Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the 527 Fairness Act of 2005. This is a bill that levels the playing field between political parties, PACs, Federal campaigns and 527s. The 527 Fairness Act lifts up other players by injecting more freedom into the campaign system.

The legislation is very simple. It removes the aggregate contribution limit. It allows State and local parties to spend non-Federal dollars for voter registration and sample ballots. What it does not do is it does not repeal the limits on individual contributions to national parties and committees. It does not allow soft money to go to national political parties.

The answer, Mr. Speaker, to problems and politics in a free society is more freedom, not less freedom. So I commend my colleagues, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) for introducing this bipartisan vital piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the 527 Fairness Act of 2005.

Mr. Speaker, today we mark Israel Independence Day.

Israel has stood as a symbol of perseverance and courage for the entire world from its birth in 1948. It has struggled constantly to maintain its independence and to ensure its survival amidst military attacks from hostile neighbors and prolonged terrorist campaigns. Even while at war, Israel's democracy and its vibrant, diverse and free society has remained strong. Its doors have been opened to victims of persecution and intolerance around the world. It has been said that the strength of a nation is determined by the caliber of its people, and there is perhaps no better example of this than the State of Israel and the Israeli people.

Today, as the State of Israel marks its 57th anniversary, we reiterate our commitment to its security and its stability.

I extend my best wishes and congratulations to the Israeli people and to the Jewish Nation.

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to call the attention of the Members to the important cause of defending the human rights of the Syrian people and holding the Syrian regime accountable for the most deplorable actions against its citizens.

Syria is an oppressor state in every sense. It brutally stifles its political dissidents and minority groups. It denies its ordinary citizens freedom of religion, of conscience and belief. It seeks to silence its people by preventing them from exercising their right of free speech. It discriminates against women, condoning violence and sexual assault against them.

The police continue to detain people arbitrarily, placing them in prisons and torturing them, using methods that seem to herald back to the return of the Middle Ages, stretching prisoners on racks or fracturing their spines on wheels.

Since 1963, Syria has ruled under emergency law, using the hollow excuse of Israel being a threat, and using that to suppress freedom, diversity of opinion, and equality between religions and between sexes.

About 600 Lebanese detainees have been languishing in Syrian jails since 1989. Those who have managed to escape bring harrowing stories with them that they have told to the international human rights community. They must be released immediately.

In an event that defies comprehension, in 1982, Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of then dictator Hafez al-Assad, turned his Soviet-made guns against the Syrian city of Hama. When the dust settled approximately a week later, the death toll of innocent civilians had reached 30,000 people.

The perpetrators of this massacre, including Rifaat al-Assad, who resides in Marbella, Spain, have received no punishment and live amid absolute luxury. Their comfortable lifestyle is an affront to the Syrian people and to all of humanity.

Another of the perpetrators to be held accountable is Ghazi Kanaan. He headed the military intelligence unit responsible for clearing the way for the massacre at Hama. He also later became the Syrian top intelligence man in Lebanon and reportedly built all of the intelligence units responsible for killing Lebanese Christians and imprisoning many other innocent Lebanese.

Bahjat Suleiman is the head of Unit 251 in the General Directorate of the Intelligence Services. Some of the crimes against the Syrian people were detailed in H. Con. Res. 18. This resolution, which I authored, was overwhelmingly adopted by my colleagues in the House, clearly illustrating our body's commitment to holding the Syrian dictatorship accountable for the systematic attacks against the Syrian population.

Inaction on our part is not an option. The cost of failing to address this grim reality sooner can be measured by the rising number of Syrian and Lebanese men and women that the Syrian Government has killed or tortured.

Today, the Syrian people, the dissidents and the peaceful opposition leaders, are poised to act. They are demanding that the Syrian Government release all prisoners of conscience and that it allow for the winds of reform to sweep through its corrupt system. U.S. policy must support the Syrian people, its dissidents, human rights activists, and pro-democracy advocates so that they, too, could free themselves from the shackles of tyrannical rule.

In that vein, I recently introduced the Lebanon and Syria Liberation Act that contains provisions calling for the establishment of a program of assistance to pro-democracy advocates and opposition groups in Syria and Lebanon. It also establishes a program to develop independent broadcasts into Syria and Lebanon to help promote freedom and democracy in both countries.

