| 00:00:00 | CALENDAR 168, HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126, RESOLVED THAT UPON ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION, IT SHALL BE IN ORDER TO CONSIDER IN THE HOUSE THE BILL H. |
| 00:00:10 | R. 4247 TO PREVENT AND REDUCE THE USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINT IN SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 00:00:16 | ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL ARE WAIVED, EXCEPT THOSE ARISING UNDER CLAUSE 9 OR 10 OF RULE 1. |
| 00:00:23 | THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE NOW PRINTED IN THE BILL SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED. |
| 00:00:29 | THE BILL AS AMENDED SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ. |
| 00:00:32 | ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AS AMENDED ARE WAIVED. |
| 00:00:36 | THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ORDERED ON THE BILL AS AMENDED AND ON ANY AMENDMENT THERETO TO FINAL PASSAGE WITHOUT INTERVENING MOTION EXCEPT, ONE, ONE HOUR OF DEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR, TWO, THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION IF OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE MILLER OF CALIFORNIA OR HIS DESIGNEE, WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ, SHALL BE SEPARATELY DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE PROPONENT AND AN OPPONENT AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A DEMAND FOR DIVISION OF THE QUESTION. |
| 00:01:15 | THREE, THE AMENDMENT PRINTED IN PART B OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES IF OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE FLAKE OF ARIZONA OR HIS DESIGNEE, WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ, SHALL BE SEPARATELY DEBATABLE AS READ EQUALLY DIVIDED AND VOLED BY THE PROPONENT AND OPPONENT AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DEMAND FOR THE DIVISION OF THE QUESTION. |
| 00:01:37 | FOUR, ONE MOTION TO RECOMMIT WITH OR WITHOUT INSTRUCTION. |
| 00:01:41 | SECTION TWO, ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THOSE PRINTED IN THE HOUSE REPORT ARE WAIVED EXCEPT THOSE ARISING UNDER CLAUSE 9 OR 10 OF RULE 1. |
| 00:01:53 | SECTION THREE, IN CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT ACCOMPANYING THIS RESOLUTION, THE CHAIR MAY POSTPONE THE QUESTION OF ADOPTION AS THOUGH UNDER CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20678 SECTION FOUR, IT SHALL BE IN TORDER AT ANY TIME THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 4, 2010, FOR THE SPEAKER TO ENTERTAIN MOTIONS THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES. |
| 00:02:14 | THE SPEAKER OR HER DESIGNEE SHALL CONSULT WITH THE MINORITY LEADER OR HIS DESIGNEE ON THE DESIGNATION OF ANY MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. |
| 00:02:22 | SECTION 5. |
| 00:02:24 | REQUIREMENT OF LEGAL CAUSE 6A OF RULE 13 FOR A 2/3 VOTE TO CONSIDER A REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES ON THE SAME DAY IT IS PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE IS WAIVED WITH RESPECT TO ANY RESOLUTION REPORTED THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 4, 2010. |
| 00:02:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE HOUR. |
| 00:02:50 | MR. MILLER: FOR PURPOSES OF DEBATE ONLY, I YIELD THE CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MS. |
| 00:02:56 | FOXX. ALL TIME YIELDED IN CONSIDERATION OF THE RULE IS FOR DEBATE ONLY. |
| 00:02:59 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS WITHIN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126. |
| 00:03:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:03:09 | SO ORDERED. |
| 00:03:10 | >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. |
| 00:03:12 | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:03:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:03:16 | >> MADAM SPEAKER, THE HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126 PROVIDES FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. |
| 00:03:22 | R. 4247 THE PREVENTING HARMFUL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS ACT, UNDER A STRUCTURED RULE. |
| 00:03:28 | 4 THE RULE PROVIDES FOR ONE HOUR OF GENERAL DEBATE, EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR. |
| 00:03:38 | THE RULE MAKES IN ORDER TWO AMENDMENTS THAT -- MAKES IN ORDER THE TWO AMENDMENTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION AND ARE PRINTED IN THE RULES COMMITTEE REPORT, A MANAGER'S AMENDMENT BY CHAIRMAN MILLER AND AN AMENDMENT BY REPRESENTATIVE FLAKE. |
| 00:03:51 | THE RULE LAYS ALL POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERING OF THE BILL EXCEPT FOR CLAUSE 9 AND 10 OF RULE 21 AND PROVIDES ONE MOTION TO RECOMMIT WITH OR WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS. |
| 00:04:03 | THE RULE AUTHORIZES THE SPEAKER TO ENTERTAIN MOTIONS THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010. |
| 00:04:10 | THE SPEAKER SHALL CONSULT WITH THE MINORITY LEAD THORNE DESIGNATION OF ANY MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION PURSUANT TO THIS RULE. |
| 00:04:17 | THE RULE ALSO PROVIDES FOR SAME-DAY CONSIDERATION OF ANY RESOLUTION REPORTED FROM THE RULES COMMITTEE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010. |
| 00:04:29 | MADAM SPEAKER, THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY, THE PREVENTING HARMFUL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS ACT, RESPONDS TO A SHOCKING AND URGENT NEED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IN THEIR SCHOOLS. |
| 00:04:40 | LAST YEAR, THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR HELD A HEARING WHERE THEY WERE TOLD HORRIFYING ACCOUNTS OF YOUNG, INNOCENT CHILDREN WHO ARE SUBJECTED TO ABUSIVE USE OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND SOME WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF THIS ABUSE. |
| 00:04:57 | THESE WERE UNFORTUNATELY NOT ISOLATED INSTANCES. |
| 00:05:01 | THE COMMITTEE ALSO HEARD FROM THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC AUDITS AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, WHO TESTIFIED THAT THE G. |
| 00:05:10 | A.O. FOUND HUNDREDS OF CASES OF ALLEGED ABUSE AND DEATH RELATED TO THE USE OF METHODS -- THESE METHODS ON SCHOOLCHILDREN. |
| 00:05:21 | IN TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA ALONE, THE FWMPLET A. |
| 00:05:24 | O. FOUND THERE WERE OVER 33,000 REPORTED INSTANCES OF RESTRAINT OR SECLUSION IN THE SCHOOL YEAR OF 2007-2008. |
| 00:05:35 | MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS DEPLORABLE AND INEXCUSABLE AND IT IS SIMPLY NOT HUMANE. |
| 00:05:41 | EVEN WORSE, PARENTS MAY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S TAKING PLACE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S CLASSROOMS. |
| 00:05:46 | SOMETIMES THE ONLY SIGN OF A PARENT -- SOMETIMES THE ONLY SIGN A PARENT MAY EVER SEE ARE SLOW BUT STARK BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN THEIR CHILD AT WHICH POINT THE CHILD HAS BEEN AFFLICTED WITH DEEP PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES AND DAMAGES. |
| 00:06:00 | I SHUDDER AT THE THOUGHT THAT WHILE INNOCENT CHILDREN ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LEARNING ABOUT READING, WRITING, AND ARITHMETIC, THEY MAY SUBJECTED TO UNSPEAKABLE ABUSE THAT WILL AFFECT THEIR LIVES FOREVER. |
| 00:06:14 | OUR NATION'S YOUTH ALREADY HAS TO OVERCOME MANY OBSTACLES IN THEIR LIVES AND SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO SUCH SCARS THAT MAY NEVER HEAL. |
| 00:06:23 | IF THAT'S NOT BAD ENOUGH, CONSIDER THE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY RESTRAINED OR SECLUDED AT SCHOOL AT FAR GREATER RATES. |
| 00:06:33 | FURTHER, MANY HAVE NO MEANS WHATSOEVER OF COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR PARENTS. |
| 00:06:37 | NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE SUBJECTED TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE CARE OF THOSE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TRUST THE MOST. |
| 00:06:46 | DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY ISN'T ABOUT FEDERAL CONTROL OR ABOUT SETTING UP A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL FEDERAL MANDATE. |
| 00:06:57 | IT'S ABOUT ESTABLISHING FLEXIBLE GUIDELINES FOR STATES TO HELP THEM RAISE THE BAR AND SOLVE A PROBLEM THEY SIMPLY HAVE FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS ON THEIR OWN. |
| 00:07:07 | 19 STATES CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE ANY LAWS ADDRESSING SECLUSION OR RESTRAINT IN SCHOOLS. |
| 00:07:13 | NO LAWS AT ALL. |
| 00:07:19 | AND 31 STATES THAT DO, THEIR LAWS ARE ALL OVER THE MAP. |
| 00:07:24 | IN FACT, SOME OF THEM HAVE GOT TO HAVE SET GUIDELINES SO LOW THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE ANY RULES AT ALL. |
| 00:07:31 | MADAM SPEAKER, THIS BILL, H. |
| 00:07:34 | R. 4247, WILL REMEDY THAT PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. |
| 00:07:38 | IT WILL REQUIRE STATES TO MEET MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS TO PREVENT ABUSE IN RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION ACROSS THE COUNTRY SIMILAR TO RULES ALREADY IN PLACE IN MEDICAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES. |
| 00:07:53 | H. |
| 00:07:54 | R. 4247 PROHIBITS THE USE OF MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL RESTRAINTS OR ANY RESTRAINT THAT RESTRICTS BREATHING AND ABUSIVE -- EXCUSE ME, BREATHING AND ABUSIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION THAT COMPROMISE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN. |
| 00:08:09 | THE BILL DOES, HOWEVER, ALLOW FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINT OR SOLUTION OF A CHILD UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IF THE CHILD POSSESSES -- IS AN IMMINENT DANGER TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 00:08:23 | THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION WILL ISSUE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING THE STANDARDS AND THE STATES WILL HAVE TWO YEARS TO HAVE THEIR OWN POLICIES IN PLACE TO MEET OR EXCEED THE REGULATIONS WE'RE PROVIDING. |
| 00:08:34 | IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR FOR ITS CONTINUED EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE NATION'S CHILDREN. |
| 00:08:41 | I STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SUPPORT THIS COMMON SENSE LEGISLATION. |
| 00:08:46 | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:08:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. |
| 00:08:50 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:08:53 | MS. |
| 00:08:54 | FOXX: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:08:55 | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:08:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:09:01 | MS. FOXX: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:09:02 | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR YIELDING TIME AND I WILL URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS RULE FOR MANY REASONS, WHICH I WILL OUTLINE IN MY COMMENTS, BUT I CERTAINLY WANT TO SHARE WITH THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA AND THE SPONSORS OF THIS BILL THE FEELING THAT ALL OF US WANT TO SEE THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED, THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE IN STATE-SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR OTHER SUCH INSTITUTIONS. |
| 00:09:45 | NO ONE WANTS CHILDREN TO BE AT ANY RISK AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AFTER THEM TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH THEM, NOT JUST -- ESPECIALLY IN A PHYSICAL WAY. |
| 00:10:03 | WE'RE HERE TODAY TO DEBATE THE RULE ON H. |
| 00:10:07 | R. 4247, PREVENTING HARMFUL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS ACT. |
| 00:10:13 | OUR FOUNDING FATHERS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHEN THEY ASSEMBLED THE U. |
| 00:10:18 | S. CONSTITUTION AND THE PROTECTIONS IT GUARANTEES, SPECIFICALLY IN THE 10TH AMENDMENT. |
| 00:10:22 | THE AUTHORS OF THIS AMENDMENT RATIFIED -- AUTHORS OF THIS AMENDMENT, RATIFIED IN 1791, REMEMBERED WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE UNDER THE THUMB OF A DISTANT, ALL-POWERFUL GOVERNMENT AND THAUND A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH DOES NOT WORK. |
| 00:10:38 | SINCE THE U. |
| 00:10:39 | S. CONSTITUTION WAS FIRST RATIFIED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SLOWLY, STEADILY AND CORROSIVELY ERODED THE NOTION OF STATES' RIGHTS AND OUR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES NO WHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION DOES IT EMPOWER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO OVERRIDE STATES' RIGHTS. |
| 00:10:58 | WHEN IT COMES TO THE EDUCATION OF OUR NATION'S CHILDREN, WE CAN ALL AGREE, AGAIN THAT STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN IN A SAFE, PRODUCTIVE, AND POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT. |
| 00:11:10 | TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE ENVIRONMENT IS MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. |
| 00:11:18 | IN MANY CASES, IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT TEACHERS AND CLASSROOM AIDES USE INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS THAT ARE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SAFE FOR THE CHILDREN. |
| 00:11:29 | WHAT THE BILL BEFORE US FAILS TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT 31 STATES CURRENTLY HAVE LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN PLACE THAT GOVERN THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS IN SCHOOLS. |
| 00:11:41 | AN ADDITIONAL 11 HAVE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES IN CASE AND IN SOME CASES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN GUIDELINES GOVERNING THE USE OF SUCH PRACTICES IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 00:11:54 | FURTHERMORE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NO RELIABLE DATA ON THE PREVALENT USE OF HARMFUL SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND WHETHER THEY RESULT IN CHILD ABUSE, NO MATTER THE HYPERBOLE USED BY PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE. |
| 00:12:10 | LAST YEAR, THE U. |
| 00:12:13 | S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZED THIS FACT AND THROUGH THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUED A DRAFT REGULATION REQUIRING STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TO COLLECT DATA ON THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT IN SCHOOLS. |
| 00:12:27 | MOREOVER, LAST AUGUST, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN SENT A LETTER TO EACH CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER URGING THAT OFFICER TO REVIEW THE CURRENT POLICIES AND GUIDELINES REGARDING THE USE OF RESTRAINTS AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IS SAFE AND PLO TECTED. |
| 00:12:47 | -- AND PROTECTED. |
| 00:12:48 | HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COMPLETES ITS REVIEW TO SEE HOW WIDESPREAD THE PROBLEM OF HARMFUL SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES ARE, THE BILL ESTABLISHES A FEDERAL ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MANDATE TO A PROBLEM THAT THERE'S NOT YET A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING AND THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE HANDLED AT THE STATE LEVEL. |
| 00:13:13 | WE KNOW INCREASED INCREASED FEDERAL REGULATION DO NOT EQUAL RESULTS, ESPECIALLY THEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION. |
| 00:13:21 | DESPITE WASHINGTON SPENDING HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS SINCE 1965 IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, TEST SCORES HAVE NOT IMPROVED. |
| 00:13:31 | INSTEAD, WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON ENFORCEMENT OF CURRENT STATE PROCEDURES ADRESSING SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT OF STUDENTS. |
| 00:13:37 | IT'S MY BELIEF THAT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN IDENTIFY STUDENT NEEDS AND DETERMINE THE MOST APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 00:13:47 | AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 110TH CONGRESS, THE NEW MAJORITY CAME TO POWER FULL OF PROMISES FOR BIPARTISAN WORKING RELATIONSHIP AND A LANDMARK PLEDGE TO CREATE THE, QUOTE, MOST HONEST, MOST OPEN, AND MOST ETHICAL CONGRESS IN HISTORY. |
| 00:14:03 | ON PAGE 24 OF SPEAKER PELOSI'S NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA TUMET, ISSUED IN THE 109TH CONGRESS SHE CALLS FOR REGULAR ORDER FOR LEGISLATION. |
| 00:14:13 | BILLS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED FOLLOWING FULL HEARINGS AND OPEN SUBCOMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE MARKUPS WITH APPROPRIATE REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMITTEES. |
| 00:14:21 | MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 24 HOURS TO EXAMINE A BILL PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION AT THE SUBCOMMITTEE LEVEL. |
| 00:14:40 | . MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 24 HOURS TO EXAMINE A BILL AND CONFERENCE REPORT TEXT PRIOR TO FLOOR CONSIDERATION. |
| 00:14:50 | BILLS GOVERNING FLOOR DEBATE MUST BE REPORTED BEFORE 10:00 P. |
| 00:14:54 | M. FOR A BILL TO BE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING DAY. |
| 00:14:57 | FLOOR VOTES SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN 15 MINUTES WITH THE CUSTOMARY TWO-MINUTE EXTENSION TO ACCOMMODATE MEMBERS' ABILITY TO REACH THE HOUSE CHAMBER TO CAST THEIR VOTES. |
| 00:15:07 | NO VOTE SHOULD BE HELD OPEN IN ORDER TO MANIPULATE THE OUTCOME. |
| 00:15:12 | HOUSE-SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SHOULD HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS, AT LEAST WEEKLY, OF ALL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. |
| 00:15:18 | ALL DULY APPOINTED CONFUNDRAISEES SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THE SCHEDULE OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES IN A TIMELY MANNER AND GIVEN AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT AND DEBATE AS DECISIONS ARE MADE TOWARD THE FINAL BILL LANGUAGE. |
| 00:15:31 | THE SUSPENSION CALENDAR SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO NONCONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION WITH MINORITY AUTHORED LEGISLATION SCHEDULED IN RELATION TO THE PARTY RATIO IN THE HOUSE. |
| 00:15:42 | THOSE WERE ALL THE THINGS THAT THE MAJORITY PROMISED US BEFORE TAKING OVER IN THE 111TH CONGRESS. |
| 00:15:51 | AND WHAT DO WE GET? |
| 00:15:52 | WE GET THIS RULE WHICH PROVIDES BLANKET MARTIAL LAW THROUGH THURSDAY. |
| 00:15:59 | THIS PRACTICE DIMINISHES DEMOCRACY. |
| 00:16:03 | WHEN MAJOR LEGISLATION IS BEING CONSIDERED THAT WOULD ADD HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE DEBT OR AFFECT AMERICANS IN OTHER WAYS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY THE LEGISLATION FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE HOURS AND KNOW WHAT THEY ARE VOTING ON. |
| 00:16:17 | THIS RULE IS A STRUCTURED RULE AND MADE IN ORDER TWO AMENDMENTS, ONE FROM CHAIRMAN MILLER AND ONE FROM REPRESENTATIVE FLAKE OF ARIZONA. |
| 00:16:25 | CHAIRMAN MILLER'S AMENDMENT AMONG OTHER THINGS WOULD CHANGE THE TITLE OF THE BILL FROM, QUOTE, PREVENTING HARMFUL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS ACT TO THE KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT. |
| 00:16:38 | THAT'S A PROMISE THAT NO CONGRESS CAN FULFILL. |
| 00:16:46 | MADAM SPEAKER, WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS BILL. |
| 00:16:49 | WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS RULE. |
| 00:16:52 | AND AGAIN I WILL URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THE RULE AND NO ON THE BILL. |
| 00:16:58 | WITH THAT I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:17:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES HER TIME. |
| 00:17:03 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:17:05 | MR. CARDOZA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:17:07 | THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA STATES WE HAVE NO STATISTICS TO BACK UP THE POINT OF WHY WE ARE BRINGING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR TODAY. |
| 00:17:18 | IN JUST TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA, THERE WERE 33,000 CASES REPORTED TO THE COMMITTEE IN ONE YEAR. |
| 00:17:25 | IF THAT'S NOT A STATISTIC BUT CAN MAKE YOUR HAIR CURL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. |
| 00:17:31 | EVEN RANKING MEMBER KLINE SAID WE ARE IN FURTHER NEED OF STATISTICS BECAUSE HE DOES BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS QUESTION. |
| 00:17:42 | BUT JUST TO MAKE THE POINT, MAKE THE CASE EVEN STRONGER, THE GENTLELADY'S STATE, NORTH CAROLINA, THE REASON WHY WE NEED THIS BILL, SHE SAYS SOME STATES HAVE RULES THAT ALREADY DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. |
| 00:17:54 | LET ME READ YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT NORTH CAROLINA'S LAW SAYS. |
| 00:17:58 | IT SAYS IT ALLOWS FOR A SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TO MAINTAIN ORDER OR CALM OR COMFORT IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 00:18:05 | AND DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT THERE BE IMMINENT DANGER OR AN EMERGENCY, AND PEOPLE CAN USE IT FOR DISCIPLINE AND TO WRITE IT INTO I. |
| 00:18:16 | E.P. OR INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| 00:18:19 | THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE NEED THIS BECAUSE SOME STATES LIKE HER HOME STATE DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SHOULDN'T BE THE WAY WE DEAL WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS OR OTHER CHALLENGES. |
| 00:18:31 | IT SHOULDN'T BE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE IN OUR SCHOOLS. |
| 00:18:36 | MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW LIED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 00:18:40 | MILLER. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 00:18:43 | MR. MILLER: I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA AND THE RULES COMMITTEE FOR REPORTING THIS RULE THAT WILL ALLOW US FOR THE FIRST TIME TO HAVE FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE IN SCHOOL. |
| 00:18:58 | IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE STRIVE TO KEEP ALL CHILDREN SAFER WHILE THEY ARE IN SCHOOL. |
| 00:19:04 | I'M HONORED TO HAVE WORKED WITH AND THANK HER SO MUCH FOR HER COOPERATION, CONGRESSWOMAN KATHY MCMORRIS ROGERS, WHO WAS SO INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING THIS BILL TOGETHER AND BRINGING ALL THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DISCUSSION ON THIS LEGISLATION TOGETHER TO HELP US DRAFT THE LEGISLATION. |
| 00:19:22 | NOT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH IT, BUT WE HAVE HAD WONDERFUL COOPERATION AND SUPPORT FROM VERY MANY PARTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY. |
| 00:19:29 | RECOGNIZING THAT FOR THIS -- FOR THE ACTIONS TO CONTINUE THAT HAVE PUT SO MANY CHILDREN IN DANGER AND HAVE HARMED SO MANY CHILDREN WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCURATE REPORTING SYSTEM, WITHOUT HAVING THE PROPER TRAINING OF TEACHERS, TEACHERS VERY OFTEN ARE PUT IN A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT POSITION WITH RESPECT TO WHAT TO DO, BUT WE CANNOT HAVE THE CHILDREN BEING TAPED TO THEIR CHAIRS. |
| 00:19:57 | CHILDREN HAVING DUCT TAPE PUT AROUND THEIR MOUTH. |
| 00:20:00 | CHILDREN BEING LOCKED IN DARK CLOSETS OR SMALL SPACES FOR MULTIPLE HOURS OF THE DAY OR WEEK SO THEY CAN ESTABLISH THE COMFORT IN THE CLASSROOM? |
| 00:20:11 | THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT TREATMENT OF THAT CHILD. |
| 00:20:13 | IF YOU'RE DOING IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND YOU'RE NOT CHANGING THE BEHAVIOR, YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE OUTCOMES, YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETHINK THAT POLICY. |
| 00:20:23 | BUT THAT TRAGICALLY THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IN TOO MANY AREAS. |
| 00:20:26 | YES, THERE ARE SOME STATE REGULATIONS IN THIS AREA, BUT THEY ARE VERY INCOMPLETE. |
| 00:20:31 | THEY ARE SPOTTY. |
| 00:20:32 | SOME ONLY ADDRESS ONE SCHOOL POPULATION, ONE PARTICULAR DISABILITY MAYBE, OR PARTICULAR AGE GROUP, BUT NOT OTHERS. |
| 00:20:40 | WE CANNOT HAVE, AND IT IS THE G. |
| 00:20:43 | A.O. TRAGICALLY MADE SO GRAPHIC TO OUR COMMITTEE, YOU CANNOT HAVE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN TREATED IN THIS WAY. |
| 00:20:50 | WE WERE PRESENTED WITH THE MOST GRAPHIC CASE OF STUDENTS WHO DIED WHILE THEY WERE PLACED IN SECLUSION. |
| 00:20:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 00:21:00 | MR. |
| 00:21:01 | MILLER: AND IMPROPER USES OF RESTRAINT. |
| 00:21:02 | IF I COULD ASK THE GENTLEMAN FOR TWO ADDITIONAL MINUTES. |
| 00:21:04 | MR. CARDOZA: I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA TWO ADDITIONAL MINUTES. |
| 00:21:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS TWO ADDITIONAL MINUTES. |
| 00:21:10 | MR. |
| 00:21:11 | MILLER: WE MET WITH THE PARENTS AND THE CAREGIVERS OF THOSE CHILDREN. |
| 00:21:16 | HERE'S THE FINAL TOUCH. |
| 00:21:19 | THAT IN MANY INSTANCES THESE CHILDREN WERE TREATED THIS WAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND THEIR PARENTS, GUARDIANS WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. |
| 00:21:29 | IN MANY INSTANCES THE FIRST TIME THEY REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON IS WHEN THE CHILD IN A VERY TRAUMATIC WAY REFUSED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. |
| 00:21:37 | WAS FRIGHTENED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. |
| 00:21:40 | SOME OF THESE CHILDREN HAVE NEVER REALLY BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO A REGULAR SCHOOL SETTING. |
| 00:21:46 | THEY HAVE LOST THE TRUST IN PEOPLE IN THOSE SETTINGS. |
| 00:21:49 | OR A TEACHER MIGHT VENTURE OUT AND QUIETLY TELL A PARENT THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG IN YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM OR THE WAY YOUR CHILD'S BEING BEHAVIORED. |
| 00:21:59 | THAT IS NOT THE KIND OF NOTIFICATION THAT PARENTS ARE ENTITLED TO. |
| 00:22:02 | AND IT'S NOT THE KIND OF NOTIFICATION THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE GIVES THEM THE AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE IN THIS ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR. |
| 00:22:12 | ALSO WE KNOW THAT IN THE NUMBER OF INSTANCES MEDICATIONS WERE USED WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF A DOCTOR, WITHOUT THE OK OF THE PARENT, WITHOUT CHECKING WITH THE AUTHORITIES PRIOR TO THAT. |
| 00:22:25 | WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT IN PARTICULAR CASES A CHILD MAY BE A THREAT TO HIM OR HERSELF. |
| 00:22:31 | MAY BE A THREAT TO ANOTHER STUDENT OR TO A TEACHER OR TO OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL. |
| 00:22:35 | AND WE DO ALLOW THEM TO TAKE ACTION IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE, BUT THE IDEA THAT THIS AD HOC THEORY OF LOCKING KIDS IN CLOSETS WHILE THEY ARE DENIED FOOD AND WATER, LET'S LOOK WHAT THIS BILL DOES. |
| 00:22:50 | THIS BILL SAYS YOU CAN'T DENY WATER. |
| 00:22:53 | YOU CAN'T DENY FOOD. |
| 00:22:54 | YOU CAN'T DENY THEM ACCESS TO BATHROOM FACILITIES. |
| 00:22:59 | THAT'S KIND OF BASIC, ISN'T IT? |
| 00:23:00 | THE TREATMENT OF A CHILD. |
| 00:23:03 | AND THINK OF WHAT HAPPENS TO A CHILD WHEN THAT IS DONE. |
| 00:23:07 | WE ARE NOT ALWAYS TALKING SOMEHOW ABOUT A TEENAGER HERE. |
| 00:23:11 | WE ARE TALKING MANY INSTANCES VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. |
| 00:23:14 | CHILDREN IN MANY, MANY INSTANCES WITH DISABILITIES WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY AND WE CANNOT ALLOW US TO PROCEED AGAINST THOSE CHILDREN WITHOUT A POLICY BEING IN PLACE THAT PROTECTION THE CHILDREN AND NOTIFIES -- MR. |
| 00:23:31 | CARDOZA: I YIELD 30 SECONDS. |
| 00:23:32 | MR. |
| 00:23:33 | MILLER: I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN AND RULES COMMITTEE FOR REPORTING THIS RULE. |
| 00:23:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:23:40 | MS. |
