Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

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

Mr. Speaker, this week we finally got an objective analysis of the situation in Iraq. We shouldn't be surprised that it differs significantly from the status report from the White House last month, which painted a much rosier political and security scenario in Iraq. Nor should we be surprised if its conclusions are different from a final report that is scheduled to come from the President this week.

The GAO findings are not a surprise. When President Bush began this troop escalation plan, he promised this Congress that the Iraqis must meet these benchmarks, and, if they did not, they would lose the support of the American people.

Many of us who opposed the troop escalation plan were skeptical the Iraqis would be able to meet these benchmarks and that 30,000 more troops would bring about any real improvements in securing Iraq. The GAO report shows that our concerns were justified.

With the failure of the Iraqi Government to meet 15 of the 18 benchmarks, it is clear that a change of course is needed. I would hope that my Republican colleagues would stop blindly following President Bush and conclude, much as this Nation has, that it is time to begin bringing our troops home.

Madam Speaker, educators and the general public cite disciplinary problems as the greatest challenge facing schools. Often schools respond to problem behavior with suspensions and expulsions, or by removing persistent troublemakers from the school. But research shows that punitive approaches to discipline do not work, and further, that they disproportionately harm students of color and students with disabilities.

One effective approach now being adopted by education agencies around the country is schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports (PBS). Research shows that schools implementing PBS can experience anywhere from a 20 to 60 percent reduction in disciplinary problems, an improved social climate, and increases in reading and math scores on standardized tests.

This Congress I toured Monmouth-Roseville Junior High, a PBS school in my Illinois Congressional district. I was amazed by how effectively the school decreased the number of expulsions and suspensions, and increased student attendance, classroom instructional time, and academic engagement. Even more impressive, there was an overall sense of shared responsibility for the success of the school.

Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act.

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide the flexibility and technical assistance schools need to expand the use of positive behavior supports and other early intervening services to create a school climate that is highly conducive to learning, reduces discipline referrals, and improves academic outcomes. Specifically, this bill:

Allows State and Local Education Agencies to use Title I funding to implement schoolwide PBS.

Supports Safe and Drug Free Schools' programs that improve the whole school climate, prevent disciplinary problems, violence, illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, and that involve parents and communities in school programs and activities.

Trains teachers in the behavioral learning of kids and in methods that improve school climate.

Establishes an office of specialized instructional support services in the Department of Education to administer and coordinate support services in schools.

I urge my colleagues to look at the proven results of PBS and the positive impact it has on the entire school. Not only are we finding safer school climates in schools where PBS is implemented, but we are also seeing a decrease in dropout rates, a more accurate classification of special education students, improved test scores, home and family life, and more productive students who are better prepared to enter the professional world after graduation.

Additionally, PBS assists education agencies with the challenges they face in meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind, ultimately leading to a better educational experience for our kids. Educators, parents, mental health experts and academics all agree that positive behavior supports are good for schools, good for teachers and good for students.

This legislation is endorsed by the Advocacy Institute; American Counseling Association; American Music Therapy Association; American Occupational Therapy Association; American Psychological Association; American School Counselor Association; The Arc of the United States; Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; Center for Behavioral Education & Research in the UConn Neag School of Education; Children and Adults with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders; Learning Disabilities Association of America; Illinois PBIS Network; Mental Health America; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Association for Children's Behavioral Health; National Association of State Directors of Special Education; National Down Syndrome Congress; School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA); and United Cerebral Palsy.

Madam Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to enter into the Record a letter of support from these organizations.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting positive behavior in schools by cosponsoring the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act, and work with me to advance this important piece of legislation.

August 3, 2007.

Hon. Phil Hare,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Hare: The undersigned national

organizations are pleased to offer our strong support for the

Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act of 2007. We share

your goals of enhancing student outcomes and improving school

climate through the promotion of school wide positive

behavior supports (PBS). The legislation provides a welcomed

opportunity to strengthen the education system by helping

address student's social and emotional barriers to learning.

