Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1384 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1384.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1384 provides an open rule with a preprinting requirement. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.

The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.

The rule waives points of order against provisions of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI.

The rule provides that any amendment to the bill must be printed in the Congressional Record by July 30. Each amendment so printed may be offered only by the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee and shall be considered as read.

The rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

Finally, the rule provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to stand with my colleagues in support of H.R. 6599, the 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act and this rule.

Mr. Speaker, the New Direction Congress has made the lives of America's veterans one of our top priorities. Years from now, history will reflect that it was this Democratically led 110th Congress, in the middle of two wars, that renewed the country's commitment to veterans and their health.

Our commitment simply is a reflection of the pride and appreciation the American people have for the service of their brave men and women in uniform, who have served so greatly in recent conflicts and wars.

Now, just weeks ago, after months of perseverance in the face of opposition from the White House, this Congress, in a bipartisan way, adopted the new 21st century GI Bill that provides a full 4-year college tuition to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The new GI Bill for our veterans was adopted by a vote here in the House of 256-156.

Last year, we adopted the largest reform and investment in veterans' health care in the history of the Veterans Administration. And just yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the Congress adopted additional reforms to the Veterans Administration process that will improve the lives of veterans across this country.

Congressman Cazayoux from Louisiana brought H.R. 6445, that prohibits the collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care when they are catastrophically disabled.

Congressman Paul Hodes of New Hampshire also brought H.R. 2192, that establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs an Office of the Ombudsman to act as a liaison to veterans and their families with respect to VA health care and their benefits.

I also salute my colleague, Congressman John Hall of New York. We adopted his bill yesterday, H.R. 5892, the Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act, that directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to modernize the disability benefits claims processing system to ensure that our veterans are served in a timely and accurate way.

Now, in this appropriations bill that is before the House today, the American people, through the actions of this Congress, will provide the necessary resources for veterans and facilities and the infrastructure for the Armed Forces. This includes training facilities, housing, and equipment for our troops in their ongoing fight to defend our great Nation here and overseas.

While our brave servicemembers are overseas, most military families remain at home on bases, and we are committed to an excellent standard of living for them and quality of life. That includes convenient child care, and a safe and affordable place to live. I know this because I have conversations with the men and women who serve on the MacDill Air Force Base in my hometown of Tampa, Florida. They tell me that they feel much more safe and secure knowing that their families are well taken care of and well served back home on the base.

So Members should be proud that we have gone above and beyond the White House's initial budget offering. We provide nearly $4 billion more than the President in additional resources, particularly for our veterans health care programs.

Just last week, a panel testified before the Congress that returning soldiers still are not receiving the health care they deserve at Walter Reed and across the country, and this is unacceptable. And that is why in this appropriations bill we fund the VA health care system to try to get it back on track because we've asked everything of these great men and women, the ultimate sacrifice, and the least we can do as their government is support them when they return and ensure that they have the health care they need. When our troops go off to fight valiantly for our country, we're going to ensure that they have the best health care when they return.

Now, the signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Oftentimes, these injuries will require a lifetime of continuing medical care. In fact, the Veterans Health Administration estimates that just next year, in 2009, they will treat more than 5.8 million patients. I'm very fortunate, Mr. Speaker, that in my hometown of Tampa, we have an outstanding VA hospital, the James Haley VA Center. It is known as the busiest VA hospital in the country. We are also fortunate to have one of only four polytrauma units there that serve the most critically wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

So I've seen directly how oftentimes medical staff is overworked, they don't have the facilities that they need. That's why we provide above and beyond the President's request and reject his $38 million cut for medical and prosthetic research. We will continue to invest in medical military construction to improve the aging and outdated medical treatment facilities so they have access to the best medical care.

Now, to help the VA get a head start on helping those hundreds of thousands of new patients in the VA system, we're going to ask that they bring on additional VA claims processors because there is a terrible backlog in this country, and that's the last thing that our veterans should have to face after their service. Currently, in my State, there are over 25,000 pending cases, and nearly 19 percent of those have been in a holding pattern for over 180 days. We can and we must do better for our veterans.

We also oppose, through this appropriations bill, the Bush administration's squeeze on veterans' wallets. The Bush administration has proposed increases in enrollment fees and doubling of prescription drug copayments. How sensible is it to add to the already large number of uninsured in America by making it harder for those who have sacrificed in service to this Nation to get the care they need? Well, this New Direction Congress can and will do better for our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I want to particularly applaud the leadership of Chairman Chet Edwards, who held numerous hearings in an open, bipartisan process that gave Members and the many military families and veterans groups an opportunity to review and weigh in, in a thoughtful and responsible way, to ensure that our current and past military troops and their families get the much-needed funding for various programs that they have earned by way of their service.

Mr. Speaker, I know the American people will appreciate that this is a bipartisan effort for our country's sons and daughters, who put their lives on the line for us every day. We will fulfill our promise to help them lead whole and healthy lives in honor of their sacrifice.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that the record reflects and that it is very clear that on this very important appropriations bill relating to veterans affairs and military construction, every Member out of 435 in this House had the opportunity to submit an amendment if they chose to do so.

I would be happy to yield.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I am fairly new in this Congress. I was proud to be part of a class that ushered in the strongest ethics reform since Watergate, and it seems to me that it is entirely fair and proper for Members to be able to offer an amendment to this bill, this very important bill, but it's also important that it is done in a responsible way so that there are no ambushes.

