Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Paul Hamm for his historic 2004 Olympic gold medal in the individual All- Around exercise, for his silver medal on the high bar exercise, and for being a member of the silver medal-winning U.S. men's Olympic gymnastics team.

Paul showed to the entire world courage, fortitude, and the American spirit of determination in overcoming adversity during his all-around competition. After the fourth of six rotations, Paul was a distant 12th, but he did not

give up. He willed his way through flawless executions on the parallel bars and the high bars to retake first, claim the gold medal, and make history.

However, this was not the first time that Paul has made history. Paul also became the first American man to win the individual all-around world title last year at the 2003 World Championships in Anaheim, California. Hamm completed a clutch performance on the difficult high bar routine during the final rotation to secure the title. He was only the second American to win a medal in the all-around world competition. Paul also secured a gold medal for the floor exercise, helping to lead his team to a silver medal.

In 2003, Paul was named by the International Gymnastics Federation as the Gymnast of the Year. Without question, gymnastics has no better representative.

Paul was born in Wisconsin, but chose to train for the Olympics at The Ohio State University. Paul is now a distinguished resident of Columbus, and his community is proud of all that he has accomplished.

Again, I congratulate Paul for the dedication and hard work he has demonstrated over the years, and for the incredible achievements that he has made both personally and with his team while representing our great nation on the world stage in Athens.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Morgan Hamm, member of the silver medal winning U.S. men's Olympic gymnastics team, for his contribution and leadership to this team's historic performance.

Along with his twin brother Paul, Morgan made the Olympic team for the Sydney games as its youngest member at the age of 17. After the Sydney Games, Morgan smashed a nerve casing in his left shoulder and struggled with this injury for two years. However, while only partially recovered, Morgan overcame adversity and showed his determination by winning the floor exercise title in the 2002 U.S. National competition. At the 2003 U.S. Nationals, he won another floor title, and later that year, helped the U.S. to a silver medal in the team competition at the World Championships.

As a two-time Olympian, Morgan has provided a strong leadership role to his team and helped the United States secure its first men's gymnastics medal in twenty years.

While Morgan was born in Wisconsin, he chose to train for the Olympics at The Ohio State University and is now a distinguished resident of Columbus. His community is proud of all that he has accomplished.

Again, I congratulate Morgan for the dedication and hard work he has demonstrated over the years, and for the memorable achievements that he has made both personally and with his team while representing our great nation on the world stage in Athens.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 754 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 754 is an open rule which provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided between the gentleman from Ohio and the gentleman from Wisconsin on H.R. 5006, the fiscal year 2005 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and against provisions in the bill except as specified in this resolution.

After general debate, any Member wishing to offer an amendment may do so as long as it complies with the regular rules of the House.

The bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph, and the rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record.

Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, we have before us today a funding package that fulfills our promises to hard-working Americans and their families. Before I summarize the main components of this package, it is worth taking a big-picture view of the context in which we consider this incredibly important legislation today.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues in this Chamber and all Americans listening to this debate today need no reminder that the world has changed dramatically since the terrorist attacks on our Nation. While we hang our flags a little higher and wear our stars and stripes a little more often these days, we do so in part as a response to the tragedy that took place on our soil on September 11.

The war against terror has brought us many new challenges; namely, how best to protect our homeland and keep it safe from future acts of terrorism. That is not an easy job. Yet each day that goes by without an act of terror in America's neighborhoods offers us reassurance that we are doing what is necessary to protect our Nation from harm, and each day monumental steps are being taken an ocean away in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to nab terrorist cells and offer citizens of these nations new opportunities to live their lives free of fear and full of promise.

Mr. Speaker, as I see it, we cannot have a discussion about domestic priorities without taking a look at the bigger picture, without recognizing up front that we do, in fact, live in a different world today, and that we have sizable commitments to fulfill that we did not have a few years ago.

Like so many of my colleagues, I hear quite a bit from my constituents back home about the need to balance spending priorities. In fact, many of the candidate surveys I filled out this year for reelection specifically asked, ``If elected, how do you intend to balance domestic priorities with fighting the war on terror and protecting the homeland?'' In 100 words or less, I might add. Now, that is a tall order.

But really, that is a very fair question and one that we in Congress, especially Members who sit on our Committee on Appropriations, must take very seriously.

