Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment on behalf of myself, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Moran, Ms. Edwards, and Mr. Van Hollen.

In his final term in Congress, my Republican predecessor Tom Davis helped broker an agreement to boost Metro funding by the Federal, State, and local governments. Under this agreement, the Federal Government would invest $150 million annually, to be matched by Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. This investment is essential for our region, as it has provided WMATA with funding to begin fixing the safety problems identified by the National Transportation Safety Board, which will cost over $1 billion, cumulatively. It also is essential for the Federal Government to function efficiently, even as the Federal Government fails to pay its fair share compared to local and State funding for Metro. Finally, unlike any other transit system in America, our Metro system serves 12 million tourists annually who come to visit their Nation's Capital.

The Federal Government relies on a functional Metro system. Mr. Chairman, over half of all Metro stations serve Federal offices, and 40 percent of the entire Federal workforce uses Metro to get to work every day. As Congress, itself, noted when passing the National Capital Region Transportation Act in 1960, ``An improved transportation system of the National Capital Region is essential to the continued and effective performance of the functions of the Government of the United States.''

From September 11 to the blizzards of last year, we have learned through hard experience that Metro is essential to move people both through severe weather and emergencies in our region.

President Obama included the $150 million that my Republican predecessor's authorization bill called for in his budget, but the Republican leadership removed it in this continuing resolution.

Perhaps my newer colleagues have not yet had a chance to visit northern

Virginia, where the Metrorail extension to Dulles Airport is spurring billions of dollars in private investment while providing thousands of jobs for the construction workers building the rail line. If my colleagues had visited this project, they might hesitate to eliminate investments like this, which will be repaid many times over by subsequent private investment.

In recognition of the importance of this Metro funding, I introduced an amendment on behalf of my colleagues and myself to restore $150 million in Federal funding which would be matched by State governments. To offset this expense and reduce the deficit, I have proposed offsetting the expense by cutting direct payments to large agribusiness.

As we debate this bill, there are people at work building rail to Dulles; and if the Republican majority succeeds in passing appropriations bills such as this, those transportation projects, jobs, and real estate investments will be a thing of the past. One step we can take to reduce the damage done by this CR is to restore this critical Metro funding.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Point of Order

Mr. Chairman, I deeply regret that my colleague would invoke a point of order. As I said, the Metro funding, in this case, talks about difficult decisions. This zeros out the entire Federal amount of subsidy for capital construction and safety improvements from a system that is over 30 years old, reaching capacity, and serves, first and foremost, the Federal workforce.

Oh, I thought I was speaking to the point of order and the points made by our colleagues.

As I said, Mr. Chairman, I deeply regret the fact that my colleague would cite a point of order on a bill of such importance to the National Capital region.

Offered By: Mr. Connolly of Virginia

Amendment No. 509: Page 175, line 5, after the dollar

amount, strike ``1,975,000,000'' and insert

``1,775,000,000.''

Page 347, strike lines 8 through 10.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pack 1818 and Troop 1818, the Jewish Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop that are based in my Mantua neighborhood in Fairfax County. Cub Scout Pack 1818 boasts 34 boys ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Chartered by the Olam Tikvah Men's Club since 2000, Pack 1818 provides an opportunity for these boys to take in a variety of sports, crafts, and outdoor activities, like hiking and camping.

This year, Tiger Cubs include: Jacob Boyett, Elijah Fischer, Benjamin Golden, Ari Pearlstein, Nathan Rothberg, Isaac Saiger, and Matthew Wurmser. Wolf Cubs include Jacob Book, Nathan Chernys, Ben Engler, Daniel Fertel, Alex Frame, Zach Grossman, Sebastian Jones, Aidan Jupiter, Jacob Hemmerdinger, Rueben Hemmerdinger, Solomon Hutchins, Ben Neifeld, and Zachary Shmargal-Ellison. Bear Cubs include Mitchell Akawie, Samuel Goldberg, Jared Johnson, Michael Krasovsky, Ilan Nabatkhorian, Lars Rosen, and Jacob Rutzick. First year Webelos include Solomon Jones while second year Webelos include Joshua Ackerman, Kenny Book, David Chernys, Daniel Dorlester, Jordan Lamar, and Aaron Shurberg.

