Floor Statements

Today our President will announce an escalation in Afghanistan: as many as 35,000 additional troops, costing an additional $35 billion to prop up a government which most acknowledge is indefensibly corrupt.

We need to redefine our national security. Our national security will not be found in occupations which fuel insurgencies. Our national security will not be found through paying off contestants in Afghanistan who are with us one day and who shoot at our soldiers the next.

We can secure our borders without expanding them across the world. And we can redefine our national security by making sure that every able-bodied person in America has a job, by helping people save their homes and protect their savings and their investments and their retirement security.

We need new thinking and a new course of action, not further into Afghanistan but out. Not further away from the concerns of the American people, but focusing on what's important here at home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act. Unfortunately, the bill includes statutory-pay-as-you-go requirements. Our country's economy continues to flounder in the worst downturn since the Great Depression, yet Congress insists on passing legislation that will constrain our ability to respond appropriately to our economic circumstances.

The Nation's unemployment rate is over 10 percent, and is likely to remain high well into the next year. The private sector is slashing payrolls and squeezing productivity out of the employees who remain, stubbornly refusing to contribute to an economic recovery. The government must be the spender of last resort to get Americans working again. While the Recovery Act has certainly helped to stave off a more severe economic downturn, it is obviously insufficient. We have more work to do, but pay-as-you-go requirements will only inhibit our ability to help our constituents.

However, Medicare is one of the most popular government programs in part because, in contrast to private insurance plans, seniors and people with certain disabilities can have access to their doctor of choice. Doctors will be less willing to participate, however, if they are not sufficiently paid, as is the case now. I have met with doctors and doctor representatives in the Cleveland area to discuss the issue and the urgency is clear. We must maintain incentives that lead to a high standard of care. I am especially supportive of the extra growth allowance for primary care services as a small down payment toward addressing a severe shortage of primary care physicians. For those reasons, I support the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act.

We feel the presence of Rev. Jesse Jackson not only in this Chamber but in this Nation. Through nearly a half century commitment to social and economic justice, Rev. Jackson heard the call of Dr. King and marched for civil rights and helped to make civil rights for millions of Americans a reality.

He heard the call of the prophet Isaiah early in his life and made justice the measuring line--not just social justice, but economic justice, political justice. He heard the call of Matthew and made his life about a commitment to doing for the least of the brethren; asked the question, When I was hungry, did you feed me? When I was homeless, did you shelter me?

He has been and continues to be a powerful force for economic justice in America. He has and continues to be a person who points the way--a way-shower--for jobs, for health care, for housing, for education. Let us celebrate Rev. Jesse Jackson by continuing to support his work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Sister Donna L. Hawk of Cleveland, Ohio, as she is named the West Side Catholic Center's Walk in Faith recipient of 2009.

Throughout her life, Sister Donna Hawk has turned her faith into action, uplifting the lives of those living on the streets. Sister Donna has become a nationally-known leader by creating and operating transitional housing for the homeless, especially for women and their children fleeing domestic violence. While working for many years as a volunteer at the West Side Catholic Shelter, Sister Donna developed a special compassion for women, many of whom had young children, who sought refuge from abusive situations.

In 1986, without funding, Sister Donna teamed with Sister Loretta Schulte to rally community leaders and developers in order to transform a motel on Cleveland's west side into Transitional Housing, Inc.--a place of shelter and source of counseling and resources for women and children in need. For more than twenty years, Transitional Housing, Inc. has served as a model for similar programs throughout the nation and across the world.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing of Sister Donna L. Hawk, whose faith in action, unwavering belief in the possibility of transformation, and staunch advocacy has given strength and hope to countless women and children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of John Timothy ``Jack'' Mulhall, Sr., for his lifelong dedication to the service of others, and especially for his commitment to helping tens of thousands of people build lives based on a platform of hope, strength and sobriety.