So my purpose here today is to assure the American people that while we have incredible demands, expectations and commitments to fulfill as we continue to fight the war on terror and protect our homeland, we remain equally determined to fund critical initiatives here in the United States in a fiscally responsible manner.

Today I am privileged to be the first to give my colleagues the lay of the land as to how this Congress intends to fulfill its promises to Americans across the country in the areas of education, health and labor.

I am proud to report that the gentleman from Florida, the gentleman from Ohio and their colleagues on the Committee on Appropriations have produced a funding plan that reflects our priorities, meets our goals, and, most importantly, places the greatest amount of funding in the areas where we need it most.

Since the beginning of the 108th Congress, we have made tremendous progress in strengthening our Nation's education system. This House has moved forward measures to ensure our schools have the tools they need to meet President Bush's call for high standards and accountability, and while making remarkable progress, our work is not yet done.

The legislation before us today recognizes the important role education programs play in the lives of children with special needs by funding special education grants at the highest level in history, at over $11 billion. My friends watching in my home State of Ohio will be pleased to know that since fiscal year 2003, money directed to our State for special education programs has increased by 25 percent.

This legislation also recognizes the critical role that teachers play in the education of our Nation's students. We all remember those teachers who inspired us to learn and to succeed. We want to give every teacher tools to inspire their students. That is why this bill provides nearly $3 billion for grants to States to administer professional development programs for their teachers.

Of course, educating our Nation's children is a shared responsibility, at a Federal, State and a local level.

And I think my colleagues would agree with me that the Federal Government is fulfilling its role in dedicating funds to strengthen our Nation's education system.

When we talk about education, often our first thoughts are about the millions of American children who deserve to have good teachers, small classrooms, up-to-date textbooks, and a safe environment in which to learn. And while we can give our children the best of each of those things, if the child does not have his health, these things mean nothing. Same goes for adults who go to work every day to provide for their families. Without their health, productivity decreases, paychecks stop coming, and families struggle.

Good health is really the backbone to living a quality life. The Federal Government, through partnerships with State, local, and private entities, have made significant investments in medical research and health programs for years now. A few years ago, Congress fulfilled its commitment to doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health, the medical research arm of the Federal Government. This truly was a remarkable goal and an even more remarkable achievement to meet such a goal. Since then, Congress has not rested on its laurels. We continue to provide significant increases in funding for NIH, as indicated by the $700 million increase in funds over last year's level. This brings NIH funding to a record high of $28.5 billion.

We all know that investments in research yield new treatments, but those treatments are only meaningful if they are accessible to those who need them. The legislation before us today recognizes the unique role that community health centers play in neighborhoods across America. These centers help ensure that the neediest in our communities have access to health care services.

President Bush and this Congress are committed to increasing Federal support for community health centers.

This bill expands the President's Community Health Center initiative to increase the role of community health centers in our neighborhoods by funding the program at $1.8 billion, an increase of $200 million over last year.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment to highlight one other critical health-related program included in this package. That is the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program. This program, funded at $303 million, helps our Nation's children's hospitals train future pediatricians. It is a wonderful program that has been increased significantly in funding based on annual evaluations since its very inception. I want to give a special thanks to both the chairman and the ranking member for supporting this critical program again this year.

Last but not least, this legislation makes clear Congress' support for job training programs and assistance for dislocated workers. The worker-training portion of the bill restores funding for core job training to over $1.5 billion and provides another $1.5 billion to assist displaced workers. Mr. Speaker, the best part of this package is that it recognizes that we have limited resources to spend, yet still meets America's needs with those resources. It demonstrates that funding America's priorities can be both generous and responsible.

Before closing, I would like to once again express my appreciation to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) for their tremendous leadership as they have worked tirelessly this year to assure that Congress spends generously but wisely. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and approve the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the dean of the delegation from the great State of Ohio and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), a champion and leader in the area of education.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Today we have a unique opportunity to tell the American people what their government is doing with their money. While this Congress remains fully committed to fighting the war on terror and protecting our homeland, we remain just as focused on meeting the needs of Americans here at home. That is what we are doing today.

