Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 2082.

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

Intelligence is our Nation's first line of defense. In a world of asymmetrical threats, it is critical that we detect and disrupt the plans and intentions of those who would do us harm. And it is critical that we conduct intelligence operations in a way that conforms to our laws and to our values as a Nation.

This bill was the product of bipartisan work, and I am pleased that the ranking member, Mr. Hoekstra, worked with me over the past several weeks and months to draft this bill. We do not agree on every provision in this bill, but we agree on the larger points, and we agree that intelligence officers in the field deserve our support.

Let me address up front one area where I think there has been some confusion, and that is section 407 of the bill, which asks for a national intelligence estimate on the national security impact of climate change.

We heeded the advice of 11 former 3- and 4-star admirals and generals who have studied this issue and specifically recommended an NIE. They believe that significant changes in global climate may act as a ``threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions of our world.''

The ranking member has argued that this work should not divert resources from higher priority items. Our committee staff has spoken with senior Intelligence Community leaders in the administration, and we have been assured that this will not, I repeat, will not divert resources.

The data needed is already available. The administration is already drafting a community assessment on this very issue. And I want to assure the ranking member that we will work with the administration to ensure that nothing will divert resources away from higher priority efforts.

But I also want to be clear; targeted discussion on this topic is a distraction from the key points of this bill. This bill provides funding for the men and women in the field. Opposition to this bill sends the wrong signal to them.

We are at war, and we face many threats over the horizon. This bill contains robust funding for critical intelligence programs to penetrate the hard targets, such as terrorist networks and countries developing WMD capabilities.

We add funds to both CIA and military elements for human intelligence training. We invest in language training for collectors and analysts and in language translation capabilities. We add funding for sending additional analysts overseas, and we strengthen counterintelligence field operations.

We have added funds to broaden our view so that we are spending, not just on Iraq, but on some of the other global challenges that we face, such as Iran, Russia, East Africa, Latin America and countries in Asia.

We have several provisions that enhance critical oversight. We require quarterly intelligence reports to Congress on the nuclear weapons programs of Iran and North Korea.

We also require that the CIA Inspector General conduct an audit of covert activities no less than once every 3 years. And we require the administration to provide the Intelligence Committees with a full list of all special access programs.

We also require detailed reports to Congress on the use of contractors in the Intelligence Community because their use has grown without adequate oversight, both by Congress and even by the executive branch.

We also require a strategy for implementing a multi-level security clearance system. This will allow patriotic Americans with much needed foreign language skills to serve as translators or linguists in the Intelligence Community.

And we also promote diversity in the Intelligence Community by requiring a strategic plan for implementing the recommendations of a highly regarded diversity panel.

I am of the strong view that diversity is a major strategic asset of the United States, and we have to leverage that asset to our full advantage.

In sum, Madam Chairman, this bill strengthens U.S. intelligence capabilities. This bill, if passed and signed into law, will help the courageous women and men of our Intelligence Community accomplish their mission. They are counting on our support, and tonight I hope we respond.

I urge all my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

With that, Madam Chairwoman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, it is my privilege to yield to the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), 3 minutes.

Madam Chair, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer), one of our subcommittee Chairs.

Madam Chairman, I would remind the gentlewoman that we will be having hearings and addressing the issue of FISA in regular order, which is the proper way to handle very serious issues that the American people want us to handle.

Madam Chairman, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Anna Eshoo, who chairs our Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management.

Madam Chairman, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger), who serves as our chairman on the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence.

Could I inquire of the Chair how much time is remaining on both sides?

Madam Chairman, it is my pleasure now to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), who is the chairman of our Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence.

Madam Chair, it is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to a gentleman from Iowa, an American hero, fellow Vietnam veteran (Mr. Boswell), a member of the committee.

(Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Chairman, sometimes I feel like we are living in a parallel universe here, when I hear the Members of the minority quote the ``slam-dunk expert.''

Madam Chairman, it is my privilege to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), a member of our committee who serves as the chairman of the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel.

Madam Chairman, so we move from a parallel universe to the Twilight Zone.

Madam Chairman, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), a member of our committee.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), a member of our committee.

(Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to a former ranking member of this committee, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman).

Madam Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I am very proud of this bill, and I am proud of the work we all put into it. I realize there are some political differences. You have heard the minority go from characterizing bugs and bunnies. Well, I think bogeyman politics doesn't work with the American people. It doesn't work with the challenge that we are facing in Iraq, and it is not going to fly with what we are doing with this intelligence bill.

This bill does not make cuts. It adds funds to both CIA and military elements for human intelligence training. It adds funding for sending additional analysts overseas.

Yes, I agree with the former ranking member, we should be concerned about al Qaeda. The ranking member mentioned the potential attacks against Fort Dix last week. So this is serious business. We know it is.

This is an important piece of legislation that I hope everyone knows it is imperative that they support. The men and women of the Intelligence Community don't care about mischaracterizations. They don't care about talking about slam dunking and bugs and bunnies and all of these other rhetorical phrases that the minority likes to engage in. They care about support from Congress.

This bill gives the Intelligence Community the support that they need. All you have to do is travel around the world and listen to them. I am proud of this legislation.

By strengthening our Nation's Intelligence Community, we will be able to detect and disrupt the plans of those that are threatening our national security. I urge my colleagues to support this critical piece of legislation.

Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

Madam Chair, I have tremendous respect for both of my colleagues, and they know that they have my commitment that we will continue to do aggressive oversight, because I do understand the concerns that they have about Office of the DNI and the way that it has grown and become too large. And while I support the goal of the amendment, I don't necessarily think this is the best way to proceed.