And I would like to point out that the Republican member from the Appropriations Committee that came to the Rules Committee did state, and I took notes that afternoon, that Chairman Edwards did a great job. We've had 18 hearings. This has been an open and bipartisan process, a very open process. It has served as a model of bipartisanship.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Washington has made his closing statement.

I would also like to join with my colleague from Florida (Mr. Keller) in saluting Chairman Obey and the other members of the Appropriations Committee and the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Subcommittee because as that new VA hospital goes to Orlando, it will relieve a great deal of pressure in Tampa, in my hometown, at the Haley VA Center, the busiest VA Center in the country, and the Bay Pines Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

So I thank the gentleman for expressing his opinion on this, and I join with him.

With that, I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the distinguished Chair of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time until my colleague from Washington has made his closing statement.

Mr. Speaker, the American people will be pleased today that the House of Representatives will move and pass, hopefully on a bipartisan basis, like it was in the Appropriations Committee, a bipartisan bill that provides so much for the servicemen and -women and their families who are being asked to sacrifice so much after many years of war.

This bill is a fitting salute and tribute to the men and women who are on the front lines, who are on the battlefield and those in the military and VA hospitals across this country and the outpatient clinics fighting a different kind of war, to help those who return maintain a dignified quality of life for them and their families.

We will also assist veterans of wars past and demonstrate our appreciation for their service by ensuring that their claims will be processed in a timely fashion and that they have access to the range of health care options available to them and every American.

Mr. Speaker, this ``New Direction'' Congress has pledged to put our troops and veterans first. By restoring GI veterans education benefits, improving veterans health care, rebuilding our military and strengthening other benefits for our troops and military families, we are working to keep our promises to our courageous and faithful men and women in uniform. For too long, officials in Washington have neglected our troops and veterans in a time of war. On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind, and, as a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to not only a great athlete but an excellent student and role model for today's youth.

Tim Tebow exploits on the field are well documented. In addition to being the first sophomore to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2007, he also received the Davey O'Brien and Maxwell Awards for his athletic achievements.

However, his off the field accomplishments warrant praise as well. Tim Tebow is a member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll as well being an ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-American first team selection. Tim is just the fourth sophomore to ever receive first team Academic All-American honors at the University of Florida.

While majoring in Family, Youth, and Community Services, Tim Tebow has shown his dedication not only to his local community but to the entire world. He is a SEC Community Service Team Honoree as well as a member of the Goodwill Gators. Through the Goodwill Gators, he has worked to improve lives in his

community at the Children's Miracle Network at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. He has spent several summers volunteering overseas building housing and hospitals in the Philippines. As a result of his charitable work and leadership skills, Tim Tebow was awarded with the James E. Sullivan Memorial Award. The Sullivan Award recognizes leadership, character, sportsmanship, and strong moral character. He is only the second University of Florida student to ever achieve this award. Notwithstanding all of his athletic and community service activities, Tim Tebow has maintained a 3.77 grade point average.

Madam Speaker, with his achievements in the classroom, his charity in the community, and his dedication to his teammates, I honor Tim Tebow as he is not only a model for today's student-athlete but a role model for children across this Nation.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1363 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support. For the purpose of debate only, I will yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1363.

I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1363 provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. The rule makes in order a motion by the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services to concur in the Senate amendment, with the text of the House amendment printed in the Rules Committee report.

The rule provides 2 hours of debate on the motion, with 80 minutes controlled by the Committee on Financial Services, and 40 minutes controlled by the Committee on Ways and Means.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act and this rule. Our landmark legislation today throws a lifeline to families who are struggling to maintain the American dream of home ownership during this housing crisis and the economic downturn.

Families across America are being forced to make heart-wrenching decisions in order to stay in their homes. What will they pay for in this day and age, with rising gas prices, property insurance rates escalating, the cost of health care rising? But nothing is more fundamental than having a safe and clean home for your family.

The good news is that many of us in the Congress understand, and we are going to stand up for families and ensure that if you work hard and you play by the rules, the tools and resources will be made available to you to help you stay in your home.

The American people have a number of champions here in Congress that understand the importance of a safe, clean and affordable home. Chairman Barney Frank has spent countless hours in providing the tools necessary for families across this country to have a safe, affordable place to live.

Chairwoman Maxine Waters of California has spent a great part of her career dedicated to affordable housing for American families.

Speaker Pelosi and the Chairwoman of the Rules Committee, Louise Slaughter, are champions of American families and affordable housing as well.

Madam Speaker, today three million to four million families are expected to lose their homes to foreclosure. And when a home in your neighborhood ends up in foreclosure it affects everyone. It is usually sold at a reduced rate, and the values of homes throughout the neighborhood are affected. We have all seen these eyesores with overgrown grass, broken windows and in disrepair.

Well, that is why we are all in this together. It is vital that we fight to maintain the property values of our communities.

Madam Speaker, just a few weeks ago I had my first foreclosure workshop to get families together with lenders to try to get to a point where they could work out their loans. We were very surprised. We had over 600 individuals show up who were either in foreclosure, had fallen a month or two behind, or could see on the horizon, because of an adjustable rate loan or some family circumstance like the loss of a job or the kids going off to college, that they needed a little bit of help.