This carefully crafted package reflects the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring that children with special needs and the teachers who inspire them to learn have the tools they need in school to succeed. This package also reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that critical agencies like the National Institutes of Health can conduct medical research to better treat illnesses and making certain that those treatments get into the hands of the Americans who need them. This package also reflects the government's commitment to seeing that men and women looking for new jobs receive the helping hand and training that they need to bring home a paycheck.

Mr. Speaker, the authors of this appropriations package, my good friend from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and his committee, were asked to do a very tough job this year, to balance spending priorities. Once again, they have met this challenge by producing a carefully crafted product that provides considerable increases for vital programs and services while preserving our commitment to spending taxpayers' dollars wisely.

I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it shall be in order at any time without intervention of any point of order to consider in the House S. 15; the bill shall be considered as read for amendment; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except:

(1), 90 minutes of debate on the bill with 60 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 15 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform, and 15 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security; and, (2), one motion to recommit.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman.

Over the past 3 years, the Agriculture appropriations bill has funded a very important aquaculture research program at the Ohio State University which is in my district but which serves the entire State. I am concerned that language in this year's bill might divert that funding away from the Ohio State University. I support this project in its current form and am proud of the work that has been accomplished. Given that this historical funding arrangement has worked well in the past, I would like to ask the chairman to work with me in conference to ensure that this aquaculture funding continues to be directed toward the Ohio State University.

I thank the gentleman, Mr. Chairman.

Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Lucas of Oklahoma

Madam Speaker, the citizens of Ohio join me in my sincere condolences to Mrs. Reagan and her family during these very difficult times and to express my humble thoughts on the legacy of Ronald Reagan. While we have all heard him called the Great Communicator, he was so much more. He had a commanding presence. He captivated all who listened by his simple and eloquent demeanor, but he was so much more. He was great at communicating, yes, but, more importantly, he communicated great things.

His ideas resonated with the American people because they were the people's ideas. His vision for America made sense to us all because we had those same dreams in our very own hearts. His principles were clear because they were the very values we all held so dearly then as we do now: freedom, responsibility, peace through strength.

The irony is that Ronald Reagan did not speak to the people; we somehow spoke through him. We saw ourselves and we heard our own hearts in the words that he spoke. He was one of us, and that is why this Nation truly mourns his loss this week.

May we all seek to promote the principles that Ronald Reagan embodied, lived and enunciated so courageously over the course of his magnificent life.

Mr. Speaker, there are no words that can lessen the intensity of families' grief and profound loss after learning that a son, daughter, or relative serving in the Armed Forces has fallen in the line of duty. I have recently written to five central Ohio families who have suffered such a loss as Part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and each time it weighs heavily on my heart.

Army Pfc. Kevin Ott, Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner, Pfc. Nicholaus Zimmer, Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Reese, and Army Master Sgt. George Fernandez were the truest of all patriots. These soldiers will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved them, and their families are in my thoughts and prayers.

The unique sacrifice that fallen soldiers share, giving their lives for the development and protection of freedom, place them among those in our history who will be remembered for dedicating themselves to the greatest of all ideals that we as Americans hold dear.

America is eternally grateful to these and all of our soldiers for their courageous and dedicated service to our great nation and their valor in bringing freedom to the Iraqi and Afghani people. They have not only worked to bring liberation and justice to these oppressed people, but have also made America safer from the threat of terrorism by rooting out evil where it is hiding around the globe. I am extremely impressed by the poise and sense of duty and purpose with which all our young men and women in the armed forces conduct themselves. Their resolve to finish the job, because it means doing the right thing for the world even in the face of making the ultimate sacrifice, is truly inspiring.

This Memorial Day, I will reflect on the sacrifices made by these soldiers and the long list of men and women who viewed their lives as subject to the preservation of liberty. May God bless our troops, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read a few statistics on the state of the economy.

America's economy grew at its fastest quarterly rate in 20 years, a positively sizzling 8.2 percent. Manufacturing activities have risen to their highest level in nearly 2 decades. Worker productivity is near a 20-year high. More folks than ever before own their own homes. Inflation, interest rates, and mortgage rates are near historic lows. Last month marked the ninth consecutive month of increased employment. The jobless rate is below the average for the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s.