Mr. Mulhall grew up in Cleveland and graduated from Holy Name High School. He joined the Army, and in July, 1944 at a USO dance in Natchez, Mississippi, he met the love of his life, Estelle Jones. They married three months later on October 28th, 1944 at St. Mary Basilica Church in Natchez. He was later deployed overseas, surviving battles in both Germany and France, and suffering severe frostbite while there. Before his honorable discharge in 1946, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and was awarded several commendations, including the Presidential Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Overseas Service Medal. He returned to Cleveland and began building a new life with his wife. He played semi-professional baseball during his twenties, worked at Republic Steel and Standard Oil, then General Tire and Rubber. Together, he and Estelle raised eleven children. Married for nearly 65 years, the joy of their lives are their eleven grown children, 31 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Mulhall discovered what would become his life's work in 1972, when he began reaching out to help individuals, young and old, break free from the pain of alcohol and chemical addiction. For nearly forty years, he has remained steadfast in his focus. From 1972 to 1991, Mr. Mulhall served as the director of Stella Maris Detox Hospital. He later co-founded the Freedom House, Inc., a sober living facility-- established to fill the critical need to provide a sober environment and treatment for any individual, regardless of their ability to pay. He left Freedom House in 1998 to co-establish the Ed Keating Center, Inc., an organization with the same mission and the dedication to providing service as Freedom House. The Ed Keating Center relied entirely on private donations from individuals and corporations, receiving no public assistance. The Center continues to serve the Cleveland community restoring lives, re-connecting families, and giving people, especially those without health insurance or those unable to afford treatment, the tools to live sober, healthy, happy and productive lives. Over the years, Mr. Mulhall positively impacted the lives of more than 60,000 women and men.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor of John Timothy ``Jack'' Mulhall Sr., for his efforts, vision and work creating havens of strength, comfort, hope and healing. Because of Mr. Mulhall's compassion and unwavering focus, institutions like the Ed Keating Center exist as a lifeline, providing vulnerable citizens the treatment they need to end the devastating cycle of addiction. These people become free to live happy, productive, drug and alcohol free lives, which in turn uplifts and strengthens our entire community.

Mr. Speaker, we have been led to believe that we must make our health care choices only within the current structure of a predatory, for-profit insurance system which makes money not providing health care. We cannot fault the insurance companies for being what they are. But we can fault legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for- profit health insurance industry, the very source of the problem. When health insurance companies deny care or raise premiums, co-pays and deductibles they are simply trying to make a profit. That is our system.

Clearly, the insurance companies are the problem, not the solution. They are driving up the cost of health care. Because their massive bureaucracy avoids paying bills so effectively, they force hospitals and doctors to hire their own bureaucracy to fight the insurance companies to avoid getting stuck with an unfair share of the bills. The result is that since 1970, the number of physicians has increased by less than 200% while the number of administrators has increased by 3000%. It is no wonder that 31 cents of every health care dollar goes to administrative costs, not toward providing care. Even those with insurance are at risk. The single biggest cause of bankruptcies in the U.S. is health insurance policies that do not cover you when you get sick.

But instead of working toward the elimination of for-profit insurance, H.R. 3962 would put the government in the role of accelerating the privatization of health care. In H.R. 3962, the government is requiring at least 21 million Americans to buy private health insurance from the very industry that causes costs to be so high, which will result in at least $70 billion in new annual revenue, much of which is coming from taxpayers. This inevitably will lead to even more cost, more subsidies, and higher profits for insurance companies--a bailout under a blue cross.

By incurring only a new requirement to cover pre-existing conditions, a weakened public option, and a few other important but limited concessions, the health insurance companies are getting quite a deal. The Center for American Progress' blog, Think Progress, states ``since the President signaled that he is backing away from the public option, health insurance stocks have been on the rise.'' Similarly, healthcare stocks rallied when Senator Max Baucus introduced a bill without a public option. Bloomberg reports that Curtis Lane, a prominent health industry investor, predicted a few weeks ago that ``money will start flowing in again'' to health insurance stocks after passage of the legislation. Investors.com last month reported that pharmacy benefit managers share prices are hitting all-time highs, with the only industry worry that the Administration would reverse its decision not to negotiate Medicare Part D drug prices, leaving in place a Bush Administration policy.

During the debate, when the interests of insurance companies would have been effectively challenged, that challenge was turned back. The ``robust public option'' which would have offered a modicum of competition to a monopolistic industry was whittled down from an initial potential enrollment of 129 million Americans to 6 million. An amendment which would have protected the rights of states to pursue single-payer health care was stripped from the bill at the request of the Administration. Looking ahead, we cringe at the prospect of even greater favors for insurance companies.

Recent rises in unemployment indicate a widening separation between the finance economy and the real economy. The finance economy considers the health of Wall Street, rising corporate profits, and banks' hoarding of cash, much of it from taxpayers, as sign of an economic recovery. However in the real economy--in which most Americans live-- the recession is not over. Rising unemployment, business failures, bankruptcies and foreclosures are still hammering Main Street.

This health care bill continues the redistribution of wealth to Wall Street at the expense of America's manufacturing and service economies which suffer from costs other countries do not have to bear, especially the cost of health care. America continues to stand out among all industrialized nations for its privatized health care system. As a result, we are less competitive in steel, automotive, aerospace and shipping while other countries subsidize their exports in these areas through socializing the cost of health care.

Notwithstanding the fate of H.R. 3962, America will someday come to recognize the broad social and economic benefits of a not-for-profit, single-payer health care system, which is good for the American people and good for America's businesses, with of course the notable exceptions being insurance and pharmaceuticals.

