Floor Statements

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

Mr. Chairman, my amendment would add $5 million to the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Conservation Operations Account and subtract $5 million from the Farm Service Agency salaries.

More than 80 percent of the funds under the NRCS Conservation Operations Account provide technical support to help farmers and other landowners conserve and protect their land and resources. Currently, there is a significant backlog of requests for conservation assistance, and many farmers are turned away by the USDA when they apply to participate in conservation programs due to insufficient funding.

New Jersey, my home State, is one of the most densely populated States in the country, and more and more scarce land disappears every day. Our farmers are eager to share in the cost of protecting our environment, and we must ensure that they have the knowledge and the ability to do so in the appropriate manner.

So I would like to commend the chairwoman and the ranking member for their work in attempting to address this important issue. And while I do support very strongly the Farm Service Agency, their salaries and their expense account, under this bill it is slated for a $92 million increase, and with so many of our Nation's farmers struggling to conserve their land and with development rapidly eating up our cherished resources, I believe this is a priority.

I will close with this: More than 19 years ago, when I first ran for public office in my State, I believed we were not doing enough to preserve our open space and our farmlands. I believe that this amendment continues to move us now in the right way and towards that goal. I ask all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

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

I appreciate that. I just have a question while we're on the floor, just for my edification. Are there other areas that you would suggest now where the offset should come from?

I understand. This is just for my edification.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the so-called cap & trade legislation before us. While there are countless reasons to oppose it, including the millions of jobs that are expected to be lost, I wanted to take a moment to speak on the amendment that I offered to this legislation. More than 200 amendments were offered to this legislation in addition to my amendment, and all of them, with the exception of one, was rejected by the Democrat majority.

My amendment would have stricken all sections of H.R. 2454 that deal with the regulation of derivatives. This bipartisan effort was supported by six cosponsors, including Democratic Reps. Mike McMahon and David Scott as well as FSC Ranking Member Bachus and several others.

Despite lacking any jurisdiction and expertise, the Energy & Commerce Committee added sections to this bill imposing costly new regulations on this portion of our financial services sector. I think we can all agree that a broader discussion within Congress need to take place on these issues, including at the committees of jurisdiction where there is experience and expertise in dealing with them.

Just one week ago, Congress received an outline of President Obama's financial regulatory reform plan, which includes suggestions for the regulation of derivatives. The Financial Services Committee has not yet had a chance to digest the President's proposal, nor has it fully debated this issue within the context of broader financial regulatory reform, which will continue to be the focus of our committee's work over the next several months.

It is not appropriate to enact language that regulates a portion of the derivatives market, potentially in a manner that conflicts with later consensus on how to regulate the industry at large. Ninety-four percent of the 500 largest global companies use derivatives to manage risk and maintain stable consumer prices. Given the importance of these financial products, Congress needs to tread carefully as it looks at regulatory options for these markets. Over-regulation or improper regulation that might sound good politically could have major unintended negative consequences, not just for our financial markets, but for our broader economy.

The sections that remain in this bill that deal with the regulation of our derivatives markets are but one of many reasons to oppose this massive and massively-flawed piece of legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member and the Chair for the inclusion of our amendment with regard to Israel in the underlying bill.

I would like to speak for a minute with regard to one of our strongest allies in the Middle East, and that is the State of Israel. I am thankful for the strong relationship that we have, that our two countries share so much in common. We have both faced war and fought for peace and for freedom. We both continue to pursue liberty, despite ongoing opposition. We both face many common enemies.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of Israel's right to exist. When you think about it, it is even disturbing that we have to come here and talk about it in such terms. But the truth of the matter is, there are few countries, few peoples on Earth who are more in the cross hairs than Israel. Not even the U.N. can be called upon to defend Israel. In fact, the U.N. often stands with those who condemn Israel.

Israel has remained a shining beacon of democracy in a dark part of the world, standing with the United States against the threat of Islamic extremism, and we must be unwavering in our continuous support.

