Floor Statements

I thank my colleague from New York for his tremendous leadership and my friend from the other side of the aisle for her support for this critical bill and so many others that are important to our country. I would like to thank Chairman Berman and Representative Brad Miller for their leadership along with 39 of our colleagues who have cosponsored this important Resolution 1227. I thank my colleagues for highlighting the sexual violence crisis that is plaguing the women and girls of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the DRC.

The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the world's richest countries in natural resources, but it has been recognized as the worst place on Earth to be a girl or a woman. Women and girls from the age of 8 to 80 are being violently raped systematically on a scale unimaginable in the hundreds of thousands. As a strategy of war, they are often raped with guns and knives which destroy their sexual organs and forces them into a life of suffering from fistula and other deformities.

As my friend from the great State of Florida mentioned, there are hospitals that are dedicated only to trying to restore their destroyed bodies from not only rape but the use of a knife or a gun. Countless women are being sold in sexual slavery for months on end. According to UNICEF, the DRC is currently witnessing the world's deadliest humanitarian crisis since World War II.

In this war, the battlefield is literally the bodies of women and girls. Congress must continue its commitment to the people of the DRC as it has demonstrated in the past.

I thank my colleagues for their support. The women in DRC and the girls deserve justice.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6842, the National Capital Security and Safety Act and in opposition of the Childers substitute. H.R. 6842 is a commonsense bill that requires the District of Columbia to revise its gun laws in order to comply with the recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of District Columbia v. Heller within 6 months and does not violate Home Rule and the self governance of the District of Columbia.

Over 30 years ago, the District banned the ownership of handguns, making it among the stiffest bans in the Nation. Like many large metropolitan areas, gun violence contributes to the high crime rates in the District, but the ban has helped to reduce homicide rates. Instead of working to increase the number of guns in the District, we should be helping to stem the availability of these weapons and protecting District residents and visitors from the threat of violence. This Congress should not be dictating to the District of Columbia the laws that govern them when their own elected delegate does not even have the right to vote on her own bill or its substitute.

The Childers substitute is dangerous. It both ignores the will of District residents and puts more guns on the street of our Nation's Capital. The Childers substitute repeals a ban on semi-automatic weapons and removes the ban on carrying these weapons in public, prohibits registration requirements for most guns, and drops criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm.

Mr. Chairman, Congress must not strip the District of its power to regulate guns. We must not be reckless when it comes to protecting the citizens of D.C., our highest elected officials, and visitors to our Nation's Capital. I urge a vote in favor of the Norton bill and strongly urge a ``no'' vote on the Childers substitute which severely puts the safety of the District at risk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6604, the Commodity Markets Transparent Accountability Act.

Before I outline my opposition to this legislation, I want to be clear that I am seriously concerned about the cost of oil and the cost Americans are paying at the pump. To this end, I have been proud to support a series of other bills that this House has considered to

help bring down the cost Americans are paying at the pump as well as efforts to create new alternative and renewable sources of energy. I have been a long-term supporter of reforming the royalties the oil and gas industry pays for the natural resources they extract from public lands. Last year I was proud to stand with my colleagues as we, for the first time in a generation, increased the fuel efficiency standards on cars sold here in the United States. Just yesterday, I was pleased to vote in favor of H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act. The legislation is a bold step forward, helping end our dependence on foreign oil and increase our national security. It launches a clean renewable energy future that creates new American jobs, expands domestic energy supply--including new offshore drilling--and invents and builds more efficient vehicles, buildings, homes, and infrastructure. It will lower costs to consumers and protect the interests of taxpayers. It is a comprehensive strategy and the product of bipartisan compromise.

I want to be clear that I am completely opposed to energy manipulation, which is a crime, but what we are talking about here is the role of legitimate investors in the commodities market. To that end, my main concern with this legislation is that it would crack down on legitimate trading practices, resulting in the loss of American jobs.

Additionally, I am concerned that this legislation will significantly reduce liquidity in the U.S. futures and derivatives markets and drive trading overseas at a very precarious time for U.S. financial markets. This legislation also could create legal uncertainty and could also increase market disruption in the over-the-counter, OTC, markets. Moving this trading overseas and creating legal uncertainties could result in lost jobs here in the United States, especially for our constituents who work in these markets. At a time we are fighting to keep New York City and the United States as the financial capital of the world, any measure that could cost our economy quality jobs without providing any benefit in return is not a measure I can support.

Joining me in my skepticism that speculators have been able to manipulate the oil market is what many may consider an unlikely source, Paul Krugman of the New York Times.

