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OF AGREEMENT SO THAT WE CAN GET
OUR FELLOW AMERICANS WHO HAVE
BEEN LOSING THEIR HOMES, THEIR
BUSINESSES, AND THEIR JOBS BACK
ON TRACK.
SO WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I
YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS
GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA
RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR.
I YIELD MYSELF 30
SECONDS TO RESPOND BEFORE I
THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA
LAID DOWN AN EXCELLENT FRAMEWORK
FOR THE POTENTIAL OF THE JOINT
SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT
REDUCTION TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR
NAMELY BRINGING DOWN TAX RATES
BY ELIMINATING LOOPHOLES IN A
WAY THAT EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATES
EXPENDITURES IN THE TAX CODE.
WHETHER SOMETHING IS A SUBSIDY
OR TAX CREDIT, IT IS VERY MUCH
AN EXPENDITURE.
WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
2 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEWOMAN
FROM TEXAS, MS. JACKSON LEE.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN TEXAS MS. JACKSON
LEE IS RECOGNIZED FOR 2 1/2
MINUTES.
I WANT TO JOIN
WITH MY COLLEAGUE, FIRST OF ALL,
TO WISH THE PRESIDENT AND TO
WORK TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN
MANNER TO PUT AMERICANS BACK TO
WORK, PUT THEM TO WORK NOW AND
KEEP THEM WORKING.
I AM BOTH SUPPORTIVE OF THE
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION BILL
FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, DEALING
WITH THE ISSUE OF INVESTING IN
NEW POSITIONS AND SELECT HIGH
PRIORITY NEEDS, F.B.I.
SURVEILLANCE, INCREASING THE
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE CUTS IN
PERSONNEL, THE LANGUAGES WHERE
APPROPRIATE IN THESE DAYS AS WE
CELEBRATE 9/11 I'M CONCERNED
ABOUT WHAT IS APPROPRIATE.
I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN MOVING
WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT OUR
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY REFLECTS
A DIVERSITY OF AMERICA FROM
AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO ARABANS,
LATINOS, MUSLIMS, PEOPLE
SPEAKING DIFFERENT LANGUAGES TO
BE EFFECTIVE TO PROTECT THIS
COUNTRY.
THE D.N.I. WILL REVIEW TO
DETERMINE IF SECURITY
IMPLICATIONS OF MOVING
INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS, I THINK
THAT IS IMPORTANT.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AS WELL
TO COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT
DRUG TRAFFICKING.
AND I CERTAINLY THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT TO, AGAIN, AS I SAID,
TALK ABOUT THE QUESTION OF THE
WORK FORCE.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REQUEST
THAT I UNDERSTAND MAY BE IN THE
BILL ON INFORMATION ON
GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES,
OUR SECURITY.
I AM QUESTIONING THE VALUE OF
MAKING THE DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY A
SENATE CONFEREE.
BUT I AM GLAD, AND I THANK MR.
POLIS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON
CHARTER SCHOOLS, I'M PROUD TO
SAY I HAVE BEEN TO THE VICTORY
CHARTER SCHOOL IN TEXAS, IN
HOUSTON, THE HARMONY CHARTER
SCHOOL, THE KIPP CARTER SCHOOL,
AND A SCHOOL DISTRICT, PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT I AM WORKING
WITH AND I LOVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
I AM A PRODUCT OF PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, AND OUR INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FINDING ITS
WAY TO EMBRACE AND COALESCE WITH
CHARTER SCHOOLS.
WHAT IS THE CALL FOR THAT?
IT IS THE EDUCATION OF OUR
CHILDREN WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT
LEVEL OF EDUCATION EVER,
IT IS OUR FOR CHILDREN TO PASS
TESTS, BUT IT IS FOR OUR
INVENT.
I THINK WE CAN WORK WITH CHARTER
SCHOOLS IN PARTICULAR WHO ARE
FOCUSING ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING, AND MATH WHERE
THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE
ACTUALLY DOING MEDICAL CENTER
LEVEL RESEARCH.
HIGH SCHOOLERS.
I HOPE WE'LL DEAL WITH THE
INTELLIGENCE BILL.
I ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN COLOMBIA.