As you well know, school wide positive behavior support

initiatives help reshape school climates into more conducive

learning environments appreciated by students, staff and

school personnel. School wide positive behavior supports help

reduce discipline problems as well as improve academic

outcomes, including test scores. Your home state of Illinois

is a pioneer in creating a statewide comprehensive PBS

initiative, with implementation in about 600 public schools

and research demonstrating its support for school success.

The Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act will go a

long way towards fostering effective learning environments.

It gives schools the tools and opportunity to change how

schools respond to students, reinforce desired behaviors and

eliminate inadvertent reinforcements for problem behavior to

help realize the goals of academic and social success for all

students. Specifically, the

legislation allows and encourages schools and localities to

support PBS as well as supports research, technical

assistance and related school reform activities that improve

school climate. Additionally, the legislation would establish

a new office within the Department of Education that would

help coordinate and administer activities assisting

specialized instructional support personnel who provide a

critical role in the link between social and academic

outcomes for students.

Once again we applaud you for introducing this important

legislation and look forward to working with you to secure

its enactment.

Sincerely,

American Counseling Association, American Music Therapy

Association, American Occupational Therapy Association,

American Psychological Association, American School

Counselor Association, The Arc of the United States,

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Children and

Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder,

Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders,

Learning Disabilities Association of America, Mental

Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness,

National Association for Children's Behavioral Health,

National Association of State Directors of Special

Education, National Down Syndrome Congress, School

Social Work Association of America, United Cerebral

Palsy.

Mr. Speaker, the record of the Democratic Congress demonstrates that we are delivering positive change for the American people.

We began this week by enacting the toughest ethics reform in a generation. Lobbyists can no longer lavish Congress with gifts, pay for private jets or treat Members to fancy meals. Through honest leadership, we continue to move forward to address the real challenges facing America.

On Wednesday, we voted on the CHAMP Act, which strengthens the Child Health Insurance Program so that we can reach an additional 5 million children who are already eligible for that program. The CHAMP Act delivers real progress on health care, and its passage is vitally important.

Democrats also understand that a forward-looking progressive energy policy is essential to this country's future. To that end, we will vote today on an energy bill that moves us towards energy independence and fights global warming.

Mr. Speaker, during this week alone, the Democratic House will deliver on ethics reform, health care, and energy. We're moving forward on real solutions that will help the American people in their everyday lives.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, this House passed the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act. This bill demonstrates the values that freshmen Members like me and others were elected to bring to this Congress. By reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, we expand coverage to an additional 5 million children.

Additionally, the CHAMP Act takes care of America's seniors and the disabled by assisting Medicare recipients

with copayments, deductibles, and prescription costs.

In my district, I hear from doctors, patients and hospitals about the strains that cuts to Medicare and Medicaid have placed on our health care system. This bill takes a first step towards rebuilding our social safety net by preventing pay cuts to physicians, ensuring that doctors continue to accept Medicare patients, and seniors are able to see the doctors of their choice.

By passing the CHAMP Act, this Congress showed that we believe hardworking American families should have access to affordable health care for their children and their grandparents.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage our respected chairwoman of the House Agriculture appropriations subcommittee in a colloquy to raise an issue of importance to a group of struggling workers in the almond industry. At issue is whether a company or cooperative should continue to be funded through the Market Access Program in light of being found guilty of labor violations here at home.

During a recent organizing drive, Blue Diamond Growers, a past recipient of these MAP funds, was found guilty by the National Labor Relations Board of more than 20 labor law violations, including firings. These were serious offenses.

Would the gentlewoman agree with me that the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to deny serious labor lawbreakers taxpayer funds which are distributed from the Market Access Program?

Madam Speaker, yesterday, this House took a critical step in changing the way business is done in Washington. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 provides the most sweeping lobby reform in a generation, finally bringing unprecedented transparency to lobbyist activities.

During last year's election, the American people unequivocally called for a change in the way business is done in Washington. This bill, along with the ethics reform our Democratic majority enacted in the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, are significant steps forward in cleaning up the culture of corruption that has plagued Washington for far too long.

