Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of overriding the President's veto on the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The bill would provide health coverage to more than 10 million low- income kids. In my home State of Michigan, this means expanding a program that works to 80,900 kids that are already eligible. The families of these kids make between $20,535 and $41,300 a year.

The claims against the bill are false.

This program is not for well-to-do families. Most kids the bill would cover are in families making less than $41,300 a year.

This is not about socialized medicine. It covers kids under the same private health plans and private doctors that treat the 6 million kids in the original program authorized in 1997 under a Republican Congress.

This is not about providing health insurance to illegal immigrants. Undocumented immigrants have never been eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program and this bill requires that kids show proof of citizenship to enroll.

Today we have a choice to make. Do we, as Representatives of the 9 million uninsured kids in America, expand an effective program to provide insurance to 10 million low-income kids? Or do we let rigid ideology and false arguments stand in the way?

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of a talented group of students from Lawrence Technological University in Southeastern Michigan for being selected to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy's 2007 Solar Decathlon. Lawrence Tech's AloeTerra team is one of just twenty teams from across the United States, Europe and Canada chosen to participate in this event.

The Solar Decathlon is an international competition organized by the Department of Energy that brings together young people from many countries to design, build and operate an energy-efficient, completely solar-powered house. More than that, the Solar Decathlon is a chance to engage the public on how small changes in building and design practices can have a big impact. With rising energy prices and increased public concern over global warming, Americans want to know what they can do in their own lives to use energy more efficiently and cleanly. Indeed, the name of the Lawrence Tech team says it all: AloeTerra means ``healing the land.''

At the same time, there is a large and growing world market for renewable energy and efficiency technologies. This market is worth hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. Clean energy creates good jobs, and that is something that all of us should encourage.

I am proud that Lawrence Technological University is in the 12th Congressional District and I am proud to represent these bright young people who have worked so hard to show how sustainability, aesthetics, and comfort can coexist. I urge all my colleagues to go down to the National Mall where the twenty Solar Decathlon teams have assembled their homes into a solar village.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mel Joseph as he receives the March of Dimes 2007 ``Alexander Macomb Citizen of the Year'' award.

Mr. Joseph is currently the General Manager for Kem-Tee & Associates in Macomb County. He worked to expand the company, which today covers over 21 counties, and has become one of the largest surveying and engineering businesses in southeast Michigan.

Combining his love of sports and work experiences, Mr. Joseph is deeply involved in a variety of community and professional organizations. He is an active member of the Michigan Mortgage Lender's Association, Michigan Mortgage Bankers Association, Women's Council of Realtors, Commercial Real Estate Women of Detroit, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, Detroit Association of Realtors, Western Wayne & Oakland Consolidated Association of Realtors, North Oakland County Board of Realtors, Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors and Downriver Association of Realtors.

He has served as chairperson for the Continental Amateur Baseball Association, a board member for the Macomb Community College Surveying Advisory Board, and a member of the Luxury Suite Advisory Committee for the Detroit Tigers.

Mel Joseph was born and raised in the lower east side of Detroit. He attended St. Martin's school where he played basketball and was captain of the football team. He worked his way through college at his father's trucking business, and earned his bachelor's degree in communication from Wayne State University.

After graduation, Mr. Joseph went to work for Phillip Morris U.S.A. as a sales and marketing representative and advanced through the company to Divisional Sales Manager for the State of Illinois. He left Phillip Morris to pursue his love of sports and became the executive vice president of Professional Sports Representatives for Professional Management and Consultants.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mel Joseph for his commitment to excellence, as well as his professional and personal devotion to his community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Barbara Rossmann as she receives the 2007 ``Alexander Macomb Citizen of the Year'' award from the March of Dimes.

This award goes to the heart of what Barbara Rossmann means to health care in southeast Michigan. She is a leader and visionary in the field of health care. Her commitment to building relationships and partnerships, as well as her determination to create a superior environment for patients and families, has led to numerous advancements in our local health care system.

