Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 204, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 146, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 144, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce legislation that is critically important in preventing our current stock of antibiotics from becoming obsolete. As a mother, grandmother, and microbiologist, I cannot stress the urgency of this problem enough.

Two million Americans acquire bacterial infections during their hospital stay every year, and 70 percent of their infections will be resistant to the drugs commonly used to treat them. As a result, every day thirty-eight patients in our hospitals will die of those infections.

Sadly, children and infants are particularly susceptible to infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. For example, Salmonella causes 1.4 million illnesses every year. Over one-third of all diagnoses occur in children under the age of 10. Infants under the age of one are 10 times more likely than the general population to acquire a Salmonella infection. In 1995, 19 percent of Salmonella strains were found to be multi-drug resistant. That means that our children are left to undergo multiple treatments for otherwise simple infections because we have allowed traditional treatments to become ineffective.

And the cost to our already strained health care system is astronomical. In fact, resistant bacterial infections increase health care costs by $4 billion to $5 billion each year.

Currently, seven classes of antibiotics certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as ``highly'' or ``critically'' important in human medicine are used in agriculture as animal feed additives. Among them are penicillin, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, aminoglycosides, and sulfonamides. These classes of antibiotics are among the most critically important in our arsenal of defense against potentially fatal human diseases.

Penicillins, for example, are used to treat infections ranging from strep throat to meningitis. Macrolides and Sulfonamides are used to prevent secondary infections in patients with AIDS and to treat pneumonia in HIV-infected patients. Tetracyclines are used to treat people potentially exposed to anthrax.

Despite their importance in human medicine, these drugs are added to animal feed as growth promotants and for routine disease prevention. Approximately 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs produced in the U.S. are given to cattle, pigs, and chicken to promote growth and to compensate for crowded, unsanitary, stressful conditions. The nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in poultry skyrocketed from 2 million pounds in 1985 to 10.5 million pounds in the late 1990s.

This kind of habitual, nontherapuetic use of antibiotics has been conclusively linked to a growing number of incidents of antimicrobial- resistant infections in humans, and may be contaminating ground water with resistant bacteria in rural areas. In fact, a National Academy of Sciences report states that, ``a decrease in antimicrobial use in human medicine alone will have little effect on the current situation. Substantial efforts must be made to decrease inappropriate overuse in animals and agriculture as well.''

Resistant bacteria can be transferred from animals to humans in several ways. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can be found in the meat and poultry that we purchase in the grocery store. In fact, a New England Journal of Medicine study conducted in Washington, DC found that 20 percent of the meat sampled was contaminated with Salmonella and 84 percent of those bacteria were resistant to antibiotics used in human medicine and animal agriculture. Bacteria can also be transferred from animals to humans via workers in the livestock industry who handle animals, feed, and manure. Farmers may then transfer the bacteria on to their family. A third method is via the environment. Nearly 2 trillion pounds of manure generated in the U.S. annually contaminate our groundwater, surface water, and soil. Because this manure contains resistant bacteria, the resistant bacteria can then be passed on to humans that come in contact with the water sources or soil.

And the problem has been well documented.

A 2002 analysis of more than 500 scientific articles and published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that ``many lines of evidence link antimicrobial resistant human infections to foodborne pathogens of animal origin.''

The Institute of Medicine's 2003 report on Microbial Threats to Health concluded ``Clearly, a decrease in the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human medicine alone is not enough. Substantial efforts must be made to decrease inappropriate overuse in animals and agriculture as well.''

As the impact of MRSA continues to unfold, there is little doubt that antibiotic resistant diseases are a growing public health menace demanding a high priority response. Despite increased attention to the issue, the response has been inadequate. Part of the problem has been the FDA's failure to adequately address the effect of the misuse of animal antibiotics on the efficacy of human drugs.

Although the FDA could withdraw its approval for these antibiotics, its record of reviewing currently approved drugs under existing procedures indicates that it would take nearly a century to get these medically important antibiotics out of the feed given to food producing animals. In October 2000, for example, the FDA began consideration of a proposal to withdraw its approval for the therapeutic use of fluoroquinolones in poultry. The review, and eventual withdraw of approval, took five years to complete. Under its regulations, the FDA must review each class of antibiotics separately.

