Floor Statements

Well, I thank the chairman for yielding.

And let me just first say, with the bipartisan support of this important issue, which I will concur in comments from Mr. Meeks, but I want to say I want to thank Mr. Dreier, the chairman, because I think we're having these types of discussions on the floor today thanks to his many years of leadership to educate all of us in the House on a bipartisan basis about the benefits of trade, about selling American, and his leadership in establishing this Free Trade Caucus has been so valuable to me as a newer Member. And I know that our country is in great gratitude, and we're going to miss your leadership down the road, Mr. Chairman, in the future.

Let me just say that I also want to rise in strong support for passing this permanent normal trade relations status with Russia. We must pass this legislation to give American manufacturers, American farmers, and American service providers a fair chance to compete and then win and sell more of their goods in the markets of Russia.

Russia joined the WTO already. They already joined the World Trade Organization back on August 22. They've already begun to open their markets to the rest of the world, so now there are about 150 countries, except the United States, that can fully benefit from much better access to the Russian marketplace. Additionally, all of these nations, except the United States, can benefit from Russia's WTO entrance commitments, including stronger international property protections, greater transparency, recourse to the WTO's dispute settlement procedures if Russia fails to meet its commitments.

Until Congress approves PNTR, the United States cannot claim all the benefits that go along with Russia's entrance into the WTO membership obligations. From the President's Export Council, we've already heard some great statistics that are real. They are real, Mr. Speaker. They estimate that U.S. exports to Russia will double and triple over the next 5 years if we pass PNTR, adding jobs here in the United States. These are jobs in manufacturing; these are service jobs; these are jobs in high-tech; and all across the spectrum of other industries. There is no doubt that Russia's demand for foreign services and goods is growing. This is a country with a population of 142 million people. It has got a rapidly growing middle class.

I will speak in particular about a company, Medtronic, which is a medical device manufacturer based in Minnesota, my home State. It's one of the companies that will lose out if we don't pass permanent normal trade relations soon. And Russia, as I mentioned, is one of the fastest-growing markets. It is also a fast-growing market for medical devices and medical technology. It's a key player in the Russian medical device market. In fact, since 2005, there have been 10,000 Russian health care professionals who have been trained in Medtronic technologies. In the last 5 years, these Medtronic technologies and therapies have benefited about 70,000 patients across Russia.

So Russia has now agreed to substantial tariff reductions for imported medical devices. Russian tariffs on these products will average about 5 percent. It is going to give U.S. medical technology companies the opportunity to significantly expand into the Russian market. Meanwhile, Russia PNTR does not require any tariff reductions or market liberalization by the United States. Yet all of this will go away and all of this will be at risk if we do not act in passing PNTR with Russia in the near future here.

Mr. Speaker, I would just say that the approval of Russia PNTR is a critical step towards ensuring that U.S. companies can benefit from Russia's WTO ascension and remain competitive in the markets today. Until we do that, all other WTO countries will continue to grab market share, market share that is much more difficult to grab back in today's global, competitive environment. So, when I think of a competitor and a company like Medtronic that's based in Minnesota, we want to make sure that their workers and their ingenuity and their innovation is going to continue to grow and prosper so we can sell American across the world. In other words, U.S. companies are being left behind as our competitors continue to grow in this very profitable market of medical devices, losing ground we may never be able to make up.

With other countries gaining this head start now in the Russian market, our time is running out, so this PNTR really benefits the United States. I hope that we act next week, Mr. Chairman, before we head back for the election season because this is critical for jobs; it's bipartisan; the President can claim great ownership and credit for this as well if we act soon. I will do all I can to continue to work with you, Mr. Chairman, to move this forward as well.

I will just say that, whether it's a company like a Medtronic or an agricultural-based company like a Cargill, which is based in my district in Minnesota as well, clearly there is the opportunity to sell American knowing that 95 percent of the world's consumers are outside of the United States. This opportunity in Russia with huge market share is going to mean more medical devices being sold in Russia. These are life-improving, these are life-saving technologies, and there is no doubt in a competitive environment that European companies are trying to access that market and are moving forward to do that. So a world-class leader like a Medtronic is going to have a vacuum unless it's able to move forward and unless Congress acts to give permanent normal trade relations.

Madam Speaker, we will never forget where we were on that fateful day 11 years ago on September 11. The images of two giants falling towards Earth will not only be remembered by those who lived through it, but will also be reborn anew with each generation of Americans through images of terror and countless stories of courage and sacrifice.