In conclusion, the United States should continue to work with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli Government and with the people of Israel to ensure that Israel continues to receive critical military assistance, including the military defense needed to address this existential threat.

Madam Speaker, earlier today, the House unanimously passed my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, H.R. 2647. This amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the United States and Israel have a shared national interest, that the latter is one of our strongest and most important allies, and that our government should pledge our continued support of Israel's defense and well-being.

In light of this, I would like to take a moment to draw attention to the ongoing captivity of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit. Cpl. Shalit is an Israeli soldier and a member of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) Armor Corps. Three years ago today, Cpl. Shalit and his fellow soldiers were attacked by Hamas terrorists on the Israel side of the Gaza Strip. Two soldiers were killed, and Cpl. Shalit was kidnapped.

Since that day in 2006, Hamas, with the continued protection and support of the Palestinian leadership, has held Cpl. Shalit in captivity, in clear defiance of the Geneva Convention and basic human decency. Hamas has not allowed the Red Cross or others to visit Cpl. Shalit. Instead, Hamas released videos highlighting the poor treatment of Cpl. Shalit and mocking Israel and the IDF. Military and diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Cpl. Shalit have been unsuccessful, and the Palestinian government continues to exploit his condition and his family's suffering.

In 2007 and 2008, I called for the release of Cpl. Salit, as well as Sergeant Major Ehud ``Udi'' Goldwasser and Sergeant First Class Eldad Regev. On July 16, 2008, Hezbollah returned the bodies of SGM Goldwasser and SFC Regev in exchange for over 200 convicted terrorists and other Palestinian prisoners. Hamas claims that Cpl. Shalit is still alive, and we know that his return is a matter of urgency. The captivity and poor treatment of Cpl. Shalit, in addition to the murder of the other soldiers, is unacceptable and only further demonstrates Hamas's unwillingness to be a responsible member of the global community.

As a nation that has experienced terrorist attacks, we know that this issue is not solely a regional issue, nor is it the problem of Israel alone. I am proud that this Congress today chose to stand with our friends in Israel, and call for the support of our key ally. Moreover, I call on President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and Ambassador Rice to use all available measures to secure the safe and timely return of Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

More than 19 years ago, when I first ran for public office in the very densely populated State of New Jersey, I believed that we were not doing enough to preserve our precious farmlands and our vital open space. Upon being sworn in as a Member of the House of Representatives 6 years ago, I continued to advocate preserving open space, expanding our recreational lands, and protecting our natural resources. One of the highlights of my time here in Congress was the unanimous bipartisan support for the Highlands Conservation Act which became law back in 2004.

I especially want to commend my colleague from Morris County, New Jersey, Rod Frelinghuysen, for introducing that legislation back then and working diligently over the years to accomplish its passage.

Our commitment to preserving open space runs deep for us. However, more of our prized open space is being used up in our State and across the country every single day. So I'm pleased that this year, for the very first time, the Highlands Conservation Act was included in the fiscal year 2010 budget request. I applaud the President's request for recognizing the importance of the region as well.

However, while the Highlands Conservation Act has been authorized from the beginning at $10 million year, the region has so far received only $5.23 million in total over all those years. So I believe that my amendment, which provides simply an additional $2 million for land acquisition, would go a long way towards providing grants for willing sellers. It would help to preserve the remaining open space in the Northeast region and help protect cherished natural resources that are extraordinary environmental and recreational uses.

You see, this region is in the middle of one of the most congested areas of the country. Over one-twelfth of the U.S. population lives within just 1 hour of this area. Fourteen million people visit this area every year. Eleven million people rely on it for clean drinking water. And 150 species of special concern are in this area. As a matter of fact, the Forest Service stated recently that it is a ``landscape of national significance.''

So with that said, I also realize that there is an ever-increasing demand for all regions of the country, and that is why we have to make sure that the areas with the highest conservation values and greatest risk are being protected from being developed.

Preservation of the Highlands is neither a Republican or Democratic issue. It is a national issue. And that is why I'm proud to say that we joined with 22 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in a letter to the Appropriations Committee back in April when we requested the full $10 million for this area.

