Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 569, the Water Quality Investment Act. This legislation is extremely important to our local communities to improve stormwater and sewer system infrastructure.

In my congressional district alone, I have numerous communities, including the city of Sparta, the village of Coulterville, New Baden, Nameoki, and Ewing Township, that all need storm water and sewer system infrastructure improvements. However, the local communities have no money to make those improvements. We must provide a better standard of environmental health to our communities so that public health and our natural resources are not compromised.

H.R. 569 seeks to help by providing $1.8 billion over a 5-year period for sewer overflow control grants provided by the EPA. These grants would be used by communities to plan, design and construct treatment works to address combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows.

Mr. Chairman, we must help our State and local governments meet Federal standards and provide them with much needed relief. If it is a priority to build sewer and wastewater infrastructure in Iraq, it should be a priority here at home.

Again I strongly support H.R. 569 and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. The best opportunity for working men and women to get ahead economically is to unite with their co- workers to bargain with their employers for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The freedom to form or join a labor union and engage in collective bargaining is an internationally-recognized human right. Further, it is a longstanding American principle and tradition that working people may join together to improve their economic circumstances.

To this end, I believe working people should have the ability to make their own decision about whether they want to bargain together without the threat or fear of harassment and retribution and fear of losing their livelihood. Since the enactment of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935, employers are able to recognize their employees' union when a majority of workers sign union authorization cards. However, all too often in these situations employer pressure derails the effort to unionize. This is a reasonable and fair process which has for too long been neglected and disregarded by employers. Under current law, workers have the right to form a union when a majority of the employees sign-up. H.R. 800 would ensure this right is protected.

As a cosponsor of H.R. 800, I am pleased the House is considering the bill on the floor today. The legislation consists of three basic provisions to level the playing field for employees and put an end to coercion and intimidation. First, the bill provides for certification of a union when a majority of workers sign cards designating the union as their bargaining representative. Second, H.R. 800 strengthens penalties for companies that illegally coerce or intimidate employees in an effort to prevent them from forming a union. Third, it brings in a neutral third-party to settle a contract when a company and a newly certified union cannot agree on a contract after 3 months.

Madam Chairman, unions have been instrumental in implementing and maintaining nationwide and statewide systems of social insurance and worker protections, such as workers' compensation and unemployment insurance, occupational safety and health standards, and wage and hour laws such as the minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, and overtime premium pay. Unions, however, do not only benefit unionized workers. Strong unions set industry-wide standards that benefit workers across an industry, regardless of their union or nonunion status.

Madam Chairman, I believe strengthening free choice in the workplace lays the basis for insuring a more prosperous economy and a healthier society. H.R. 800 will restore balance and fairness to the workplace and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 976, the Small Business Tax Credit Act of 2007. This tax relief will help small businesses continue to grow and hire new workers to improve our economy. I firmly believe small businesses are the backbone of our economy and tax incentives are an important tool in helping maintain a competitive edge in today's business world. By passing this legislation, we are one step closer to implementation of a higher minimum wage.

H.R. 976 would help small businesses invest in new equipment and more easily afford large capital expenses. It extends small business expensing for one year--increasing both the amount small businesses can deduct from their taxes and the number of small businesses that can take these deductions. Qualified property includes farm machinery equipment and attached farm property, such as automatic feeders, barn cleaners, single purpose agricultural structures and livestock, to name just a few. The ability to deduct expenses immediately instead of having to depreciate them over time improves cash flow and allows small businesses and farmers to better match income and expenses.

In addition, the bill would simplify tax filing requirements for businesses owned jointly by husbands and wives, and ensure that small businesses are fully able to claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and tip credit against AMT liability.

Again, passing this legislation is critically important to getting the increase in the minimum wage enacted into law. Raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years would benefit 13 million Americans including 7.7 million women and 3.4 million parents. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution honoring the life of our friend and a great member of this body, Charlie Norwood, who passed away after an 8-year battle with a chronic lung disease, and then lung cancer.