The act sends a message to the Syrian Government that the United States will not stand for its unacceptable behavior in violation of all moral and legal standards. This legislation, with its concrete measures to punish the Syrian regime, clearly demonstrates to the Syrian people that America stands with them in their efforts to free themselves from the shackles of tyranny and to help them build an open society based on democratic values and principles.

We must honor the brave men and women of Syria by acting to defend their right to live as free men and women. We must begin by ensuring that the Syrian regime and its leaders are made to pay for their crimes against the Syrian people. We must support efforts to seek justice for the victims of Syrian oppression.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an outstanding group from my congressional district, south Florida, the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program: its founder, Jennifer Valoppi; its sponsor, NBC Channel 6; and, of course, their board of directors, Don Browne, Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, Donna Feldman, Judge Judy Kreeger, Marita Srebnick, and Sherry Williams, for their steadfast commitment to the women of our south Florida community.

Women of Tomorrow is a mentor and scholarship program designed to guide, to inspire, and to help at-risk young women achieve their true potential through education, job training, resume-building, and skill development.

We as a society have a profound obligation to enrich the lives of all of our citizens, and Women of Tomorrow fulfills that obligation by encouraging young women to achieve their dreams and embrace their true dignity.

I am proud of all of those who are associated with Women of Tomorrow for their continuing efforts to improving the lives of south Florida's youth.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 193) expressing support to the organizers and participants of the historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba on May 20, 2005, in Havana.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 193.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 193, and I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) for writing this important measure and bringing it to the floor. I would like to also thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), as well as the House leadership, for helping us bring this resolution to the floor in such an expeditious manner.

Mr. Speaker, even the most violent and repressive dictatorships cannot extinguish freedom when it lives in people's hearts, and Cuba is no exception. The dictator Fidel Castro has always used fear to keep himself and his cronies in power.

Two years ago, the tyrant again attempted to silence the cries for liberty and democracy that emanate from every corner of the Cuban gulag. He arrested over 75 dissidents and sentenced them to prison terms each up to 25 years. What were their crimes? Simply daring to exercise their fundamental freedoms, for daring to be free men and women.

These 75 are just some of the most recent ones. There are many more Cuban prisoners of conscience who languish in squalid jail cells. However, Mr. Speaker, all of Cuba is an island prison; and today we rise to commend and support the activities of Cuba's peaceful internal opposition.

On May 20, Cuba's democratic opposition will convene in an Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba. This historic meeting will discuss ways to bring democracy and liberty to the nation of Cuba, which has suffered under a brutal dictatorship for more than four decades. May 20, 2005, will also mark the 103rd anniversary of the Cuban Republic, of Cuba's birth as a free nation.

Yet the Cuban opposition is determined to correct this injustice and reclaim their rights as free people in a free, democratic, and sovereign nation. The May 20th Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba is an important step toward the fulfillment of this goal.

Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Felix Bonne Carcasses, and Rene Gomez Manzano and many others are the organizers of this landmark meeting. Despite the risks and the constant threats that the dictator holds over their heads, they are living examples to their countrymen of courage and determination, of how to follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul, II, and be not afraid.

Just recently, a group of young Cubans held an essay contest focusing on a democratic transition in Cuba. One of the finalists, Edgar Lopez Moreno, struck a chord that doubtless resonates with the vast majority of his countrymen. He wrote: ``After 46 years of political ostracism and imposition by the Communist Party and its maximum leader, today the process of transition to democracy on the island is closer than ever.''

The winds of freedom are behind the Cuban opposition. The just nature of their cause has given them wings. Soon democracy will take flight in Cuba. Soon the Cuban people will free themselves from the grip of this dictator, but they need our help. They need our support, and it begins here and now.

I urge my colleagues to stand with these brave Cubans by joining me in voting for the resolution of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart), the author of the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 142) supporting the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary International Day'' and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks, and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration, H. Res. 142.

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

As a member of the Committee on Government Reform, and as one of the 73 cosponsors, I am pleased to rise in support of House Resolution 142 that honors Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Rotary is a global organization of business and professional leaders that provide humanitarian services and works to provide good will and peace in the world. The organization boasts approximately 1.2 million members, called Rotarians, who belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs currently located in 167 countries. The efforts of Rotary clubs encourage high ethical standards in all vocations.

Rotary International was founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois, in the hometown and the district of my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). It became the world's first club devoted to public service and quickly grew into one of the largest nonprofit service organizations.

