Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and highlight the wonderful education framework called Character Counts.

I am very proud of the Santa Barbara YMCA and the Santa Barbara county education programs in my district that support this important framework which promotes civil responsibility through the following six pillars.

The first pillar is called ``trustworthiness.'' This program teaches children and young adults the value of reliability, honesty, loyalty and the courage to do the right thing. It is followed in sequence by a pillar named ``respect.''

Respect encourages students to treat others with the same kind of tolerance of differences and consideration that they would wish to be treated themselves. It is never too early to begin to teach that framework that is centered around respect for one's self and respect for others.

The third pillar in the framework called Character Counts is titled ``responsibility,'' which teaches young people to consider the consequences of their actions and to be accountable for the choices that they make. Again, the earlier we can begin to both model and teach ways to make choices which lead to good consequences for a young person's life, the better the results can be for them and for those with whom they associate.

Then we have the pillar of Character Counts that is labeled ``fairness,'' and that is easy to see but it is hard to teach. It is taught by repetition on a playground, in a classroom, by following rules and understanding why rules are established, to be open-minded and not to take advantage of others, to learn to wait for one's turn.

Then we come to the pillar of responsibility called ``caring.'' Caring can be described in so many ways, but again, we learn to be caring individuals by seeing how others care for us and we begin to experience compassion, gratitude, forgiveness. These are behaviors that we want to repeat with young people over and over again until they become second-hand.

Finally, we come to the sixth pillar in this framework called Character Counts which is labeled ``citizenship.'' Here we teach students the merits of getting involved in making a community an environment, a place where they would want to live and be themselves and where they can see the benefits for those they care about.

Madam Speaker, last October I had a chance to see Character Counts firsthand in my district on two separate occasions. I attended the Fifth Annual Civic Mission of Schools Forum sponsored by the county schools office. I also was part of the Santa Barbara YMCA Character Counts event where each of these promoted these six pillars.

So I want to particularly thank Art Fisher for his dedication and his tireless work toward civic education at the Santa Barbara County Education Office. I know that the work he is doing to teach our children the value of responsibility, respect, honesty and compassion is remarkable.

I want also to highlight the work of Aaron Martinez at the Santa Barbara YMCA in promoting the very same program for children as young as 2 and 3 years old, stretching all the way through every age of life, which is what the YMCA is all about.

By promoting these six pillars of Character Counts, the YMCA gives our children, our young people, lifelong tools for success, and of course, our children will be the leaders of tomorrow.

So these lessons are invaluable, not just for them and for their day- to-day life but also for the future of our community and our society.

I told these young people as I listened to them describe these pillars that from what I have seen in Washington, D.C., and in the House of Representatives in the Congress, these principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship are absolutely necessary for making decisions affecting their lives and should be important for us to model here in the United States Congress ourselves.

I told them that I could envision these six pillars here on the floor of the House of Representatives, that we would say to ourselves every day that just as we want to teach these values to our young people we want to model them here.

We need to set the example in our own House to remind our children that character does count.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support House Resolution 70, a resolution that this House passed earlier this week congratulating the University of California Santa Barbara men's soccer team for winning the NCAA Division I National Championship. I use these minutes to give my congratulations to the team and to the community.

Along with my colleague, Elton Gallegly, I am thrilled have this opportunity to congratulate every player, coach, alumnus, faculty member, and supporter of UC Santa Barbara.

On December 3, 2006, the UC Gauchos captured the National Championship by scoring two goals against the University of California. This is UCSB's second national title in school history.

While all the Gauchos played their hearts out, I would like to acknowledge two standout performances. Sophomore Nick Perera scored a goal and assisted on Eric Avila's game winner on his way to earning All-College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Tournament honors. Junior Andy Iro, despite playing through an injury, helped keep UCLA at bay and was named All-College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

While the beginning of the Gaucho season was plagued by inconsistent play, the Gauchos fought to recover, winning 10 of their last 11 games, including six straight in the tournament. Coach Tim Vom Steeg, a UCSB alum, and his staff, Greg Wilson, Neil Jones, and Eric Foss, deserve tremendous praise not only for their impressive leadership in the 2006 season but also for leading the dominating Gauchos to their second NCAA National Championship in 3 years. Coach Vom Steeg's

colleagues were so impressed with his coaching abilities that they named him the National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year, the most prestigious award that a Division I soccer coach can receive, and this for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, while the men's soccer team is a great example of the excellence the university produces, there is much more to celebrate. As many of you know, my husband, Walter, was a professor of religious studies for more than 30 years at this campus at UCSB before he became a Member of Congress. Through his experience as a professor and my own as a graduate, I have watched this university rightfully gain national attention.