Today we come together to remember those who lost their lives on September 11 in New York City, at the Pentagon, and as part of Flight 93, and to reflect on more than a decade of a struggle to ensure future generations live free from terror.

We must also pay special tribute to our first responders and to those who have, since 9/11, donned the uniform of our Armed Forces and placed their own lives on the line to defend our country, and to the more than 6,500 who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

So let us continue to keep those who've lost their loved ones in our hearts and prayers, and may we never forget September 11.

Mr. Speaker, that little word ``tax'' that we've been talking about today is really, in reality, 3.8 million words that make up the entire U.S. Tax Code. Over the past 10 years alone, Congress has made over 4,428 changes to the Tax Code, averaging about one change each and every single day. It's time, Mr. Speaker, that we find consensus and provide a simpler, fairer, and more competitive Tax Code for everyone.

Over the past 2 years, the Ways and Means Committee has held over 20 hearings laying the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform. We've had meetings jointly with the Senate as well. This legislation that we will vote on today now gives us a path forward that will allow small businesses and all American families the opportunity to have a simpler, fairer, and more competitive Tax Code, not one that actually picks only winners and losers.

We need to close loopholes. We need to eliminate and reduce the number of expenditures and deductions and exemptions that bestow preferential treatment for varying interest groups and primarily only benefit a few.

Business leaders and economists across the country agree that, in order to create more jobs, we've got to make sure that America stays globally competitive, but the complexity of the Tax Code has put America at a disadvantage.

Back in 1960, 85 percent of all the top 20 world firms were in the United States; by 1985, there were only 13; by the year 2010, this number was cut in half again to a meager six. Putting it simply, Mr. Speaker, the Tax Code's antiquated features have diminished the attractiveness for the United States to become the premier country in which to locate and found and start a business. This means fewer small businesses, it means less manufacturing, and it means fewer jobs.

Today's vote shows that we are serious about moving forward on tax reform to help get our economy back on track. Let's make the United States the number one destination for entrepreneurs, for innovators, and job creators. Let's put this motion in place to pass this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native and U.S. Olympian, Rachel Bootsma. The 18-year-old swimmer competed on Sunday in the semifinals of the women's 100-meter backstroke. She has made her home community very proud with her incredible hard work and grace on such a grand stage.

It is no small feat to have made it to her very first Olympics, and in the coming weeks, Rachel will take another important step when she leaves Minnesota for her freshman year of college and also at that opportunity be able to swim for Olympic Coach Teri McKeever.

So I have a feeling, Mr. Speaker, this is not the last that we will see of this tenacious swimmer. I'd like to congratulate Rachel and all of the American athletes for carrying our banner in London.

Go, Team USA.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, last week, I took part in a roundtable conversation in my district with over 20 small business leaders. They discussed the devastating impact that these looming tax hikes would have on job creation, not only across the country, but in Minnesota.

The sentiment that was echoed throughout that entire conversation was that Washington should not be raising taxes when our economy is still struggling to recover.

These job creators understand all too well what our country is facing as we approach, on January 1, this tax cliff, this fiscal cliff and this jobs cliff. The message from all of these entrepreneurs was simple: Job creators and business leaders alike were saying, very directly, stop the tax hike.

Studies have shown that this looming tax hike would negatively impact half of all small business income, a loss of 700,000 jobs, potentially, and 14,500 of those jobs are in my home State of Minnesota, Mr. Speaker. But if we extend these rates and we move toward tax reform, we can have a positive impact on our economy of 1 million new jobs.

Mr. Speaker, the choice is clear. With the national unemployment rate of over 8 percent for 41 consecutive months, we must stop the tax hike.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 501, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, over the last 3 years, the number of regulations imposed on small businesses has grown considerably. This year alone, the Federal Register has ballooned to a staggering 41,662 pages, burying our Nation's small businesses in paperwork and red tape.

But it's not all about page numbers. There are very real implications to our economic recovery as a result of the increased burden on small businesses. Nearly half of all small businesses say they aren't hiring because of red tape. They are spending vital time and energy and money on navigating the tidal wave of regulations that is coming out of Washington. These are resources that could be used to invest in new equipment and expand and hire in their payrolls.