| 00:23:41 | FOXX: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:23:42 | I YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO THE DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER OF THE RULES COMMITTEE, MR. |
| 00:23:47 | DREIER. |
| 00:23:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:23:50 | MR. |
| 00:23:51 | DREIER: MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 00:23:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 00:23:55 | MR. DREIER: MADAM SPEAKER, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GET IT. |
| 00:23:59 | LAST JUNE 24 WE AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING UP IN THE RULES COMMITTEE HAD DROPPED INTO OUR LAP A 300-PAGE AMENDMENT THAT NO ONE HAD READ JUST AS THE MOTION WAS BEING OFFERED TO MOVE THAT SO-CALLED CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. |
| 00:24:22 | UP UNTIL THAT TIME BEING ON THE RULES COMMITTEE AS I AM, WHENEVER I WOULD TALK ABOUT PROCESS IN THIS INSTITUTION, PEOPLE'S -- MEMBERS' EYES WOULD GLAZE OVER AND I KNOW THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THEIR EYES GLAZE OVER AND I EVEN HAD COLLEAGUES OF MINE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SAY, WHY DO YOU TALK ABOUT PROCESS? |
| 00:24:43 | MADAM SPEAKER, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM HAVING BEEN ON THE RULES COMMITTEE FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE YEARS IS THAT PROCESS IS SUBSTANCE. |
| 00:24:53 | THE UTILIZATION OF PROCESS PLAYS A VERY CRITICAL ROLE IN DETERMINING THE OUTCOME OF LEGISLATION. |
| 00:25:02 | THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CONCLUDED AFTER JUNE 24 WHEN THE NEXT DAY OUR DISTINGUISHED REPUBLICAN LEADER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR. |
| 00:25:10 | BOEHNER, STOOD HERE TAKING HIS ONE-MINUTE AND WENT FOR AN HOUR GOING THROUGH THAT 300-PAGE AMENDMENT. |
| 00:25:19 | THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GOT THE MESSAGE AND THEY SAID, YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION BEFORE YOU VOTE ON IT? |
| 00:25:29 | AGAIN THIS HAPPENED AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING AND WITHIN A MATTER OF HOURS WE HAD THAT MEASURE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR. |
| 00:25:37 | MADAM SPEAKER, WHY AM I GOING THROUGH THIS? |
| 00:25:40 | BECAUSE IN THE RULE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT MY FRIEND FROM GRANDFATHER COMMUNITY HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS, BUT THE FACT IS IN THIS RULE WE HAVE WHAT IS DESCRIBED AFFECTIONATELY FROM MEMBERS OF BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IS MARTIAL LAW RULE. |
| 00:25:57 | WHAT IT MEANS IS, IN THIS RULE, ANY MEMBER WHO VOTES FOR THIS RULE, IS VOTING TO GIVE THE MAJORITY AUTHORITY TO, WITHOUT ANY KIND OF CONSIDERATION, MOVE DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE WITH LEGISLATION -- WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT CONSISTS OF. |
| 00:26:16 | A COLLOQUY I HAD WITH THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES LAST NIGHT, SHE SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON THE JOBS ISSUE, BUT GUESS WHAT, MADAM SPEAKER, IN THIS RULE THERE IS NO CLEAR DEFINITION AS TO WHAT LEGISLATION IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERED. |
| 00:26:36 | NOW, THIS IS A STRUCTURE THAT IS UTILIZED BY BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. |
| 00:26:42 | I WILL PLEAD GUILTY. |
| 00:26:43 | WE HAVE USED THIS KIND OF EXPEDITED PROCEDURE IN THE PAST WHEN WE WERE IN THE MAJORITY. |
| 00:26:50 | MADAM SPEAKER, IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS DONE ONLY AT THE END OF A SESSION WHEN THERE ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TIME CONSTRAINTS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. |
| 00:27:05 | MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE USUALLY END UP AGREEING TO IT. |
| 00:27:10 | MADAM SPEAKER, I KNOW THAT I SPEAK FOR NOT ONLY MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, INDEPENDENT, WHEN I SAY THAT THE NOTION OF IMPOSING MARTIAL LAW RULE IN WHAT IS NOW THE THIRD MONTH OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE 111TH CONGRESS IS A NONSTARTER. |
| 00:27:31 | WE SHOULD NOT BE UTILIZING THIS KIND OF PROCEDURE AT THIS POINT. |
| 00:27:38 | SO, MADAM SPEAKER, I AM GOING TO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST THIS RULE AND BRING BACK A STRUCTURE THAT DOES, IN FACT, STRIKE MARTIAL LAW, WHICH IS NOT WHAT AMERICANS, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY, WANT US TO BE UTILIZING IN DEALING WITH THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. |
| 00:28:02 | THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THE UNDERLYING LEGISLATION, BUT THERE IS VERY, VERY STRONG OPPOSITION. |
| 00:28:08 | I HOPE FROM BOTH DEMOCRATS AS WELL AS REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO NOT WANT US, ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME, WHEN WE ARE FOCUSING ON VERY, VERY IMPORTANT LEGISLATION TO DEAL WITH JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, UTILIZING MARTIAL LAW RULE. |
| 00:28:28 | SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST THE RULE. |
| 00:28:31 | WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:28:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 00:28:37 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:28:38 | MR. |
| 00:28:39 | CARDOZA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:28:40 | I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT IN THE 109TH CONGRESS THE REPUBLICAN RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE GENTLEMAN WHO JUST SPOKE, MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA, REPORTED 21 RULES THAT WAIVED THE 2/3 VOTE REQUIREMENT FOR SAME-DAY RULES. |
| 00:28:55 | FURTHERMORE, FIVE OF THOSE RULES WAIVED THIS REQUIREMENT AGAINST ANY RULE THAT REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE. |
| 00:29:00 | SO I FIND IT A BIT IRONIC THAT MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARE SO OUTRAGED BY THIS PROCEDURE IT'S BEEN DONE ROUTINELY BY BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC -- I WILL NOT YIELD. |
| 00:29:11 | I'LL GIVE YOU TIME AT THE END. |
| 00:29:16 | . BY OATH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CONGRESSES. |
| 00:29:19 | THE WAIVER IS TO ALLOW MAXIMUM WAIVER -- MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN BRINGING BILLS TO THE FLOOR QUICKLY, FOR THE HIGHWAY TRANSIT PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE JOBS IN THIS TIME OR TO EXTEND VITAL SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS, SUCH AS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE OR COBRA, PROGRAMS FROM THE SENATE AND THE FILIBUSTER THAT PRECEDED THE DEBATES OVER THERE ALLOWED THESE PROGRAMS TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF OF FEBRUARY, PUTTING 200,000 WORKERS OFF THE JOB UNTIL WE GET THIS BILL PASSED. |
| 00:29:55 | WE AREN'T SURE WHAT FORM THESE MEASURES WILL TAKE YET, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL WE HAVE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO WHATEVER LEGISLATIVE VEHICLES CAN BEST ADDRESS THESE MATTERS. |
| 00:30:06 | I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THESE ARE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TIMES. |
| 00:30:10 | IN MY OWN DISTRICT, WE HAVE 20% UNEMPLOYMENT. |
| 00:30:13 | MY CONSTITUENTS LAST NIGHT AT A TOWN HALL MEETING, THEY'RE DEMANDING ANSWERS AND JOBS. |
| 00:30:18 | THINK WANT -- THEY WANT IT TODAY, NOT NEXT WEEK, THEY WANT IT NOW. |
| 00:30:24 | AND ALL THE OBFUSCATION, ALL THE DELAYING TACTICS, ALL THE CHALLENGES TO GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK ARE NOT VERY WELL TOLERATED BY THEM THESE DAYS. |
| 00:30:34 | EVERY DAY COUNTS IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW. |
| 00:30:37 | WE HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. |
| 00:30:40 | I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD BE FIGURING OUT TOGETHER HOW TO EXPEDITE THESE PROCESSES, RATHER THAN STANDING ON PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE TACTICS TO SAY, NO, LET'S WAIT SOME MORE, LET'S PUT THESE BILLS OFF. |
| 00:30:55 | MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:30:59 | MR. DREIER: WILL THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? |
| 00:31:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WILL BOTH GENTLEMEN SUSPEND FOR A MINUTE. |
| 00:31:05 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, ARE YOU RESERVING YOUR TIME OR YIELDING -- MR. |
| 00:31:10 | CARDOZA: I'M HAPPY TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR QUESTIONS. |
| 00:31:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:31:16 | MR. |
| 00:31:17 | DREIER: LET ME FIRST SAY, AS THE GENTLEMAN KNOWS IN MY REMARKS I MADE FROM THIS WELL MOMENTS AGO, I RECOGNIZED THAT THIS IS A PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN UTILIZED UNDER BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES. |
| 00:31:28 | I COMPLETELY CONCUR WITH THAT AND SAID IT HAPPENED. |
| 00:31:31 | THE IMPORTANT DISTINCTION TO MAKE IS THE FIVE INSTANCES MY FRIEND MENTIONED WHEN WE WERE IN THE MAJORITY, THIS WAS ALL DONE IN THE SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER TIME FRAME AT BASICALLY THE -- IN THE WANING DAYS OF A CONGRESS OR AT LEAST A SESSION CONGRESS AND THAT PLAYED A BIG ROLE, RECOGNIZING THAT THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN. |
| 00:31:51 | SECOND -- MR. |
| 00:31:53 | CARDOZA: RECLAIMING MY TIME. |
| 00:31:54 | MR. |
| 00:31:55 | DREIER: I THANK MY FRIEND FOR YIELDING. |
| 00:31:58 | MR. |
| 00:31:59 | CARDOZA: IN RESPONSE TO THE STATEMENT OF THE GENTLEMAN, I WOULD SAY THAT, YES, THESE ARE USED FOR EXTRAORDINARY SITUATIONS, LIKE WHEN 200,000 PEOPLE ARE PUT OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE SENATE FILIBUSTER FOR NO PARTICULARLY GOOD REASON. |
| 00:32:13 | MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:32:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RESERVES HIS TIME. |
| 00:32:17 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:32:20 | MS. FOXX: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 00:32:27 | DREIER. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZE. |
| 00:32:29 | MR. DREIER: LET ME SAY, I'D LIKE TO ENGAGE IN A COLLOQUY WITH MY FRIEND IF I MIGHT, I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO YIELD TO HIM WHATEVER TIME HE NEEDS UNDER OUR TIME. |
| 00:32:37 | I KNOW HE HAS TO DEAL WITH THE TIME CONSTRAINTS. |
| 00:32:42 | LET ME SAY AT THE OUTSET, THE MOTION OF SAYING 200,000 -- THE NOTION OF SAYING THAT 200,000 PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE ACTION OF THE SENATE, THAT'S NOT RIGHT. |
| 00:32:55 | THE GENTLEMAN IS RIGHT, JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IS WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT. |
| 00:33:01 | I, TOO, LAST NIGHT HELD A TELEPHONE TOWN HALL MEETING, I WAS LISTENING AND TALKING WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. |
| 00:33:09 | OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS NOT QUITE AS HIGH AS THE GENTLEMAN FACES IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, BUT PART OF THE AREA I REPRESENT, IN SUBURBAN LOS ANGELES HAS A 14. |
| 00:33:21 | 2% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SYSTEM OF VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. |
| 00:33:23 | WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND I CONSISTENTLY STOOD IN THIS WELL SAYING THAT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY IS UTILIZING THE JOHN F. |
| 00:33:34 | KENNEDY, A GREAT DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, AND RONALD REAGAN MODEL TO GET OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK. |
| 00:33:40 | WE KNOW WHAT IT WILL TAKE. |
| 00:33:41 | IT'S NOT A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN FEDERAL SPENDING, IT IS ENCOURAGING THROUGH INCENTIVES, PRIVATE SECTOR JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. |
| 00:33:52 | THIS PROCEDURE IS VIRTUALLY UNPRECEDENTED AT THIS EARLY POINT IN THE CONGRESS. |
| 00:33:57 | AND I WILL SAY, MADAM SPEAKER, THAT LAST WEEK, LAST WEEK, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE MAJORITY WOULD HAVE LEARNED ITS LESSON AS IT IMPOSED MARTIAL LAW RULE AT THE END OF LAST WEEK AND THEN HAD TO COME BACK AND MY FRIEND WAS IN FACT MANAGING IN WHAT WAS A VERY UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE FOR THE INSTITUTION THE IDEA OF PULLING BACK ON THE MCDERMOTT AMENDMENT THAT WAS CONSIDERED, THAT CLEARLY DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE RECOGNIZED WOULD HAVE JEOPARDIZED THE SECURITY OF THE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN OWHO SERVE IN OUR INTELLIGENCE FIELD AROUND THE WORLD. |
| 00:34:35 | SO I'D BE HAPPY TO YIELD TO MY FRIEND IF HE'D LIKE TO RESPOND TO ANY OF MY COMMENTS. |
| 00:34:43 | MR. CARDOZA: MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD JUST RAISE, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THE SENATE VOTED 78 TO SOME TEEN NUMBER, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE FINAL -- MR. |
| 00:34:52 | DREIER: 19. IT WAS 19. |
| 00:34:54 | MR. |
| 00:34:55 | CARDOZA: ON BEHALF OF THE PACKAGE, THE JOBS BILL, THAT WE'RE CONTEMPLATING BRINGING UP TOMORROW. |
| 00:35:03 | NOW, THIS ILLUSTRATES THE POINT THAT WE'VE BEEN FRUSTRATED FAR LONG TIME. |
| 00:35:08 | THE GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT, BOTH HIS DISTRICT AND MY DISTRICT ARE SUFFERING FROM LACK OF JOBS, TOO HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT. |
| 00:35:13 | BUT WHEN YOU GET CONSTANT SLOWING DOWN OF THE PROCESS IN THE SENATE, TO THE POINT WHERE HE WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT US TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS CONGRESS, THEN YOU WILL HAVE THIS KIND OF SITUATION WHERE WE GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE THE 200,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PUT OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF LACK OF -- MR. |
| 00:35:34 | DREIER: RECLAIMING MY TIME. |
| 00:35:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 00:35:38 | MR. DREIER: WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT IS PEOPLE NOT RECEIVING THESE BENEFITS. |
| 00:35:43 | THIS WAS DONE -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA ON THIS SIDE, IN THE WELL, CONTROLS THE TIME. |
| 00:35:51 | MR. DREIER: LET ME JUST SAY THAT EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND A JOB TODAY AND AREN'T ABLE TO FIND A JOB IS ABLE TO RECEIVE THOSE BENEFITS. |
| 00:36:02 | NO ONE WANTS TO DENY THAT. |
| 00:36:05 | OUR COLLEAGUE IN THE IN THE OTHER BODY WHO WAS RAISING CONCERNS WITH SPENDING ISSUES AND OFFSETS AND PAY-AS-YOU-GO, WHICH I KNOW MY FRIEND IS READY TO CHAMPION, LED TO THIS ISSUE. |
| 00:36:17 | THE QUESTION IS, WHAT DO WE DO TO GET THE ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK? |
| 00:36:21 | WE HAVE SEEN A MASSIVE INCREASE IN SPENDING IN A WIDE RANGE OF AREA AND GUESS WHAT? |
| 00:36:27 | WE STILL HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AROUND 20% IN MY FRIEND'S DISTRICT, 14% PLUS IN PART OF THE AREA I REPRESENT. |
| 00:36:34 | THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE UTILIZING THIS BIPARTISAN JOHN F. |
| 00:36:39 | KENNEDY-RONALD REAGAN MODEL. |
| 00:36:40 | THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO TO ADDRESS THE SHARED CONCERN THAT WE HAVE. |
| 00:36:45 | BUT IN SAYING THIS, MADAM SPEAKER, I POINT TO THE FACT THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE IMPOSING MARTIAL LAW, UNDERMINING THE ABILITY FOR US TO DO WHAT MY FRIEND SAYS SHOULD BE DONE, WORKING NOT A BIPARTISAN WAY. |
| 00:36:58 | WHEN YOU AT THIS EARLY POINT IN THE CONGRESS, IN THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS, IMPOSE MARTIAL LAW RULE, YOU UNDERMINE THE ABILITY FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND I THANK MY FRIEND FOR YIELDING. |
| 00:37:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 00:37:14 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:37:16 | MR. |
| 00:37:17 | CARDOZA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:37:18 | I WOULD JUST RESPOND BY SAYING I'D LOVE TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY BUT YOU NEED PARTNERS IN A BIPARTISAN PROCESS. |
| 00:37:25 | FRANKLY, WE'VE SEEN MORE PUSHBACK AND DIVERSION AND CONFUSION OF THE DETAILS AND MERITS OF THIS LEGISLATION, A BILL THAT PASSES 78-19 AS THE GENTLEMAN INDICATED IS ONE WHERE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENT, YET THE RULES OF THE SENATE OFTENTIMES ALLOW THERE TO BE SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN VERY NEEDED LEGISLATION TO COME TO THE AID OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. |
| 00:37:57 | SO I WOULD SAY THAT YES, IT'S TODAY OR TOMORROW, WE NEED TO BRING UP A BILL THAT DEALS WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR MY CONSTITUENTS AND MR. |
| 00:38:06 | DREIER'S AND THE REST OF THE NATION'S AS WELL. |
| 00:38:08 | WE NEED TO PUT TRANSIT WORKERS BACK TO WORK. |
| 00:38:11 | WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESS BEFORE US. |
| 00:38:13 | AND WHEN WE CONSTANTLY SEE THE GENERALLY UNFEELING SITUATION WHERE WE JUST HAD A FILIBUSTER IN THE SENATE WHILE FOLKS NO LONGER GET THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND SUFFERING THE PROCESS, I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT US HERE TO DO. |
| 00:38:34 | I BELIEVE WE MUST PASS THIS RULE, WE MUST MOVE THE JOBS BILL, AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. |
| 00:38:42 | WE NEED TO ALSO DEAL WITH THE EDUCATION BILL WE BROUGHT UP BEFORE THE HOUSE AND IS THE MAIN PURPOSE FOR WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY. |
| 00:38:50 | MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:38:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES HIS TIME. |
| 00:38:55 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM -- THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:38:58 | MS. |
| 00:38:59 | FOXX: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:39:00 | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:39:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:39:04 | MS. FOXX: MADAM SPEAKER, THE REASON THAT THE FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARE PUSHING THROUGH THIS MARTIAL LAW RULE, SAME-DAY RULE, IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROBLEMS IN THEIR OWN CAUCUS. |
| 00:39:17 | AS THE GENTLEMAN SAYS, THEY'RE STILL CONTEMPLATING WHAT IT IS THEY WANT TO DO AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE DEMOCRATS MAYBE GET TOGETHER AND DECIDE WHAT IT IS THEY WANT TO DO, THEN THEY'RE JUST GOING TO SPRING A BILL ON US AND NOT EVEN GIVE US A DAY TO READ THE BILL. |
| 00:39:35 | THEY JUST WANT TO BRING IT ON TO THE FLOOR IMMEDIATELY AND THEN BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE AGAIN, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. |
| 00:39:44 | THEY HAVE DISSENSION IN THEIR OWN CAUCUS AND EVERY TIME THEY CAN'T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER THEY BLAME IT ON THE REPUBLICANS. |
| 00:39:53 | THEY ARE TOTALLY IN CHARGE OF THIS CONGRESS, TOTALLY IN CHARGE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND YET EVERY DAY WE HEAR IT'S THE REPUBLICANS' FAULT THAT WE CAN'T GET THESE THINGS DONE. |
| 00:40:06 | YOU ALL WON'T BE BIPARTISAN. |
| 00:40:08 | WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO BE BIPARTISAN. |
| 00:40:11 | WE'RE HAPPY TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. |
| 00:40:15 | THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TELLING US EVERY DAY, WE'RE LISTENING TO WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SAYING. |
| 00:40:20 | IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE NOT. |
| 00:40:26 | THIS BILL, MADAM SPEAKER, AUTHORIZES SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR FISCAL YEARS 2011 THROUGH 2015 TO ESTABLISH GRANTS TO STATES TO HELP SOME OF THEIR COSTS. |
| 00:40:43 | SUCH SUMS IS A BLANK CHECK. |
| 00:40:46 | WE HAVE THE WORST FISCAL CRISIS WE'VE HAD IN THIS COUNTRY IN A LONG, LONG TIME. |
| 00:40:52 | AGAIN, WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 00:40:55 | BUT DO THEY DO ANYTHING TO TRY TO WORK ON THAT FISCAL CRISIS? |
| 00:41:01 | NO, THEY MAKE IT WORSE BY CONTINUING TO AUTHORIZE SUCH SUMS AND WE HAVE BILLS LIKE THIS EVERY DAY. |
| 00:41:09 | THEY CONTINUE TO AUTHORIZE MORE SPENDING, MORE SPENDING, MORE SPENDING. |
| 00:41:15 | I WILL BE SUBMITTING, MADAM SPEAKER, A CHART THAT SHOWS HOW MUCH MONEY ON OTHER BILLS SUCH AS NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED AND THEN HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY SPENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A HISTORY OF THAT AND WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU PUT OUT BILLS THAT SAY SUCH SUMS WITH AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT WILL BE SPENT THAT WE ALWAYS GO OVER IN THAT SPENDING AND I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THAT CHART FOR THE RECORD, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:41:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 00:41:49 | MS. FOXX: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:41:51 | WE, AGAIN, HAVE -- WE HAVE COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO SUPPORT THE UNDERLYING BILL HERE. |
| 00:42:00 | I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR MY COLLEAGUES ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND SOME NOT ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WHO WILL SUPPORT THIS BILL. |
| 00:42:08 | AND I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST INTENTIONS. |
| 00:42:13 | BUT SOMETIMES GOOD INTENTIONS CAN HAVE INSIDIOUS RESULTS. |
| 00:42:19 | AND ONE OF THE IND SIDS YOU RESULTS THAT WILL -- ONE OF THE INSIDIOUS RESULTS THAT WILL COME FROM THIS BILL IS TO TAKE AWAY FROM STATES THE RIGHT THEY HAVE TO REGULATE EDUCATION. |
| 00:42:32 | THAT IS GIVEN TO THEM BY THE CONSTITUTION. |
| 00:42:35 | AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE APPROVING THE UNDERLYING BILL AND WE CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE VOTING FOR A RULE THAT VIOLATES EVEN THE PROMISES THAT THE MAJORITY MADE, WHICH SOUNDED SO GOOD TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND WHICH HELPED THEM WIN THE MAJORITY IN 2006 AND GAIN SEATS IN 2008 AND EVERY PROMISE HAS BEEN VIOLATED. |
| 00:43:04 | SO I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THE RULE AND NO ON THE UNDERLYING BILL, ALTHOUGH I KNOW I HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO WILL VOTE FOR THE BILL AND WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:43:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES. |
| 00:43:18 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:43:22 | MR. CARDOZA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:43:23 | I AM THE LAST SPEAKER ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE. |
| 00:43:26 | I'D INQUIRE FROM THE GENTLELADY IF SHE'S PREPARED TO CLOSE. |
| 00:43:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:43:34 | MS. |
| 00:43:35 | FOXX: WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I CAN YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF OUR TIME. |
| 00:43:39 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 00:43:42 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:43:44 | MR. |
| 00:43:45 | CARDOZA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:43:46 | I'D LIKE TO THANK THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA FOR ENGAGING WITH ME TODAY AND MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA IN THE DISCUSSION THAT WE'VE HAD ON BOTH THE UNDERCLY LYING BILL AND THE QUESTION OF THE NEED TO BRING JOBS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
| 00:44:02 | THE MINORITY MAY HAVE YOU BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TOTALLY CLAMPED DOWN ON THIS PROCESS AND NOT ALLOW THEM TO BRING UP DISSENTING VIEWS ON THIS BILL. |
| 00:44:11 | IN FACT, NOTHING CAN BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. |
| 00:44:13 | IN FACT, THE RULES COMMITTEE GRANTED THE MINORITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT A SUBSTITUTE. |
| 00:44:19 | THEY CHOSE NOT TO. |
| 00:44:21 | WE MADE IN ORDER BOTH AMENDMENTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE, AND BASICALLY EVERYTHING THAT WAS OFFERED AS A SUGGESTION TO IMPROVE THE BILL HAS BEEN INCORPORATED TO THIS POINT. |
| 00:44:36 | THE GENTLELADY CHOSE NOT TO RESPOND WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT 19 STATES HAVE NO RESTRICTIONS WHATSOEVER ON USING CHILD RESTRAINTS. |
| 00:44:46 | AND HER OWN STATE ALLOWS FOR SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TO MAINTAIN ORDER AND DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT THERE BE IMMINENT DANGER, TO LOCK THEM IN CLOSETS, DENY THEM WATER, DENY THEM ACCESS WITHOUT PARENTAL NOTIFICATION. |
| 00:45:06 | THATESS THE PURPOSE OF THIS UNDERLYING BILL, TO -- THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS UNDERLYING BILL, TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 00:45:16 | JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, 33,000 STUDENTS IN JUST THE TWO STATES OF TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA WERE EXPOSED TO THIS KIND OF SITUATION OR AT LEAST ALLEGEDLY SO. |
| 00:45:26 | I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED THESE GUIDELINES, THAT WE NEED TO INTERVENE, AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE STATES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND WE NEED TO COMPILE THE STATISTICS ALL OF WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL. |
| 00:45:41 | MADAM SPEAKER, THERE IS AN URGENT PROBLEM IN MANY OF THE SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT'S GONE UNCHECKED FOR FAR TOO LONG AND MUST BE ADDRESSED. |
| 00:45:51 | H. |
| 00:45:52 | R. 4247 WILL GO A LONG WAY TO ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OUR NATION'S CHILDREN. |
| 00:46:02 | I ASK ALL MEMBERS SUPPORT THIS COMMONSENSE LEGISLATION. |
| 00:46:08 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND I MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION ON THE RESOLUTION. |
| 00:46:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. |
| 00:46:15 | WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. |
| 00:46:17 | THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 00:46:20 | ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 00:46:21 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 00:46:23 | THE AYES HAVE IT. |
| 00:46:25 | THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO. |
| 00:46:28 | MS. FOXX: MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:46:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA RISE? |
| 00:46:32 | MS. |
| 00:46:33 | FOXX: FOR THAT I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS. |
| 00:46:35 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE YEAS AND NAYS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. |
| 00:46:39 | ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE. |
| 00:46:42 | A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. |
| 00:46:47 | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS QUESTION WILL BE POSTPONED. |
| 00:48:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, THE CHAIR WILL POSTPONE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS TODAY ON MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON WHICH A RECORDED VOTE OR THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED, OR ON WHICH THE VOTE INCURS OBJECTION UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20. |
| 00:48:18 | RECORDED VOTES ON POSTPONED QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN LATER. |
| 00:53:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 00:53:22 | >> MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO THE RESOLUTION, HOUSE RESOLUTION 1127, EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE PLANE ATTACK ON INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE EMPLOYEES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. |