Elected in 1994, Charlie was a passionate public servant who will be remembered for his dedication to health care issues and his commitment to patients' rights. A dentist by training, he had the unique perspective of understanding how health policy impacted him as a practitioner as well as his patients. His experiences were a driving force in his passionate advocacy for a patients' bill of rights, and he helped lead the effort to pass that legislation.

Charlie also served his country in the Army for 3 years, and was a veteran of the Vietnam war. I had the privilege of getting to know Charlie when our offices were next door to each other in the Rayburn building and enjoyed our friendly visits and candid conversations. He instantly gained my respect as a hard-working and eager gentleman willing to work across party lines in search of compromIse.

Mr. Speaker, while Charlie's presence will be missed, his valiant spirit will live on and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served with him in this Chamber. I send my condolences and best wishes to his family, and join my colleagues in supporting this resolution.

I want to thank my friend from California for yielding time to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Skelton bipartisan resolution opposing President Bush's policy to send 21,500 additional troops to Iraq. I do so because I am strongly against escalating the war in Iraq.

This is not so much a policy as it is a hope that additional troops will somehow make right the long list of poor decisions by this administration regarding our involvement in Iraq. Putting 21,500 more soldiers on the

ground only gives President Bush little more time to resist the conclusion that the vast majority of Americans have already reached, and that is that the events in Iraq have moved beyond our ability to impact them in a meaningful way militarily.

It is important to note that we have reached this point not because of some failing of our men and women in uniform who continue to make sacrifices. Indeed, our respect and admiration for our troops is matched only by their bravery. Regrettably, but not unpredictably, the plan for postwar Iraq woefully was inadequate, and the Bush administration, instead of taking responsibility for its failings, continues to insist that victory is just around the corner. It is not. A civil war is raging in Iraq, and our troops are caught in the crossfire.

The grand designs of the Bush administration are not attainable now, if they ever were. It is time to admit it and move forward. This is not to say that we should abandon the region. Far from it. The United States must continue to work with countries of the Middle East and of the world to stabilize Iraq and its neighbors.

I have said for months that I believe the best way to get the rest of the world to take responsibility for what is happening on the ground in Iraq may be to remove our troops, and I am convinced that this is the necessary course of action now. We can maintain a strong presence in the region, but we cannot make the hard political decisions that the Sunnis, Shiites and others must make to save Iraq, and then they will not make them as long as our military is there.

Let me just reemphasize that. We cannot make the hard political decisions that the Sunnis and Shiites and others must make to save Iraq, and they will not make them as long as our military is there.

Mr. Speaker, the American people do not support sending more troops to Iraq. In fact, the American people want us out of Iraq, and the people of Iraq want us out as well

Mr. Speaker, I commend the sacrifices and service of our men and women in uniform, and I commend Chairman Skelton for bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor of the House. I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act. I am pleased we taking steps to make biofuels, like E85 ethanol, easier to access and use.

The President's State of the Union Address discussed the importance of diversifying America's energy supply, explaining that the way forward is through technological advancements. I support this approach and with Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall's Leadership, the Science and Technology Committee can have an important role in accelerating these efforts by promoting research and development funds for all alternative fuels in order to use more domestic sources of fuel and less imported oil.

Given that coal is our most economical and abundant domestic resource, with a 250-year supply, I believe clean coal technology and coal-to-liquids transportation fuels must be part of any solution to achieve greater energy independence. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on energy related issues so that we clearly understand the benefits of clean coal technology and I thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their commitment to examine all alternative fuels, including clean coal technology.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career and retirement of Margaret Blackshere, President of the Illinois AFL/CIO.

Margaret Blackshere, who has been an effective leader and advocate at all levels of organized labor, began her career as a kindergarten teacher in Madison, Illinois in the 1960's. Her first involvement in organized labor began with the efforts of her district's teachers to secure both just compensation and more of a voice in the decisions that directly influenced the educational processes in their district.