The legislation I am reintroducing today, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, would phase out the use of the seven classes of medically significant antibiotics that are currently approved for nontherapeutic use in animal agriculture. Make no mistake, this bill would in no way infringe upon the use of these drugs to treat a sick animal. It simply proscribes their nontherapuetic use.

Madam Speaker, when we go to the grocery store to pick up dinner, we should be able to buy our food without worrying that eating it will expose our family to potentially deadly bacteria that will no longer respond to our medial treatments. Unless we act now, we will unwittingly be permitting animals to serve as incubators for resistant bacteria.

It is time for Congress to stand with scientists, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and the National Academy of Sciences and do something to address the spread of resistant bacteria. We cannot afford for our medicines to become obsolete.

I urge my colleagues to support the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act to protect the integrity of our antibiotics and the health of American families.

I thank both gentlemen for the time.

As a New Yorker, obviously the events of September 11, 2001, are really seared in our memory, as I am sure they are in the memory of all Americans.

On February 12, this year, 2009, the Nation was shocked and saddened by the devastating plane accident in Clarence, New York, a few miles outside of Buffalo. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with the family and friends who lost loved ones on Continental Connection Flight 3407.

Today, we are here to recognize one of the persons on that plane, Beverly Eckert, who also lost her life on that day. We thank her for her tremendous service to our Nation and particularly to the survivors and families of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Mr. Speaker, Beverly Eckert, as mentioned, was the widow of Sean Rooney, who died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and had been among the most visible faces of the victims' families in the aftermath of the attacks. Following her husband's death, she cofounded Voices of September 11, one of the first advocacy groups for the survivors of 9/11 and families.

Beverly was instrumental in the development and growth of this important group, which is now supported by more than 5,500 members. Along with other members of the Voices of September 11, she testified before the 9/11 Commission to help report on the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Beverly worked with the 110th Congress tirelessly, and she was a key proponent in enacting the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to prevent, prepare and respond to acts of terrorism. Simply put, Beverly's work helped to make our Nation safer and more secure.

Beverly was a passenger on Flight 3407 on her way to Buffalo to mark what would have been her husband's birthday and launch a scholarship in his memory. We lost an inspiring and tenacious champion in Beverly, and we must continue to honor her memory and accomplishments.

We must continue to honor her memory and accomplishments while carrying on her mission. Today we consider a resolution to acknowledge her service on behalf of the survivors and to recognize her work to help protect our Nation.

The resolution also extends condolences to the families of all those who were lost on the Continental Connection flight.

I urge my colleagues to support the resolution to honor the life of Beverly Eckert, commemorating her valuable service to the 9/11 survivors and families in this country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution recognizing Beverly Eckert's service to the Nation and in particular to the survivors and families of the September 11, 2001 attacks. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an inspirational and courageous woman, and extend my deepest sympathies to her family and friends on their loss.

Beverly Eckert was the widow of Mr. Sean Rooney, who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Beverly had been among the most visible faces of the victims families in the aftermath of the attacks. Following her husband's death, Beverly co-founded ``Voices of September 11'',

an advocacy group for survivors and 9/11 families. Beverly was instrumental in the development and growth of this important advocacy group, which now claims more than 5,500 members.

Beverly and other members of the Voices of September 11 testified before the 9/11 Commission to help report on the September 11th terrorists attacks. Beverly worked admirably with the 110th Congress and was a key proponent in the final passage of the ``Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007''--the important legislation to effectuate the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to prevent, prepare, and respond to acts of terrorism.

All too tragically, Beverly lost her life in the devastating crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009. As the tireless advocate she was, Beverly was on her way to Buffalo to mark what would have been her husband's birthday and launch a scholarship in his memory. We have all lost an inspiring and tenacious woman in Beverly. We must continue to honor her memory and her accomplishments, and carry on her mission.

This resolution acknowledges Beverly's service to the Nation and particularly to the survivors and families of the September 11, 2001, attacks; recognizes Beverly's work to help bring about implementation of the 9/11 Commission recommendations to prepare, prevent, and respond to acts of terrorism; and extends its deepest condolences to the family of Beverly Eckert and the families of all those who lost their lives due to the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, honor the life of Beverly Eckert, and commemorate her valuable service to the 9/11 survivors and families and to this country.