Barbara Rossmann joined St. Joseph's Healthcare in 1999 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. She was appointed president and chief executive officer in 2004. Since assuming this role, Barbara Rossmann has led the implementation of a $30 million expansion project at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, as well as a multi- million dollar investment in integrated computer systems. With these systems and the implementation of evidence-based processes, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital is providing patients and physicians with the nation's most advanced care and safety environment through an electronic medical record.

In July 2007, Ms. Rossmann helped lead the St. Joseph's Healthcare transition from joint ownership by Trinity Health and Henry Ford Health System to full ownership by Henry Ford Health System. With this change, Ms. Rossmann was named president and CEO of Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals, which encompasses the former St. Joseph's Healthcare as well as the former Henry Ford Bi-County Hospital, now Henry Ford Macomb Hospital--Warren Campus.

Her commitment to the southeast Michigan region extends beyond her work through Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals, She is a board member of the Sterling Heights Chamber and Macomb Community Bank. She serves on Macomb County's County Health Plan Board and as committee co-chair of Focus, Macomb's Education & Workforce Development Committee. A long- time supporter of the American Heart Association, she serves on the leadership committees for the American Heart Walk and the Go Red for Women initiative.

Madam Speaker, it has been my pleasure to work alongside Barbara on issues relating to health care and as varied as higher education and local transportation. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Barbara Rossmann for her commitment to excellence, as well as her professional and personal devotion to her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. On the Democratic side, we've been emphasizing the importance of fairness in the code, of equity in the code, the ability to go home, meet our constituents, look them squarely in the eye and say that we're taking steps to make the Tax Code more equitable. And this legislation is a step in that direction, and an important one so a loss isn't taxable when it should not be. So this is one step, an important step, towards meeting the subprime mortgage crisis.

My home State of Michigan has very much suffered from this phenomenon, and I'm glad that we're taking this step today.

As mentioned, also included in this legislation is a 7-year extension of the deduction for mortgage insurance premiums. This is also necessary. What it does is to level the playing field among the products of mortgages; and this will be helpful, especially helpful now, in view of the crisis with these mortgages.

Let me just say a word about the payment. There's been some comment about the pay-for, and I mean to say this charitably. I think this pay- for is better than, much better than no pay-for. And we've been having too much, in recent years, legislation that proceeded without any pay- for at all. And this is an effort to be fiscally responsible, and I think it does so in an effective and an equitable way.

I urge support for this legislation.

Madam Speaker, on Friday, September 28, 2007 the Sterling Heights' Fire Fighters Union will host their Annual, Dinner-Dance, honoring Sterling Heights firefighters for their dedication to their community and recognizing their numerous contributions to the city.

They will also pay tribute to the career of one retiring firefighter, Patrick O'Lear. I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the tireless and courageous career of a good friend and public servant. Patrick O'Lear retires this year with twenty-one years of dedicated service, having been promoted three times in his career from lieutenant on August 16, 1997, to Captain on January 11, 2003, and to Fire Inspector on May 21, 2003.

Mr. O'Lear was appointed as a Sterling Heights firefighter on September 8, 1986. After graduating from St. Clement High School in Center Line in 1977, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mercy College in 1982. In December 1991, Mr. O'Lear received his Masters in Science Administration from Central Michigan. In 1989, he was temporarily assigned to the training division and in the same year was immediately recognized as the Employee of the Month. Mr. O'Lear became a Fire Equipment Operator on September 6, 1993.

In 1994, Mr. O'Lear received the Meritorious Unit Citation for a CPR run at Jefferson Elementary. He received Fire Chief Awards for the many training programs presented to the Sterling Heights Fire Department and for the Residence Assistance Program. He has served as a member of the local Safety Committee for nine years and a member of the Apparatus Committee. Mr. O'Lear also became nationally certified as a Fire Explosion Instructor.