From that early involvement, Ms. Blackshere would become president of her local union and then Statewide Vice President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. She served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois AFL/CIO before winning election as the first woman President of that organization in 2000, the position from which she is now retiring.

As president of the Illinois AFL/CIO, with 1,500 local affiliates and over 1 million members, Margaret Blackshere has had significant influence in the direction of organized labor, not only at the state and national level, but internationally as well. As president, Ms. Blackshere has been responsible for maintaining unity within the Illinois AFL/CIO even though there have been signs of discord in other locations during recent years.

In addition to her tireless work for her labor organizations, Ms. Blackshere has been involved in a number of civic and political organizations as well. These organizations include the Alliance for Retired Americans Labor-Management Cooperation Council, United Way of Illinois, Voices for Illinois Children, Workers Compensation Advisory Board, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. She has also been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and has been a member of the Democratic National Committee.

While Ms. Blackshere is retiring from her position as President of the Illinois AFL/CIO, she has indicated that she will continue to consult, assist and volunteer her time for the causes that have been important to her. For those in organized labor and for everyone who appreciates the positive impact that the labor movement has had in our overall quality of

life, Margaret Blackshere has been a true champion.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Margaret Blackshere for her years of dedicated service to the working men and women in Illinois and our nation and to wish her the very best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 521, legislation to name a Post Office in Rock Island, Illinois after recently retired Congressman Lane Evans. I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation, as Lane has been my great friend and colleague over the last 18 years. I would like to thank Congressman Hare for introducing this bill, and as glad as we are to have him join us in the House, this institution misses Lane Evans. We miss his leadership, we miss his quiet dignity, and we miss his advocacy for veterans and working people. This is a small gesture, but it is a way to honor his dedicated service to our country.

Lane devoted most of his entire professional life to service to the United States of America. He grew up in Rock Island and entered the Marine Corps out of high school, serving in Vietnam. When he returned, he went to college and earned his law degree at Georgetown, and worked as a legal aid attorney before he was elected to Congress in 1982.

During his tenure in Congress, Lane put his head down and worked hard, not seeking attention for the many legislative victories he achieved, particularly in the realm of veterans' issues. Because of Lane, affected veterans are compensated for their exposure to Agent Orange, and he led efforts to learn more about Gulf War Illness and ban land mines. Lane was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America's first annual President's Award for Outstanding Achievement in 1990 and he received the AMVET's Silver Helmet Award in 1994, known as the ``Oscar'' of veterans' honors.

Lane was also a tireless protector of the rights of working people, fighting for fair trade, a fair minimum wage and the right to collectively bargain. He worked for a cleaner environment and the protection of the family farm.

Over the last 8 years, Lane has faced another battle, this one against Parkinson's disease. The dignity with which he has faced this disease has inspired many, and helped educate the public, and the Congress, about the disease. You would never know how difficult a disease Parkinson's is by watching Lane. He does not complain, he just keeps going forward, helping people at every opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, Lane Evans has given a tremendous amount to the United States of America, and we owe him our gratitude. Naming this post office after him assures that his contributions will live on for succeeding generations to appreciate. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and I thank Lane for his continuing friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1, the 9/11 Commission Fulfillment Act of 2007. Specifically, I strongly support the provision in this bill that creates a new Checkpoint Screening Security Fund, with $250 million in dedicated funding for explosive detection technology at airport checkpoints. This provision is derived from H.R. 1818, the Airport Screener Technology Improvement Act of 2005, which Chairman Oberstar and I introduced last Congress.

Mr. Speaker, the single greatest security threat to aviation today is the suicide-bomber as evidenced by the 9/11 Commission specifically recommending that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Congress ``give priority attention to improving the ability of screening checkpoints to detect explosives on passengers.''