| 00:53:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 00:53:41 | THE CLERK: HOUSE RESOLUTION 1127, RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN REGARDING THE SUICIDE PLANE ATTACK ON INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE EMPLOYEES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. |
| 00:53:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 00:53:53 | LEWIS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 00:53:57 | BUICE KNEE, WILL EACH CONTROL -- MR. |
| 00:54:05 | BOUSTANY, WILL EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 00:54:09 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 00:54:12 | MR. LEWIS: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS ON THE BILL HOUSE RESOLUTION 1127. |
| 00:54:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 00:54:19 | MR. LEWIS: MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:54:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:54:27 | MR. LEWIS: MADAM SPEAKER, ON THE DAY OF -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND. |
| 00:54:32 | THE GENTLEMAN WILL KINDLY SUSPEND. |
| 00:54:35 | COULD WE PLEASE HAVE QUIET IN THE CHAMBER? |
| 00:54:45 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:54:47 | MR. LEWIS: MADAM SPEAKER, ON FEBRUARY 18, JUST A FEW DAYS AGO, THE FAMILY SUFFERED A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. |
| 00:54:55 | I RISE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILIES OF VERNON HUNTER, SHANE HILL AND EMPLOYEES AT THE I. |
| 00:55:06 | R.S. IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. |
| 00:55:07 | WE AS A NATION AND THE PEOPLE ARE BETTER, MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. |
| 00:55:12 | WE SHOULD BE BETTER TO EACH OTHER. |
| 00:55:15 | THIS TYPE OF ATTACK IS JUST WRONG, AND WE MUST NOT TOLERATE VIOLENCE AGAINST OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS. |
| 00:55:24 | I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT LIKE TO PAY THEIR TAXES, BUT WE CANNOT TAKE OUR ANGER ON I. |
| 00:55:32 | R.S. EMPLOYEES. THEY DO NOT DESERVE THIS. |
| 00:55:35 | THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ARE MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WORK HARD EACH AND EVERY DAY. |
| 00:55:47 | THEY DO THEIR JOBS AND THEY DO THEM WELL. |
| 00:55:50 | THEY PERFORM A PUBLIC SERVICE THAT BENEFIT THE ENTIRE NATION. |
| 00:55:54 | THIS CONGRESS IS COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY OF EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHO SERVES THIS NATION. |
| 00:56:00 | I WANT TO THANK THE I. |
| 00:56:03 | R.S. COMMISSIONER FOR THE STEPS HE'S TAKEN TO ENHANCE SECURITY AT ALL I. |
| 00:56:09 | R.S. SITES AROUND THE COUNTRY. |
| 00:56:11 | WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS THE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE SECURITY AT ITS OFFICES. |
| 00:56:20 | I WAS MOVED BY THE MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO REACH OUT AND HELP EACH OTHER DURING THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. |
| 00:56:30 | EACH FACE I COULD OS AND VIOLENCE, PEOPLE REACHED OUT AND HELPED EACH OTHER. |
| 00:56:37 | FIRST RESPONDERS, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER CITIZENS SHOWED GREAT COURAGE AND COMPASSION TO MINIMIZE THE LOSS OF LIFE. |
| 00:56:49 | I THANK THEM ALL AND HONOR THEM TODAY. |
| 00:56:53 | MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:56:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 00:57:00 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:57:01 | MR. |
| 00:57:02 | BOUSTANY: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 00:57:03 | I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:57:05 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 00:57:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 00:57:10 | MR. BOUSTANY: MADAM SPEAKER, LIKE ALL MY COLLEAGUES HERE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I WAS SHOCKED AND HORRIFIED BY THE TRAGEDY THAT OCCURRED AT THE I. |
| 00:57:18 | R.S. OFFICE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, ON FEBRUARY 18. |
| 00:57:23 | I ESPECIALLY WANT TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF VERNON HUNTER WHO LOSS HIS LIFE IN THIS SENSELESS ATTACK. |
| 00:57:30 | MR. HUNTER DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO SERVING HIS COUNTRY, INCLUDING 20 YEARS IN THE U. |
| 00:57:35 | S. ARMY AND TWO TOURS IN VIETNAM. |
| 00:57:38 | I STAND WITH MY COLLEAGUES TODAY TO HONOR HIS SERVICE AND HIS MEMORY. |
| 00:57:43 | WE SHOULD ALSO RECOGNIZE THE COURAGE AND HEROISM OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN, INCLUDING I. |
| 00:57:48 | R.S. EMPLOYEES, FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE ATTACK TO ENSURE THAT OUR COUNTRY DID NOT SUFFER EVEN GREATER LOSSES. |
| 00:57:56 | I WOULD LIKE TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH THE WORDS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE I. |
| 00:58:03 | R.S. WHEN HE SAID, AND I QUOTE, I AM THANKFUL FOR YOUR DEDICATION, COURAGE AND PROFESSIONALISM AS WE REBUILD IN AUSTIN. |
| 00:58:11 | AND AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR WORK, WE WILL DO WHAT IS NEEDED TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY. |
| 00:58:16 | WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
| 00:58:25 | MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:58:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 00:58:29 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:58:30 | MR. |
| 00:58:31 | LEWIS: MADAM SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED TO YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO MY COLLEAGUE AND MY FRIEND, A MEMBER ON THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION, THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. |
| 00:58:44 | DOGGETT. |
| 00:58:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:58:47 | MR. DOGGETT: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA FOR THEIR IMPORTANT COMMENTS. |
| 00:58:51 | THE RECENT SUICIDE ATTACK IN MY HOMETOWN OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, ON THE I. |
| 00:58:56 | R.S. BUILDING WAS A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. |
| 00:59:02 | I AUTHORED THIS RESOLUTION TO HONOR THOSE WHO WERE VICTIMS, TO RECOGNIZE THE COURAGE DISPLAYED BY SO MANY THAT DAY, AND TO CONDEMN SUCH COWARDLY ACTS OF VIOLENCE. |
| 00:59:15 | SEEING THAT BUILDING AFLAME AFTER THIS PREMEDITATED SUICIDE ATTACK, WHICH WAS IN THE WORDS OF OUR AUSTIN MAYOR . |
| 01:01:58 | ARMANDO VALDEZ JUNIOR AND DEBRA FLEMING YELLED TO OTHER EMPLOYEES, FOLLOW MY VOICE AS THEY GUIDED THEM AWAY FROM THE GAPING HOLES IN THE FLOOR. |
| 01:02:12 | ANDREW JAY SOBSON AND MORGAN JOHNSON BLOKE A WINDOW AND ALLOWED PEOPLE TO CLIMB OUT TO ROBIN DEHAVEN'S LADDER. |
| 01:02:19 | EVEN AS WORK CONTINUED AT THE SCENE AFTER THIS DEADLY ASSAULT, A FACEBOOK PAGE WAS CREATE ATED THAT LAUDED THE KILLER. |
| 01:02:27 | THIS RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE WAS DEPLORABLE. |
| 01:02:32 | INTENSE DEBATE AS WE HAVE HERE ON THE FLOOR ABOUT OUR TAX CODE IS APPROPRIATE. |
| 01:02:35 | THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE IN CONGRESS. |
| 01:02:38 | IN GATHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. |
| 01:02:40 | THE MANY TAX PROVISIONS WHICH I HAVE PERSONALLY CRITICIZED IN THE STRONGEST TERMS AND AT TIME I'M ALSO CRITICIZED THE WAY THE I. |
| 01:02:49 | R.S. ADMINISTERED THE TAX CODE BUT TO DEMONIZE AND HARM PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY AT THE I. |
| 01:02:55 | R.S. WHILE PRAISING A MURDERER OR ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD DO THEM HARM IS OUTRAGEOUS. |
| 01:03:01 | NOR IS SUCH MISCONDUCT UNIQUE TO THIS TRAGEDY. |
| 01:03:06 | A -- ACCORDING TO "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," THE NUMBER OF THREATS AGAINST I. |
| 01:03:10 | R.S. EMPLOYEES ARE ON THE RISE. |
| 01:03:14 | JUST THIS WEEK, THE "AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN" REPORTED ABOUT ANOTHER AGENT -- AGENT'S NECESSARY CARE IN OPENING MAIL, FILLED WITH RAY CZAR BLADES AND PUSH PINS, ABOUT LAST YEAR'S PHONY ANTHRAX ATTACK ON AN AUSTIN I. |
| 01:03:31 | R.S. BUILDING AND A PHONY PLOT TO BLOW UP ANOTHER AUSTIN I. |
| 01:03:35 | R.S. BUILDING. EACH YEAR, THE ADMINISTRATION THAT OVERSEES THE I. |
| 01:03:41 | R.S. INVESTIGATES MORE THAN 900 THREATS AGAINST I. |
| 01:03:44 | R.S. EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING VIOLENCE. |
| 01:03:46 | I'M NOT HERE TODAY TO GLORIFY THE I. |
| 01:03:51 | R.S. I'M HERE TO CONDEMN UNEQUIVOCALLY THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION THOSE WHO WOULD GLORIFY VIOLENCE FENS OUR -- AGAINST OUR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CONDUCTING THEIR DUTIES IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION. |
| 01:04:02 | THERE ARE MANY WHO WILL LONG BEAR THE EMOTIONAL SCARS FROM THIS ATTACK AND SOME STILL COPE WITH THE PHYSICAL BURDENS. |
| 01:04:11 | I WANT ESPECIALLY TO RECOGNIZE SHANE HILL A FIVE-YEAR INVESTIGATOR WITH THE TEXAS STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE WHO HAPPENED TO BE IN THE BUILDING THAT DAY AND NOW WITH HIS FAMILY FACES A LONG PHYSICAL RECOVERY. |
| 01:04:23 | VERNON HUNTER HAS BEEN MENTIONED, KNOWN BY HIS FRIENDS AS VERN, HE LOST HIS LIFE IN THIS SENSELESS ATTACK. |
| 01:04:29 | AT HIS FUNERAL LAST FRIDAY, HE WAS DESCRIBED AS THE TYPE OF MAN WHO ALWAYS WOKE UP WITH A SMILE, ALL WANTED TO HELP OTHERS, AND AS A TEXAN, NEVER LEFT HOME WITHOUT HIS COWBOY HAT. |
| 01:04:42 | COMING FROM A FAMILY DEDICATED TO UNIFORMED SERVICE, HE SERVED IN OUR U. |
| 01:04:46 | S. ARMY FOR OVER TWO DECADES WHICH INCLUDED TWO TOURS OF DUTY IN VIETNAM. |
| 01:04:51 | HIS FOUR BROTHERS AND A SON ALL SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. |
| 01:04:55 | AS DOES HIS SON-IN-LAW TODAY WHO IS ACTIVELY SERVING IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY. |
| 01:05:01 | AFTER RETIRING FROM THE ARMY HE CONTINUED THAT ESERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, WHERE HIS WIFE VALERIE HAS ALSO WORKED. |
| 01:05:13 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS A PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE PERSON TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TODAY. |
| 01:05:19 | AFTER LIVING THRU A LIFE OF SEGREGATION -- IN SOUTH CAROLINA, VERN WAS PRESENT THAT DAY, JOHN LEWIS, WHEN YOU ALONG WITH DR. |
| 01:05:31 | MARTIN LUTHER KING SPOKE DOWN THE MALL HERE IN THE FAMOUS "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH AND THE CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL. |
| 01:05:38 | HIS DREAM, HE SAW IN HIS SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY THROUGH THE ARMY AND THROUGH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WAS A DREAM ROOTED IN FREEDOM AND JUSTICE AND 45 YEARS AFTER THAT SPEECH, VERNON WAS ABLE TO WITNESS AMERICA'S PROGRESS WHEN HE HIMSELF SERVED AS A DELEGATE FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA. |
| 01:05:59 | DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING ONCE SAID THE QUALITY, NOT THE LONGEVITY OF ONE'S LIFE IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT. |
| 01:06:05 | BECAUSE VERN HUNTER CARED ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AUSTIN AND THIS NATION THAT HE LOVES SO MUCH AND SERVED HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS MADE BETTER. |
| 01:06:15 | IN A REMARKABLE STATEMENT, AT A MOMENT OF SUCH GREAT PAIN, THE HUNTER FAMILY EXPRESSED ITS PERSONAL FORGIVENESS OF THE SUICIDE ATTACKER AND EXPRESSED SYMPATHY FOR THE ATTACKER'S FAMILY. |
| 01:06:28 | THESE MOVING WORDS OF PEACE REFLECT THE POWER OF THEIR OWN FAITH AND THE STRENGTH OF SPIRIT BOTH OF THE HUNTER FAMILY AND THE GREATER MOUNT ZION BAPTIST FAMILY LED BY REVEREND CLARK. |
| 01:06:44 | VERN, HIS LIFE, AND HIS FAMILY ARE A TESTAMENT ABILITY WHAT IS BEST IN OUR COUNTRY. |
| 01:06:48 | IN HIM, WE'VE LOST A TRUE AMERICAN HERO. |
| 01:06:52 | TODAY I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT MY COLLEAGUES JOIN IN ADOPTING THIS RESOLUTION TO HONOR HIM, THE OTHER VICTIMS, THE EMPLOYEES, AND THE RESCUERS TO RENOUNCE VIOLENCE AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY. |
| 01:07:06 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 01:07:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 01:07:10 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:07:13 | >> I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME MR. |
| 01:07:17 | MCCAUL, IN HIS DISTRICT THIS TRAGEDY OCCURRED. |
| 01:07:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:07:26 | MR. MCCAUL: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 01:07:27 | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM AUSTIN, MR. |
| 01:07:30 | DOGGETT, FOR INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 01:07:33 | WE SHARE AUSTIN AND WE SHARE IN OUR GRIEF AND SHARE IN THESE TRAGIC EVENTS THAT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 18. |
| 01:07:44 | I WAS IN AUSTIN AND I WAS DRIVING AND I SAW A BUNCH OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF SOME FEDERAL BUILDINGS WHERE I USED TO WORK WITH THE JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE AND THE F. |
| 01:07:58 | B.I. RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE I. |
| 01:08:01 | R.S. BUILDING. |
| 01:08:02 | CALLED THE POLICE CHIEF THAT DAY AND I SAID, WHAT HAPPENED? |
| 01:08:08 | THE POLICE CHIEF SAID THAT A PLANE HAD FLOWN INTO THE FEDERAL BUILDING. |
| 01:08:13 | AND HE SAID, I SAID, DO YOU KNOW, WAS IT AN ACCIDENT? |
| 01:08:18 | HE SAID, NO, CONGRESSMAN, IT WAS INTENTIONAL. |
| 01:08:22 | AND AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE KNEW THIS WAS NOT JUST SOME ACCIDENTAL MISHAP, AIRPLANE GETTING OFF COURSE, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, BUT RATHER AN INTENTIONAL ACT OF VIOLENCE. |
| 01:08:39 | WHAT I SAW AT THE SCENE WAS QUITE ASTOUNDING. |
| 01:08:42 | I'M SURE SHE GENTLEMAN FROM AUSTIN SAW IT AS WELL. |
| 01:08:45 | THE AIRPLANE WAS A RATHER SMALL AIRCRAFT, YET THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE WAS MASSIVE. |
| 01:08:52 | ALMOST BRINGING THE ENTIRE FEDERAL BUILDING DOWN. |
| 01:08:57 | IT WAS IN FLAMES THAT FATEFUL DAY, THE -- IT REMINDED ME A BIT OF OOKLAHOMA CITY -- OF OKLAHOMA CITY, IT LOOKED LIKE IT -- A SMALLER VERSION OF 9/11, AS THE FLAMES WENT UP, AS THE GLASS BLEW OUT, A TECHNICIAN BY THE NAME OF ROBIN DEHAVEN, PROBABLY ONE OF THE GREAT HEROS THAT DAY, REMOVED GLASS FROM THE BACK SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND SAVED FIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE I. |
| 01:09:28 | R.S. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO TO THE HUNTER FAMILY. |
| 01:09:34 | VERNON HUNTER SERVED HIS COUNTRY AND SERVED IN THE I. |
| 01:09:40 | R.S. HE ALSO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR 20 YEARS. |
| 01:09:44 | HIS OFFICE WAS RIGHT ABOVE WHERE THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO THAT BUILDING. |
| 01:09:50 | THE PLANE LITERALLY SKIPPED OFF THE TOP OF A CAR, WENT INTO THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTENTIONAL ACT TO KILL PEOPLE. |
| 01:09:57 | I WAS ASKED THE QUESTION AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WELL, CONGRESSMAN, WAS THIS AN ACT OF TERRORISM? |
| 01:10:07 | WELL, I GUESS ALL HOW YOU DEFINE ACT OF TERRORISM. |
| 01:10:11 | WHAT I SAID WAS, ANY TIME SOMEONE FLIES AN AIRPLANE INTENTION LOYAL INTO A FEDERAL BUILDING TO KILL PEOPLE, I THINK THAT IS AN ACT OF TERROR. |
| 01:10:20 | IF YOU ASK THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES THAT DAY WHAT THEY THOUGHT, THEY CERTAINLY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ACT OF TERROR AS WELL. |
| 01:10:28 | WE NEED TO STOP THIS IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 01:10:31 | WE NEED TO STOP THIS. |
| 01:10:34 | THE HEROISM ON THE PART OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, F. |
| 01:10:40 | B.I., THE FIRST RESPONDERS IN RESPONDING TO THIS TRAGIC SCENE AND SAVING SO MANY LIVES, WHEN WE SAW THIS MASSDZIVE DESTRUCTION, THE GREAT MIRACLE THAT DAY WAS THAT MORE PEOPLE WERE NOT KILLED. |
| 01:10:57 | THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES AND WE OWE THEM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR THEIR GREAT, GREAT SERVICE, SERVICE TO -- NOT ONLY TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN BUT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, SO WITH THAT, I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM AUSTIN FOR INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION, IT'S VERY TIMELY WE DO SHARE THAT CITY TOGETHER. |
| 01:11:23 | WE WORK WELL TOGETHER. |
| 01:11:24 | AND I THINK AGAIN WE SHARE THE GRIEF OF LOSS, WE SHARE THE TRAGIC EVENT, AND WE ALSO SHARE THE BELIEF THAT THIS WAS REALLY AN INTENTIONAL ACT, AN ACT OF TERROR THAT WE NEED TO STOP IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 01:11:42 | WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK. |
| 01:11:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 01:11:46 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 01:11:47 | MR. |
| 01:11:48 | LEWIS: MADAM SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO INQUIRE OF DR. |
| 01:11:52 | BOUSTANY, DO YOU HAVE MORE SPEAKERS? |
| 01:11:56 | MR. |
| 01:11:57 | BOUSTANY: WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS ON OUR SIDE SPEAKING -- SEEKING TIME. |
| 01:12:01 | IF MY FRIEND IS PREPARED TO CLOSE, I'M HAPPY TO YIELD BACK. |
| 01:12:05 | MR. LEWIS: THANK YOU, DR. |
| 01:12:06 | BOUSTANY. |
| 01:12:07 | I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, THERE BEING NO MORE SPEAKERS, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS TO CLOSE. |
| 01:12:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA -- DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM LOUISIANA RESERVE OR YIELD HIS TIME? |
| 01:12:29 | MR. |
| 01:12:31 | BOUSTANY: WE'LL YIELD BACK. |
| 01:12:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 01:12:42 | MR. |
| 01:12:43 | DOGGETT: I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE REMARK HE IS MADE TODAY AND ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE TRAGEDY. |
| 01:12:50 | I BELIEVE WE SHARE A COMMON PURPOSE HERE. |
| 01:12:52 | NO ONE WAS LOOKING TO SEE WHICH PARTY A MEMBER OF THE I. |
| 01:12:55 | R.S. THAT DAY OR WHAT PART OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, IT AFFECTED OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. |
| 01:12:59 | I HAVE NOT USED THE TERM EARLIER, BUT I MUST SAY ALSO AGREE WITH HIS CONCLUSION THAT LIKE THE MUCH LARGER SCALE TRAGEDY IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THIS WAS AN ACT OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM. |
| 01:13:12 | BUT LET'S NOT QUIBBLE OVER THE TERMS, IT IS THE HARM THAT WAS DONE AND THE PROMOTION OF THAT HARM AND VIOLENCE. |
| 01:13:21 | THERE WAS NOTHING NOBLE ABOUT TERROR. |
| 01:13:24 | ANY EXPRESSION TO THE CONTRARY DESERVE OURS CONDEMNATION. |
| 01:13:28 | VIOLENCE IS CLEARLY, AS I READ THE STATEMENT THAT THE IPILOT PUT UP ON HIS WEBSITE, WHICH WAS -- THAT THE PILOT PUT UP ON HIS WEBSITE, WHICH WAS A CONFUSING DIATRIBE, HE SAID, QUOTE, VIOLENCE IS NOT ONLY THE ANSWER, IT IS THE ONLY ANSWER. |
| 01:13:48 | IN RESPONSE, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, SOME FOLKS SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE AND CALLED THEMSELVES FANS OF THIS SUICIDE ATTACKER, SPORTING A DON'T TREAD ON ME FLAG, THE SO-CALLED FAN PAGE TO THE MURDERER MISAPPROPRIATED THOMAS JEFFERSON'S FAMOUS WORDS THAT THE TREE OF LIBERTY MUST BE REFRESHED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS. |
| 01:14:11 | THIS RESOLUTION SOUNDLY REJECTS IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER SUCH A -- SUCH APPALLING TRIBUTES. |
| 01:14:18 | THE PATRIOTS WERE WORKING IN THE BUILDING THAT DAY, NOT WORKING TO KILL PUBLIC SERVANTS. |
| 01:14:23 | THE HEROES WERE PEOPLE LIKE VERN HUNTER WHO WERE DOING THEIR JOB ON BEHALF OF THEIR COUNTRY, NOT TRYING TO DESTROY THEIR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. |
| 01:14:34 | I BELIEVE THAT WE MUST TURN DOWN THE VOLUME ON HATE. |
| 01:14:38 | IF WE ARE TO AVOID REOCCURRENCES OF SUCH BASELESS TERROR ATTACKS. |
| 01:14:44 | IN OUR COUNTRY, THERE IS ROOM FOR WIDE AND VIGOROUS POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND DISAGREEMENT. |
| 01:14:51 | OUR DEMOCRACY THRIVES ON IT BUT THERE'S NO ROOMROOM FOR VIOLENCE OR THE DANGEROUS INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE. |
| 01:14:58 | WE GET CHANGE THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX NOT BY BULLETS, NOT BY SUICIDE AIRPLANE ATTACKS. |
| 01:15:05 | LET US SPEAK TODAY WITH ONE STRONG, UNEQUIVOCAL VOICE, RENOUNCING THIS ATTACK, WE REJECT THE CALL TO HATE AND WE REJECT THE CALL TO VIOLENCE. |
| 01:15:17 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 01:15:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 01:15:20 | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1127. |
| 01:15:24 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 01:15:29 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 01:15:30 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE -- MR. |
| 01:15:35 | DOGGETT: MADAM SPEAKER. |
| 01:15:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS. |
| 01:15:37 | MR. |
| 01:15:38 | DOGGETT: I REQUEST A RECORDED VOTE. |
| 01:15:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: A RECORDED VOTE HAS BEEN REQUESTED. |
| 01:15:43 | ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. |
| 01:15:49 | A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. |
| 01:15:55 | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. |
| 01:16:06 | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, PROCEEDINGS WILL RESUME ON QUESTIONS PREVIOUSLY POSTPONED. |
| 01:16:11 | THE VOTES WILL BE TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER. |
| 01:16:14 | THE ADOPTION OF H. |
| 01:16:19 | R. -- RESOLUTION -- EXCUSE ME -- THE ADOPTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126 BY THE YEAS AND NAYS, THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON RESOLUTION 747 BY THE YEAS AND NAYS, THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1096 DE NOVO. |
| 01:16:39 | THE FIRST ELECTRONIC VOTE WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A 15-MINUTE VOTE. |
| 01:16:43 | REMAINING ELECTRONIC VOTES WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE. |
| 01:16:51 | THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE VOTE ON ADOPTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126 ON WHICH THE YEAS AND NAYS WERE ORDERED. |
| 01:16:56 | THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 01:17:00 | HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 168, HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126, RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL H. |
| 01:17:09 | R. 4247, TO PREVENT AND REDUCE THE USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 01:17:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 01:17:17 | MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. |
| 01:17:19 | THIS IS A RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. |
| 02:04:32 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE? |
| 02:04:34 | >> MR. |
| 02:04:35 | SPEAKER, I HAVE A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 02:04:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN WILL STATE HIS INQUIRY. |
| 02:04:40 | MR. CARTER: MR. |
| 02:04:41 | SPEAKER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. |
| 02:04:43 | RANGEL, SUBMITTED A LETTER TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI, THAT STATES I REQUEST LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM MY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS COMPLETES ITS FINDINGS ON THE REVIEW CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. |
| 02:05:02 | THIS MORNING THAT LETTER TO THE SPEAKER WAS READ INTO THE PROCEEDINGS AND AT THAT TIME THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE, MS. |
| 02:05:10 | SCHAKOWSKY, ACCEPTED THE LETTER STATED THE RESIGNATION IS ACCEPTED. |
| 02:05:14 | I HAVE A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE RESIGNATION. |
| 02:05:19 | UNDER THIS MORNING'S PROCEDURE IS MR. |
| 02:05:20 | RANGEL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS? |
| 02:05:28 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THIS MORNING THE HOUSE ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS. |
| 02:05:34 | RESIGNED FROM CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS. |
| 02:05:38 | MR. CARTER: DOES THAT MEAN THE ANSWER HE IS NOT THE CHAIRMAN? |
| 02:05:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THAT IS CORRECT. |
| 02:05:44 | MR. CARTER: THANK YOU. |
| 02:05:45 | FURTHER PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 02:05:46 | UNDER HOUSE RULE 10 CLAUSE 5-C, WHICH STATES IN THE ABSENCE OF A MEMBER SERVING AS CHAIR, THE MEMBER NEXT IN RANK AND SO ON AS OFF AS THE CASE SHALL HAPPEN SHALL ACT AS CHAIR. |
| 02:05:59 | MR. SPEAKER, UNDER THE RULES OF THE HOUSE, WHO IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS? |
| 02:06:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: IN THE CASE TO WHICH THE INQUIRY ALLUDES, THE MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE NEXT IN RANK IS THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 02:06:17 | STARK. |
| 02:06:18 | CURRENTLY HE ACTS AS CHAIR. |
| 02:06:19 | MR. |
| 02:06:20 | CARTER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:06:22 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:06:23 | MR. SPEAKER, FURTHER PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 02:06:28 | UNDER HOUSE RESOLUTION 24 THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 02:06:31 | STARK, RANKS NEXT AFTER MR. |
| 02:06:32 | RANGEL IN THE RESOLUTION ELECTING THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. |
| 02:06:36 | UNDER THAT RESOLUTION AND BY OPERATION OF THE HOUSE, RULE 10, CLAUSE 5-C, MR. |
| 02:06:42 | STARK IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAYS AND MEANS AS I UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER, IS THAT CORRECT? |
| 02:06:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS ACTING CHAIR. |
| 02:06:53 | CLAUSE 5-C OF RULE 10 CONTEMPLATES THAT THE HOUSE WILL AGAIN ESTABLISH AN ELECTED CHAIR BY ADOPTING A RESOLUTION WHICH TYPICALLY IS PRODUCED BY DIRECTION OF THE MAJORITY PARTY CAUCUS. |
| 02:07:05 | MR. |
| 02:07:06 | CARTER: FURTHER PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 02:07:08 | IN LIGHT OF MR. RANGEL'S LETTER TO THE SPEAKER WHICH STATES IN RELEVANT PART THAT HE REQUESTS THE LEAVE OF ABSENCE, DOES THE REINSTATING OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. |
| 02:07:17 | RANGEL, TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS REQUIRE AS A NECESSARY ACTION THE ADOPTING OF A RESOLUTION BY THE FULL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTING HIM AS CHAIR? |
| 02:07:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS STATING A HYPOTHETICAL. |
| 02:07:34 | THE CHAIR WILL NOT COMMENT. |
| 02:07:36 | MR. |
| 02:07:37 | CARTER: FINAL PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. |
| 02:07:39 | UNDER HOUSE RULE 10, CLAUSE 5 DOES MR. |
| 02:07:42 | STARK ASSUME THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT ANY FURTHER VOTE OR RATIFICATION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES? |
| 02:07:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS ACTING CHAIR. |
| 02:07:54 | MR. STARK IS ACTING CHAIR. AS I STATED BEFORE, CLAUSE 5-C OF RULE 10 CONTEMPLATES THAT THE HOUSE WILL AGAIN ESTABLISH AN ELECTED CHAIR BY ADOPTING A RESOLUTION WHICH TYPICALLY IS PRODUCED BY DIRECTION OF THE MAJORITY PARTY CAUCUS. |
| 02:08:06 | MR. CARTER: I THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:08:12 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:08:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? |
| 02:08:16 | >> PURSUANT TO LUTION 1126, I CALL UP H. |
| 02:08:21 | R. 4247 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE. |
| 02:08:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 02:08:28 | THE CLERK: UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 243, H. |