The University currently has five Nobel Laureates on faculty and was recently ranked in the top 15 best public schools in the Nation by U.S. News and World Report; and with a breathtakingly beautiful campus, it is no wonder that the men's soccer team and the University can attract such notable talent from all over the world.

If any of my colleagues ever find themselves on California's central coast, I encourage you to stop by this beautiful campus and see for yourself all that it has to offer. Of course, don't forget to catch a soccer game at Harder Stadium. Go Gauchos.

I thank my colleague for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong support of this bipartisan resolution to continue that good work of the House Democracy Assistance Commission. As a member of the commission, I want to thank our cochairs, Representatives David Price and David Dreier, for the excellent job that they have done in leading us.

I want to thank our current and former staff, John Lis, Tommy Ross, Lara Alameh and Robert Lawrence, who have worked very hard to make the commission successful with its work.

Madam Speaker, the House Democracy Assistance Commission was established in the last Congress as an instrument for this House to share some of

the lessons we have learned over 200 years about making democratic government work.

The commission has tried to impart these lessons to countries around the world now embarking on this hopeful path. Members of the commission have visited a number of countries struggling to find their way in a more open system of government, eager to have our partnership with them in this endeavor. We have hosted representatives from many of these same countries here in Washington and in some of our congressional districts.

For example, I hosted members of the Indonesian delegation in my district, and I have traveled there, and to East Timor, to Macedonia, to Afghanistan. During these visits, we discussed with our counterparts the basic workings of government, everything from the importance of constituent relations to the value of setting budgets, from the roles of minority and majority parties to the importance of public health programs.

We don't tell them how they should make their governments work, but we do try to explain how we have made it work in this country; and we have done so in a bipartisan and really even nonpartisan manner.

Madam Speaker, this year the House will have before it many important tasks. I believe very few are as important to the well-being and future of our country as helping to establish stable democracies around the world. The House Democracy Assistance Commission will try in its small way to advance that goal, to bring us a more peaceful and just, well- governed world.

I urge the House to pass this legislation and let us continue our work.

Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to support this Revolution congratulating the University of California, Santa Barbara men's soccer team for winning the NCAA Division I National Championship.

Along with my colleague Elton Gallegly, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to congratulate every player, coach, alumnus, faculty member and supporter of UCSB.

On December 3, 2006, the UCSB Gauchos captured the National Championship by scoring two goals against the University of California, Los Angeles. This is UCSB's second national title in school history.

While all the gauchos played their hearts out, I'd like to acknowledge two stand-out performances.

Sophomore Nick Perera scored a goal and assisted on Eric Avila's game-winner on his way to earning All-College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Tournament honors.

Junior Andy Iro, despite playing through an injury, helped keep UCLA at bay and was named the All-College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

While the beginning UCSB's season was plagued by inconsistent play, the Gauchos fought to recover, winning 10 of their last 11 games, including 6 straight in the tournament.

Coach Tim Vom Steeg, a UCSB alum, and his staff, Greg Wilson, Neil Jones, and Erick Foss, deserve tremendous praise not only for their impressive leadership in the 2006 season but also for leading the dominating Gauchos to their second NCAA National Championship game in 3 years.

Coach Vom Steeg's colleagues were so impressed with his coaching abilities that they named him the National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year, the most prestigious award that a Division I soccer coach can receive, for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, while the men's soccer team is a great example of the excellence the University produces, there is much more to celebrate.

As many of you know, my husband Walter was a professor of Religious Studies for more than 30 years at UCSB.

Through his experiences as a professor, and my own as a graduate, I have watched the university rightfully gain national attention.

The university currently has five Nobel Laureates on faculty and was recently ranked in the top 15 best public schools in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report.