Well, we have been very active in this Congress because while this is a problem that, yes, critically affects a State like Florida, in the Tampa Bay area that I have the privilege to represent, and it affects California desperately, Ohio, Nevada, no part of the country has been immune from the sub prime lending crisis.

Fortunately, this American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act comes at an important time. But, you know, this Congress has been working on this for over a year and a half. So many of the initiatives contained in this package have been passed by the House of Representatives. This ``New Direction Congress'' has worked, in a bipartisan way, to pass most of the initiatives that are contained in the act today.

Families should know that H.R. 3648, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, was passed and did become law at the end of last year; passed by a margin of 386-27 here in the House. It provides that over the next 3 years, families who have had to sell their homes in foreclosure will be spared from getting hit by a larger tax bill, in addition to the pain of losing their homes.

There are a number of other critical components in the Housing Rescue Package that were previously passed by the House. And I would like everyone to note, because we will probably hear a great deal of debate here today on the housing package. Everyone should note that almost all the initiatives contained in the bill today were passed over the last year and a half by wide, bipartisan margins.

First, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act. That was approved in May by a vote of 239-188. It provides grants to the States and local governments to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties and turn them into safe, affordable places for folks to live.

And I would like to recognize and thank the White House for removing its veto threat. It had threatened to veto this entire package that had been negotiated with the White House over this small section that provides important tools to our State and local governments to tackle those properties that are up for foreclosure, the ones that are overgrown, that have the broken windows, allows them to go in and purchase those properties and turn them into affordable housing for families who are in need.

The package also includes the important provisions of the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act that we passed in May of 2007 by a vote of 313-104. This is vital legislation today because it establishes new and extensive oversight and regulatory authority over the Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Freddie Mac.

To protect the taxpayers, we are instituting new requirements for the safety and soundness of the portfolio operations of these regulated entities. We need to make sure that we have oversight on the effects of the financial and housing finance markets of all these alternatives and provide an alternative to the current secondary market system for housing finance.

Madam Speaker, last September we also passed an important part of this package, the Expanding Home Ownership Act of 2007, by a margin of 348-72 here in the House. This is a critical piece because it expands access to the middle class to the low interest, low fee loans provided by the Federal Housing Administration. These FHA loans are a much better option to the sub prime loans. We are going to take a proactive step here to allow families facing foreclosure to qualify for the

low interest, no fee loans offered by the FHA.

The housing package today also includes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007. That was passed here in the House last October by a vote of 264-148. This creates a new, innovative fund that will be used to build more affordable housing for hard working families and families who have lost their homes due to foreclosure. The new trust fund will focus on construction, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable housing in our hometowns. It will pool monies to target housing for families with the greatest economic need.

And our efforts come at a critical time if we can get this trust fund up and running. See, the Federal money for affordable housing has largely disappeared under the current administration over the past 7 years.

In many communities like mine, housing agencies have thousands on the waiting list. In my hometown of Tampa, Florida, during a 1-week open enrollment session, more than 10,000 seniors, veterans and families indicated a need for housing. But instead of receiving housing, they are placed on a waiting list, and the waiting list takes up to 4 years, and it is so long that the Tampa Housing Authority is unable to help others that need it.

Madam Speaker, another important part of this housing package is the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007. Yes, we passed this here in the House last November by a vote of 291-127. It requires States to license all mortgage professionals and mandate criminal background checks, requires exams and a ban on felons participating in the mortgage loan industry.

We all know that the predatory lending was rampant during the sub prime loan run up. And I would like to draw your attention to anyone that would like to examine in depth the details of predatory lenders and how they worked. Go to the MiamiHerald.com Web site and review their series on predatory lending that they have run over the past couple of days. It is outstanding.

They reviewed thousands of pages of court documents, State industry reports, internal e-mails, and police reports from 2000 to 2007 and they discovered that over 5,000 people with criminal histories during that time became loan originators, a rate of nearly two a day. Worse, those include over 2,000 who had committed financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and grand theft. Too many of our neighbors were outright lied to and steered into unaffordable, exploding adjustable-rate mortgages without being given an option for a fixed rate and are now facing foreclosure which harms their families and all of us in their community.

To accompany this extensive package, what has been added that really has not been voted on by the House today is a request by the Treasury Secretary for new standby authority to buy stock or debt in the GSEs if it is determined that an emergency exists. This is something of an insurance policy against broader losses in the housing market that could bubble up.

Mr. Speaker, our efforts here today are absolutely necessary. Families across this country are depending on us. It's unfortunate that while the House and the new-direction Congress has been focused on affordable housing over the past year and a half and has passed terrific, substantive legislation, that it's taken a few months to get it enacted and passed in the end.

Thanks again to Chairman Barney Frank for headlining our negotiations with the other body and with the White House. And I feel secure that a large bipartisan vote here today will prove that we can stand up and address this housing crisis across this country.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished chairwoman of the Rules Committee, Ms. Slaughter of New York.

I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), a champion for affordable housing and America's families.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to correct the record here because this House of Representatives has been working in a bipartisan way for almost 2 years now on housing legislation. In fact, in my opening statement, I chronicled the number of bills starting last year that have been passed in this House by substantial bipartisan margins and sent over to the Senate where they waited. To say that there's been no opportunity for amendment or debate, that's wholly inaccurate.