| 02:08:31 | R. 4247, A BILL TO PREVENT AND REDUCE THE USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
| 02:08:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126, THE BILL IS CONSIDERED AS READ. |
| 02:08:44 | THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE PRINTED IN THE BILL IS ADOPTED. |
| 02:08:47 | AFTER ONE HOUR OF DEBATE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED, IT SHALL BE IN ORDER TO CONSIDER THE AMENDMENT PRINTED IN PART A OF HOUSE REPORT 111-425, IF OFFERED, BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 02:08:58 | GEORGE MILLER, OR HIS DESS EGG KNEE WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ AND SHALL BE DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY A PROPONENT AND OPPONENT. |
| 02:09:08 | THE AMENDMENT PRINTED IN PART B OF HOUSE REPORT 111-425, IF OFFERED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. |
| 02:09:15 | FLAKE, OR HIS DESIGNEE, SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS READ AND SHALL BE DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY A PROPONENT AND AN OPPONENT. |
| 02:09:25 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 02:09:27 | GEORGE MILLER, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA, MR. |
| 02:09:29 | KLEIN, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 02:09:32 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:09:34 | MR. MILLER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:09:35 | SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS ON H. |
| 02:09:42 | R. 4247. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. |
| 02:09:44 | MR. MILLER: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:09:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:10:03 | MR. MILLER: MR. |
| 02:10:04 | SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT WILL MAKE OUR CLASSROOMS SAFER FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR TEACHERS. |
| 02:10:15 | BUT FIRST I'D LIKE TO TELL THE STORY OF CEDRIC. |
| 02:10:18 | THIS IS A PICTURE OF CEDRIC WHO WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM TEXAS WHO DIED IN HIS CLASSROOM WHEN HE WAS JUST 14 YEARS OF AGE. |
| 02:10:26 | CEDRIC WAS LIVING WITH A FOSTER FAMILY AFTER AN EARLY CHILDHOOD FILLED WITH ABUSE. |
| 02:10:32 | AMONG OTHER THINGS HIS BY LOGICAL FAMILY HAD NEGLECTED HIM BY DENYING HIM FOOD. |
| 02:10:37 | DESPITE KNOWING THIS ON THE MORNING HE DIED, CEDRIC'S TEACHER PUNISHED HIM BY REFUSING TO DO HIS WORK BY DELAYING HIS LUNCH FOR HOURS. |
| 02:10:47 | WHEN CEDRIC TRIED TO LEAVE HIS CLASSROOM TO FIND FOOD, HIS TEACHER PUT HIM FACE DOWN IN A RESTRAINT AND SAT ON HIM IN FRONT OF HIS CLASSMATES. |
| 02:10:55 | HE REPEATEDLY CRIED OUT THAT HE COULD NOT BREATHE. |
| 02:10:58 | HE DIED MINUTES LATER ON THE CLASSROOM FLOOR. |
| 02:11:04 | NOW I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF PAGE. |
| 02:11:13 | -- PAIGE. PAIGE WAS A BRIGHT ENERGETIC HAPPY YOUNG GIRL WHO STARTED A NEW SCHOOL IN COOPERTINO, CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:11:22 | BUT PAGE HAS AS PERFECTINGER'S SYNDROME AND CAME HOME FROM HER SCHOOL FIRST WEEK WITH BRUISES COMPLAINING THAT HER TEACHER HURT HER. |
| 02:11:30 | PAIGE'S PARENTS CONFRONTED THE TEACHER WHO DENIED CAUSING THE BRUISING. |
| 02:11:34 | SHE DID ADMIT FOR RESTRAINING PAIGE FOR WRIGGLING A LOOSE TOOTH. |
| 02:11:38 | HER PARENTS WERE SHOCKED TO LEARN LATER THAT THE TEACHER HAD LIED AND SHE ACTUALLY HELD PAIGE FACE DOWN AND SAT ON HER. |
| 02:11:44 | SITTING ON A 7-YEAR-OLD FOR WIGGLING A LOOSE TOOTH. |
| 02:11:49 | PAIGE BARELY WEIGHED 40 POUNDS. |
| 02:11:51 | OVER THE COURSE OF MANY MONTHS, PAIGE WAS REPEATEDLY ABUSED AND INJURED DURING RESTRAINT INCIDENTS UNTIL HER PARENTS FINALLY PULLED HER OUT OF THE SCHOOL. |
| 02:12:00 | SHE SURVIVED BUT SHE STILL BEARS THE EMOTIONAL SCARS OF THIS ABUSE. |
| 02:12:05 | CEDRIC'S AND PAIGE'S STORIES ARE NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS IN AMERICA'S SCHOOLS TODAY. |
| 02:12:10 | LAST MAY THE GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE TOLD OUR COMMITTEE ABOUT THE SHOCKING WAVE OF ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN OUR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. |
| 02:12:17 | THIS ABUSE WAS HAPPENING AT THE HANDS OF UNTRAINED SCHOOL STAFF WHO ARE MISUSING RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION. |
| 02:12:24 | HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE U. |
| 02:12:26 | S. WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF THIS ABUSE. |
| 02:12:28 | THESE VICTIMS INCLUDE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND STUDENTS WITHOUT DISABILITIES. |
| 02:12:32 | MANY OF THESE VICTIMS WERE CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 3 AND 4 YEARS OF AGE, IN SOME CASES CHILDREN DIED. |
| 02:12:41 | RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION ARE COMPLICATED PRACTICES. |
| 02:12:45 | THERE ARE EMERGENCY INTERVENTION THAT IS SHOULD BE USED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT AND ONLY BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. |
| 02:12:50 | THE G. |
| 02:12:51 | A.O. FOUND THAT TOO OFF THESE TECHNIQUES ARE BEING USED IN SCHOOLS UNDER THE GUISE OF DISCIPLINE OR CONVENIENCE. |
| 02:12:58 | LAST YEAR IN MY HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA THERE WERE MORE THAN 14,300 CASES OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT AND OTHER, QUOTE, EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS. |
| 02:13:08 | WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE CASES WERE ACTUAL EMERGENCIES. |
| 02:13:12 | WE HAVE FEDERAL LAWS IN PLACE TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF ABUSES FROM HAPPENING IN HOSPITALS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING. |
| 02:13:21 | BUT CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO FEDERAL LAWS ON THE BOOKS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM THESE ABUSES IN THE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME. |
| 02:13:28 | WITHOUT A FEDERAL STANDARD, STATE POLICIES AND OVERSIGHT VARY WILDLY. |
| 02:13:35 | LEAVING CHILDREN VULNERABLE. |
| 02:13:37 | OF THE 31 STATES THAT HAVE ESTABLISHED SOME LAW, MANY ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE IN APPROACH AND SEVERAL ONLY ADDRESS RESTRAINT OR ADDRESS SECLUSION NOT NECESSARILY BOTH. |
| 02:13:46 | FOR EXAMPLE, IN ONE STATE THE RULES ONLY FOR CHILDREN ENROLLED IN PRE-K. |
| 02:13:52 | IN ANOTHER ONLY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ARE PROTECTED. |
| 02:13:56 | AND YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE ONLY RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS ARE COVERED. |
| 02:13:59 | MANY STATES ALLOW RESTRAINT OR SECLUSION IN NONEMERGENCY SITUATIONS, SIMPLY TO PROTECT PROPERTY OR TO MAINTAIN ORDER. |
| 02:14:07 | NO CHILD SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THESE EXTREME INTERVENTIONS FOR SIMPLE NONCOMPLIANCE LIKE THE 7-YEAR-OLD WHO DIED AFTER BEING RESTRAINED FOR BLOWING BUBBLES IN HER MILK. |
| 02:14:23 | . MADAM SPEAKER, WHEN THESE ABUSES OCCUR, IT ISN'T JUST THE INDIVIDUAL VICTIMS WHO SUFFERS. |
| 02:14:31 | IT HURTS THE CLASSMATES WHO WITNESSES THESE EVENTS. |
| 02:14:33 | IT UNDERMINES THE VAST MAJORITY OF TEACHERS, STAFF WHO ARE TRYING TO GIVE THE STUDENTS A QUALITY EDUCATION. |
| 02:14:40 | IT'S A NIGHTMARE FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED. |
| 02:14:42 | WE ARE HERE TODAY TO TRY TO END THIS NIGHTMARE. |
| 02:14:47 | WE'RE HERE TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT NO OTHER CHILD SUFFERS THIS SAME FATE AS CEDRIC AND PAGE. |
| 02:14:53 | THE KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT WILL ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND PROTECTED IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:14:58 | THIS BILL TAKES A BALANCED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. |
| 02:15:03 | FOR -- FOR THE FIRST TIME IT WILL ESTABLISH MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SCHOOLS SIMILAR TO FEDERAL PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR CHILDREN IN OTHER FACILITIES. |
| 02:15:13 | UNDER THIS LEGISLATION PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION CAN ONLY BE USED TO STOP DANGER OF INJURY. |
| 02:15:23 | IT PROHIBITS STRAPPING CHILDREN TO CHAIRS OR DUCT TAPING PARTS OF THEIR BODY OR ANY RESTRAINT THAT RESTRICTS THEIR BREATHING. |
| 02:15:31 | IT PROHIBITS CHEMICAL RESTRAINT, USING MEDICATION TO CONTROL BEHAVIOR WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION. |
| 02:15:36 | THE BILL WILL ALSO REQUIRE STUDENTS TO NOTIFY PARENTS AFTER A RESTRAINT OR SECLUSION INCIDENT SO THAT PARENTS DON'T LEARN ABOUT THESE ABUSES FROM WHISTLE BLOWING TEACHERS OR FROM THEIR OWN CHILDREN'S BRUISES. |
| 02:15:50 | MADAM SPEAKER, WE ALL AGREE THAT TEACHERS PLAY A SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING STUDENTS GROW, THRIVE AND SUCCEED. |
| 02:15:57 | TEACHERS SUPPORT THIS BILL BECAUSE IT FOCUSES ON KEEPING BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF SAFE, GIVING TEACHERS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS. |
| 02:16:04 | IT ASKS THE STATES TO ENSURE THAT ENOUGH SCHOOL PERSONNEL ARE PROPERLY TRAINED TO KEEP BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF SAFE, ENCOURAGES SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT POSITIVE APPROACHES TO MANAGING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. |
| 02:16:16 | MADAM SPEAKER, I'M VERY PROUD THAT WE WORKED ON THIS LEGISLATION IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. |
| 02:16:22 | I WANT TO THANK CONGRESSWOMAN CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS FOR HER DILIGENCE, PERSUASION AND HARD WORK IN FASHIONING THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 02:16:31 | I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK FOR BRINGING THIS ABUSE TO THE ATTENTION, THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION, AND MORE THAN A HUNDRED OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT. |
| 02:16:45 | NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE. |
| 02:16:48 | IT'S TIME TO END THIS ABUSE. |
| 02:16:50 | I BELIEVE THIS LEGISLATION WILL GO A LONG WAY IN SETTING THE STANDARD AND SHOWING THE STATES THE WAY AND HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE STATES WILL DEVELOP THEIR OWN STANDARDS THAT AT LEAST MEET THESE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF NOT DEPRIVING THESE CHILDREN OF THE CUSHION OF SAFETY THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO, THAT THEIR PARENTS AND FAMILY EXPECT WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL ON A DAILY BASIS. |
| 02:17:11 | SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ONCE AGAIN REMIND OF US WHAT HAPPENED TO CEDRIC AND TO PAIGE AT THEIR AGE, THEIR VULNERABILITIES AND THEIR HISTORY AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM ONE DAY WHEN THEY WENT TO SCHOOL. |
| 02:17:26 | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:17:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 02:17:30 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:17:31 | MR. KLINE: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:17:33 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:17:34 | I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO H. |
| 02:17:38 | R. 4247, AND YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 02:17:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:17:42 | MR. KLINE: LET ME BEGIN BY STATING UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT THE INCIDENTS UNCOVERED BY THE G. |
| 02:17:46 | A.O. ARE UNACCEPTABLE. |
| 02:17:48 | NO CHILD SHOULD BE PUT IN PHYSICAL DANGER BY THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS IN SCHOOL, AND THE TRAGIC STORIES JUST RELATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF CEDRIC AND PAIGE ARE UNACCEPTABLE EVERYWHERE. |
| 02:17:58 | IN EACH OF THE CASES REVIEWED BY THE G. |
| 02:18:01 | A.O., THERE WAS A CRIMINAL CONVICTION, A FINING OF CIVIL OR ADMINISTRATIVE LIABILITY OR A LARGE FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT. |
| 02:18:08 | IN OTHER WORDS, EVERYONE AGREES THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS SIMPLY WRONG. |
| 02:18:11 | WE DO NOT NEED A CHANGE IN FEDERAL LAW FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR TO BE CONDEMNED. |
| 02:18:16 | SOMETIMES THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL WE HAVE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS IS THE BULLY PULPIT. |
| 02:18:23 | AND CHAIRMAN MILLER AND MRS. |
| 02:18:26 | MCMORRIS RODGERS HAVE WORKED HARD TO CALL NATIONAL ATTENTION TO THE MISUSE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS IN OUR SCHOOLS. |
| 02:18:32 | STATES CLEARLY RECOGNIZE THE PRO ACTIVEACTIVELY REGULATE THESE PROCEDURES. |
| 02:18:40 | THEY HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE TO -- RECOGNIZE THE PROACTIVE REGULATE THESE PROCEDURES. |
| 02:18:46 | 15 STATES WILL HAVE SUCH PROTECTIONS IN PLACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AND MANY, MANY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE SUCH PROCEDURES IN PLACE. |
| 02:18:55 | THE QUESTION TODAY IS, WHO IS BEST EQUIPPED TO CREATE AND ENFORCE THOSE POLICIES? |
| 02:19:00 | TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION I WOULD POINT TO A LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS WHICH STATES, AND I QUOTE, EVERY INJURY TO A STUDENT IN SCHOOL IS A MATTER OF SERIOUS CONCERN. |
| 02:19:10 | BUT ALL SUCH INS DENTS ARE NOT NECESSARILY -- INCIDENTS ARE NOT NECESSARILY MATTERS OF LAW. |
| 02:19:16 | IN FACT UNTIL RECENTLY THE U. |
| 02:19:17 | S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS NOT EVEN COLLECTING DATA ON THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TACTICS IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:19:23 | THE DEPARTMENT HAS NO EXPERIENCE OR EXPERTISE REGULATING IN THIS AREA. |
| 02:19:28 | YET H. |
| 02:19:29 | R. 4247 WOULD ESTABLISH A NEW ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL FEDERAL FRAMEWORK THAT OVERRULES THE WORK OF THESE STATES. |
| 02:19:38 | I REQUEST UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO INCLUDE THE LETTER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS IN THE RECORD AS WELL AS THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, THE COUNCIL OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, THE ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL. |
| 02:19:58 | TAKEN TOGETHER, THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THESE GROUPS PAINT A PICTURE OF PREMATURE LEGISLATING AND FEDERAL OVERREACH. |
| 02:20:04 | IN ESSENCE, ATTEMPTING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND IN A WAY THAT COULD ACTUALLY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR TEACHERS TO KEEP THEIR CLASSROOMS SAFE. |
| 02:20:15 | I MUST SAY THAT I'M CONCERNED THAT H. |
| 02:20:19 | R. 4247 WOULD EXTEND THIS NEW MANDATE INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS. |
| 02:20:25 | HISTORICALLY, PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN NOT ATTACHED TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LAWS. |
| 02:20:29 | THEY ARE ENTITLED TO SERVICES, BUT NO DIRECT FUNDING ON THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT AND OTHER LAWS. |
| 02:20:36 | YET, UNDER H. |
| 02:20:37 | R. 4247 SCHOOLS WHOSE STUDENTS RECEIVE SERVICES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME PRESCRIPTIVE RULES ON THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS RECEIVE NO FEDERAL FUNDING. |
| 02:20:49 | THIS IS A MAJOR DEPARTURE FROM LONGSTANDING FEDERAL EDUCATION POLICY. |
| 02:20:56 | ONE EXPLAINS IT THIS WAY. |
| 02:20:57 | QUOTE, A RELIGIOUS SCHOOL RECEIVING MATH AND READING INSTRUCTION UNDER TITLE 1 OF THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL AS WOULD A SCHOOL RECEIVING A SINGLE PIECE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR A SINGLE TEACHER UNDER ANY OTHER ESEA TITLE. |
| 02:21:17 | CLOSED QUOTE. |
| 02:21:18 | ANOTHER LIKELY CONSEQUENCE OF H. |
| 02:21:20 | R. 4247 IS INCREASED LITIGATION. |
| 02:21:22 | THE BILL'S VAGUE AND OVERLY BROAD LANGUAGE IS AN INVITATION TO TRIAL LAWYERS WHO WILL EAGERLY TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SUE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO GRABBLE WITH CONFUSING AND STRINGENT NEW REQUIREMENTS. |
| 02:21:33 | H.R. 4247 CREATES A CLIFMENTE OF LEGAL DISPUTE BY EX-- CLIMATE OF LEGAL DISPUTE BY EXTENDING STATE-BASED TRIAL LAWYERS, A CLEAR RECOGNITION THAT SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT SHOULD BECOME LITIGATION MAGNETS. |
| 02:21:49 | AND SCHOOLS WILL STOP ADDRESSING SAFETY ISSUES ENTIRELY OUT OF THE FEAR THEY COULD BE SUED. |
| 02:21:54 | INSTEAD, SCHOOLS COULD RESULT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MANAGE PHYSICALLY DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS. |
| 02:22:01 | THAT MEANS MORE STUDENTS IN POLICE HANDCUFFS. |
| 02:22:04 | MR. SPEAKER, IT'S CLEAR THAT TEACHERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS NEED GUIDANCE ON HOW TO KEEP CLASSROOMS SAFE. |
| 02:22:10 | SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT IS NOT THE FIRST CHOICE TO ENFORCE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR. |
| 02:22:14 | IF THEY MUST BE USED THEY MUST BE USED SAFELY. |
| 02:22:18 | IT IS TRUE THAT THE STATES, NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN IMPLEMENTING THESE POLICIES. |
| 02:22:24 | H. |
| 02:22:25 | R. 4247 IS A BILL OF GOOD INTENTIONS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S NOT THE MOST DIRECT AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO KEEP OUR CLASSROOMS SAFE. |
| 02:22:31 | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:22:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. |
| 02:22:36 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:22:42 | MR. |
| 02:22:43 | MILLER: I YIELD -- ARE YOU GOING TO YIELD? |
| 02:22:44 | THEN I YIELD TO MR. |
| 02:22:45 | COURTNEY AND THEN YOU ARE GOING TO YIELD TO MISS MCMORRIS -- MRS. |
| 02:22:51 | MCMORRIS. |
| 02:22:52 | I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 02:22:55 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 02:22:58 | MR. COURTNEY: I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE. |
| 02:23:01 | THE HEARING WHICH WAS HELD AT THE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE WAS ONE OF THE MOST STUNNING, AMAZING, EYE-OPENING EVENTS I THINK OF THIS CONGRESS. |
| 02:23:11 | AND THE BIPARTISANSHIP WHICH CAME TOGETHER AFTER THAT HEARING TO CRAFT THIS LEGISLATION, AGAIN, I THINK IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE BIPARTISANSHIP THAT YOU'VE CREATED ON THAT COMMITTEE. |
| 02:23:23 | MR. SPEAKER, BACK IN 1998 THE HARTFORD CURRENT WON A PULITZER PRIZE FOR A FOUR-PART INVESTIGATION OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. |
| 02:23:32 | THE NAME OF THE SERIES WAS CALLED "A NATIONWIDE PATTERN OF DEATH," WHICH I'D LIKE TO OFFER A COPY OF THAT SERIES FOR THE RECORD WHICH, AGAIN, IN CHAPTER AND VERSE LAID OUT OF THE SHOCKING, UNEVEN APPLICATION OF THIS TYPE OF FORCE AGAINST AMERICA'S SCHOOLCHILDREN. |
| 02:23:49 | IN CONNECTICUT IT ACTUALLY RESULTED IN ACTION IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION WHICH WAS PUT INTO PLACE. |
| 02:23:55 | MANY OF THE MINIMUM STANDARDS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATION WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY WERE INCORPORATED INTO THAT MEASURE. |
| 02:24:03 | BUT CLEARLY AS A NATION WE HAVE MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE. |
| 02:24:07 | THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT TODAY 19 STATES HAVE NO A PLUS OR REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF SECLUSION OR RESTRAINTS IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:24:15 | SEVEN STATES PLACE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON RESTRAINTS BUT DO NOT REGULATE EXCLUSIONS AND THAT'S WITHIN THE 31 WHICH WAS REFERRED BY MR. |
| 02:24:24 | KLINE. 17 STATES REQUIRE THAT SELECTIVE STAFF RECEIVE TRAINING BEFORE PERMITTING TO RESTRAIN CHILDREN. |
| 02:24:29 | THE REST DO NOT. |
| 02:24:31 | 13 STATES REQUIRE -- 19 REQUIRE PARENTS TO BE NOTIFIED AFTERWARDS. |
| 02:24:38 | ONLY TWO STATES REQUIRE ANNUAL REPORTING ON THE USE OF RESTRAINTS. |
| 02:24:42 | EIGHT STATES PROHIBIT THE USE OF RESTRAINTS OR ONE THAT WOULD IMPEDE THE CHILD'S ABILITY TO BREATHE. |
| 02:24:48 | I WOULD ARGUE, MR. |
| 02:24:49 | SPEAKER, THAT AS A GOVERNMENT, AS A NATION WHO PROVIDES MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF EDUCATION DOLLARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE WOULD NEVER COUNTENANCE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, GENDER DISCRIMINATION BY INSTITUTIONS WHO RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS. |
| 02:25:06 | I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO SAY THAT WE ALLOW THESE TYPE OF PRACTICES -- 30 SECONDS. |
| 02:25:11 | MR. |
| 02:25:12 | MILLER: I YIELD THE GENTLEMAN ONE MINUTE. |
| 02:25:13 | MR. COURTNEY: WHICH WOULD RESULT IN SOME INSTANCES, AS THE CHAIRMAN SAID, IN ACTUAL DEATHS AND TRAUMATIC LIFE-LONG INJURIES TO BE COUNTENANCE BY THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER. |
| 02:25:24 | THIS MEASURE ESTABLISHES MINIMUM STANDARDS. |
| 02:25:26 | IT ESTABLISHES TRANSPARENCY. |
| 02:25:28 | IT GIVES US AS A COUNTRY THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW STATES TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN TERMS OF IMPLEMENTING THEIR OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS. |
| 02:25:35 | BUT IT SAYS AS A NATION WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR WHICH SCHOOLS THEMSELVES ARE MANDATED REPORTING. |
| 02:25:44 | IF IT'S HAPPENING IN A CHILD'S HOME AND A TEACHER BECAME AWARE OF IT, THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT IT TO CHILD PROTECTION AGENCIES AS A RESULT OF FEDERAL LAW. |
| 02:25:53 | WE COULD DO AT LEAST AS MUCH OF THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHICH CHILDREN DO EVERY DAY IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 02:26:00 | I WANT A STRONG BIPARTISAN VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS LEGISLATION SO WE CAN RAISE OUR CHILDREN TO A NEW LEVEL AS THEY GO TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY. |
| 02:26:07 | AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:26:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:26:12 | MR. KLINE: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:26:13 | SPEAKER. NOW I'D LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON, MRS. |
| 02:26:17 | MCMORRIS RODGERS. |
| 02:26:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 02:26:21 | MRS. MCMORRIS RODGERS: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING AND THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:26:23 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 02:26:24 | I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H. |
| 02:26:26 | R. 4247, THE KEEPING ALL CHILDREN SAFE ACT. |
| 02:26:29 | AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT AS WELL. |
| 02:26:33 | WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO LOCK UP OR TIE UP A CHILD OR HANDCUFF A CHILD TO A DESK? |
| 02:26:42 | COMMON SENSE TELLS US THESE EXTREME MEASURES SHOULD NOT EVER BE USED AGAINST CHILDREN WITH AUTISM OR DOWNSYNDROME OR OTHER LEARNING DISABILITIES. |
| 02:26:52 | YET, THE TRUTH IS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF INCIDENTS REPORTED INVOLVING THE INAPPROPRIATE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT, REPORTS BY THE NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK, G. |
| 02:27:03 | A.O. AND OTHERS REVEAL OUR CHILDREN ARE AT RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH IN THE SCHOOL SETTING. |
| 02:27:12 | THE BILL WE'RE CONSIDERING TODAY OUTLINES A MINIMUM STANDARDS THAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. |
| 02:27:20 | STATES THEN HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO PROCEED. |
| 02:27:25 | FOR THE 10 STATES THAT ALREADY HAVE COMPREHENSIVE POLICIES, THEY NEED TO SHOW WHAT THEY'VE DONE. |
| 02:27:31 | FOR THE OTHER STATES, THE LAW WOULD PUT IN MOTION A REVIEW OF CURRENT PRACTICES AND A CHANCE TO PUT IN PLACE ADEQUATE GUIDELINES. |
| 02:27:37 | I'D LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT THESE ARE GUIDELINES. |
| 02:27:40 | THESE ARE STANDARDS LIKE PARENTS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED, THAT SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A LAST RESORT, THAT TRAINING NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO STAFF, I BELIEVE, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, STAFF DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO RESPOND. |
| 02:27:55 | I'D LIKE TO ALSO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE IS NO PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION. |
| 02:28:01 | THIS BILL IS NOT OPENING UP ALL THESE LAWSUITS. |
| 02:28:07 | MY HUSBAND, BRIAN AND I SEND OUR SON -- I KNOW TO THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB TO KEEPING HIM SAFE. |
| 02:28:22 | STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED, INJURED AND EVEN DIED IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 02:28:26 | IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS FOR THE CHILDREN WHO'VE BEEN HARMED. |
| 02:28:31 | AND MANY TIMES PARENTS ARE NOT AWARE OF THESE PRACTICES. |
| 02:28:33 | MORE THAN ANYTHING, I WANT TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO HAVE THE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WHO BECOME ANXIOUS AND UNRULY. |
| 02:28:40 | IF THEY BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION, THEY'LL KNOW THERE ARE MORE POSITIVE CHOICES TO TEACH CHILDREN RATHER THAN USING HARMFUL TECHNIQUES SUCH AS RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION. |
| 02:28:50 | UNDER THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT, CURRENT LAW INCLUDES THESE KINDS OF PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN IN PUBLIC, HOSPITALS, MEDICAL AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND THIS BILL WOULD ADD THE SAME PROTECTION FOR OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:29:04 | THERE ARE SOME THAT BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNPLUS DENTED EXPANSION OF FEDERAL AUTHORITY, BUT I DISAGREE. |
| 02:29:10 | THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOLS. |
| 02:29:14 | THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS THE ONE THAT MANDATED THAT EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO AN EDUCATION INCLUDING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. |
| 02:29:23 | WHEN WE ENACTED THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT, WE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HAVE ACCESS TO FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION THIS BILL ENSURES THOSE CHILDREN AS WELL AS ALL STUDENTS ARE SAFE. |
| 02:29:37 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING THE KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:29:45 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:29:47 | >> I YIELD MYSELF 10 OSECONDS. |
| 02:29:51 | I THANK MRS. |
| 02:29:52 | MCMORRIS RODGERS, I DON'T BELIEVE SHE WAS IN THE CHAMBER AT THE TIME BUT I WANT TO THANK HER AGAIN FOR ALL HER WORK AND EFFORT TO BRING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR AND I'M ENJOYED WORKING WITH HER. |
| 02:30:02 | AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY. |
| 02:30:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 02:30:19 | MR. SIRES: I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H. |
| 02:30:23 | R. 4247, THE KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT. |
| 02:30:26 | I WOULD REICH LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN MILLER AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS AND STAFF OF THE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS CRUCIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION. |
| 02:30:35 | LAST YEAR, CHAIRMAN MILLER REQUESTED THAT THE G. |
| 02:30:38 | A.O. INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:30:40 | THE G. |
| 02:30:41 | A.O. REPORT REVEALED MANY CASES OF ABUSE AND HARMFUL RESTRAINTS AND MOST OF THESE CASES INVOLVED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. |
