Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, last week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Office of the Actuary released a memo estimating the financial effects of the new health care law. Not surprisingly, they found that costs will increase and access to care will be threatened as this legislation is implemented over the next 10 years.

According to the independent report, ``Providers for whom Medicare constitutes a substantive portion of their business could find it difficult to remain profitable and, absent legislative intervention, might end their participation in the program--possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries.'' Put simply, the new law will force many doctors to stop seeing Medicare patients, leaving seniors in my district out in the cold.

Additionally, the report claims that ``total national health expenditures in the United States during 2010 to 2019 would increase by about 0.9 percent. The additional demand for health services could lead to price increases, cost-shifting, and/or changes in providers' willingness to treat patients with low-reimbursement health coverage.''

The new health care law will drive up costs and make it more difficult for many Americans, especially seniors, to get the care they need.

Madam Speaker, Florida's unemployment just reached a record 12.3 percent, and in some areas of my district it's as high as 15 percent. My constituents continue to ask me, ``Where are the jobs?'' Many claim that the layoffs are driving up the unemployment rate. But the real culprit is the lack of jobs being created in the private sector.

Americans who have been jobless for over a year will continue down that road if new jobs simply do not exist. And I am not talking about temporary government jobs. Congress must work to stop spending and create a favorable environment for businesses to save money and invest by cutting taxes and incentivize banks to start lending again.

Increasing the Federal Government's control over the free market and spending money we do not have is not the answer. Americans have made that clear. That is why today I cosponsored the Economic Freedom Act. This bill will lower job-killing taxes on businesses and rein in excessive government spending. This is the type of solution Americans deserve.

Madam Speaker, I'm astounded by the Democrats' blatant abuse of the House rules established in our Constitution by entertaining the possibility of what is known as the Slaughter rule. If they choose to deem the Senate health care bill law under this self- executing rule, without a traditional up-or-down vote on the actual text, they will strip the American people of their right to checks and balances in a bicameral Congress. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle truly believe that this health care bill will solve the Nation's health care problems, then why are they afraid to go on the record and put their names on it?

Like most Americans, I am disillusioned with this Congress. We need to go back to the drawing board and focus on reducing health care costs, where constitutional, and not by creating a new entitlement in a backroom deal.

Madam Speaker, today I had the opportunity to meet with a group of residents from an area of Palm Beach called ``The Acreage.'' Recently, a pediatric cancer cluster was confirmed in the Acreage, yet the cause is still unknown. In today's meeting, I spoke with mothers who have had children with brain tumors, along with other residents of the affected area. I was inspired by their optimism and dedication to this cause. They are not seeking to play the ``blame game.'' They are simply looking for answers. At the same time, I heard their frustration with the overall Federal Government involvement--or lack thereof.

While the State and local health departments have been active in investigating and confirming the cluster at the local level, there are limits to what they can do and experiences they can draw on. And so today I call on the Federal involvement to improve. Action is needed now by the CDC and other agencies so they can lend their expertise and knowledge from other investigations to assist as we move forward. This is not a political or partisan issue. It's about finding answers to what caused the cancer cluster so my constituents can get on with their lives.

First, I want to acknowledge and thank Congressman John Boccieri and Congressman Duncan Hunter for their service in Afghanistan.

Madam Speaker, as a former captain in the Army in the 1st Cavalry Division and as an instructor at West Point, I had the distinct honor of teaching some of the men and women who are now serving in Afghanistan. I heard from them directly about the progress being made and about the need for the continued support of this Congress. It is for that reason that I will vote ``no'' on this resolution.

Withdrawal now would destabilize that area of the world, and it would create a vacuum for terror. Groups like al Qaeda and the Taliban would increasingly gain access to weapons that would cause great damage to our allies and, eventually, to us.

General McChrystal's implementation of President Obama's counterinsurgency strategy is producing dramatic successes, including the capture of key Taliban leaders and the rooting out of Taliban forces.

A withdrawal now undermines what our troops have done. It undermines the winning strategy we are pursuing in Afghanistan, a strategy we all know the United States can achieve. It is for that reason I encourage my colleagues to send a message to our troops and to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Hoyt C. Woods, who passed away at his home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, this month. Woody, as he was known, was a veteran of the Vietnam War, and before moving to Florida nearly 30 years ago, he served as a police officer in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Serving fellow veterans was one of Woody's lifelong passions. For more than 15 years, he served as chairman of the Martin County Veterans Council, and he was also active in AMVETS, the American Legion, the VFW, and the Elks. He also co-established and was a charter member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 127, in Martin County.

Woody was particularly proud of his integral role in creating the Honor Flight Program. This program honors America's veterans and their sacrifices by raising money to fly them to the Nation's capital so they can visit and reflect at their memorials.

Hoyt Woods leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Joyce; their sons, Micki and Shawn; two daughters, Wendi and Angela; and a Nation forever grateful for his distinguished service.

On behalf of the people of the 16th District of Florida, Godspeed, Mr. Woods.

Mr. Speaker, last week, my office introduced legislation to have all the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba tried in a military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Recently, when I was at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, I visited the men and women who are serving in uniform guarding the prisoners at that facility in a facility that has cost taxpayers in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. We also have a state-of-the-art courtroom there to accommodate. I urge Members to support this bill, which is a commonsense resolution to a very controversial issue this year. Try the detainees in Cuba in a military court martial.

Mr. Speaker, James Madison said in Federalist 45: ``The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain with the State governments are numerous and indefinite.''

Later codified in the 10th Amendment, the Founding Fathers intended the powers of the States to act as a check on those of the Federal Government, and the Supreme Court said, in 1975, that ``Congress may not exercise power in a fashion that impairs the States' integrity or ability to function effectively.''