I am especially pleased to note that these last six boys--the second year Webelos--will

transition to Boy Scouts during a ceremony this evening. Each of those boys has earned the Arrow of Light award.

Following this ceremony, the number of boys in Troop 1818 will be 18, which in Jewish tradition corresponds to life. Troop 1818, which is only three years old, has emerged as an important force in the lives of these young boys. Troop 1818 provides opportunities to build lifelong skills and values and to make lasting friendships through weekly activities and a variety of outdoor programs. The boys have a chance to earn merit badges in such diverse areas as engineering, camping, orienteering, nuclear science, and first aid. This past year, boys from Troop 1818 got to learn CPR, build and sleep in a snow igloo, and attend the 100th anniversary National Jamboree with Scouts from around the country and world.

Troop 1818 currently includes Benjy Ackerman, Max Chernys, Jamie Frame, Josh Hone, Casey Lamar, Ezra Lapidus, Levi Meerovich, Josh Rutzick, Sam Rutzick, Ezra Postelnek, Yosef Postelnek, and Zach Watts. These boys have made significant accomplishments over the past year-- earning merit badges and multiple rank advancements--which they will receive at their semi-annual Court of Honor this weekend.

Finally, I'd like to also recognize Robert Book, who founded Troop 1818 and currently serves as Committee Chair for Pack 1818. An Eagle Scout himself, Robert is being recognized this weekend for his accomplishments by being presented with the Shofar Award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating these scouts and also in thanking the troop leaders, parents and families for their dedication to our youth.

I thank my good friend from Florida.

Mr. Speaker, we're more than 5 weeks into this Congress and the majority has yet to bring to the floor even a single bill aimed at job creation. Yesterday I asked, Where is the job creation agenda? The American people have said loud and clear job creation should be our top priority, and the Republicans have pledged a ``laser-like focus'' on the issue. Today they're planning 10 hours of meaningless debate to instruct committees to do oversight which they should be doing anyhow. Let me offer an alternative.

Today I introduced H.R. 11, legislation to extend the successful Build America Bonds program--a jobs bill. During the last 2 years, $4.4 billion from the Recovery Act leveraged $181 billion in new bonds at the State and local levels. And $181 billion is needed in construction, bridge, and road repairs--$181 billion in job creation. My own State of Virginia issued $3.3 billion of those bonds in 45 distinct projects, and Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of jobs were created. We can create hundreds of thousands more if we extend this program. So I ask my colleagues, if you're serious about job creation, support H.R. 11.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my Republican friends a simple question: Where is the job creation agenda? In the first month of the 112th Congress, this body has not taken up a single piece of legislation that will create jobs and put Americans back to work.

Let's look at what we have done: H.R. 2, repeal protections of health insurance reform. Created no jobs. H.R. 359, eliminating public financing for Presidential campaigns. Created no jobs. H.R. 38, establishing a budget with no numbers. Created no jobs. H.R. 519 is on the floor today, to reduce our annual payment to the United Nations and go back into arrears. Again, creates no jobs.

Madam Speaker, my Republican friends claimed that job creation was their number one priority. The American people said loud and clear that job creation should be their number one priority. During the previous Congress we made that priority, which is why we are in the midst of 12 consecutive months of private sector job growth.

I ask my Republican friends to put aside ideology and join with the Democrats in making job creation their number one priority.

My friend from New York is absolutely right. Let me thank him for his leadership in taking up this Special Order tonight on the all-important preservation of the Clean Air Act. I can't think frankly of a more reckless idea than repeal of all or parts of the Clean Air Act. It would transform the quality of life for all Americans.