| 02:30:50 | ADDITIONALLY, THE G. |
| 02:30:51 | A.O. REPORT FOUND THAT NO FEDERAL AGENCY COLLECTS COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON THESE PRACTICES THAT OCCUR IN OUR SCHOOLS. |
| 02:31:00 | WITHOUT CONSISTENT DATA COLLECTION, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO CALCULATE AN ACCURATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THESE HARMFUL PRACTICES. |
| 02:31:10 | ONE INSTANCE OF HARMFUL RESTRAINT OF A CHILD IS ONE TOO MANY. |
| 02:31:13 | UNFORTUNATELY, THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF ALLEGATIONS AND SOME CHILDREN HAVE EVEN DISMEDE UNLIKE FEDERALLY FUNDED INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS HAVE NO FEDERAL LAWS THAT ADDRESS MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS IN SCHOOL. |
| 02:31:26 | INSTEAD, STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS VARY TREMENDOUSLY. |
| 02:31:30 | INDEED, NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE 19 STATES WITH NO LAWS OR REGULATIONS RELATED TO SECLUSION OR RESTRAINT IN SCHOOL. |
| 02:31:37 | IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A SAFE PLACE TO GROW AND DEVELOP. |
| 02:31:43 | AS A FORMER TEACHER, I KNOW THAT TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN AT HEART THIS LEGISLATION CAN ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF RESTRAINT AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BOTH CHILDREN AND SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS THIS BILL WILL PROVIDE GRANTS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND ALSO GIVE STATES AND LOCAL DISTRICTS THE FLEXIBILITY TO DETERMINE TRAINING NEEDS. |
| 02:32:06 | OUR CHILDREN DESERVE TO LEARN IN A SECURE, PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT AND A FEDERAL SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS LONG OVERCUE. |
| 02:32:14 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO -- IS LONG OVERDUE. |
| 02:32:17 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK MY TIME. |
| 02:32:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:32:28 | MR. |
| 02:32:29 | KLINE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MS. |
| 02:32:36 | FOXX FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 02:32:37 | MS. FOXX: THANK YOU. |
| 02:32:38 | NO ONE WANTS CHILDREN TO BE IN DANGER IN THIS COUNTRY, ESPECIAL THOSE IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS DESIGNED TO SERVE THEM. |
| 02:32:45 | TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE ENVIRONMENT IS MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. |
| 02:32:52 | IN MANY CASES, IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT, THOUGH THAT TEACHERS AND CLASSROOM AIDES USE INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS THAT ARE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SAFE FOR THE CHILD. |
| 02:33:02 | WHAT THE BILL BEFORE US FAILS TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT 31 STATES CURRENTLY HAVE LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN STATES THAT GOVERN THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:33:14 | AN ADDITIONAL 11 HAVE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES IN PLACE AND IN SOME CASES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN GUIDELINES GOVERNING THE USE OF SUCH PRACTICES IN THE CLASSROOM. |
| 02:33:25 | IN ADDITION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NO RELIABLE DATA ON THE PREVALENT USE OF HARMFUL SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND WHETHER THEY RESULT IN CHILD ABUSE. |
| 02:33:38 | IT'S MY BELIEF THAT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN IDENTIFY STUDENT NEEDS AND DETERMINE THE MOST APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 02:33:50 | OUR FOUNDING FATHERS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHEN THEY ASSEMBLED THE U. |
| 02:33:55 | S. CONSTITUTIONS AND THE PROTECTIONS IT GUARANTEES, SPECIFICALLY THE 10TH AMENDMENT. |
| 02:34:02 | THE AUTHORS OF THIS AMENDMENT, RATIFIED IN 1791, REMEMBERED WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE UNDER THE THUMB OF A DISTANT, ALL-POWERFUL GOVERNMENT AND UNDERSTOOD THAT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH DOESN'T WORK. |
| 02:34:16 | SINCE THE U. |
| 02:34:17 | S. CONSTITUTION WAS FIRST RATIFIED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SLOWLY, STEADILY, AND INSIDIOUSLY ERODED THE NOTION OF STATES' RIGHTS AND OUR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES. |
| 02:34:29 | WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AS THE DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IS THE STRONG PUNISHMENT OF THOSE WHO DO WRONG BUT NOT TO CREATE COSTS TO THE LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT WHO MUST COMPLY WITH FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS AND IN ADDITION GIVING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY IT SHOULD NOT HAVE. |
| 02:34:55 | THIS BILL IS NOT NEEDED. |
| 02:34:58 | THE STATE AND LOCALITIES CAN HANDLE THESE SITUATIONS. |
| 02:35:02 | THEY WILL LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN. |
| 02:35:04 | THEY ARE THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE CHILDREN THEY ARE SERVING. |
| 02:35:08 | THEY'LL DO IT, IF THEY DON'T DO IT, THE COMMUNITY WILL BE UP IN ARMS AND WILL REQUIRE THEM TO DO THAT AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 02:35:18 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:35:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:35:30 | MR. MILLER: I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. |
| 02:35:37 | HEAR, A FOR THREE MINUTE -- MR. |
| 02:35:40 | HEIR, FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 02:35:45 | -- MR. |
| 02:35:48 | HARE FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 02:35:49 | MR. |
| 02:35:50 | HARE: I'M PROUD TO BE A CO-SPONSOR OF THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION. |
| 02:35:54 | I WANT TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL, CHAIRMAN MILLER. |
| 02:35:59 | BECAUSE OF HIS COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE, OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE HAVENS ONCE AGAIN. |
| 02:36:05 | RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS IS OFTEN UNREGULATED AND IS TOO FREQUENTLY USED FOR BEHAVIORS THAT DO NOT POSE DANGER TO THE CHILDREN OR TO THEIR -- OR TO OTHERS. |
| 02:36:15 | THESE EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS ARE ALSO DISPROPORTIONATELY USED ON SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. |
| 02:36:24 | TODAY, ADVOCATES INCLUDING MY CONSTITUENT HOLLY ROOSE, ARE HERE TO PETITION FOR THIS HOLLY'S SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF INHERITED MENTAL PROBLEMS AT WORLD. |
| 02:36:44 | SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT HE HAD BEEN RESTRAINED AT SCHOOL BECAUSE HE SEEMED TO EXHIBIT AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AFTER A SEIZURE. |
| 02:36:53 | HE'S A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE USE OF RESTRAINT IN OUR SCHOOLS. |
| 02:37:03 | I'M PLEASED THIS ALSO SUPPORTS AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH DESIGNED TO CREATE A POSITIVE CLIMATE THAT SUPPORTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. |
| 02:37:14 | MY STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS EFFECTIVELY REDUCED THE MAJORITY OF BEHAVIORS WHICH RE -- RESULTED IN THE USE OF SECLUSION OR RESTRAINT BY IMPLEMENTING THIS APPROACH THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THIS BILL ENSURE OURS SCHOOL ARE SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSISM URGE ALL MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR H. |
| 02:37:33 | R. 4247. |
| 02:37:34 | I THANK YOU MR. |
| 02:37:35 | SPEAKER AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:37:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:37:39 | MR. KLINE: I'M PLEASED TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA, MR. |
| 02:37:43 | KING. |
| 02:37:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES. |
| 02:37:47 | MR. KING: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA FOR YIELDING AND I APPRECIATE THE STANCE HE'S TAKING ON THIS RESOLUTION, THIS BILL H. |
| 02:37:53 | R. 4247. |
| 02:37:54 | FIRST, MR. |
| 02:37:55 | SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT THE 10TH AMENDMENT AND THOSE RIGHTS THAT ARE RESERVES FOR THE STATES OR TO THE PEOPLE RESPECTIVELY. |
| 02:38:05 | WHAT ARE THE STATES DOING WRONG? |
| 02:38:06 | HOW IS IT THAT THE STATES THAT NOW 31 OF THEM HAVE SOME TYPE OF CONTROLLING LEGISLATION, 15 STATES ARE TAKING A LOOK AT THIS, THAT ADDS UP TO 46 STATES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE THIS RESOLVED, EACH IN THEIR OWN FASHION. |
| 02:38:21 | WHAT IS THE CRISIS THAT REQUIRES UNCLE SAM TO STEP IN AND IGNORE THE DIRECT GUIDANCE IN THE 10TH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. |
| 02:38:30 | SO I'M GOING TO STAND ON THE STATES' RIGHTS SIDE AND IF I WERE IN ONE OF THESE STATES AND THIS LEGISLATION WERE TO PASS, MY RESPONSE WOULD BE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, KEEP YOUR MONEY. |
| 02:38:41 | WE DON'T NEED THESE STRINGS ATTACHED BECAUSE IT'S ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER AND PRETTY SOON IT'S A NATIONAL CURRICULUM WITH FEDERAL MANDATES AND IMPOSING CULTURAL IMPOSITIONS AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL IN EVERY SCHOOL, EVERY ACCREDITED DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY. |
| 02:38:55 | ONE OF THE CASES IN POINT WILL BE, THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE, IF THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT, WHICH IS THE TITLE OF IT, THEN WE OUGHT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT'S CZAR. |
| 02:39:09 | THE PRESIDENT HAS APPOINTED A SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS CZAR. |
| 02:39:13 | HIS NAME IS KEVIN JENNINGS. |
| 02:39:15 | I DON'T KNOW WHAT KEVIN JENNINGS SAYS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR BILL BUT IF HE'S APPOINTED TO THIS TASK, I WOULD THINK HE'D BE THE PERSON WHO TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HEARINGS. |
| 02:39:24 | I SUSPECT THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ISN'T INTERESTED IN HAVING KEVIN JENNINGS COME BEFORE THE CAMERAS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS BECAUSE HE'S MADE A TO TALLITY OF HIS LIFE ABOUT PROMOTING HOMOSEXUALITY WITHIN THE SCHOOLS AND MUCH OF IT AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL. |
| 02:39:40 | HE'S WRITTEN THE FOREWORD IN A BOOK CALLED QUEERING ELEMENTARY EDUCATION WHICH AIMS TO INDOCTRINATE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WITH HOMOSEXUALITY. |
| 02:39:54 | ADDITIONALLY, KEVIN JENNINGS HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL OTHER BOOKS, "MAMA'S BOY, TEACHER'S SON," WHERE HE WRITES ABOUT HIS USE OF ILLEGAL AND ILLICIT DRUGS. |
| 02:40:08 | IF THERE'S GOING TO BE -- IF HE'S IN CHARGE OF SAFE AND DWUG-FREE SCHOOLS, HE SHOULD OFFER SOMETHING SAFETY FOR KIDS. |
| 02:40:20 | BUT HE HAS ANOTHER AGENERAL DARK THE PROMOTION OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN OUR SCHOOLS. |
| 02:40:25 | HE'S SPOKEN IN A FAVORABLE WAY ABOUT HARRY HAYE, WHO IS ON THE COVER OF NAMBLA MAGAZINE, THE NORTH AMERICAN MAN-BOY LOVE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE HE SAID OF HARRY HAYE HE'S ALWAYS INSPIRED BY HIM. |
| 02:40:41 | SOME OF THESE THINGS, MR. |
| 02:40:44 | SPEAKER, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY INTO THE RECORD. |
| 02:40:47 | IF I DID, I EXPECT THAT SOMEBODY ON MY SIDE OF THE AISLE WOULD MOVE TO TAKE MY WORDS DOWN. |
| 02:40:52 | THIS IS THE SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS CZAR WHO HAS CROSSED THE LINE OVER AND OVER AGAIN, MADE IT CLEAR HE'S ADVOCATING FOR HOMOSEXUALITY IN OUR SCHOOLS, MUCH OF IT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. |
| 02:41:09 | THIS IS THE MAN THE PRESIDENT OAPPOINTED AS THE SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS CZAR. |
| 02:41:13 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:41:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:41:16 | MR. MILLER: I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CONNECTICUT, MR. |
| 02:41:18 | HINES. |
| 02:41:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 02:41:24 | MR. HIMES: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 02:41:26 | R. 4247, THE KEEPING ALL AMERICAN STUDENTS SAFE ACT. |
| 02:41:30 | CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, MANY OF WHOM ARE NONVERBAL AND HAVE OTHER CHALLENGES, AREST PLERBLE -- ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL WITH STAFF WHO ARE AT TIMES ILL-PREPARED TO DEAL WITH UNIQUE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. |
| 02:41:46 | I SAT WITH A CONSTITUENT FROM GREENWICH WHOSE AUTISTIC DAUGHTER SUFFERED TERRIBLY IN SCHOOL AND WHO FOUNDED A GROUP WHOSE GOAL IS TO PREVENT OTHER STUDENTS FROM SUFFERING THESE SAME ABUSES. |
| 02:42:01 | THE G. |
| 02:42:02 | A.O. STUDY INCLUDED STORIES WHICH SHOCK THE CONSCIENCE. |
| 02:42:06 | A 7-YEAR-OLD WHO DIED AFTER BEING HELD FACE DOWN FOR HOURS BY SCHOOL STAFF AND 5-YEAR-OLDS ALLEGEDLY BEING TIED TO CHAIRS WITH BUNGEE CORDS AND DUCT TAPE BY THEIR TEACHER AND SUFFERING BROKEN ARMS AND BLOODY NOSES. |
| 02:42:23 | THESE COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR CHILDREN OR MINE. |
| 02:42:26 | THIS LEGISLATION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD ENDING INHUMANE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DISABILITIES, WHO LIKE ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRUST THEIR EDUCATORS AND FEEL COMPLETELY SAFE IN THEIR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS. |
| 02:42:41 | THERE ARE, OF COURSE, RARE AND EXTREME EMERGENCIES WHERE IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO PHYSICALLY INTERVENE BUT WE AFFIRM TODAY, MR. |
| 02:42:47 | SPEAKER THAT ANY BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH A CHILD'S RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND TO BE FREE FROM ABUSE. |
| 02:42:56 | WITH THE HELP OF THIS BILL, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL WILL BE TRAINED REGULARLY AND PARENTS KEPT INFORMED ON THE POLICIES WHICH KEEP OUR SCHOOLS ORDERLY AND SAFE AND ON THE ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO TRADITIONAL FORMS OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION. |
| 02:43:10 | I'M GRATEFUL TO MY FRIENDS IN THE AUTISM ADVOCACY COMMUNITY, INCLUDING AUTISM SPEAKS AND THE GREENWICH-BASED FRIENDS OF AUTISTIC PEOPLE FOR THEIR TIRELESS WORK ON THIS ISSUE. |
| 02:43:21 | CHILDREN WITH AUTISM DESERVE THE SAME RIGHTS AVAILABLE TO ALL CHILDREN. |
| 02:43:25 | A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION, SAFETY, AND DIGNITY. |
| 02:43:30 | THIS BILL IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. |
| 02:43:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:43:37 | MR. |
| 02:43:38 | KLINE: BEFORE I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, I'D LIKE TO YIELD MYSELF A MINUTE BECAUSE MY FRIEND FROM ILLINOIS WAS JUST HERE, I'M SORRY HE LEFT, AND IT UNDERSCORED FOR ME ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 02:43:51 | IT TURNS OUT THAT ILLINOIS IS ONE OF THOSE STATES THAT HAS ACTUALLY VERY STRONG SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT LAWS, THEY PASSED IT IN 2001 AND IT WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2002 AND IN 2006 THERE WAS AN INCIDENT, ONE OF THOSE REPORTED BY THE G. |
| 02:44:06 | A.O., WHERE A TEACHER RESTRICTED A CHILD INAPPROPRIATELY. |
| 02:44:10 | THE TEACHER WAS PROSECUTED, FOUND GUILTY, AND I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT EVEN TODAY, OR THE LAST LOOK THAT WE HAD AT THIS, SHE STILL HAS A TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE TO BE A SUBSTITUTE TEACH FOR THE ILLINOIS, SOMETHING WHICH THIS BILL DOESN'T ADDRESS EITHER. |
| 02:44:28 | WE NEED TO GET THESE TEACHERS OUT OF THE TEACHING BUSINESS AND THIS MAKES THE POINT THAT WHEN YOU PASS A LAW, IT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY KEEP KIDS SAFE. |
| 02:44:36 | YOU'VE GOT TO ENFORCE THAT LAW, YOU'VE GOT TO EDUCATE FOLKS AND YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE PEOPLE LOCALLY TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST. |
| 02:44:45 | AT THIS TIME I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. |
| 02:44:49 | GOHMERT. |
| 02:44:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 02:44:52 | MR. GOHMERT: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:44:53 | SPEAKER. |
| 02:44:54 | TRUE OF THE EXAMPLES BEEN GIVEN HERE TODAY OF CHILDREN THAT LOST THEIR LIVES, CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED IS UNTENABLE. |
| 02:45:02 | THERE IS NOBODY IN THIS BODY THAT I CAN IMAGINE WOULD THINK THAT THAT WAS APPROPRIATE. |
| 02:45:08 | OF COURSE IT'S NOT. |
| 02:45:09 | OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES. |
| 02:45:11 | ALL OF US WHO HAVE RAISED CHILDREN HAVE CHILDREN GO THROUGH SCHOOL. |
| 02:45:15 | YOU KNOW, I HAVE A GREAT FEAR OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT. |
| 02:45:18 | BUT THERE WAS A FEAR THAT OUR FOUNDERS HAD. |
| 02:45:24 | THERE WAS A FEAR OF COMING TOGETHER FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THAT IT WOULD ALLOW FOR A CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD SET IN MOTION A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE AWAY THE POWERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT. |
| 02:45:43 | SO THE ONLY WAY THEY WERE EVER TO COME TOGETHER ON THIS CONSTITUTION WAS TO ASSURE THE PEOPLE THERE THAT IF THEY WOULD PASS A CONSTITUTION THEY WOULD PUT TOGETHER 10 AMENDMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD NEVER DO THE VERY THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE. |
| 02:46:04 | THERE IS NO STATE THAT WOULD PUT UP WITH THIS KNOWINGLY. |
| 02:46:10 | THESE STATES, EVERY STATE WOULD SAY, THIS IS RIDICULOUS. |
| 02:46:13 | OF COURSE WE DON'T WANT CHILDREN KILLED IN SCHOOL. |
| 02:46:16 | WELL, WHAT GETS ME IS DURING MY FIRST TWO YEARS HERE WHEN WE WERE IN THE MAJORITY IN THIS BODY, I WAS ONE OF THE FEW REPUBLICANS THAT SAID NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND IS NOT APPROPRIATE. |
| 02:46:29 | AND I WAS JOINED BY MANY ACROSS THE AISLE WHO SAID, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND. |
| 02:46:40 | YOU DON'T KNOW MORE HERE IN WASHINGTON THAN PEOPLE NOVAK IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. |
| 02:46:44 | AND I APPRECIATED THE -- THAN PEOPLE KNOW BACK IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. |
| 02:46:54 | YOU SHOULD NOT BE MANDATING BACK TO THE STATES AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPETENT. |
| 02:47:01 | AND I KNOW IT'S NOT THE INTENT OF THIS BILL, BUT THE UNDERLYING MESSAGE IS YOU PEOPLE BACK IN YOUR STATES, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE A BUNCH OF MORONS. |
| 02:47:11 | YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT THAT SITTING ON A PRECIOUS LITTLE CHILD AND KILLING THEM IS INAPPROPRIATE SO THE BIG, SMART FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO COME IN AND LET YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE. |
| 02:47:23 | WE DON'T NEED THAT. WE DIDN'T NEED NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND AS A MANDATE RAMMED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. |
| 02:47:31 | WE DON'T NEED THIS. |
| 02:47:33 | WE NEED LODGEIC AND -- WE NEED LOGIC AND REASON AND WE NEED PROPER SCHOOLING. |
| 02:47:38 | IT DOESN'T COME ON THE TOP OF A FISTED MANDATE FROM WASHINGTON. |
| 02:47:42 | WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE THE STATES TO DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT UNDER THE 10TH AMENDMENT, THE POWERS NOT DELEGATED TO THE UNITED STATES BY THE CONSTITUTION NOR PROHIBITED TO IT BY THE STATES ARE RESERVED TO THE STATES. |
| 02:47:57 | WE DOG GONE SURE OUGHT TO -- WE DOGGONE SURE OUGHT TO RESPECT THAT. |
| 02:48:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:48:05 | MR. MILLER: I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. |
| 02:48:07 | TONKO. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 02:48:10 | MR. TONKO: THANK YOU. |
| 02:48:11 | THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS MEASURE. |
| 02:48:13 | I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 02:48:14 | R. 4247, THE KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT. |
| 02:48:16 | THIS BILL IS AIMED AT RESTRICTING SOME OF THE MOST ABUSIVE PRACTICES STILL EMPLOYED IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY. |
| 02:48:22 | NEGLECT RESTRAINT AND ABUSIVE SECLUSION. |
| 02:48:25 | LAST SPRING THE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, WHICH INVESTIGATED USE OF THESE PRACTICES IN SCHOOLS. |
| 02:48:32 | WHAT THE G. |
| 02:48:33 | A.O. FOUND WAS STUNNING. |
| 02:48:35 | THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES OF SERIOUS INJURY AND ABUSE AND EVEN SOME ACCOUNTS OF DEATH. |
| 02:48:39 | EVEN MORE TROUBLING TO ME AS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF DISABILITY RIGHTS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION WAS THAT MANY OF THE VICTIMS WERE STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. |
| 02:48:48 | THIS BILL IS MEANT TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS AGAINST THE WORST KINDS OF ABUSE. |
| 02:48:53 | THE COMMITTEE HEARD ABOUT A 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND AUTISM WHO WAS RESTRAINED IN A CHAIR WITH LEATHER STRAPS FOR BEING INCOOPERATIVE AT SCHOOL. |
| 02:49:04 | SHE WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE PROAST TRAUMATIC -- POSTTRAUMATIC DISORDER. |
| 02:49:13 | AT A SCHOOL IN MY STATE OF NEW YORK, A 9-YEAR-OLD CHILD WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY WAS PUT IN A TIME-OUT ROOM FOR HOURS FOR SLOUCHING AND HAND WAVING. |
| 02:49:26 | HIS HANDS BECAME BLISTERED WHEN HE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE ROOM DESCRIBED AS SMELLING OF URINE. |
| 02:49:32 | A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY BECAUSE HE DIDN'T STAY SEATED IN CLASS WAS RESTRAINED BY THE TEACHER. |
| 02:49:38 | THE 230-POUND TEACHER LAY ON TOP OF HIM, RESTRICTING HIS BREATHING AND ULTIMATELY SUFFOCATING HIM. |
| 02:49:44 | AT THE TIME THE COMMITTEE HEARD THIS TESTIMONY, THE TEACHER WAS STILL TEACHING IN THE SUBURBS OF WASHINGTON, D. |
| 02:49:49 | C. THIS IS THE KIND OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION WE ARE SAYING CANNOT BE USED. |
| 02:49:53 | WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF OUR NATION'S CHILDREN TO CONTINUE ONE MORE DAY. |
| 02:49:58 | PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BILL TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS SAFE. |
| 02:50:03 | THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:50:06 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:50:09 | MR. KLINE: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:50:10 | SPEAKER. CAN I INQUIRE AS TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME REMAINING ON EACH SIDE? |
| 02:50:13 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN HAS 17 MINUTES -- 13 MINUTES LEFT. |
| 02:50:16 | AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS 12 MINUTES LEFT. |
| 02:50:22 | MR. MILLER: IF I MIGHT, I YIELD MYSELF -- RESPOND TO THE INQUIRY. |
| 02:50:27 | WE HAVE MR. |
| 02:50:28 | LANGEVIN, WHO IS WAITING TO SPEAK. |
| 02:50:30 | AND MRS. |
| 02:50:31 | MCCARTHY WAS I THINK GOING TO BE ON HER WAY OR WHATEVER. |
| 02:50:36 | SHE COMES, SHE'S HERE. |
| 02:50:40 | MR. KLINE: I'LL BE YIELDING TO MR. |
| 02:50:41 | SOUDER AND THEN I'LL CLOSE. |
| 02:50:43 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:50:44 | SPEAKER. AT THIS TIME I AM VERY PLEASED TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR. |
| 02:50:49 | SOUDER. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 02:50:53 | MR. SOUDER: I THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER, MR. |
| 02:50:57 | KLINE, AND OUR CHAIRMAN, MR. |
| 02:51:00 | MILLER. THIS IS ONE OF THESE BILLS YOU KIND OF GO, WELL, HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY FAVOR LIKE TYING KIDS UP AND PUTTING TAPE ACROSS THEM OR LETTING PEOPLE ABUSE THEM? |
| 02:51:09 | THAT ISN'T WHAT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT. |
| 02:51:12 | I'M GOING TO MAKE FOUR BASIC POINTS WHICH I KNOW WE'VE BEEN MAKING ALL AFTERNOON, BUT THERE'S NO HARM WITH REPETITION BECAUSE THEY'RE IMPORTANT. |
| 02:51:20 | ONE, THERE'S NO RELIABLE DATA ON HOW MUCH USE THERE IS OF THESE TECHNIQUES. |
| 02:51:25 | WE HEARD FROM ALL SORTS OF INDIVIDUAL HORROR STORIES THAT MY SOCIOLOGY PROF USED TO CALL AUNT ANNIE STORIES. |
| 02:51:38 | WE HEARD SOME WITH A WIDE VARIETY -- I DON'T THINK STANDING IN THE CORNER THE SAME WAY AS SOME MIGHT. |
| 02:51:48 | WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE ARE SERIOUS, HOW MANY OF THESE ARE JUSTIFIED FOR INTERVENTION AND HOW MANY THERE ARE WITH DIFFERENT OPINION. |
| 02:51:58 | 31 STATES HAVE HAD THIS, AND THIS IS A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL AND MANY STATES THAT DON'T HAVE IT ARE DOING IT. |
| 02:52:05 | THIS IS THE ULTIMATE ARROGANCE. |
| 02:52:06 | WE ARE SAYING THAT BASICALLY STATE LEGISLATORS BELIEVE THAT THEIR KIDS SHOULD BE TIED, MOUTHS TAPED AND THEY ARE TOO IGNOREANT TO FIX THIS. |
| 02:52:17 | SINCE WHEN -- IGNOREANT TO FIX THIS. |
| 02:52:19 | SINCE WHEN DO WE GET TO DETERMINE THE SPEED AND THE KIND OF SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF INTERVENTION THAT A STATE DOES? |
| 02:52:24 | PARTICULARLY SINCE WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA TO PROVE OUR CASE? |
| 02:52:28 | THIRDLY, IT DOESN'T EXEMPT PRIVATE SCHOOLS EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO DIRECT FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF A CLAUSE IN WHICH OUR HOOK THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING IN AND TAKING OVER THIS SINCE THEY WOULD BE COVERED BY STATE LAW ON HUMAN RIGHTS OR STUDENT RIGHTS CASES. |
| 02:52:44 | PRIVATE SCHOOLS GENERALLY DON'T EVEN GET DIRECT FUNDING OR INDIRECT FUNDING, ALTHOUGH SOME DO, AND THIS WOULD MAKE ABOUT HALF OF THE PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WOULD FALL UNDER THAT HOOK AND THE DANGER, OF COURSE, IS IT COULD BE BROADER. |
| 02:52:57 | THE BAIL FAILS TO CLARIFY OR DELETE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD HOLD SCHOOL DISTRICTS UP TO LITIGATION. |
| 02:53:08 | IT IS UNDEFINED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE LITIGATED. |
| 02:53:11 | I WANT TO COME BACK TO A BASIC THING. |
| 02:53:13 | NUMBER ONE IS, WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL JUSTIFICATION? |
| 02:53:16 | WE HAVE THIS DEBATE IN EDUCATION A LOT. |
| 02:53:20 | THAT THINGS ARE RESERVED TO THE STATES THAT AREN'T GIVEN TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 02:53:24 | NOW WE'RE GOING TO A SECOND DEGREE IN THE EDUCATION. |
| 02:53:26 | NOW, MAYBE THIS COMES UNDER THE CLAUSE THAT SAYS IF STATES DON'T MOVE AS FAST AS WE'D LIKE THEM TO THEN WE CAN INTERVENE AND TAKE OVER THEIR JURISDICTION, THAT MAYBE IT COMES UNDER THE CLAUSES, WE GET EMOTIONALLY UPSET ABOUT AND WE ARE EMOTIONALLY MOVED ABOUT A CASE WE SEE ON TV THEREFORE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS HAS A RIGHT TO TAKE IT OVER. |
| 02:53:49 | IT'S TRULY TRAGIC BUT THINKING WE ARE THE ONLY ONES TO ADDRESS THIS. |
| 02:53:53 | WE HAD A CLAUSE AFTER THE REPUBLICANS HAD FIRST TAKEN OVER CONGRESS THAT WE WERE TRYING TO PUT IN AND HAD IN BRIEFLY THAT SAYS, PUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL JUSTIFICATION OF WHY THIS IS UNIQUELY THE PROBLEM OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HOW THE CONSTITUTION IN EFFECT JUSTIFIES THAT INTERVENTION. |
| 02:54:07 | AND GENERALLY SPEAKING WHAT WE SAW WAS PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE. |