Mr. O'Lear has also worked to represent and improve the employment for other firefighters through his service at the local, state and federal levels. He has served as the Secretary and President of the local union, as the State Representative of the International Association of Firefighters and as the 6th District Vice President.

Madam Speaker, I have been pleased to work with Pat over the years in many community service endeavors and have witnessed the tireless and compassionate devotion of Pat and his wife Joan to the individuals and families around them. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Patrick O'Lear, a good friend who has dedicated himself to the community with valor, commitment and honor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3375) to extend the trade adjustment assistance program under the Trade Act of 1974 for 3 months, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

Today we are considering an extension of a critical component of our trade agenda, an extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. All three programs that make up TAA, Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Adjustment Assistance for Firms, and Adjustment Assistance for Farmers, expire on September 30.

Trade Adjustment Assistance helps to make sure that workers impacted by increased trade get the help and retraining they need and deserve so that they can go out and get new, good-paying, family-wage jobs.

It's not a perfect program. In fact, it needs work. The committee will be taking up legislation reforming and reauthorizing Trade Adjustment Assistance shortly.

Critically, this program will improve the effectiveness of the program by, among other things, offering TAA access to service workers, increasing funding to satisfy unmet demand, getting rid of complicated and burdensome rules that make it hard for people to take advantage of Trade Adjustment Assistance.

I think all of us can expect a discussion draft of the bill reforming and reauthorizing TAA to be circulated in the next week. The committee should take up the bill sometime after that; and if all goes as planned, the program will be authorized before the end of the year.

We will hammer out the details of TAA overhaul; and while we do that, we need to pass this short-term, 3-month extension.

The bill under consideration today was originally introduced by Mr. Herger. His support for the extension reflects the bipartisan support for Trade Adjustment Assistance that's really necessary, and I hope for in the future. It is also a recognition of the fact that the program has an important element of America's overall trade agenda.

I also want to thank, in addition to Mr. Herger and those of you on the Republican side, I want to thank Mr. Adam Smith for his work on Trade Adjustment Assistance.

We all have been focusing on this issue for many years, and now there is the opportunity to act within this House.

I also want to thank Mr. McDermott, another subcommittee Chair for his help.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.

We clearly need to reform and reauthorize TAA. We also need to be sure that we reform trade policy. One is not a substitute for the other. We need to do both.

In the continuing resolution that was passed last February, Congress included language prohibiting the United States Department of Labor from issuing final regulations concerning the TAA program. Critically and problematically, these regulations would contravene Congress's legislative intent in the important policy areas and cause confusion among State and local operators of the TAA program. In short, these regulations would change the very nature of this program, a program specifically committed to ensuring that workers adversely affected by trade get the assistance and training they need to obtain new, good- paying, family-wage jobs, as I said before.

For example, these rules would, number one, compel States to implement a ``rapid reemployment'' strategy; two, permit States to establish monetary caps on training for dislocated workers; three, compel States to integrate the TAA program into the Workforce Investment Act system; four, permit the privatization of the administration of programs; and, five, abolish merit staff standards.

These rules are extremely troubling. They undermine the program and, more generally, the intent of Congress.

Fortunately, my colleagues on the majority side felt the same way about the Department of Labor proposal. Recognizing the serious implications of these flawed rules, Chairman Obey included the following language in the February continuing resolution:

``None of the funds made available in this division or any other act shall be available to finalize or implement any proposed regulation under the Workforce Investment 12 Act of 1998, Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, or the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 until such time as legislation reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 is enacted.''

And I quote that because it is so important.

Mr. Speaker, I now would like to yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from Washington, Adam Smith, who has been working so hard on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

That is absolutely correct. As Chairman Rangel has stated and I have stated at the markup last week, this is an extension of existing law. It is not a reauthorization. As Ranking Member McCrery stated at the markup and as Mr. Herger explained in the remarks he submitted for the Record, this piece of legislation is a simple extension of existing law, nothing more, nothing less. So the prohibition on the implementation of the rules remains fully in effect.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I will close, first of all, if I might, commenting on TAA to the gentleman from Texas and to Mr. McCrery and Mr. Herger, who could not be here, we have a lot of work to do on TAA. We are working on legislation that would reform it as well as reauthorize it, that would expand its scope. To exclude service workers, for example, is no longer acceptable, if it ever was.

