Floor Statements

I want to thank the gentlelady from New York for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, in 16 days, 1.3 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits they have relied on to buy groceries and keep a roof over their heads; and, no, we are not creating fear. This is the reality for 1.3 million Americans who every day get up and go out to the job market to find out that there are no jobs available. This is the reality of American children who are suffering. This is the reality of 1.3 million individuals in this country who will not know how they can pay for the next meal or how can they pay for their rent.

This is not the American way. We took care of the doctors; we took care of big farmers at a time when the economy is still struggling in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse. We should not be revoking needed economic assistance from jobseekers while millions of Americans are fighting to get back to work.

Last year, unemployment insurance kept 2.5 million Americans and .6 million children out of poverty. If long-term jobless benefits are allowed to expire, next year there will be nothing to protect these families from long spells of unemployment.

Unfortunately, this budget fails to extend the unemployment insurance millions of Americans rely on to make ends meet. Allowing jobless benefits to expire will not put people back to work. It will just make it harder for families to pay the bills and discourage people from seeking employment.

I urge my colleagues to continue fighting for struggling Americans, and I hope that Americans are paying close attention to what is happening in Congress today.

I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member, and especially the ranking member for yielding.

I rise in support of this critical legislation and urge my colleagues to support its passage. Throughout our Nation, in every city and town, immigrants have been critical to strengthening our communities. For centuries, people from every corner of the globe have traveled to the United States to start a new life, work hard, build a future for their children, and pursue their share of the American Dream.

In New York especially, immigrants have long been an important part of the cultural fabric. Whether it is Chinatown, Little Italy, or our burgeoning Latino population, immigrants have made our city a stronger, more vibrant place offering invaluable economic and cultural contributions while shaping the city's identity.

There are numerous ways we pay tribute to immigrants' role in American society. The Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island honors the thousands who arrived in New York's ports seeking a greater opportunity and freedom. This past week, we celebrated Thanksgiving--a holiday that originated with some of our earliest immigrants. In short, symbols of immigration's importance are woven throughout our society in physical landmarks, holidays--even our family histories.

In my district, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum reminds New York residents and visitors alike of the challenges faced by some of our city's earliest immigrants. For 25 years, this valuable local institution has offered interactive exhibits recounting the story of the 7,000 working class families who inhabited these buildings.

Just as the Lower East Side tenement communities evolved with each successive wave of newly arrived immigrants, the museum tells a wide range of stories reflecting the diversity of this storied neighborhood.

Whether it was Asian, Irish, or German immigrants or Eastern European Jews, the Lower East Side's tenements housed generation after generation of new arrivals to our cities and our country.

This body has previously recognized the museum as significant to our Nation's history. In 1998, I worked with my colleagues to pass legislation designating 97 Orchard Street as an affiliated site of the National Park System.

Over the years, interest in the museum has grown steadily. Today, the museum serves 200,000 visitors every year, including 40,000 schoolchildren. This growth in popularity has resulted in demand for additional space. The bill I authored and that we are debating today would help address this need. By making the museum's valuable educational tools available to a wider audience, the bill further honors immigrants' role in our Nation's past, present, and future. The additional space will also allow the museum to explore more immigrant stories, including the history of Holocaust survivors rebuilding their lives in America.

Mr. Speaker, the immigrant story is the American story. The Tenement Museum honors the men, women, and children who came here to carve out a better life and, in the process, improved our country by an infusion of new cultures and ideas.

H.R. 1846 will ensure the Lower East Side Tenement Museum continues telling this uniquely American story to future generations. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. I thank both gentlemen.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, let's be clear about the bill before us today. This bill is not an attempt to help Americans keep their insurance plans. The President already announced a plan to help address that goal. Instead, this bill takes a meat cleaver approach, allowing insurance companies to market inadequate policies to new enrollees.

Remember the bad old days when preexisting conditions were discriminated against? This bill brings back that practice. Remember women paying more for coverage simply because of their gender? That is A-okay under this bill. Remember annual caps that let insurance companies stop paying when a consumer came down with an expensive illness? That is back, too. And what about small businesses facing double-digit hikes in their premium costs?

If we want to take up targeted legislation helping those whose policies are being discontinued, then let's do that. But let's call this bill what it is--a return to the day when insurance companies preyed on working families and the 46th attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. Speaker, another day, another attempt to weaken the Dodd-Frank Act. Just 5 years ago, the financial industry required a $700 billion taxpayer bailout and nearly destroyed our economy. We learned in the aftermath that risky derivative products, like swaps, were a major factor contributing to the crisis. As a result, Congress passed common sense reforms to prevent American taxpayers from once again being on the hook for trading losses by the country's largest banks. One of these new reforms was embodied in section 716, known as the ``swaps push out rule.'' Banks can no longer use federally-insured deposits to recklessly gamble in the most exotic types of derivatives.