The amendment, I believe, will have unintended consequences. For example, though the intent of this amendment is to limit the layers of unnecessary bureaucracy, this cap would actually eliminate large numbers of analysts and planners, with the harshest impact falling on the National Counterterrorism Center, which analyzes terrorism information and plans counterterrorism operations. It would also have the unintended consequence that it would eliminate personnel from the National Counterproliferation Center and the Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties.

In addition, this amendment would force the DNI to fire anyone hired between May 1 and the date of the enactment of this bill, preventing the DNI from increasing capacity in priority areas.

It is important, I believe, to note that this amendment would not cap the number of billets; it would cap the total number of people. Any currently unfilled billets would have to remain unfilled. This could negatively impact the DNI's ability to perform vital functions.

Finally, I would ask my colleagues to consider that we do have, as Mr. Rogers said, a new DNI, and he deserves an opportunity to do the kinds of things that he has articulated to our committee. He is reorganizing his office, and I believe that we need to give him the flexibility needed to make those changes, while at the same time aggressively pursuing the oversight that is the responsibility of our committee.

So, for those reasons, I reluctantly would oppose this amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

I thank my good friend and colleague. And reclaiming my time, again, we want to accomplish the same goal. We just have a difference of opinion on how we are going to do it. But it will get done, and it will get done by this committee this year. So, again, I have deep respect and admiration for both my colleagues.

Madam Chair, I just want to thank the gentlelady for offering this amendment and offer my support. I think it is an important amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this motion to recommit because it would cut a program that makes valuable contributions to the war on drugs and to homeland security, first and foremost.

This motion is also misleading because the underlying bill provides our intelligence officers everything they need. It adds funds to the CIA and Defense Department for human intelligence training so that our operators can be more effective. It invests in language training for case officers so they can operate effectively overseas.

My colleague talks about following the rules. One of the premier rules that we have is we never mention a number in classified programs; $23 million telegraphs our enemies what we are doing.

The motion to recommit asks for a study. This program has been studied before. I just want to quote the White House drug czar. When the White House drug czar toured the NDIC in 2003, he said: ``The National Drug Intelligence Center provides us with vital information we need to disrupt the market for illegal drugs in America.''

Also, a White House press release asserted that the drug czar's office uses NDIC-produced intelligence to help guide its ongoing counterdrug policy agenda as outlined in the President's national drug control strategy. NDIC information bulletins every day warn law enforcement officers around our country and intelligence agencies around the world of emerging threats in drug trafficking and trends in use.

But the motion to recommit would silence this added and vital voice, a voice that the minority was more than happy to fund when they were in charge of this body. The Republican-led Congress appropriated more than $160 million for NDIC over the past 4 years. It funded the National Drug Intelligence Center with $39 million in fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007, and more than $44 million in 2004.

If it was such a good idea then, if it was such a good idea back when you were in charge, why in the heck is it such a bad idea now when we see the trends we are seeing around the country?

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to defeat this motion to recommit.

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple. It uses existing procedures and an existing resource to promote fairness in subcontracting. It makes a great bill, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act of 2007, I believe even better. Let me describe the problem as it currently exists.

For large government contracts, applicants are required to submit small business subcontracting plans during the bidding process detailing their intentions to include small businesses in the work. However, too often prime contractors disregard small business subcontracting plans submitted as part of winning government bids.

This is simply, in our eyes, not fair. Small business gets left behind, and prime contractors who keep their word, who are doing the right thing, end up at a competitive disadvantage with the bad actors.

This unfortunate practice has particularly adverse effects on the small businesses that are included in small business subcontracting plans but do not actually receive the contract work. When small businesses are included in the small business plans of prime contractors, the small businesses will often make investments on the front end to prepare themselves to do the subcontract work. If the prime does not ultimately subcontract the work to the small business in question, however, that small business will often find itself overextended. Often, the operating margins of small businesses are very small, and unmet subcontract obligations in small business subcontracting plans can force these small firms out of business.

Prime contractors receive bids based on their commitment to include small business in the contract, in part, and it is only fair that the primes fulfill their end of the deal.

My amendment provides much-needed accountability over small business subcontracting plans by doing two things. One, this amendment takes advantage of an existing online tool, the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System, and existing procedures for reporting on contracts to accumulate and organize information about prime contractors' compliance records with small business subcontracting plans. ESRS will be developed to prepare easily comparable reports for tracking prime contractors and their compliance through their records.

We are not reinventing the wheel. This is a commonsense, efficient way to allow information to be organized in such a way as to provide the necessary accountability over these small business plans.

Second, this amendment brings fairness to subcontracting by requiring that agencies, even when evaluating subcontract or contract proposals, take into consideration compliance with small business subcontracting plans of companies competing for Federal contracts, and requiring that within 1 year after the date of the enactment such consideration be reflected in the Federal acquisition regulations.

This is simply a matter of making sure that prime contractors are playing by the rules. This is an issue for us and, for small businesses, an issue of fairness. The amendment is fair to small businesses who are included in small business subcontracting plans and who have, in essence, helped prime contractors receive contract awards. The amendment is fair to prime contractors who do play by the rules by making sure that their records of helping small businesses are taken into account.

My amendment has the support of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Black Chamber of Commerce. With that, I urge my colleagues to support it as well.

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

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairwoman for her tireless work on behalf of small business and her support of small business, as well as my good friend, the ranking member. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to inform my colleagues that the classified annex to H.R. 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008, will be available during regular committee business hours to Members only. Personal staff are requested to call ahead to extension 5-7690 to schedule a viewing for their Member of Congress. Members will be required to fill out the appropriate security paperwork to view the classified documents.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1492, the Improving Head Start Act of 2007, a bill introduced by my colleague Mr. Dale Kildee that provides a long-overdue re-authorization of Head Start and includes a package of improvements that will make a good program better.