| 02:54:17 | NOW, THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID THIS CLAUSE, I BELIEVE IN A LETTER TO MADISON, WAS THE MOST PERNICIOUS CLAUSE IN THE CONSTITUTION AND WOULD BE ABUSED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS TO JUSTIFY FEDERAL INTERVENTION WHEREVER THEY FELT THEY WANTED TO INTERVENE AND THAT ULTIMATELY UNLESS THAT PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE WAS RESTRAINED BY CONGRESS ITSELF AND BY THE COURTS THAT CONGRESS WOULD INTERVENE ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ULTIMATELY EVERYTHING THAT IS RESERVED BY THE STATES WOULD BE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. |
| 02:54:47 | I BELIEVE THERE ARE TIMES SUCH AS IN CIVIL RIGHTS CASES WHERE THERE WERE CLEAR, SYSTEMIC, SYSTEMATIC, MULTIGENERATIONAL INTERVENTIONS THAT WE NEED TO GET IN, THAT MANY TIMES THEY DEFENDED THEIR CASE BASED ON STATES' RIGHTS. |
| 02:55:04 | BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TODAY IS INSUFFICIENT DATA. |
| 02:55:08 | WE ARE LOOKING AT THE STATES ADDRESSING IT. |
| 02:55:11 | 31 STATES HAVE ADDRESSED IT. |
| 02:55:13 | THE BULK OF THE REST OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY HAVE LAWS UP AT THIS TIME. |
| 02:55:17 | AND I SEE NO REASON, NO COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF WHY WE NEED TO DO THIS AS OPPOSED TO THE STATE LEGISLATORS. |
| 02:55:27 | I SEE NO COMPELLING CONSTITUTIONAL JUSTIFICATION FOR IT. |
| 02:55:31 | AND I BELIEVE THAT THOMAS JEFFERSON, WERE HE HERE, WOULD CALL THIS A PERNICIOUS USE OF PROMOTING THE GENERAL WELFARE EVEN THOUGH THE END GOAL AND THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE DOING THIS ARE MOTIVATED FOR THE RIGHT REASON. |
| 02:55:42 | THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER KIDS WILL BE HARMED IN THE SCHOOLS AND WE ALL ARE AND SO, QUITE FRANKLY, ARE STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND STATE SENATORS. |
| 02:55:52 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 02:55:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 02:55:55 | MR. MILLER: I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND, MR. |
| 02:55:57 | LANGEVIN. |
| 02:55:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 02:56:01 | MR. LANGEVIN: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 02:56:05 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 02:56:08 | MR. |
| 02:56:09 | LANGEVIN: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. |
| 02:56:10 | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 02:56:13 | R. 4247, THE KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT. |
| 02:56:16 | AS A CO-SPONSOR, I'M CERTAINLY PLEASED THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION WILL PROTECT ALL CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS FROM HARMFUL USES OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION. |
| 02:56:25 | THE NEED FOR THIS LEGISLATION WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY A RECENT G. |
| 02:56:28 | A.O. REPORT THAT FOUND HUNDREDS OF CASES OF SCHOOLCHILDREN BEING ABUSED AS A RESULT OF INAPPROPRIATE USES OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION. |
| 02:56:37 | OFTEN INVOLVING UNTRAINED STAFF. |
| 02:56:40 | NOW, ONE OF THESE CASES INCLUDED A LOCKED ISOLATION ROOM IN A SCHOOL BASEMENT IN A SCHOOL IN RHODE ISLAND, MY HOME STATE. |
| 02:56:48 | THIS ROOM WAS USED TO RESTRICT A STUDENT WHO WAS DEEMED OVERLY AGGRESSIVE AND ANOTHER WHO SHOWED UNDESIRED BEHAVIOR. |
| 02:56:55 | WELL, THIS BILL WOULD HAVE THE PROPER GUIDANCE TO ASSURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS ARE TREATING CHILDREN APPROPRIATELY. |
| 02:57:04 | I'VE BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE IN CONGRESS TO EDUCATE COLLEAGUES ON THE VALUE THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CAN BRING TO SOCIETY WITH THE RIGHT SYSTEM OF SUPPORT. |
| 02:57:13 | THE BILL THAT'S BEFORE US TODAY REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN ENSURING THAT THESE CHILDREN ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY DESERVE TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. |
| 02:57:21 | I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUING WORK TOGETHER ON OUR WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. |
| 02:57:32 | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 02:57:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 02:57:39 | MR. |
| 02:57:40 | KLINE: CAN I VERIFY, MR. |
| 02:57:41 | CHAIRMAN, ARE YOU READY TO CLOSE AND ME READY TO -- MR. |
| 02:57:47 | MILLER: MY UNDERSTANDING IS I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. |
| 02:57:49 | MR. |
| 02:57:50 | KLINE: I THINK I'M IN THE SAME BOAT SO I'LL CLOSE. |
| 02:57:52 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 02:57:54 | SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF OUR TIME. |
| 02:57:55 | I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE COURSE OF THIS DEBATE THAT I FIND TO BE INTERESTING. |
| 02:58:05 | WE'VE HEARD AN APPEAL FROM ONE OF THE MEMBERS HERE ON THE FLOOR. |
| 02:58:09 | I THINK IT WAS THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS WHO SAID HE WAS APPLAUDING THIS EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH. |
| 02:58:16 | AND OTHERS HAVE SAID WE HAVE INSUFFICIENT DATA. |
| 02:58:20 | I FALL TO THE LATTER CATEGORY. |
| 02:58:21 | WE REALLY DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE SITUATION. |
| 02:58:24 | WE'VE HEARD THE NUMBERS QUOTED. |
| 02:58:27 | CALIFORNIA, FOR EXAMPLE, IS QUOTED HAVING 14,000 INCIDENTS. |
| 02:58:32 | WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT 14,000 AT ALL. |
| 02:58:35 | THESE INCLUDE EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS. |
| 02:58:38 | SO WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE CASE OF A TEACHER BREAKING UP A FIGHT, A TEACHER STOPPING AN ARGUMENT. |
| 02:58:44 | IT'S CERTAINLY NOT 14,000 CASES OF TAPING CHILDREN TO THEIR CHAIRS. |
| 02:58:49 | AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN THIS BODY BELIEVES THAT THAT'S THE CASE. |
| 02:58:52 | THE POINT IS WE DON'T KNOW. |
| 02:58:57 | WE DON'T KNOW. |
| 02:58:59 | AND YET, WE ARE USING NUMBERS AS THOUGH THEY WERE GOSPEL. |
| 02:59:06 | ON THIS ISSUE, LET'S START WITH BE WHAT WE AGREE ON. |
| 02:59:10 | WE AGREE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD BE SAFE AT SCHOOL. |
| 02:59:14 | WE AGREE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY MAY STRUGGLE WITH PROBLEMS THAT ARE DIFFICULT FOR TEACHERS TO CONTROL. |
| 02:59:23 | AS A RESULT, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES HAVE BEEN MORE LIKELY TO BE RESTRAINED OR PLACED IN SECLUSION WHEN IN MANY CASES, POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS COULD BE MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL AND POSE A LOWER RISK TO STUDENTS. |
| 02:59:35 | WE ALSO AGREE THAT TEACHERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT STUDENTS WITH SERIOUS BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, FROM INJURYING THEMSELVES OR THEIR CLASSMATES OR THEIR TEACHERS. |
| 02:59:47 | THE ONLY REAL DISAGREEMENT OUTSIDE SOME DISPUTE OVER THE DATA AND THE EVIDENCE AND THE G. |
| 02:59:54 | A.O. REPORT, BY THE WAY, THE G. |
| 02:59:56 | A.O. REPORT I FIND PARTICULARLY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT CITED 10 INCIDENTS OF REALLY EGREGIOUS BEHAVIOR, ONE OF THOSE WAS 18 YEARS AGO, TWO WERE 12 YEARS AGO, THE MOST RECENT IS FOUR YEARS AGO. |
| 03:00:13 | IT SEEMS TO ME WHEN WE'RE GOING TO ENACT THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION THIS SORT OF FEDERAL OVERREACH IN MY JUDGMENT, WE OUGHT TO HAVE BETTER DATA. |
| 03:00:26 | SO OUR REAL DISAGREEMENT IS, WHO SHOULD ADDRESS THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT IN SCHOOLS? |
| 03:00:33 | I BELIEVE STATES AND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KEEP THEIR CLASSROOMS SAFE. |
| 03:00:38 | I'VE SEEN GREAT PROGRESS FROM THE 46 STATES THAT HAVE OR WILL SOON HAVE THEIR OWN POLICIES TO TRAIN TEACHERS ON THOUSAND HANDLE DIFFICULT BEHAVIOR AND ENSURE THAT SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS ARE ONLY USED TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM HARMING THEMSELVESES OR OTHERS. |
| 03:00:54 | I BELIEVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS HISTORICALLY LIMITED ITS REACH TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO START APPLYING NEW FEDERAL MANDATES TO INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS THAT SUPPLY -- THAT HAVE TAXPAYER FUNDING. |
| 03:01:07 | I ALSO BELIEVE WE DO NOT HELP THINGS BY EMPOWERING TRIAL LAWYERS. |
| 03:01:13 | FOR ALL THESE REASONS, I CONTINUE TO OPPOSE H. |
| 03:01:17 | R. 4247. |
| 03:01:19 | WE HAVE SPURRED A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THESE STRATEGIES FOR CONTROLLING STUDENT BEHAVIOR. |
| 03:01:24 | THAT DIALOGUE IS A POSITIVE STEP, AS IS THE ACTION PROMPTED AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. |
| 03:01:32 | LET'S NOT DISREGARD THE WORK OF THE STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS. |
| 03:01:37 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 03:01:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:01:40 | MR. |
| 03:01:41 | MILLER: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 03:01:45 | THE ARGUMENT AGAINST THIS LEGISLATION IS THAT SOMEHOW 31 STATES HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WE ALL SHARE THE CONCERN. |
| 03:01:51 | THE FACTS ARE THAT 31 SATES -- STATES HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. |
| 03:01:55 | A NUMBER OF STATES, IT ONLY GOS TO ONE PARTICULAR POPULATION IN THAT SCHOOL, IN THAT SETTING, OR TO AN AGE BRACKET OR TO JUST REPORTING, WHAT HAVE YOU. |
| 03:02:07 | THESE ARE NOT LAWS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THESE CHILDREN IN THIS SITUATION. |
| 03:02:14 | ILLINOIS ABCITED, ILLINOIS IS CLOSE TO WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAVE HAPPEN. |
| 03:02:19 | THEY SPENT A LOT OF EFFORT TO DO THAT. |
| 03:02:21 | IN MY OWN STATE WE TALK ABOUT THE 14,000. |
| 03:02:24 | WE ASK THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR, THEY SAID WE DON'T USE THE DATA. |
| 03:02:29 | IS THAT SUFFICIENT FOR THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS? |
| 03:02:32 | CALIFORNIA HAS, QUOTE, ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM? |
| 03:02:36 | YES, THEY COLLECT DATA THEYRY FUSE TO CHARACTERIZE OR DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH. |
| 03:02:41 | PAIGE COULD HAVE BEEN IN THAT DATA. |
| 03:02:43 | SHE COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE 14,000. |
| 03:02:46 | SO I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, I APPRECIATE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE HERE ABOUT THE APPROACH. |
| 03:02:53 | BUT DOES MR. -- BUT AS MR. |
| 03:02:55 | COURTNEY POINTED OUT IN 1998 WE HAD A NATIONAL DISCUSSION -- AN EXPOSE OF MANY OF THE SAME BEHAVIORS GOING ON TODAY, IT'S 12 YEARS LATER. |
| 03:03:07 | AND CHILDREN ARE STILL BEING ABUSED. |
| 03:03:13 | DRAMATICALLY ABUSED. |
| 03:03:14 | RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IS BEING DRAMATICALLY MISUSED. |
| 03:03:17 | IT'S BEING USED BY PEOPLE WHO DON'T -- WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THAT SITUATION. |
| 03:03:23 | THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED. |
| 03:03:24 | I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE SCHOOL BOARDS WHO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 03:03:32 | THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS WHO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 03:03:37 | PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE FRONTLINES WANT THIS LEGISLATION PASSED BECAUSE IT WILL BRING THEM GREATER UNDERSTANDING, GREATER KNOWLEDGE, GREATER SKILLS AND GREATER TRAINING TO DEAL WITH THESE SITUATIONS. |
| 03:03:52 | UNDERSTANDING, YES, THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE IN AN EMERGENCY CASE, WHERE THERE'S A DANGER TO THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT OR TO OTHERS THAT THIS MAY BE PROPER. |
| 03:04:01 | BUT IT ALSO TAKES TRAINING TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND HOW YOU USE IT. |
| 03:04:06 | I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT WAS THE 14,000 INCIDENTS IN CALIFORNIA THAT EACH OF THOSE WAS AN EMERGENCY DANGEROUS SITUATION. |
| 03:04:14 | THEY MAY SAY IT'S AN EMERGENCY BUT IN CALIFORNIA THEY DON'T DESCRIBE WHAT AN EMERGENCY IS. |
| 03:04:19 | SO COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT LAW ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY IS NOT A BIG DEAL. |
| 03:04:23 | IT'S NOT DOING MUCH FOR THE FAMILIES OF THESE CHILDREN, IT'S NOT DOING MUCH TO PROTECT THESE CHILDREN. |
| 03:04:28 | THAT'S WHY WE MOVE. |
| 03:04:30 | WE MOVE TO MINIMUM STANDARDS ABOUT TAPING CHILDREN, MECHANICAL RESTRAINT ABOUT CHILDREN, ABOUT SECLUDING YOUNG CHILDREN IN DARKNESS FOR HOURS AT A TIME, MAYBE REPEATEDLY FOR DAYS ON END. |
| 03:04:45 | SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT. |
| 03:04:47 | DO WE UNDERSTAND, WE'VE HAD OTHER INVESTIGATIONS WHERE THE SIMPLE WITHDRAWAL OF WATER HAS KILLED CHILDREN BECAUSE OF DEHYDRATION. |
| 03:04:56 | SO WE OUGHT NOT TO WITHDRAW WATER HERE. |
| 03:04:59 | WE OUGHT NOT TO WITHDRAW FOOD AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT. |
| 03:05:02 | WE OUGHT NOT DENY THEM THE USE OF THE BATHROOM FACILITIES. |
| 03:05:05 | WE OUGHT NOT HAVE THEM IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE SOILING THEMSELVES IN FRONT OF THEIR CLASSMATES, WHERE THEY'RE HUMILIATED, WHERE CIRCLES ARE DRAWN AROUND THEIR CHAIR AND THEY SID IN THE CLASSROOM, TIED DOWN BY DUCT TAPE. |
| 03:05:18 | WHILE THEY'RE POINTED OUT BY THE TEACHER. |
| 03:05:23 | THESE ARE 4, 5, 6-YEAR-OLD KIDS. |
| 03:05:26 | NONE OF US WOULD STAND FOR THIS WITH OUR CHILDREN OR GRARNE, -- GRANDCHILDREN, NOT FOR A MANY. |
| 03:05:31 | BUT MANY OF THESE PARENTS ARE NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO THEIR CHILDREN. |
| 03:05:36 | MANY OF THE GRANDPARENTS ARE NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A CHILD THEY'RE CARING FOR. |
| 03:05:40 | MANY OF THE FOSTER PARENTS ARE NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER, IN PERIL. |
| 03:05:48 | THINK ABOUT IT. |
| 03:05:50 | JUST PUT THE VISION OF YOUR CHILD, YOUR GRANDCHILD, YOUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR CHILD IN THIS PICTURE. |
| 03:05:57 | YOU WANT TO SAY, WE'VE ADDRESSED IT, THE STATES HAVE ADDRESSED IT, THERE'S NO ROLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 03:06:04 | WHO IS GOING TO STEP IN AND PROTECT THESE CHILDREN? |
| 03:06:08 | THEY CAN'T DO IT THEMSELVES. |
| 03:06:10 | THIS MAY NOT BE PERFECT, BUT WE OUGHT TO TAKE THIS STEP TO PUT US ON RECORD THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO DO SOMETHING TO END THIS PRACTICE. |
| 03:06:21 | THIS ABUSE. |
| 03:06:23 | THIS TORTURE. |
| 03:06:25 | OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. |
| 03:06:26 | IN MANY INSTANCES, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY, CHILDREN WHO AREN'T ABLE TO COMMUNICATE IN AN EFFECTIVE FASHION. |
| 03:06:32 | JUST THINK ABOUT THAT. |
| 03:06:33 | THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. |
| 03:06:35 | YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THIS TO THE ABSTRACT. |
| 03:06:39 | THESE CHILDREN CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST THIS PRACTICE. |
| 03:06:43 | THEIR PARENTS CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM IF THEY DON'T KNOW. |
| 03:06:47 | THESE CHILDREN CAN'T CONTROL THEMSELVESES IF THEY'RE DENIED THE USE OF A BATHROOM FACILITY. |
| 03:06:54 | THAT'S WHAT THIS LEGISLATION IS ABOUT. |
| 03:06:58 | IT'S ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS STEP, WHETHER OR NOT THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU CAN NULLIFY THIS BY SUGGESTING THAT SOMEHOW BECAUSE 31 STATES HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT THIS PROBLEM NEED NOT BE ADDRESSED, NEED NOT HAVE OUR ATTENTION. |
| 03:07:15 | WE CANNOT DO THIS TO THESE CHILDREN AND THESE FAMILIES. |
| 03:07:18 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 03:07:22 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ALL TIME FOR DEBATE ON THE BILL AS AMENDED HAS EXPIRED. |
| 03:07:30 | MR. |
| 03:07:31 | MILLER: I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK. |
| 03:07:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL DESIGNATE THE AMENDMENT. |
| 03:07:35 | THE CLERK: AMENDMENT PRINTED IN HOUSE REPORT 111-425, OFFERED BY MR. |
| 03:07:40 | GEORGE MILL OVER CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:07:41 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 03:07:46 | GEORGE MILLER AND A MEMBER OPPOSED EACH WILL CONTROL FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:07:49 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:07:52 | MR. MILLER: I YIELD MYSELF TWO MINUTES. |
| 03:07:54 | THE MANAGER'S AMENDMENT MAKES MINOR TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS AND RENAMES THE BILL. |
| 03:08:01 | I ADDS CLARIFYING -- IT ADDS CLARIFYING LANGUAGE ABOUT CHEMICAL RESTRAINT, IT FIXES THE DEFINITION OF SCHOOL TO INCLUDE ALL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS UNDER THE LOL CALL -- LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY IT CLARIFIES CRISES INTERVENTION TRAINING PROGRAM AND REQUIRES STATES TO CONSULT WITH PRIVATE SCHOOL OFFICIALS NO DETERMINING THAT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENT POPULATION. |
| 03:08:30 | WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:08:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA RISE? |
| 03:08:37 | MR. CLINE: I RISE TO CLAIM TIME IN OPPOSITION -- MR. |
| 03:08:40 | KLINE, I RISE TO CLAIM TIME IN OPPOSITION, THOUGH I WILL NOT OPPOSE THE BILL. |
| 03:08:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:08:49 | MR. KLINE: THIS IS JUST A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT, SO WHILE I STILL CANNOT SUPPORT THE UNDERLYING BILL, WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THIS. |
| 03:08:57 | I'LL VOTE FOR IT AND ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR IT AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 03:09:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 03:09:05 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 03:09:07 | MR. MILLER: I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:09:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. |
| 03:09:13 | MILLER. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 03:09:15 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 03:09:18 | THE AYES HAVE IT. |
| 03:09:19 | THE AMENDMENT IS AGREED TO. |
| 03:09:27 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA RISE? |
| 03:09:33 | MR. FLAKE: I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AT THE DESK PRINTED IN PART B OF THE REPORT. |
| 03:09:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL DESIGNATE THE AMENDMENT. |
| 03:09:40 | THE CLERK: AMENDMENT PRINTED IN PART B OF HOUSE REPORT 111-425, OFFERED BY MR. |
| 03:09:47 | FLAKE OF ARIZONA. |
| 03:09:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1126, THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. |
| 03:09:52 | FLAKE, AND A MEMBER OPPOSED EACH WILL CONTROL FIVE MINUTES. |
| 03:09:55 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA. |
| 03:09:58 | MR. |
| 03:09:59 | FLAKE: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 03:10:00 | CHAIRMAN. THIS AMENDMENT IS NONCONTROVERSIAL, IT CREATES A NEW DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSIST STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES IN MEETING REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED IN THE BILL, COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA AND IMPLEMENTING A SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT APPROACH THIS GRANT PROGRAM IS TO BE FUNDED OUT OF THE AUTHORIZATION PROVIDED IN THE BILL FOR SUCH SUMS AS NECESSARY. |
| 03:10:24 | WHILE STATE AGENCIES WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS, IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE GRANTS WILL BE AWARDED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS OR MERIT BASED APPROACH. |
| 03:10:36 | WE HAVE SEEN IN THAT THE PAST WHEN THESE GRANT PROGRAMS ARE ESTABLISHED WHEN IT'S STIPULATED THEY SHOULD BE COMPETITIVE OR MERIT BASED, OFTEN TIMES LATER, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL EARMARK FUNDS DIRECTLY AND SOME OF THESE ACCOUNTS WE HAVE FOR MERIT-BASED GRANT PROGRAMS ARE COMPLETELY EARMARKS JUST A FEW YEARS LATER, SO INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS OR STATE AGENCIES CAN'T EVEN COMPETE FOR THEM BECAUSE ALL THE MONEY HAS BEEN EARMARKED. |
| 03:11:06 | WE NEED LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE FEMA NATIONAL PREDISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM, IT WAS A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO QUOTE, SAVE LIVES AND REDUCE PROPERTY DAMAGE BY PROVIDING FOR HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING, ACQUISITION AND STRUCTURES ON THE FLOODPLAIN. |
| 03:11:23 | THIS WAS GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM. |
| 03:11:27 | THE FISCAL 2010 HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATION BILL APPROPRIATED $100 MILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM, ALMOST $25 MILLION WAS EARMARKED FOR PROJECTS IN MEBS' HOME DISTRICTS, LEAVING FEWER FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR LOCALITIES THAT WISHED TO APPLY FOR FUNDING. |
| 03:11:43 | A GRANT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN THE 2008 HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATION BILL, 60% OF THE FUNDS IN THAT GRANT PROGRAM WERE EARMARKED. |
| 03:11:56 | AGAIN, THESE ARE GRANT PROGRAMS TYPICALLY SET UP TO BE COMPETITIVELY BID ON FOR PEOPLE -- OR FOR THE AGENCIES TO ASSESS ON A MERIT-BASED BASIS, YET THEIR EARMARK. |
| 03:12:11 | THIS AMENDMENT WOULD SAY NONE OF THE FUNDS AVAILABLE OR AUTHORIZED BY THIS LEGISLATION WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO BE EARMARKED AND WITH THAT,RY RESERVE THE BALANCE OF THE TIME. |
| 03:12:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: DOES ANYONE CLAIM TIME IN OPPOSITION? |
| 03:12:25 | >> MR. |
| 03:12:26 | MILLER: I RISE TO CLAIM TIME IN OPPOSITION TO THE GENTLEMAN'S AMENDMENT THOUGH I DO NOT OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT. |
| 03:12:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 03:12:34 | MR. MILLER: I SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. |
| 03:12:35 | I'M A STRONG BELIEVER IN THIS LEGISLATION AND THE TERRIBLE SITUATION WE'RE TRYING TO RECTIFY. |
| 03:12:43 | I WOULD HOPE THAT THESE, AND I THINK WITH THE GENTLEMAN'S LANGUAGE, WE CAN HOPEFULLY BE ASSURED THAT THESE GRANTS WOULD BE BASED ON A HEALTHY COMPETITION AND BASED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE STATES FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FOR OTHER ASSISTANCE IN DEALING WITH THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 03:13:03 | I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA. |
| 03:13:06 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:13:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 03:13:11 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA. |
| 03:13:12 | MR. FLAKE: I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT. |
| 03:13:14 | I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE DO THIS ON THIS LEGISLATION AND ALL PROGRAMS LIKE THIS THAT ARE THOFFERSED BY CONGRESS AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 03:13:21 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 03:13:23 | THE QUESTION IS ON THE AMENDMENT BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. |
| 03:13:26 | FLAKE. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 03:13:27 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 03:13:28 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE AYES HAVE IT. |
| 03:13:31 | THE AMENDMENT IS -- MR. |
| 03:13:34 | FLAKE: I ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS. |
| 03:13:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE YEAS AND NAYS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED. |
| 03:13:39 | THOSE FAVORING A VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE. |
| 03:13:41 | A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING RISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. |
| 03:13:45 | MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. |
| 03:13:47 | THIS IS A 15-MINUTE VOTE. |
| 04:09:28 | THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. |
| 04:09:32 | MOVE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OUT OF THE CHAMBERS. |
| 04:10:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PLEASE BE IN ORDER. |
| 04:10:49 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PLEASE REMOVE YOUR CONVERSATIONS. |
| 04:11:00 | PURR SUPERINTENDENT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, THE CHAIR WILL POSTPONE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS TODAY ON MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON WHICH A RECORDED VOTE OR THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. |
| 04:11:12 | OR ON WHICH THE VOTES INCURS OBJECTION UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20. |
| 04:11:18 | RECORD VOTES ON POSTPONED QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN LATER IN THE WEEK. |
| 04:11:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 04:11:52 | >> MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079 AS AMENDED. |
| 04:11:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 04:12:02 | THE CLERK: HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079, RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPION NEW ORLEANS SAINT SAINTS FOR WINNING SUPER BOWL XLIV AND FOR BRINGING NEW ORLEANS ITS FIRST LOMBARDI TROPHY IN FRANCHISE HISTORY. |
| 04:12:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 04:12:21 | MELANCON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 04:12:28 | CROW, WILL EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 04:12:29 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA. |
| 04:12:39 | MR. MELANCON. |
| 04:12:40 | SORRY. |
| 04:12:41 | MR. MELANCON: MR. |
| 04:12:42 | SPEAKER, THANK YOU. |
| 04:12:43 | I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS. |
| 04:12:51 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 04:12:53 | MR. MELANCON: MR. SPEAKER, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM, I'M PROUD TO PRESENT HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079 FOR CONSIDERATION. |
| 04:13:00 | THIS RESOLUTION CONGRATULATES THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPION NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FOR WINNING SUPER BOWL XLIV AND FOR BRINGING -- FOR BRINGING NEW ORLEANS ITS FIRST LOMBARDI TROPHY IN HISTORY. |
| 04:13:12 | HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079 WAS INTRODUCED BY JOSEPH CROW OF LOUISIANA ON FEBRUARY 9, 2010, AND ENJOYS THE SUPPORT OF OVER 70 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. |
| 04:13:23 | MR. |
| 04:13:24 | SPEAKER, ON FEBRUARY 7, 2010, AFTER A HARD-FOUGHT DRAMATIC GAME, THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PLAYING IN THEIR FIRST EVER CHAMPIONSHIP GAME DEFEATED THE NAACP COLTS BY A SCORE OF 31-17 TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV. |
| 04:13:36 | THE VICTORY IS A FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE SAINTS' 43-YEAR HISTORY AND CAPTURED TRULY REMARKABLE SEASON FOR THE FRAN CHILES. |
| 04:13:44 | THE SAINTS FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON WITH A FRANCHISE BEST 13 WINS AND THREE LOSSES. |
| 04:13:49 | DURING THE 2009 SEASON, THEY LED THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN AVERAGE POINTS PER GAME AND YARDS PER GAME. |
| 04:13:56 | FURTHERMORE THE 2009-2010 SAINTS SET FRANCHISE RECORDS FOR MOST POINTS AND MOST TOUCHDOWNS IN A SEASON AS WELL AS MOST INTERCEPTIONS RETURNED FOR A TOUCHDOWN IN A SINGLE GAME. |
| 04:14:07 | STILL IT WAS DURING THE SUPER BOWL THAT THE SAINTS TRULY DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AS THE BEST TEAM IN THE NFL. |
| 04:14:13 | DESPITE FACING THE FORMIDABLE OPPONENT IN THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS LED BY A NEW ORLEANS NATIVE, PAYTON MANNING, AND FOUR-TIME -- AND THE SAINTS RELIED ON HEAD COACH PAYTON'S AGGRESSIVE PLAN AND DREW BREES TO WIN THE GAME. |
| 04:14:31 | BREES, WHO WAS NAMED SUPER BOWL M. |
