Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Conference Report on the Weapons Acquisition System Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight Act (WASTE TKO Act). This legislation will reform how the Department of Defense purchases weapons and help ensure the strong oversight of our defense budget that taxpayers deserve.

In recent years, the Defense Department's spending plans have been unrealistic and unsustainable. Much of the growth in our defense budget has been driven by weapons programs that cost too much and take too long to develop. According to a Government Accountability Office study released this year, cost overruns from ninety-six Department of Defense weapons programs have totaled $296 billion. These same programs were, on average, 21 months behind schedule. President Obama has said that procurement reform could save taxpayers as much as $40 billion each year.

Our current approach asks, ``how much money can we get for the weapon?'' But we ought to ask, ``how much weapon can we get for the money?'' Every dollar that we spend on an over-budget weapons system is a dollar that cannot be used to support the urgent needs of our servicemembers and their families. Cost overruns alone would pay the salaries for our active-duty military and health care for them and their families for two and a half years.

The WASTE TKO Act will address deep-seated and systemic problems in how we procure weapons. This bill will require the Department of Defense to provide more realistic estimates of how much weapons will cost and punish those programs which are failing to meet schedule and cost goals. This legislation will demand additional focus during the early stages of weapons development, when small program changes can have major long-term consequences. When it comes to defense procurement, an ounce of oversight is worth a pound of cure.

I applaud Chairman Ike Skelton, Ranking Member John McHugh, and the Members of the Armed Services Committee's Defense Acquisition Reform Panel for their work to develop this legislation.

As a member of the House Budget Committee and the Armed Services Committee, I am committed to providing for a strong national defense that gives our women and men in uniform the tools they need to do their jobs, while delivering strong oversight of the defense budget that reins in out-of-control spending on major weapons systems. I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting a strong national defense and accountability of taxpayer dollars by voting yes on the WASTE TKO Act.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 915, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. This bill provides historic levels of funding for FAA's critical work to improve safety, invest in our nation's airports, and modernize our air transportation system.

H.R. 915 will help accelerate the implementation of FAA's Air Traffic Control Modernization and Next Generation Air Transportation System. NextGen will increase the capacity and efficiency of our national air transportation system, which will help accommodate expected increases in air traffic. H.R. 915 also increases oversight of NextGen and mandates that FAA develop a detailed plan for how they will deliver results for the airline industry and the flying public.

This legislation invests in our nation's airports by providing $16.2 billion for the Airport Improvement Program. This historic funding level also includes a significant increase in AIP funding for smaller airports, like many in my district. H.R. 915 also makes critical improvements in aviation safety, including strong air carrier safety oversight provisions and an increase in the number of aviation safety inspectors.

I commend Chairmen Oberstar and Costello for addressing the ongoing dispute between the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA over failed contract negotiations by establishing a binding dispute resolution process and requiring the parties to go back to the negotiating table.

The bill also fixes a long-standing disparity in the way employees of express delivery companies are treated under our nation's labor laws. This provision will help restore collective bargaining rights to this critical workforce.

This legislation is not perfect, but it makes critical improvements to our nation's air transportation system to create jobs and strengthen our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to join in the celebration of Syttende Mai, or Norwegian Constitution Day.

On May 17, 1814, an assembly of Norway's leaders signed a Constitution declaring Norway's independence and establishing a government that was radically democratic for its time, especially in Europe.

This Sunday, exactly 195 years later, millions of Norwegians will gather to celebrate their independence, their long history of constitutional democracy, and their national achievements.

Norwegians and Norwegian Americans across our country will celebrate at smaller, but no less joyful, Constitution Day events. In my home State of Washington, the Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. will serve as the Grand Marshal of a Constitution Day parade.

The United States and Norway share in the celebration of Constitution Day because we have a strong diplomatic friendship, a robust trading relationship, and a shared history of commitment to democratic principles.

Moreover, the U.S. and Norway are military partners. Today in Afghanistan, as a for instance, Norwegian soldiers are fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda alongside U.S. servicemembers.

So I congratulate Norway on this Constitution Day and look forward to celebrating Syttende Mai with them for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H. Con. Res. 111, a resolution recognizing the sixty-first anniversary of Israel's independence.

Just eleven minutes after the establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948, President Truman recognized its status as a sovereign nation. That moment marked the beginning of an enduring relationship between our two countries.

Israel and its citizens have made outstanding contributions to global prosperity and culture. The whole world has benefited from Israeli advances in science, medicine, technology, and the arts. As the longest-enduring democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a strong and trusted ally in a volatile region.

After more than six decades, the United States remains committed to its friendship with Israel. This friendship has endured, and will endure, because our countries share fundamental values.