But one American out of work is one too many. So today, we will try to empower those who want to work by creating personal reemployment accounts to give these folks the help and the incentives they need to find jobs. Real help for real families, that is what this Republican- led Congress is all about.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 656, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 656 provides for 1 hour of debate in the House, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. It also provides for an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 444 shall be considered as adopted.

Section 2 of the resolution provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 444 the clerk shall add the text of H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4410 as passed by the House.

Finally, the resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago, many of us stood in this very Chamber and passed one of the most sweeping policy reforms Congress has ever undertaken reforming our Nation's welfare system. We took a risk that day in 1996 in order to change a failing system that encouraged dependency and discouraged self-sufficiency.

The tangible results are clear. Since 1996, we have seen welfare rolls plummet from 14 million to 5 million. Thousands who for years found themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty today are holding down meaningful jobs, getting promoted, and saving for their child's education. It is time to be bold once again.

For the past several years, the tax policy we have enacted has created over 1 million jobs in the past 8 months, over half of those in the last 2 months alone. The economy grew more in the last 6 months of last year than it had in the previous 2 decades. That is remarkable growth, Mr. Speaker. But still more must be done. There are still many Americans out of work seeking meaningful jobs and rewarding careers.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that when we enact legislation that removes the roadblocks to progress, progress is achieved; when we eradicate programs which foster dependency, we foster independence; and when we create an atmosphere where workers can attain the knowledge and skills to build strong and successful careers, then we empower those seeking a job with the ability to find one.

That is precisely what this plan will do by creating personal reemployment accounts. These new accounts offer an innovative approach to provide unemployed workers with the very tools they need to get back onto their feet and into a lifelong career. These accounts are designed to provide unemployed Americans additional flexibility, greater choice and more control over their employment search and to provide a reemployment bonus for those who find a job quickly.

Under this plan, an individual who is receiving unemployment benefits can access a personal reemployment account of up to $3,000. The personal reemployment accounts will be administered through the one- stop career centers. These centers are already offering assistance to those seeking employment. At these centers, people can use their personal reemployment account for up to 1 year for intensive services like unemployment counseling, case management and job training. Supportive services like child care, transportation, and housing assistance are also available. One-stop career centers are the embodiment of compassion for those who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own.

In the ever-changing, dynamic global economy that we live in, it is natural that some businesses are going to downsize, fold up or restructure, resulting in the laying off of workers. Most of these employees are honest, hard-working people. They want to get back to work, they want to earn their paycheck, and they want to support their families.

In addition to extending a helping hand to those seeking a job, this plan prevents fraud and waste as well, which is important to the program's participants as well as to American taxpayers. Currently, individuals out of work are able to take advantage of the one-stop career centers for free. Now they will be encouraged to shop wisely, paying for those services that they truly need out of the funds in their new accounts. This prevents double-dipping and ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, effectively and efficiently.

But perhaps the best part of this reward-based plan is that individuals who access a personal reemployment account and find employment within 13 weeks will be able to keep the remaining balance as a cash reemployment bonus. They will get 60 percent of the balance at the time they are employed and 40 percent 6 months later if they are still in the job.

Mr. Speaker, this is a common-sense, innovative plan that will empower Americans to find new jobs. It is a plan that will provide out- of-work Americans with access to the resources they truly need: job training, child care, transportation services, or housing assistance, whatever that need might be for that particular individual; and it is a plan that reflects the Republican agenda of creating jobs and getting Americans back to work. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

(Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter), the author of this very important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick), my dear friend and colleague from the Committee on Rules.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my last speaker, my colleague, the gentleman from the great Buckeye State of Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today we are discussing real issues that have real impacts on real families all across this country, whether in my district of Columbus, Ohio, or in any of the other 434 districts my colleagues represent in this body. Americans want to work. They want to provide for their families and themselves. They want to take responsibility for their decisions.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that most of the time when someone loses his or her job it is for reasons beyond their control. As we strive to reach the day when all Americans hold down good jobs, the reality is, as it always has been, some people will be out of work on any given day. So until we reach that day, let us give our friends and neighbors who are unemployed the tools and resources they need to make their own decisions about how best they can find work which suits them. Whether that means using their personal reemployment account for a daycare while they are interviewing, or transportation to that interview, or for a computer training class, whatever they believe they need, let us allow them to have it.