Our colleague from Illinois' comments about having children who live in Chicago, the number one asthma affected municipality in the United States, really resonates with me. I also have a close relative here in the Nation's capital, I represent the suburbs of Washington, DC, and I can tell you that as a nonattainment region, we have significant health effects from our air pollution. We are a nonattainment region as measured by the Environmental Protection Agency, and cleaning up our air quality is critical to thousands of people and thousands of children whose health depends on the efficacy of the Clean Air Act and making sure it is fully implemented.

I wanted just to share with my friend from New York and my colleagues tonight some of the costs of repealing the Clean Air Act, because I think Americans need to focus on that. It's not cost-free to repeal this all-important environmental piece of legislation. Thanks to the Clean Air Act, Americans will see gas consumption of cars reduced by an average of 30 percent, saving the average car owner over $2,000. That would be lost. Repealing the Clean Air Act would increase OPEC imports by 72 million barrels every year by 2020. Repealing the Clean Air Act will force Americans to spend $9.9 billion each year to Libya and Venezuela and other OPEC countries, not all of which have America's best interests at heart. Repealing the Clean Air Act would forgo savings for Americans of 77 billion gallons of fuel over the life of the vehicles sold in those years, representing $240 billion in benefits, including over $182 billion in fuel savings.

In addition to undermining national security, repealing the Clean Air Act would cause thousands of premature deaths which my colleagues were referring to. For example, the proposed EPA boiler MACT standard would save from 2,000 to 5,100 lives each year. Those lives would not be saved with repeal of the Clean Air Act.

A report released by the American Lung Association recently reported that nearly 60 percent of all Americans live in areas where air pollution has reached unhealthy levels that can and do make people sick, including right here in the Nation's capital. Approximately 171,632 children and 544,013 adults have asthma in my home State of Virginia alone, according to the American Lung Association. Repealing EPA's authority to limit mercury, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide pollution would increase those numbers significantly and would aggravate already existing respiratory conditions. We cannot afford to repeal the Clean Air Act when it

would imperil public health, undermine national security, countermand all of our goals in terms of energy independence, and set a dangerous precedent for repealing our most important public health law.

I thank my colleague from New York for leading us tonight and highlighting the risks involved, the very serious and real risks involved in this reckless action that is proposed.

My colleague could not be more correct. And, of course, as he recalls, not only sound progressive legislation but sound environmental legislation that had broad bipartisan support and was signed into law by a Republican President.

I thank my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, we just heard a reference to YouCut and that this was one of the most popular cuts suggested by people on this Republican blog. Well, Mr. Speaker, 10 million Americans want to participate in public financing of Presidential campaigns. And I would dare say that dwarfs anything we've heard from YouCut. So if we're going to get in the business of what the American people want and how they've expressed themselves, 10 million voices are in threat of being silenced today by this rule and the underlying legislation.

The idea that we're going to save money and solve the deficit by eliminating public financing in presidential campaigns is fallacious. But I will give the other side credit: It is intellectually honest. When you have a Supreme Court ruling like Citizens United that fosters anonymous financing of campaigns, no wonder you want to delete public financing of campaigns.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a member of the Budget Committee to oppose this deficit-busting repeal, and I want to speak today on behalf of Suzanne from Vienna, Virginia.

Suzanne's daughter suffers from a debilitating neurological disease. Before health care reform, Suzanne and her husband could not get health insurance for their daughter because, through no fault of her own, she, like 129 million other Americans, had a preexisting condition.

While many of those Americans wait to see if their insurance company will deny them, Suzanne, unfortunately, already knew. She was willing to pay for health insurance to protect her daughter; the insurance companies said no and wouldn't insure her daughter at any price. Suzanne had no option until we created high-risk insurance pools under health care reform. Suzanne's words to me after health insurance reform passed were, Now at least we have hope for the future.

Voting for this repeal will take away that hope, throwing Suzanne's daughter off of insurance. I urge my colleagues to remember Suzanne's daughter and the other 129 million Americans like her and vote against this repeal. Do not take away their hope.