THE MONEYS THAT MAY BE GOING
THERE AND THE KILLING OF TRADE
UNIONISTS.
IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE A NEIGHBOR
BUT IT IS HORRIBLE TO TAKE
INTELLIGENCE FUNDS AND BE PART
OF THE KILLING OF TRADE UNIONS.
I YIELD BACK.
I HOPE WE CAN CHANGE THAT.
THE
GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH
CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.
SPEAKER.
TIME.
GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
SPEAKER.
I'D LIKE TO YIELD 2 1/2 MINUTES
TO THE WHIP, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MARYLAND, MR. HOYER.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND IS
RECOGNIZED FOR 2 1/2 MINUTES.
FOR YIELDING.
I THANK THE GENTLELADY AS WELL.
WHILE I WOULD PREFER US TO BE
ADDRESSING A RE-AUTHORIZATION OF
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, TODAY'S
LEGISLATION REFLECTS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT FOR INNOVATION AND
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IMPROVING
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
STUDENTS WHO STILL LACK ACCESS
TO A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.
I KNOW THIS RULE THAT WE ARE
DEALING WITH DEALS WITH BOTH
I'M FOR THE RULE.
I THINK IT'S A RULE THAT
PROVIDES FOR TWO PIECES OF
LEGISLATION THAT ENJOY
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
THE CHESAPEAKE PUBLIC CHARTER
SCHOOL, K-8 SCHOOL, LOCATED IN
MY DISTRICT, HAS DEVELOPED A
YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL MODEL WHICH
INVENTS THE ART AND
THROUGHOUT
THIS SCHOOL HOPES TO ONE DAY
EXPAND ITS SUCCESSFUL MODEL
THROUGH ITS EXISTING CHARTER
WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM AND
WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO WITH FUND
INTERESTING THIS BILL.
AS WE CONSIDER THIS BILL TODAY,
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT AFTER NINE
MONTHS IN SESSION, HOWEVER, WE
HAVE STILL NOT -- ARE NOT
FLOOR.
SO TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE FALL
DEMOCRATS WILL OFFER MAKE IT IN
AMERICA AMENDMENTS AT EVERY
OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT WAYS WE
CAN CREATE JOBS AND STRENGTHEN
OUR ECONOMY.
TODAY DEMOCRATS ARE PROPOSING TO
MAKE IT IN -- TWO MAKE IT IN
AMERICAN AMENDMENTS.
I WOULD SAY PARENTHETICALLY MR.
GARAMENDI HAD AN EXCELLENT
AMENDMENT.
WASN'T MADE IN ORDER.
HE'S GOING TO ASK WE GET TO IT
BY THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.
CONGRESSMAN LUJAN'S AMENDMENT,
HOWEVER, FOCUSES ON SHARING BEST
PRACTICES IN INSTRUCTION AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE
STEM SUBJECTS TO DEVELOP A MORE
COMPETITIVE AND HIGHLY SKILLED
WORK FORCE.
AMERICA NEEDS THAT.
AND CONGRESSMAN DAVIS' AMENDMENT
REMINDS US THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
OF THIS BILL IS TO USE THE
NOINVATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS TO
IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES SO
ALL STUDENTS CAN MAKE IT IN
AMERICA.
THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE REQUIRE
HIGH QUALITY ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE
DIVERSITY OF JOBS THAT AWAIT
THEM, THE JOBS THAT WILL BRING
HOME GOOD WAGES, THE JOBS THAT
WILL IMPROVE OUR ECONOMY IN THE
LONG TERM.
I BELIEVE CHARTER SCHOOLS CAN
PLAY A VALUABLE ROLE IN THAT
OBJECTIVE, WHICH IS WHY I URGE
MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS
LEG.
-- THIS LEGISLATION.
I'D BE GLAD TO YOLD WHATEVER
TIME I HAVE LEFT.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT CHARTER
SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA.
30 SECONDS.
WE HAVE A FABULOUS
SCHOOL, IT'S CREATING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS, I LIKE
YOUR IDEA, I MAY VERY WELL JOIN
YOU IN SOME OF THOSE AMENDMENTS
BUT AT LEAST JOIN YOU IN
SUPPORTING THIS BILL.