As soon as Democrats took control of this Congress, we began a new era of honest and open government, finally returning this House to the American people and making sure that the work we do here is something that we can be proud of.

Madam Speaker, by passing the comprehensive lobbying reform yesterday, we are keeping our promise to the American people to make this Congress the most honest and open in history.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and commend my Chairman, Mr. Miller for his efforts to bring this legislation forward. The Supreme Court's decision in Ledbetter versus Goodyear was a setback for fundamental equal rights. As a Member of the Education and Labor Committee I am pleased that the House is standing up today for America's workers by essentially invalidating this misguided ruling.

Mrs. Ledbetter's pay discrimination case was dismissed--not because she was not being discriminated against--but because the Supreme Court believed she filed her claim too late.

Under this decision, employees in Ledbetter's position are forced to live with discriminatory paychecks for the rest of their careers. Moreover, the Court's decision ignores the realities of the workplace-- where employees generally do not know enough about what their co- workers earn or how decisions regarding pay are' made to file a complaint precisely when discrimination first occurs.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would clarify that every paycheck resulting from a discriminatory pay decision constitutes a violation of the Civil Rights Act.

When the Supreme Court sanctions discrimination through technicalities or misinterpretation, it is the job of Congress to clarify the intent of the law. We start this process today by passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. I urge all my colleagues to vote for

Madam Chairman, on behalf of Illinois agriculture, I rise in strong support of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act.

This bill maintains a viable safety net for our farmers. Since my congressional district receives the second most crop payments of all the freshmen in Congress, a strong subsidy program is critical for farmers in the 17th Illinois Congressional District.

Additionally, the bill encourages biofuel research and production, which are vitally important to my congressional district and the energy security of our Nation.

The 2007 Farm bill also supports rural America through programs that provide healthcare, emergency communications, and broadband telecommunications services to rural areas.

Before the bill passed out of committee, I joined with many of my colleagues to ensure it funded nutrition programs so that Americans continue to have access to a high quality and inexpensive food supply.

In response, the bill increases the minimum benefit for the Food Stamp Program for the first time in more than 30 years.

For the safety and security of our food and the future of U.S. agriculture, I urge all my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 2419.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

Madam Chairman, my amendment deals with critical access hospitals and their ability to provide crucial surgical services to rural communities.

Recently, three of these hospitals in my district have fallen prey to a narrow interpretation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that now prevents them from providing basic surgical services.

The CAH program was created as a Federal reimbursement system for small rural hospitals. Providing cost-based reimbursement through Medicare allows CAHs to be a vital part of the safety net for my small communities in my district. This reimbursement allows these rural hospitals to provide both emergency and primary care services for the elderly and disadvantaged. In particular, CAH reimbursements for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists enable tens of thousands of citizens in medically underserved areas to access surgical services every year.

Until December 31, 2006, the CAHs were being reimbursed for CRNA services. Now, in 2007, a new interpretation of the law excludes CAHs whose counties have gone through a reclassification process due to a new census process known as ``Lugar counties.''

No new law has said that these CAHs should no longer be reimbursed for CRNA services, however. Now CAHs are being denied their CRNA pass- through payments. Most hospitals affected expect to average losses between $45,000 and $100,000; a drop in the bucket in overall health care dollars. But to these hospitals, this effectively terminates their ability to provide emergency surgical services. My amendment would fix the law to ensure that if a hospital is designated as a critical access hospital, then it is reimbursed for CRNA services.

Congress intended for CAHs to assist rural communities with limited access to health care services. I am committed to rectifying this unfair and harmful application of the law.

I would now like to yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Mr. Obey.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Reclaiming my time, I want to thank Chairman Obey for his wonderful work as the leader of our Appropriations Committee, and I look forward to working with you and this Congress to address this serious issue.

Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

For 13 years, I cut men's suits at Seaford Clothing Factory in Rock Island, Illinois. I wouldn't be here as a Member of Congress if it were not for my union. My membership in UNITE HERE Local 617 afforded me access to higher wages, good benefits, and invaluable workplace safety protections.

