Floor Statements

Thank you, Ranking Member Van Hollen.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act.

Not long ago, we were here debating a very misguided budget resolution. And today, with H.R. 5652, the leadership has decided to double down on the draconian cuts that were contained in that budget.

We should be able to come together and have a frank discussion about deficit reduction. That is what the American people expect, and that's what the American people deserve. But instead, here we are today considering another bill, and here we are today with another missed opportunity. There's not even the ability to consider a balanced alternative today. This is of particular concern because of what is actually in this bill.

Instead of cutting back generous agriculture subsidies, this bill is cutting food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This means a reduction in benefits for an estimated 47 million people and a loss of benefits for almost 2 million people.

Instead of closing loopholes for oil companies, this bill eliminates the Social Services Block Grant--not reduces, not tweaks, eliminates the Social Services Block Grant--which are grants that assist States in providing a wide range of services, from support to Meals on Wheels, to foster care. These are programs that feed struggling seniors and protect abused children. These are just two examples.

Now, we have a moral responsibility to get this right, Mr. Speaker. This bill, yet again, attempts to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable--our seniors, our children, those who are struggling--while not asking the most fortunate in our society to contribute anything more.

I urge my colleagues to reject this latest misguided effort by voting against H.R. 5652.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Oregon's Lincoln High School on winning the 2012 National Finals of the We the People competition. These students worked diligently all year to achieve this honor, demonstrating outstanding teamwork and an impressive understanding of our country's Constitution.

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is a civic education curriculum in which students learn about our country and government while preparing for a mock congressional hearing. During the hearing, students are challenged to demonstrate their critical thinking skills, knowledge of current events, ability to work as a team, and understanding of the Constitution and its origins. After winning Oregon State's competition, the Lincoln High team traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals. After 3 days of competition against classes representing 47 States, Washington, D.C., and the Northern Mariana Islands, Lincoln High School was declared the winner.

To the students of Lincoln High School--our future leaders--your hard work and dedication has not only brought you this award, it's made you outstanding citizens and models for your peers. Congratulations to the entire winning class: Avery Ballato, Catherine Barton, Marty Berger, Hallie Blashfield, Ryan Bloom, Danny Brillhart, John Carey, Julian Dann, Julia Eckelmann, Michael Field, Natina Gilbert, Nikhil Goyal, Kendra Hong, Robin Jayaswal, Katie Kelly, Sierra Killian, John Kim, Emma Lane, Duncan MacEachern, William Mao, Olnita Martini, Evan Neuhausen, Sara Newman, Vicki Niu, Sammy Purnell, Justin Richter, Beckett Rueda, Emma Simmons, Sage Smiley, Nita Sridharan, Eri Stern, Mara Strauss, Molly Walls, Carolyn Wheatley, Ajeya Woods, and Cole Zollinger.

Thank you to the Classroom Law Project for organizing the program in Oregon and for all you do to teach students about democracy.

And last, but certainly not least, I congratulate Tim Swinehart, the students' teacher, whose leadership was instrumental to Lincoln High School's success, as well as their coaches: Steve Griffith, Jason Trombley, Jeff Edmundson, Christy Splitt, Jennifer Hill, Ben O'Glasser, Jonathan Pulvers, and Alison Brody.

Great work, Lincoln High School. Congratulations.

Thank you to my colleague for yielding. I'm so happy to be here today with my colleagues in support of preventing a drastic hike on student loan interest rates. Education truly is the key to improving our economy and ensuring a strong America for generations to come, but current barriers to higher education jeopardize those goals for too many. Education needs to be accessible to everyone, not just to those who can pay tuition out of their pocket.

I'm proud to be a cosponsor of the Stop the Rate Hike Act, which will prevent a jump in student loan interest rates, but not at the expense of health care for vulnerable populations and women.

Federal student loans play a significant role in improving access to education. If we allow interest rates to double on July 1, this key component of college affordability will become an increased burden on millions of students across the country who currently have student loans. The average amount of loan debt for these students is more than $23,000, and if we don't prevent this hike in interest rates, they will see their debt burden increase by an average of $1,000 just this year.