In a May 12, 2008 column, titled ``The Oil Nonbubble'', Krugman writes:

``The only way speculation can have a persistent effect on oil prices, then, is if it leads to physical hoarding--an increase in private inventories of black gunk. This actually happened in the late 1970s, when the effects of disrupted Iranian supply were amplified by widespread panic stockpiling.

But it hasn't happened this time: all through the period of the alleged bubble, inventories have remained at more or less normal levels. This tells us that the rise in oil prices isn't the result of runaway speculation; it's the result of fundamental factors, mainly the growing difficulty of finding oil and the rapid growth of emerging economies like China. The rise in oil prices these past few years had to happen to keep demand growth from exceeding supply growth.''

To be clear, I stand ready to support legislation that will reduce the cost Americans are paying at the pump, and I am fully in support of efforts to create new, affordable and renewable energy options that will move us towards energy independence. However, this legislation, while certainly well intentioned, could potentially create more harm than good and lead to the loss of American jobs.

Madam Speaker, the U.S. Justice Department estimates that 8 percent of all rapes occur on the job. Yet, many of these victims are told their only remedy is workers' compensation. When rape occurs on the job, employers should not be able to hide behind a system designed to compensate for job-related accidents. The bill that I am introducing today sends a clear message: Rape is not all in a days work.

Workers' compensation systems were created by States to provide a means of redress for work-related personal injuries which occur during the course of employment. Workers' compensation is an exclusive remedy. In the event that an injury is covered by workers' compensation, no other legal action may be taken by the injured employee. This bill gives victims of workplace violence across the Nation a remedy outside the workers' compensation system. It does this by creating a Federal civil rights cause of action, under certain conditions, for employees who have been the victims of gender-motivated violence at work.

We need to create an American workplace safe from violent crime. This bill will encourage employers to create a job environment free of violent sexual assault and rape.

Madam Speaker, on September 9, 2008, I missed rollcall votes numbered 567, bill to designate the United States courthouse located in the 700 block of East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, as the ``Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr., United States Courthouse'', 568, a bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse''; and 569, the Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2007.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 567, 568, and 569.

Madam Speaker, on September 15, 2008, I missed rollcall votes numbered 589, a resolution honoring the dedication and outstanding work of military support groups across the country for their steadfast support of the members of our Armed Forces and their families; 590, a resolution honoring the 28th Infantry Division for serving and protecting the United States; and 591, a bill to extend the authority of the Secretary of Education to purchase guaranteed student loans for an additional year, and for other purposes.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 589, 590, and 591.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6899, and I thank Speaker Pelosi for bringing it to the floor today.

This Democratic energy plan increases domestic energy supply, ensures more renewable energy and greater energy efficiency, and protects the American taxpayers by making sure that Big Oil pays their fair share of royalties.

It takes strong action to lower the price at the pump, free our nation from its reliance on foreign oil, and create good-paying, green collar jobs right here in America.

Quite simply, it is the American-owned, 21st century energy policy the country has been waiting for.

My Republican counterparts have been advocating a ``drill, baby, drill'' approach, which supports any drilling, any where, any time, no matter the environmental consequences.

Instead, H.R. 6899 offers a responsible compromise on drilling, with strong environmental protections.

We don't need ``drill, baby, drill' when we can have ``change-baby- change.''

That's what this bill gives us.

Mr. Speaker, today, I join my colleagues to remember and celebrate the life of a dear friend and colleague, Stephanie Tubbs Jones. It is during times like these that we are both able to smile, thinking about those who we admired and who have distinctly touched our lives--and in the case of Stephanie Tubbs Jones--touched the lives of thousands of Clevelanders who were so devoted to her and she to them. And of course, we sadly mourn the death of a woman who was dedicated to making the lives of Ohioans and Americans better. From increasing the minimum wage to making healthcare available to all, Stephanie was at the forefront, fighting for all of our families.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is the real-life American success story. Born to a factory worker and skycap, Stephanie went to public schools in Ohio, then became a prosecutor and municipal judge and finally, the first African-American woman from Ohio elected to the United States Congress. Nearly 10 years ago, she was a little-known Democrat from Ohio who rose to prominence becoming Chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Like so many, Stephanie was taken from us too soon and too abruptly. I extend my sincerest condolences to Stephanie's family and especially to her beloved son, Mervyn. Your mom was a great lady and a wonderful friend. We will all miss her dearly.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a true American institution--James R. McManus, who has led the McManus Midtown Democratic Association since 1963, on the occasion of his 74th birthday. Jim McManus has devoted his life to New York politics and to his community. He is a warm and generous friend, and a thoughtful advisor to generations of politicians.

