Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, the Energy and Water Appropriations bill charts an important new direction for improved public health and a cleaner environment throughout America. The bill also makes important new investments in renewable energy as we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and cut

greenhouse gas emissions. We must rapidly expand the production of clean, alternative fuels and increase energy efficiency. Our country has lost momentum due to the Bush-Cheney White House's inaction on global warming and energy independence. The new Congress will change course today.

A healthy and clean environment and renewable energy solutions are vital to the State of Florida and the Tampa Bay area. In my Tampa Bay area district, we are working to increase energy efficiency through organizations like the Clean Energy Research Center at the University of South Florida. My recent Tampa energy forum ``Turning Green for the Red, White and Blue'' drew great community interest. Our neighbors now are focusing on commonsense conservation initiatives. Nevertheless, leadership at the Federal level is vital.

The Energy and Water Appropriations bill invests $3 billion in global climate change science and in renewable energy technologies that both reduce greenhouse gases and help our Nation meet its energy needs. Additionally, this bill will provide a 50 percent increase into research on energy efficiency and renewable energy, including solar, biofuels, hydropower, and geothermal, as well as new vehicle technology and energy efficient buildings and homes. Solar energy holds great promise for Floridians and I strongly support the new investment of $200 million for research, development and demonstration projects to make solar energy more affordable.

On the first day of the new Congress, the House passed legislation to repeal $14 billion in taxpayer subsidies given to Big Oil companies that are earning record profits while we pay record profits at the pump. Those monies now will be channeled into clean alternative energy technologies and energy efficiency. Doing so enhances our national security as our country will lessen its foreign entanglements with questionable, petrocentric nations.

Climate change is potentially the greatest threat to our national security and prosperity. Energy independence is vital to our future. I urge the Congress to act swiftly for the sake of my community and all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, last week, the new Congress adopted the most significant expansion of veterans health care in the history of the VA.

The real-life story of Lt. Sylvia Blackwood highlights why this is so important. Lt. Blackwood began suffering from PTSD after serving two tours of duty in Iraq. She found the strength to check herself into the VA Medical Center here in Washington. She was suicidal, but instead of receiving immediate treatment, she was directed to a waiting room. When she was finally admitted, she did not receive therapy or relief.

According to an in-depth series published by The Washington Post this week, unfortunately, Lt. Blackwood's story is not uncommon. An estimated one-third of all veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from mental health challenges.

America's servicemen and -women deserve the best care possible when they return from war, both for their physical and mental health. That is why this new Congress last week passed the most significant expansion and improvement in veterans health care in the VA's 77-year history. It's important for all Americans to take pride in that action.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce a resolution honoring the esteemed former President, CEO, and Chairman of NASCAR, William ``Bill'' Clifton France, Jr. Sadly, Bill France passed away June 4 after an extended illness. Bill was well known in Florida, leading NASCAR for 31 years before retiring in 2003. He was, like his father, ``Big Bill,'' a giant in the racing world. He was also a super citizen whose interests and influence went well beyond the racing world. Bill lived life to the fullest and will be remembered with both admiration and fondness.

Today, the Daytona International Speedway is a landmark in the international motorsports community. However, when the France family settled in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934, the track was nothing but packed sand. Bill's father, William H.G. France, was known for his innovative perspectives and entrepreneurial skills in building the legacy that is the Daytona International Speedway. Bill Jr. took the same business savvy his father exhibited, and made NASCAR the legend it is today.

As President, CEO, and Chairman of NASCAR, Bill France transformed the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) into the third ranked professional sports entity on television. His leadership led the ISC to promote more than 100 annual racing events, own and/or operate thirteen of the Nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, and own and operate MRN Radio, the Nation's largest independent sports radio network. In addition to his business achievements, the philanthropic initiative of Bill France and the France family founded the NASCAR Foundation Family of Charities, a group of more than 30 organizations that supports children's programs, animal welfare and conservation.

I know his wife, Betty Jane, and his children Brian and Lesa and their children, will miss him terribly. I know, also, that they are proud of the contributions Bill made to make motorsports not only a successful venture in Florida, but around the world. I am proud to pay tribute to Bill France, his numerous accomplishments, and his dedication to the Florida community and the motorsports industry.

Mr. Chairman, I am proud today to stand with this Congress as it affirms its commitment to the brave men and women who are part of our active and retired military services. Their collective sacrifice and service has been phenomenal, and we must do all we can to ensure that they receive the medical care that they have earned as a result of the sacrifices they have made in service to America. The bill before us provides an historic, substantial boost to the Veterans' Administration, allocating $43.2 billion--$3.8 billion more than the President's request and $6.7 more than the FY 07 allocation--to properly fulfill America's obligation to our servicemen and women and their families.