RECLAIMING MY TIME,
WHEN I SPEAK ABOUT MAKE IT IN
AMERICA, THERE'S NOT A PERSON
ON THIS FLOOR, THE MOST
CONSERVATIVE, THE MOST LIBERAL,
AND EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN WHO IS
NOT FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND
ALL OF OUR PEOPLE MAKING IT IN
AMERICA.
I'M HOPEFUL WE CAN FORGE A
BIPARTISAN COALITION TO PROMOTE
LEGISLATION MAKE IT IN AMERICA.
I WOULD BE
THE
RESERVES.
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I'M HAPPY TO YIELD THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA 30
SECONDS.
PRESUMING THAT, THIS
IS A GOOD IDEA IF WE CAN GET
THE TEACHERS' UNIONS TO JOIN US
IN SPONSORING OF CHARTER
SCHOOLS THEN I'D REALLY GET
EXCITED ABOUT IT.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
CAROLINA RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
IF WE DEFEAT THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION, I WILL OFFER AN
AMENDMENT TO THE RULE TO MAKE
MR. GARAMENDI'S -- MR. MARE MEN
DEE OF CALIFORNIA'S AMENDMENT
IN ORDER.
HE JOINS US, I WOULD LIKE TO
YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR.
GARAMENDI.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR
THREE MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER,
YESTERDAY I PROPOSED TO THE
RULES COMMITTEE AN AMENDMENT
ABOUT MAKING IT IN AMERICA.
ONE MORE WAY WE CAN BUILD JOBS
HERE IN THIS COUNTRY BY USING
OUR OWN TAX MONEY.
IN THE CHARTER SCHOOLS
LEGISLATION, THERE'S SOME $300
MILLION A YEAR AUTHORIZED FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF CHARTER
SCHOOLS, THE ENHANCEMENT AND
IMPROVEMENT OF THOSE SCHOOLS.
NOW WHERE WILL THE MATERIAL
COME FROM?
WHERE WILL THE HEATING AND
AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS BE
MANUFACTURED?
WHERE WILL THE LIMB BURR AND
CONCRETE AND OTHER MATERIALS,
THE HIGH TECH EQUIPMENT COME
WILL IT BE AMERICAN MADE OR
WILL IT BE MADE OVER IN CHINA
AND IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED
STATES?
IT SEEMS WE'RE ABOUT TO USE
$300 MILLION OF OUR TAX MONEY,
THAT IS THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS'
MONEY, BILL SOME SCHOOLS OR TO
IMPROVE SOME CHARTER SCHOOLS.
ALL WELL AND GOOD.
BUT WHY DON'T WE CREATE SOME
JOBS IN ADDITION TO THAT?
WHY DON'T WE PUT INTO THIS BILL
AN AMENDMENT THAT SIMPLY SAYS
THAT THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
IN PRIORITIZING THE GRANTS
SHALL GIVE HIGHER PRIORITY TO
THOSE PROPOSALS THAT WOULD USE
AMERICAN-MADE EQUIPMENT.
AMERICAN MADE SQUOBS.
WE CAN AND I THANK MY COLLEAGUE
FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. LEWIS, FOR
AGREING THAT WE OUGHT TO BE
MAKING IT IN AMERICA THIS
AMENDMENT WAS REJECTED FOR
REASONS UNKNOWN BY THE RULES --
UNKNOWN TO ME, BY THE RULES
COMMITTEE.
PERHAPS KNOWN TO THEM.
AND IF MR. DREIER WERE HERE OR
MAYBE I SHOULD ASK MS. FOXX,
WHY WOULD THIS OBJECTED TO?
WHY WAS IT NOT MADE POSSIBLE TO
PUT THIS AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR
SO WE CAN CREATE AMERICAN JOBS?
I WOULD NOTE THAT WE'RE 247
DAYS INTO THIS SESSION AND NOT
ONE BILL HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD
BY THE REPUBLICAN MINORITY --
MAJORITY TO ADVANCE JOBS.
HERE'S A LITTLE CHANCE FOR US
TO DO IT.
WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE PLANS
OF MY TIME.