The key here is flexibility, giving the people the power to make choices that best reflect their own situations. The result will be getting people back to work at good-paying jobs, to begin rewarding lifelong careers.

Amendment Offered by Ms. Pryce of Ohio

Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the rule to fix a technical error.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, the amendment, and the underlying resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the amendment and on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 644 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 644 provides for 1 hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

It also provides for consideration of the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Committee on Rules report accompanying the resolution, if offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) or his designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent.

Finally, the resolution waives all points of order against the amendment printed in the report and provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, in 2001, Congress passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which put $1 trillion back into the pockets of the American people and led to the strong economic recovery we are witnessing today. Without that package, the beating that our economy took as a result of September 11 would have been even more disastrous.

This relief plan expanded the child tax credit initially enacted as part of the Tax Relief Act of 1997, increasing it from $400 to $1,000 over 10 years. The jobs and growth package of 2003 accelerated the credit to $1,000 in 2003 and 2004.

Today's bill, sponsored by my friend, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter), addresses the $1,000 tax credit, which is set to snap back to $700 in 2005 if we do not act today. In addition, the bill makes the child tax credit permanent and raises the eligibility limits on those who can claim the credit to include more middle-income parents.

Finally, the bill accelerates the refundability of the child tax credit this year to make it available to more of the Americans who need it, low-income families.

Mr. Speaker, tax relief stimulates economic growth. In 1997, unemployment was at 4.9 percent, and the Republican-led Congress passed the Balanced Budget Act. Unemployment fell to 4.5 percent in 1998, 4.2 percent in 1999, and a rock bottom 4 percent in the year 2000.

In 2001, we passed the Taxpayer Relief Act, putting nearly $1 trillion back into the hands of American families. And given the economic history I will continue with shortly, I am convinced that we would have seen unemployment rates fall even farther. But then September 11 hit, one of the most tragic days in American history. A horrendous loss of life through a murderous act of terrorism; an act that cost our economy trillions.

Unemployment jumped to 5.8 percent in 2002 as millions of Americans lost jobs connected to tourism, services, construction, and the list goes on and on and on. But we knew what to do. We knew how to respond. We knew that simply increasing spending would not lead to long-term viability and sustained recovery. Instead, we had to find a way to put money into the hands of consumers and businesses so they could make smart economic decisions that would begin to rebuild our economy.

So we enacted tax relief. We passed the Jobs and Growth Act to spur spending by American businesses. And after unemployment hit 6 percent in 2003, we saw the positive effects of these cumulative tax cuts begin to take effect. Beginning last November, unemployment steadily began to decrease. So we passed more tax cuts to speed up the process. And you know what happened? Unemployment continued to fall, all the way to 5.6 percent.

Now, some people say that is not good enough. During the so-called tech boom, unemployment was as low as 4 percent. Well, you know what? I agree with them, we must do better. We should always strive to do better. One person unemployed is one too many. And today's bill will do exactly that. It will put $200 billion directly into the hands of American families, families who also happen to be consumers. And every dollar they spend, whether on a package of diapers, a tank of gas, or a car payment, they will be supporting America's jobs.

At the end of the day, that is what this debate is all about, American jobs. It is all about the cumulative effect of a Republican revolution that started in 1994 and led to strong and steady growth in spite of the horrors of September 11.

Beginning 3 weeks ago, we continued our commitment to strengthening the economy by preventing job-destroying tax hikes, passing permanent extensions of the new 10 percent tax bracket, wiping out the punitive marriage penalty, and relieving many families of the burdensome and unfair Alternative Minimum Tax.

Now we have before us the Child Tax Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004. Once again, this bill will make permanent the $1,000 child tax credit, preventing an unfair and unreasonable tax increase of $600 on 30 million taxpayers with 49 million children. After 2010, this bill will prevent a tax hike of $1,100 on 34 million taxpayers with 59 million children.

Finally, the bill helps our soldiers serving in combat by allowing nontaxable combat pay to be taken into account when calculating the refundable portion of the child tax credit. Currently, such pay is excluded from the calculation when calculating eligibility for the credit, thereby depriving thousands of our soldiers of a portion of the credit.

When we accelerated the child tax credit in 2003, 25 million families received checks totaling $14 billion. That is right, $14 billion was given back to consumers to pump into the economy. Imagine what a typical family can do with that kind of money, and $400 is what each typical family would get, a family with one child.