Out of this package, it contains at least five or six bills that had committee hearings, extensive hearings, the opportunity for amendment in committee, the opportunity for debate, previous debate, debate on the floor, amendments here on the floor, debate in the Rules Committee.

So I think it's important that the record reflect that reality.

And at this time, I'd like to yield 5 minutes to the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

I yield the gentleman 30 additional seconds.

Mr. Speaker, we reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

I will have to object to that. I will note that the rule does provide for an extended amount of debate on the legislation, itself.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I have the right to close, so I will reserve the balance of my time until the gentleman from Texas has made his closing statement.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act and this rule, as families across America are in the grips of a housing crisis and it demands expeditious action.

The President of the United States says it's necessary. The Governors in this great Nation say it's necessary, and I will submit their statements into the Record.

Foreclosures are way up, and the options for safe, clean, and affordable housing are down. In my home town of Tampa, Florida, one in 280 homes is in foreclosure. Now, as Rules Committee Chairwoman Slaughter said, we're going to clean up this mess because America's hardworking families are depending on us, but we will also need to follow up and hold those accountable who have created this mess.

Now, the House of Representatives over the past 1\1/2\ years have passed bills to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, provide resources to local communities to build new, safe and affordable housing, and crack down on predatory lenders. It has all come to fruition here today.

Our efforts will keep the American dream of homeownership available to more American families, thanks to the efforts of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Barney Frank and Chairwoman Maxine Waters, and the other champions for America's families who are going to continue to side with them, and our commitment to affordable housing and safe and healthy communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and the rule.

Executive Office of the President, Office of Management

and Budget,

Washington, DC., July 23, 2008.

Statement of Administration Policy

H.R. 3221--Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, (Rep. Frank (D)

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to begin to address an overwhelming problem currently faced by far too many of our most vulnerable neighbors by introducing the Timely Due Process for the Disabled Act.

Every year, thousands of Americans lose the ability to work due to illness or injury. But as paychecks stop coming in, bills do not. For many of these people, the only thing that can prevent them from having to share their time between medical treatment and phone calls from collection agencies and attempts to avoid foreclosure is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

But, today, the system of enrolling in SSDI is broken. The average wait for an Administrative Law Judge hearing to contest a faulty disability determination has climbed in the past 8 years from an already outrageous 275 days to 481 days, with 28% of claims taking over 600 days to receive a hearing. This figure does not even include the initial determination, and reconsideration phases, which together push the average wait time for an Appeals Hearing case to well over 2 years.

One of my constituents called my office in Tampa, frantic that his home was in foreclosure proceedings, and though he knew he was eligible for Disability, he simply had not been given a hearing. Facing the prospect of homelessness with a young daughter, he still was not able to break through the crushing bureaucracy that has taken over the Disability appeals process.

One woman I worked with had had multiple surgeries due to debilitating problems with her spine. She was in excruciating pain, and was completely unable to work, but was denied disability payments. The Social Security Administration eventually conceded that she was, in fact, eligible for disability payments. But before that happened, she had to endure three long years of financial uncertainty, near bankruptcy, and the near repossession of her home.

Another constituent of mine was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She started to have balance problems. At one point she lost her balance and was injured in a bad fall. Still, she was denied disability. Her husband had to come out of retirement to take a part-time job in order to avoid financial ruin while they waited, and waited, and waited for their appeals hearing. Finally, the Social Security Administration came back and said that yes, she should have been receiving payments for years.

A system that leaves our neighbors in limbo while their financial problems continue to mount is not a system that is working. The Timely Due Process for the Disabled Act will begin to move us in the right direction by setting a standard of treatment for disability patients. It instructs the Social Security Administration to, within 5 days of receiving an appeal, set a date for a hearing. After a 60-day time period for claimants to prepare and gather evidence, the hearing must be held within 15 days. A final determination will be required in another 15 days. These benchmarks are ambitious, but they are not out of line with timeliness requirements in other agencies.

The Timely Due Process for the Disabled Act will also allow a more complete picture of the magnitude of the problems inherent in the system. It requires local offices to share more data about the first phase of the appeals process, the reconsideration phase. While SSA already reports data about the initial claims phase, the Administrative Law Judge hearing phase, and the appeals council, which is the last level of appeals, there is far less data available about the reconsideration phase that takes place at the State disability offices. This is the first level of appeal, and in many cases, is a formality where the same office that denied the claim looks at the same material again, eating up an additional average of about 2 months time. This bill will give a clearer idea of how long these reconsiderations are taking, and how we can speed them up.

Ultimately, the way we treat people with disabilities reflects the values we have as a nation. Over the past 8 years, that treatment has gone from bad to worse, leaving thousands of Americans who need help to struggle on without it. I urge my colleagues to support the Timely Due Process for the Disabled Act and begin to place a priority on doing right by our neighbors who need us the most.

Mr. Speaker, we've been working diligently to improve Medicare for America's seniors. In fact, on June 24, the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed by a large bipartisan margin, 355-59, critical Medicare legislation. Unfortunately, it's being blocked by the White House and Republicans across the Capitol.

I urge the White House and Republicans in the other body to stop siding with private health insurance companies and, instead, join us in standing up for families who rely on Medicare.

Our Medicare bill is critical to the health of our neighbors. It helps ensure that seniors have access to high quality health care and the doctor of their choice.

Health care for our military families and retirees is also linked to our Medicare bill, and the Military Officers Association is calling on the White House and Republicans to end their opposition.