My own experience as a child demonstrates the importance of school preparedness programs like Head Start. When I started school at six years old, I only spoke Spanish. The teacher only spoke English, so the other Spanish-speaking children and I were bumped down to a new ``pre- kinder'' class so, as the thinking went, we would not hold the others back. Throughout my years in school, my peers assumed that I had failed a grade because I was older than everyone else. But I was not less academically capable than my fellow students. I had just not been given adequate preparation.

Head Start offers a bilingual curriculum that helps develop children linguistically, socially, and emotionally for kindergarten. Its holistic approach makes it so much more than just a program to improve reading and writing skills. It also provides nutritious meals, medical and dental visits, and a stable environment to low-income children that will allow them to succeed in school.

Head Start is a proven program. Students who participate in this program are more likely to finish high school and eventually attend college. In El Paso, over 4000 children and their families are served by this program. Roughly seventy-five percent of all students in this program come from households making less than $15,000 per year, well below the national poverty level.

Mr. Chairman, I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this important legislation that will help disadvantaged children across the Nation by providing them with the tools they will need to succeed not only in their education, but in all aspects of their lives.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Small Business Lending Improvement Act of 2007 (H.R. 1332).

The U.S. maintains its position as a world leader in technological innovation and economic prosperity largely because of the talent of its citizens, its strong educational system and the entrepreneurial spirit of its small business owners. From developing innovative solutions to our most pressing problems, to successfully introducing these solutions into local and world markets, American small business is crucial to our strength as a country.

Small businesses, however, face difficult challenges. In particular, many small businesses lack capital, making it difficult to access the financing and loans they need to succeed. With fewer assets to pledge as collateral and less reliable earnings than larger businesses, small businesses have difficulty tapping into traditional business loans.

The Small Business Lending Improvement Act of 2007 is designed to provide well-qualified small businesses with greater access to capital so they can turn their ideas into profit. H.R. 1332 will allow small business to more easily acquire 7(a) loans, which will provide much- needed capital to small business entrepreneurs. H.R. 1332 directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to execute rural lending outreach programs, which will aid small businesses with expenses ranging from start-up costs to equipment repairs and employee compensation. It also provides incentives to small businesses to operate in an environmentally friendly fashion.

If the U.S. is to maintain its position as a world leader in technological innovation and economic prosperity, we must do more to ensure that small businesses have the tools they need to succeed. For small businesses, access to capital is the key. It is for this reason, I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in support of H.R. 1332.

Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the Month of the Military Child I rise today to honor the mother of two military children, Vicki Cody. Army members and military families throughout the world know her as the wife of Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard Cody, but today I want to recognize her contributions to our nation as the mother of Tyler and Clint Cody, two outstanding young men who grew up at military posts throughout the world and followed in the footsteps of their father serving as Army helicopter pilots.

Standing behind her three Soldiers, Vicki Cody is the glue that holds her family together. For over thirty years, she has been so much more than a wife and mother. Her many roles include nurse, cook, teacher, driver, volunteer, moving crew, painter, dog walker, bill payer, and fixer of all things broken. On top of all that, Vicki has added one more title: author.

In her years as a military spouse and the mother of two Soldiers, Vicki Cody saw the need to help other families facing the challenges of supporting their sons and daughters in uniform. Working with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), her book, ``Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents'' Guide,'' has reached thousands of families. At a time when every Soldier can expect to serve multiple combat tours, supporting the families they leave behind is critical.

I'd like to read a short excerpt from Mrs. Cody's book: ``I have an advantage of having been part of this system for the past 30 years. I have a deep understanding of the military in general, and I have access to all kinds of information, resources, and support systems. Still, I know how scary it's been for me having both sons in a combat zone, and I think about all the parents out there who don't have that background. This must be very confusing and frightening for them.

``So, I want to use my knowledge, experiences, candor, insight-- whatever I have I want to share with other families. I'm a little old- fashioned in that I still believe in the power of the human touch or connection. I also believe each of us can make a difference. Sometimes it's something as simple as reassuring a frightened mom or dad and letting them know there's a toll-free number they can call to get in touch with the rear detachment of their Soldier's unit, or maybe there are terms they don't understand, or why the mail takes so long, or why their Soldier hasn't been able to call for weeks. Sometimes they just need a little knowledge of a very complex and vast organization. I wish I could wrap my arms around all the parents out there.''

From there, the book goes on to explain in simple but powerful terms how important family is to every Soldier. As a military mother and wife, Vicki describes how families can best support their loved ones in uniform throughout the stressful deployment process as they make preparations, execute their combat mission, and readjust when they return home.

At a time when we are calling up our troops to bear an enormous burden, our military families need all the help and support we can give them, and Vicki Cody has stepped up to the plate again and again to offer her wisdom and the warmth of her heart as she speaks to the families of military members both in person and through her inspirational written words.

I am working with the AUSA to send copies of Mrs. Cody's book to every Member of Congress, and I urge each of you to read it and share the supportive and helpful guidance with the military families who live in your districts. While there is not an Army post or other military installation in every Congressional district, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines come from every corner of our Nation--from the smallest towns and biggest cities. These troops are the ambassadors of their hometowns as they serve in defense of our Nation throughout the world, and we must support them and the families they leave behind.