I HAVE TWO COLLEAGUES -- I
WOULD YIELD MY REMAINING TIME
TO MY COLLEAGUE -- I YIELD BACK
MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
CAROLINA IS RECK NAYSED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I'D ONLY SAY TO THE GENTLEMAN
FROM CALIFORNIA THAT
REPUBLICANS HAVE PASSED MANY,
MANY BILLS IN THIS SESSION THAT
WOULD HELP CREATE JOBS IN THIS
COUNTRY.
I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH THIS
MORNING ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED
WITH BILLS THAT HAVE GONE OVER
TO THE SENATE.
TOTAL OF 28 BILLS HAVE PASSED
THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND
BEEN SENT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
HIS SIGNATURE.
OF THOSE, ONLY SIX WERE
SUBSTANTIVE BILLS.
ONE OF THOSE WAS THE 1099, ONE
WAS THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION,
ONE WAS D.O.D. APPROPRIATIONS,
A COUPLE OF BILLS WERE BILLS
THAT CAME FROM HERE, ONE ON
LEAD FOR TOYS.
I THINK THE GENTLEMAN FROM
CALIFORNIA NEEDS TO LOOK TO THE
OTHER BODY TO SEE WHAT IS
HAPPENING TO THE BILLS THAT ARE
PASSING OUT OF THE HOUSE THAT
WOULD CREATE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF JOBS FOR
AMERICANS.
THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN THE
HOUSE.
THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SENATE
THAT AS ONE HEADLINE SAID, ONE
SENATOR SAID, THE SENATE IS
MORIBUND AND I BELIEVE THAT'S
WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES.
IT IS NOT WITH REPUBLICANS IN
THE HOUSE.
WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS
RECOGNIZED.
I YIELD TWO MINUTES
TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW
JERSEY, MR. ANDREWS.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO
MINUTES.
MR. SPEAKER, THANK
YOU.
THE URGENT PRIORITY OF THIS
COUNTRY AND SHOULD BE OF THIS
CONGRESS IS TO GET AMERICANS
THERE'S NOT A CORNER OF THIS
COUNTRY THAT'S NOT BEEN
SEVERELY AFFLICTED BY THE
UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS IN THIS
COUNTRY.
MR. GARAMENDI PROPOSES THAT WE
TAKE A SIMPLE IDEA AND PUT IT
INTO THIS BILL AND I THINK HE'S
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
IF WE SPEND A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF MONEY, I THINK IT'S
$300 MILLION, FOR THE PUP OF
RETROFITTING AND MAYBE BUILDING
SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY,
LET'S GIVE A PREFERENCE TO
SCHOOLS THAT USE AMERICAN-MADE
PRODUCTS AND AMERICAN-MADE
GOODS OVER THOSE THAT DO NOT.
I THINK THAT'S A VERY COMMON
SENSE IDEA.
SO IF A SCHOOL IS GOING TO PUT
IN SOLAR PANELS TO BECOME MORE
ENERGY EFFICIENT AND THEY CAN
EITHER BY THE SOLAR PANELS FROM
A COMPANY HERE IN THE UNITED
STATES OR ONE IN ASIA, LET'S
FAVOR THE SCHOOL THAT BUYS THE
SOLAR PANELS FROM THE UNITED
STATES TO CREATE JOBS HERE.
THIS IS A SIMPLE AND GOOD IDEA.
IT SHOULD BE ON THE FLOOR SO WE
CAN DEBATE IT.
THE DIALOGUE I JUST HEARD WAS,
IT'S THE SENATE'S FAULT OR THIS
ONE'S FAULT.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO ALL OUR
COLLEAGUES, MR. SPEAKER, THE
DAYS OF WHOSE FAULT IT IS ARE
OVER.
LONG SINCE OVER.
AND THE TIME IS LONG SINCE PAST
FOR US TO GET TO WORK PASSING
COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION THAT
PUTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BACK
TO WORK.
MR. GARAMENDI PROPOSED JUST
SUCH A COMMON SENSE PIECE OF
LEGISLATION.
I URGE PEOPLE TO VOTE NO ON THE
PREVIOUS QUESTION SO WE CAN
CONSIDER MR. GARE MEN TEE'S
AMENDMENT.