Mr. Speaker, this week the House will take action, action aimed to freeze onerous regulations, to streamline the permitting process for construction projects, and create transparency within regulatory agencies so that employers can have more time and more energy and more resources to growing and expanding their businesses and, ultimately, creating jobs.

Mr. Speaker, it's time to help small businesses get out from under the red tape coming from Washington.

Mr. Speaker, my home State of Minnesota has a remarkable legacy when it comes to charter school education. By launching the first charter schools in the country, along with leading the way in public education and reform nationwide, we have been able to serve our students and community for the past 20 years in a better way.

In celebrating two decades now of achievement, let's ensure that this tradition continues by looking for further ways to improve these schools, making them effective for all American students. I was pleased, Mr. Speaker, that my amendment to the Empowering Parents Through Quality Charter Schools Act not only enhances teaching methods in schools, but also breaks down the barriers to make charter schools more accessible for the thousands of students that are now wait-listed across the country.

Young people should have the opportunity for a good education regardless of their ZIP code.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the recent anniversary for charter schools and encourage their support in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, as we work to modernize our Nation's health care system, it is critical to invest in the next generation of the health care workforce so that they will be properly equipped with the tools and capabilities to improve the quality and delivery of health care. United Health Foundation's Diverse Scholars Initiative has helped multicultural students reach their higher education dreams while inspiring them to pursue careers in health. I would like to congratulate this year's Scholars who are participating in United Health Foundation's Annual Diverse Scholars Forum on their academic achievements and their commitment to enter the health care workforce to create a more culturally relevant and effective health care system, particularly in underserved communities.

Rosilem Barclay, 7th Congressional District of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama

Gwendolyn Wagner, 1st Congressional District of Arizona, Chinle, Arizona

Karen King, 1st Congressional District of Arizona, Fort Defiance, Arizona

Angela Allen, 2nd Congressional District of Arizona, Surprise, Arizona

Marcus Marable, 3rd Congressional District of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona

Paulette Lizarraga, 4th Congressional District of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona

Lorraine Sophia Cuesta, 6th Congressional District of Arizona, Apache Junction, Arizona

Luz Marina Bradberry, 6th Congressional District of Arizona, Chandler, Arizona

Osvaldo Amezcua, 12th Congressional District of California, San Francisco, California

Jared Wigg, 17th Congressional District of California, Del Rey Oaks, California

Marizabel Orellana, 34th Congressional District of California, Downey, California

Isidro Landa, 35th Congressional District of California, Los Angeles, California

Jessica Gomez, 38th Congressional District of California, Montebello, California

Trang Vu, 40th Congressional District of California, Westminster, California

Melanie Castillo, 42nd Congressional District of California, Brea, California

Sydney Bailey, 4th Congressional District of California, Roseville, California

Izzybeth Rodriguez, 51st Congressional District of California, National City, California

Briana Truong, 5th Congressional District of California, Sacramento, California

Jillian Canete, 5th Congressional District of California, Sacramento, California

Chinsin Sim, 11th Congressional District of California, Stockton, California

Min Ju Lee, 15th Congressional District of California, Cupertino, California

Adrian Hernandez, 20th Congressional District of California, Bakersfield, California

Linda Sapien, 21st Congressional District of California, Fresno, California

Alice Yotat, At-Large, District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Lelia Uchuya, 19th Congressional District of Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida

Laura Martin, 25th Congressional District of Florida, Hialeah Gardens, Florida

Monica Fernandez Junco, 25th Congressional District of Florida, Miami, Florida

Gretchen Betancourt, 2nd Congressional District of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida

Arielle Watson, 13th Congressional District of Georgia, Marietta, Georgia

Sharmori Lewis, 3rd Congressional District of Georgia, Hampton, Georgia

Kristen-Kaye Goulbourne, 4th Congressional District of Georgia, Conyers, Georgia

Ashley Turner, 5th Congressional District of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia

Jesse DeMonte Andrews, 5th Congressional District of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia

Saba Tesfmariam, 5th Congressional District of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia

Brandi Turner, 7th Congressional District of Georgia, Dacula, Georgia

Carolina Gonzalez, 2nd Congressional District of Idaho, Pocatello, Idaho

Dave Cervantes, 15th Congressional District of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

Charniece Martin, 2nd Congressional District of Illinois, Calumet City, Illinois

Sally Mei, 3rd Congressional District of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

Shahrose Rahman, 5th Congressional District of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

Stacey Pereira, 7th Congressional District of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