Vicki Cody and her fellow military spouses and parents are unsung American heroes. Without the support of their families, our military could not accomplish their mission, and we owe every mother and father, sister and brother, husband and wife, son and daughter, a great debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with the rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit the rules of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 110th Congress for publication in the Congressional Record.

The committee adopted these rules by voice vote, with a quorum being present, at our organizational meeting on January 18, 2007.

Pursuant to rule XI, Clause 2(a)(2) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit the rules for the 110th Congress for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for publication in the Congressional Record. The Committee adopted these rules by voice vote, with a quorum being present, at our organizational meeting on January 18, 2007.

Rules of Procedure for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

United States House of Representatives 110th Congress (House of

Representatives--January 18, 2007)

Rules of Procedure for the Permanent Select Committee on

Intelligence

1. MEETING DAY

Regular Meeting Day for the Full Committee. The regular

meeting day of the Committee for the transaction of Committee

business shall be the first Wednesday of each month, unless

otherwise directed by the Chairman.

2. NOTICE FOR MEETINGS

(a) Generally.--In the case of any meeting of the

Committee, the Chief Clerk of the Committee shall provide

reasonable notice to every Member of the Committee. Such

notice shall provide the time and place of the meeting.

(b) Definition.--For purposes of this rule, ``reasonable

notice'' means:

(1) Written notification;

(2) Delivered by facsimile transmission, regular mail, or

electronic mail that is

(A) Delivered no less than 24 hours prior to the event for

which notice is being given, if the event is to be held in

Washington, D.C.; or

(B) Delivered no less than 48 hours prior to the event for

which notice is being given, if the event is to be held

outside Washington, D.C.

(c) Exception.--In extraordinary circumstances only, the

Chairman may, after consulting with the Ranking Minority

Member, call a meeting of the Committee without providing

notice, as defined in subparagraph (b), to Members of the

Committee.

3. PREPARATIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS

(a) Generally.--Designated Committee Staff, as directed by

the Chairman, shall brief Members of the Committee at a time

sufficiently prior to any Committee meeting in order to:

(1) Assist Committee Members in preparation for such

meeting; and

(2) Determine which matters Members wish considered during

any meeting.

(b) Briefing Materials.

(1) Such a briefing shall, at the request of a Member,

include a list of all pertinent papers, and such other

materials, that have been obtained by the Committee that bear

on matters to be considered at the meeting; and

(2) The Staff Director shall also recommend to the Chairman

any testimony, papers, or other materials to be presented to

the Committee at the meeting of the Committee.

4. OPEN MEETINGS

(a) Generally.--Pursuant to Rule XI of the House, but

subject to the limitations of subsections (b) and (c),

Committee meetings held for the transaction of business and

Committee hearings shall be open to the public.

(b) Meetings.--Any meeting or portion thereof, for the

transaction of business, including the markup of legislation,

or any hearing or portion thereof, shall be closed to the

public, if the Committee determines by record vote in open

session, with a majority of the Committee present, that

disclosure of the matters to be discussed may:

(1) Endanger national security;

(2) Compromise sensitive law enforcement information;

(3) Tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; or

(4) Otherwise violate any law or Rule of the House.

(c) Hearings.--The Committee may vote to close a Committee

hearing pursuant to House Rule X clause 11(d)(2), regardless

of whether a majority is present, so long as at least two

Members of the Committee are present, one of whom is a member

of the Minority and votes upon the motion.

(d) Briefings.--The Committee briefings shall be closed to

the public.

5. QUORUM

(a) Hearings.--For purposes of taking testimony, or

receiving evidence, a quorum shall consist of two Committee

Members, at least one of whom is a member of the Majority.

(b) Other Committee Proceedings.--For purposes of the

transaction of all other Committee business, other than the

consideration of a motion to close a hearing as described in

rule 4(c), a quorum shall consist of a majority of Members.

6. procedures for amendments and votes

(a) Amendments.--When a bill or resolution is being

considered by the Committee, Members shall provide the Chief

Clerk in a timely manner with a sufficient number of written

copies of any amendment offered, so as to enable each Member

present to receive a copy thereof prior to taking action. A

point of order may be made against any amendment not reduced

to writing. A copy of each such amendment shall be maintained

in the public records of the Committee.

(b) Reporting Recorded Votes.--Whenever the Committee

reports any measure or matter by record vote, the report of

the Committee upon such measure or matter shall include a

tabulation of the votes cast in favor of, and the votes cast

in opposition to, such measure or matter.

(c) Postponement of Further Proceedings.--In accordance

with clause 2(h) of House Rule XI, the Chairman is authorized

to postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered

on the question of approving a measure or matter or adopting

an amendment. The Chairman may resume proceedings on a

postponed request at any time after reasonable notice. When

proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding

any intervening order for the previous question, an

underlying proposition shall remain subject to further debate

or amendment to the same extent as when the question was

postponed.

7. SUBCOMMITTEES

(a) Generally.

(1) Creation of subcommittees shall be by majority vote of

the Committee.

(2) Subcommittees shall deal with such legislation and

oversight of programs and policies as the Committee may

direct.

(3) Subcommittees shall be governed by these rules.

(4) For purposes of these rules, any reference herein to

the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include

subcommittees, unless otherwise specifically provided.

(b) Establishment of Subcommittees.--The Committee

establishes the following subcommittees:

(1) Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence,

Analysis, and Counterintelligence;

(2) Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence;

(3) Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations; and,

(4) Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management.

(c) Subcommittee Membership.

(1) Generally.--Each Member of the Committee may be

assigned to at least one of the four subcommittees.