We also need to be sure that we remove the obstacles to those who have been eligible on paper for TAA but, because of the obstacles and the complexities within the law, have really not been able to access it.

We also need to look at the health benefit because today only about 10 percent of the people who are eligible for TAA ever are able to access the health benefit.

So as mentioned by my friend from Washington and as I said earlier, as Mr. Rangel has also said publicly, we are working on legislation. We hope to have a draft ready next week, but we want to disseminate it and discuss it within the majority ranks, also to discuss it with the minority, in the hope that perhaps we can obtain strong bipartisan support.

I don't think it's preordained on trade issues; I guess nothing is preordained. But there will be those discussions. But I want to serve notice that we really need to and intend to proceed, that this extension is not an excuse for the lack of basic action.

And, secondly, I want the record to be entirely clear that TAA reform is critical, but it is no substitute for reform of our trade policy. We need to have programs that help those who are disadvantaged by trade, and for other reasons, to be able to have the opportunity, they have the desire, but also the opportunity to do some retraining, to obtain more education to extend their skills so that they can get back on their feet with a living wage.

We also need to pass reform of trade policy that prevents dislocation in the first place, wherever possible. And to have the notion that simply ``catch those people who fall off because of dislocation'' isn't enough. We have to address the basic issues in trade policy. We began to do that in the Ways and Means Committee today in terms of a Peru FTA that I think are the first steps toward a new trade policy for America. I hope that we can do both and, if at all possible, on a bipartisan basis, but we need to do both.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the State Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2007. This legislation renews and strengthens a program that provides health insurance to children whose families cannot afford it on the private market.

The legislation we are voting on today will extend children's health insurance to enroll almost 4 million kids that are currently eligible for the program and not yet enrolled. That's in addition to the 6 million low-income children already receiving health care under the SCHIP program nationwide, including 55,000 kids in my home state of Michigan.

I regret that many of the provisions the House included this summer did not make it into the compromise bill. I'm hopeful that we will work with the Senate to approve legislation before the year's end in order to ensure Medicare beneficiary access to physicians and stop the further erosion of Medicare solvency. Nonetheless, I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to vote in support of the compromise bill.

Providing health care for children should not be a partisan issue. The legislation has the support of a large majority of state governors, Republicans and Democrats alike. The bill has broad bipartisan support in the Senate; unfortunately, most of the Republican minority in the House has failed to join us in crafting this compromise and the President has threatened to veto this important legislation. So it comes down to this: Clearly, a majority of the House will vote for the SCHIP bill today; the only real question is whether the House will pass this bill with enough votes to discourage a Presidential veto. Do we stand with the President or with kids who need health care coverage?

Instead of working with Congress to expand health care coverage for children, the President's proposal would actually cause 840,000 kids that are currently covered under SCHIP to lose their benefits, not to mention leave hanging the 4 million children that Congress' bill would bring into the program.

The American people want the children of America covered by health insurance. A bipartisan majority of House and Senate Members are committed to carrying this out. The question remains as to whether or not the Bush Administration will get on board.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3540) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3540.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3540 extends the financing and spending authority of the Airport and Airway trust fund.

The trust fund taxes and spending authority are scheduled to expire on October 1, 2007. H.R. 3540 extends these taxes at current rates for 3 months. H.R. 3540 was unanimously reported out of the Ways and Means Committee with bipartisan support. This bill will keep the Airport and Airway trust fund taxes and operations in place until the long-term FAA Reauthorization Act is signed into law.

Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate--September 21, 2007

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello).

Mr. Speaker, there being no further requests on this side of the aisle, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise In strong support of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act.