Mr. Speaker, less than two weeks ago we learned about a terrible accident in Clarence, New York, a few miles outside of Buffalo.

Our worst fears were confirmed when it was reported that many lives were lost.

I know that the pain of the families and friends who lost loved ones on Continental Connection Flight 3407 is immeasurable. My prayers are with them today and always.

An accident like this is always a tragedy but when it happens so close to your home, it is particularly devastating.

In Western New York we take care of each other.

After the accident, first responders and ordinary citizens rushed to the scene to do their best to save lives.

They are heroes to us for their tremendous efforts.

As we grieve and pay tribute to those we have lost, I stand in unity with my colleagues, state, and local officials, to continue assisting our community during this difficult time.

I appreciate very much your yielding to me.

We have suffered a terrible blow in western New York. I got home last night about midnight to turn on the television to see the suffering of my people, and my heart breaks for Upstate New York. Our worst fears were confirmed when we learned that no one survived that crash, and that one person on the ground was lost. They were less than 5 minutes away from the runway at the airport that might have saved their lives.

It is always a tragedy; and just this week we stood with our colleague Mr. Cole to worry and concern with him for the loss that he had in his district due to the tornado. We appreciate that in western New York we take care of each other, and in the House of Representatives we care very much for each other as well.

The first responders and all the citizens of western New York who rushed to help and all the officials of New York and Washington and the local officials have our thanks and our good wishes. We will do everything that we can to try to ease the pain and to ease the suffering, and hope to God that this does not happen to us again.

Moment of Silence

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 63, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act. This important piece of legislation will ensure greater protections for service members and their families if they become victims of violence. It also will strengthen programs to prevent violence against fellow soldiers and military families.

Unfortunately, sexual assault and domestic violence are pervasive and serious problems throughout all branches of the military. In March 2008, the Department of Defense (DoD) released their fourth annual sexual assault report, which stated that there were 2,688 reports of sexual assault in 2007. Although this is down from the 2,947 allegations of sexual assaults reported in 2006, the DoD changed their reporting requirements from calendar year to fiscal year, so there is no way to tell if this reflects a decrease in sexual assaults or not. In 2006, there was a 24 percent increase in reported sexual assaults compared to 2005. In 2004, the DoD reported 9,000 incidents of spousal abuse. A 2005 Sexual Harassment and Assault Survey of the Service Academies found six percent of females and one percent of males said they were sexually assaulted in 2004-2005, and less than half the females who experienced sexual assault reported it. In this same survey, 60 percent of female cadets indicated sexual harassment was about the same as when they first enrolled at their academy.

While the DoD has been making efforts to improve its prevention and response to domestic and sexual violence, victim services remain incomplete and inconsistent among the various branches. There have been reports that victims advocates, charged with protecting the victim's rights, have been denied resources to do their job, and in some instances been forced off the base all together. Furthermore, DoD policies are not codified in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and do not offer the same level of rights and protections afforded to civilian victims. Perhaps most importantly, victims are unable to seek confidential counseling and treatment without fear that their records might become public if they press charges against their assailant.

My bill, the Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act, seeks to bring military law up to par with civilian laws by establishing a comprehensive approach for the military to address domestic violence and sexual assault among our soldiers. Specifically, this bill will:

Establish an Office of Victims Advocate (OVA) within DoD, bring the Family Advocacy Program under OVA, and create a Director of OVA to oversee and coordinate efforts to prevent and respond to cases of family violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with the military and among military families

Codify rights, restitution policies, treatment and other services for victims within the UCMJ, including creating comprehensive confidentiality protocols to protect the rights of victims within military law

Strengthen policies for reporting, prosecuting and treating perpetrators of violence

Create counseling and treatment programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs

The military should be at the forefront of prosecuting assailants and setting the highest standards for treatment of service men and women, or military family members, victimized by sexual assault and domestic violence. Our Armed Forces must be able to guarantee the most basic protections to ensure these victims can receive necessary counseling, treatment, and justice.

If a victim cannot access essential care for fear of stigma, threats to their career, or because they just do not know what resources are available, the military will continue to lose valuable female and male soldiers. These men and women who serve our country in uniform put themselves in harms way to protect our nation from threats at home and abroad. They deserve the same rights and protections as the civilians whose freedoms they protect. My bill ensures service members are adequately protected when dealing with the horrible tragedy of sexual assault or domestic violence.