(2) Ex Officio Membership.--In the event that the Chairman

and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee do not

choose to sit as regular voting members of one or more of the

subcommittees, each is authorized to sit as an ex officio

member of the subcommittees and participate in the work of

the subcommittees. When sitting ex officio, however, they:

(A) Shall not have a vote in the subcommittee; and

(B) Shall not be counted for purposes of determining a

quorum.

(d) Regular Meeting Day for Subcommittees.--There is no

regular meeting day for subcommittees.

8. PROCEDURES FOR TAKING TESTIMONY OR RECEIVING EVIDENCE

(a) Notice.--Adequate notice shall be given to all

witnesses appearing before the Committee.

(b) Oath or Affirmation.--The Chairman may require

testimony of witnesses to be given under oath or affirmation.

(c) Administration of Oath or Affirmation.--Upon the

determination that a witness shall testify under oath or

affirmation, any Member of the Committee designated by the

Chairman may administer the oath or affirmation.

(d) Questioning of Witnesses.

(1) Generally.--Questioning of witnesses before the

Committee shall be conducted by Members of the Committee.

(2) Exceptions.

(A) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority

Member, may determine that Committee Staff will be authorized

to question witnesses at a hearing in accordance with clause

(2)(j) of House Rule XI.

(B) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are each

authorized to designate Committee Staff to conduct such

questioning.

(e) Counsel for the Witness.

(1) Generally.--Witnesses before the Committee may be

accompanied by counsel, subject to the requirements of

paragraph (2).

(2) Counsel Clearances Required.--In the event that a

meeting of the Committee has been closed because the subject

to be discussed deals with classified information, counsel

accompanying a witness before the Committee must possess the

requisite security clearance and provide proof of such

clearance to the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the

meeting at which the counsel intends to be present.

(3) Failure to Obtain Counsel.--Any witness who is unable

to obtain counsel should notify the Committee. If such

notification occurs at least 24 hours prior to the witness'

appearance before the Committee, the Committee shall then

endeavor to obtain voluntary counsel for the witness. Failure

to obtain counsel, however, will not excuse the witness from

appearing and testifying.

(4) Conduct of Counsel for Witnesses.--Counsel for

witnesses appearing before the Committee shall conduct

themselves ethically and professionally at all times in their

dealings with the Committee.

(A) A majority of Members of the Committee may, should

circumstances warrant, find that counsel for a witness before

the Committee failed to conduct himself or herself in an

ethical or professional manner.

(B) Upon such finding, counsel may be subject to

appropriate disciplinary action.

(5) Temporary Removal of Counsel.--The Chairman may remove

counsel during any proceeding before the Committee for

failure to act in an ethical and professional manner.

(6) Committee Reversal.--A majority of the Members of the

Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman

to remove counsel for a witness.

(7) Role of Counsel for Witness.

(A) Counsel for a witness:

(i) Shall not be allowed to examine witnesses before the

Committee, either directly or through cross-examination; but

(ii) May submit questions in writing to the Committee that

counsel wishes propounded to a witness; or

(iii) May suggest, in writing to the Committee, the

presentation of other evidence or the calling of other

witnesses.

(B) The Committee may make such use of any such questions,

or suggestions, as the Committee deems appropriate.

(f) Statements by Witnesses.

(1) Generally. A witness may make a statement, which shall

be brief and relevant, at the beginning and at the conclusion

of the witness' testimony.

(2) Length. Each such statement shall not exceed five

minutes in length, unless otherwise determined by the

Chairman.

(3) Submission to the Committee. Any witness desiring to

submit a written statement for the record of the proceeding

shall submit a copy of the statement to the Chief Clerk of

the Committee.

(A) Such statements shall ordinarily be submitted no less

than 48 hours in advance of the witness' appearance before

the Committee and shall be submitted in written and

electronic format.

(B) In the event that the hearing was called with less than

24 hours notice, written statements should be submitted as

soon as practicable prior to the hearing.

(g) Objections and Ruling.

(1) Generally.--Any objection raised by a witness, or

counsel for the witness, shall be ruled upon by the Chairman,

and such ruling shall be the ruling of the Committee.

(2) Committee Action.--A ruling by the Chairman may be

overturned upon a majority vote of the Committee.

(h) Transcripts.

(1) Transcript Required.--A transcript shall be made of the

testimony of each witness appearing before the Committee

during any hearing of the Committee.

(2) Opportunity to Inspect.--Any witness testifying before

the Committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to

inspect the transcript of the hearing, and may be accompanied

by counsel to determine whether such testimony was correctly

transcribed. Such counsel:

(A) May review the transcript only if he or she has the

appropriate security clearances necessary to review any

classified aspect of the transcript; and

(B) Should, to the extent possible, be the same counsel

that was present for such classified testimony.

(3) Corrections.

(A) Pursuant to Rule XI of the House Rules, any corrections

the witness desires to make in a transcript shall be limited

to technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections.

(B) Corrections may not be made to change the substance of

the Testimony.

(C) Such corrections shall be submitted in writing to the

Committee within 7 days after the transcript is made

available to the witnesses.

(D) Any questions arising with respect to such corrections

shall be decided by the Chairman.

(4) Copy for the Witness.--At the request of the witness,

any portion of the witness' testimony given in executive

session shall be made available to that witness if that

testimony is subsequently quoted or intended to be made part

of a public record. Such testimony shall be made available to

the witness at the witness' expense.

(i) Requests to Testify.

(1) Generally.--The Committee will consider requests to

testify on any matter or measure pending before the

Committee.