| 04:14:34 | V.P., PASSED FOR 288 YARDS, THREW TWO TOUCHDOWN PASSES AND TIED A SUPER BOWL RECORD WITH 32 PASS COMPLETIONS. |
| 04:14:50 | . THE SAINTS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED A RISKY ONSIDE KICK TO START THE SECOND HALF OF THE GAME, 74-YARD INTERCEPTION FOR A TOUCHDOWN AND ENSURED THE VICTORY. |
| 04:15:08 | THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS' SUCCESS STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND NEVER SAY NEVER SPIRIT. |
| 04:15:17 | THE SAINTSO MOTTO THROUGH THE SEASON WAS FINISH STRONG. |
| 04:15:21 | AND THEY CERTAINLY DID. |
| 04:15:23 | THE SAINTS COMMITMENT TO TEAM WORK AND ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE IS INSPIRING AND COMMENDABLE. |
| 04:15:31 | THEIR VICTORY HELPED RAISE THE SPIRITS OF NEW ORLEANS AND THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IN THE MIDST OF RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS FOLLOWING HURRICANES KATRINA AND SUBSEQUENT HURRICANES SINCE. |
| 04:15:45 | THE NORTHERLY SAINTS' ACHIEVEMENTS DESERVE OUR PRAISE AND I APPLAUD THE PLAYERS, COACHES AND MANAGEMENT AND ALL THOSE WHO HEAD ACCOMPLISH THIS HISTORIC EVENT. |
| 04:15:58 | LET'S COMMEND THIS YEAR'S SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS THROUGH THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079, WHICH CONGRATULATES THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ON WINNING SUPER BOWL XLIV AND BRINGING NEW ORLEANS ITS FIRST LOMBARDI TROPHY IN NFL HISTORY. |
| 04:16:16 | I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:16:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 04:16:21 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA. |
| 04:16:22 | MR. CAO: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 04:16:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 04:16:27 | MR. CAO: I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079, CONGRATULATING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FOR WINNING SUPER BOWL XLIV AND BRINGING NEW ORLEANS ITS FIRST LOMBARDI TROPHY. |
| 04:16:42 | AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR OR LEANS AND I'M HONORED TO CON GREAT THEM ON THEIR HISTORIC SEASON. |
| 04:16:50 | I WANT TO THANK THE ORIGINAL 22 CO-SPONSORS AND 75 CO-SPONSORS OF THE RESOLUTION FOR JOINING ME TO CONGRATULATE AND SUPPORT THE SAINTS. |
| 04:17:01 | I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES IN THE ENTIRE LOUISIANA DELEGATION FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE RECOVERY OF SOUTH LOUISIANA. |
| 04:17:11 | WE HAVE COOPERATED IN CONGRESS TO REBUILD OUR REGION AND I HOPE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THEM IN THE FUTURE. |
| 04:17:18 | THE SAINTS' MOTTO HAS BEEN FINISH STRONG AND THEY DID THAT VERY THING WITH A 31-17 VICTORY OVER THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS IN SUPER BOWL XLIV. |
| 04:17:29 | THE SAINTS' SUPER VICTORY NOT ONLY SHOWS THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION, COACHES AND PLAYERS, BUT ALSO REPRESENTS A BEACON OF HOPE FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND THE CATALYST FOR RECOVERY THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA. |
| 04:17:44 | HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079 EMPHASIZES THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE THAT THE SAINTS HAVE HAD ON PEOPLE IN NEW ORLEANS AND THE GULF COAST REGION. |
| 04:17:53 | I INTRODUCED HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079 TO CONGRATULATE THE SAINTS BECAUSE FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE SAINTS HAVE SYMBOLIZED THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS THROUGH THEIR PRIDE, RESILIENCE, TRADITIONS, SUFFERING, FAITH, LOYALTY AND HOPE. |
| 04:18:10 | THIS RESOLUTION THANKS THE OWNERS FOR THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF THE SAINTS AND THEIR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO A STRONG AND UNITED NEW ORLEANS. |
| 04:18:24 | THIS RESOLUTION ALSO CONGRATULATES THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF STADIUMS AND ARENAS FOR HELPING THE SAINTS RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS BY PLAYING A ROLE IN THE REBUILDING OF THE SUPERDOME AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA. |
| 04:18:39 | HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079 BRINGS ATTENTION TO THE INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE THIS SEASON A SUCCESS. |
| 04:18:44 | I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY THANK THE HEAD COACH FOR HIS LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM IN BEING THE LONE HEAD COACH IN SAINTS' HISTORY TO OPEN A SEASON WITH 13 STRAIGHT WINS AND HOLDING THE ALL-TIME WINNING PERCENTAGE RECORD FOR A SAINTS' HEAD COACH. |
| 04:19:07 | THIS RESOLUTION ALSO HIGHLIGHTS STATISTICS FROM THE SAINTS' REGULAR SEASON AND SUPER BOWL XLIV SUCH AS DREW BREES COMPLETING 70. |
| 04:19:17 | 6% OF HIS PASSES DURING THE REGULAR SEASON, WHICH IS AN NFL RECORD. |
| 04:19:27 | MOST INTERCEPTIONS, RETURNING YARDAGE WITH 376 YARDS. |
| 04:19:31 | THE SAINTS' LEADING THE LEAGUE IN 2009 WITH 31. |
| 04:19:38 | 9 POINTS PER GAME AND 408 YARDS PER GAME. |
| 04:19:43 | 2009 SAINTS' SURPASSED THE TEAM'S RECORD IN MOST POINTS AND MOST TOUCHDOWNS, LONGEST WINNING RECORD, MOST INTERCEPTION BETWEEN YARDS AND MOST INTERCEPTIONS RETURNED FOR A TOUCHDOWN IN A GAME. |
| 04:19:57 | OTHER STATISTICS FROM SUPER BOWL XLIV WERE DREW BREES SETTING THE SUPER RECORD WITH 32-PASS COMPLETIONS AND RECEIVING YARDS WITH 83. |
| 04:20:08 | THE TEAM RUSHING FOR A TOTAL OF 51 YARDS ON 18 CARRIERS AND HARTLY, THREE FIELD GOALS OF OVER 40 YARDS. |
| 04:20:20 | FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN READING STATEMENTS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAINTS AND THEIR POSITIVE IMPACT ON NEW ORLEANS AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT TRADITION WITH A FEW STATEMENTS FOR MY DISTRICT. |
| 04:20:34 | MS. |
| 04:20:36 | LORETTA BREHM WRITES, THE ORGANIZATION EX EMAPPLYFIES, PROFESSIONALISM AND NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE. |
| 04:20:44 | THEY HAVE BROUGHT TOGETHER ALL PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION AND ECONOMIC STATUS. |
| 04:20:51 | THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR GENEROUS SPIRIT AND POSITIVE ACTION. |
| 04:20:54 | IF WE CAN GET THEIR SUCCESS, THERE ARE NO LIMITS. |
| 04:21:02 | MISLE LISA SMITH RIGHTS -- MELISSA SMITH WRITES, THE TEAM TOOK A CHANCE ON NEW ORLEANS. |
| 04:21:12 | LET'S RETURN THE TEAM TO NEW ORLEANS AND THE TEAM PROVIDED AN AVENUE FOR ALL OF US TO COME HOME AND GAVE US THE FAITH WE NEEDED TO OVERCOME CERTAIN ODDS. |
| 04:21:23 | THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS REMARKED ON THE RESURGENCE OF THE TEAM. |
| 04:21:28 | THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS GAVE THE CITY HOPE DURING A TIME WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS HOPE IN OURSELVES. |
| 04:21:33 | THEY PROVIDED PEOPLE WITH PLANS THAT DEPENDS ON DISCIPLINE, DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION. |
| 04:21:39 | WE MAY BE TIRED AND POOR RIGHT NOW, BUT WE ARE CONTENDERS. |
| 04:21:44 | WE ARE NEW ORLEANS. |
| 04:21:45 | WE ARE AMERICA. |
| 04:21:46 | THANK YOU. |
| 04:21:48 | AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 04:21:58 | MR. |
| 04:21:59 | MELANCON: I YIELD TO MY FRIEND, MR. |
| 04:22:03 | CARSON, FROM INDIANA TO EXPRESS HIS GRATITUDE FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WINNING. |
| 04:22:11 | I THINK THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS TO SAY. |
| 04:22:15 | >> MR. SPEAKER, I COME HERE TODAY AS A PROUD AMERICAN, A PROUD HOOSIER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A PROUD COLTS FAN BUT I ALSO COME DONING A NEW ORLEANS SAINTS' TIE GIVEN TO ME BY MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, BASED ON AN AGREEMENT THAT WAS MADE BETWEEN THE BOTH OF US. |
| 04:22:39 | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS INDEED ARE A LEGEND DEAR TEAM AND ARE ICONIC BUT I MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR GREAT ABILITY ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD IN WINNING THE SUPER BOWL. |
| 04:22:56 | I COMMEND THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AS WELL AS THE RESIDENTS OF LOUISIANA FOR THEIR RESILIENCE, TIME OF GREAT TRIAL AND TELL THEM TO KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. |
| 04:23:07 | WHO DAT. |
| 04:23:09 | GO COLTS. YIELD BACK. |
| 04:23:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 04:23:14 | CAO. |
| 04:23:15 | MR. CAO: I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY GOOD FRIEND FROM INDIANA, MR. |
| 04:23:21 | DON BURTON. |
| 04:23:22 | WE ENTERED INTO A LITTLE BET AND THE BET WAS FIVE POUNDS OF STEAKS, INDIANA STEAKS FOR FIVE POUNDS OF LOUISIANA SHRIMP. |
| 04:23:32 | AND I MUST SAY THE STEAKS WERE VERY, VERY DELICIOUS. |
| 04:23:39 | MR. |
| 04:23:40 | BURTON: THIS MAY TAKE MORE THAN ONE MINUTE, BUT LET ME JUST SAY I HAVE BEEN IN CONGRESS A LONG TIME AND THIS TRULY IS ONE OF THE MOST HUMBLING MOMENTS OF MY CAREER. |
| 04:23:52 | I WAS SO CONFIDENT THAT THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS WERE GOING TO BEAT THE SAINTS, YOU WAGERED FIVE POUNDS OF SHRIMP FOR FIVE POUNDS OF STEAKS AND I WAS CONFIDENT I WAS GOING TO BE EATING SHRIMP, I INVITED MY FRIENDS AND BOUGHT A BUNCH OF SHRIMP SAUCE AND NOW I HAVE ENOUGH SAUCE FOR FIVE POUNDS OF SHRIMP, BUT NO SHRIMP. |
| 04:24:21 | WHAT ADDS INSULT TO INJURY, WOULD YOUR QUARTERBACK, DREW BREES, WENT TO PURDUE UNIVERSITY IN INDIANA. |
| 04:24:30 | IT'S ALMOST UNWHOLLY TO DO THAT TO US. |
| 04:24:34 | AND THE FELLOW THAT INTERCEPTED THE PASS THAT WON THE GAME FOR YOU WENT TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY. |
| 04:24:41 | I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS. |
| 04:24:42 | THE GODS WEREN'T LOOKING ON US FAVORABLY THAT DAY. |
| 04:24:46 | IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I HOPE YOU DON'T CHOKE ON THAT STEAK YOU GOT FROM ME. |
| 04:24:51 | I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. |
| 04:24:53 | AND I THINK THIS IS A GREAT TIME -- GIVE ME ONE MORE MINUTE. |
| 04:24:59 | THIS IS A GREAT TIME FOR NEW ORLEANS. |
| 04:25:02 | THEY HAVE HAD TOUGH TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. |
| 04:25:04 | AND I THINK DREW BREES AND THAT TEAM REALLY DOES THEM PROUD. |
| 04:25:09 | AND IF ANY TEAM WAS GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL, OTHER THAN THE COLTS, I'M GLAD IT WAS THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS. |
| 04:25:18 | WE WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR. |
| 04:25:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA. |
| 04:25:27 | MR. |
| 04:25:28 | MELANCON: HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE? |
| 04:25:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: 16 MINUTES. |
| 04:25:32 | MR. MELANCON: WE WON'T GO THAT LONG. |
| 04:25:35 | LET ME START BY SAYING, IN NEW ORLEANS, WE HAVE WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE WHO DATS, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LOYAL SINCE DAY ONE. |
| 04:25:44 | WE HAVE IN NEW ORLEANS, THE RENEW DATS, WHICH IS A GROUP THAT WASN'T SURE EVERY YEAR AND THE SAINTS HAD TO TRY AND PROVE THEMSELVES. |
| 04:25:53 | WE NOW HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA AND IN THE SOUTH AND NATION CALLED THE NEW DATS WHO HAVE BECOME BLIVERS IN THE SAINTS. |
| 04:26:07 | MY -- BELIEVERS IN THE SAINTS. |
| 04:26:11 | MY MOTHER IN LAW HAS BEEN A FAN AND IT TOOK HER UNTIL SUPER BOWL SUNDAY MORNING TO RECONCILE HOW SHE HANDLED THE DAUGHTERS, PARTICULARLY THE ONE WHO LIVES IN LOUISIANA, MY WIFE AND NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, BALTIMORE COLTS AND PEYTON MANNING. |
| 04:26:31 | SHE CALLED HER DAUGHTER AND SAID, I FIGURED IT OUT. |
| 04:26:36 | PEYTON HAS A SUPER BOWL RING SO I WILL PULL FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS TODAY AND MY WIFE SAID, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO WIN IT. |
| 04:26:46 | WITH THAT, NEW ORLEANS HAS SEEN A HISTORIC OCCASION. |
| 04:26:51 | IT WAS EUPHORIC IN ITS MOOD. |
| 04:26:52 | IT IS IN A NEW TIME, IF YOU WOULD, BECAUSE OF THE EXCITEMENT, THE LOVE OF THE FRANCHISE. |
| 04:27:00 | THE TEAM, PLAYERS, THE COACHES AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MADE THIS A GREAT AND WONDERFUL YEAR. |
| 04:27:07 | WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND YIELD TO MY FRIEND, MR. |
| 04:27:16 | CAO. |
| 04:27:17 | MR. CAO: I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 04:27:23 | FLEMING. |
| 04:27:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA. |
| 04:27:26 | MR. |
| 04:27:27 | FLEMING: I THANK MY FRIEND, MR. |
| 04:27:29 | CAO, FOR PROPOSING THIS RESOLUTION AND HAVING THIS DEBATE TODAY AND CERTAINLY OTHER MEMBERS FROM OUR DELEGATION. |
| 04:27:37 | LET ME JUST SAY IN RESPONSE TO OUR GOOD FRIEND FROM INDIANA, MR. |
| 04:27:43 | BURTON, THAT THERE'S ANOTHER HOUR THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS AS WELL AND THAT IS PEYTON MANNING, THE QUARTERBACK FOR THE COLTS, IS THE SON OF ARCHIE MANNING WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAINTS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF ITS FAN FRANCHISE. |
| 04:28:02 | SO WE HAVE IRONIES BOILING OVER. |
| 04:28:05 | I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, THE FRANCHISE'S FIRST SUPER BOWL. |
| 04:28:12 | THEY WON BY 31-17 ON FEBRUARY 7, 2010. |
| 04:28:18 | THE SAINTS ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US ON AND OFF THE FIELD. |
| 04:28:22 | AFTER NOT PLAYING A SINGLE GAME IN THEIR HOME STADIUM IN 2005 AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, THE SAINTS CAME BACK IN 2006 TO A REVITALIZED SUPER DOME AND CARRIED THAT MOMENTUM TO REBUILDING THE CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. |
| 04:28:39 | THE TEAM DONATED MONEY TO CHARITIES AND TIMES INTO RENEWING THEIR CITY. |
| 04:28:46 | THE ADD VEERITY THEY OVERCAME WAS ENORMOUS BUT THEIR HOPE WAS EVEN GREATER. |
| 04:28:53 | I CON GREAT LATE THEM ON WINNING SUPER BOWL XLIV AND I WELCOME EVERYONE IN AMERICA TO THE WHO DAT NATION. |
| 04:29:01 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:29:02 | CHAIRMAN. |
| 04:29:03 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:29:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA. |
| 04:29:10 | . MR. |
| 04:29:11 | CAO: I SAY HE'S MY DEAR FRIEND FROM LOUISIANA, MR. |
| 04:29:15 | CASSIDY. |
| 04:29:16 | HE'S BEEN A WONDERFUL FRIEND AS WELL AS A WONDERFUL SUPPORTER OF ME IN THE PAST YEAR. |
| 04:29:22 | TWO MINUTES TO MY FRIEND, MR. |
| 04:29:24 | CASSIDY. |
| 04:29:25 | MR. CASSIDY: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:29:26 | CAO. |
| 04:29:27 | I RISE IN SUPPORT OF MR. |
| 04:29:28 | CAO'S RESOLUTION HONORING THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ORLEANS SAINTS. |
| 04:29:33 | I REMEMBER AS A CHILD WATCHING THE SAINTS PLAY IN THE OLD TULANE FOOTBALL STADIUM. |
| 04:29:38 | AND BETWEEN THE TIME I WAS A CHILD AND NOW THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ROUGH TIMES. |
| 04:29:41 | BUT THIS YEAR WAS DIFFERENT. |
| 04:29:43 | THEY STARTED OFF WITH 13 WINS. |
| 04:29:46 | THEY HAD THREE HARD-FOUGHT POSTSEASON VICTORIES. |
| 04:29:49 | I'M ESPECIALLY PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE VICTORY IN THE N. |
| 04:29:53 | F.C. CHAMPIONSHIP AND SUPER BOWL WAS DUE IN GREAT PART TO DECISIVE INTERCEPTIONS BY TRACY PORTER IN WEST BATON ROUGE, PARISH. |
| 04:30:04 | AND MR. BURTON IS RIGHT, HE WENT TO INDIANA. |
| 04:30:07 | TO THE TUNE OF DOING SO, HE HAD A PICK SIX AGAINST THE COLTS. |
| 04:30:11 | AND MR. PORTER, BY THE WAY, HAS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE WEEK GOING UP TO THE SUPER BOWL IN A RELIEF EFFORT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE. |
| 04:30:21 | NOT ONLY A GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYER BUT A FINE PERSON. |
| 04:30:25 | THAT SAID, GOOD THINGS COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT. |
| 04:30:31 | THANK YOU TO THE SAINTS FANS BACK IN LOUISIANA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. |
| 04:30:34 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:30:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MR. |
| 04:30:37 | CAO. MR. |
| 04:30:39 | CAO: MR. SPEAKER, I CANNOT FIND A MORE SAINTS FAN THAT MR. |
| 04:30:46 | SCALISE. |
| 04:30:47 | HE REPRESENTS A GOOD -- ABOUT 10% OF NEW ORLEANS AND A GOOD PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH. |
| 04:30:53 | AND MOST OF THE FANS OF NEW ORLEANS COMES FROM THE PARISHES THAT MR. |
| 04:30:57 | SCALISE REPRESENTS. |
| 04:30:58 | I'D LIKE TO YIELD TO MR. |
| 04:31:00 | SCALISE FIVE MINUTES. |
| 04:31:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN HAS TWO MINUTES. |
| 04:31:03 | FIVE MINUTES. |
| 04:31:05 | SORRY. |
| 04:31:06 | MR. SCALISE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. |
| 04:31:07 | I WANT TO THANK MR. |
| 04:31:08 | CAO, MY COLLEAGUE FROM NEW ORLEANS, FOR BRINGING THE RESOLUTION AND IT'S REALLY A SPECIAL TIME. |
| 04:31:13 | IF YOU'VE BEEN AND AROUND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND OF COURSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON NEW ORLEANS AND LOOKING AT THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO OUR CITY AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, BUT WE'VE HAD SUCH AN OUTPOURING OVER THE YEARS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WANTING AND ROOTING FOR AND PULLING FOR THE CITY TO COME BACK. |
| 04:31:31 | I THINK WHAT'S BEEN THE MOST SPECIAL THING ABOUT THIS PAST YEAR WITH THE SAINTS AND THEIR SUCCESS THAT THEY'VE HAD ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD IS THAT IT'S REALLY GALVANIZED THE CITY AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. |
| 04:31:46 | I BROUGHT A FOOTBALL HERE THAT'S GOT THE SUPER BOWL LOGO AND REPRESENTS THE FACT THAT THE SAINTS WON THE SUPER BOWL AND, OF COURSE, WE'RE HERE TODAY CONGRATULATING THE SAINTS ON WINNING THE SUPER BOWL. |
| 04:31:56 | BUT THIS VICTORY WAS MUCH MORE THAN A FOOTBALL GAME. |
| 04:31:59 | NOT ONLY DO I REMEMBER BACK DURING THE YEARS THAT MY DAD TOOK ME TO TULANE STADIUM WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID, AND AS MY COLLEAGUE, CONGRESSMAN CASSIDY, TALKED ABOUT THE LEANER YEARS, I THINK IT'S THE RESILIENCE OF THE TEAM BUT IT'S REALLY STARTS AT THE TOP. |
| 04:32:15 | AND WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT THE OWNER, TOM BENSON, HAS MEANT. |
| 04:32:23 | THE FACT THAT HE BOUGHT THE TEAM BACK IN THE 1980'S BUT THEN THE FACT THAT EVEN THROUGH SOME OF THOSE TOUGH YEARS HE MADE A DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE, THAT HE WAS GOING TO BUILD A TEAM AND HE SAID MANY TIMES THAT WOULD WIN THE SUPER BOWL. |
| 04:32:37 | THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WONDERED IF THAT WOULD EVER HAPPEN. |
| 04:32:40 | THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE CRYING IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, NOT ONLY WHEN THE SAINTS WON THE N. |
| 04:32:45 | F.C. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, BUT WHEN THE SAINTS WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL AND WON THE SUPER BOWL BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN, BUT IT DID HAPPEN. |
| 04:32:54 | I THINK THE "TIMES-PICAYUNE," THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE HEADLINE WAS "AMEN," BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE'S PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED AND, OF COURSE, THE SAINTS ARE NAMED AFTER THE SAINTS. |
| 04:33:07 | AND I THINK WE HAD A LOT OF PRAYERS FROM ABOVE. |
| 04:33:10 | BUT THOSE PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED. |
| 04:33:12 | BUT IN A LOT OF WAYS, THOSE PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED BY THE ORGANIZATION THAT TOM BENSON AND HIS WIFE, GALE, AND HIS DAUGHTER, RITA BENSON LEBLANC AND SO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAINTS ORGANIZATION WHO MADE THAT COMMITMENT TO BUILD A WORLD-CLASS FOOTBALL TEAM. |
| 04:33:27 | IF YOU JUST GO THROUGH AND YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE GREAT TALENT THAT'S BEEN AMASSED NOW. |
| 04:33:32 | IT STARTS WITH THE COACH, SEAN PAYTON. |
| 04:33:36 | HE DID ONE OF THE MORE UNSELFISH ACTS OF ACTUALLY GIVING UP SOME OF HIS OWN SALARY TO BRING IN A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR WHO TRULY HELPED TRANSFORM THAT DEFENSE INTO WHAT SO MANY PEOPLE SAW AND ADMIRED ON THE FIELD. |
| 04:33:48 | I TALK A FEW OTHER PLAYERS THAT I WANT TO FEATURE AND COMMEND, IT'S NOT AS MUCH THE ACTS THAT THEY DID ON THE FIELD. |
| 04:33:55 | BECAUSE WE SAW WHAT THEY DID ON THE FIELD THAT INSPIRED PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IT INSPIRED PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION IN DREW BREES WINNING THE M. |
| 04:34:05 | V.P. AND PUTTING UP RECORDS. |
| 04:34:09 | GARY WITH 3-3 FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS AND THREE OVER 40 YARDS. |
| 04:34:16 | WHO CAN FORGET TRACY PORTER'S RETURN FOR A TOUCHDOWN. |
| 04:34:19 | AND, OF COURSE, THE GUTSY CALL FOR SEAN PAYTON TO START THE SECOND HALF WITH AN ONSIDES KICK. |
| 04:34:29 | IT'S THE UNIQUE BOND BETWEEN THE SAINTS AND THEIR FANS. |
| 04:34:32 | IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN AFTER KATRINA. |
| 04:34:35 | FOR THOSE IN THE SUPERDOME THAT NIGHT IN 2006 FOR THE ATLANTA FALCONS GAME, WHEN PEOPLE SAID THE SUPERDOME WOULDN'T OPEN AGAIN, WHEN NEW ORLEANS WOULDN'T HAVE A TEAM AGAIN, IN FACT, WHEN THEY SAID NEW ORLEANS WASN'T GOING TO COME BACK, IT WAS ONE OF THOSE WATERSHED MOMENTS THAT REALLY GALVANIZED THE CITY. |
| 04:34:56 | IT SAID THEY COULD COME BACK BECAUSE THE SAINTS CAME BACK. |
| 04:34:59 | SINCE THEN THEY'VE SERVED AS GREAT ROLE MODELS OFF THE FIELD. |
| 04:35:04 | THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT MUCH IN SPORTS. |
| 04:35:08 | SEAN PAYTON HAS DONATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO DO GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY IN GIVING MONEY TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO DO GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. |
| 04:35:18 | WE'VE SEEN DREW BREES. |
| 04:35:19 | OF COURSE, DREW BREES, HE'S GOTTEN SO MANY ACCOLADES ON THE FIELD. |
| 04:35:22 | BUT OFF THE FIELD HE'S GOTTEN ACCOLADES AS WELL. |
| 04:35:25 | IN HIS BREES DREAM FOUNDATION HE'S DONATED OVER $4. |
| 04:35:29 | 5 MILLION TO VARIOUS CAUSES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. |
| 04:35:32 | DONE WONDERFUL THINGS. |
| 04:35:34 | HELPED YOUNG KIDS. |
| 04:35:35 | HE WAS THE 2006 WALTER PAYTON MAN OF THE YEAR. |
| 04:35:38 | JUST AN INCREDIBLY HIGH-QUALITY PERSON WHO'S GOTTEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. |
| 04:35:43 | I WANT TO TALK ABOUT REGGIE BUSH, FINALLY. |
| 04:35:45 | AND TODAY IS REGGIE BUSH'S BIRTHDAY. |
| 04:35:48 | HE WEARS NUMBER 25 AND TODAY IS HIS 25TH BIRTHDAY. |
| 04:35:51 | WE WANT TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO REGGIE BUSH. |
| 04:35:56 | HIS 619 FOUNDATION. |
| 04:35:57 | HE DONATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO THE COMMUNITY. |
| 04:36:03 | AND ANOTHER DONATED $86,000 TO REBUILD A FOOTBALL FIELD AFTER KATRINA SO THAT SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE CAN LOOK UP TO ROLE MODELS BUT TO GO AND PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS. |
| 04:36:15 | IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY. |
| 04:36:18 | WE APPRECIATE WHAT THE SAINTS HAVE DONE ON THE FIELD BUT WE ALSO APPRECIATE WHAT TOM BENSON AND HIS LEADERSHIP AND THE TEAM'S DONE OFF THE FIELD. |
| 04:36:24 | I THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:36:25 | SPEAKER, THANK CONGRESSMAN CAO, AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:36:28 | MR. CAO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. |
| 04:36:29 | SPEAKER. |
| 04:36:30 | I'D LIKE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED MEMBER FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DR. |
| 04:36:36 | BOUSTANY. DR. |
| 04:36:37 | BOUSTANY HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL FRIEND TO ME AS WELL AS WELL AS A WONDERFUL MENTOR. |
| 04:36:42 | IT'S ALWAYS GOOD THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A GREAT PERSON FOR ME TO LEAN ON. |
| 04:36:48 | DR. |
| 04:36:49 | BOUSTANY. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 04:36:52 | MR. |
| 04:36:53 | BOUSTANY: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:36:54 | SPEAKER. I THANK MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, MR. |
| 04:36:55 | CAO, FOR GIVING ME TIME AND FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR WHICH I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT, CONGRATULATING THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FOR WINNING THE SUPER BOWL XLIV AND BRINGING THIS LONG OVERDUE NFL CHAMPIONSHIP TO SOUTH LOUISIANA. |
| 04:37:07 | YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO SOME BUSINESSMEN BACK HOME IN MY DISTRICT WHO TOLD ME AFTER THE VICTORY, THEY'RE STARTING TO SEE OUT-OF-STATE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES COME UP AS A RESULT OF THE NEW-FOUND SPIRIT THAT'S COME ABOUT FOLLOWING THIS GREAT SUPER BOWL VICTORY. |
| 04:37:23 | AND IT'S A WONDERFUL THING FOR LOUISIANA. |
| 04:37:26 | YOU KNOW, AFTER 43 YEARS WITHOUT REACHING THE SUPER BOWL, THE SAINTS DID IT. |
| 04:37:29 | THEY FINALLY DID IT. |
| 04:37:30 | IT'S BEEN A GREAT VICTORY FOR ALL OF US. |
| 04:37:32 | IT'S GREAT FOR OUR STATE. |
| 04:37:33 | LEADING THAT CHARGE WAS SUPER BOWL M. |
| 04:37:37 | V.P. QUARTERBACK DREW BREES WHO COMPLETED 32-39 PASS ATTEMPTS FOR 288 YARDS, TWO TOUCHDOWNS. |
| 04:37:44 | AND LOUISIANA NATIVE TRACY PORTER BUT I REALLY AM ESPECIALLY PROUD OF ONE DISTRICT FROM MY DISTRICT, FROM ON LOUISAS HIGH SCHOOL, WIDE RECEIVER -- OPPALOUSAS HIGH SCHOOL, WIDE RECEIVER. |
| 04:38:05 | 86 PASSES, FOUR TOUCHDOWNS. |
| 04:38:07 | AND HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE ON OFFENSE IN THE SUPER BOWL CATCHING SEVEN PASSES, IMPORTANT PASSES FOR A TOTAL OF 64 YARDS. |
| 04:38:15 | THIS IS TRULY A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION FOR THE WHO DAT NATION, ALL OF OUR SAINTS FANS IN LOUISIANA AND AROUND THIS GREAT COUNTRY. |
| 04:38:25 | WE WANT TO HONOR OUR SON, PAYTON, FOR HIS GENIUS AND WHAT HE'S BROUGHT TO THE SAINTS ORGANIZATION AND THE ENTIRE SAINTS ORGANIZATION FOR WHAT THEY'VE TON FOR NEW ORLEANS AND THE REST OF THE SAINTS. |
| 04:38:35 | WE ARE EXCEEDINGLY PROUD OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED. |
| 04:38:39 | WE COMMEND THE FAMILIES OF THE PLAYERS, THE COACHES AND THE SUPPORT STAFF, AND THE LOUDEST AND MOST LOYAL FANS OF ALL, THE WHO DAT NATION. |
| 04:38:48 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:38:49 | SPEAKER. I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:38:51 | MR. CAO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. |
| 04:38:53 | BOUSTANY. AND BECAUSE THE SAINTS HAVE BEEN SO IMPORTANT TO MY CONSTITUENTS, I AM MAKING IT OFFICIAL -- I WOULD BE MAKING OFFICIAL COPIES OF THE RESOLUTION TO BE -- TO BE AVAILABLE TO THEM. |
| 04:39:05 | THEY CAN RECEIVE A COPY BY CONTACTING MY OFFICE IN WASHINGTON OR NEW ORLEANS. |
| 04:39:09 | AND I WANT TO CLOSE WITH A PRAYER FOR THE SAINTS DELIVERED BY ARCHBISHOP PHIL HAMMOND AT THE FIRST SAINTS BANE GET IN 1968. |
| 04:39:19 | -- BANQUET IN 1968. |
| 04:39:21 | OUR HOLY FATHER WHO HAS INSTRUCTED US THAT THE SAINTS CONQUERED KINGDOM AND OVERCAME LIONS, GRANT OUR SAINTS STRENGTH SO THEY WILL NOT ONLY OVERCOME THE LIONS BUT ALSO THE BEARS, THE RAMS, THE GIANTS AND EVEN THOSE AWESOME PEOPLE IN GREEN BAY. |
| 04:39:37 | MAY WE CONTINUE TO -- GIVE THE COACHES AND OWNERS THE SERVANTS AND SIMPLE AS DOVE SO NO GOOD TALENTS WILL ARCH OUR DRAFT. |
| 04:39:50 | GRANT OUR FANS' PERSEVERANCE IN THEIR DEVOTION AND UNLIMITED LUNG POWER. |
| 04:39:56 | TEMPERED WITH CHARITY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE REFEREE. |
| 04:40:00 | MAY IT BE A SOURCE OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP AND MAY THE SAINTS COME MARCHING IN, BE A VICTORY MARCH FOR ALL NOW AND IN ALL ETERNITY. |