Do not allow our brave service members to be victimized twice, once by their perpetrator and then again by the military's lack of appropriate, compassionate, and confidential treatment and response.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in cosponsoring the Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 92 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Technically this point of order is about whether or not to consider this rule and ultimately the underlying bill. In reality, it's about trying to block this bill without any opportunity for debate and without any opportunity for an up-or-down vote on the legislation itself. I think that is wrong and hope my colleagues will vote ``yes'' so we consider this important legislation on its merits and not kill it on a procedural motion.

We have a long day ahead. Let's not waste more time on dilatory measures. Those who oppose this bill can vote against it on final passage. We must consider this rule, and we must pass H.R. 1 today.

I have the right to close, and, in the end, I will urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to consider the rule.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

We had a thorough airing of this last night, Madam Speaker. Everybody knows what happened here. It had nothing at all to do with the Rules Committee.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, let me correct what Mr. Dreier thinks I said. I said we had a thorough airing of this issue last night at Rules. Although it is not our job to explain why the Speaker's press office--

I will not.

Certainly, by now, we know a red-herring when we see one. This is one of the reddest I have seen in such time that I have been here. And I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on a motion to consider so that we can get about the business of the United States, debate, and pass this important piece of legislation that over 80 percent of the people want us to do.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam 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 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 materials into the Record.

Madam Speaker, nothing is on the minds of Americans more than the sad state of our economy. At dinner tables and water coolers across this great Nation, Americans are concerned not only about our economy, but their own well-being. Will they have a job next week, will they be able to retire when they plan to, will they be able to afford the mortgage, the rent, and their child's education.

Madam Speaker, the Bush administration left us with the worse economy we have faced since World War II. The economic downturn is no longer subject to debate. In the last 4 months, this country has lost 2 million jobs. And, unfortunately, is expected to lose another 3 to 5 million in the next year alone. In fact, 2008 was the worst year for job loss since 1945 while unemployment has skyrocketed to the highest level in 15 years.

This week, major corporations from Caterpillar to Sprint, Nextel to Home Depot announced that they were cutting 62,000 jobs.

Fortunately, it is not too late to turn things around, but the time is almost gone. We must act now. If nothing is done, our economy will continue this downward spiral, and we must take action to boost this economy and to start putting America back to work.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a critical and necessary investment that will create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, will jump start our economy and begin the process of transforming it for the 21st century with $550 billion in carefully targeted priority investments.

Madam Speaker, this plan helps to strengthen Main Street and the middle class, not Wall Street. In order to improve the plight of hardworking Americans, we will provide immediate, direct tax relief to over 95 percent of Americans.

Not only will the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan create jobs and grow the economy, it makes a significant investment in our future.

By doubling clean, renewable energy production, we will put people to work in the short term while freeing us from our dependence on foreign oil in the long run.

By renovating public buildings and homes to make them more energy efficient, we will create jobs that can't be exported while curbing global warming at the same time.

By rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and improving our roads, bridges, and schools, we will strengthen our path forward.

And by investing in our health care system, we will cut red tape, prevent mistakes, and save countless dollars and lives.

I am particularly proud that this bill contains funding for AmeriCorps, which will provide recent college graduates with jobs, sending them into struggling communities to help turn them around, much like the Civilian Conservation Corps did after the Great Depression.

Finally, we will assist those who have been impacted most by the crisis by increasing food stamp and unemployment benefits, and making it easier for those who have lost their jobs to keep their health insurance. And these are just a few highlights of this comprehensive bill.

Madam Speaker, the American people are hurting. They are also justifiably concerned whether government spending in such difficult times is correct. I want them to know that this bill contains strict accountability measures to ensure the maximum return for every tax dollar invested. Americans will be able to go on the web to see how their tax dollars are being spent and to provide public comment.

The bill contains no earmarks and ensures that funds to help small businesses will not go to entities that already receive money from the financial rescue package.

Furthermore, the legislation doesn't waste any time. It will immediately help to put people to work and begin to stabilize our economy.

According to the Office of Management and Budget, three-quarters of the overall package will be spent in the first 18 months. And in an independent analysis, economist and former McCain adviser Mark Zandi found that 41 percent of the funding in this bill will be spent this year alone to jump start our economy and result in 4 million new jobs by 2010.