Madam Speaker, why is it we have finite resources for health care but unlimited money for war? The inequities in our economy are piling up: trillions for war, trillions for Wall Street, tens of billions for insurance companies. Banks and other corporations are sitting on piles of cash and taxpayers' money, while firing workers, cutting pay, and denying small businesses money to survive.

People are losing their homes, their jobs, their health, their retirement security. Yet there is unlimited money for war and Wall Street and insurance companies but very little money for jobs. There is unlimited money to blow up things in Iraq and Afghanistan, relatively little money to build things in the U.S.

The administration will soon bring to Congress a request for an additional $50 billion for war. I can tell you, a Democratic version of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is no more acceptable than a Republican version of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trillions for war, for Wall Street, billions for insurance companies. When we were promised change, we weren't thinking it meant we give a dollar and get back 2 cents.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Terry ``Kelly'' Joyce, Sr., devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and staunch labor advocate, whose commitment to family, to his Irish heritage and to the workers of Cleveland has left an indelible imprint throughout our community.

Born and raised in County Mayo, Ireland, Mr. Joyce immigrated to America in 1957 and settled in Cleveland. A year later, he met his wife, Bridget ``Bridie'' Jennings, whose journey to America also originated in County Mayo. They married in 1964 and raised three children, Maureen, Eileen and Terry. Mr. Joyce's wife, children and grandchildren were the center and spark of his life--and he remained actively involved in their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce held their Irish homeland close to their hearts, and regularly celebrated treasured customs and traditions for their children and grandchildren to know and cherish. They travelled often from Cleveland to the Emerald Isle, and their strong connection to their heritage reflected throughout our community. Mr. Joyce was named the Irish Fellowship Man of the Year in 1974, and helped found the Irish National Caucus in Cleveland, serving as its president in 1971. He also served on the board of the West Side Irish American Club (WSIA) for many years, and was named the WSIA Man of the Year in 1978. In 1991, he served as co-chair of the Cleveland St. Patrick's Day Parade, and served as parade announcer for twenty- four years.

Mr. Joyce lived his life with heart, compassion, integrity, a great sense of humor and an unwavering work ethic. He mastered the construction trades and became a union member and leader. In 1957, the same year he settled in America, Mr. Joyce joined Cleveland's Laborers Local 310. From 1965 until his retirement in 1991, he served as Local 310's business agent. Mr. Joyce also served as president of the Ohio Labor District Council from 1975 until his retirement in 1991. During his tenure as labor leader, he worked tirelessly on behalf of workers and their families. Mr. Joyce was responsible for major advances in the labor force, including the attainment of critical benefits, including pensions, for union workers. Because of his leadership, Laborers Local 310 of Cleveland grew to become one of the most effective labor unions in the country.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor and remembrance of Terry ``Kelly'' Joyce, Sr., whose energy for life, kind heart, and unwavering service to others will forever endure within the hearts and memories of his family, friends and the laborers of our community. I extend my condolences to Mr. Joyce's wife, Bridget; to his children, Maureen, Eileen and Terry; to his son-in-law John and daughter-in-law Nicole; to his grandchildren, Brona, Eoin, Cormac and Aislinn; sister, Grace; and to his extended family members and numerous friends. From family and friends to County and Cleveland Mayor, Mr. Joyce's love of life and service to others will continue to touch the hearts of many, and he will be remembered always.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of the beloved Lena T. Hughes, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister and friend.

Mrs. Hughes' family was the foundation and joy of her life. She was the wife of the late Patrick Gilbert Hughes, with whom she created a loving home and raised three daughters, Rose, Lynne and Mary Jo. Their mutual devotion to family was reflected in the closeness they shared with their seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Hughes created a warm and inviting home for her family and friends. From never missing special events in the lives of her children and grandchildren, to preparing wonderful meals for family gatherings, her priority was always her family.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Mrs. Lena T. Hughes, whose joyous spirit and love for others will exist forever within the hearts and memories of those who knew her best--her family and friends. I extend my deepest condolences to her daughters; her son- in-law, Timothy; her seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her sister, Anne; and to her many friends. Mrs. Hughes will be remembered always.

Mr. Speaker, the Book of Ecclesiastes says, To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven, a time to plant, a time to reap.

Many years ago, people in States across America planted the seeds of single payer health care. Those seeds have sprouted and borne fruit where powerful State citizens' movements exist to create not-for-profit health care. This led to passage of an amendment to the health care bill which protected the rights of States to pursue single payer. Unfortunately, that amendment was taken out of the bill and we must try to get it into the conference report.