As a representative of the State with the second highest population of military retirees and veterans--nearly 2 million people--I know many Florida families stand to benefit greatly. The extra funding for the VA to double its benefits personnel in order to reduce the backlog of more than 400,000 benefit claims will do much to improve health care and efficiency for benefits that are due to many Florida families. The top two busiest VA Health Care centers, Bay Pines in St. Petersburg and Haley VA in Tampa, serve residents in my district. I have walked the halls of both facilities, and encountered active and retired military personnel looking for the best care possible for them and their families. This bill provides resources adequate to the enormously important task of supporting our veterans and their families as they transition back into civilian life. It also expands access to vital services in the areas of greatest concern for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan: traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment for burns, and amputation. Haley VA has the distinction of being one of a handful of poly-trauma centers, with special designation to handle traumatic brain injuries, and with its partner, the University Of South Florida College Of Public Health, has been on the forefront of discovering the best roads to effective treatment for those suffering with TBI.

Also, this bill represents the recognition that we must confront, not shy away from, the serious issues in veterans care brought to light by the Walter Reed scandal. $4.1 billion dollars, $508 million above and beyond the President's request, is set aside for the ongoing maintenance and renovation of existing facilities to make certain they remain capable of delivering our veterans the treatment they deserve and need. It also heavily invests in information technology to better track health records, so that no American is allowed to fall through the cracks.

I urge this Congress to back up the talk about supporting our troops with concrete actions. We have an unwavering obligation as a country to do right by our servicemen and women, whether it be in the solemn purpose with which we must always send them off to war, or in providing the necessary care for them and their families upon their return. Their sacrifice must be respected not just with our words, but with our actions.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 437 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier). All time yielded during consideration of this rule is for debate only.

General Leave

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2317, the Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007, and H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.

The resolution provides that H.R. 2317 is to be considered under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against the bill and its consideration, except for those arising under clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI.

The resolution also provides for consideration of H.R. 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against the bill and its consideration, except those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI.

The rule makes in order and provides the appropriate waivers for five amendments, three by Democratic Members and two by Republican Members.

Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support for the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 and the Lobbying Transparency Act as well and this rule.

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act continues the new direction charted by this new Congress and builds upon the strongest ethics reforms ever adopted in the United States Congress.

Last November, the Congress was reinvigorated by the election of a large number of new Members, who were sent here by the American people to fight for reform and change and to sweep aside a previous Congress that was defined by scandal and corruption.

On the first day of this new Congress, the new reform-minded Members, under the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rules Committee Chair Louise Slaughter, ushered in the broadest ethics and lobbying revisions since the Watergate era. The ethics watchdog group Public Citizen called the new ethics rules sweeping in scope and a signal that the Democratic majority in the House appears committed to serious lobbying and ethics reform.

Those new rules include a ban on gifts from lobbyists and organizations that employ lobbyists, a ban on trips that are privately funded by lobbyists and organizations that employ lobbyists, prohibition on Members and staff flying on private corporate jets, an end to the K Street Project, and a new requirement that all earmarks with congressional sponsors be disclosed to the public.

Then 3 weeks after the adoption of that very broad and aggressive ethics reform rules package, the House acted again on ethics reform and stripped the congressional pensions of Members of Congress who commit any of a number of crimes during their tenure, including bribery, conspiracy and perjury.

This new Congress took that direct action to change the culture of Congress at a time when Members of the previous Congress were pleading guilty to living off gifts they had received from lobbyists in exchange for votes and earmarks. Through our bold and expanding ethics package, this new Congress is tackling the cozy relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers.

Next, Mr. Speaker, these bills that we will consider today, the one for open government and honest leadership and transparency in lobbying, and this rule, provide rigorous new requirements for lobbyist disclosure and enforcement of lobbying laws and regulations.

Mr. Speaker, we don't adopt reforms for reform's sake alone. We adopt these reforms and we fight for change because it matters to our constituents and our neighbors back home.

For over a year I have been sitting down with seniors trying to work through the disaster of Medicare part D that was crafted in the last Congress. Fortunately, this bill adds a House rule prohibiting Members and senior staff from negotiating future employment or salaries and requires public recusal of Members on any matters where there may be a conflict of interest.

You see, Mr. Speaker, that Medicare part D that is so costly and confusing to our seniors and puts all the benefit on the side of HMOs and Big Pharma, and puts all of the burden on our seniors, was crafted by a Member of Congress who, shortly thereafter, after he helped write the Medicare drug bill, went on to become the head lobbyist for PhRMA in what I think was a crass violation of the public trust. Fortunately, this bill will tackle that problem.