Now, I'm pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of preserving affordable interest rates for students, but I'm disappointed in proposals that would guarantee these rates at the expense of other struggling populations. The prevention and public health fund is a

critical tool that decreases costs and improves access to health care for a number of populations, including women and children. If fully funded, in 2013 women and children will have access to many lifesaving screenings and preventive care, like funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings and childhood vaccinations. Without this important fund, many women and children would not be able to access these tests, leading to poorer outcomes and increased costs on our health care system in the future. Now, I'm hopeful that the Senate will act to prevent a jump in loan interest rates and send a bill back to the House that does not cut preventive health care funding.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve our education system, create jobs, and continue our economic recovery without reversing the important steps forward we've made to improve access to health care.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize MaryK Elliott- Parham, who is retiring after more than two decades of service to Oregon's First Congressional District. For the past 27 years, MaryK has dedicated herself to the people of Northwest Oregon, ensuring that constituents always had a direct and meaningful connection to their government. Her tireless work and positive demeanor were a consistent inspiration to staff and citizens alike.

MaryK is a lifelong Oregonian, and graduated from Portland State University in 1978. She began her Congressional career as a caseworker for Representative Les AuCoin. Her efforts on behalf of constituents soon led to her promotion to lead caseworker. She built a staff that was renowned for its commitment to service.

During the 104th Congress, MaryK became district director for Representative Elizabeth Furse, a position she held up to the 112th Congress. She led the office, working day and night through the devastating storms and floods of 1996 and 2007, providing a critical access point to government assistance for constituents who had lost their homes and livelihoods. She was also known for her outstanding organizational efforts, helping members of Congress reach out to their constituents, developing detailed schedules and tracking every town hall and every visit to schools, businesses and community gatherings to be sure every community had access to its representative.

The loyalty and hard work of the staff and alumni of the First District are a testament to MaryK's management and leadership skills. Her first priority was always getting the job done for constituents, but her kindness and care for staff, especially in difficult times, created a network of people across the state, country, and globe who consider her part of their family.

On behalf of the constituents and staff of Oregon's First Congressional District, I want to congratulate MaryK on her retirement and wish her and her family all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I'm troubled by the Republican budget's effect on health care, specifically the provisions that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act. Passing the Republican budget would be detrimental to the health of citizens across the United States, but it's particularly harmful to women.

As we mark the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, we can measure its successes by the benefits that women have already realized: preventive care is guaranteed, gender rating will soon be gone, and access to contraceptives has expanded. This expansion is important for all women, not just those women who use contraceptives for birth control.

My colleagues will share stories of women who have been put at risk by this budget. I would like to share the story of Julie, an Oregonian whose contraceptives are important to her health on a daily basis to treat endometriosis. Without contraceptives, Julie would suffer from extreme pain and the risk of infertility. Under the Republican budget, her access to this medication could be in jeopardy.

It is unconscionable to deny women access to treatments that can improve the quality of their lives, and I urge my colleagues to stand up for women and oppose the Republican budget.

I thank my colleague for yielding.

We have a real choice to make here, a choice between a Republican budget that hurts the middle class and those who are struggling to get out of poverty, and a Democratic alternative that presents a balanced approach to reinvest in our economy.

It's critical for the communities and employers in my district and around this great country that we continue to support, not cut, research and workforce development, that we renew our commitment to, not cut, public education. These are key areas in which we must invest in order to maintain and accelerate our much-needed economic recovery.

We've seen the private sector dividends paid by the research facilitated by the NIH, the NSF, and the Department of Energy. It's undeniable that emerging solar, wind, and even wave energy technologies will all have critical roles to play on our road to energy independence.

As these technologies continue to develop, we must improve upon, not cut, workforce development initiatives; and community colleges will play an important role in achieving this goal. In Oregon, we've seen exciting partnerships develop between green energy technology manufacturers and community colleges.

Of course, access to a quality education must start well before our children reach college age. Our public schools are the cornerstones of our communities. We have an obligation to ensure that we provide the funding necessary, not cut important quality education that will enhance all of our children's future.

When our children do reach college age, it's important that the option of

higher education is available and affordable. Instead of cutting Pell Grants and raising student loan interest rates in order to provide tax breaks for millionaires, let's work to protect our financial aid investments. Continued access to these programs will help prepare our future workers.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

My amendment to H.R. 5 simply requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress detailing the effect that the tort reform provisions in this bill would have on health care premiums and delays the effective date of title I of the bill until that report is submitted.

For years, proponents of tort reform have tried to convince Americans that skyrocketing health care costs are entirely attributable to greedy plaintiffs and runaway jury awards. They recite anecdotes about doctors closing their practices, refusing to deliver babies or perform surgeries, for fear of being sued. But, Madam Chair, we should not be making Federal policy based on anecdotes.