Several months later, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General (IG) reported that airport screeners were still having serious problems detecting threat items at checkpoints because they lacked the technology. Specifically, the IG found that:

``Despite the fact that the majority of screeners . . .

were diligent in the performance of their duties . . . lack

of improvement since our last audit indicates that

significant improvement in performance may not be possible

without greater use of technology . . . We encourage TSA to

expedite its testing programs and give priority to

technologies, such as backscatter x- ray, that will enable

the screening workforce to better detect both weapons and

explosives.''

In response to the IG's findings, the TSA concurred.

In September 2005, the 9/11 Commission reiterated its recommendation to strengthen passenger security screening declaring that ``minimal progress'' had been made. The Commission urged Congress to:

``. . . provide the funding for, and TSA needs to move as

expeditiously as possible with, the installation of

explosives detection trace--portals at more of the nation's

441 commercial airports, while both continue to support the

development of more advanced screening technology.''

Mr. Speaker, the recommendations, findings and statements of the DHS IG, TSA, and the 9/11 Commission all suggest that technology is sorely needed to improve security at our airports. But, limited funding has prevented the wide-scale deployment of these technologies.

We know what needs to be done to improve screener performance, and we must take action now. If a U.S. airliner is destroyed by a suicide- bomber it will not be regarded as a ``failure of imagination''--it will be regarded simply as a failure of funding and a failure of political will to provide the resources that might have prevented it.

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased that H.R. 1 provides dedicated funding to improve airport security checkpoints and I ask my colleagues to vote yes on this bill so we can work to deploy technologies that will help our screeners do their jobs and keep the American traveling public safe.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the distinguished career of my good friend and colleague, Congressman Lane Evans. Lane is retiring at the end of this Congress, and the House of Representatives will miss his leadership and untiring support of our nation's veterans.

Lane has devoted most of his entire professional life to service to the United States of America. He grew up in the heart of the district he represents, entering the Marines out of high school and serving in Vietnam. When he returned, he went to college and earned his law degree at Georgetown, and was elected to Congress in 1982.

Since then, he has made a tremendous impact on issues of national importance, such as agent orange compensation for affected veterans, investigating Gulf War illness, and the effort to ban land mines. While never seeking the spotlight, our veterans, military retirees and active duty service personnel know they have not had a greater advocate in Congress than Lane Evans. Lane was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America's first annual President's Award for Outstanding Achievement in 1990 and he received the AMVET's Silver Helmet Award in 1994, known as the ``Oscar'' of veterans honors.

At the same time, Lane has always defended the rights of working men and women, protecting the ability to collectively bargain while opposing unfair trade deals that have sent good paying jobs overseas. He has been a leader on environmental issues and a friend of the family farmer. Above all, Lane has been a steady presence for the issues he believes in and the constituents he represents.

Over the last several years, Lane also gained prominence for his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease. The dignity with which he has faced this disease has inspired many, and helped educate the public about the disease. Not many people know how painful the disease can be, and you would never know it from Lane, as he has faced this ordeal with the same courage and determination he went to war and served in Congress.

Madam Speaker, what I appreciate most about Lane is his consistency. Whenever Lane was needed, he was there. His service to our country has been profound and I wish him the I best as he prepares for this next chapter in his life. I am honored to call him my friend.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Mica. I would like to thank Chairman Young, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Mica, for joining me in introducing H.R. 5076, the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2006.

The NTSB makes safety recommendations to Federal, State and local government agencies and to the transportation industry regarding actions and recommendations that should be taken to prevent accidents and improve safety.

Since its inception in 1967, the NTSB has issued almost 12,000 safety recommendations in all modes of transportation. The regulatory and transportation communities have accepted over 82 percent of these recommendations.

This is significant, given the size of this agency: only 396 employees and 10 regional offices.

The NTSB's recommendations and its vigilance on safety issues result in improvements in the way we conduct the business of transportation in all modes of transportation.

Transportation accidents are increasingly complex, and the NTSB maintains the highly qualified technical staff and necessary tools to efficiently produce thorough and unbiased investigations and recommendations for the public and policymakers.