This bill also makes it a Federal crime for Members and senior staff to influence employment decisions or practices of private entities for partisan political gain. Some people have called this the K Street Project. The K Street Project was an initiative by the Republican Party to pressure Washington lobbying firms to hire Republicans in top positions and to reward loyal GOP lobbyists with access to influential officials.

The bill also requires quarterly instead of semiannual disclosure of lobbying reports. It requires in the age of the Internet for lobbying reports to be filed electronically and be made available in a free, searchable, downloadable database within 48 hours of being filed.

It also requires the Clerk of the House to post travel disclosures on the Internet. This follows the scandals of Jack Abramoff. We must allow greater transparency into the trips and financial holdings of Members of Congress. Former Members of Congress took lavish trips to Scotland with a lobbyist that had minimal disclosure, and these new provisions will bring more such light to congressional disclosure forms.

Through this legislation we will also increase civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with lobbying disclosure requirements. And it does much, much more.

Mr. Speaker, we must continue to fight for high ethical standards in government to end the culture of corruption in Washington so that our neighbors and folks we represent know they can count on us to stand up for them against powerful special interests and trust that congressional Members work in the public interest.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the ethics reformer of Ohio and my colleague on the Rules Committee, Ms. Sutton.

Mr. Speaker, I am very honored to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my colleague from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. Speaker, I will reserve the balance of my time until the gentleman has closed for his side.

That is correct, Mr. Speaker.

Well, my interest, Mr. Speaker, is keeping this legislation on track. The American people spoke loud and clear in November. They called on us to fight for reform and change.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act and the Lobbying Transparency Act and this rule. Citizens deserve open and honest leadership. We must stay on track with lobbying reform. And after the scandals in past years, we will continue the fight for reform and change so that the American people trust that Members of Congress are making decisions that benefit our communities and our country, and not some powerful special interest with undue influence.

Unfortunately, there has been a price to pay for the culture of corruption. You can see it when you gas up at the pump. Big Oil has gotten millions and billions in tax breaks, while people that we represent pay higher gas prices. And in Florida, the big oil companies have been granted a right to drill off our beautiful coastline.

You can see it when our seniors are pushed into privatized Medicare. The HMOs get a slush fund, and seniors pay more for health care.

You can see it when students and their families pay more for student loans because of sweetheart deals. The special interests get tax breaks, and our kids pay off higher debt.

Mr. Speaker, today we will keep our promise to the American people to fight for change and reform. When our neighbors and the folks back home send us to Washington, they rightly expect their representatives to act in the public interest and not in the interest of well-paid lobbyists with undue influence.

I urge my colleagues to build on the strongest ethics reform ever adopted in the Congress, what we started on day one in this new Congress.

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.

I object.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 403 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam 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.

General Leave

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

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

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 403 provides for consideration of H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 under a structured rule. The rule provides 90 minutes of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services. The rule waives all points of order against the bill's consideration, except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order and provides appropriate waivers for 50 amendments. The rule also permits the Chair of the Committee on Armed Services or his designee to offer amendments not earlier disposed of en bloc and debated for 20 minutes, equally divided and controlled by the Chair and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. The Chair of the Armed Services Committee also may request that amendments printed and ordered in the Rules Committee report be offered out of that order with appropriate notice on the floor.

Madam Speaker, today the new Congress, under Democratic leadership, will chart a new direction for a stronger and safer America through the adoption of the Defense authorization bill, H.R. 1585, and this rule. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am pleased to report that our committee, under the leadership of Chairman Ike Skelton, passed the bill out of committee unanimously in a bipartisan way, 58-0.

The Defense bill provides $648.6 billion to support our brave American men and women in uniform, but it does much more. The provisions in the bill would repair the damage done to America's national security by this White House by improving the readiness of our Armed Forces, requiring accountability from the White House in its

Iraq policy and making more strategic investments for the protection of the American people and our interests across the globe.

On readiness, we are going to take care of our troops and their families. We are going to fully fund the needs of our armed services. We are going to strengthen the National Guard and Reserves.

Here are a few details. We have authorized $1.2 billion for body armor; $2.5 billion for up-armored Humvees; $1.2 billion for vehicle add-on armor; and $509 million for the armored security vehicles. We are going to increase the end-strength of our armed services with 36,000 new soldiers in the Army, 9,000 new troops in the Marine Corps and 1,300 troops in the Army National Guard.

This bill authorizes $4.5 billion to fund the anti-IED, improvised explosive device, efforts of the Joint Improved Explosive Device Defeat Organization.