And with a breathtakingly beautiful campus, it's no wonder that the men's soccer team and the university can attract such notable talent from all over the world.

If any of my colleagues ever find themselves on California's Central Coast, I encourage you to stop by this beautiful campus and see for yourself all that it has to offer.

And of course, don't forget to catch a soccer game at Harder Stadium.

I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution.

Go Gauchos.

I thank my colleague for yielding, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 6, the CLEAN Energy Act. Today, our economy relies on fossil fuels for energy. We must simply change that.

President Bush admits we are addicted to oil, and this addiction is harming our country. The best way to beat this addiction is to stop using so much oil and gas by reducing demand, promoting renewables, and developing alternatives.

Since America is not exactly awash in oil and gas, reducing our dependence upon them would be good not only for our environment but for the economy and our national security as well.

To be honest, though, we have to do more than just talk about the potential that renewables and alternative energy has for this country. We have to put in place more funding for programs to bring these energy sources to market. We have to make changes in energy policy to encourage their use. And that is exactly what H.R. 6 does.

In the debate on the floor today, the minority side has described H.R. 6 as a takings. So let me remind all of us that when the House considered and passed the Jindal-Pombo OCS drilling legislation last June, 2006, no Republican Member challenged the conservation fee as a breach of contract or a taking. In fact, the Committee on Resources report on that legislation, H.R. 4761, states, and I quote, ``this new fee addresses the mistakes made in leases issued in 1998 and 1999 where price triggers for royalties were not included in the lease without violating contractual obligations of the United States.''

Mr. Speaker, Americans want real meaningful solutions to our Nation's energy challenges. Big Oil has received more than its fair share of handouts. It is time we put taxpayer funds to more productive use. Let us pass the CLEAN Energy Act.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding and for his leadership on this issue which is so important.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation to reduce interest rates for student loans. In my previous careers, I spent years teaching and caring for students from all walks of life. I have seen firsthand the value of quality education for all students. A lack of good education hurts not only today's students and tomorrow's workers, it hurts our country's efforts to remain competitive in an increasingly global market.

Madam Speaker, college is not for everyone, and not everyone needs a degree to achieve their goals, but no one should be denied an education simply because they can't afford the cost of tuition or because they fear being overburdened by tens of thousands of dollars in student loans over the years. We have all seen the rising cost of education; 41 percent increase in the last 6 years alone.

Students today graduate with greater and greater debt, which not only hamstrings them but also makes it hard for occupations that need highly skilled graduates but can only afford modest salaries. For example, nearly 32 percent of graduates pursuing teaching careers can't afford to repay their student loans on a starting teacher's salary. And if new graduates can't afford to work in the careers where we need them the most, like teaching, nursing or in social work, then all Americans will suffer.

By passing this bill, students starting school this year will be saving an average of $2,490 a year and by 2011 we will be saving students an average of $4,830 over the life of their loans.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5. Help our students pursue their dreams and build our country.

Thank you, Chairman Dingell.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that today in the House of Representatives there is no one here who would dispute the fact that the large pharmaceutical companies have raked in record profits under the Medicare prescription drug plan we are currently seeking to improve.

Today, in this vote before us we are facing a clear choice. We can continue to reward these companies, or we can consider our constituents, our frail seniors, those with disabilities, many of whom are still struggling to make heads or tails out of Medicare part D that we seek to improve.

Common sense tells me that the big drug and insurance companies wouldn't be so adamantly opposed to this bill if they didn't fear that it would result in actual price reductions. Common sense also tells me we should take every possible step to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and this bill can achieve that.

There is precedent for the Federal Government obtaining good discounts for prescription drugs; our seniors know that, and they believe it. Don't be fooled into believing that this bill might somehow leave seniors losing access to important medications. The bill explicitly prohibits the government from establishing formularies.

It is going to also address one of the biggest challenges still facing our seniors, the fact that they have to decide every December which plan they will choose, hoping that it will offer the cheapest price for drugs that they are going to take for a whole year. The problem is that not everyone takes the same prescriptions from one January to the next; and reducing prices across the board will ensure that when a beneficiary's doctor changes their prescription halfway through the year, their new medication will also be available at a lower cost.