Madam Speaker, our economic woes will not be solved overnight, but we did not get into this mess overnight. This bill alone will not solve all of our economic challenges. We know that the road back to economic stability and prosperity will require hard work over time to truly turn things around. But America has faced great challenges before and turned crises into opportunity. This legislation is critical to build a foundation for long-term prosperity.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; and by doing so, to restore confidence, to strengthen our economy, and lift up our hardworking citizens from coast to coast.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, a member of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Matsui.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado, a member of the Rules Committee, Mr. Polis.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman).

(Mr. SHERMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz).

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness, Mr. Flake, and the good work that you do in the House. But we don't have the capacity to change the date for that report. Otherwise, we would have been happy to consider it.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee (Mr. Obey).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

I can yield the gentleman 30 additional seconds but no more.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Madam Speaker, may I inquire from my colleague how many speakers he has remaining?

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, not anyone in the Rules Committee last night would ever have guessed that

I was importuned more than once to make sure there weren't too many amendments out here today; that there were pending trips, things that people had to go to.

The hypocrisy of it sometimes gets the better of me, and I must admit that even mentioning it is somewhat petty on my part. But, nonetheless, I think it needs to be said.

I would be happy to stay here tomorrow and continue to debate this. Frankly, I don't know how anyone can go home this weekend and look in the faces of our constituents and look at the young people, as one of my neighbors said, who had to be pulled from college because he couldn't afford it; for people who don't know if they are going to be working next week; for people who absolutely don't know if they have any future, how do we continue this cold and bitter winter in upstate New York, where the heating prices go up every single day, and where absolutely too many people don't know where the next meal is coming from at the same time as the community kitchens are running out of food.

We are in a very serious condition here, Madam Speaker. This is no time for politics. Everybody says it, but so few people mean it. I mean it. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule, and hope that we can do one today that will begin to rebuild the country we love, America.

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, today, I am again proud to introduce the Prevention First Act. I first introduced this legislation in the 108th Congress as an innovative approach to reducing unintended pregnancies. The Prevention First Act achieves this goal by providing comprehensive access to all forms of contraception and sex education.

If we want to reduce the number of abortions in this country, the methodology is clear--empower women to prevent unintended pregnancies through education and access to contraception. And, that is precisely what the Prevention First Act does.

Throughout the years, our conservative leaders have sought to limit women's rights and freedoms by imposing stricter penalties and enacting laws to criminalize doctors and women, when one is faced with an unintended pregnancy. Yet, these leaders have done very little to ensure that millions of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, STD, are prevented in the first place. If they are opposed to abortion, they should be for preventing unintended pregnancies and they should be for this bill.

By emphasizing prevention first, my bill will help protect women's reproductive health, reduce unintended pregnancies, decrease the spread of STDs, and give women the tools they need to make the best decisions possible for themselves.

It has been more than 40 years since the Supreme Court said women could access contraception. This decision was revolutionary in that it allowed women to control when to get pregnant and how many children to have. Access to contraception single-handedly improved women's equality in American society.

That is why for most women, including women who want to have children, contraception is not an option; it is a basic health care necessity. Contraceptive use saves scarce public health dollars. For every $1 spent on providing family planning services, an estimated $3.80 is saved in Medicaid expenditures for pregnancy-related and newborn care.

Many poor and low-income women cannot afford to purchase contraceptive services and supplies on their own. About 1 in 5 women of reproductive age were uninsured in 2003, and that proportion has increased by 10 percent since 2001. Half of all women who are sexually active, but do not want to get pregnant, need publicly funded services to help them access public health programs like Medicaid and Title X, the national family planning program. These programs provide high- quality family planning services and other preventive health care, such as pap smears, to underinsured or uninsured individuals who may otherwise lack access to health care and alternative options for birth control. Each year, publicly funded family planning services help women to prevent an estimated 1 million unplanned pregnancies and 630,000 abortions. Yet these programs are struggling to meet the growing demand for subsidized family planning services without corresponding increases in funding. The Prevention First Act authorizes funding for Title X clinics and strengthens States' coverage of Medicaid family planning services.