I am pleased the reauthorization bill before us today authorizes $1.7 million more than the NTSB's current budget request for fiscal year 2007, which will allow for 11 more investigators to be hired by the agency.

To maintain its position as the preeminent transportation investigative agency, the NTSB must have the resources necessary to handle increasingly complex accident investigations, as well as to adequately train its staff.

Reauthorization is essential to ensuring this agency has the necessary resources to conduct thorough safety investigations, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5076.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

I would ask the gentleman if he has other speakers.

Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests on our side, so I would yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join in honoring the 60th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Metzger-Crook Post 6504 in Waterloo, Illinois.

In 1946, as many of our nation's veterans were returning from serving their country in World War II, a small group of veterans in Monroe County, Illinois began discussions about forming a local VFW post. With assistance from the Adjutant of the neighboring post in Belleville, and after the original group solicited additional veterans for membership, the Metzger-Crook Post was formed and received its charter on April 27, 1946. The name, Metzger-Crook, was selected in honor of the first two Monroe County residents to give their lives in World War II, Monroe Metzger and William Crook.

With 108 names on the original charter, John Mitchell was elected as the first president. Meetings in the early days were held in a variety of locations as the fledgling organization grew in size of membership and array of activities. The first fish fry and picnic was held on July 4, 1946 and was such an instant success that it developed into an annual event.

Post 6504 has provided support for countless individuals and organizations in Monroe County throughout their sixty years of service. Scholarship recipients, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Operation Uplink and Adopt a Unit are just a few examples of the benefactors of Post 6504's support. The post also provides the use of assistance equipment such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs to anyone who asks.

The Metzger-Crook Post 6504 Auxiliary is also celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. In addition to their duties at the post, the Auxiliary has provided support for numerous organizations and individuals. Annual trips to visit nursing home residents, support of cancer research, local veterans hospitals and the children of veterans are just some of the ways that the Auxiliary has contributed to its community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of VFW Metzger-Crook Post 6504 both past and present on sixty years of serving veterans and the people of southwestern Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my heartfelt support for H. Res. 1078, congratulating the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the 2006 World Series. I was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, and have been a lifelong Cardinals fan. The district I represent, directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis--the Metro East, extending to Cairo at the southernmost tip of Illinois, is in the heart of Cardinal country, and is still reveling in this victory.

The feeling for Cardinals fans has been especially strong for this great accomplishment because even though it is the Cardinals 10th World Series Championship, and even though the Cardinals have regularly been in the playoffs in recent years, they had not won the Series since 1982. And there has been heartbreak inbetween these wins. Cardinals nation thought they had another title in 1985, only to be victim of the worst call in baseball history, when umpire Don Denkinger missed a routine put out by the Cards at first base in the ninth inning of game six, giving the Royals new life, and a Series win when they came back to win games six and seven.

In 1987, the Cardinals lost the Series in seven games to the Minnesota Twins, winning the three games played in St. Louis but losing all four games in Minnesota's Metrodome. Just two years ago, the Cardinals were swept in four games by the long-waiting Boston Red Sox.

The feeling is also strong because this Cardinals team, by the end of the season, was not expected to go far in the playoffs. Winning 83 regular season games after a late season slide, the fewest of any World Series champion ever, the Cardinals got hot in the playoffs, dismantling the San Diego Padres and winning a tough series against the favored New York Mets. In the Series, the Cardinals were again underdogs as they faced the red-hot Detroit Tigers, a team that beat

the mighty Yankees and the Oakland A's, dropping only one game in the process.

But the Cardinals were undaunted, and guided by veteran manager Tony LaRussa, and relying on a bullpen full of rookies, resurgent starting pitching and timely hitting--and benefiting from numerous Tiger errors--the Cardinals cruised to the title in five games.

The entire roster is worthy of mention, as this was a total team effort, but several players stood out, including rookie closer Adam Wainwright, who was thrust into the role because of a late season injury, David Eckstein, the Series MVP, late season pick-up Jeff Weaver, who had a 2.77 ERA in two starts despite a sub-par regular season, mostly with the Angels, and Yadier Molina, the catcher known more for his great defense but who hit .412 in the Series.