If recent independent research is any indication, the report that the Secretary submits to Congress under this amendment is unlikely to find that the bill will have any meaningful effect on health care premiums. Recent analysis in States adopting restrictions similar to those in this bill has found no substantial impact on the consumer cost of health care, nor has access to health providers improved as a result.

Proponents of tort reform claim that capping damages will drive down the cost of medical malpractice insurance and that doctors will pass this savings along to patients. But 2 years ago, CBO found that malpractice insurance premiums, settlements, and awards account for just a tiny fraction of total health care expenditures. In 27 States where damages have been capped, the medical malpractice premiums are not lower on average than in States without caps.

My amendment asks for data on how this bill will affect the cost of health care for all Americans. Now, I want to be very clear--no one should be compensated for a frivolous lawsuit. But there are ways to address frivolous

lawsuits without infringing on the rights of those who truly have been injured by medical mistakes.

What this bill does accomplish ought to frighten anyone who believes in the rights of States to govern themselves and the rights of individuals to be compensated for loss. This bill tramples over the rights of States to enact laws governing their own tort systems, and it severely restricts individuals' rights to be compensated for all the losses caused by health care providers.

In my home State of Oregon, for example, our supreme court has held that most statutory caps on noneconomic damages are unconstitutional. And Oregon is not alone. At least 12 other States have some constitutional prohibition against these types of restrictions. This bill not only overrides State laws and constitutions governing punitive and noneconomic damage awards; it also addresses States' statutes of limitations, pleading standards, attorney-fee provisions, and joint liability. But it does not stop there.

Although this bill is being presented as medical malpractice reform, it reaches far beyond professional malpractice against doctors to include product liability cases against drug and device manufacturers, bad-faith claims against HMOs and insurance companies, and negligence suits against nursing homes. And it would take away all of the State and individual rights in far-reaching areas of the health care industry without evidence that doing so will lower the premiums for Americans. This is an unwarranted intrusion in personal liberty and a giveaway to insurance companies. So we should know if it's going to lower health care premiums.

If this Congress is going to enact a sweeping bill nullifying longstanding State law and trampling on State constitutional rights, it's not too much to ask that we arm ourselves with the knowledge of how this will actually affect American families. This amendment simply requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress with that information before title I of this bill takes effect--a reasonable requirement.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield 15 seconds to my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Conyers).

Madam Chairman, this is a reasonable amendment. It simply asks that before we make sweeping Federal policy that overrides State and individual rights we know what we're getting in return.

I urge my colleagues to support this very reasonable amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I rise to support H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, but in lending my support, I must insist that we do more to protect consumers and investors than this bill currently provides.

Small businesses are the backbone of Oregon's economy and many have been devastated by the recent recession. This Congress must take swift action to ensure that they have access to capital and can invest in job creation. This bill recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation can stifle small business growth. The JOBS Act will ease the cost and complexity of some securities regulations, and open greater access to capital so that startups and emerging companies can thrive. This bill is a good, but small, step in the right direction.

More work must be done to accelerate hiring, and more work, still, must be done with this bill to improve consumer and investor protections. A number of my colleagues offered amendments with this goal in mind. I supported those amendments, and I am disappointed that they were not accepted. By ensuring that we are expanding flexibility for the smallest startups where it is most needed, and establishing and encouraging standards for transparency and disclosure, we can both help small businesses grow while also protecting consumers and investors. These are achievable goals, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate on these issues as this bill moves forward.

Strong consumer and investor protections strengthen our economy by building confidence in the market. Our work to stand up for consumers and reenergize the economy cannot and must not stop here.

Offered By: Ms. Bonamici

Amendment No. 1: Page 23, line 22, strike ``date of

enactment'' and insert ``effective date''.

Page 23, line 24, strike ``date of enactment'' and insert

``effective date''.

Page 24, line 2, insert after ``the injury occurred'' the

following: ``This title shall take effect only on the date

the Secretary of Health and Human Services submits to

Congress a report on the potential effect of this title on

health care premium reductions.''.

Mr. Speaker, contraceptive coverage is an issue of women's health, access to health care, and affordability that affects our entire health care system. As we deliberate this important issue, it's imperative that we consider all of the benefits of access to contraceptives, starting with the prevention of unplanned pregnancies.