Unfortunately, H.R. 992 would roll back these reforms and simply restore the status quo for Wall Street. This is ill advised and wrong for American taxpayers. If we need proof that swaps push out is necessary, look no further than last year's ``London Whale'' incident which cost JP Morgan $6 billion and could have been much worse.

I ask my colleagues to oppose H.R. 992.

Mr. Speaker, this week, New York City lost a Brooklyn original and our Nation lost a tireless champion for the powerless.

Representative Major Owens' district included parts of my current district, and I can attest firsthand that he was beloved throughout Brooklyn.

A librarian before entering politics, service to community was simply part of who he was--and that is reflected by his accomplishments. His work led to the creation of the YouthBuild initiative at HUD, which, to this day, creates opportunity for thousands of disadvantaged youth through construction in low-income communities.

Major will also be remembered for his work on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Always a voice for the voiceless, he shepherded that historic bill to enactment, creating a more just society for millions of Americans.

He is, perhaps, the only Member of Congress known for composing rap lyrics. Performing at open mic sessions, he spoke to the issues of our time, addressing peace, war, poverty, and social justice through the power of hip-hop.

Mr. Speaker, those of us in New York and Brooklyn today mourn the loss of a neighbor, while our Nation honors the passing of its public servant.

I hope all my colleagues join me in paying tribute to and remembering our friend and former colleague, Major Owens.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. Chairman, America's inland waterways move more than half a billion tons of cargo worth more than $150 billion annually, and more than 2.3 billion tons of cargo a year move through American seaports. Commercial activity on our inland waterways supports more than 13 million jobs in the United States and is crucial to our economic prosperity. America depends on the strength of its inland waterways to support businesses and consumers across the country.

My amendment will establish a national water-based freight policy. It requires the Secretary of the Army to designate a primary water-based freight network and develop a strategic plan to assess and improve performance. It also improves data collection methods so that the Army Corps of Engineers and policymakers have better information on how to improve the system going forward.

Although the recent surface transportation reauthorization established a national freight policy, that legislation did not incorporate ports, harbors, and inland waterways into the national freight network. As ranking member of the Small Business Committee, I have heard agriculture and rural groups speak time and time again about the importance of establishing a strategy for our inland waterways. This bill recognizes the critical importance of ports, harbors, canals, and inland waterways to our economic competitiveness and develops a comprehensive approach to identify and address their problems.

Unfortunately, our inland waterways are buckling under the pressure of our growing transportation needs. In many areas, the inland waterways system has not been updated since the 1950s; more than half of the locks are over 50 years old; 90 percent of the locks and dams on the U.S. inland waterways system experienced some type of unscheduled delay in 2009.

There is an average of 52 service interruptions a day throughout the system. These delays prevent goods from getting to markets, driving up costs and hurting the businesses that depend on our waterways.

Addressing these issues will take time and careful planning. Projects to repair and replace aging locks and dredge channels can take decades to approve and complete. By identifying key waterways, critical bottlenecks and major trade gateways, my amendment can guide the revitalization of our inland waterways in the most effective way possible.

Thinking strategically about our inland waterway system can lead to outsized returns in the future. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that modest investments will protect $700 billion in gross domestic product and 738,000 jobs in 2020; but in order for these investments to have their desired impacts, they must be properly targeted.

My amendment will help to funnel resources to the most beneficial projects available so that we can achieve a good return on investment on American taxpayers' money.

America's inland waterways, ports, and harbors are critical tools in ensuring that all markets, foreign and domestic, are open to American goods. Establishing a national network and policy for our waterways will help us grow our economy, spur job creation, and ensure that taxpayer money is put to good use.

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

Mr. Chairman, the chairman of the committee stated that this amendment gives broad authority to the administration, but it is the same authority that we gave to the administration in the provision created for highways in the surface transportation bill, MAP- 21.

This amendment is modeled exactly on that provision, so what is good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

So I do not understand your logic. I do not understand your argument.

But let me just say, Mr. Chairman, that this is going to benefit metropolitan areas. We held hearing after hearing in the Small Business Committee regarding this issue, and this issue was brought up to my attention by small agricultural interests from rural areas that were concerned that waterways, particularly those in rural areas, were being ignored.

The truth of the matter is that this amendment will ensure that rural areas are given a greater voice.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, day 16 of the Republican government shutdown: children across the country are being turned away from Head Start educational services; our small businesses are seeing a loss in demand for their services; and local economies are suffering. Americans are finding it harder to finance the purchase of a new home, placing a damper on the housing market, a cornerstone of our national economy. In New York, alone, 50,000 workers are furloughed, holding back on purchases that will help stimulate our local economy.