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO HAS
6 1/2 MINUTES REMAINING.
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
CAROLINA HAS 14.5 MINUTES
REMAINING.
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I CONTINUE TO RESERVE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES
TO THE JOMENT FROM ILLINOIS,
MS. SCHAKOWSKY.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR
TWO MINUTES.
THANK YOU.
I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR
YIELDING AND RISE ALSO TO
SUPPORT THE EFFORT OF MY
COLLEAGUE, MR. GARAMENDI, TO
REQUIRE THAT MATERIALS MADE IN
AMERICA BE USED TO CONSTRUCT
AND RENOVATE THE CHARTER
SCHOOLS THAT WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT IN THIS LEGISLATION.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SERIOUS
ISSUE IN THIS COUNTRY IN CASE
THE REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T NOTICED
THAT WE NEED TO CREATE AS MANY
JOBS AS WE CAN.
AND IF ANYBODY HAS MADE A
SPEECH ABOUT JOB CREATION THESE
DAYS, TALKING ABOUT MAKING IT
IN AMERICA IS A DEFINITE
APPLAUSE LINE.
THAT.
THAT MAKING IT IN AMERICA IS
SOMETHING THAT REALLY HAS
RESONATED WITH PEOPLE ALL
AROUND THIS COUNTRY.
WHY WOULD WE TAKE TAXPAYER
DOLLARS, WHEN WE COULD SPEND IT
ON PRODUCTS MADE RIGHT HERE,
INCLUDING THE BUILDING
MATERIALS THAT WE NEED TO
UPGRADE TO CREATE MORE SCHOOLS
IN THE COUNTRY, AND BUY
PRODUCTS THAT ARE MADE OVERSEAS
AND SUPPORT JOBS THAT ARE
OUTSIDE OF OUR COUNTRY.
YOU KNOW, THE ISSUE IN THIS
BILL OF CREATING MORE SCHOOLS
IS SO IMPORTANT AND THE UNITED
STATES SCHOOLS ON AVERAGE ARE
40 YEARS OLD AND IN NEED OF AN
ESTIMATED $500 BILLION IN
REPAIRS AND UPGRADES.
I'M ACTUALLY INTRODUCING A
PIECE OF LEGISLATION NEXT WEEK
THAT WOULD PROVIDE $100 BILLION
TO REPAIR, RENOVATE, MODERNIZE
AMERICA'S SCHOOLS AND WOULD
CREATE 400,000 CONSTRUCTION AND
250,000 MAINTENANCE JOBS ALONE.
BUT IN ADDITION, WHAT WE SHOULD
BE DOING IS REJECTING THIS
PREVIOUS QUESTION THAT'S UP
BEFORE US SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A
GOOD BILL EVEN BETTER.
THIS IS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.
WE'VE HEARD FROM THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE AISLE THAT THESE ARE
GOOD IDEAS.
LET'S MAKE IT BETTER.
VOTE NO AND LET'S ADD THE
GARAMENDI AMENDMENT.
THE
GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO
RESERVES.
THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
CAROLINA.
MS. FOXX *** CONTINUE TO
RESERVE.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
I WOULD LIKE TO
REMAINING SPEAKERS?
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY
REMAINING SPEAKERS, I AM
PREPARED TO CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
VERY GOOD, I'M
PREPARED TO CLOSE, AND I YIELD
MYSELF THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THE INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION
ACT IS NOT PERFECT.
THERE ARE SOME PROVISIONS THAT
ALREADY RECEIVED A VETO THREAT
FROM THE PRESIDENT.
THANKFULLY, THE PRESIDENT AND
TO SUBMIT A MANAGER'S AMENDMENT
THAT WOULD DO JUST THAT.
IT'S VITAL THAT IT PASS.
THE FIRST WOULD MAKE THE
DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL
SECURITY AGENCY A
THIS WOULD UNNECESSARILY
POLITICIZE ONE OF OUR MOST
CRITICAL INTELLIGENCE NEEDS.
TRADITIONALLY THIS POSITION HAS
BEEN INDIRECTLY SUBJECT TO
CONFIRMATION THROUGH THE SENATE
OFFICERS PROMOTED INTO THE
POSITION.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DAMAGE THE
MANAGEMENT OF THE INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY IN THIS MANNER.