The Jewish People's Council, in approving the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel, articulated many of our common values, stating ``The state of Israel . . . will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture.''

On the occasion of its Independence Day, I congratulate the people of Israel for their continued commitment to these democratic principles. I look forward to strengthening our relationship based on our many common ties in the decades to come.

Madam Chair, perhaps I can rise today and try to lower the temperature a little bit as I rise to oppose the substitute budget before us and express my strong support for the Budget Committee resolution that is on the floor today a little later.

It is because our budget puts President Obama's plan to invest in our Nation's priorities into action, our budget is part of a comprehensive approach to create jobs and to build a foundation for our country's long-term economic strength. Congress and this administration have already taken action to save or create 3.5 million jobs, to keep families in their homes and to stabilize our financial markets. The economy is clearly job number one for all of us here. President Obama inherited an economic mess from the last administration, including record deficits and soaring unemployment. It is going to take some time, some hard work, some very difficult choices for us to get past this economic and this fiscal crisis and to move our country in a new direction.

I hosted some town talks with about 200 of my constituents this past weekend in Marysville and Lake Stevens. And let me tell you, they are worried. They are worried about the economy. They are ready for a new direction. They are looking for answers from this Congress and from the President. President Obama and Chairman Spratt have proposed a budget resolution that moves our country in the right direction by investing in clean energy, in education and affordable health care for families and businesses. This budget also invests in our Nation's national security, provides a nearly 4 percent increase in funding for the Department of Defense to keep our country safe and to support our military folks and their families. And for the first time, the President's budget in this resolution includes an honest and transparent accounting of the cost of sustaining our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It creates jobs that target investments. It reforms health care, energy and education.

The substitute before us today does the opposite, cutting those investments that we need to strengthen our economy for the long term. Instead of moving us in a new direction that we need, this substitute unfortunately relies on the failed approaches of the past.

So I'm urging my colleagues to oppose the substitute and support the budget resolution that we are going to see later on the floor today.

Madam Speaker, Andy Anderson's passing is a tragic loss for Washington state, Whatcom County and for me personally. My thoughts and prayers are with Andy's loved ones during this difficult time.

Andy's commitment to public service is legendary and his contributions to Washington state have been many and varied.

While serving as District Manager for Congressman Al Swift, Andy was instrumental in creating the PACE (now NEXUS) lane for frequent travelers between the United States and Canada. Andy's efforts to expand trade and reduce wait times helped thousands of families and businesses on both sides of the border.

After I was elected to Congress in 2000, I asked Andy to come out of retirement to join my team. For 3 years, he served as director of my Bellingham office, representing me in Whatcom County.

I am honored to have worked with Andy Anderson. He was a true friend and a tireless advocate for my constituents. He was always available to answer a question, investigate and solve a problem and look for new ways to make life a little easier for the people he served.

Andy will be missed, but his contributions to our community, our State and our country will be felt for many decades to come.

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

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the North Cascades National Park.

On October 2, 1968, President Johnson signed the North Cascades Act and 680,000 acres of peaks, glaciers, old growth forest and salmon- bearing streams were protected. North Cascades National Park became a reality thanks to the tireless efforts of local activists and bipartisan support from elected officials, including former Senator Henry Scoop Jackson, Representative Lloyd Meeds and Governor Daniel Evans.

The North Cascades are home to numerous species, including the Bald Eagle, Spotted Owl and grizzly bear. The park is also home to world- class recreation areas. Families can hunt, fish and boat in and around scenic mountain lakes.

During the last four decades, millions of Americans have experienced the beauty of the North Cascades. I want to thank all of the men and women who have worked so hard to create the North Cascades National Park, and I invite all Americans to come visit this national treasure.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the nation of Israel and her people on the recent 60th Anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. The United States stood with Israel in 1948 as it took the first steps forward as a new nation and we proudly stand with her today.

The United States and Israel are bound together by a shared history and shared values. We share thriving, plurastic democracies that allow for--and encourage--open political discourse and opposition. Both counties are governed by the rule of law and share fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of speech and religion. And our economies share an entrepreneurial spirit which gives those from all walks of life the opportunity to succeed.

The United States has no better ally and friend in the Middle East than Israel. Both peoples strive to live in peace and protect our communities from those who would do us harm. The United States stands with Israel against any threats to the security and existence of your country, and we stand with you as you strive to secure a peaceful and lasting relationship with your neighbors.

Madam Speaker, as we join with Israel to celebrate 60 years as an independent and free state, now is the time for the United States to reaffirm our support for our ally and friend. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, today I stand in recognition of National Drug Court Month and the important work done by drug courts in my district and around the country.