(2) Recommendations for Additional Evidence.--Any person

who believes that testimony, other evidence, or commentary,

presented at a public hearing may tend to affect adversely

that person's reputation may submit to the Committee, in

writing:

(A) A request to appear personally before the Committee;

(B) A sworn statement of facts relevant to the testimony,

evidence, or commentary; or

(C) Proposed questions for the cross-examination of other

witnesses.

(3) Committees Discretion.--The Committee may take those

actions it deems appropriate with respect to such requests.

(j) Contempt Procedures.--Citations for contempt of

Congress shall be forwarded to the House only if:

(1) Reasonable notice is provided to all Members of the

Committee of a meeting to be held to consider any such

contempt recommendations;

(2) The Committee has met and considered the contempt

allegations;

(3) The subject of the allegations was afforded an

opportunity to state either in writing or in person, why he

or she should not be held in contempt; and

(4) The Committee agreed by majority vote to forward the

citation recommendations to the House.

(k) Release of Name of Witness.

(1) Generally.--At the request of a witness scheduled to be

heard by the Committee, the name of that witness shall not be

released publicly prior to, or after, the witness' appearance

before the Committee.

(2) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the

chairman may authorize the release to the public of the name

of any witness scheduled to appear before the Committee.

9. INVESTIGATIONS

(a) Commencing Investigations.--The Committee shall conduct

investigations only if approved by the Chairman, in

consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.

(b) Conducting Investigation.--An authorized investigation

may be conducted by Members of the Committee or Committee

Staff members designated by the Chairman, in consultation

with the Ranking Minority Member, to undertake any such

investigation.

10. SUBPOENAS

(a) Generally.--All subpoenas shall be authorized by the

Chairman of the full Committee, upon consultation with the

Ranking Minority Member, or by vote of the Committee.

(b) Subpoena Contents.--Any subpoena authorized by the

Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may compel:

(1) The attendance of witnesses and testimony before the

Committee, or

(2) The production of memoranda, documents, records, or any

other tangible item.

(c) Signing of Subpoena.--A subpoena authorized by the

Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be

signed by the Chairman, or by any Member of the Committee

designated to do so by the Committee.

(d) Subpoena Service.--A subpoena authorized by the

Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be

served by any person designated to do so by the Chairman.

(e) Other Requirements.--Each subpoena shall have attached

thereto a copy of these rules.

11. COMMITTEE STAFF

(a) Definition.--For the purpose of these rules,

``Committee Staff' or ``Staff of the Committee'' means:

(1) Employees of the Committee;

(2) Consultants to the Committee;

(3) Employees of other Government agencies detailed to the

Committee; or

(4) Any other person engaged by contract, or otherwise, to

perform services for, or at the request of, the Committee.

(b) Appointment of Committee Staff and Security

Requirements.

(1) Chairman's Authority.--Except as provided in paragraph

(2), the Committee Staff shall be appointed, and may be

removed, by the Chairman and shall work under the general

supervision and direction of the Chairman.

(2) Staff Assistance to Minority Membership.--Except as

provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) and except as otherwise

provided by Committee Rules, the Committee Staff provided to

the Minority Party Members of the Committee shall be

appointed, and may be removed, by the Ranking Minority Member

of the Committee, and shall work under the general

supervision and direction of such member.

(3) Security Clearance Required.--All offers of employment

for prospective Committee Staff positions shall be contingent

upon:

(A) The results of a background investigation; and

(B) A determination by the Chairman that requirements for

the appropriate security clearances have been met.

(4) Security Requirements.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2),

the Chairman shall supervise and direct the Committee Staff

with respect to the security and nondisclosure of classified

information. Committee Staff shall comply with requirements

necessary to ensure the security and nondisclosure of

classified information as determined by the Chairman in

consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Chairman Gordon.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in order to request the attention of the distinguished chairman in addressing an important concern relating to the section in H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act of 2007, that amends the National Science Foundation Noyce Scholarship Program.

As you know, the core purpose of H.R. 362 is to increase the number of STEM teachers with strong content knowledge and teaching expertise serving in America's schools. In particular, the bill authorizes a large expansion of the Noyce program, which gives scholarships to students to become highly qualified teachers in exchange for their service in a public school.

I want to commend the chairman for crafting this very important legislation. It is an essential step in achieving our national goals of promoting innovative behavior and ensuring continued American strength and competitiveness.

If we are to expand the STEM pipeline, however, and if our investments in innovation and competitiveness are to pay large dividends, we must work to correct the large gaps in math and science test performance that exist today between underrepresented minority groups, which are concentrated in high need areas and the rest of the population. The first step in improving the participation of underrepresented groups is to prepare them to compete academically in

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman, and in order to address the points that we have both made, I would like to suggest to the chairman that we pursue the following: I would request that in conference the distinguished chairman seek to increase the scholarship amount for students who agree to teach in high-need schools from the current $10,000 per year to $12,000 per year over a 3- year period of scholarship support. The intention of this is to increase this scholarship amount to address the problem of a disproportionate number of high-need schools that have high percentages of out-of-field STEM teachers.

Does the chairman believe this is a modification he would find worthy of his support?

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman.

In addition, I would also request that we ensure that the provisions requiring NSF to track the types of schools in which Noyce recipients carry out their teaching obligations include an assessment of the effectiveness of the increased scholarship amount on influencing individuals to teach in high-need schools. Does the chairman believe that this is a modification that he would find worthy of supporting?

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman.

In addition, seeing as that the problem of out-of-field teachers is most severe in high-need schools, I would request that in conference the distinguished chairman pursue modifications to the bill, clarifying that one of the purposes of Noyce is to close the gap between the number of highly qualified STEM teachers in high-need schools and the number of such teachers in non-high-need schools.