In addition, Madam Speaker, although the President called for only a 3 percent pay raise for our brave men and women in uniform, we have gone far beyond that because we recognize the sacrifice that they are providing for the benefit of the American people, and we have provided a pay raise in this bill for our troops of 3.5 percent.

Inexplicably, in this time of conflict and war the Bush administration also proposed increases in health insurance premiums for our military retirees and troops under TRICARE and proposed cuts to active military medical services. We have blocked that measure. It is the wrong time for the White House to propose health insurance premium increases, when we are asking so much of our brave American men and women in uniform.

Madam Speaker, in this bill we have also included provisions that we passed last month, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, because we remain committed to seeing that our wounded servicemembers receive the best health care possible. Indeed, Madam Speaker, under that Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, we are answering the call of the American people. This new Congress is demanding, through this rule and through this legislation, that the executive branch move beyond the rhetoric of ``support our troops'' to concrete actions that sustain our brave men and women in uniform and their families by providing the quality health care they deserve when they return from the battlefield.

Supporting our troops does not mean that you simply salute and send them off to war, ask them to serve and sacrifice for our great country. But it also means that they are supported when they return home, their families are respected and our wounded warriors receive superior health care for their physical injuries and mental health care.

We are going to improve the health care-mental health care for our wounded warriors in this bill. We are going to tackle the bureaucracy that has blocked their access to health care. We are going to require expedited action, provide medical advocates, improve support services for families and really tackle the traumatic brain injuries and aid the polytrauma centers and VA hospitals across this country that are serving the most crucially wounded.

Madam Speaker, this bill also calls for greater accountability from the White House. In this bill, we are requiring more in-depth reports on operations in Iraq. We want to know what is truly happening on the ground with the Iraqi security forces.

There has been so much waste and fraud in contracting in Iraq and under this White House that we are not going to put up with it any longer. The Department of Defense, the Department of State, USAID, must have additional oversight of the multibillion dollar contracts that have been approved during this war in Iraq. We require reports on the proficiencies of the Iraqi Army, the police, and all security forces there.

To the credit of this Armed Services Committee, we have not forgotten about Afghanistan. In fact, in this bill, as an additional accountability measure, we have established an Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, as we cannot sanction the waste and fraud that has accompanied the administration's Iraq reconstruction.

Madam Speaker, we are also going to be more strategic in the defense of our national security. Like I said, Afghanistan cannot be the forgotten war. In fact, in this bill we direct more attention to operations there, in addition to the Inspector General that will oversee the reconstruction efforts. This bill contains a detailed plan to achieve long-term stability in what has been an unstable country in Afghanistan for many years.

Madam Speaker, we will hear debate today about missile defense. Now, this bill provides great investment in the protection and missile defense of this country. It also reinvigorates the nonproliferation and threat reduction initiatives that have suffered under the Bush administration. We are going to refocus our efforts strategically on terrorism and the true threats to our national security.

I am very proud to say that the headquarters of Special Operations Command is located in my district in Tampa, Florida, at the McDill Air Force Base. This Defense bill, under Democratic leadership, not only fully funds our Special Operations Forces, but it went beyond the Bush administration's budget request, and we have funded their five unfunded needs under the Bush proposal.

We have also authorized a 25 percent increase in Special Forces by the year 2013, because we recognize that we cannot rely solely any longer on the conventional threats to our country. We have got to be smarter, we have to be more strategic, and the Democratic Defense bill authorizes the increase in Special Forces and also a new emphasis on indirect action.

Oftentimes, to win the hearts and minds, you don't go in with guns blazing. In fact, you institute a smarter policy where you work with folks on the ground to prevent any terrorist initiative from ever developing. And this bill does that.

We have reinvested additional resources to improve education and analytical intelligence surveillance. We harness the science and technology innovation in this country by investing in information technology and other technologies to make sure that our troops on the ground have the best technology available across the globe.

Yes, Madam Speaker, this Defense bill charts a new direction for true readiness, accountability and more strategic investments to protect our national security.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, when it comes to the Rules Committee, I think the record should reflect the true reality.

On this Defense bill, over 130 amendments were filed and reviewed in committee, and a record-breaking number of 50 amendments have been allowed on this bill today.

I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

None.

I thank my colleague from the Rules Committee because he is aware, and anyone who attended that committee meeting would be aware, that certain second-degree amendments were in fact offered by the other side of the aisle and were debated and voted upon in committee.

I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

I thank the gentleman.

The fact remains over 135 amendments were submitted on time to the Rules Committee, and a record-breaking number of 50 amendments are being allowed and made in order on this Defense bill.