Improved access to emergency contraception, EC, can further reduce the staggering rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion in this country. EC prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure. The Alan Guttmacher Institute estimates that increased use of EC accounted for up to 43 percent of the total decline in abortion rates between 1994 and 2000. In addition, EC is often the only contraceptive option for the 300,000 women who are reported to be raped each year. Unfortunately, even with the recent FDA decision to allow EC to be sold over-the-counter to women 18 years of age and over, many women do not know about EC and many still face insurmountable barriers in accessing this important product. The Prevention First Act mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services implement an education campaign about EC and requires that hospitals receiving Federal funds provide victims of sexual assault with information and access to EC.

Contraceptives have a proven track record of enhancing the health of women and children, preventing unintended pregnancy, and reducing the need for abortion. However far too many insurance policies exclude this vital coverage. While most employment-related insurance policies in the United States cover prescription drugs in general, the many do not include equitable coverage for prescription contraceptive drugs and devices. Although 21 States now have laws in place requiring insurers to provide contraceptive coverage if they cover other prescription drugs, 29 States still do not have any laws. Out of pocket expenses for contraception can be costly. Women of reproductive age currently spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men, much of which is due to reproductive health-related supplies and services. The Prevention First Act requires that private health plans cover FDA- approved prescription contraceptives and related medical services.

Teens face additional barriers regarding access to services and information. Sixty percent of teens have sex before graduating high school. Teens who receive comprehensive sexuality education that includes discussion of contraception as well as abstinence are more likely than those who receive abstinence-only messages to delay sex, to have fewer partners, and to use contraceptives when they do become sexually active. Efforts by conservatives to restrict access to family planning services and promote abstinence-only education programs, which are prohibited from discussing the benefits of contraception, actually jeopardize adolescent health and run counter to the views of many mainstream medical groups.

Nearly 50 percent of new cases of STDs occur among people ages 15 to 24, even though this age bracket makes up just a quarter of the sexually active population. Clearly, teens have the most to lose when faced with an unintended pregnancy or an STD infection.

Moreover, 1 in 3 girls becomes pregnant before the age of 20, and 80 percent of these pregnancies are unintended. Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school. Furthermore, children of teenage mothers have lower birth weights, are more likely to perform poorly in school, and are at greater risk of abuse and neglect. Improving access to contraceptive services and information does not cause non sexually active teens to start having sex. Instead, teens need information to help them both postpone sexual activity and to protect themselves, if they become sexually active. A November 2006 study of declining pregnancy rates among teens concluded that the reduction in teen pregnancy between 1995 and 2002 is primarily the result of increased use of contraceptives.

The Prevention First Act provides funding to public and private entities to establish or expand their teenage pregnancy prevention programs. This bill also provides for comprehensive, medically accurate sex education programs that teach young people about abstinence, health, and contraceptives. Moreover, my bill requires federally funded programs that provide information on the use of contraceptives to ensure that the information is medically accurate and includes health benefits and failure rates.

Reducing unintended pregnancy and infection with STDs are important public health goals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included family planning in their published list of the ``Ten Great Public Health Achievements in the 20th Century.'' My bill, the Prevention First Act, will improve access to family planning services for all women in need and will go a long way in fulfilling the promise of this important public health achievement.

Madam Speaker, I urge every Member to join me in this comprehensive, nationwide effort to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate it very much.

Mr. Speaker, when I graduated from the University of Kentucky with both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, I believed at that time that it was perfectly fine to discriminate against women. Do you know why we were discriminated against in our wages, even though we had gone to the same classes, we had earned the same degree from the University of Kentucky, but women were told we were worth half as much because we might get married and we might have children. Therefore, there was no point in making any investment whatever in us. I believed that up until the point where I became the mother of three daughters and the grandmother of two young women.

I first got involved in this as at the 1972 Democratic convention. At that time we all wore little buttons that said 59 cents on the dollar. That's what we were paid then 40 years ago. How far have we come? Up from 59 to 77 cents.

I cannot for the life of me believe that anyone would be opposed to this bill, knowing that in almost every American family both parents work to try to make ends meet. Why should one of them be cheated? Isn't that a cheat on the family?

My anger knows no bounds. I am so grateful this is up today. Forty years is long enough to wait.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 2 of rule XI of the Rules of the House, on January 7, 2009 the Committee on Rules adopted by voice vote, a quorum being present, the following rules: