Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 360, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise to express my deep concern for former Marine Corporal Armando Torres, who is in this photograph here. He was kidnapped by members of the Mexican cartel during a visit to Tamaulipas, Mexico, while visiting his father and uncle.

On May 14, 2013, 2 months ago, Mr. Torres crossed the Rio Grande River into Mexico and was to return the next day. Family members in Mexico report that Mr. Torres, along with his father and uncle, were forcibly taken by members of the Mexican cartel.

Corporal Torres is a combat veteran who served his country honorably in Iraq. I have asked the FBI in McAllen, Texas, and the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros, Mexico, to help bring this marine and his relatives back safely to their loved ones.

Each agency has been working on this case every day for the past 2 months. They report the Mexican Government is cooperating with them on their efforts to find the victims of this outrageous crime.

I commend the quick action taken by both the FBI and the U.S. State Department, and I urge them to continue to do all they can to find and return our former marine, Armando Torres, back safely to the United States and to bring his relatives back home. The United States does not, and must not, give up and leave one of its own behind.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 346, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, as chair of the CHC, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in very strong opposition to the farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it hurts America's poor children and senior citizens.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today as a result of a lack of leadership of the Republican majority. Instead of passing a bipartisan farm bill like the Senate has done, House Republicans have tried to ram through a partisan bill that would have attacked our most vulnerable children. I'm talking about poor children, senior citizens, and many who have lost their jobs.

When that bill failed, instead of reaching out to Democrats to craft a bipartisan bill that could easily pass, like every farm bill has for the past 40 years, they resorted to this desperate tactic. By removing the reauthorization of the food stamp program from the bill, they are doing what they have wanted to do for years--completely gut the program--leaving millions of hungry children without anywhere to turn.

Their heartless action today on the House floor of the Nation's Capitol will increase poverty and hurt the weakest among us. Nearly one in five children suffers from food insecurity. This bill is an embarrassment and should be voted down.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2574, entitled Keeping Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013, legislation that would extend and fully pay for an additional year of the 3.4 percent interest rate on subsidized Federal direct Stafford loans.

Given that millions of students and families are struggling to afford the skyrocketing cost of a college education, it's shocking to me that this Congress allowed interest rates to double on July 1. I'm afraid that this Republican-majority Congress is making college more expensive for millions of students. With student debt surpassing $3 trillion, another increase of $1,000 of debt would be damaging to millions of student already struggling to afford basic expenses like rent and food.

The student loan debt crisis is crushing the dreams and aspirations of students and college graduates. High levels of debt are creating obstacles for young people who hope to start a family, purchase a home, and save for retirement. At this rate, they cannot accomplish those standard goals that every American should be able to achieve.

In my view, student loan debt sets our country backward, not forward. Without Congress' swift action, more than 7 million low- and moderate- income students working towards a college degree will have to pay an additional $1,000 for each loan that they borrow.

The Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013 will secure low interest rates for an additional year as Congress works on a long-term and sustainable approach for the Federal student loan program that works for both students and taxpayers.

Importantly, this bill will help ensure that college remains within reach for students who rely on Federal loans to pay for their education. In stark contrast, the GOP student loan plan is irresponsible and puts students in a yearly-adjustable student loan, which will result in great unpredictability and skyrocketing costs. What's more, the GOP bills add more debt onto students, even more than the doubling of the interest rates.

In a globally competitive economy, an education is clearly a necessity. This Congress should be helping students afford a college education, not saddling them with student loan debt.

As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do what is right and pass H.R. 2574 to reverse the student loan rate increase.

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 265, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 26 Offered by Mr. Marino

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deep concern for former Marine Corporal Armando Torres who was reportedly kidnapped by members of the Mexican Cartel during a visit to Las Barrancas, Tamaulipas, Mexico while visiting his father and uncle.

On May 14, 2013, Mr. Torres crossed on an Internat'l bridge into Mexico and had planned to return the next day. Family members in Mexico report that Mr. Torres along with his father and uncle were forcibly taken by members of the Mexican Cartel.

Corporal Torres is a combat veteran who served his country honorably in Iraq. I have asked the F.B.I in McAllen, Texas and the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros, Mexico to help bring this marine and his relatives back safely to their loved ones. Each agency has been working on this case every day. They report the Mexican Government is cooperating with them on their efforts to find the victims of this outrageous crime.

I commend the quick action taken by both the F.B.I. and the U.S. State Department. I urge them to continue to do all they can to find and return our former Marine, Armando Torres, back safely to the U.S. and to bring his relatives back home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1911, the Republican bill to make college more expensive. In America, we often speak of the importance of expanding educational opportunity and supporting students in achieving the American Dream. Unfortunately, our student loan debt crisis is crushing the dreams and aspirations of students and college graduates.

As Congressman Miller said earlier, today student loan debt exceeds $1.1 trillion. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, student loan debt surpassed total outstanding credit card debt for the first time in 2010. These staggering figures are truly unacceptable and must serve as a wake-up call for developing a long-term solution that helps, not harms, current and future borrowers.

As a result, it is shocking that the majority party would bring a bait-and-switch scheme to the House floor, a bill that would force students into loans with skyrocketing interest rates.

I find it shameful that H.R. 1911 would reduce the Federal deficit on the backs of students and parents by saddling them with almost $4 billion in additional loan interest charges, and leave students worse off than if Congress simply allowed student loan interest rates to double on July 1.

High levels of student loan debt can limit where college graduates live and work. It can affect the kinds of careers that students can follow. High levels of debt can create obstacles for young people who hope to start a family, to purchase a home and save for retirement.