I think it is also important to respond to the claims that missile defense is not funded through this bill. Indeed, that is incorrect. The record should reflect that only in Washington can a program be provided and funded with billions and billions of dollars for numerous decades; and then say, oh, we are suffering. In fact, that is not the case.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall), a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

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

We did have a debate over missile defense in the Armed Services Committee, but at the end of the day, recall we had a unanimous vote, 58-0, bipartisan vote, to send this bill to the floor.

I would offer, there is no debate. We must protect this great country from nuclear threats, missile threats; and in fact, this bill does that.

We have provided $1.4 billion for Patriot PAC-3 and MEADS. These funds will be used to purchase additional interceptors, upgrade remaining firing units' configuration, continue the development of the MEADS program and purchase equipment for two additional Patriot battalions.

The committee also authorized $1.1 billion for Aegis BMD, an increase of $78 million above the budget request from the White House. These funds will be used to continue and expand the fielding of Standard Missile-3, improve the discrimination capabilities of the Aegis SPY1 radar, and continue the joint development with Japan of the SM-3 Block IIA missile.

We have authorized $2.3 billion for ground-based missile defense.

The committee supports THAAD and authorizes $858 million to continue the purchase of two THAAD firing units. So to come to the floor and say that missile defense is not provided for in this bill is incorrect.

What we are facing, though, is because of this war in Iraq, we have growing needs for the troops on the ground. So our committee made the decision that the troops on the ground come first; that they will have the body armor, they will have the MRAP vehicles, the mine-resistant vehicles, because that is the priority today. Tough decisions, but our troops come first on the ground.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

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

I think it is also very important for the record to reflect that the Army is fully funded in its needs. Indeed, $13.6 billion are authorized through this Defense bill to fully address the equipment reset of the Army.

What has happened, because of the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and we all know this, but readiness of our Armed Forces has suffered. Indeed, the Army Chief of Staff testified before the Armed Services Committee that the escalation of the war creates a terrible strategic risk for this country.

If there was any other threat from across the globe that threatened our national security, it would be very difficult for us to respond because all of the equipment, all of the trucks, the Humvees, are there in Iraq. When the units are deployed and go over to Iraq, they are not able to bring the equipment back.

This was highlighted recently in the State of Kansas with these terrible tornados, when the governor of Kansas told us directly that they were not able to respond as quickly. I'll tell you, coming from the State of Florida, at the beginning of the hurricane season, this is an issue.

We have also had to make these tough decisions about equipping our

warriors on the ground with the equipment that they need.

The Army came forward during their budget discussion in Armed Services and said our most critical need are these mine-resistant ambush vehicles that have the armor to withstand the IEDs that has caused so much death and destruction. The Bush administration did not have a funding plan for those MRAP vehicles. So what do we do?

We have got to provide the troops on the ground with the equipment they need to stay safe and survive. Does that mean that some other programs that aren't as tested and aren't as proven get a slight cut? Yes, it does. Yes, it does, because that is a priority, protecting the troops on the ground today.

I yield to the gentleman from Kansas.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman and before I reserve the balance of my time, on the future combat systems, so the record is clear, only in Washington can you provide $2.8 billion to a program and then say that's not enough.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the Armed Services Committee, Ms. Giffords of Arizona.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

We did have, in over 5 months of the Armed Services Committee, many opportunities to hear from Members across the aisle. I question why this wasn't brought up before the committee at that time.

Madam Speaker, I have one remaining speaker before the close, so I'll reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

To my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, I thank you for your diligence and hard work. Great thanks also to the professional staff of the Armed Services Committee. And I think we all must salute the great leadership of Chairman Ike Skelton, who produced a bipartisan product that passed that committee 58-0.

Madam Speaker, I urge this Congress to chart a new direction today for a stronger and safer America. We will improve the readiness of our Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. We will put a stop on the blank check given to the White House by previous Congresses for the war in Iraq and, instead, require greater accountability for operations and contracting in the region. We will drive more strategic decisions and investments to better protect our national security.

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

The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows:

Amendment to H. Res. 403 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington

In section 2(c) after ``shall not be subject to amendment''

insert ``(except the amendment numbered 43 in the report, to

be offered by Representative Michaud of Maine, or his

designee)''.

(Pretty much the same as what Mr. Sessions offered last

night)

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

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment. My amendment requires the Department of Homeland Security to work with the State of Florida and other States, if necessary, to resolve the differences between the Federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential, known as the TWIC, and Florida's existing access control card.

You see, shortly after 9/11, the State of Florida enacted a law requiring a centralized biometric credential for workers in deepwater ports in the State of Florida, including the three ports in my district in the Tampa Bay area.