This bill is an opportunity for parents to spend money on their children, whether it is for a vacation, for an education, for diapers, for groceries, for a swingset. Whatever they want, they will have the money, and they can make the decisions. And it will also make our workforce more competitive because we will have that many more jobs.

Mr. Speaker, do we support tax relief for families, tax relief that will enable us to save for our children's education, finance a new house, pay for other activities that will continue to strengthen the economy? I do. I think the answer is a clear yes.

A ``yes'' vote on this rule and the underlying bill is a vote in favor of American families and a vote to spur more economic growth, so I urge a ``yes'' vote on this rule.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), my good friend from the Committee on Rules.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), a champion of this cause.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Ferguson).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

When I vote ``yes'' today, I will be voting for America's hardworking families and their children. I will be voting to strengthen the economy and support American jobs, Mr. Speaker. I invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in voting ``yes'' today on both the rule and the underlying bill. I cannot think of a better vote to take than a vote for America's children and families, the economy and American jobs. It is the right thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, beginning May 3, seniors across the country can take the first steps towards a much-needed prescription drug benefit when they enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug discount card.

The plan gives seniors the power of choice. Seniors will select from a host of prescription discount drug cards and choose the best option suited to their very own needs. On average, seniors will save 10 to 25 percent on their prescriptions.

Not only that, but choice encourages competition. Private companies will be making their prices available for seniors to compare. This, in turn, will foster new, lower prices in an effort to secure seniors' business. We already see this happening. By giving the seniors the choices they need, we also give them lower prices.

Mr. Speaker, the Medicare prescription drug coverage card is long overdue. I am proud of Republicans for providing a viable solution to America's seniors, and I encourage seniors across the country to take advantage of these added benefits.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 638 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague and friend, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 638 provides for separate consideration of three different measures. The rule provides that when these measures are agreed to, each will be engrossed as one bill and sent to the other body.

Mr. Speaker, this week communities across this country are participating in activities associated with Cover the Uninsured Week. Why? Well, because almost 44 million Americans have zero health insurance.

These 44 million Americans live in sleepy towns and bustling towns all across America in each and every one of our districts. They are children and adults. They are families. The majority are hardworking men and women just trying to make a living, provide for their families and offer their children opportunities they may never have had.

Yet nearly 44 million of our constituents are living every day without health insurance coverage. They are living without the security of knowing that they have a family doctor to call upon when they are sick and when it comes to time for their annual checkup. They are living without the security of knowing that when their child is ill, whether it is just a bad bug or a life-threatening ailment, they can access emergency care or see a specialist.

Without a doubt, the major reason people do not have health insurance is because they simply cannot afford it. In fact, 71 percent of the uninsured forego health insurance because of the cost.

As I have come to find, for every 1 percent increase in health insurance premiums, 300,000 more individuals go without health insurance. Whether in the halls of Congress, at the Washington think tanks, among not-for-profit organizations, in the boardrooms of businesses or at the corner coffee shops, everyone is talking about what they believe is the remedy to one of the toughest questions ever asked: How do we stop sky-rocketing health insurance costs and get more people insured?

Quite frankly, I think we have talked long enough. Mr. Speaker, it is time we place on the table the best market-based solutions to provide more Americans with access to quality and affordable health care. So here we are.

Today and tomorrow, this House will debate and consider three legislative solutions. These steps in the right direction will address this larger challenge by focusing on the three major pieces to the puzzle: access, quality and affordability.

The rule we are debating today will allow us to consider legislation to improve upon and strengthen flexible spending accounts, address the sky-rocketing costs of medical liability insurance, and allow small businesses to join together through association health plans.

As I begin to talk in greater detail about each of these initiatives, they may sound rather familiar to my colleagues and to those watching C-SPAN this morning. That is because the House has already considered each of these initiatives in one way, shape or form already, but so far they are going nowhere in the other body. So let us give them one more opportunity.

The first part of our health security plan will improve upon and strengthen flexible spending accounts or FSAs. FSAs allow workers to put money from their paychecks into an account, tax free, to pay for health care expenses. Employees spend this money on health services, giving them responsibility over their own health care decisions and spending.