THE SECOND PROVISION WOULD
MODIFY THE REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS REGARDING
GUANTANAMO DETAINEES.
WHILE EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT IS AN
ESSENTIAL ROLE OF CONGRESS WE
MUST NOT INTERFERE WITH THE
ABILITY OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT
TO CONDUCT DIPLOMATIC
NEGOTIATIONS THEREFORE I CALL
ON MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE
MANAGER'S AMENDMENT AND THE
AMENED VERSION OF THE
UNDERSTOOD LYING BILL.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES
FOR THEIR MANAGER'S AMENDMENT
FOR THE CHARTER SCHOOL BILL.
IT WOULD ALLOW STATES THAT
AUTHORIZE CHARTERS TO BE THEIR
OWN FOOD PROVIDERS.
ASSURING THAT KIDS HAVE CHOICE
AND CHOICE IS HEAD MORE
MEANINGFUL BECAUSE FAMILIES WHO
CAN'T TRANSPORT THEIR KIDS TO
SCHOOL CAN STILL HAVE GOOD
SCHOOLS.
THIS MANAGER'S AMENDMENT SHOWS
WHAT THE HOUSE CAN DO TO
SUPPORT A GOOD EDUCATION AND
GOOD STUDENT OUTCOME.
I AGREE WITH MR. HOYER WHO SAID
THIS IS A START.
WHILE MANY OF US WOULD RATHER
SEE A FULL RE-AUTHORIZATION TO
E.S.C.A., THIS IS A VERY GOOD
START.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOALS
OF THIS CONGRESS AS WELL AS
NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE
ECONOMY IN THE LONG RUN.
UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF THE
AMENDMENTS LEFT OUT IS ONE THAT
I PROPOSED TO HELP CHARTER
SCHOOLS IN OBTAINING GRANT
FUNDING BY ALLOWING PRIORITY
FOR STATES THAT ALLOW CHARTER
SCHOOLS TO BE L.E.A.'S.
IT WOULD HAVE REDUCED PAIN
EVERYWORK AND OVERHEAD IF THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER
SCHOOLS AGREE, THE CHARTER
SCHOOLS COULD FUNCTION AS THEIR
OWN FISCAL AGENT FOR FEDERAL
PURPOSES AND COMPETE FOR
FEDERAL GRANTS.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW AND IT WORKS
IN MOST CASES, NINE OUT OF 10
TIMES, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S THE
CASES WHERE IT DOESN'T WORK OUT
THAT CAUSED THE DIFFICULTY.
CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE TO GO
THROUGH THEIR AUTHORIZING
INSTITUTE OR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO
APPLY FOR GRANTS.
THAT'S ANOTHER SET OF
BUREAUCRATS' EYES TO SEE THE
PROPOSAL, IT CAN LEAD TO DELAYS
AND MISSING DEADLINES IF
THEY'RE SUBMITTED TO DISTRICTS
AND NOT TURNED AROUND IN ENOUGH
TIME TO MEET THE FEDERAL
DEADLINE FOR GRANT FUNDING.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO CONTINUE TO
WORK ON THIS WITH THE COMMITTEE
AND I THINK THAT MANY OF US
WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHARTER
SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS L.E.A.'S
FOR PURPOSES OF FEDERAL
FUNDING.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT IN MY
HOME STATE OF COLORADO, WE WERE
ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED IN THE
LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND
NOW CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE
RECOGNIZED AS L.E.A.'S.
ABOUT HALF THE STATES ALLOW
THEM TO BE L.E.A.'S.
A KEY GOAL IS TO HAVE EQUITABLE
FUNDING AS WELL.
IF WE DEFEAT THIS I WILL MAKE
IN ORDER AN AMENDMENT OFFERED
BY MR. GARAMENDI TO ALLOW FOR
DISCUSSION AND VOTE BY THE
HOUSE ON THAT AMENDMENT.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO INCERTIFICATE THE
TEXT OF THE AMENDMENT INTO THE
RECORD ALONG WITH EXTRAORDINARY
IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE VOTE ON
THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
MR. SPEAKER, I URGE
MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO AND
DEFEAT THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SO
WE CAN HELP AMERICAN WORKERS AND
ALLOW THIS HOUSE TO DELIVER ON
AN AMENDMENT THAT DESERVES
DEBATE IN THIS BODY.