I would further request that this policy statement be included in section 103 of H.R. 362 titled ``Policy Objectives.'' Does the chairman believe that this is a modification he would find worthy of his support?

Mr. Chairman, I would like to again thank the distinguished chairman for agreeing to address these points in conference and for the great job that he has done in crafting this very important and vital piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, April is National Minority Health Month. Its goal is to foster awareness of minority health issues, and spur dialogue and solutions toward ensuring that minorities are not disproportionately vulnerable to illness, disease and premature death. In the U.S., Hispanics, African-Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders have significant healthcare needs. These groups suffer from high levels of poverty and disease, including diabetes, heart disease, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cancer. Large numbers of minorities are also uninsured or under-insured. In a world where we have shortages of nurses, doctors, and other health practitioners, with respect to minority health in particular, there is no shortage of need.

To meet these challenges, the health concerns of particular minority groups must be addressed, and this must be achieved as we better our healthcare system. I am a strong supporter of the healthcare providers and research institutions in my district of El Paso, TX, such as Texas Tech University, the University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College, the Border Health Institute (BHI), Pan American Health Organization, La Fe, Project Vida, Project Arriba, Fort Bliss, area hospitals and clinics, and individual doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. I believe we must make every effort to create solid foundations for healthcare in our communities.

National Minority Health Month is a vitally important time for millions of Americans. In honor of National Minority Health Month, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support initiatives designed to effectively reduce minority health disparities. With respect to minority health, though there may be no shortage of need, we must assure there is also no shortage of resources to address the disparity, and eventually close the gap.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1677, the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007.

This bill accomplishes several important objectives. It cracks down on websites that attempt to strip unwitting consumers of sensitive information by imitating the IRS website. Electronic filing is on the rise, which is good for both consumers and the IRS, and we must make sure Americans feel comfortable and secure when paying their taxes online.

This legislation would also require the IRS to notify a taxpayer when it becomes evident in the course of a tax fraud investigation that he or she may have been the victim of identify theft. In the past, when presented with evidence of such fraud, the IRS, incredulously, would not apprise an individual of the serious situation he or she was facing. This must change.

In addition, the bill would also simplify tax filing requirements for businesses owned jointly by a husband and wife and make it easier for a married couple to file as a single proprietor of a business rather than as a partnership. It increases consumer protections from predatory providers of refund anticipation loans, gives taxpayers more time to recover property seized improperly by the IRS, and updates federal law to stop certain forms of tax fraud.

Perhaps most importantly, this bill would strengthen our outreach to people entitled to cash back on their tax returns under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is effective because it rewards work. The families of Americans who work hard but don't earn a lot should not be forced to live in poverty. However, recent evaluations have shown that approximately 25 percent of hardworking households eligible for the EITC have not claimed it, and billions of dollars in targeted tax credits did not end up in the hands of the workers who needed them most.

When hundreds of millions of Americans step up to invest in their country by paying their taxes, they must know that Congress is looking out for their best interests. By passing this bill, we are doing just that.

I thank my colleagues and urge passing of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 273, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month.

According to the JumpStart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, the average high school graduate does not possess basic personal financial management skills. These young people are unable to balance a checkbook, and most have little knowledge of basic practices such as earning, spending, saving and investing.

This lack of awareness has serious consequences for young people. Without a fundamental understanding of finance charges and accumulating interest, young people become prone to credit card abuse, which often results in overspending and long-term debt. As they take on greater and greater financial responsibilities, these men and women are similarly unprepared to finance higher education, handle a mortgage, and save for retirement. The implications of this behavior extend beyond personal welfare. Consumer debt in the U.S. reached $2.4 trillion in 2006, $825 billion of which comes from credit card debts.

Financial literacy should be a fundamental part of every young American's education. The ability to manage one's finances is essential to building wealth and leading a prosperous economic life. On the other hand, those who lack the ability to manage money face lifelong obstacles to fulfilling their human potential and creating a solid economic foundation for their families.

I thank my distinguished colleagues, Congressman Hinojosa and Congresswoman Biggert, for their work leading the House Financial Literacy Caucus, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 76, urging the establishment and observation of a legal public holiday in honor of Cesar E. Chavez.

Cesar Chavez is an iconic figure of the Civil Rights Era, a man Robert F. Kennedy noted as ``one of the heroic figures of our time.'' Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, AZ. He spent most of his youth working on farms throughout the Southwest and California, and it was there that Cesar Chavez came to understand the uniquely arduous conditions agricultural workers face in the U.S.

For more than 3 decades, Cesar Chavez worked as a community organizer, labor leader and civil rights activist. Influenced by figures such as Mahatma Ghandi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he embraced strategies of nonviolence in working to improve the conditions of America's agricultural working poor. He cofounded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW) of America. As a labor leader, Cesar Chavez employed peaceful tactics such as fasts, boycotts, strikes, and pilgrimages toward achieving fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits and humane living conditions for thousands of workers everywhere. These efforts resulted in the first industry-wide labor contracts in the history of American agriculture, and led to the passage of the 1975 California Agricultural Relations Act, a bill designed to serve California's farm workers.

Cesar Chavez died on April 23, 1993, and in 1994, President Clinton posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to him, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. Now, 5 States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, celebrate Cesar Chavez's birthday as a State holiday. I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in supporting H. Res. 76, urging and establishing Cesar Chavez's birthday, March 31st, as a national holiday, and commemorating the legacy of one of the most heroic figures of our time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong support for the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act. While I am pleased that we are taking swift action on this important bill, I am woefully disappointed by the circumstances that brought us here.