Mr. Speaker, Cardinals fans pride themselves on their love of this team and the respect they show for the opposition and the game of baseball, and winning the Series was a great way to open the brand new Busch Stadium. We are also proud of the great history of this team, and what it means to our region, and I am glad we have the opportunity to honor the entire organization today. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support S. 3661, the Wright Amendment Reform Act of 2006.

I'd like to thank Chairman Young, Mr. Mica, Mr. Oberstar, and Mr. Johnson for their hard work on getting0legislative agreement on repealing the Wright amendment. I know there was a lot of ``give and take'' on both sides to reach this legislative agreement.

In particular, Ms. Johnson has been a leader on this matter and she should be commended for her hard work. Without her persistence, we would not be here today.

This legislation seeks to fully repeal the Wright amendment, with several conditions.

In 1979, the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth came together and reached an agreement to have one regional airport--Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, DFW--thus restricting service at other local airports. This local agreement was codified by congressional action known as the Wright amendment.

The Wright amendment was a logical step when enacted in 1979. It brought stability to the north Texas air market.

As a result, I have supported the Wright amendment as a way to enhance DFW's growth and development. The airport has done its part by fueling the region's economy.

However, today, DFW is far from a small regional airport. As an international airport, its influence is far-reaching and has become a major player in markets that other airlines could not serve from Love Field.

In response, some have sought to repeal the Wright amendment through a piecemeal approach, an approach that is ineffective and very poor policy.

On June 15, 2006, it was announced that American, Southwest, DFW Airport, and the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth worked out a local agreement.

The Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing July 12, 2006, on this historic agreement where many questions, concerns, and issues were addressed.

While S. 3661 addresses many of those concerns, I must say that I have reservations that by accepting this agreement, we are restricting the aviation capacity at Love Field.

Congress, in part, will be making it harder for new airlines to enter the market--5 years, 10 years, or even 20 years from now--by allowing the infrastructure that a new competitor will need at Love Field to be destroyed.

I question the idea of restricting and destroying infrastructure that could be used in the future in order to address a problem today.

I hope the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the FAA will closely monitor the implementation of this legislation to ensure consumer protection, economic growth, and competition.

Mr. Speaker, that said, I will support S. 3661.

Mr. Speaker; I rise today to oppose H.R. 6166, the Military Commission Act. I do so because I believe that America must maintain its status as a moral leader on the issue of the humane treatment of prisoners. It is important to our success in the war on terrorism, and it is critical to protecting our own soldiers. By lowering our moral standards in how we treat prisoners of war, we encourage other countries to do the same. This is not a good precedent, and we should reject this legislation.

While much debate and discussion concerning H.R. 6166 has revolved around military commissions and the use of secret evidence, this legislation also contains a provision that would strip Federal courts of their authority to review the detentions of almost all terrorism suspects. Specifically, the provision would bar foreigners held overseas from using the Federal trial courts for challenges to detention known as habeas corpus lawsuits. By eliminating this constitutional right, anyone deemed an ``unlawful enemy combatant'' could be held indefinitely, without recourse.

No one disputes whether or not legislation is needed. To date, not one detainee held has been tried or convicted of a crime. We need a framework to efficiently prosecute and convict those guilty of terrorist acts against the United States. However, this process must meet certain legal standards for fairness that form the moral basis of our country, which is what our troops are ultimately fighting to protect. Many times during this debate it has been said that since our enemies in this war do not respect any code of conduct, than we do not need to either. I do not agree with this sentiment. America must stand for a higher ideal.

While I believe the war on terror has brought with it the need for specialized rules and procedures, we must not forget the basic notion of due process. We, as Congress, should uphold our obligations under the Geneva Conventions, ensure expedited convictions for terrorists, and protect our service men and women, and I do not believe this legislation meets these goals.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this legislation and ask my colleagues to do the same.