This legislation provides a balanced, responsible and long-term approach to addressing the critical issue of energy security in this country. It provides long-term incentives for renewable energy that will give the solar, wind, and biomass industries the stability they need to increase production capacity. There are also significant incentives for making our Nation and economy more energy efficient.

The bill provides resources to States and localities to help their residents improve the efficiency of their homes, as well as make public investments in energy-efficiency, transportation and research.

The bill works across sectors and technologies, across governmental and private sector lines, and in both residential and commercial settings to reduce our Nation's dependence on fossil fuels. In a word, Mr. Speaker, the approach taken by this bill is comprehensive. I want to highlight two provisions in the bill that I think are particularly important.

First, this legislation will increase the tax credit for alternative refueling property from 30 percent to 50 percent, and extend the credit through 2010. Nearly everyone agrees that biofuels such as E85 are an increasingly important component of our Nation's evolving energy strategy. Real progress has been made in recent years to spur use of alternative transportation fuels, and U.S. automakers have made significant investments to bring flex-fuel vehicles to market. But we need to speed the deployment of E85 pumps. This bill does just that.

Next, this legislation provides incentives for manufacturers to produce washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers that push the boundaries of energy and water efficiency, and to build them in the United States. Reducing the energy or water usage of a washing machine may seem like a small thing, but over time and across millions of households, these incentives will produce remarkable reductions in energy and water usage, and consumers will save money on their utility bills.

Finally, I think it is unfortunate that so many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are opposing this package because it takes back just a few of the most outrageous tax breaks for the oil and gas industry. Our work in this House is about priorities, and the difference in priorities on this bill could not be more clear. I urge all of my colleagues to support this responsible legislation.

Madam Speaker, Faygo Beverages is part of our Michigan tradition, and I rise today to recognize their 100 years of operations.

Faygo was founded in Detroit on November 4, 1907 as Feigenson Brothers Bottling Works by Russian immigrants Ben and Perry Feigenson. The original flavors of Faygo, Fruit Punch, Strawberry and Grape, were based on cake frosting recipes used by the Feigensons in Russia. That is why these, and the flavors they developed later, were and still are so unique.

Throughout the 20th century, Faygo steadily increased its production line. They coined the word ``pop,'' because of the sound made when opening the bottle and are credited with the spreading of the word ``pop'' instead of ``soda'' to mean ``soft drink'' in the Midwest.

The brothers bought their first delivery truck, a 1922 Ford. They produced the soda one day, closed the factory the next day, loaded the product on a horse drawn wagon, and sold it for three cents or two for a nickel. The brand name changed to ``Faygo'' in the 30s, and after that, in 1935, the company moved to the corrent Detroit location.

To say that we are proud of Faygo is an understatement. For those of us in Michigan, we grew up with it. In the 40s, ``The Faygo Kid'' appeared on television, with the famous Detroit line, ``Which way did he go? Which way did he go? He went for Faaaaaaygo!''. In the 60s, Strawberry Soda changed to ``Redpop.'' In the 70s, Faygo became pioneers of one way bottles, twist-off caps and warehouse distribution. Then there's the ``Faygo Boat Song,'' a memory for another generation. That 1970s commercial featured everyday people on a Boblo Island boat singing ``Remember when you were a kid? Well, part of you still is. And that's why we make Faygo.''

Madam Speaker, as one who grew up as a kid with thousands of others on Faygo pop, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering and congratulating this Michigan icon, Faygo Beverages, as it celebrates 100 years with employees and their families at the Detroit Zoo on Sunday, August 5, 2007.

Mr. Speaker, some issues are complicated. This one is quite simple. It's kids and more benefits for seniors.

Five million more kids. I just wonder how many on the minority side are going to stand up and say no to 5 million kids, including kids where you live. Benefits for seniors are improved. And then we hear there will be benefits for illegal aliens, illegal immigrants? It's false. It's a lie.

This does not go to illegal immigrants. I did read the bill, and I also read the minds of the American people.