I urge all of my colleagues to think about our seniors, think about those with disabilities. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4. Fulfill a promise to serve the best interests of the constituents, not the best interest of profit-hungry big business.

Mr. Speaker, today we will fulfill an important promise to the American people by authorizing ethical embryonic stem cell research.

Millions of people across our Nation and around the world will be paying close attention as we affirm our commitment to finding cures for diseases that have touched all of us: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and many more.

I have been truly touched by letters of hope from constituents and from organizations representing those suffering from illnesses that may eventually be cured through stem cell research.

And our Nation's leading scientists are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to make the United States the world leader in this groundbreaking research.

As Members of Congress, we are blessed with the opportunity to take such an important vote that will pave the way to saving lives. I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3 today and be part of this monumental effort.

I thank my colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I have been so proud to be a part of the bipartisan effort to advance federally funded stem cell research and commend the tireless work of the bill's cosponsors Diana DeGette and Mike Castle.

It is evident that we will pass this bill today, but we know that hurdles remain before the measure is signed into law. Along the way, opponents of this legislation have been spreading mistruths about what embryonic stem cell research entails and what its promises are. How many times have we heard here on the floor today the claim that this research involves the creation of life in order to destroy it? So I reiterate again, the bill explicitly states that only embryos created for in vitro fertilization that would otherwise be discarded and are being discarded every day can be used for this type of research and only with the explicit consent, permission given explicitly by the donors; and also that no Federal dollars are used in the extraction process.

It is important above all that we enact this Federal legislation even for a State like mine, California, which does have stem cell research, because we need in this Nation the highest ethical standards which is what the Federal legislation can do.

By allowing research to make use of embryonic stem cells slated to be thrown out, we are in fact giving purpose to this. And of course through this research lives will be saved for millions now suffering from debilitating illnesses.

Today, we have also been hearing the argument that adult or amniotic stem cell research alone will be enough, but this is not the case. The world's leading scientists concur that all stem cell research should be conducted together in order to maximize the benefits.

Our President himself has stated his desire to put the United States at the forefront of science and innovation. Getting him to sign this bill is one way to make that happen. A vote against H.R. 3 would be setting us back even further and would let other countries get much further ahead of us in the effort to cure the world's most chronic and devastating diseases.

So I urge my colleagues to vote enthusiastically in favor of H.R. 3.

I thank my colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2. As cochair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I am so proud to stand with many of my colleagues, as we repeat over and over today how vital this legislation is for women across this country. Women lag far behind men in terms of earnings. Nearly two-thirds of all minimum wage workers are women, many raising children.

This bill translates into over 9 million women who will benefit from a long overdue increase in their take-home pay. It is abominable that for the past 10 years we have sat by and watched the cost of everything skyrocket. Health care, child care, food, rent, anything you could think of, except for wages.

Minimum wage earners often are single moms and have been forced into longer hours, more jobs, more time away from their families, which, too often, has its own set of unfortunate consequences.

It is time that we all vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2. Take a great step forward towards achieving economic equality for women. Indeed, the benefits will be there for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act.

I am pleased that in the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, the Democratic leadership is taking up legislation of enormous importance: how to make our Nation safe from future terrorist attacks.

As a Nation, we must work harder to close the security gaps that still exist. For example, we know that transportation systems are a frequent target of terrorist attacks. In fact, one third of the terrorist attacks that take place around the world's largest transportation systems.

As many have observed, our Nation's security is only as strong as our weakest link. This bill will help strengthen some of our weakest links, especially with respect to security at our ports.

Today only about 5 percent of the more than 11 million shipping containers destined for the United States are inspected or scanned. We cannot own or control the entire global trade network, but we can and should ensure the security of containers destined for this country.

Security experts agree that nuclear weapons, or bomb-making materials, could easily be smuggled into the country under the current regime.

Beyond the human toll, an attack on or through our ports would have a dramatic economic impact and could bring the flow of commerce to a dead stop. A terrorist attack on our ports--or an attack carried out through a cargo container system--would undermine our Nation's confidence in the hundreds of thousands of containers that crisscross our country every day.