Sophia Phuong Le, 1st Congressional District of Iowa, Davenport, Iowa

Aaron Alvarado, 2nd Congressional District of Kansas, Leavenworth, Kansas

Tracey Lynn Thomas, 6th Congressional District of Louisiana, Baker, Louisiana

Awawu Ojikutu, 4th Congressional District of Maryland, Hyattsville, Maryland

Andrea Leiva, 8th Congressional District of Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland

Nelson Hernandez, 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts

Victoria Okuneye, 3rd Congressional District of Minnesota, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

David Koffa, 5th Congressional District of Minnesota, Robbinsdale, Minnesota

Kimber Cain, 9th Congressional District of Missouri, Kirksville, Missouri

Aura-Maria Garcia, 13th Congressional District of New Jersey, Jersey City, New Jersey

Gene Wright, 3rd Congressional District of New Jersey, Willingboro, New Jersey

Sheridan Cowboy, 1st Congressional District of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Justine Correa, 2nd Congressional District of New Mexico, Laguna, New Mexico

D'Ayn DeGroat, 3rd Congressional District of New Mexico, Crownpoint, New Mexico

David Martin, 15th Congressional District of New York, New York, New York

Elizabeth Fuentes, 16th Congressional District of New York, Bronx, New York

Jing Lin, 5th Congressional District of New York, Flushing, New York

Maria Zaida Beltran, 7th Congressional District of New York, East Elmhurst, New York

Francisco Narvaez, 4th Congressional District of New York, Floral Park, New York

Stephanie Odom, 1st Congressional District of North Carolina, Macon, North Carolina

Diego Motta, 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Alicia Henriquez, 1st Congressional District of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Milan Davis, 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Rochanne Johnson, 6th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

Hector Colon-Rivera, At-Large, Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Adrienne Harris, 5th Congressional District of Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee

Abigayle Banda, 10th Congressional District of Texas, Elgin, Texas

Marisela Alejandra Soto, 12th Congressional District of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas

Julia West, 16th Congressional District of Texas, El Paso, Texas

Ana Diaz, 20th Congressional District of Texas, San Antonio, Texas

Laura Bordallo, 20th Congressional District of Texas, San Antonio, Texas

Vincent Job, 25th Congressional District of Texas, Austin, Texas

Megan Gingoyon, 2nd Congressional District of Texas, Humble, Texas

Jenniffer Duran, 6th Congressional District of Texas, Mansfield, Texas

Elzary Asberry, 9th Congressional District of Texas, Houston, Texas

Joanne Lane, 9th Congressional District of Washington, Federal Way, Washington

Mr. Speaker, I want to applaud, first of all, the chairman, the subcommittee chairman, and the ranking members for their leadership in bringing this bipartisan package to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, nearly every week, I get a chance to tour a medical device company in my district. And almost every week, I hear a similar story from these companies that talk about how the FDA has become so burdensome and bureaucratic and inefficient that they move the goalpost in the process of the device approval process. As a result, some of these companies are closing their doors. Some of these companies are investing overseas and moving jobs, as opposed to keeping them in their home State of Minnesota or here in the United States.

Unfortunately, it seems that Washington tends to thrive on these types of bureaucracies and inefficiencies. And I think the package that is before us today is designed to help correct that. The FDA review process needs to be rigorous, but it also needs to be relevant. You have heard that message time and time again: We have to find ways to streamline and modernize the FDA so that the United States can remain the leader in global medical innovation.

This package absolutely moves us closer to meeting all of those goals. These reforms will make the device approval process much more transparent, much more consistent, and much more predictable. And specifically, I'm happy that my provisions to streamline the third- party review process were included as well.

I want to thank the chairman and Members for their bipartisan support, and I urge the support of my colleagues.

I thank the chairman for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on the committee as well.

Mr. Speaker and Members, the medical technology industry is one of America's greatest success stories. This is an industry that has led the global device industry for decades with life-improving, lifesaving technologies that help patients and literally save lives.

This device industry employs 423,000 Americans across the country. Some of our States, like Minnesota, have a high propensity because we have a huge ecosystem of medical technology--35,000 jobs, alone, in my State.

But all that will change, Mr. Speaker, unless we act to stop a new medical device, a new $29 million tax that is

going to be imposed in just a little over 6 months that was part of the President's new health care law. Now, this is an excise tax. It is not on profits. It is a tax that is going to be on revenue.