One thing about which we should all agree is that we need to reduce the number of abortions. Now, access to contraceptives plays a critical role in that goal, but the benefits don't stop there. Contraceptives are often prescribed for certain medical conditions that, untreated, could keep women from work, lead to more serious health problems, or otherwise impact the quality of their lives. These negative consequences are easy to prevent with access to preventive health care, which can help with unnecessary costs, both intangible and tangible.

Unfortunately, too many women across the country suffer every day because they don't have access to health care that includes contraceptives. This is an issue of access, of affordability, and of the rights of women to receive quality health care. I urge my colleagues to make that their focus.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. I want to thank the Congresswoman for yielding to me this evening about this important bill. Congressman Walz' and Congresswoman Slaughter's leadership on this issue has been remarkable. Thank you so much for your tireless efforts.

The idea behind the STOCK Act is simple. Members of Congress, their staff, and other government officials should not be using their access in Washington to enrich themselves on Wall Street.

I am already a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1148, a bill that rightfully enjoys broad, bipartisan support. The protection of the integrity of our government institutions is not a partisan issue. The STOCK Act is one critical act we can take to make it clear to our constituents back home that we, like them, will not tolerate the types of activities that we were all shocked to read about in the press.

The trust that my constituents have placed in me is something that I take very seriously. As public servants, we are here to work for the people, not outside firms looking to profit, and certainly not to make a quick buck for ourselves. When you hear about scandals like this, it's no wonder the public has so little confidence in our institutions of government.

If we want to restore citizens' faith and earn back their trust, we must make sure that everyone is playing by the rules.

As I mentioned yesterday in my remarks to this House during the incredibly warm welcome I received as its newest Member, we have a fundamental belief in this country that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can succeed.

The reports of past insider trading make clear that the rules, as they apply to Members of Congress and others in the public sphere with respect to their Wall Street dealings, are not sufficient.

The STOCK Act improves the rules to ensure not only that they are sufficient, but there are consequences for breaking those rules. I'm proud to join with my colleagues, both in support of the STOCK Act and in the recent effort to bring the bill forward for consideration by the House.

Now, it's my understanding that we're going to see an altered version on the floor before we conclude this week's business. Now, I'm surprised to learn as a new Member that no amendments will be allowed on such an important bill. Although the weakening or elimination of certain key provisions, such as the political intelligence language, is deeply disappointing, I remain committed to the effort of ensuring that all of us in public office play by the same rules as the people who have entrusted us with the privilege of being their voice in Washington.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to restore our constituents' confidence in their representatives and in their government institutions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Boehner, Leader Pelosi, members of the Oregon delegation, new colleagues from across this great country, friends and family. This afternoon I'm honored to accept the responsibility and opportunity to represent the people of northwest Oregon in the United States Congress.

I want to start by thanking my family for your love, encouragement, patience, and sacrifice. My husband Michael Simon, and my children, Andrew and Sara, thank you. Thank you also to my mother, Marie Bonamici Woodcock, who's also here with us today, for giving me my first job in your small business and for instilling in me the values I hold today. And thank you to all the individuals and organizations who stood by me and worked so hard over the past several months to help me reach this day.

Finally, and most importantly, to the people across the First Congressional District of Oregon, thank you for giving me this honor.

It's great to be back in Washington, D.C. I started my legal career here more than 27 years ago as a consumer protection attorney at the Federal Trade Commission. A lot has changed in our world since then, but the importance of the work that happens here in the Capitol and the significance of the decisions that are made in this historic Chamber have not.

Oregon's First Congressional District is full of promise and potential. From the vineyards in Yamhill County to the Port of Astoria in Clatsop County, the family communities in Columbia County, the engines of industry in Washington County, and the arts and culture and business districts in Portland, it's a very diverse and dynamic part of the State. Yet there are too many families still struggling to make ends meet, and they want to know that their voices are heard in our deliberations.

Now, our economy and the Nation's confidence are both in need of rebuilding. As we work together, let us remember that the unparalleled prosperity and creativity of this great Nation over the last century can be traced to this promise--that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can succeed in America. That's the America my grandparents crossed the ocean for. That's the America too many people believe is slipping away. That's the America I want to work to rebuild.

I'm excited to begin. I'm humbled by the tremendous responsibility, and very appreciative of the trust that the people of northwest Oregon have placed in me.