This credential is known as the Florida Uniform Port Access Credential, or FUPAC. At the port of Tampa, we have credentialed over 39,000 port workers and the State of Florida has credentialed over 100,000 port workers throughout the State. This means that the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have conducted extensive background checks.

Meanwhile, the Federal TWIC, which was first mandated in the Maritime Transportation Security Act, was not finalized by the Department of Homeland Security until just a few months ago.

The criteria in the FUPAC and the TWIC greatly duplicate each other. The Federal Government and the State of Florida must reconcile these credentials to ensure that our resources go to make our neighbors and our ports safe rather than satisfy bureaucratic red tape.

The Florida Ports Council says that this issue and its resolution will have a profound effect on both the viability of our maritime businesses and the security of Florida's ports.

As long as proper security requirements are being met, as they are with Florida's port credential, we need to spare the working folks who keep our ports moving from having to bear the burden and expense of undergoing unnecessarily duplicative background checks.

The amendment offered today requires that the Department of Homeland Security work with the State of Florida to resolve inconsistencies and avoid unnecessary duplication between the TWIC and the FUPAC.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment which will aid Florida's strong maritime economy and ensure that valuable resources go to keeping our neighbors and our ports safe rather than to unnecessary bureaucratic red tape.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I reserve my time to close.

Madam Chair, in closing, I would like to thank Chairman Thompson and all of the hard-working members and staff of the Homeland Security Committee, and thank my colleagues from Florida, Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite and Mr. Bilirakis, for their bipartisan efforts to solve this problem. I urge adoption of the amendment.

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

I thank my distinguished colleague from the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In doing so, I join with the majority of Americans and law enforcement agencies who understand that violent acts fueled by bigotry and hatred of a particular group simply because of who they are has no place in America.

H.R. 1592, and this rule, strengthens and broadens protections for our neighbors for attacks based on disability, gender, and sexual orientation. This bill provides local law enforcement with tools needed to partner with our Federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute these hateful acts.

Why is it needed? Well, unfortunately, in my area of Florida, bigoted crimes are on the rise. This week police arrested and charged two Pinellas County teenagers after they spray-painted anti-Semitic and racial slurs on nine portable classrooms at a local high school.

Last month, a Polk County man was stabbed to death for being gay.

Also last month, the Islamic Education Center of Florida in Tampa was set on fire, and thousands of my neighbors were left without a place to hold religious services.

Last year, two men in neighboring Polk County were jailed on hate crime charges after they threw beer bottles at a club owner in Tampa, who happened to be speaking Arabic, and threatened to kill him.

According to my local State attorney general's offices, 334 hate crimes were reported in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties in 2004, up from 275 in 2003. Fifty-two of those hate crimes were motivated by sexual orientation in 2004.

Nationwide, victims of hate crimes have reported an average of 191,000 hate crime incidents since the year 2000.

This bill says that we as Americans do not stand for violent acts upon our neighbors based upon who they are; we will not tolerate terrorism against any group of people; and we will provide our local law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to prosecute you when you use violence to spread fear and hate.

Members, I urge you to pass this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee is expected to meet the week of May 7 to grant a rule which may structure the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act.

Members who wish to offer an amendment to this bill should submit 30 copies of the amendment and a brief description of the amendment to the Rules Committee in H-312 in the Capitol no later than 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 7. Members are strongly advised to adhere to the amendment deadline to ensure the amendments receive consideration.

Amendments should be drafted to the bill as ordered reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. A copy of that bill is posted on the Web site of the Rules Committee.

Amendments should be drafted by legislative counsel and also should be reviewed by the Office of the Parliamentarian to be sure that the amendments comply with the rules of the House. Members are also strongly encouraged to submit their amendments to the Congressional Budget Office for analysis regarding possible PAYGO violations.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 348 and ask for its immediate consideration.

For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

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

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 348 provides for consideration of H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act of 2007, under a structured rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rules waive all points of order against the bill except those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order and provides appropriate waivers for 12 amendments, all contained in the committee report.

Mr. Speaker, for more than 40 years Head Start has served as the premier educational and developmental program for more than 20 million American children and families. Head Start works. It works because it is a well-researched, comprehensive initiative that combines children's educational needs with health care and parent outreach.

This comprehensive approach to child health, nutrition and learning is one of our best tools to tackle the achievement gap in education for children living in poverty across our Nation.

The achievement gap begins far before children enter elementary school. Head Start tackles the achievement gap through cognitive, social and emotional child development, each of which is a key contributor to entering elementary school prepared to succeed.