Under the Souder amendment, the NLRB could not enforce either party's obligation to bargain in good faith following a voluntary recognition. This would undermine the rights of potentially millions of workers who have already organized under voluntary recognition agreements and already engaged in collective bargaining relationships.

Majority Sign-Up has been available under the National Labor Relations Act since 1935. It's proven to reduce strife in the workplace, resulting in better labor-management relations. Majority sign-ups also reduce coercion and pressure, compared to NLRB elections, which is why I'm a strong proponent of the Employee Free Choice Act.

As my colleague mentioned, the Souder amendment would force all workers into the broken, unfair, undemocratic election system and strip away the freedom of contract.

I ask all of my colleagues to vote against the Souder amendment which would take a huge step backwards for the rights of American workers, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. I commend my friend, Congressman Kildee for bringing this legislation forward and I am honored to be a cosponsor.

As a former labor organizer, I know first-hand the importance of collective bargaining. I would not be here today as a Member of Congress if it were not for my union. Yet, 21 States do not fully protect the collective bargaining rights of public safety employees.

Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel play a critical role in our Nation's homeland security. They are the first to respond to terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other mass casualty events. These workers deserve the same right to discuss workplace issues with their employer that the Federal Government already grants to most employees. Additionally, rank-and-file input improves communication and cooperation between employees and management for more efficient and coordinated operations that are necessary in our post 9/ 11 world.

This bill would establish minimum standards that States must meet regarding the process of collective bargaining with public safety employees.

Mr. Speaker, it is vitally important to our national security, public safety, and the rights of our first responders to pass H.R. 980. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.

On January 10, President Bush announced an increase of more than 20,000 troops in Iraq. Six months later, it is clear that the President's surge strategy has yielded no positive results, and Iraq continues to remain a battleground for sectarian violence and a hotbed for terrorist activity.

But in spite of the realities on the ground, the President seems intent on further digging in his heels on a failed policy that has placed targets on the backs of our troops as they attempt to referee a civil war. In the 6 months that I have served in Congress, the 17th Congressional District of Illinois has mourned the lives of six brave soldiers. In the absence of any visible progress, we can no longer stand by as more of our troops come home in body bags.

Mr. Speaker, President Bush started this war without a plan to win the peace. For the sake of our troops, our national security and our credibility around the world, this Congress must do what this President refuses to do in order to return stability to Iraq. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 609 on June 11, 2007 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. By passing this bill today, we make the largest single investment in higher education since the 1944 GI bill.

College costs have grown nearly 40 percent in just the last 5 years, and too many students have found themselves drowning in debt or, worse, unable to afford an education at all. I believe education is an investment, not an expenditure. This bill will increase our Nation's competitiveness and allow Americans from all economic backgrounds to achieve the dream of a college career.

This act would make need-based student loans more easily accessible and provide for additional mandatory funding for the Pell Grant scholarship, benefiting nearly 230,000 students in my home State of Illinois.

The bill also cuts the interest rate on subsidized student loans in half over the next 5 years and includes tuition assistance for students who teach in the Nation's public schools and loan forgiveness for college graduates who go into public service professions. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 2669.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring attention to recent reports that the United States commanders in Iraq are rejecting the recommendations from Army mental health experts.

To address the rising number of returning war heroes with mental health problems, Army psychologists have said that troops need a 1- month reprieve for every 3 months in combat, a suggestion that's been brushed aside by these commanders.

Denying troops the rest they need is another irresponsible move in a long line of policies that show a complete disregard for the well-being of our troops, such as being sent to war without adequate armor, being forced to complete multiple deployments, and when wounded, being subjected to a bureaucratic mess such as Walter Reed.

Mr. Speaker, I've only been in Congress since January, yet, this week, I made my sixth call to the spouse of a wounded or killed soldier in this war.

I'm tired of this war. My constituents are tired of this war. The American people are tired of this war. It's time to put the health and well-being of our troops first. It's time to bring them home.