I will just add this one caveat note. I do say this: That while working to protect open space, we must also ensure that we have an adequate opportunity for further economic development, especially now in the recession. It is important that we find a balance between protecting our cherished natural resources and promoting a strong economy.

So in closing, I would like to thank the chairman and the ranking member for understanding the significance of the Highlands region. I also would like to thank the numerous conservation groups that have supported this, including the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Highlands Coalition, the Wilderness Society, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition, the Trust for Public Lands, the Friends of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, and the Sierra Club of Northwest New Jersey.

Finally, throughout my entire life, I have had the opportunity to take advantage of all the natural resources the Highlands has to offer. I simply want to come here to Congress to ensure that other families as well will have that same opportunity in the future.

The critical lands of the Highlands must be protected. And it is our job to do that today.

I reserve my time.

I yield back my time.

I thank the gentleman.

I rise for the purpose of entering into a colloquy with the chairman of the subcommittee to highlight a serious concern with regard to FEMA's subcontracting practices.

Thank you.

Chairman Price, I have constituents back in my district in the State of New Jersey who have highlighted a current FEMA solicitation for risk map production. What it does, it seems to shut out the small and the medium, the small medium-sized businesses. Back after Hurricane Katrina, FEMA was, rightly so, criticized for issuing sole-source contracts to three very large companies. Unfortunately, that pattern seems to be repeating itself.

I agree that updating the Nation's flood map is critical to managing and reducing the Nation's flood risk, but operating the program under a fair and an open competition, I think, will produce the best results for the district, the State and the country as well.

I yield.

I appreciate the chairman's comments on that. As I said a moment ago, this is not just about the Fifth District or even the State of New Jersey, which has had a number of flooding problems in the past, but this is an important issue for fairness all across the country

to address the issue of flooding across the country as well.

Madam Speaker, 70 years ago today, in this very room, Congress passed legislation creating what is now known as the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. With volunteer members spread across the 50 states, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has played an important role in supporting the mission of the United States Coast Guard and promoting safe practices within the American boating community.

From its inception, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has been a leader in boating safety and instruction. In addition to educational programs, the Auxiliary regularly holds boating safety classes and performs vessel safety checks. Since September 11, the Auxiliary has also been very involved in securing our ports from foreign threats.

Every day, the Coast Guard Auxiliary saves one life, assists 28 people, and participates in more than 100 Coast Guard missions. This is in addition to the countless lives saved by their proactive efforts to prevent boating accidents and thwart terrorist attacks.

My district, the Fifth District of New Jersey, is part of one of the largest Coast Guard Auxiliary regions--Division 10, First Southern Region. This division has been awarded the ``Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation'' for being the most active Auxiliary Division in the nation. In 2008, Division 10 was responsible for 81,000 volunteer hours, 1,379 air and surface missions, 313 search and rescue missions, and more than 2,500 hours of educational programs. The several flotillas that make up this division comprise 360 members from all walks of life, all of whom should be proud of their exceptional service.

On this 70th anniversary, I commend the 34,000 men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on their service, and recognize the important role they play in securing our coastline and promoting responsible boating conduct.

It has now been 1 week since the Iranian people went to the polls to elect their new political leader. And in the last 7 days, the results of the election have been questioned, the media in Iran has been suppressed, thousands of demonstrators have protested, and some of these demonstrators have been injured and killed. Yet this very morning the supreme leader of Iran compared the election to a family disagreement. He offered no apologies for the deaths of the civilian protesters and, instead, simply blamed the Western media for being Zionist-controlled.

As a Member of Congress, I am appalled at this response and the apparent mockery of a fundamental democratic freedom, the freedom to protest and report on one's own government. We know the demonstrators were harassed rather than defended, and we know that Internet connections were cut and cell phone services disabled. Even foreign radio and television satellites were jammed.