I also read the minds of the American people. They want the children of America covered by health insurance, and the Republicans have failed to do it in their years here.

We're going to do it today for the 5 million kids in the United States of America. That's what this is all about.

I rise in strong support of the Children's Health and Medicare Improvement Act of 2007. This legislation re-authorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program and improves Medicare for all beneficiaries.

Some of the issues we debate in Congress are complicated. This issue is quite simple. It is about kids getting health care and seniors getting better Medicare benefits. The American people want the children of America covered by health msurance.

The current health insurance program covers 6 million children nationwide, including 55,000 kids in my home State of Michigan. But when two-thirds of the 9 million uninsured kids in America are eligible, but not participating, we need to extend the reach of the program. Extending this program means giving States the resources they need to reach out and cover these 6 million kids.

This important legislation not only allows more kids to have health insurance, but it also

makes long-needed improvements to the Medicare program. Improvements include ensuring physician access for Medicare beneficiaries, lowering the cost of mental health care for seniors, eliminating co-pays and deductibles for preventative services like mammograms and colonoscopy screenings, and expanding programs that help low-income seniors pay for their health care and prescriptions.

The Republicans reject this bill because it does not fit their rigid ideology. This bill is about a program that works and kids that need health care.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint

resolution (H.J. Res. 44) approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, as amended.

This bill will renew the import ban on products from Burma. In light of the overwhelming evidence that that country continues to blatantly disregard human rights and suppress democracy, it is important, indeed I would say vital, to continue to continue sanctions for another year.

The State Peace and Development Consul, as it is called, the controlling military junta, continues to have total disregard for its own people and their basic rights. The Burmese regime forcibly relocates civilians and has created a situation in which hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced or forced to flee to neighboring countries. That government continues to arrest, imprison, torture, and beat political activists and senior officials of the National League for Democracy. Over 1,100 political prisoners are imprisoned.

In May, the Government of Burma extended the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She has been detained for 11 of the last 17 years without charge or trial, and has spent the past 4 years in isolation.

In light of that country's continuing dismal record and its lack of any concrete steps to provide basic human rights to its citizens, I urge all of my colleagues to extend the ban on the import of Burmese products for another year. And also, very importantly, we hope the European Union, ASEAN, and other nations around the world will continue to work with the United States to increase pressure on the Burmese regime.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield such time as he may consume to the lead sponsor of this resolution, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and someone who has taken a lead on human rights issues around this globe, Mr. Lantos of California.

Mr. Speaker, I want to add my admiration for the comments on both sides of the aisle, for the statement of the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the very eloquent words of my colleague from California. I hope, as we proceed to pass this, that the words will be remembered, and that they will echo beyond Washington, D.C., through capitals everywhere, so others will join us in trying to help bring about the freedom that the vast majority of people of Burma truly desire.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

Mr. Speaker, one of my colleagues suggested earlier that debating the war as we are today is breaking the will of the American people.

On the contrary, it's the people's will that is breaking down the wall of a tragically mistaken policy. It has become painfully obvious that the White House is incapable of changing course in Iraq.

The Bush administration's talking points about the situation change from week to week, but the fundamental strategy remains the same. The President has determined our troops will remain in Iraq no matter what. The reality is that the government of Iraq is not meeting the benchmark.

Six months into the surge, there is no indication that the Iraqis are coming together to make the political decisions necessary to end the sectarian violence that's tearing the country apart. They are unlikely to do so as long as the U.S. military commitment remains open-ended.

We need to change course. Support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and urge my colleagues to support the bill.

It has become painfully obvious that the White House is incapable of changing course in Iraq. The Bush administration's talking points about the situation in Iraq change from week to week, but the fundamental strategy remains the same. The President is determined that our troops will remain in Iraq no matter what.

The latest White House talking points are aimed at getting the American people to believe that the surge in Iraq just began a couple weeks ago, instead of 6 months ago. In fact, the President announced the surge back on January 10, and the troop escalation began in early February.