Drug courts combine intense judicial supervision and comprehensive treatment in community-wide approaches to rehabilitation. They bring together teams of judges, attorneys, treatment providers, child advocates and law enforcement officers. Their tireless work gives nonviolent offenders a second chance to get clean and take back their lives.

In my district, drug court programs have enhanced public safety, saved taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, saved lives. Since 1999, the Snohomish County Drug Court in Everett, Washington, has graduated over 300 participants, of whom 94 percent have remained clean.

Drug courts are widely recognized as the most effective solution for reducing crime and recidivism among drug-addicted offenders. They come at a fraction of the cost of standard incarceration, and they work. It is our responsibility at the Federal level to provide the funds necessary to ensure that their services are available to people that need them.

So congratulations to dedicated drug court professionals and graduates from Washington State and around the country on a job well done. Thank you for your hard work and your dedication.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this proposed amendment. As we have noted, this amendment seeks to increase fiscal year 2009 funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $719 million to the level of the budget request. The administration did in fact request $9.3 billion in fiscal year 2009 for MDA, an increase of $680 million above the 2008 funded level. This bill authorizes $8.6 billion in 2009 for the Missile Defense Agency, roughly equivalent to the 2008 level. Furthermore, this bill provides our warfighters with the capabilities that they need to respond to the real missile threats to our homeland, our deployed forces and our allies.

For example, this bill increases funding for systems geared to near- term threats such as Aegis BMD and THAAD. And to clear up that misunderstanding that I believe we heard on this side of the aisle, this bill actually increases Aegis and THAAD $75 million each above the President's request; not a total of $75 million, but $75 million above the request each for Aegis and THAAD. Also, we improve the missile defense testing program and cooperation with Israel.

I have a number of concerns about the proposed amendment. First, this amendment is an attempt to restore the reduction to the MDA, but this is at a time when we have so many other unmet national security needs that equally meet the standard of providing for the common defense, and the House defeated a similar floor amendment last year.

Second, the proposed offset would come from the RDT&E account, except for the Missile Defense Agency, unfairly placing that agency above all other critical RDT&E priorities.

Third, it is my understanding as well that it is unlikely that the proposed increase in funding for the programs outlined in this amendment are even executable in fiscal year 2009.

Fourth, the amendment is inconsistent with section 223 of the 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which states that RDT&E funding in 2009 may not be used for ``procurement or advance procurement of long-lead items for THAAD firing units 3 and 4, and for Standard Missile-3 Block 1A interceptors.'' Therefore, as written, the amendment would not allow any of the funding to be used for THAAD, additional THAAD, or SM-3 Block 1A.

Mr. Chairman, this bill provides a well-balanced approach to missile defense, and it provides a well-balanced approach when balanced against other key national security needs overall in our defense budget such as readiness, strategic programs and nonproliferation, all of which are well-funded as well.

I urge my colleagues to defeat the proposed amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I too rise in opposition to the Tierney amendment. Just a little bit different focus here. The bill, as it stands, includes provisions to improve oversight and accountability for MDA, including required independent studies of boost phase ballistic missile defense systems, and requires strategy to increase the frequency and rigor of testing for mid course defense systems.

Large increases would undercut the prudent path forward established in this bill, and undermine the accountability provisions. Large additional decreases would undercut deployment of mature systems, and could lead to increased missile defense spending in the future if important demonstrations are postponed from fiscal year 2009 to 2010.

This is already a well-balanced budget within the missile defense budget, and well balanced with other needs, such as readiness, strategic programs and nonproliferation. So I'm asking my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which includes legislation I introduced to create the first new wilderness area in Washington State in over 20 years. The Wild Sky Wilderness will be unique, protecting 106,000 acres of pristine forests and streams in my district, while providing a clean and accessible place to hunt, to fish, and to hike.

My staff first met on this issue on February 20, 2001, 48 days into my first term. And now 2,625 or so days later, we are ready to pass the Wild Sky Wilderness bill as part of the broader bill and send it to the President's desk.

The Wild Sky Wilderness Act is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that reflects years of community input. It will protect the peaks, the forests, and the lakes of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, as well as thousands of acres of lower-elevation forests and salmon-bearing streams.

The bill has been vetted through a 7-year process of hearings, debate, local town hall meetings. It started out as a much larger bill, but through a series of compromises and through a process of inclusiveness, we came up with the bill that now stands before you today as part of the larger bill. And it would not have been possible without the help of many people here in Congress and in the Second District. Large businesses like REI, smaller businesses like a small bed and breakfast located in Index support this bill. It garners the support of Democrats and Republicans alike in Washington State. But deserving special recognition here in Congress are people like Chairman Nick Rahall and his staff, led by Jim Zoia and Rick Healy. This proposal went through a 7-year process and is soon to become law as it goes to the President's desk.