Our legislation cuts overpayments and wasteful subsidies to private managed-care insurance companies and redirects these resources to where they belong: the health of our seniors.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1304 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend and colleague from the Rules Committee, Mr. Diaz-Balart of Florida. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1304 provides a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 6052, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008. The resolution provides for 1 hour of general debate controlled by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and makes in order five amendments submitted for consideration.

The rule also permits the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules relating to two important measures: one, a measure concerning the Commodity Exchange Act and energy markets; and two, a measure concerning the issuance of oil and gas leases on Federal lands or waters. This authority is needed because House rules allow for bills to be considered under suspension only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. In order for the House to consider the bill today on Thursday or on any other day, the House must adopt a rule granting specific permission.

Madam Speaker, hardworking Americans all across this great country are being squeezed by this painful Bush economy that has brought on increased costs for housing and for health care. My colleague from Florida can attest to the rising costs of property insurance for Floridians and other Americans, and of course, gas prices are socking it to our neighbors back home.

Now, many of the reformers here in Congress have been standing up to the White House and have been urging them for years to change direction and to focus on long-term solutions to our energy challenges. But the oil men at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue and their Big Oil allies have had a stranglehold over our country's energy policy, and unfortunately, families and businesses across America are paying the price.

Now, some bipartisan progress has been made here in our new-direction Congress over the past year and a half. One of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's first initiatives was to establish a new bipartisan Select Committee on Energy Independence and Climate Change, which has been extremely productive. Democratic reformers also pushed through a historic increase in the required gas mileage of 35 miles per gallon for our cars. Now, better gas mileage for our cars alone should save families from $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump and should slash consumption in America by 4 million gallons per day, but it cannot happen soon enough. The sad thing is this technology has existed for years. Cars in Japan travel almost twice as far on a gallon of gas.

What has been missing here in our country is the political leadership to make these necessary changes. So many of the changes we have been fighting for have been blocked by the White House and by their Big Oil allies.

Remember, just 7 years ago, the administration's Energy Task Force met behind closed doors, and it consisted of former oil company executives and of other oil executives, like Ken Lay of Enron. The administration also fought to keep the other identities secret. Saving American families money through innovation was not a priority. Conservation was not a priority--the Vice President made that clear-- and public transit and public transportation were not priorities. They were stuck in the past then, and they still are today because what has been their answer to high gas prices? Their recommendations today are the same as they were 7 years ago: More drilling; more of the same.

Now, as the reformers in this Congress continue to fight for a new direction in energy policy, inexplicably, the White House announced yesterday that it opposes today's public transit bill, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act. What a shame on the White House, because expanding public transportation use is one of the most promising ways to reduce energy consumption and reliance on foreign oil.

Now, with the White House's $4-per-gallon premium, even more commuters are choosing to ride the train and to bus to work rather than to ride alone in their cars. According to two recent studies, America already saves up to 1\1/2\ to 4 billion gallons of gasoline annually. That's more than 11 million gallons of gasoline per day due to public transit.

Ridership across America is way up. 2007 was the highest ridership in public transportation in 50 years. Light rail riders are way up in Denver, Seattle, Portland, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Francisco, Charlotte, and in many other communities. And my colleague from Miami will be pleased to hear that South Florida posted a 20 percent increase over last year in ridership in March and April. Transit agencies are also using more alternative fuels and clean energy technologies that improve the air we breathe and that aid America's energy independence.

Our transit bill on the floor today and under this rule will lower fares and will expand routes and frequency so public transit is an even more attractive alternative during this time of high gas prices.

So I urge my colleagues to continue to stand up to the White House, to support this rule and our first bill today, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act.

Madam Speaker, our second bill today under this rule is entitled ``Use It or Lose It.'' In the bill, we are calling the bluff of the White House, of Big Oil, and of other prominent Republicans who claim that oil companies are being blocked from drilling for oil and gas and that that is somehow related to gas prices. Well, after the White House announced that policy last week, one commentator called it a massive fraudulent and pathetic excuse for an energy policy.

You see, 68 million acres are already leased and have the potential to produce an additional 4.8 million barrels of oil and 4.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day. Now, if 68 million acres are already open to drilling, please do not insult the intelligence of the American people by claiming that the oil companies need more.

The truth about America's energy policy and the White House policy is that Big Oil has stockpiled supplies and has pocketed profits. A report has been generated by the Committee on Natural Resources, entitled ``The Truth About America's Energy: Big Oil Stockpiles Supplies and Pockets Profits'' of June 2008. If American families and businesses are interested, they can obtain this report on the Internet at resourcescommittee.house.gov.

The chairman of the Natural Resources Committee is Nick Rahall of West Virginia. It's his bill. The bill forces oil and gas companies to either produce, to use it or to release the leases, to lose them, the leases they've been stockpiling. These companies can't obtain new ones unless they can demonstrate that they are diligently using the ones that they already have.

Now, what was particularly interesting, Madam Speaker, is that, last

year, the administration's own energy department, the Energy Information Administration, issued a report that determined that opening more areas would not have a significant impact on gas prices. The 2007 report of the administration's Energy Information Administration, titled ``Annual Energy Outlook 2007, with Projections to 2030'' can be found at www.eia.doe.gov/oaif/aeo/.

