WOULD NOT
HAVE REACHED SMALL BUSINESSES
THAT ARE ALREADY OPERATING
.
WITHIN SMALL MARGINS OF PROFIT.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS NOT THE
TIME TO BE ADDING ADDITIONAL
COSTS TO JOB CREATORS.
MY COUNTY MANAGER STATED THAT
THE EFFECT OF THIS LAW MAY ALSO
BE HARMFUL TO THE ECONOMY WITH
A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY
BEING DIRECTED TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF TO
BUSINESSES THAT WILL
POTENTIALLY USE THOSE FUNDS TO
CREATE JOBS AND GROW THEIR
BUSINESS.
BY PASSING ANOTHER BILL,
ANOTHER JOBS BILL, HOUSE
REPUBLICANS ARE HELPING
COMPANIES COPE WITH THIS ERA OF
UNCERTAINTY.
THIS IS ANOTHER BIPARTISAN AND
COMMONSENSE SOLUTION TO SUPPORT
THE SMALL BUSINESS MEN AND
WOMEN OF OUR ECONOMY SO THAT
THEY CAN SUPPORT AND BEGIN TO
REGENERATE OUR AILING ECONOMY.
IN THIS PAST WEEK, MR. SPEAKER,
WE PASSED A LONG-AWAITED FREE
TRADE AGREEMENTS, THE VETERANS
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ACT, AND
NEXT WEEK WE'LL HELP
ENTREPRENEURS ACCESS CAPITAL
WITH THE ACCESS TO CAPITAL JOB
CREATORS ACT.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS WE CAN'T
WAIT.
WE AGREE.
IT'S TIME TO GET AMERICA
WORKING AGAIN, AND WE CALL UPON
THE SENATE NOT ONLY TO ACT ON
THIS JOBS BILL BUT THE OTHER 16
THAT CURRENTLY SIT IDLY IN THE
SENATE, AND I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.
YES, I YIELD TO THE