Madam Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues and the rest of the Congressional community in extending my prayers and support to the victims of the horrible shooting this past Saturday in Tucson, Arizona, and to their families and friends. Our friend and colleague, Gabrielle Giffords, continues to fight for her life. She and 13 others were wounded in this unspeakable tragedy, in which six people were killed, including three retirees, a nine-year old child, a federal judge and a member of Representative Gifford's staff.

During the past two years it has been my pleasure to serve with Gabby Giffords on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She is an intelligent and dedicated public servant. During my term in this body, I benefited from watching and working with Gabby. I know that the House of Representatives, and indeed, the entire country have benefited from her work and that this chamber will feel her absence until she fully recovers and is able to return to the House floor.

This past Saturday was yet another tragic reminder of the prevalence of violence in our society. Our primary concern at this moment must be with the victims and their families and friends. We must help them work through their grief. We must help the injured through their recovery process.

There is no silver lining when six people are murdered. However, if we do not learn from this tragedy, then we will be doomed to repeat it. Mr. Speaker, I would submit that our political rhetoric has become grossly overheated, and it's time for all of us to take a step back and reflect on the effects of the vitriol.

The philosopher, Voltaire, once wrote, ``I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.'' He was articulating a crucial component--perhaps THE crucial component--on which our nation was founded: That no matter how much I may disagree with your opinion, it is essential that you have the right to express it.

But too often, lately, it seems that we cannot merely disagree with one another's opinions or policies. Instead disagreements become personal. Verbal attacks devolve into harsh questions about motives and character. Debates about policies or proposals sink to fear-mongering and rhetorical claims that the fate of our Republic lies in the balance.

Those of us in this chamber, and others in elected office, understand the rhetorical nature of such comments, but can we be absolutely certain that such verbal attacks are not being misconstrued in a culture of increasing anger and a greater acceptance of confrontation?

Absolutely, we must preserve each person's fundamental First Amendment rights, but can we not agree that we ought to disagree in a more agreeable fashion? As elected Representatives, our words certainly do have consequences for the policies and actions we are trying to shape, but it extends well beyond these four walls . . . to the thousands of people who provide us with staff support here in the Capitol and in our home districts . . . for the men and women who are the face of our government, performing essential federal work every day in communities across our nation and especially for the public, which has placed its trust in us.

There are sure to be multiple legislative proposals in response to this week's tragedy, but perhaps the best response is more simple and more personal. Speaker Boehner said an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and it will take a collective response from all of us to temper our rhetoric and return to a level of discourse that honors the victims of this week's senseless tragedy.

``He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Dat Quang Le of Springfield, Virginia as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Administered by the National Science Foundation in coordination with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the PAEMST program recognizes outstanding teachers for their commitment to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. Dr. Le, along with only 102 other mathematics and science teachers throughout the nation will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Le has been a teacher for 15 years, the last 13 years of which he spent teaching science at H.B. Woodlawn Secondary School in Arlington, Virginia. Recently, Dr. Le moved within the Arlington Public School system. He now works as a science specialist, helping develop the county's science curriculum and providing general support for teachers throughout the county.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Dat Quang Le as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for his dedication to the students of the Arlington Public School system and to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Kimberly Morrow Leong of Gainesville, Virginia as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Administered by the National Science Foundation in coordination with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the PAEMST program recognizes outstanding teachers for their commitment to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. Ms. Leong, along with only 102 other mathematics and science teachers throughout the nation will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Ms. Leong joined the Loudoun County Public School system in 2009 as a mathematics facilitator. Prior to that, Ms. Leong taught at Marsteller Middle School in Prince William County and All-Saints Catholic School. As a mathematics facilitator, Ms. Leong works with 70 teachers on a daily basis while also supporting approximately 250 teachers from 10 different middle schools who serve 9,800 students throughout the county. Ms. Leong has helped Loudoun County teachers meet the Virginia Standards of Learning objectives by introducing new tools and resources to improve students' mathematic and critical thinking skills.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Kimberly Morrow Leong as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for her dedication to the students of the

Loudoun County Public School system and to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt in Gainesville, Virginia.