While FSAs are a great concept and have worked well under current law, the money contributed by employees have actually forfeited to the employer at the end of the year if it is not used. That means use it or lose it.

Our plan would allow up to $500 of that money to be carried over into the following year. If an employee gets to keep $500 in unused money, they will have a greater incentive to make wise decisions about their spending.

Mr. Speaker, we see a barrier standing in the way of access to quality and affordable health care so we are trying to knock it down. It is a solution.

In the second part of our plan, we will revisit a critical initiative to address a growing and dangerous problem in our legal system that impacts each and every one of us, if not today, then tomorrow or in the future. I am talking about our medical liability system, a system that must be reformed if health care in America is to remain affordable.

The medical liability crisis in America is virtually everywhere, but one of the places that we are seeing the most frightening and tangible effects of this crisis is in the area of prenatal care and delivery. This crisis is turning the very necessary treatment of prenatal care into a luxury, sometimes totally unavailable to far too many women.

It is estimated that about one in 10 obstetricians nationwide have actually stopped delivering babies. The crisis is most acute in rural areas where obstetricians are already in short supply. In my State of Ohio, professional liability insurance premiums have increased by 60 percent in the past 2 years. Sixty percent. According to a recent survey, more than 58 percent of responding Ohio OB-GYNs have been forced to make changes to their practice, such as quitting obstetrics all together, retiring, or relocating because of the unaffordability and unavailability of medical liability insurance. Fifty-eight percent of Ohio's obstetricians.

These statistics reflect the reality of real people in our cities and towns who are cutting back their practices or closing up all together. Just last month, an article ran in my local paper about a baby doctor in Columbus, Ohio, facing the prospect of a third year in which he and his OB-GYN partners have seen their malpractice insurance rise by 40 percent or more. He is leaving his practice to teach residents at the local hospital. His two other partners are leaving too, one to an early retirement and the other to Utah, where she will not have to pay malpractice premiums as large as the ones in Ohio. They say they do not have a choice, they have to leave. Together, just this one practice will leave 4,500 patients looking for new doctors. That is 4,500 women who have relied on these talented doctors for years, in just this single practice, with no one to turn to.

One of these women is 7 months pregnant with her fourth child. At 7 months along, she is looking for another doctor to deliver her baby.

This example is not uncommon to my State. It is not only affecting the doctors who currently practice, but it is affecting future doctors and patients. Recently, the chairman of an OB-GYN residency department in Ohio said he is even unable to train future OB-GYNs. He said that due to high liability premiums, it is difficult to find faculty to teach obstetrics residents. When counseling his students, he encourages them to still choose obstetrics as a profession, but now he offers a warning: just pick the right State, a State with good medical liability reforms. He also said in the past 2 years not a single one of his OB- GYN residents set up practice in Ohio.

The strides our country has made in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates through quality prenatal care are now being jeopardized. Across America, too many expectant moms are foregoing essential prenatal care, and they are asking, who will deliver my baby? I am concerned that without a change, the future of pregnant women's health is in serious jeopardy.

The American people are fed up with abusive personal injury practices, aggravating frivolous lawsuits, and a health care system that is getting more expensive and less accessible as a result. That is why we are here today. That is why we must pass this important initiative. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that when our plan is enacted, premiums for medical malpractice insurance ultimately would be an average of 25 to 30 percent less than they are now.

Mr. Speaker, we see a barrier standing in the way of access to quality and affordability in health care, so we are trying to knock it down. It is a solution.

And the third piece of our puzzle will help address skyrocketing health care costs where they hurt the most, small businesses. When you consider that small businesses employ 50 percent of employees across our country, it is troubling to learn that 60 percent of the uninsured work for small businesses. They are uninsured because small business owners cannot afford to pay the cost of health insurance for their workers. The Small Business Health Fairness Act brings the benefits enjoyed by corporate America to these small businesses.

This important initiative will allow small businesses to create association health plans, or AHPs. AHPs will enable small businesses to join together through existing trade associations to purchase health insurance for their workers at a lower cost than what is available to them now. It is the wholesale strength-in-numbers approach that will allow these groups of small businesses to band together to negotiate for lower prices on health insurance than individual employees could secure on their own.