In fact, Madam Speaker, just yesterday, the director of the EIA reconfirmed the 2007 report and noted that expanded offshore drilling in the U.S. will not affect oil and natural gas prices very much at all.

I would like to submit yesterday's reconfirmation by the EIA director of the 2007 report.

[From Bloomberg.com, June 25, 2008]

Offshore Drilling Won't Affect Prices Much, EIA Says

(By Tina Seeley)

Expanded offshore drilling in the U.S. won't affect oil and

natural-gas prices much, the head of the Energy Information

Administration said.

Guy Caruso, speaking today at a press conference in

Washington, said his agency had considered the effect of more

drilling in a 2007 report. Higher energy prices this year

might change the results, although the time needed for

resource development would damp any outcome, he said.

``It does take a long time to develop those resources,''

Caruso said. ``Therefore the price impact is muted by that.''

President George W. Bush last week proposed expanded

drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and development of

energy sources in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as

a response to record prices. Crude-oil futures hit a record

$139.89 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on June

16.

Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican

presidential nominee, has expressed support for more

drilling. His potential Democratic opponent, Senator Barack

Obama of Illinois, opposes more drilling.

``The projections in the OCS access case indicate that

access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions

would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and

natural gas production or prices before 2030,'' the agency

said in its 2007 report.

The Energy Information Administration is the statistical

arm of the U.S. Energy Department.

Madam Speaker, this sounds all too familiar: the Bush administration ignoring information generated by its own agencies. They've been downplaying, ignoring climate change, possibly intelligence, and now it comes as no surprise that they're playing games on energy policy as well. Thanks to the administration's years of inaction and incompetence, America is left with record prices for consumers and with record profits for oil companies with disastrous national security consequences.

Now, the third bill we will consider today as part of our energy package is a direction to the administration, encouragement, as we continue to stand up to the misguided policies of this White House.

Our third bill today encourages the White House to take more aggressive action in regulating the energy futures market. This is our first step in tackling the outrageous speculation that is occurring that many experts have noted could help reduce the price of gas at the pump.

This is our package today. We look forward to the debate.

At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I'm very happy to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland, a leader on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mr. Cummings.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Vermont, a member of the powerful Rules Committee, Mr. Welch.

I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to point out that, under the underlying bill, we provide extensive assistance to rural America. It is clear that folks in rural America oftentimes bear the brunt of high gas prices brought on by this unfortunate Bush economy and by the failure of leadership over the past 6 to 8 years. The underlying bill provides over $100 million for rural America to expand the alternative use through public transportation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

The reformers in this Congress are working for solutions and are casting aside the politics of the past, and for the first time in a decade, they are setting the right priorities for American families. See, American families are caught in this very unfortunate Bush economy that is squeezing them, whether it's health care, the rising cost of housing, and, of course, gas prices.

This New Direction Congress, led by Democrats, is on the side of middle class families, and we are responding to their call for change in the direction of this country. But, Madam Speaker, it has not been easy. It has not been easy in these final years of the Bush administration. A number of times we have stood up to the administration to repeal the massive subsidies to the big oil companies and instead take that money and invest it in new renewable energies and biofuel technologies because one of the most promising ways to end our dependence on foreign oil is in the creation of renewable energy sources. But we were blocked by the White House and Big Oil.

But we are not going to give up. If we had given up, the reformers in this Congress would not have been able to push through the first increase in fuel economy standards in over 30 years. The increase of 35 miles per gallon for each automobile will save American families $700 to $1,000 at the pump when fully implemented.

American families are clamoring for a bold, new direction in energy policy. It is vital to their family budgets, and we know now, as, unfortunately, the leaders of the country have had to traipse over to Saudi Arabia and ask for more oil, that this is vital to our national security. So the contrast between the policies of the past and our forward-looking efforts could not be more clear.

But, Madam Speaker, it is so easy to be frustrated by the misguided policies of this administration over the past 8 years and by their political gimmicks where they pretend that drilling for oil in new areas is the answer to high gas prices when their very own Energy Department dismisses the idea as untrue. After all, there are 68 million acres already open and currently leased to oil and gas companies. So why here at the end of this administration would we give Big Oil even more?

Madam Speaker, American families are counting on us. So I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to back up your rhetoric with support for our bipartisan bills today, to provide American families with greater opportunities to use public transit by lowering fares and by increasing the frequency of buses and trains in their neighborhoods. Reject the oil drilling gimmick for what it is, and urge this President to address the oil speculators that are causing a run-up in high gas prices. My colleagues, stand up to the powerful interests, and end the practice of using energy policy as a way to support Big Oil. Instead, help our families; help our communities; enable researchers and innovators to lead us to a cleaner, safer, and more affordable future.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the rule and of the underlying legislation. Chart a new direction for America on energy. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

The material previously referred to by Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida is as follows:

Amendment to H. Res. 1304 Offered by Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 4. Immediately upon the adoption of this resolution

the House shall, without intervention of any point of order,

consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5656) to repeal a

requirement with respect to the procurement and acquisition

of alternative fuels. All points of order against the bill

are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. The

previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill

and any amendment thereto to final passage without

intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill

equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking

member of the Committee on House Oversight and Government

Reform; and (2) an amendment in the nature of a substitute if

offered by Representative Waxman, which shall be considered

as read and shall be separately debatable for 40 minutes

equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an

opponent; and (3) one motion to recommit with or without

instructions.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, middle class families across America are struggling with the rising cost of health care, housing and gas prices brought on by the White House economic policies of the last 8 years.