So I ask, is this the behavior indicative of a country that recognizes liberties? I was proud earlier today to vote for H. Res. 560 and express my support for the Iranian citizens who recognize the need for their voices to be heard.

Madam Speaker, yesterday morning, President Barack Obama welcomed to our nation's capital Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). President Lee's friendship and alliance with this country is an integral part of the United States' policy in Northeast Asia, specifically as it relates to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). I join President Obama in welcoming President Lee to the United States. On behalf of the Fifth District of New Jersey, I thank President Lee for his leadership in the region and wish him and his nation well.

Though separated by an ocean, the interests of our two nations are joined in the face of current events. The nuclearization of North Korea poses a danger to the security of both the United States and South Korea. There can be no mistake: the threats of Pyongyang cannot be ignored, nor can they be tolerated. North Korea must cease its pursuit of nuclear technology and reengage in dialogue with its neighbor on the Korean Peninsula.

On Monday, the House passed H. Res. 309, of which I was pleased to be an original cosponsor. This bipartisan resolution calls on North Korea to cease its hostile rhetoric, discontinue its nuclear program, and engage in mutual dialogue with South Korea. An immediate end to North Korean aggression is the only acceptable resolution to this conflict.

Continued North Korean hostility will only serve to harden inter- Korean relations and result in the further destabilization of the region. The policy of the U.S. must be to reject any nuclear aspirations or antagonistic rhetoric on the part of North Korea and its leadership. We should not relent, nor should we apologize for implementing economic sanctions against the North. Rather, we should make it clear that additional economic and diplomatic consequences are in store if North Korea continues its reckless course.

North Korean hostility not only endangers South Korea, the United States, and our allies; it poses a danger to the North Korean people as well. Kim Jong-il has drawn his people into a conflict they have not sought. While the dictator pursued nuclear arms and other weaponry, millions of North Koreans have starved to death in the last two decades. The posture of their leader is a poor representation of the North Korean people.

I support President Obama in the steps he has taken to censure North Korea's recent hostilities. I now urge the Administration to continue using diplomatic pressure to disarm North Korea and encourage bilateral discussions between the North and the South.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for S. 614, which passed the House yesterday by voice vote. This resolution recognizes Women Air Force Service Pilots or WASP. These remarkable individuals were the first women in history to fly America's military aircraft. Between 1942 and 1944, these courageous women volunteered to fly noncombat missions so that every available male pilot could be deployed in combat.

These women set a fine example of bravery and helped lead the way for the women of today's armed forces. For too long their deeds have gone unnoticed. This legislation grants these extraordinary patriots the recognition they so deserve by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal.

There are 300 women pioneers still living today and I am proud to serve as the representative for one of these women. Emily Kline, who resides in Blairstown, New Jersey, served our nation valiantly in World War II. It is because of individuals such as Emily Kline that the current generation of Americans is able to live and work in a nation as free as ours.

The companion bill to S. 614 is H.R. 2014 and I was proud to be one of the 335 cosponsors of this bill. The generation of men and women who served in World War II have come to be known as the ``greatest generation.'' Women such as Emily Kline were part of that generation and for her service she deserves our gratitude.

Madam Speaker, today, the Saddle River Police Department will hold its Youth Leadership Program graduation ceremony with the students of the Wandell Elementary School. The young people participating in this important program have made a commitment to say no to drugs, underage drinking, and gang violence. They have done this with the support of Chief of Police Timothy McWilliams and Superintendant Dr. David Goldblatt.

The Saddle River Youth Leadership Program allows children to defeat the negative cultural influences that they are challenged with daily by opening the lines of communication between law enforcement and youth, empowering them with the confidence and courage to say no to drugs.