The White House is emphasizing today that it finds that Iraq is making ``satisfactory'' progress in some areas, such as the cooperation between U.S. forces and tribal sheiks in Anbar province as well as the formation of a Constitutional Review Committee, although the constitutional review itself is not complete. The reality is that the Iraqi Government has not approved a law to share Iraq's oil wealth. It has not enacted legislation to reform the De-Ba'athification laws. It has not disarmed the militias. It has not made progress on ensuring that Iraqi Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of the law. It has not made progress toward increasing the number of Iraqi Security Forces units capable of operating independently. It has not made satisfactory progress toward establishing a date for provincial elections.

In the past 6 months, nearly 600 of our troops have died. More than 13,000 Iraqis have died. The level of violence in Iraq has not decreased. The violence and attacks have

simply shifted away from places where our forces are concentrated.

Six months into the surge, there is no indication that the Iraqis are coming together to make the political decisions necessary to end the sectarian violence that is tearing their country apart. Time has shown that whatever small chance there is of the Iraqi factions coming together, it will not happen as long as the U.S. military commitment in Iraq remains open-ended. We need to change course. The bill before the House does just that. It requires the Department of Defense to begin a phased and orderly redeployment of our combat troops from Iraq starting in 120 days of enactment, with the troop reduction to be complete by April 1, 2008. No other way has worked to convince the Iraqis that they need to step up and reach a political settlement to end the sectarian violence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007.

In 2004, a report by Michigan's Lt. Governor John Cherry's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth laid out how two-thirds of the jobs created in the next decade will require post-secondary education and training. There is little debate that Michigan's economic future is directly linked to our ability to accelerate the completion of degrees in higher education.

Despite increasing costs across the country and in our state, our federal investment in higher education has faltered. Direct grant aid, which once made up roughly 60 percent of the federal government's student aid contribution has dropped to 40 percent, with the remaining 60 percent offered through loans. The real dollar value of Pell Grants has sunk in recent years, while the average college graduate is now faced with close to $17,500 in debt. For lower and middle income students and families these costs are simply too great, forcing nearly 200,000 to delay or postpone their college dreams because of the prohibitive costs.

It has become increasingly clear that the failure of the federal government to adequately invest in higher education will have effects beyond college accessibility. In 2005, the National Academies of Sciences released a report entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' which expressed deep concern that our country is losing its competitive advantage in science and technology research, two fields that are critical to our economic leadership.

The seriousness of our higher education crisis necessitates a comprehensive response of dramatic proportions. The College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 rises to this challenge by investing $18 billion over the next 5 years in higher education, the single largest investment in college financial aid since the GI Bill in 1944.

The maximum Pell Grant is boosted $500 to $5,200--up from just $4,050 in 2006--with its eligibility expanded to more students. TEACH grants are established to provide $4,000 per year for high-achieving students who commit to teach in high-need schools or high-need fields--like math and science. The interest rates for need-based student loans would be halved.

In Michigan, over 200,000 students could see benefits from the Pell increases and about 144,000 student borrowers with subsidized loans would see savings of over $4,200 on average over the life of their loans. This bill provides close to $513 million in loans and grants to Michigan's students and families.

The investments in this bill maintain the commitment made by this Democratic Congress to fiscal responsibility. The bill is fully offset by trimming excessive federal subsidies to lenders in the college loan industry. Not only will this not cost taxpayers a dime, it includes $750 million over 5 years to pay down our national deficit.

The College Cost Reduction Act meets the mounting hurdle of higher education affordability with vigorous across-the-board grant aid and loan investments. It shows the commitment by this Congress to the availability of a college education and the importance of this education to our economic competitiveness. Improving access to higher education is vital to expanding opportunity for Michigan students and building Michigan's economic future. This has to be an ongoing priority for the federal government and this legislation is an important step in the right direction. With this legislation, Congress has stepped up to the plate to ensure a better future for our students, their families and our country.