Today 20 percent of America's 12 million children under age 6 live in poverty. We know that a family's income level greatly affects their children's access to educational opportunities. The reality of poverty for so many children, unfortunately, is tied to low success rates in our classrooms. This is true in my home State of Florida. In my community in the Tampa Bay area, over 5,300 children currently are served by Head Start, but many thousands more are on waiting lists and are eligible.

They are on waiting lists because for so many years previous Congresses have failed to reenact Head Start, and the White House has proposed flat-line budgets, so our kids merely have been treading water. With no improvements or increases in funding since 2003, and inflation going up, it has become more difficult to maintain the well- known, high-quality elements in Head Start.

The good news is that this new Congress will change that today and make the smartest investment for our country's future workforce. We are going to put more kids on the path to success when we pass this bill and rule today.

This bill will improve teacher and classroom quality, strengthen the focus on school readiness, expand access to thousands more children across America, strengthen comprehensive services, increase the number of children in early Head Start, because we are a lot smarter these days based upon the research that has been done on early child development and the development of the brain. We are going to allow homeless children to enroll, and we are going to do a better job, my colleague from Florida, for children who are just learning English.

On Monday, I paid a visit to the West Tampa Head Start Center and delivered books to the kids and teachers to mark the four decades of smashing success of this holistic, wraparound initiative that empowers all of us. These children are eager and ready to learn if we give them the tools.

We need to raise strong and healthy children. Head Start prepares children to succeed in school and in life. The administration's slow- motion cuts of Head Start over past years will now be reversed. The American people stood up in November and asked for change, and today we are going to stand up for them.

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

Mr. Speaker, I anticipate on the floor of the House today we will hear some debate over the role of faith-based organizations in Head Start. Republicans would like language that would repeal existing civil rights protections in this Head Start law that ensure the program's Federal funds discriminate, and we are opposed to that.

No citizen should have to pass a religious test to qualify for a publicly

funded job. That is exactly what some on the other side of the aisle will attempt to do today.

Religious organizations who run Head Start programs are not asking for this change. They have written us to oppose it. Head Start teachers and staff should be chosen because they are qualified and they are effective teachers who will help children succeed and thrive. Hiring and firing decisions should not be made because of a teacher's religion.

This is part of an ongoing attempt, I am afraid, by some on the other side of the aisle to make religion a wedge issue.

Democrats strongly support faith-based organizations running Head Start programs, and H.R. 1429 on the floor today specifically reaffirms that faith-based organizations may run Head Start programs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), my colleague from the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton), my colleague from the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of the gentleman from Florida if he has any remaining speakers.

Our side has no remaining speakers, except for my closing.

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

Mr. Speaker, we do have one final speaker before my closing remarks.

I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Improving Head Start Act of 2007 and this rule so that we infuse Head Start with the necessary investments and program enhancements that will sustain Head Start for years to come. We will chart a new course in the right direction by ensuring family incomes do not impede a child's access to educational opportunities.

The fact that the administration and the past few Congresses did not keep the promise to America's children is unfortunate. We have lost ground. But the good news is that this new Democratic Congress is charting a new direction. This includes wise investments in the education and health of our kids, which are certain to pay dividends for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important day for America. The Congress is going to keep the promise made 4 decades ago to children who are born with the same potential but, because of their life circumstances, are in need of a little extra attention, health care, nutrition, the guiding hand of a knowledgeable, talented, devoted teacher, and a true head start.

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. 348

Offered by Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

resolution, the amendment printed in section 4 shall be in

order as though printed as the last amendment in the report

of the Committee on Rules if offered by Representative Price

of Georgia or a designee. That amendment shall be debatable

for 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the

proponent and an opponent.

Sec. 4. The amendment referred to in section 3 is as

follows:

Page 36, after line 12, insert the following (and make such

technical and conforming changes as may be appropriate):

``(3) Emergency exit doors.--

``(A) Effective date.--Section 1310.12(a) of title 45, Code

of Federal Regulations, shall become effective on the

effective date of this paragraph.

``(B) Covered vehicles.--Notwithstanding any other

provision of law, any vehicle used

to transport children for a Head Start program after

effective date of this paragraph, shall be subject to a

requirement under such section (including a requirement based

on the definitions set forth or referenced in section 1310.3

or any other provision set forth or referenced in part 1310

of such title, or any corresponding similar regulation or

ruling) concerning rear exit doors.''.

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

Madam Speaker, today the House will vote on and hopefully pass the emergency supplemental bill. To the individuals who disagree with this new direction and our demand for accountability, I ask, how much longer will you continue to sanction the undermining of our national security under the Bush-Cheney policy? As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I ask this because this bill states that ``no units may be deployed to Iraq unless they are fully mission capable.''