Unfortunately, Big Oil continues to have a stranglehold over our country's energy policy. The latest proposal from their allies in the White House and other prominent Republicans is to drill for oil just off of our beaches.

But oil companies already have access to 68 million acres that they are not actively tapping, and the administration's own Energy Department reports that opening up new areas would have no impact on the price of gas.

True leaders are working on long-term solutions to reduce our dependence on oil and gas, promote conservation and new renewable technology. This has been the fundamental failure on energy policy of the Bush administration, and now Americans are paying the price. Do not reward Big Oil's latest attempt to grab even more.

Join us in fighting harmful speculation in petroleum markets and our efforts to end the massive, wasteful taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies. Short-term political gimmicks are no substitute for real leadership.

I thank my good friend from Florida (Mr. Hastings) who is a strong supporter of the space program.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2008.

NASA is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year, and I salute and congratulate everyone at NASA for their contributions to American life and science. Space exploration and research comprised the foundation of technological advances in America that have greatly improved all of our lives.

For example, in early NASA missions, large-scale integrated circuits were created that today are the basis for all modern computers, and how would we live without computers today? NASA also helps the United States maintain its competitive edge in the global marketplace. More engineers now come from outside the United States that are produced by our colleges and universities.

America can do better. NASA is one of the keys to doing so. NASA scientists and researchers keep America focused on innovation and better-paying jobs. In addition, fewer and fewer children are interested in entering science fields, even though our world today is dominated by science and technology. We must encourage young people and students to stay interested in science and enter scientific fields of study. The fantastic NASA missions and research also plays a vital role here.

There are currently seven astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery preparing to return to earth after a highly successful mission. I had the privilege of watching the successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery a week and a half ago at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. I was thrilled to share that day with our colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, as her husband, Mark Kelly, is the commander of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Congratulations to the Discovery crew, the mission team on the ground as well, as they have successfully delivered the Japanese Kibo scientific lab to the International Space Station and have now completed their mission. The personnel at the Kennedy Space Center and their partners throughout Florida have an unmatched dedication to our country's space program.

They are a highly trained workforce with a record of achievement and tradition that cannot be matched. That's why it troubles me that President Bush has threatened a veto of this important NASA bill.

I urge President Bush to reflect on these facts before he picks up his veto pen, which he threatened to do yesterday in a letter to us. Before President Bush vetoes this outstanding NASA reauthorization bill, I would urge the White House to consider the economic impact of such a bill.

I thank the gentleman.

Before President Bush picks up his veto pen to veto this outstanding NASA reauthorization bill, I urge the White House to consider the economic impact of such a veto on the State of Florida, Florida's economy, and aeronautic research and science throughout this country.

I congratulate Chairman Udall and all in the committee for this fantastic bill. Congratulations to everyone at NASA for their 50-year anniversary.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important bill.

Madam Speaker, for the information of our colleagues and my constituents, I want the Record to reflect how I would have voted on the following votes I missed this session.

On rollcall 338, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1212 providing for consideration of H.R. 6049, Energy Production and Conservation and Individual Income Tax Relief I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 339, on agreeing to the resolution providing consideration of H.R. 6049, Energy Production and Conservation and Individual Income Tax Relief, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 340, on ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization of 2009, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 341, on ordering the previous question providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 70, the Congressional Budget Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 342, on agreeing to the resolution providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res 70, the Congressional Budget Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 343, on the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 344, passage of H.R. 6049, The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 345, to suspend the rules and pass as amended H.R. 1771, The Crane Conservation Act of 2008, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 346, passage of H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act objections of the President notwithstanding, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 347, to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H.R. 3819, Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2008, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 348, to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5826, Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living adjustment, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 349, to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5856, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 350, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1218, providing for consideration of H.R. 5658, Department of Defense Authorization, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 351, on agreeing to the resolution providing for consideration of H.R. 5658, Department of Defense Authorization, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 352, on motion to table H. Res. 1221, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 353, to suspend rules and pass H.R. 6124 to provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2012, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 354, to suspend rules and pass H. Res. 1194, reaffirming the support of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected Government of Lebanon, under Prime Minister Fouad Sinoria, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 355, on the Akin amendment to H.R. 5658, to cut military pay, benefits, and healthcare by $163 million. I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 356, on the Franks amendment to H.R. 5658, that would take $719 million from high priority R&D programs outside of the Missile Defense Agency, in order to eliminate the committee's targeted reductions to the missile defense budget, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 357, on the Tierny amendment to H.R. 5658, to reduce funding for the Missile Defense Agency by an additional $996.2 million beyond the $719 million already reduced, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 358, on the Pearce amendment to H.R. 5658, to cut $10 million from the Department of Defense Energy Conservation Improvement Program in order to restore RRW funding, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 359, on the Lee amendment to H.R. 5658, requiring that any security guarantee, arrangement, or assurance between the US and Iraq would have to be ratified by the Senate or approved by the full Congress, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 360, on the Braley amendment to H.R. 5658, requiring an extensive report on current and future war costs, including direct war costs and veterans payments, to try to capture the full cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 361, on the Price amendment to H.R. 5658. prohibiting agencies under the Department of Defense from using contractors to perform interrogations, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 362, on the Holt amendment to H.R. 5658, requiring that strategic intelligence interrogations of Department of Defense detainees being conducted in theater interment facilities, and not on the battlefield, are video-taped or otherwise electronically recorded and stored according to guidelines that the Secretary of Defense will promulgate, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 363, on the McGovern amendment to H.R. 5658. requiring the secretary of defense to remove recently imposed secrecy and return to the previous practice of releasing the names, upon request, of the students and instructors at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 364, on the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 5658, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 365, on passage of H.R. 5658 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 366, to suspend the rules and agree, as amended H. Res. 986, recognizing the courage and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 367, to suspend rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 138 supporting National Men's Health Week, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 368, to suspend rules and agree on H. Res. 923 recognizing the State of Minnesota's 150th Anniversary, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 369, to suspend rules and agree to H. Res. 1114 supporting the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation and National Arbor Day, I would have voted ``yes.''