Politics is in Jim's blood. He was born into one of the great political families. His great-uncle Thomas J. McManus (widely known as ``The McManus'' or just simply ``The'') earned the respect of the entire political world by defeating George Washington Plunkitt, one of the most powerful members of Tammany Hall, to win the position of District Leader. He later became a New York State Assemblyman and State Senator. Jim's great-uncle Charles A. McManus was Vice President of the Board of Aldermen, the predecessor to the New York City Council. His father, Eugene McManus, was a local District Leader. And Jim McManus has followed the family tradition and proudly serves as District Leader and leader of the McManus Midtown Democratic Association.

Under Jim's leadership, the McManus Midtown Democratic Association is one of the few political clubs that continue to consider service to the community to be one of their prime responsibilities. People turn to the club for help with housing, social services, immigration, education, ESL classes and other concerns. Through the years, they have helped thousands of local residents and businesses resolve difficult problems.

Jim McManus worked for 12 years in the production department of The New York Times, and subsequently was a senior administrator of the Board of Elections. He has also worked with the family funeral home. Throughout, politics was Jim's first love and his chief preoccupation. Jim loves his neighborhood, his city and his country, and he has always worked to improve the quality of life in his community. He is a giant in New York's Democratic Party. His advice and good wishes are deeply valued.

Of all the events on the political calendar, the one I have always liked best is the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast hosted by Jim McManus and a few fortunate others. Everyone who is anyone in New York politics views this event as a mandatory stop--politicians from both parties, Mayors, Senators, Congressmembers, local elected officials all stop by to pay homage to the Irish, and to salute the magnificent Jim McManus.

Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing one of New York's great political forces--the incomparable James McManus.

Madam Speaker, this bill amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act, EFAA, to provide a 1-time adjustment in certain dollar amounts to account for inflation over the 21 years since the enactment of such Act, to provide for future adjustments of such amounts on a regular basis, and for other purposes.

In reviewing the effects of the Check 21 Act, it came to the attention of many observers, including the Federal Reserve, that the amounts specified by the EFAA as available for immediate withdrawal had not been increased in over two decades and no provision had been made for indexing those amounts for inflation. This bill accomplishes those two goals with respect to some of the amounts specified in the statute.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve approved an earlier version of this legislation which also contained provisions increasing the amounts immediately available under the large deposit and new account sections of the EFAA. Those provisions have been removed from this legislation due to industry concerns, but no provisions have been added that were not approved by the Board.

This legislation is long overdue and will adjust basic banking regulations for inflation.

Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Community Protection and Response Act to eliminate confusion in responding to disasters following homeland security events.

One of the major lessons learned in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001 is that timely response is critical. Any delay complicates short-, medium-, and long-term recovery efforts. Sadly, many of the lessons that we have learned have gone without an appropriate response.

In response to the attacks of September 11th, for example, Congress took a series of actions to bring relief to affected areas. These legislative actions along with existing statutes, including the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Act and the Disaster Mitigation Act, formed the framework for the Federal Government's response. The magnitude of the attacks and the need for Congress to take action before certain relief could be delivered added to the challenge of the recovery efforts and exposed critical weaknesses in Federal authority to respond.

The Community Protection and Response Act would amend the Stafford Act along with other statutes and would give the President a series of policy options to choose from following a homeland security event. A homeland security event is defined as an event that poses a significant risk to the security of people and property and is of such magnitude that effective response is beyond the scope and capability of the affected State and local government. Many of these options are based on congressional action following September 11th, or other policy suggestions in reports by the Congressional Research Service, the General Accounting Office and the New York branch of the Federal Reserve. Specifically, in the event of a homeland security event, the President can provide grants for lost tax revenue, aid to school systems, and assistance to medical facilities and utility companies. The bill also establishes guidelines to ensure the public health of area residents and disaster workers.

This bill is an important failsafe and preventative measure that will ensure America is prepared to respond to any homeland security event in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of American Citizens Abroad, ACA. This organization deserves to be honored for promoting and protecting the rights of the global American community thereby contributing to the political, social and economic prosperity of all Americans.

Americans living abroad are a key demographic in many ways and are often overlooked in Washington. Americans living abroad continue to vote and pay taxes in the United States. Their role in extending American influence around the globe is vital to the well-being of our Nation. Moreover, they are unofficial ambassadors, often the first contact many people around the world have with America and our nation's representatives abroad.