The Giving Circle was established by members of the Heritage Hunt community to assist local non-profit organizations with financial donations. Members of the Giving Circle save one dollar each day for this effort. At the end of the year, the organization's membership considers applications from non-profits and votes on the recipients of the annual donations.

It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record the recipients of the Giving Circle's 2010 donations:

BEACON for Adult Literacy provides tutoring to adults in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), the GED or high school equivalency test, and basic reading, writing, and math skills. BEACON also provides life-skills workshops on topics such as health and safety, nutrition, financial literacy, parenting skills and community resources.

Brethren Housing Corporation is in its 22nd year of providing sustainable, permanent affordable housing and transitional housing to low- and middle-income families in the Greater Manassas and Prince William County area.

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Greater Prince William County trains volunteers to protect abandoned, abused or neglected children. The Advocates help the children receive the assistance they need to overcome their trauma and find a permanent home. The organization currently serves 400 children with the help of more than 100 volunteers.

The Prince William Area Free Clinic is a public-private partnership between Prince William and Sentara Potomac Hospital, the Prince William Medical Society, and the Prince William Health Department. It is staffed by volunteer professionals and support staff to help meet the needs of the low-income and uninsured population.

Project Mend-a-House uses the skills of volunteer carpenters, plumbers, electricians,

painters, gardeners, and others, matching them with people in need of minor home repairs and safety modifications.

Transitional Housing Barn provides housing, supportive services, life management skills and financial education for homeless women and their dependent children.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt for helping these worthy organizations further their missions to assist our less fortunate neighbors. I extend my personal appreciation to the Giving Circle for promoting the spirit of charity and generosity in our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sikh Foundation of Virginia's 2010 Annual Cultural Program.

The Sikh Foundation of Virginia (SFV) was established in 1987 to serve the religious and spiritual needs of the Northern Virginia Sikh community. The SFV promotes religious, educational, social and cultural aspects of Sikhism and collaborates with other religious organizations to host inter-faith events. The SFV is a welcome participant in an ethnically diverse Northern Virginia community.

The Annual Cultural Program brings the vibrant heritage of Sikhism and the Indian state of Punjab to Sikh American youth in Northern Virginia through songs, dances, poems, and literature readings. The event encourages Sikh Americans, especially children, teens and young adults, to preserve the culture and traditions of their Sikh ancestors as they grow to be contributing members of American society.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the Sikh Foundation of Virginia's 2010 Annual Cultural Program. I would like to extend my personal appreciation to the SFV for its unique contribution to the ethnic fabric of the Northern Virginia community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, TJHSST, on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. Established in 1985, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is the result of collaboration among the local and State leaders, Fairfax County Public Schools and the business community to improve education in science, mathematics, and technology.

Located in the heart of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia, TJHSST is the premier high school in the United States, and its success continues to make Fairfax County one of the most sought out communities in which to live and do business. It is one of 18 Governor's Schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is a founding member of the National Consortium of Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology.

In 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, TJHSST was ranked the best public school in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report and has fielded more National Merit Semifinalists than any other high school for most the 1990s and 2000s. Between 2000 and 2005, more TJHSST students qualified for the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad than from any other high school and the school has a distinguished history of U.S. Physics Olympiad Team participation and medal winners. In 2007, 2009, and 2010, TJHSST held the record for the highest number of Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalists. Seven Rhodes Scholars have graduated from TJHSST, more than the number of Rhodes Scholars at most colleges in the entire country.

Each year, more than 25 percent of the graduating class accepts admission to the University of Virginia. Other prominent colleges popular among the graduates include the College of William and Mary, Duke University, and Princeton University. A number of graduates also have accepted appointments to West Point or the U.S. Naval Academy, becoming officers in our Armed Forces.

The incredible success of TJHSST would not be possible without the commitment of an exceptional educational staff, the dedication of parents and families, and the determination and drive of the students. All work together to support the efforts of every student and help ensure that each will succeed in college and during their professional lives.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology on its 25th Anniversary and in commending the community and the school for providing the very best education possible for our next great generation.