What does that mean? Well, we all know the names of the big companies that are successful and do really well across the country and sell throughout the world.

I will tell you this: almost every week I get a chance to tour a company that has five employees, that has 10 employees. You have never heard of these companies, but they are working on lifesaving and life- improving technologies. They are doctors. They are engineers. They are entrepreneurs. They are innovators. This tax will change all that because it's estimated that this tax will cost 10 percent of the workforce.

I talked to a company earlier this day, a CEO of a company earlier today, of a 13-year-old medical device company. It employs 1,500 workers here in the United States, and he's consistently added 300 jobs a year for the last few years. He said, point blank, if this tax goes into effect, it will cost the company $14 million. That means 200 people less will be hired this next year.

Mr. Speaker, what is worse to point out, companies are already preparing right now for the impact of this tax. Companies are already laying off employees. We have heard of companies in Michigan that are laying off 5 percent of their workforce in anticipation of the tax. So, Mr. Speaker, jobs are clearly at risk.

And this will especially hit startup companies hard, companies that are not yet profitable, because this is a tax on revenue, not on profits.

We have a chance and an opportunity to stop this tax dead in its tracks because it's an opportunity to protect jobs. We passed the bill in committee just a week ago, under the chairman's leadership, with bipartisan support. We have 240 coauthors of support for this legislation with bipartisan support. I anticipate we will be successful moving forward.

I ask and urge support for the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order against the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my point of order and seek time in opposition.

Mr. Speaker, this motion is nothing more than a distraction from the real issue, and that is stopping a massive, job- killing tax increase from taking place on the medical device industry. The legislation before us today is a bipartisan initiative to repeal that tax and make health care more affordable for all Americans.

House Republicans want to reduce health care costs and make coverage more affordable for families who are struggling. Democrats clearly rammed through a one-size-fits-all health care law that has made health care more expensive, and now they're back at it again attempting to thwart efforts to bring down health care costs.

This is about saving American jobs. This industry is one of America's best success stories that accounts for about 423,000 jobs across the country. It's made up of America's best innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, doctors, and risk-takers who are improving and saving lives. This will all change, Mr. Speaker, unless we stop this tax, a $29 billion tax in just a little over 6 months that will cost this industry over tens of thousands of jobs, according to studies.

There's also two other important provisions that are in this legislation, Mr. Speaker. First of all, Congresswoman Jenkins' legislation that ensures that all families with an FSA or an HSA account can use their own health care dollars for their own health care needs for simple, over-the-counter medications without having to go to a doctor for a prescription. And we've also got Congressman Boustany's legislation, which will allow flexible spending account participants to withdraw their own unused, hard-earned dollars at the end of the year.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation has 240 coauthors. It's bipartisanly supported. I urge rejection of the motion to recommit and support of the underlying legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5651, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act.

The United States has led the global medical device industry for decades. This leadership has brought hundreds of thousands of high- paying jobs to our country and life-saving, life-improving devices to our nation's patients. U.S. medical device-related employment totals over 2 million jobs, and these are good, rewarding jobs.

This legislation will streamline and modernize the medical device approval process to make it more transparent, more consistent, and more predictable. This much needed reform will help companies bring their products to market quicker and cheaper, ultimately increasing patient access to life improving and life saving technologies.

I would like to highlight one portion of the bill that was taken from my legislation, the FDA REFORM Act. This provision would expand and clarify the FDA's ability to use accredited third party reviewers for low risk devices.

This will free up valuable resources and allow the FDA to function more effectively while still focusing on protecting patient safety.

I want to thank Chairman Upton and his staff for their continued support and effort on this matter. I urge adoption of this crucial legislation that will help bring new products to market.

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 271, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Stated against:

Madam Speaker, it was nearly 200 years ago that the people of Norway proclaimed their independence as a free nation, and each year on May 17, Norwegians all over the world celebrate the day that their

constitution was signed--with parades, traditional food, and other festivities.

The United States and Norway have a very special bond. Our traditions of human rights and freedom and also of democracy are woven into the very fabric of our shared history, and over the last two centuries, the people of Norway have contributed greatly to the success and prosperity of our global community.

As cochair of the House Friends of Norway Caucus, I would like to send our best wishes to the people of Norway as they celebrate this year's Syttende Mai today, and I would like to reaffirm the friendship between our two nations as we work together on important issues ahead.