I URGE A NO VOTE ON THE RULE AS
WELL HAVING LEFT OFF SEVERAL
AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE
IMPROVE THESE BIPARTISAN BILLS.
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO YIELDS
BACK HIS TIME.
THE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR
THE RULE.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME AND I MOVE THE PREVIOUS
QUESTION ON THE RESOLUTION.
THE
TIME.
THE QUESTION IS ON ORDERING THE
PREVIOUS QUESTION ON THE
RESOLUTION.
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
THE AYES HAVE IT.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.
ON THAT I ASK FOR THE
YEAS AND NAYS.
THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
THOSE FAVORING A VOTE BY THE
YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
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 ADOPTION.
THIS IS A 15-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
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY
PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.]
ON
THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 226,
THE NAYS ARE 176.
THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS
ORDERED.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
VOTE.
A
RECORDED VOTE IS REQUESTED.
THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE
WILL RISE.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
RISEN A RECORDED VOTE IS
ORDERED.
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES
BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
THIS IS A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING
INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION
WITH 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 237.
THE NOES ARE 163.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, A THE MOTION
TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE
TABLE.
THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA RISE?
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY
HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO
REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS
AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL
ON H.R. 2218.
WITHOUT
OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 392
AND RULE 18, THE CHAIR DECLARES
THE HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE HOUSE ON THE STATE OF
THE UNION FOR CONSIDERATION OF
H.R. 2218.
THE CHAIR APPOINTS THE GENTLEMAN
FROM ARKANSAS, MR. WOMACK, TO
PRESIDE OVER THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE.
THE THOUSANDS IS IN
THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION FOR
THE CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2218
WHICH THE CLERK WILL REPORT BY
A BILL TO AMEND THE
CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM UNDER THE
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION ACT OF 1965.
THE HOUSE WILL BE IN
ORDER.
MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
CLEAR THE AISLES.
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE BILL
IS CONSIDERED AS READ THE FIRST
TIME OF THE THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MINNESOTA, WILL KLEIN -- MR.
KLEIN, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM
CALIFORNIA, MR. GEORGE MILLER,
EACH WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA.
I THANK THE CHAIRMAN.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THE HOUSE IS NOT
CORRECT.
THE HOUSE IS NOT IN ORDER.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE IN ORDER.
MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO TAKE THEIR
CONVERSATIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
AND CLEAR THE AISLES.
THE GENTLEMAN MAY PROCEED.
I THANK THE CHAIRMAN.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I RISE TODAY IN
SUPPORT OF H.R. 2218 AND YIELD
MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY
RECOGNIZED.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THE
HOUSE IS STILL NOT IN ORDER.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THE HOUSE IS
NOT IN ORDER.
THE COMMITTEE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
THE CHAIR RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS
THAT MEMBERS TAKE THEIR
CONVERSATIONS FROM THE FLOOR AND
TO CLEAR THE AISLES.
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
THE EMPOWERING PARENTS FOR
QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT IS A
KEY COMPONENT OF OUR EFFORTS TO
REFORM THE NATION'S EDUCATION
SYSTEM AND ENSURE MORE STUDENTS
LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
MR. CHAIRMAN, COULD WE HAVE
ORDER IN THE HOUSE, PLEASE.
RECOGNIZED.
CHAIRMAN.
I JOIN MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO HAVE BEEN
STRONG PREOPPONENTS OF CHARTER
SCHOOLS FOR THE BREADTH OF
OPPORTUNITIES THEY OFFER
THESE INNOVATIVE INSTITUTIONS
EMPOWER PARENTS TO PLAY A MORE
ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR CHILD'S
EDUCATION AND OFFER STUDENTS THE
PRICELESS OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE
UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOLS.
THEY ALSO OPEN DOORS FOR
EDUCATORS TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE
FRESH TEACHING METHODS UNIQUELY
GEARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
THEIR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.