Now we approach another deadline and the possible default of the Federal debt. Allowing this to happen will be the height of Republican irresponsibility, causing havoc in our capital markets and costing American jobs.

All of this could end today if our colleagues would simply allow a vote. Stop playing political games. We need to reopen the government and pay the bills Congress previously authorized.

Mr. Speaker, the American people have seen enough. The time for talk is over. Let's vote to end this today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 59, to open the government and go to conference on a budget so that we can end this Republican government shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, across the country, Americans are asking a simple question: When will their government open?

Every day, more Americans are denied services they need. Children who rely on Head Start are being turned away. New mothers and their infants are being denied nutritional assistance from WIC. Small businesses are losing demand for their services or are having trouble accessing loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, costing jobs we cannot afford to lose and at a time when our economy continues to struggle.

While this is happening, what have our colleagues on the other side of the aisle done? They waste precious time with incremental bills that have no chance of enactment. That is not responsible governing. It is an excuse to put out a press release. The American people do not want more press releases. They want action.

Every day that the government stays closed is a lost opportunity for our economy and our communities. Let's vote and keep this government open.

Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority has abdicated their responsibility. Make no mistake: a small faction of the Republican Party is holding our economy hostage to get their way.

Just 36 hours into this shutdown and the American people are already feeling the consequences. Hundreds of thousands of Federal workers across the country are being furloughed without pay. Soon, women who rely on WIC will begin losing benefits. Our national parks are closed. Important biomedical research and environmental work is being delayed.

Make no mistake: this could all end today. If leadership would allow a simple up-or-down vote on the Senate-passed CR, this would all be over.

But this has never been about budgeting. This is about a single- minded obsession with repealing a law Congress passed, the Supreme Court upheld, and that was reaffirmed by the American people in the last Presidential election.

That fight is over. Even with the government closed yesterday, health exchanges were open and uninsured Americans began purchasing coverage.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and to this unconscionable legislation. Make no mistake, if you support this bill, you are voting to take food from the mouths of almost 4 million of our fellow citizens next year. Who are these Americans? Nearly half of them are children. They are seniors. They are our veterans. One in every five veterans receives SNAP benefits. Is this the way we thank them for their service?

Mr. Speaker, Congress does not agree on much these days; but I have always assumed that we could at least support

the idea that in this country no child should go hungry. Have we gone so far that we cannot even find bipartisan support for that? If so, then we have truly lost our way.

Is this what my Republican friends call ``compassionate conservatism''? I say to my colleagues, the whole Nation is watching. You will be held accountable. Vote ``no'' on this rule and this shameful underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a model public servant who dedicated his life to the betterment of the Williamsburg community in Brooklyn, New York. Ismael ``Tony'' Torres was born in Carolinas, Puerto Rico on November 29, 1933, and arrived in New York City in 1946.

Mr. Torres is an extraordinary man who is proud of his heritage and has dedicated his life's work to advancing the cause of equal rights, community empowerment and civil rights for Puerto Ricans in Williamsburg. In 1952, he was arrested for organizing a rally against wage theft for six Puerto Rican factory workers in Brooklyn. This was the beginning of a long and storied activist career.

Mr. Torres served in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1954 to 1956 in the ARMY 7th Steps To Hell, Company A unit. Upon returning home, he continued the fight for justice and fairness and against discrimination.

In 1958 he coordinated the first Puerto Rican parade along Graham Avenue. Thanks to his advocacy and work with the former Councilmember, Graham Avenue today is known as Avenida Puerto Rico.

In the 1970's he founded the Williamsburg Federation of Tenants for Better Housing. Comprised of local residents and leaders. This organization led to the development of two massive affordable housing projects in the 1970's and 80's--Caribe Village and Borinquen Plaza Housing Development. In 1977, he led and won the fight to create one of the oldest senior centers in Williamsburg--the Borinquen Senior Center. In addition, he served as the president of the Tenants Association where he led the fight to improve the quality of life for public housing residents.

Mr. Torres was also very active in the fight for affordable and quality healthcare in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Along with health advocates, he organized to improve services for the underserved at Greenpoint Hospital. The coalition initiated by Mr. Torres and other Latino leaders led to the closure of that facility and its replacement with an updated, state-of-the-art health center known today as Woodhull Medical Center.

Today, Mr. Torres continues to be a powerful advocate because people trust him. He is a community legend and champion for those who too often lack a voice. Once again, I pay tribute to Mr. Ismael ``Tony'' Torres, a Puerto Rican trailblazer for his people and a renaissance man who made a positive impact in housing, civil and workers' rights and local politics. Those of us who have the opportunity to observe and experience his example consider ourselves fortunate.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the bill before us today. Sadly, we find ourselves in another redundant and unproductive debate over the Affordable Care Act. The estimated cost of today's vote is over $1 million, paid by hardworking taxpayers. But instead of focusing on jobs and economic growth, we're wasting time and money on denying health coverage to small businesses and their employees.