The ACA provides reports containing important information and statistics free of charge to contribute to hearings and debates in the Congress on issues of importance to the American community abroad and to all citizens at home. These efforts are designed to help Congress and the Federal government better understand and serve the members of the American community abroad. The ACA also works hard to ensure that Americans are aware of their rights and privileges while living abroad.

The ACA was founded on July 10th, 1978 in Geneva, Switzerland. Since its inception the ACA has brought together U.S. citizens living all over the world to work together to promote and protect their rights. As a cofounder of the Americans Abroad Caucus with Rep. Joe Wilson, it gives me great pleasure to stand before this Congress and honor the 30th anniversary of this wonderful organization.

Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing the ``Whatever It Takes to Rebuild Act of 2008''.

A disaster can leave the tax base of an affected community eroded, necessitating Federal assistance to pay for essential services. These essential services, including police, fire, and school personnel, are even more critical in the wake of a disaster. To aid communities, Congress created the Community Disaster Loan Program. While this program has worked with great success, there are two significant issues that need to be fixed. The first issue is that this assistance is delivered in the form of a loan and the second is that any loan is limited to $5 million. Providing this aid as a loan can further delay the recovery of a local community and the $5 million cap does not allow for adequate assistance for medium or large communities.

The ``Whatever It Takes to Rebuild Act'' would repeal the requirement that disaster affected communities repay the assistance they receive under the Community Disaster Loan Program. This legislation would permanently repeal the $5 million cap on these loans, would make states eligible for this assistance, repeal the cap that limits loans to 25 percent of a municipality's operating expenses, and would provide this assistance as grants when a disaster has been declared an ``Incident of National Significance'' under the National Response plan. All of these provisions are aimed at giving the federal government the tools and flexibility we need to fully respond following a disaster.

This program was used most recently immediately following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. While it was able to provide significant benefits, repayment requirements have raised significant hurdles for many recipient communities. In the wake of a disaster, the government should give American communities the financial assistance they need to get back on their feet with no strings attached. That is why I am reintroducing the ``Whatever It Takes to Rebuild Act.''

Madam Speaker, on July 30, 2008, I missed rollcall vote No. 542, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and rollcall vote No. 543, H.R. 4040, the Conference Report for the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes Nos. 542 and 543.

Mr. Chairman, we talk about family values. And the most important way that we can show that we value families is to ensure that a woman earns a fair day's pay.

Most women work outside the home, including over 70 percent of all mothers. Yet among full-time workers, women earn only 77 percent compared to men. Unequal pay practices hurt not only women but their entire families. The typical wife brings home about one-third of her family's income.

The Paycheck Fairness Act will help prevent, regulate, and reduce discrimination against women. It will prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information with their coworkers, as we saw in the Lilly Ledbetter case.

Women's work should be valued equally. This bill is an important step towards gender equality. And I thank my colleagues, Rosa, George, and many others, for their hard work on it.

Most women are in the labor force, including over 70 percent of all mothers. Yet, women continue to earn less than men even if they have similar educational levels and work in similar kinds of jobs.

A 2003 Government Accountability Office (GAO) study that I commissioned showed that when occupation, marital status, job tenure, industry, and race are accounted for, women still earn 80 cents for every dollar men earn.

Research has found that women's choices cannot explain about 40 percent of the wage gap between men and women.

Pay discrimination hurts not only a working woman, but her entire family--especially in the face of rising prices for basics, like food and gasoline.

The typical wife brings home about a third of her family's total income. Over the past three decades, only those families who have a working wife have seen real increases in family income: Families without a working wife have real incomes today that are nearly identical to what they were over 35 years ago.

Congress passed the Equal Pay Act nearly half a century ago, yet women still experience pay discrimination.

According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, working women stand to lose $250,000 over the course of their career because of unequal pay practices.

The Paycheck Fairness Act will prevent, regulate and reduce pay discrimination for working women nationwide. It will help women become better negotiators, enforce equal pay laws for federal contractors, and require the Department of Labor to work with employers to eliminate pay disparities.

As we saw in the Lilly Ledbetter case, if a woman doesn't know how much her male colleagues earn, she cannot know that she is being discriminated against.

The Paycheck Fairness Act will prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information with their co-workers.

Women need to know the true value of the jobs that they do and this is an important step towards gender parity.

I strongly urge you to vote yes on this bill.