I am proud of the young boys and girls who participated in this program at the Wendell School, and I would like to recognize them all for taking this step toward positive citizenship: Tiara Berry, Nina Butler, Gabriella Dedvukej, Samuel Edelman, John Engkvist, Samantha Fisher, Max Freedberg, Ekaterina Hardesty, Jodi Hinchen, Trey Kidd, Niko Kourgalis, Stephanie Lande, Alison Luing, Ohiragg Manchanda, Gianna Pace, Ryan Perle, Lelyzaveta Troschii, Derek Wafer, Isaiah Wright, Alexander Zahn, Claudia Baker, Evan Berker, Juliette Boyajian, Gregory Ceccon, Carolina Earle, Sam Hajal, Harrison He, Candace Krauss, Anthony LaBarbiera, Nicholas LoPiccolo, Patrick Mello, Michael Morrissey, Connor Nicholson, Ana Ordonez, Matthew Perle, Kimberly Quinones, Jacqueline Rodgers, Samson Silberman, Sarah Taranto, Kyle Weber, and Alexis Weiner.

Offered By: Mr. Garrett of New Jersey

Amendment No. 5: Under title II, in the paragraph captioned

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE, after the dollar

amount, insert the following: ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.

Under title II, after the paragraph captioned STATE AND

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE, subsection (7), after the

dollar amount, insert the following: ``(increased by

$5,000,000)''.

Under title IV, after the paragraph captioned LEGAL

SERVICES CORPORATION, after the first dollar amount in the

first sentence, inserting the following: ``(decreased by

$5,000,000)''.

Offered By: Mr. Garrett of New Jersey

Amendment No. 7: At the end of title V, before the short

title, insert the following:

Offered By: Mr. Garrett of New Jersey

Amendment No. 30: Page 47, line 22, after the dollar

amount, insert ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.

Page 49, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $5,000,000)''.

Page 78, line 17, after the first dollar amount, insert

``(reduced by $5,000,000)''.

Offered By: Mr. Garrett of New Jersey

Amendment No. 99: At the end of the bill, before the short

title, insert the following:

Madam Speaker, there are forty-four words that anyone who has ever watched a police show is no doubt familiar with:

``You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.''

The Miranda Warning, which reminds suspects in police custody of their rights under the Constitution, has become a staple of our criminal justice system, and is a vanguard of Fifth Amendment protection. This warning, however, was never meant to be applied to terrorists captured on the battlefield who are endangering American interests and American lives.

Recently, my colleague from Michigan, Mr. Rogers, returned from Afghanistan, where he learned that the FBI may be reading Miranda rights to suspected terrorists at U.S. military detention facilities. If this report is true, it is deeply troubling and a variety of questions come to mind.

First, if FBI agents are granting enemy combatants a right to silence and counsel, how then are operatives expected to accomplish their goal of obtaining actionable intelligence in the field? Second, how many detainees have been read the Miranda Warning? Third, on what date was this policy established? Fourth, what are the factors which influence the FBI's decision about when to grant Miranda rights?

For obvious reasons, a suspect who has availed himself of silence and counsel is far less likely to surrender valuable intelligence

that can help us in winning the war on terror. While we have an obligation to treat captured combatants in a way that respects their human dignity, we are under no obligation to consider them U.S. citizens. It is dangerous to provide detainees with the same protections enjoyed by Americans. Furthermore, it is unwise to grant detainees the rights enshrined in the very Constitution they seek to destroy.

We must recognize that there is a difference between police powers and war powers. The capture, interrogation, and trial of terror suspects in Afghanistan and Iraq clearly fall into the latter category. FBI involvement in this process can only lead to captured combatants being held, tried, and imprisoned in U.S. civilian facilities, thereby making our prison system an enclave for al-Qaeda operatives.

One of the primary objectives of American operatives in the Middle East is to anticipate and prevent future attacks against U.S. soldiers and U.S. cities. Treating terror suspects as rank-and-file street criminals is a dangerous policy with grave implications for our domestic security and foreign interests.

President Obama has repeatedly stated that he would govern his administration with transparency. However the ranking member on the House intelligence subcommittee learned of a serious FBI policy shift almost by accident.

In waging this war, the White House must be accountable to this body--the people's elected representatives. I thank the gentleman from Michigan for bringing this issue to the House's attention, and I join him in calling on the Department of Defense to disclose the timeline and justification for this policy shift.