Today, there are nearly 400,000 Rotarians in the U.S. Membership provides the opportunity to make a difference within communities by working with each other and with local humanitarian and business leaders. A person can even learn about and become involved in international issues through Rotary programs.

Madam Speaker, next month, I understand that the Rotary will be hosting a great celebration in Chicago to mark its hundredth anniversary, and it will be from June 18 to June 22. On this occasion, the 2005 Rotary International convention will be a great event, and we wish the best to the Rotary and all Rotarians in their festivities.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) for her benevolence in advancing such a worthy resolution. I congratulate Rotary International for 100 years of tremendous service to our Nation and to the world.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from the State of Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), who is also a Rotarian.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of Illinois (Mr. Kirk), who is also a Rotarian.

Madam Speaker, again, I am pleased to be associated with House Resolution 142. I urge all of my distinguished colleagues to support its adoption.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take my special order at this time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and many fond memories that I stand here today to honor the life and invaluable legacy of Dr. Rafael Diaz-Balart. As a prominent attorney and elected official in his native land of Cuba, Rafael quickly rose to the position of majority leader in the Cuban Republic's House of Representatives before Fidel Castro illegally seized power in the 1959 Communist revolution.

As majority leader, Rafael warned his legislative colleagues of Castro's desire of absolute power, a desire that would be achieved by any means necessary. In a prophetic speech, Rafael said in the legislature of Castro's thugs, ``They do not want peace. They do not want a national solution. They do not want democracy or elections or fraternity. Fidel Castro and his group seek only one thing, power, and total power at that. And they want to achieve that power through violence, so that their total power will enable them to destroy every vestige of the constitution and law in Cuba, to institute the most cruel, most barbaric tyranny, a tyranny that would teach the people the true meaning of tyranny.''

How sadly correct Rafael Diaz-Balart was so many years ago. Vigilantly opposed to the Communist tyranny and oppression that had taken hold of his country, Dr. Diaz-Balart and his family fled the island. Shortly after leaving Cuba, he founded the White Rose Party, an organization dedicated to fighting against Castro's dictatorial regime and restoring democracy and liberty in Cuba. In addition, his testimony to the United States Senate in 1960 alerted the Nation to the dangers of Castro's government. In his testimony, Rafael provided evidence of Castro's oppression and his abuse of the political dissidents as well as the global threat of communism.

He, like my father Enrique Ros and so many others who fled Cuba due to Castro's dictatorial regime in these four decades, dreamed of a free Cuba, a country where human rights would once again be respected, where political prisoners would be freed, where a democratic multiparty political system would flourish and a free market economy would thrive, thus allowing the Cuban people and their foreign economic partners to own their own businesses and to prosper.

A passionate and dedicated leader, Rafael was a relentless defender of human rights. He along with so many other human rights activists brought Cuba's ongoing human rights violations to the attention of the United States Government, to the attention of the American people and, indeed, to the international community. In addition, Rafael demonstrated his ability to fight not only for the Cuban and the Cuban- American community but for all oppressed people throughout the world. His determination and his resoluteness have guided me in my own career as a public servant from my beginnings in the Florida State legislature to my current position in the United States Congress. I was inspired by his endless commitment to the Cuban people and to all individuals living under dictatorial rule.

His sons Rafael, Jose, Lincoln and Mario continue this legacy of promoting peace, liberty and the rule of law, a legacy that began with Rafael Diaz-Balart, Sr., the namesake of Florida International University's college of law. Perhaps Rafael's strongest political legacy is the one that he has passed on to his children and to his grandchildren, especially his sons Jose and Rafael and our esteemed colleagues serving with us in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressmen Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart.

I am privileged to have known and to have worked closely with Rafael and the Diaz-Balart family throughout my professional career as a legislator. Together with them, I will continue to promote a free and democratic Cuba and democracy throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Dr. Rafael Diaz-Balart, who was a wonderful friend, a loving husband, a dedicated father and one of the most outstanding members of our Florida community. My thoughts and my prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed by all.

Mr. Speaker, as we welcome this week the President of Georgia and the architect of the Rose Revolution in that country, it is critically important that the United States Congress continue to focus on the need to bring about freedom and democracy as antidote to terrorism, to oppression, and instability.

Nowhere is this policy more pertinent than in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan today is a vivid example of the need to continue and indeed strengthen this policy in the region.

Months of civilian protests and flawed parliamentary elections culminated in the invalidation of those election results by that country's supreme court, the resignation of the entire cabinet, and an end to the 15-year reign of its strongman.