To be clear, students and families deserve more from the U.S. Congress, not less.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose H.R. 1911. I suggest you do two things: one is work to prevent interest rates from doubling on July 1, and second, work to make college more affordable and accessible through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 95th anniversary of Republic Day on May 28th. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate the 22nd anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the beginning of diplomatic relations with the United States.

Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan was established in 1918 becoming the first democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world before being incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920. The country regained its independence in 1991.

The U.S. and Azerbaijan have developed a strong relationship through the opening of Caspian energy sources for development by American companies, which has also allowed the country to emerge as an essential player in global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project has become a vital part of delivering Caspian Sea resources to world markets and serves as a prime example of the development of the South Caucasus region.

Azerbaijan has continually assisted the United States on matters of international security, supporting and participating in operations in both Kosovo and Iraq as well as being actively engaged in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan has regularly facilitated landing and refueling operations for U.S. and NATO forces in the region. Furthermore, Azerbaijan offered strong and immediate aid to the United States directly following the devastating events of 9/11.

Again, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 95th anniversary of Republic Day, and to recognize the valuable bilateral relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan.

Madam Speaker, we have millions of people out of work and a Republican majority that refuses to bring a real jobs bill to the floor. We have record drought across the United States and in my home state of Texas, and a Republican majority that has refused to bring a 5 year farm bill to the floor. In fact the only thing this Republican majority knows how to do is waste the Americans people's time. Ever since Republicans took the majority, they have created the most unproductive congresses in our history. We recently spent two days to vote on a helium bill that could have been voice voted in 5 minutes. We are working in Washington this year for only 126 days. 126 days out of 365.

Instead of spending some of those precious work days on bills that can help Americans get back to work, we are here to vote for the 37th time to repeal Obamacare. This vote is a waste of time. This bill will never become law and they know that. They knew it the first 36 times we voted to repeal it, and they know it today, but Republican leadership needs to do it so the freshman tea party members can send out a press release and a fundraising email this weekend saying they voted to repeal it. Meanwhile in my district, farmers are struggling to grow crops, families are struggling to eat, and this Congress refuses to lift a finger to help them. They should be ashamed. Vote no on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 130, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 172, supporting the goals and ideals of National Financial Literacy Month, 2013. I would like to thank my four co-sponsors of the bill, Mr. Steve Stivers of Ohio, my new co-chair for the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Ms. Terri Sewell, of Alabama, and Mr. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, personal financial literacy is essential to ensure that individuals are prepared to manage money, credit, and debt, and become responsible workers, heads of households, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and citizens. Financial literacy has been linked to lower delinquency rates for mortgage borrowers, higher participation and contribution rates in retirement plans, improved spending and saving habits, higher net worth, and positive knowledge, attitude, and behavior changes. Expanding access to the mainstream financial system provides individuals with lower-cost and safer options for managing finances and building wealth and is likely to lead to increased economic activity and growth.

According to the newly released study from Girl Scouts of the USA, ``Having It All: Girls and Financial Literacy,'' ninety percent of girls say it is important for them to learn how to manage money. However just twelve percent say they feel confident in making financial decisions. They are also products of how the world has changed, as many distrust large financial institutions and think that debt is a normal part of life. Young people look to their parents for guidance on money issues. Unfortunately, too many parents themselves are choosing to opt out of the financial mainstream, for a number of reasons. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, at least 28.3 percent of households in the United States are unbanked or underbanked and, subsequently, have missed opportunities for savings, lending, and basic financial services. According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 39 percent of adults in the United States report that they have no savings. For families to be able to emerge out of poverty, these statistics must change. Financial literacy is the key to social mobility in America.

In February 2005, then-Congresswoman Judy Biggert of Illinois and I co-founded, and currently co-chair, the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, FELC, to provide a forum for interested Members of Congress to work in collaboration with the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, highlight public and private sector best practices, and organize and promote financial literacy legislation, seminars, and events, such as Financial Literacy Month and the annual Financial Literacy Day Fair on the Hill that is being held today, April 26, 2013, in the Cannon Caucus Room.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the nation's preeminent civic education organizations, the Close Up Foundation, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of their Program for New Americans.

Close Up is a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that informs, inspires, and empowers young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. Over the past forty years, Close Up has brought hundreds of thousands of students and teachers to Washington for week-long civic learning experiences. Close Up believes that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens and seeks to reach participants of every race, creed, geographical community, socio-economic level, and academic standing. The Close Up Foundation partners with educators, schools, and youth organizations throughout the country to help young people develop the skills and attitudes to become informed and engaged citizens.

Today we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Close Up Program for New Americans. This unique civic learning program has helped more than 20,000 recently immigrated and migrant high school and middle school students understand American democracy, government, and U.S. political traditions. Using experiential education methodologies, the Program for New Americans helps young people understand both the rights and responsibilities of democratic citizenship.

The program is comprised of three parts: service learning in preparation for the program; a week in Washington in which students use the city as a classroom to learn about the government and develop an action plan to address a community need; and implementation of the action plan at home. The goal of the Program for New Americans is to help these young people adjust to and become an active participant in the communities in which they live.

The Washington portion of the program focuses students on the founding documents of our nation--the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution--to provide them with an understanding of our nation's democratic principles and traditions. Through study, workshops, and visits to the memorials and monuments of the nation's capital, students examine the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in our society.

As Congress begins consideration of immigration legislation we should keep in mind the importance of innovative programs such as the Close Up Program for New Americans in providing young people with opportunities to engage with their government, its institutions and representatives and learn to apply those civic skills in their communities. It is essential that our nation's youth acquire the knowledge and the critical skills and attitudes necessary for active citizenship in our democracy.

I applaud the work of the Close Up Foundation and the outreach that they have done in the immigrant and migrant communities for a quarter century. I hope that Congress will continue to support these programs that build informed and active citizens and strengthen our communities.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 91, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''