AHPs will save small businesses an average of 13 percent on their employee health care costs, which means more small business employees will have access to affordable health care coverage. And there is no question that 13 percent will be better spent by employers expanding their businesses by hiring unemployed Americans.

Mr. Speaker, once again we see a barrier stand in the way of access to quality and affordable health care, so we are trying to knock it down. Once again, it is a solution.

We have laid our common-sense solutions on the table, and now it is time to put them to work. I urge my colleagues to join me in implementing these critical initiatives that will help control the cost of health care in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), who has such a passion for health care concerns for her constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, buttressed by our colleagues in the other body who are holding all these bills hostages, certainly they would like to have us give up, but when 58 percent of the OB-GYNs in Ohio are changing or leaving their practices, it is exactly the right time to turn up heat on these bills, and that is exactly what we are doing.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt).

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), who, as a doctor, has personal knowledge of how this stuff works.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I may have misheard my colleague earlier when I thought she said that CBO estimates on the premiums for medical malpractice insurance would be very small. If that is the case, I am sorry, but let me just let the record stand that CBO estimates predict that under this very act, premiums for medical malpractice insurance ultimately would be an average of 25 to 30 percent below what they are under current law. Twenty-five to 30 percent below the premiums that we have currently is not a small amount. It is very, very significant.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough the importance of moving forward with these solution-based initiatives. We have a chance here now to make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans across this great Nation. So let us put a stop to the politicizing of the plight of the uninsured. Let us help the small business owners insure their employees. Let us help Americans have more say about how their health care dollars are spent. Let us help these pregnant women and their babies who have no doctors to deliver them and care for them. Let us help the 58 percent of OB-GYNs in Ohio that have to leave or change their practices than stay in the profession they have chosen.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the strongest way to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. I rise in sadness and regret. The behavior of the soldiers charged with misconduct and abuses of prisoners in Iraq, to use the President's word, is abhorrent.

The Iraqi people are beginning new lives of liberty and freedom. They are just beginning to shake off the dread of years of torture and abuse. They are only just beginning to sleep soundly, without fear of midnight kidnappings. They are only just beginning to express their views on politics and social issues. Our whole country is appalled and disgusted by the reports of this insane abuse.

I send my deepest sympathy and regret to these Iraqis who, in such a tender moment, are forced to see scenes of abuse that I can only imagine bring to the surface old fears, old nightmares, and old wounds.

The actions of a few are sure to have long-term implications of mistrust in the Middle East. Our message is clear: we are devastated. We went into Iraq because Americans reject evil and embrace liberty. The heart of American values is founded in respect for one another, in fairness and a love for freedom.

Today we should ask ourselves what can we do to rebuild the trust and confidence in the hearts and minds of those we want to help. Unlike 20 years of unavenged, unstoppable evil at the hands of Saddam Hussein, this abuse will not be tolerated. It will not be brushed over. It will not be excused.

I join my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives and condemn these acts and support immediate, meticulous investigations into the abuse reports, full disclosure of abuses committed, and justice served to those men and women responsible.

Every day the men and women of our Armed Forces are putting their lives on the line because they believe in their mission and they are devoted to their duty. They also have been hurt by these senseless, shameful acts. We cannot falter in our support for thousands of troops who now more than ever require reenforcement, support and prayers from their government, their friends, and their families at home.

I would ask the American people, Iraqis who have tasted liberty, and freedom-loving people across the world to renounce the reprehensible deeds of a few and look forward. I ask them to renew their support in the brave efforts to free Iraq and our efforts in the war on terrorism, and for the men and women of our Armed Forces who sacrifice daily in defense of honor, justice, and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the very important legislation it enforces.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sandra J. Anderson, a partner in the Columbus law office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.

On Friday, April 23, 2004, Ms. Anderson was presented with the Justice Alice Robie Resnick Award of Distinction. This honor is the Ohio Women's Bar Association's highest award for professional excellence, and is bestowed annually on a deserving attorney who exhibits leadership in the areas of advancing the status and interests of women and improving the legal profession in the State of Ohio.

In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Anderson is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a faculty member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor for the Ohio State University College of Law and Capital University Law School, and is a frequent speaker in continuing legal education programs.

I am proud that citizens of Central Ohio continue to excel among their peers and commend Ms. Anderson for her dedication to our community and her commitment to advancing the status of women within the legal profession.