This is a clear sign that the winds of democratic change cannot be stopped.

The Kyrgyz people certainly took note of the elections in nearby Afghanistan, of Georgia's Rose Revolution and Ukraine's Orange Revolution in November of last year; courageous individuals such as Mr. Edil Baisalov of the president's Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, Kyrgyzstan, who are struggling to exert their rights as citizens and human beings.

He will be testifying before the Committee on International Relations tomorrow on how the U.S. can help support those who, like him, toil for freedom around the world.

I assure you that what we do in this body resonates throughout that region.

Mr. Baisalov has referred to the positive impact of a resolution that I introduced on the status of human rights in central Asia, and that it has energized the opposition and the prodemocracy, the dissident movement in his country.

The U.S., along with the European Union, was quick to denounce Kyrgyzstan's recent parliamentary election as seriously flawed. It was precisely this Western rejection of sham elections in Georgia and Ukraine that helped tip the balance there.

Thus, as the Central Asian states enter into a challenging phase of political transition, the United States must continue to maintain the pressure for democratic change in Central Asia.

The challenges are immense. Opposition parties in Central Asia are either fictitious organizations that exist only on paper or, as in Kazakhstan, opposition groups in name only, as in Uzbekistan, where all five opposition parties support supposedly the president.

Turkmenistan's president has gone as far as to dispense with the pretense of democratic rule and brazenly declared himself president for life, a move that demonstrates his confidence that his dictatorship will go unchallenged by the world.

This situation has not gone unchallenged by the United States. In July of

2004, after careful review of the state of political reform in Uzbekistan, the Department of State decided that the leader is not fulfilling the terms of the 2002 Strategic Partnership Framework agreement, which mandated substantial and continuing progress on democracy movements and decided to deny certification to Uzbekistan.

In Uzbekistan, religion becomes criminal in that country as soon as it strays out of the official State-controlled Islam. The Uzbek government is behaving much as it did with its Soviet predecessors.

Following massive arrests in Uzbekistan of followers of the two leading militant groups, adherents of the movements have gone underground. Yet their numbers are swelling in the region, particularly among young unemployed folks who are distributing the information put forth by the militants, and they try to manipulate the religion for terrorist political gain, and they are doing so because they need the money.

Thus, the dependence of many governments throughout Central Asia on tyrannical rule does not only fail to adequately address the problem of Islamic extremism, but it serves to fuel the terrorism that stems from it.

We, and other open societies, must, therefore, condition our assistance to Central Asian states not only on their cooperation on the terrorism front, but also on their taking concrete steps in Central Asia toward the establishment of the rule of law, the support for the growth of civil society and support for building democratic institutions.

With the role of the United States in Central Asia, the region faces the best possible scenario to solve their problems jointly.

We are uniquely placed to press for regional cooperation and to monitor the commitment of regional states to real improvement of social, economic and political conditions.

That is why we have exerted congressional oversight through hearings and briefings, to make sure that everyone understands the current state of human rights in Central Asia because only by helping to create an environment where freedom and prosperity can flourish will we achieve long-term success in the war against terror and oppression.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to take my Special Order at this time.

Mr. Speaker, as we have heard from our House Republican leadership team, this week the House will lose one of its most faithful servants to the private sector, when my good friend Kathryn Lehman leaves her post as chief of staff of the House Republican Conference after more than 15 years of service here in the House on Capitol Hill.

After graduating from Catholic University with a law degree, Kathryn came to the Hill in 1989 to serve then-ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), as his only staffer on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

After the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) became the subcommittee's ranking member, Kathryn continued her work and learned much from his example in leadership.

When the Republicans took over control of the House in 1994, Kathryn became the subcommittee's chief counsel and helped usher in some of the most important reforms of the first 100 days of our Congress. In 1997, Karen began working for Speaker Gingrich, playing an important part in many of the most memorable events in Congress's history. She also advised Speaker Gingrich on oversight issues involving the committees on Judiciary, Education and the Workforce, House Administration, and Government Reform.

In 1998, she took the helm as policy director for then-majority whip, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). There, she made her mark on some of the most impressive legislative accomplishments of the Congress. Kathryn's talents then took her to the Speaker's office, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert).

Obviously, she had a hard time keeping a job at any one time, but she oversaw his coalitions and outreach efforts. In 2002, Kathryn became chief of staff for the House Republican Conference under the leadership of my great friend, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce). There she effectively crafted our message and led us to new levels of accomplishment and unity.