I also want to thank my partner on the Senate side, Senator Patty Murray. Creating the Wild Sky Wilderness bill would not have been possible without her hard work and strong leadership in the Senate.

So I ask my colleagues today to support the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 and know that when you do that, you will be helping to create the first wilderness bill for Washington State in over 20 years. I urge passage of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who spent more than 20 years working for the people of the 2nd District of Washington State. Janet Elizabeth Thiessen, who passed away last month at the age of 78, was at the side of former Congressman Al Swift, throughout the years he represented the 2nd District from 1978 until 1995.

Ms. Thiessen's service to the 2nd District didn't begin with Rep. Swift; she first worked for his predecessor, Congressman Lloyd Meeds, as a caseworker in the district office and later as a member of his DC staff.

After graduating from Western Washington State College, Ms. Thiessen started out her career as a teacher. When she and her husband moved to Skagit County, she turned her attention to raising sons Kyle and Scott and volunteering in the community. One of her volunteer projects she was most proud of was helping to bring childcare to migrant families in Skagit County so children wouldn't have to be in the fields while their parents were in the fields picking fruit and vegetables. It was during her years as a volunteer for the local Democratic Party that she met Lloyd Meeds. Her volunteer efforts for Rep. Meeds led to a job helping his constituents, first in the district office and then in Washington. DC. Ms. Thiessen and Swift both worked for Rep. Meeds and when Swift was elected, she became office manager and ultimately his Chief of Staff.

Ms. Thiessen was respected and admired by all who worked in the office. She set high standards and expected top-quality work from all staff in the Swift office. Her hand was in nearly every issue that Swift worked on throughout his tenure in Congress, from his Motor Voter bill, which eventually became law, to the various projects that he sponsored around the 2nd District, such as the 88th Street Interchange on I-5 and the return of passenger rail service between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. She knew the issues, she knew the district, and she made sure everything ran smoothly for Rep. Swift and his legislative staff.

Her writing and grammatical skills were the envy of the entire office. I've been told that both she and Rep. Swift were terrific editors, but her eagle eyes would rarely let a misspelled word or typo slip by in any of the correspondence that went out of the office. Outside of the office, her ability to work a crossword or any type of word puzzle was legendary!

She was one of the first to arrive in the office each day and usually the last to leave at night. She took young staffers under her wing and often pushed them to better themselves in their careers--whether that meant going back to school or taking another job. Many of Swift's former staffers whom Ms. Thiessen helped nurture have gone on to become state legislators, CEOs, judges, attorneys, public affairs officers, top congressional staff, archivists, and teachers. I am fortunate that my own district director for many years worked with and was mentored by Ms. Thiessen.

Janet Thiessen was an independent woman who made her way in a world that was, at that time, often dominated by men. She rose from an unpaid volunteer to the Chief of Staff for a veteran congressman, all on her own. Her intellect, political skills, loyalty, sense of humor and kindness served her well in her career on Capitol Hill and in life. She will be greatly missed.

Madam Speaker, on April 9th, 1958, Skagit Valley Hospital opened its doors and began a tradition of providing high-quality healthcare to the residents of Northwest Washington. I rise today to commend Skagit Valley Hospital on its 50th Anniversary and thank the more than 1,200 employees, 250 physicians, 450 volunteers and countless community supporters who continue to work to fulfill the hospital's goal of being ``the best regional, community hospital in the Northwest.''

Over the last fifty years, Skagit Valley Hospital has grown dramatically and expanded the services it offers to patients. After opening a 220,000 square foot expansion in June of 2007, the hospital now boasts 137 beds, a Level III Trauma Center, and cutting-edge Kidney, Diagnostic Imaging and Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers.

Most of Skagit Valley Hospital's facilities are located in Mount Vernon, Washington, but in recent years the hospital has expanded geographically to serve more families in rural and underserved areas. Its Community Health Centers in Stanwood, Washington and Camano Island, Washington bring healthcare services closer to patients who need them.

The fine work of Skagit Valley Hospital has been supported by the generosity of both the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation and the Skagit Hospice Foundation. Together, these organizations have raised and donated over $9 million to improve Skagit Valley Hospital and support patients and their families.

For fifty years, Skagit Valley Hospital has been a pillar of our community and the Northwest Washington healthcare system. Please join me in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Skagit Valley Hospital and thanking its dedicated staff for their tireless efforts.