What are you saying if you vote against this measure? In the Armed Services Committee, the Army Chief of Staff testified that the Bush- Cheney strategy is outstripping the means to execute it. Our ground forces in the U.S. are short of training, personnel and equipment. This is very serious, and I ask how anyone can vote against this bill and sanction the unwise Bush-Cheney course.

The risk to our Nation is serious and deepening. We must change direction, make more strategic decisions and bring our diplomatic, economic and moral forces to bear to protect our national security.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chair of the terrorism subcommittee, Mr. Smith.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the commitment, dedication and sacrifice of the men, women and extended family of Special Operations Command. Special Operations Command is located in Tampa, Florida, at MacDill Air Force Base in my district, and I am very proud to use this week, the 20th anniversary of the command's founding, to salute their service.

There is little doubt that a need still exists for the well- coordinated special forces.

There are just some things that conventional forces are not set up to do. Special forces have been around for centuries. But SOCOM can directly trace its roots to the Office of Strategic Services, the OSS, the intelligence agency that was formed during World War II.

Tampa resident Art Frizzell, who is 87, served as an OSS agent. He parachuted behind German lines in France and worked with French partisans to blow up bridges and help organize the resistance during World War II.

In many ways, Frizzell said, special operations were as much about brains and unconventional warfare in the 1940s as they are today. We recognized, Frizzell said, that we had to be flexible. We did the job that nobody else could do.

So at this 20th anniversary, we salute the brave men and women who have served our country in the special operations, much of which you will never understand or know. But the American people trust in their service.

So on this day, on behalf of the Florida's 11th District, proud home of Special Operations Command, we salute your service and thank you.

I thank my distinguished colleague from the Rules Committee for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 1257 to provide a reality check to the skyrocketing compensation of CEOs of corporations across America. From 1995 to 2005, average CEO pay increased five times faster than that of the average worker. The American people understand the growing disparities in earnings in our country. The average CEO makes more money before lunch than the average worker earns all year. So today I urge my colleagues to bring a measure of accountability to the boardroom by allowing shareholders to voice their opinions in a meaningful way about the multimillion-dollar paydays of their CEOs.

Last week, one of my hometown newspapers, the St. Petersburg Times, reported on ``Corporate Paydays That Boggle the Mind.'' They reported that in one of the richest corporate paydays ever, the CEO of oil company Occidental Petroleum Corporation received a total compensation package last year of $416 million. These record profits and paydays at a time when my neighbors and the American people are paying record prices at the gas pump highlights the need for a new direction in this country for energy policy.

Similarly, record profits and paydays at HMO and pharmaceutical companies raise red flags at a time when patients and doctors and hospitals have lost control to many of the Bush privatization schemes in our health care system. The new Democratic Congress passed legislation fortunately during the first 100 hours to require the negotiation of the Medicare part D drug price benefit. This is very important. It's un-American to block the negotiation of fair prices under Medicare part D.

What I hear from my seniors back home is that they want Medicare part D to be simpler so that it works for them, so that it works for our seniors and it works for our taxpayers and not simply benefit the HMOs, the big drug companies and their CEOs for these large corporate paydays.

So, Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this rule and this bill to allow shareholders to send a message about corporate paydays that boggle the mind and bring a measure of accountability to our American boardrooms.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the RECOVER Act and this rule which charts a new direction for emergency and hurricane planning, because the Federal Government simply must be ready to respond in a crisis.

Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velazquez and her committee deserve credit for understanding the expectations of the American people, who have insisted upon better disaster relief planning.

My colleagues from Florida, and indeed, our neighbors and citizens across the gulf coast, begin to feel a bit apprehensive this time of year because hurricane season is only a few weeks away. Yes, we are all worried about the potential landfall of a hurricane, but we are also just as concerned about the administration's ability to deal with the aftermath.

Following the Bush administration's poor response to the 2005 gulf coast hurricanes, the new Congress has pledged to strengthen disaster planning and response, and we are following through here today. The RECOVER Act will improve the Small Business Administration's disaster response plans and assess its technology, telecommunications and personnel in advance.

In the event of another hurricane or natural disaster, small business owners will face costs of starting up again, so this act increases the funds available for disaster loans from $1.5 to $3 million. And importantly for the hardworking folks like those in my district in the Tampa Bay area, small business owners will no longer be required to pledge their homes as collateral for business loans less than $100,000.

The act also requires the SBA to improve coordination with State and local authorities and establishes a disaster relief corps of 1,000 trained individuals.

So, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge approval of this rule and the RECOVER Act so that our country is better prepared for hurricane season and the swift recovery of our communities and small businesses.