Kathryn now leaves the House for Holland & Knight where she will continue to be what she has always been, a bold woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. At Holland & Knight, she will follow in the tradition of her and another great mind, the late Congresswoman Tillie Fowler, my friend from Florida.

And Kathryn's long and impressive career is an example of what we can all achieve if we stick to our principles and never quit until the fight is over. Kathryn has learned much during her tenure, but she has taught others much more.

It is not surprising that Kathryn has so many friends. Through her sheer force of character and great personality, Kathryn has forged friendships with Republican and Democrat Members and staff alike. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) for example, the dean of the House, is one such friend; and I know that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) shares in my best wishes for Kathryn's future successes.

Kathryn deserves the thanks of so many Members on an individual level, but also deserves the thanks of the House of Representatives as a body.

Few have done more to protect its integrity and its efficacy, as Kathryn Lehman; and I know that she will be missed. She is more than just a staffer, she is more than just the Chair of so many important positions, she is more specially important, my friend, mi amiga, and always will be.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that our colleagues have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of Kathryn Lehman's departure and tenure in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the late Reverend Angel Villaronga.

A selfless leader in our South Florida community, Reverend Villaronga touched the lives of innumerable people through his service to the St. Robert Bellarmine, Centro Hispano Catolico and Movimiento Familiar Cristiano.

Host of a daily radio program called Conflictos Humanos, Reverend Villaronga was one of the first religious leaders in the South Florida community to broadcast religious programming.

Those who were fortunate enough to know him will always remember his dedication to his work and passion for others.

Reverend Villaronga was a true and sincere symbol of generosity and compassion. I am

certain that in his passing, he has left a legacy that will not be forgotten.

I urge my colleagues to join me as we remember and honor a man whose faith undoubtedly strengthened and empowered all who crossed his path.

May the memories of Reverend Villaronga serve to benefit others as his benevolence clearly did throughout his 80 years of life.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my wonderful friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for yielding me this time and for managing the bill and allowing us to focus once again on the bill and the rule.

I want to thank the distinguished, the very distinguished gentleman who is the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who has been a champion of this bill, and it was in his subcommittee where it was first heard.

I am so proud to stand here in favor of House Resolution 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. This bill will incorporate all of the provisions previously contained in the previous legislation that we had filed, the Child Custody Protection Act, making it a Federal offense to transport a minor across State lines to circumvent that State's abortion parental notification laws.

In addition, this year's bill will require that in a State without a parental notification requirement, abortion providers are required to notify a parent. It will protect minors from exploitation from the abortion industry, it will promote strong family ties, and it will help foster respect for State laws. Similar but not identical legislation has had the support of the overwhelming majority of the Members of Congress who have voted in favor of it, not only in 1998 and in 1999, but also in 2002.

I am extremely hopeful that this commonsense pro-family legislation will pass both the House, the Senate, and will be signed into law by our President. As the mother of two teenage daughters, I believe this bill would protect my girls, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the rule and support this commonsense legislation on a concept that is supported by the majority of Americans. I believe that it is a bill that pro-choice advocates can support.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for his critical leadership on this bill, as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for his help throughout this process.

As a mother of two teenage daughters, I, like so many Americans, believe that we as parents have a right to know what is going on in our daughters' lives, especially with regard to a potentially life- threatening medical procedure. And my bill, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, CIANA, will incorporate all of the provisions previously contained in the Child Custody Protection Act making it a Federal offense to transport a minor across State lines in order to circumvent that State's abortion parental notification laws.

In addition, the bill will require in a State without a parent notification requirement, abortion providers are required to notify a parent. It will protect minors from exploitation from the abortion industry. It will promote strong family ties, and it will help foster respect for State laws.

This legislation will put an end to the abortion clinics and family planning organizations that exploit young, vulnerable girls by luring them to recklessly disobey State laws. This legislation has had the support of the overwhelming majority of Members who have voted in favor of a similar, but not identical, bill in not only 1998 and in 1999 but also in 2002. Today, CIANA has 129 cosponsors. The people have spoken in the past, and so have their representatives.

I am extremely hopeful that this Congress will pass this common-place and commonsense legislation. I hope it will pass the House and the Senate, and the President has said he will sign the bill into law. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation and reject weakening amendments that seek to put loopholes in this bill.