I'm proud to represent one of the busiest commercial ports on the West Coast--the Port of Hueneme. The employees at the Port and the people that live and work around it appreciate that this bill will finally close this glaring security gap.

H.R. 1 ensures that every container is scanned using the best available technology before being loaded onto a ship destined for our country. And it mandates a gradual implementation to ensure that overseas ports have the time to purchase and install new scanning equipment. These measures will ensure that commerce will continue to flow as these important security measures are taken.

As you know, this legislation is modeled on the operations conducted at container terminals in Hong Kong, which scans 100 percent of cargo containers without impeding commerce. The cost of creating this security system is quite minimal. In fact, the estimated cost to scan a container is only $6.50--a drop in the bucket given it costs about $4,000 to ship a container from Asia to the United States.

All Congress needs to do is make 100 percent scanning the policy of the United States. And this legislation would do just that

To protect the security of our Nation, Congress must act to implement this recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, and the others included in this legislation, to further secure our homeland.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to confront grave threats, and there is no greater priority than ensuring the safety of our country.

I urge my colleagues to support this vital legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to this package of bills the Republican leadership has brought to the floor.

Included are many provisions that are worthy of support of this House. The bill extends important energy-efficiency tax credits, provisions so important to American families and businesses, which should be extended.

The bill also prevents what would have amounted to a 5.1 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursements. That cut would be devastating, hindering physicians' ability to treat their patients.

But I must vote against this package because it includes the so- called Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. That act makes this bill fiscally irresponsible. According to estimates, the bill will drain $170 billion from the Federal Treasury over the next 60 years, creating a new entitlement immediately, giving away huge amounts of revenue from offshore drilling, mostly to only four Gulf Coast States. It is a great deal for those four States, and I understand why they would support it; but what I don't understand is why any colleagues from the other 46 States would agree to it.

The offshore waters of the gulf coast belong to all Americans, as do the Pacific and Atlanta Oceans, the Great Lakes, and public lands. This country has record deficits as far as the eye can see, and it is simply irresponsible to add billions more in new debt through legislation like this.

Mr. Speaker, in the new Democratically controlled Congress, we can and we should craft a sensible new energy policy, one that helps Louisiana and other States rebuild wetlands and restore their coasts, and one that makes America less dependent on fossil fuels. And one that doesn't bust the budget.

Sadly, this bill falls woefully short.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to this package of bills the Republican leadership has brought to the floor this evening.

This bill includes many provisions that are worthy of the House's support.

For example, the bill extends the Research and Development tax credit and important energy efficiency tax credits. These tax provisions are important to American families and businesses and should be extended.

The bill also prevents what would have amounted to a 5.1 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursements. This cut would be devastating, hindering physicians' ability to treat their patients. And it would make it even harder for Medicare beneficiaries to have the best possible access to quality health care.

I have long been vocal in my support for reforming the flawed physician fee structure so I am pleased that this provision will become law. But it is a pity that the Republican leadership has waited until the last minute to enact this provision.

Mr. Speaker, I have faith that the incoming Democratic Majority will move quickly to address this and other Medicare payment problems, like the geographic practice cost index problem plaguing my district, in the 110th Congress next year. I know that I will be working hard to see these issues addressed.

We simply must revamp the Medicare physician payment structure to ensure our doctors are being paid appropriately and that our patients can be assured of readily available quality health care.

But Mr. Speaker, I must vote against this package because it includes S. 3711, the so-called Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.

There are several reasons that I oppose S. 3711.

First, it's bad energy policy. Our first steps in crafting a new energy policy should be to reduce demand and develop new alternative and renewable energy sources. We missed that opportunity in last year's misguided energy bill and sadly, this bill continues that mistake.

Second, this bill is fiscally irresponsible. According to estimates, the bill will drain $170 billion from the Federal treasury over the next 60 years. It creates a new entitlement immediately giving away huge amounts of revenue from offshore drilling, mostly to only four Gulf Coast States.

This is a great deal for these four States and I certainly understand why they support it. What I don't understand is why my colleagues from the other 46 States would agree to it. The offshore waters of the gulf coast belong to all Americans, as do the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Great Lakes and other public lands.

Mr. Speaker, we have record deficits as far as the eye can see and it is simply irresponsible to add billions more in new debt through legislation like this.