Not even half of the appropriations bills have been passed, and yet, Republicans continue their attempt to undermine health reform. This obsession must end. It is time to move on and start tackling the challenges the American people care about--jobs, jobs, jobs, the economy.

Blocking the IRS from implementing provisions of the Affordable Care Act does nothing to help our Nation's small businesses. Rather, today's bill will keep small employers from taking advantage of the small business health care tax credit, which has already helped over 360,000 small employers and 2 million workers.

This bill prevents these businesses from utilizing the 50 percent tax credit in the new SHOP exchanges next year. That is why today's vote is irresponsible and out of touch with American firms.

We must continue to ensure quality health coverage is available and utilized by the businesses that are the cornerstone of the American economy.

I urge Members to vote ``no.''

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, families that receive housing counseling and home inspections make better decisions when it comes to purchasing or refinancing a home. They understand the financial burdens they can reasonably assume and what future costs they may incur due to homeownership, reducing their individual risk of foreclosure in the future. Fewer individual foreclosures also benefit surrounding communities; home prices remain stable, blight is reduced, and more families remain in place. That is why I have been relentless in urging HUD to improve the educational resources available to borrowers when purchasing or refinancing a home.

Currently, HUD is working to improve its certified housing counselor training for potential and existing homebuyers, as well as develop home inspection educational materials for consumers when purchasing a home. Unfortunately, the issuance of these resources has been delayed. To date, only a few of the housing counseling documents have been released for public comment, including the application for the Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee and certification for HUD housing counseling.

The legislation before us today, H.R. 2610, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, would reduce funding to finalize these resources at the time they are most needed.

Many low-to-moderate-income homeowners are still struggling to afford their homes. My amendment would provide the additional $10 million necessary to restore housing counseling assistance funding to its FY 2013 level. Funding from HUD's administrative supportive offices account would be used to offset the amendment.

It would not impact any of the transportation or housing programs funding amounts. The net impact is zero on the budget authority, and it would reduce 2014 outlays by $4 million--actually saving the government money over time.

This increased funding would help HUD complete its statutory obligations and start providing housing counseling information to FHA- insured borrowers and other interested families. These resources are essential for educating families about the financial burdens of owning a home, the importance of conducting a home inspection prior to purchase, and informing underwater homeowners of their options to avoid foreclosure. We cannot allow these families to wait any longer for these critical homeownership information resources.

I urge the House to protect families' interests when purchasing a home by voting ``yes'' on this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk made in order under the rule.

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

Mr. Chairman, millions of children in our country are falling through the cracks. Every day, children sit in classrooms more worried about the emptiness in their stomachs, the dangers of their walk home, or the broken radiator in their freezing apartment than the lessons on the board.

Every afternoon, these children return home to families who do not know how to support their education. And every year these kids drop out of school, don't pass on to the next grade, or pass on without having been properly prepared.

The Family Engagement Centers established by this legislation will work to bring community-based organizations, school districts, educators, school administrators, and parents together to meet children's educational needs. This holistic approach focuses on preparing children for a bright future.

Family Engagement Centers face serious obstacles in reaching many parents, however. There is the single mother working two jobs, the parents who feel intimidated by algebra or literature because they were never taught those subjects, and millions of immigrant families who work hard every day but have trouble deciphering the notices schools send home.

My amendment ensures that Family Engagement Centers work on reaching these low-income students and parents and that they reach out to students and parents that lack the resources that other families have, especially those that might have difficulty communicating with educators and school administrators.

The blame for our failing schools cannot be placed on our students. They are too preoccupied with the violence that might meet them on the street corner or thoughts of meals that never come to focus on letters and numbers. The blame lies with the system, a system too overwhelmed to worry about our children. That is unacceptable.

When parents don't have the resources to engage, don't feel comfortable engaging, or cannot engage without the help of a translator, it is difficult to encourage them to participate in their child's education. You can walk into virtually any community and find families in this situation. These families want to see their children live the American Dream, but they feel they cannot help or they have trouble communicating in a system that doesn't speak their language.

My amendment helps bring these families into the mix so that education becomes a 24/7 goal. When parents and schools work together, education is no longer something a child does for a few hours during weekdays. It is a constant process reinforced by everyone around them.

We all know it takes a village to raise a child. Family Engagement Centers help to bring that together and focus on the needs of the child. My amendment ensures that villagers and children aren't left out because they do not have the same resources or speak the same language as the rest of the village.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the remainder of my time to the ranking member.