While the State health care movement is strong, the national single payer movement is still growing. It has resulted in the Conyers bill, H.R. 676, Medicare for All. The bill has 87 cosponsors, a significant number, but nowhere near enough to bring the bill to the floor where it would face certain defeat.

To those who want a stand-alone vote on single payer now, I want to ask this question: Is this a time to plant or a time to reap? What fruit will be borne from a tree that has received no light and no water in this Capitol?

Madam Speaker, before we celebrate the new health care legislation, keep in mind that the American people will be required by law to buy private insurance, and they will pay a penalty if they don't; that insurance companies will be subsidized by the government; that insurance companies have had double-digit increases in premiums in the past 4 years; that we are locking in a for-profit structure. This is the result of a health care debate, the flawed premise of which is that health care reform cannot happen without the cooperation of the insurance companies which make money not providing health care.

The truth is that reform cannot happen with them; that insurance companies are the problem, not the solution; and that the legislation, no matter how well intended, will likely not be able to deliver and cost too much and be another bailout for Big Business at the expense of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, even though insurance companies make money not providing health care, the so-called reform bill gives so much power and money to the insurance companies that we are giving far too much for the few benefits which the bill may confer.

The insurance companies get at least another 26 million new customers. They will receive at least another $50 billion in new revenue. They will be able to raise premiums 25 percent even though in each of the last four consecutive years the industry raised premiums by double digits.

As long as there are for-profit insurance companies, there will be no effective way to protect consumers against ever-escalating premiums, copays, and deductibles unless the insurance companies know that people at the State level will always have a choice to reject the insurance companies and establish a single payer, not-for-profit system.

That is why the Kucinich amendment should be put back in the health bill, not just to protect the rights of States to pursue single payer, but to protect the rights of consumers to be free of the economic death grip of the insurance companies.

Today we journey from Operation Cast Lead to Operation Cast Doubt. Almost as serious as committing war crimes is covering up war crimes, pretending that war crimes were never committed and did not exist.

Because behind every such deception is the nullification of humanity, the destruction of human dignity, the annihilation of the human spirit, the triumph of Orwellian thinking, the eternal prison of the dark heart of the totalitarian.

The resolution before us today, which would reject all attempts of the Goldstone Report to fix responsibility to all parties to war crimes, including both Hamas and Israel, may as well be called the ``Down is Up, Night is Day, Wrong is Right'' resolution.

Because if this Congress votes to condemn a report it has not read concerning events it has totally ignored

about violations of law of which it is unaware, it will have brought shame to this great institution.

How can we ever expect there to be peace in the Middle East if we tacitly approve of violations of international law and international human rights, if we look the other way, or if we close our eyes to the heartbreak of people on both sides by white-washing a legitimate investigation?

How can we protect the people of Israel from existential threats if we hold no concern for the protection of the Palestinians, for their physical security, their right to land, their right to their own homes, their right to water, their right to sustenance, their right to freedom of movement, their right to human security of jobs, education, and health care?

We will have peace only when the plight of both Palestinians and Israelis is brought before this House and given equal consideration in recognition of the principle that all people on this planet have a right to survive and thrive. And it is our responsibility, our duty to see that no individual, no group, no people are barred from this humble human claim.

Is this the best we can do: mandating private insurance, forcing people to buy private insurance policies or pay a penalty, guaranteeing at least $50 billion in new business for the insurance companies?

Is this the best we can do: government negotiates rates which will drive up insurance costs, but the government won't negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies which will drive up pharmaceutical costs?

Is this the best we can do: only 3 percent of Americans will go to a new public plan while currently 33 percent of Americans are either uninsured or underinsured?

Is this the best we can do: eliminating the State single-payer option while forcing most people to have to buy private insurance?

If this is the best we can do, then our best isn't good enough and we have to ask some hard questions about our political system, such as: Health care or insurance care? Government of the people or government by the corporations?

Madam Speaker, health care is a basic right in a democracy and a moral responsibility of our government consistent with the preamble and the Constitution itself; yet we are being told that it's not possible to have the kind of single-payer health system which every industrialized democracy in the world has.

We compromised single-payer with a public option. We're being asked to compromise a public option with negotiated rates. In conference, we'll be asked to compromise negotiated rates with a trigger.

In all of this, in each and every step, the insurance companies win. They get $900 billion in new taxpayer subsidies. They get to raise their premiums, increase their copays and their deductibles, while the public is forced to pay for private insurance, and the insurance companies win big.

If this is the best we can do, then it's time to ask ourselves whether the two-party system is truly capable of representing the American people or whether it's become so compromised by special interests that it can't even protect the health of our own people.

This is a moment of truth for the Democratic Party in particular. Will we stand for the people or for the insurance companies? Will we have a true public option or will we be co-opted?