Regular order, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1174 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I am pleased to yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague from the Rules Committee, Mr. Hastings from Washington. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1174.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1174 provides for consideration of H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate controlled by the Committee on Financial Services. The rule makes in order seven amendments listed in the Rules Committee report, each of which is debatable for 10 minutes. The rule also provides for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 and this rule. This New Direction Congress, led by Democrats, understands the impact of this unfortunate Bush economy on neighborhoods throughout America. In order for our country to recover from this economic downturn, it is critical that we stabilize housing for our neighbors and rebuild communities with more affordable housing.

In fact, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged Congress to take

action earlier this week. He stated in part, summarized in this news report, ``The reasons behind surging late payments and foreclosures can vary, and that needs to be taken into account when developing solutions. For instance, in parts of New England, States in the Great Lakes, including Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, show increased mortgage delinquencies and notable increases in unemployment rates. California, Florida, and parts of Colorado, on the other hand, saw delinquencies rise during a period when unemployment generally decreased but the value of homes declined.''

He said, ``A widespread decline in home prices, by contrast, is a relatively novel phenomenon, and lenders and servicers will have to develop new and flexible strategies to deal with this issue. Rising foreclosures add to the glut of unsold homes, and that put more downward pressure on prices, aggravating the housing slump. More rapid declines in house prices could have an adverse impact on the broader economy.''

See, this affects us all, and it affects the stability of the financial system overall. So it is vitally important that we bring this package today, this first bill, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act and more to come because of the record number of foreclosures facing our neighbors back home.

Under President Bush's economic policies, the number of families entering into foreclosure has increased from over 700,000 to 1.5 million last year, but today, we're going to bring new hope to our communities through revitalized neighborhoods and targeted affordable housing to families that need it most.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 provides our local communities with the tools they need to purchase and rehabilitate vacant and foreclosed homes. Now we all know a vacant, deteriorated, foreclosed home in our neighborhood has a devastating impact. We've all seen them. We've driven by them. They're overgrown. They are not paying the taxes like everyone else in the neighborhood is paying. They're causing a drain on services and local governments.

Our initiatives today will help these nonprofit agencies and our local governments purchase those properties, turn them around, rehabilitate them and make them available to families that need them most, and in order to see that families with the greatest needs receive housing first, these new loans and affordable homes will be targeted especially to middle class families and those hardworking families back in our communities.

I know this will help families in my home State of Florida which has been among the Nation's hardest hit States, particularly in my community in the Tampa Bay area. In fact, it was not long ago that one of my neighbors called to tell me that he recently lost his home to foreclosure, and he was dealing with the repercussions from that loss, trying to find another affordable place to live for him and his family.

He was pleased to know, however, that this Congress had already acted on a mortgage forgiveness debt relief act signed into law last year, and because of that act, he will not suffer a double whammy and get hit with an unaffordable tax bill to accompany the loss of his home.

This legislation will help families from my community and communities across this Nation to rebuild and create more affordable housing. I am proud that this Congress has been so proactive and taken so many steps to combat the housing crisis. Millions of Americans will be helped because of the proactive leadership of Chairman Barney Frank on the Financial Services Committee and Chairwoman Maxine Waters.

I am pleased to witness firsthand that this new Democratic Congress has made the lives of folks in my neighborhood and my community a whole lot better. Today, we will continue to move forward by passing the Neighborhood Stabilization Act and follow on that with the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act. These efforts reflect the continued work of this New Direction Congress and offer the most comprehensive response yet to the American mortgage crisis. We are providing much-needed help to hardworking families in this unfortunate Bush economy.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. Speaker, I object. I do not yield for that purpose.

Mr. Speaker, we're going to do everything we can in our power to help American families across this Nation that, yes, are facing foreclosure. In this package we bring today we will help the folks who are facing those adjustable rates and keep them out of foreclosure. But I don't think we should turn a blind eye to the significant increase in foreclosures, the rate of foreclosures that has happened since 2003 under the Bush Administration. In 2003, 734,000 foreclosures; 2004, 835,000 foreclosures. More in 2005 and 2006. 2007, a record-breaking 1.5 million foreclosed homes in America. This Neighborhood Stabilization Act will address those vacant foreclosed homes in our neighborhoods.

I am going to call upon my colleague from the Rules Committee, Ms. Matsui from California, to further address the

issue. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to an outspoken advocate for the hardworking families of Ohio and all Americans, Ms. Kaptur of Ohio.

We have a list of additional speakers, so at this time I cannot yield additional time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).