Mr. Speaker, time and time again, this Congress over the past year has forgotten the purpose of the 10th Amendment, from hate crimes to health care. We either stand with the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, and the Revolution, or we don't. And, if we do not, we do so at our peril.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2194, the Iran Petroleum Sanctions Act. Not only has Iran repeatedly refused to engage in international diplomatic efforts to halt their ongoing nuclear program, it is resolute in its plans to expand it. Just today, Israel's Military Intelligence Chief Major General Amos Yadlin stated that Iran has enough nuclear material for a warhead and is close to being able to build one. This announcement reinforces the urgency of strengthening the United States economic sanctions against Iran.

The United States must defend the security of Israel and the Middle East, as well as our citizens here at home from Iran's dangerous threats. This bill sends a clear message that the United States takes Iran's actions and threats seriously and that we will not sit idly by. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this critical legislation and I am thankful it has finally been brought before the House for consideration.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 932, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 199, which recognizes the service and sacrifices of Echo Company of the 100th Infantry Battalion. I want to thank Delegate Gregorio Sablan for supporting it.

Ten years ago, Echo Company was redesignated on the island of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam and now serves to protect the citizens of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Since that time, it has served two tours in Iraq, suffering the loss of two of its men. It continues to support the people and communities of the Northern Marianas and stands ready to serve America.

Echo Company carries on the traditions of World War II predecessors in the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment and continues to live by its motto, ``Go for broke.''

This resolution honors the soldiers of the unit and the families who support them. I urge Members to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 206, which commends the soldiers, civilian personnel, and their families stationed

at Fort Gordon, Georgia, for their service and dedication to the United States.

I want to commend Representative Paul Broun of Georgia for sponsoring this legislation which has drawn wide support of other Members as cosponsors, including a great number of non-Georgians.

Mr. Speaker, Fort Gordon has been an important site of Army training for more than 60 years. Initially a training area for newly formed combat divisions preparing for battle in World War II, the 4th Infantry, the 26th Infantry, and the 10th Armored Divisions trained at the then-Camp Gordon before they were deployed to combat in Europe and distinguished themselves in hard fighting across France, the Low Countries, and Germany.

After the war, the newly designated Fort Gordon became the home of the Army's Signal Corps. In every conflict since, from Korea through today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Fort Gordon has trained Army combat communicators in their essential combat duties.

This is why it is, therefore, right and proper that we recognize Fort Gordon, the home of the Army Signal Corps, for its outstanding contributions to our Nation. I urge all Members to support this resolution.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 940, which recognizes the service and sacrifices of the members of the Army and Air National Guard on the occasion of the 373rd anniversary of the National Guard.

I want to commend Representative Robert Latta of Ohio for sponsoring this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, America is such a dynamic, forward-moving, ever-changing Nation that few institutions can survive for long unless they repeatedly prove their worth and are capable of changing to meet new challenges. For more than 300 years, the National Guard has repeatedly demonstrated its worth and value to this Nation in the crises of peace and war. The courage, commitment, and sacrifices of the National Guard members have been an integral part of every war this Nation has ever fought.

These citizen soldiers most recently have accepted an entirely new role in our national security and enthusiastically transformed themselves and their units from a ready Reserve to an operational Reserve, where repeated deployments to combat have become the norm and not the exception.

While providing significant combat power to support ongoing wars, the Guard has remained true to its mission: to support the individual States in times of natural disasters. With this dual requirement to support not only the Nation, but also the people of the States from which they come, the National Guard is indispensable to the well-being, safety, and security of all Americans. This is why it is, therefore, right and proper that we recognize the National Guard for 373 years of outstanding service.

I urge all Members to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield at this point 3 minutes to the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 845, which recognizes the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, for their innovative approaches and success in achieving energy savings. I want to commend Representative Randy Neugebauer of Texas for sponsoring this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, as the largest user of energy in the Federal Government, the Air Force has been a national leader in seeking ways to conserve energy, eliminate waste, and seek alternative sources of energy at its 166 large and small installations around the world. Within this exemplary group of military installations, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, was just one of three Air Force installations recognized by the Department of Energy as a 2009 Federal Energy and Water Management Award winner. In earning this distinction, Dyess Air Force Base personnel reduced energy consumption by more than 16 percent and saved over $1 million without sacrificing mission accomplishment in any way.

This is why it is, therefore, right and proper that we recognize the Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, for their leadership and outstanding accomplishments in energy stewardship.

I urge all Members to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, the sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Neugebauer.

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

Thank you, Mr. Wittman and Mr. Kissell, for managing this bill and for Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for supporting the National Military Family Month resolution.

This resolution is about supporting our military families. We rightly give due credit time and time again in this Chamber to our service men and women who wear the uniform, especially now in a time of war. But this bill goes a step further in recognizing the spouses and the parents and the children of those men and women who serve our country.

As a former Army captain married to another Army captain, my wife and I met so many families at just two of our duty stations at Fort Hood, Texas, and West Point, New York. The people that we came to know in the military were truly the best people we've ever met. The sacrifice of seeing a loved one off to war and waiting the days and months for their return, sending letters, waiting in the middle of the night for a phone call or an email just to hear that they're okay; the sacrifice of moving time and time again and town to town and duty station to duty station when other families set down roots much earlier; and, finally, the sacrifice of a mom and dad seeing their child putting on a uniform for the first time and marching at graduation and the pride that they feel, and sometimes even the sorrow of receiving a flag that draped their child's casket, this resolution honors them, moms and dads, the spouses, the children.

I urge Members to support this, and thank you for yielding, Mr. Wittman and Mr. Kissell, and for supporting this bill.