Finally, this bill will damage our environment. It will bring the 25- year-old bipartisan moratorium against new drilling off America's coasts one step closer to an end. It threatens our coastal economies with the risk of pollution and oil spills.

Mr. Speaker, in the new Democratically controlled Congress we can-- and should--craft a sensible new energy policy. One that helps

Louisiana and other States rebuild wetlands and restore their coasts. One that makes America less dependent on dirty fossil fuels. And one that doesn't bust the budget.

Sadly this bill falls woefully short.

And that's why I urge my colleagues to support the Markey-Boehlert motion to recommit.

This motion would prevent the Interior Department from awarding leases to companies that are currently drilling in American waters without paying royalties. We need to bring the oil companies back to the negotiating table to close the royalty relief loophole.

And, Mr. Speaker, as one of the last acts of this Congress we need to pass a clean bill that extends these critical tax credits and fixes the flawed physician fee formula once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the men's soccer team at the University of California Santa Barbara. On Sunday, this past Sunday, UCSB completed a victorious 6-0 run in the NCAA tournament and soundly defeated UCLA to claim the second Division I title in the school's history.

As a proud alumna of UCSB, I know I speak for the student body and the faculty and fellow alumni of the Santa Barbara community when I congratulate the Gauchos on their momentous victory. Coach Tim Vom Steeg, himself a UCSB grad, and his coaching staff deserve high praise for their leadership in guiding UCSB to its second college cup championship game in 3 years and its first title.

Nick Perera was named the All-College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player and proved to be a tremendous asset to the Gauchos during the championship game, scoring a goal and assisting on the game-winning shot. Andy Iro, selected as the All-College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player, also greatly contributed to keeping UCLA at bay.

The quality of UCSB's soccer program is but one example of the fine institution that is UCSB, home to five Nobel laureates, as well as stellar athletic and extracurricular activities. Go Gauchos.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to congratulate our colleague, Brad Sherman, and his wonderful new wife, Lisa Kaplan, on their recent wedding. On Sunday, I happily joined Lisa and Brad at the beautiful Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, where they exchanged their vows surrounded by family and friends.

The groom, as we all know, is a fine and thoughtful gentleman who serves his constituents in southern California with great distinction, and is a dear friend to many of us. The bride is also a charming and wonderful individual. She does important work in the Office of Global Anti-Semitism at the State Department.

Now, I am sorry the newlyweds must spend their honeymoon here in the lame duck session, but I know they have a more romantic trip planned in the near future. I want to congratulate Lisa's father and stepmother, Robert and Peggy Kaplan, and honor the memory of her mother, Carol Weisberg.

I also want to honor the memory of Brad's father, Maurice Sherman, and congratulate his mom, my dear friend Lane Sherman. To Lisa and Brad, we wish you a life together of health and happiness. Mazel Tov.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6099 for many reasons.

Most glaringly is the fact that this bill is even up on the floor to begin with. We have not passed our spending bills. We have not fixed the looming physician fee reimbursement crisis, physicians who treat pain every day. We have not increased the minimum wage. We are inflicting pain on so many hardworking Americans. We have not adequately provided for our veterans' health care. I am thinking of veterans coming back from Iraq with relentless pain and the many unmet needs. These are issues that affect millions and millions of Americans every day.

Yet instead we are considering H.R. 6099, which may affect about 1 percent of the abortions performed annually in the United States and which we know will not be considered in the Senate and therefore never signed into law. We are wasting time today on a bill that is laden with rhetoric but very little science. It is opposed by many of the most reputable advocates for women's health, those on the front line of service to women and babies who would best know. This includes, as my colleague has said, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who represent medical doctors serving the health needs of American women.

The legislation before us today proposes to insert narrow personal views into the private conversations between women and their doctors. As a health provider myself, I would shudder at the thought of having to communicate something that is absent of scientific consensus to patients. This is especially true when the legislation targets pregnancies that are for the most part being terminated because of health risks to the mother or fetus. Isn't that conversation already excruciating enough for a woman and her family without the government's unwarranted intrusion?

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' today on this bill both because you believe in medical integrity and also because you believe that it is our job to put America's true priorities first and foremost.