It seems that the efforts to meet the medical treatment needs of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines were as poorly planned and executed by this administration as the military operations.

There is no doubt that our troops are getting outstanding military care from the time that they are wounded until they leave inpatient care.

But it is the aftermath where we are failing our Nation's heroes. Things such as:

Obtaining treatment for conditions like PTSD that develop after a soldier has left the combat zone.

Coordination of medical care for soldiers who have left the military hospital but still require rehabilitation and outpatient treatment.

A smooth transition from the military to the Veterans Administration health care system.

The bill under consideration today makes critical and desperately needed improvements in our current military and veterans health care systems.

It responds to the need to better coordinate care so that our wounded warriors never fall through the cracks, by improving the training of case managers and limiting their workload to a manageable number of soldiers; by creating a new patient advocate program so that each injured service member has a government employee fighting for his or her needs; and by establishing a toll-free number where families can report deficiencies and receive quick action to resolve problems.

The bill would also address the transition of troops from military medical treatment to civilian life and the Veterans Administration health care system by beginning to reform the disability evaluation system; by appointing independent medical professionals to support wounded service members during the medical evaluation board process; and by formalizing the process of transitioning military patients and all of their medical records to the Veterans Administration.

The bill would also improve training for the medical professionals and counselors who work with service members and their families and would create new Wounded Warrior Battalions at all Army medical centers modeled on the Marine Corps's highly successful program.

The bill also includes a provision that I sponsored during consideration of the measure by the House Armed Services Committee. My amendment, as included in bill, addresses the challenges facing the Army in providing needed facilities by directing the Secretary of the Army to report back to Congress on infrastructure requirements for supporting wounded warriors at Army medical facilities and installations.

My amendment arose from what I observed at Fort Bliss, in my district of El Paso, Texas, and my visits to other military medical facilities throughout the world.

At Fort Bliss, our garrison commander, our medical facility commander, and our military hold unit commander have worked tirelessly to meet the most immediate needs of the over 250 soldiers on medical hold there, but it is clear that we need a more concentrated effort by the Army to identify and fund needed upgrades to facilities for wounded warriors.

From adequate numbers of family housing units and barracks rooms that meet accessability standards to sidewalks, our Army posts simply don't have the facilities they need to meet the needs of soldiers recovering from disabling injuries.

But the area where I have seen the greatest need is accessability to military hospitals. At Fort Bliss and Army posts around the Nation, just getting in the door is a struggle for wounded soldiers as they face Army Medical Centers where the support facilities simply aren't adequate.

At Fort Bliss soldiers seeking treatment at the hospital often find the parking lot completely full, and when they do find a parking space, it's likely in a remote spot which may or may not be served by a volunteer-staffed shuttle. And to make matters worse, more often than not, those shuttles are broken.

There is no doubt that our Nation wants to do all that we can to help those who are injured in their military service, and there are thousands of dedicated professionals working hard to give them the medical care that they deserve. But it is clear that we have to do more. We need to provide all the resources that are required, and we must remove legislative and administrative barriers that are keeping our wounded warriors from getting the best possible care. Our military forces make invaluable sacrifices in defense of our Nation, and we owe them nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, this week we lost another four soldiers from Fort Bliss to an IED attack in Iraq. That makes a total of 35 troops from El Paso who went to Iraq and didn't come home.

Remember, 35 is not just a number. It's not an abstract concept. Thirty-five is the number of families suffering--aunts and uncles, grandparents, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, children. There are friends, classmates, teachers, coaches, fellow soldiers, colleagues, and so many others who are connected to the lives of our lost heroes.

The cost of this war has been too high not just in terms of lives lost and warriors wounded. We have poured taxpayers' money into Iraq. We have spent 500 billion--half a trillion!--dollars to that country. And as we have increased our investment in Iraq, we have less and less to show for it. Rather than progress, our billions of dollars have produced civil war.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Iraq War, my colleagues know two things about me. One, I opposed this war from the beginning. It was a mistake. Two, since the Iraq War began, I have been committed to our troops and to supporting the best possible outcome.

As a Vietnam veteran I know what combat is about. I have visited Iraq seven times. I have been to Afghanistan many times. I know what our troops require. I have worked out of the spotlight behind the closed doors of the Intelligence Committee and in the Armed Services Committee. My focus has been providing our soldiers with the tools they need to complete their mission and return home safely--body and vehicle armor, IED jammers, and timely, accurate intelligence.

And I'm proud of that work. I'm saddened that our troops didn't have the protection they needed right off the bat, and I'm ashamed we went to war with bad intelligence, but I'm proud of the work we've done in committee to set things right when we could.

But today we send a strong message, that it is long overdue for the Iraqis to stand up for their country, for the Iraqis to assume responsibility for their security and for their political decisions.

If Iraq is to become a democracy--and we're willing to stay and help them with training, other support functions--but after four years it's time that they accept responsibility for their own future. And that's what this legislation is about.

More importantly, this bill takes care of our troops. It brings them home. And once our troops are home, this bill commits our government to caring for our troops and veterans in

a fashion that reflects the sacrifices they have made for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I've been listening to the arguments of my colleagues on the other side. One thing I'm struck by is how similar the arguments I'm hearing today are to what they've been saying for the past four years. Every step of the way, my colleagues on the other side have been wrong on our policy in Iraq. Yet they pony up the same rhetoric, the same rationale for the same policies that have gotten us nowhere but into the middle of a civil war.

For four long years, our troops have made immeasurable sacrifices in Iraq, and now it is time for the Iraqis to step up and take responsibility for their own security.