THE STORIES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS'
SUCCESS ARE IMPRESSIVE.
STUDENTS WHO PREVIOUSLY HAD
LITTLE HOPE HAVE BEEN INSPIRED
BY EXCELLENT TEACHERS TO REACH
NEW HEIGHTS.
THE TALES OF GROUNDBREAKING
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT
LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE
MOTIVATED SURROUNDING PUBLIC
SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE.
PARENTS HAVE WITNESSED CHILDREN
OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TRANSITION
FROM STRUGGLING TO EXSELLING AS
A RESULT OF THEIR CHARTER SCHOOL
EDUCATION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NOT
ENOUGH CHARTER SCHOOLS TO MEET
AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
STUDENTS REMAIN ON WAIT LISTS
EACH YEAR.
THE LEGISLATION WE CONSIDER
TODAY TAKES IMPORTANT STEPS TO
ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE HIGH
QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS IN
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED
STATES.
THE BIPARTISAN EMPOWERING
PARENTS OF QUALITY CHARTER
SCHOOLS ACT WILL CONSOLIDATE
FUNDING UNDER THE FEDERAL
CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM INTO THE
EXISTING STATE GRANT PROGRAM.
THIS WILL ALLOW STATE
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES, STATE
CHARTER SCHOOL BOARDS, AND
GOVERNORS THE FREEDOM TO AWARD
SUBGRANTS TO SUPPORT NEW CHARTER
SCHOOLS AS WELL AS REPRESENTLY
KATE OR EXPAND HIGH QUALITY --
REPLICATE OR EXPAND HIGH QUALITY
CHARTER SCHOOLS, TO FACILITATE
THE GROWTH OF CHARTER SCHOOLS,
THIS ACT WILL GIVE FUNDING
PRIORITY TO THOSE THAT LIFT
ARBITRARY CAPS ON THE NUMBER OF
STATE.
THEY PROVIDE PRIORITY TO STATES
TO TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO
ENCOURAGE CHARTER SCHOOL GROWTH,
SUCH AS ALLOWING MORE THAN ONE
STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY TO
AUTHORIZE CHARTER SCHOOLS OR
PROMOTING CHARTERS AS A SOLUTION
TO IMPROVE STRUGGLING PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
AS WE WORK TO INCREASE THE
PRESENCE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN
THE UNITED STATES, WE MUST ALSO
PROTECT LIMITED TAXPAYER FUNDS
AND MAKE SURE EVERY DOLLAR IS
WELL SPENT.
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT CHARTER
SCHOOLS ARE THE EPITOME OF
PERFORMANCE-BASED EDUCATION.
IN EXCHANGE FOR INCREASED
FLEXIBILITY AND AUTONOMY, THESE
SCHOOLS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THE EMPOWERING PARENTS THROUGH
QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT WILL
ENSURE CHARTER SCHOOLS CONTINUE
TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY
SUPPORTING AN EVALUATION OF
SCHOOLS' IMPACT ON STUDENTS,
FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WHILE
ALSO ENCOURAGING SHARED BEST
PRACTICES BETWEEN CHARTER AND
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE A VITAL PART
OF OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE
EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN.
THIS LEGISLATION DOES NOT
REPRESENT THE WHOLE SOLUTION.
ALL OF US RECOGNIZE THAT
ADDITIONAL MEASURES MUST BE
ENACTED TO SUPPORT EXCELLENCE
AND INNOVATION IN THE AMERICAN
EDUCATION SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, THIS ACT TAKES AN
IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
I'M VERY PLEASED THAT MEMBERS OF
THE EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE
COMMITTEE HAVE PUT THEIR
DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND WORKED
THROUGH A VERY BIPARTISAN
PROCESS TO DEVELOP AN
EXCEPTIONAL PIECE OF
LEGISLATION.
I'D LIKE TO THANK MEMBERS AND
THEIR STAFFS FOR THESE EFFORTS
AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE AISLE TO JOIN WITH
US IN SUPPORTING THIS POSITIVE
LEGISLATION.
I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME
IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
I YIELD MYSELF FIVE
MINUTES.
THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I RISE TODAY IN