| 04:40:10 | THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 04:40:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ALL TIME HAS BEEN YIELDED. |
| 04:40:12 | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1079. |
| 04:40:17 | AS AMENDED. |
| 04:40:19 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 04:40:23 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 04:40:27 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO -- MR. |
| 04:40:32 | CAO: MR. SPEAKER, I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS. |
| 04:40:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 04:40:41 | THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. |
| 04:40:44 | ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. |
| 04:40:52 | A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. |
| 04:40:57 | PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. |
| 04:41:47 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 04:41:54 | MR. |
| 04:41:55 | SCOTT: MR. |
| 04:41:56 | SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1082. |
| 04:41:59 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 04:42:02 | THE CLERK: HOUSE RESOLUTION 1082, RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICA SAVES WEEK. |
| 04:42:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 04:42:12 | SCOTT, AND THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MRS. |
| 04:42:15 | BIGGERT, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 04:42:18 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 04:42:19 | MR. |
| 04:42:20 | SCOTT: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:42:21 | SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS ON THE LEGISLATION AND TO INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS THEREON. |
| 04:42:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 04:42:36 | MR. SCOTT: MR. |
| 04:42:37 | SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME AT THIS POINT. |
| 04:42:40 | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1082, WHICH SUPPORTS THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICA SAVES WEEK, WHICH WAS HELD FEBRUARY 21 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28 OF THIS YEAR. |
| 04:42:58 | MR. SPEAKER, THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS YEAR'S AMERICA SAVES WEEK IS ENCOURAGING AUTOMATIC AND HABITUAL SAVINGS, A GREAT NEED AT THIS TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. |
| 04:43:14 | THIS IS A THEME THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE WORK OF OUR FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC LITERACY CAUCUS. |
| 04:43:22 | THE TREASURY'S OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS THE FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION COMMISSION AND FEDERAL AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT COMMUNITY BASED GROUPS, PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS, THE CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA AND THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND ITS AMERICA SAVING EDUCATIONAL COUNCIL CHOOSE TO SAVE CAMPAIGN. |
| 04:43:48 | A WONDERFUL COALITION OF GREAT AMERICANS WHO ARE FOCUSING US ON A GREAT NEED TODAY. |
| 04:43:56 | MR. |
| 04:43:57 | SPEAKER, FINANCIAL LITERACY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR AMERICANS TODAY, WHETHER IT INVOLVES SAVING ENOUGH MONEY FOR OUR CHILDREN'S COLLEGE EDUCATION OR SAVING FOR AN UNFORESEEN MEDICAL OR FAMILY EMERGENCY, A HOUSE, MAYBE A CAR, ONE'S RETIREMENT. |
| 04:44:22 | THE CURRENT ECONOMIC INSTABILITY IN OUR NATION TODAY HIGHLIGHTS EVEN MORE TO ALL AMERICANS THE NECESSITY OF HAVING A SAVINGS PLAN. |
| 04:44:31 | SOME EMERGENCY SAVINGS. |
| 04:44:33 | AND THE VALUE OF MAKING SAVINGS AUTOMATIC. |
| 04:44:37 | RESEARCH HAS FOUND THAT THERE ARE HIGHER AND MIDDLE AND LOWER-INCOME SAVERS AND THERE ARE SPENDERS. |
| 04:44:46 | IN EACH OF THESE INCOME CLASSES , MIDDLE, HIGHER, AND LOWER. |
| 04:44:54 | ALMOST ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO BUILD WEALTH THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS TO WORKPLACE RETIREMENT PROGRAMS, BUILDING HOME EQUITY, AND OTHER SAVINGS, IF NOTHING MORE THAN JUST A SIMPLE SAVINGS ACCOUNT. |
| 04:45:09 | STARTING AT A VERY YOUNG AGE FOR OUR CHILDREN. |
| 04:45:13 | TO GET THEM IN THE HABIT OF SAVING. |
| 04:45:16 | OLDER AMERICANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIVE WITHIN 200% OF POVERTY THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP AND MORE THAN 60% OF THE CURRENT ELDERLY POPULATION RELIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 3/4 OF THEIR ANNUAL INCOME. |
| 04:45:34 | WHAT I FIND EVEN MORE ALARMING, MR. |
| 04:45:37 | SPEAKER, IS THAT THE AVERAGE SAVINGS OF RETIREES REMAIN AT $50,000 AND THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CRISIS IS DRAINING THESE FUNDS EVERY DAY. |
| 04:45:51 | HENCE, THE NEED TO HELP ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THAT OLDER AMERICANS FACE. |
| 04:45:59 | TO SHED LIGHT ON ALL THESE SHORTCOMINGS AS WELL AS PROVIDE WAYS TO ADDRESS THEM, AMERICA SAVES, MANAGED BY THE CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA, WAS ESTABLISHED NINE YEARS AGO AS AN ANNUAL NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN THAT ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, TO ENROLL AS AMERICAN SAVERS AND ESTABLISH A PERSONAL SAVINGS GOAL AND AN -- IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD PERSONAL WEALTH. |
| 04:46:28 | AND TO ENHANCE FINANCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:46:33 | NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SAVINGS. |
| 04:46:38 | AMERICA SAVES NOW HAS 53 LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS, WOKING WITH OVER 500 MAINSTREAM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE NO FEE OR LOW FEE OR LOW OPENING BALANCE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS THAT ALLOW SMALL SAVERS TO ACHIEVE GREAT SUCCESS. |
| 04:47:00 | GOVERNMENT AND NONGOVERNMENT ENTITIES AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS ORGANIZE AMERICA SAVINGS CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO OPEN SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKPLACE RETIREMENT PROGRAMS AND TO DEVISE A GOOD SAVINGS PLAN. |
| 04:47:17 | AS A RESULT OF AMERICA SAVES, OVER 1,000 LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS MOTIVATED MORE THAN 145,000 PEOPLE TO ENROLL AS AMERICAN SAVERS. |
| 04:47:29 | I AM VERY PLEASED THAT THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATES, LO TALLKIES -- LOCALITIES, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND OTHER ENTITIES AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES-AMERICA OBSERVED THE FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICA SAVES WEEK WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING THE SAVINGS RATES IF -- RATES FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE. |
| 04:47:50 | SO, MR. |
| 04:47:51 | SPEAKER, I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY CHAIRMAN, CHAIRMAN BARNEY FRANK, AND THE STAFF OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR, ESPECIALLY RICK MO RAW NOAH AND -- RICK MORANO AND TOM DUNCAN. |
| 04:48:10 | I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR ALL MY GOOD FRIEND CONGRESSMAN JUDY BIGGERT HAS DONE. |
| 04:48:17 | SHE'S BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF LITERACY FOR MANY YEARS IN TERMS OF HER ENTIRE SERVICE HERE IN THE CONGRESS. |
| 04:48:26 | JUDY BIGGERT HAS BEEN IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING. |
| 04:48:35 | AND ALL SHE'S DONE OVER THE YEARS TO HELP IMPROVE THE FINANCIAL LITERACY RATE OF ALL INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AT ALL STAGES OF LIFE AND MS. |
| 04:48:45 | JUDY BIGGERT CERTAINLY DESERVES OUR COMMENDATIONS. |
| 04:48:48 | SHE AND CONGRESSMAN RUBEN HINOJOSA CO-FOUNDED AND CURRENTLY CO-CHAIR THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC LITERACY CAUCUS, OF WHICH I'M A MEMBER. |
| 04:49:01 | BOTH OF THESE OUTSTANDING CONGRESSPEOPLE, CONGRESSMAN HINOJOSA COULD NOT BE HERE WITH US TODAY BECAUSE YESTERDAY WAS THE TEXAS PRIMARY AND I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TO ALL OF US THAT HE WON HIS PRIMARY YESTERDAY. |
| 04:49:19 | SO CONGRATULATIONS TO CONGRESSMAN HINOJOSA AND WE'RE GLAD TO MOVE ON AND CARRY THIS TORCH IN HIS STEAD TODAY. |
| 04:49:26 | I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK CONGRESSMAN BIGGERT'S STAFF, NICOLE AUSTIN AND VAI SAKANIK, AND THE STAFF OF MS. |
| 04:49:44 | EDDIE BEHR THESE JOHNSON -- EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, SHE HAS DONE AN ADMIRABLE JOB IN PUSHING THIS LEGISLATION AND DESERVES TO BE COMMENDED FOR HER HARD WORK IN THIS AREA. |
| 04:49:55 | WHAT THEY ALL ARE DOING, WHAT WE ALL ARE DOING TO HELP THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC LITERACY CAUCUS ATTAIN ITS GOALS. |
| 04:50:03 | THIS IS A TREMENDOUS BILL. |
| 04:50:06 | IT'S FOR A TREMENDOUS PURPOSE. |
| 04:50:08 | MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE PLANS OF MY TIME. |
| 04:50:10 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 04:50:13 | THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS, MRS. |
| 04:50:15 | BIGGERT, IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 04:50:18 | MRS. BIGGERT: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:50:19 | SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 04:50:22 | I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 04:50:24 | SCOTT, FOR HIS KIND WORDS AND ALL THAT HE DOES IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ON THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. |
| 04:50:34 | AND FOR HIS MANAGEMENT OF THIS BILL. |
| 04:50:35 | I RISE TODAY TO JOIN NOT ONLY MR. |
| 04:50:38 | SCOTT BUT MY GOOD FRIEND, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS, EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, IN SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR'S RESOLUTION MAKING THE FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICA SAVES WEEK. |
| 04:50:48 | I'M PLEASED TO JOIN CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON AS A CO-SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO GIVE IT THEIR FULL SUPPORT. |
| 04:50:58 | MR. SPEAKER, AS MOST ARE AWARE, I'VE BEEN WORKING TO MAKE FINANCIAL LITERACY A TOP PRIORITY BOTH IN THE CLASSROOM AND HERE ON CAPITOL HILL. |
| 04:51:09 | IN 2005, I JOINED MY GOOD FRIEND AND CO-SPONSOR OF TODAY'S RESOLUTION, CONGRESSMAN HINOJOSA, TO FORM THE FINANCIAL LITERACY CAUCUS TO HELP EQUIP STUDENTS AND CONSUMERS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO PROSPER IN TODAY'S SOPHISTICATED MARKETPLACE. |
| 04:51:27 | SINCE THEN, THE TERM FINANCIAL LITERACY HAS BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE LEXICON ESPECIALLY AS THE NEED HAS BECOME CLEARER THAN EVER WITH MORE AND MORE AMERICAN FAMILIES RELYING ON DEPLETED SAVINGS TO WEATHER THIS PERIOD OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. |
| 04:51:45 | WHEN IT COMES TO PREPARING AGAINST ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, BUILDING CREDIT, OR MAKING DOZENS OF OTHER DAY-TO-DAY DECISIONS, FINANCIAL DECISIONS, NOTHING PROTECTS CONSUMERS AND THEIR FINANCIAL SECURITY MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN ARMING THEM EVEN AS YOUNG STUDENTS WITH A SOUND FINANCIAL IN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND THAT LESSON BEGINS WITH SAVINGS. |
| 04:52:10 | 60% OF PRETEENS DO NOT EVEN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CASH, CREDIT CARDS, AND CHECKS, AND YET ONLY 26% OF STUDENTS ARE ACTIVELY LEARNING FINANCIAL LITERACY FROM THEIR PARENTS. |
| 04:52:23 | IT IS LITTLE WONDER WHY 10 MILLION U. |
| 04:52:27 | S. HOUSEHOLDS REMAIN COMPLETELY UNBANKED OR WITHOUT ACCESS TO STANDARD FINANCIAL TOOLS LIKE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT. |
| 04:52:33 | THAT'S WHAT MAKES INITIATIVES LIKE AMERICA SAVES WEEK IMPORTANT. |
| 04:52:38 | IT REPRESENTS A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FINANCIAL LEADERS FROM THE FDIA -- FDIC AND FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION TO THE JUMP START COALITION TO SHARE IMPORTANT RESOURCES AND LESSONS WITH FUTURE SAVERS WHO MAY BE ABLE TO RIDE OUT THE NEXT FINANCIAL DOWNTURN, BUY A HOME, OR RETIRE MORE COMFORTABLY THANKS TO THE FINANCIAL TOOLS THEY GAINED ACCESS TO TODAY. |
| 04:53:05 | AS THE TEXT OF TODAY'S RESOLUTION SUGGEST THE NATIONAL SAVINGS RATE HAS RISEN SLIGHTLY AS THE AMERICANS SPEND MORE CONSERVATIVELY IN THE DOWN ECONOMY BUT AS WE RECOVER, THE NEXT STEP MUST BE TO HELP FAMILIES SET GOALS, PLAN EFFECTIVELY AND INVEST WISELY IN THOSE TIMES WHEN THEY ARE MOST ABLE TO BUILD AN ECONOMIC BUFFER AGAINST FUTURE NEEDS. |
| 04:53:28 | MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT HERE TO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER JOINING THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC LITERACY CAUCUS, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY, BY CONTACTING EITHER ME OR MY DISTINGUISHED CO-CHAIRMAN, MR. |
| 04:53:43 | HINOJOSA. |
| 04:53:44 | AS MY COLLEAGUES ARE AWARE, LAST WEEK, THE F. |
| 04:53:47 | T.C. TEAMED WITH OUR CAUCUS TO SHOWCASE CONSUMER PROTECTION RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS ACROSS AMERICA. |
| 04:53:53 | NOW WE ARE GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER EXCITING FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH THIS APRIL WITH EVENTS AND BRIEFINGS TO HELP AMERICANS OF ALL AGES EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON HOW TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT, SAVVY AND SAFE INVESTORS AND CONSUMERS. |
| 04:54:09 | I HOPE EVERY MEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO FIND TIME TO PARTICIPATE OR SEND STAFF TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CAN HELP PROMOTE FINANCIAL LITERACY IN THEIR OWN WAY. |
| 04:54:19 | I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HONOR A DEPARTED COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND, THE LATE CONGRESSWOMAN STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES. |
| 04:54:26 | IN PREVIOUS YEARS SHE CHAMPIONED IN RESOLUTION IN THE HOUSE AND WAS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY THROUGHOUT HER CAREER. |
| 04:54:34 | I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE IN SING HER PRESENCE IS MISSED HERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR. |
| 04:54:39 | WITH THAT, MR. |
| 04:54:40 | SPEAKER, LET ME JUST SAY ONCE AGAIN I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON, CONGRESSMAN HINOJOSA, AND ME IN SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION AND SOUND SAVING HABITS IN AMERICA SAVES WEEK AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. |
| 04:54:54 | WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:54:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 04:55:01 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 04:55:03 | MR. |
| 04:55:04 | SCOTT: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. |
| 04:55:05 | SPEAKER. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE SPONSOR AND AUTHOR OF THIS BILL, THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS WHO HAS PUT IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK IN THIS EFFORT AND SHE IS TO CERTAINLY BE COMMENDED FOR HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THIS ISSUE, THAT IS GENTLELADY EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON OF TEXAS. |
| 04:55:24 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 04:55:27 | MS. |
| 04:55:28 | JOHNSON: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 04:55:29 | SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1082, SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICA SAVES WEEK, WHICH REALLY RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 21 THROUGH 28. |
| 04:55:40 | I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK CHAIRMAN FRANK FOR HIS ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT AND TIMELY RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK CONGRESSMAN HINOJOSA AND CONGRESSWOMAN BIGGERT AND CONGRESSMAN SCOTT FOR THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. |
| 04:56:00 | AMERICA SAVES WAS ESTABLISHED NINE YEARS AGO AS AN ANNUAL, NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN THAT ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, TO INCREASE THEIR FINANCIAL LITERACY. |
| 04:56:25 | AMERICA SAVES WANTS TO ESTABLISH A PERSONAL SAVINGS GOAL TO BUILD PERSONAL WEALTH AND ENHANCE FINANCIAL SECURITY. |
| 04:56:32 | AMERICA SAVES FOCUSES ON SAVING, A FOCUS WHICH CREATES A NATIONAL CULTURE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, IS INCREDIBLE -- WHICH IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES. |
| 04:56:45 | I BELIEVE A FINANCIALLY LITERATE PUBLIC IS A KEY COMPONENT TO HAVING A STRONG AN ROBUST ECONOMY. |
| 04:56:51 | WE REALLY ARE ONLY AS RICH AS OUR POOREST CITIZENS. |
| 04:56:55 | RESOLUTIONS LIKE AMERICA SAVES PROMOTE BROAD-BASED FINANCIAL LITERACY INITIATIVES AND ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE WELL BEING OF OUR COUNTRY. |
| 04:57:07 | A RECENT SURVEY DONE BY THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING HAS SHOWN THAT ONLY 42% OF ADULT SAYS THEY KEEP CLOSE TRACK OF THEIR SPENDING. |
| 04:57:17 | ROUGHLY 7% OF THE ADULT POPULATION OR ABOUT 16 MILLION PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY SPEND ON FOOD, HOUSING, AND ENTERTAINMENT. |
| 04:57:31 | OTHER STATISTICS SHOW EVEN MORE DISTRESSING TRENDS. |
| 04:57:35 | 26% OF THE ADULTS, OR 58 MILLION PEOPLE, ADMIT TO NOT PAYING ALL THEIR BILLS ON TIME AND 6% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS CARRY CREDIT CARD DEBT OF $10,000 OR MORE FROM MONTH TO MONTH. |
| 04:57:48 | I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED TO HEAR STATISTICS LIKE THIS AND IT IS ALARMING BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY SIMPLE THINGS THAT -- THERE ARE VERY SIMPLE THINGS PEOPLE CAN DO TO SAVE MONEY AND LEAD MORE FINANCIALLY STABLE LIVES. |
| 04:58:04 | MY FATHER SAID TO ME, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, WHATEVER YOU MAKE, LARGE OR SMALL, SAVE SOME OF IT. |
| 04:58:13 | AND SO THAT REALLY STARTED ME WITH A LITTLE TREND. |
| 04:58:17 | NOW FOR THE LAST 40-PLUS YEAR, I GIVE A PIGGY BANK TO ALL NEWBORNS OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS SO THAT SAVING MONEY BECOMES AN INSTITUTIONALIZED ACTIVITY FOR SMALL CHILDREN. |
| 04:58:32 | THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS. |
| 04:58:33 | PERSONAL SAVINGS AS A PERCENTAGE OF DISPOSABLE INCOME HAS RISEN FROM 1. |
| 04:58:38 | 2% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2008 TO 4. |
| 04:58:43 | 8% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2009. |
| 04:58:47 | I WILL SAY, MR. |
| 04:58:48 | SPEAKER, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE ECONOMY IS NOT THAT GREAT, PEOPLE ARE SAVING THEIR MONEY. |
| 04:58:53 | IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH EDUCATION IN FINANCIAL MANNERS AND DEVELOP AN UNBIASED FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM AND THAT WILL ONLY INCREASE IN IMPORTANCE IN THE COMING YEARS. |
| 04:59:08 | I HAVE VERY FREQUENT SUMMITS AND WORKSHOPS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY WITH ADULTS THROUGHOUT THE DALLAS AREA AND OUR DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS MADE IT PART OF THE CURRICULUM. |
| 04:59:20 | I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN, STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES, WHO WORKED HARD TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL ECONOMIC SITUATION FOR ALL THOSE RESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 04:59:40 | SO MR. |
| 04:59:41 | SPEAKER, I BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HELPING POWER PEOPLE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCIAL LIVES. |
| 04:59:48 | I THANK YOU AND I THANK ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 04:59:54 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 05:00:00 | MRS. |
| 05:00:01 | BIGGERT: I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:00:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 05:00:06 | MR. SCOTT: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:00:07 | SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I'D NOW LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE DISHED -- DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR. |
| 05:00:14 | ANDRE CARSON. |
| 05:00:15 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:00:18 | MR. CARSON: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:00:19 | SPEAKER. I COME TO THE FLOOR IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1082, SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL AMERICA SAVES WEEK. |
| 05:00:27 | THE ECONOMY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS INCREASED EVERYONE'S AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR PERSONAL FINANCES. |
| 05:00:35 | RATHER THAN SPENDING MORE THAN THEY HAVE COMING IN, HOUSEHOLDS ARE MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO SAVE. |
| 05:00:42 | LEARNING TO BE A DISCIPLINE SAVER IS THE KEY TO BUILDING WEALTH. |
| 05:00:46 | IT REALLY DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE HOW MUCH YOUR PAYCHECK IS EACH MONTH IF YOU'RE NOT SAVING A PORTION OF IT FOR THE FUTURE. |
| 05:00:52 | MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TEACH OUR KIDS HOW TO SAVE. |
| 05:00:58 | THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF MONEY AND INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD. |
| 05:01:04 | THIS WILL PREPARE THEM TO LEARN MONEY MANAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY AS THEY GROW OLDER AND BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT CREDIT CARDS, CAR LOANS AND MORTGAGES. |
| 05:01:13 | I ALSO HAVE LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROVIDE GRANTS TO PROGRAMS IN FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND FAMILIES AS IT IS THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT WE BEGIN THE FINANCIAL LITERACY LEARNING PROCESS EARLY IN LIFE. |
| 05:01:27 | I APPLAUD THIS LEGISLATION'S CORE PRINCIPLES. |
| 05:01:30 | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:01:33 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:01:35 | THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS. |
| 05:01:36 | MRS. |
| 05:01:37 | BIGGERT: I THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:01:43 | SPEAKER. |
| 05:01:44 | IN CLOSING I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:01:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 05:01:52 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:01:53 | MR. SCOTT: MR. |
| 05:01:54 | SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND I URGE A POSITIVE VOTE ON THIS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT AND TIMELY LEGISLATION. |
| 05:02:03 | THANK YOU. |
| 05:02:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE REMAINDER OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:02:06 | ALL TIME HAS BEEN YIELDED. |
| 05:02:07 | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1082 AS AMENDED. |
| 05:02:17 | NO AMENDED. |
| 05:02:18 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 05:02:19 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 05:02:22 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 05:02:40 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 05:02:46 | MR. SCOTT: MR. |
| 05:02:49 | SPEAKER, I ASK FOR A -- I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL H. |
| 05:02:57 | R. 2554 AS AMENDED. |
| 05:02:58 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 05:03:01 | THE CLERK: H. |
| 05:03:02 | R. 2554, A BILL TO REFORM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED AGENTS AND BROKERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES . |
| 05:03:07 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 05:03:12 | SCOTT, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 05:03:17 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 05:03:19 | MR. |
| 05:03:20 | SCOTT: MR. |
| 05:03:21 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS ON THIS LEGISLATION AND TO INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL THEREON. |
| 05:03:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 05:03:33 | MR. SCOTT: MR. |
| 05:03:34 | SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:03:36 | AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:03:37 | SPEAKER, AND I'M PLEASED TO JOIN WITH MY FELLOW COLLEAGUES IN BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE TODAY. |
| 05:03:46 | THIS LEGISLATION IS TIMELY SINCE THE ISSUE OF INSURANCE REGULATORY REFORM HAS REMAINED CRUCIAL FOR SOMETIME NOW. |
| 05:03:55 | AND I'M PLEASED TO INTRODUCE HOUSE RESOLUTION 2554, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED AGENTS AND BROKERS REFORM ACT, WITH CONGRESSMAN NEUGEBAUER. |
| 05:04:10 | TO HELP GUARANTEE ADEQUATE AGENT PROTECTING -- ADEQUATE AGENT BROKER LICENSING AS WELL AS ENSURE INCREASED COMPETITION. |
| 05:04:21 | AND THAT IS THE IMPORTANT WORD IN THIS, MR. |
| 05:04:26 | SPEAKER, INCREASED COMPETITION. |
| 05:04:29 | INSURANCE REGULATORY REFORM IS AN ISSUE MANY INVOLVED AGREE REQUIRES ACTION, AND THIS BILL IS A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS. |
| 05:04:43 | HOUSE RESOLUTION 2554 WOULD SIMPLY ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED AGENTS AND BROKERS TO PROVIDE FOR NONRESIDENT INSURANCE AGENT AND BROKER LICENSING WHILE PRESERVING THE RIGHTS OF STATES TO SUPERVISE AND DISCIPLINE INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS. |
| 05:05:08 | THIS LEGISLATION WILL BENEFIT CONSUMERS THROUGH INCREASED COMPETITION AMONG AGENTS AND BROKERS LEADING TO GREATER CONSUMER CHOICE. |
| 05:05:20 | THIS LEGISLATION IS STRAIGHTFORWARD. |
| 05:05:23 | INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS WHO ARE LICENSED AND GOOD STANDING IN THEIR HOME STATES CAN APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED AGENTS AND BROKERS WHICH WE CALL NARAB. |
| 05:05:41 | THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE IN MULTIPLE STATES. |
| 05:05:44 | MEMBERSHIP WILL BE VOLUNTARY AND WILL NOT AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF A NONMEMBER PRODUCER UNDER ANY STATE LICENSE. |
| 05:05:54 | THIS LEGISLATION WILL BENEFIT POLICYHOLDERS BY INCREASING MARKETPLACE COMPETITION AND CONSUMER CHOICE BY ENABLING INSURANCE PRODUCERS TO MORE QUICKLY AND RESPONSIBLY SERVE THE NEEDS OF CONSUMERS. |
| 05:06:14 | A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT NARAB ENTITY, CONSISTING OF STATE INSURANCE REGULATORS AND MARKETPLACE REPRESENTATIVES, WILL SERVE AS A PORTAL TO OBTAIN NONRESIDENT LICENSES IN ADDITIONAL STATES. |
| 05:06:32 | THIS IS PROVIDED THAT THEY PAY THE REQUIRED STATE NONRESIDENT LICENSING FEES AND THAT THEY MEET THE NARAB STANDARD FOR MEMBERSHIP. |
| 05:06:44 | THIS BILL WOULD ALSO ESTABLISH MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA WHICH WOULD INCLUDE STANDARDS FOR PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE. |
| 05:06:55 | AND FURTHER, MEMBER APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A NATIONAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. |
| 05:07:05 | THIS VERY IMPORTANT BILL CLARIFIES CURRENT STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AND MARKET CONDUCT REGULATION WOULD BE PRESERVED. |
| 05:07:15 | NARAB BOARD MEMBERS WOULD INCLUDE A NARROW MAJORITY OF STATE INSURANCE REGULATORS, ALL BYLAWS AND REPORTS OF THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE FILED WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS. |
| 05:07:31 | THIS LEGISLATION DIRECTS THE NARAB BOARD TO CONSIDER UTILIZING THE NARAB AS THE ASSOCIATION IT WILL COLLABORATE WITH AS A CENTRAL CLARING HOUSE AND A NATIONAL DATA -- CLEARING-HOUSE AND A NATIONAL DATABASE. |
| 05:07:51 | NARAB WILL NOT BE A PART OF OR REQUIRED TO REPORT TO ANY FEDERAL AGENCY, NOR WOULD IT HAVE ANY FEDERAL REGULATORY POWER. |
| 05:08:03 | CONGRESS ENDORSED THIS CONCEPT THROUGH ITS PASSAGE OF THE GRAHAM-LEACH-BYERLY ACT IN 1999 WHICH WOULD HAVE CREATED NARAB IF CERTAIN STATES DID NOT REACH A CERTAIN LEVEL OF RECIPROCITY. |
| 05:08:23 | AT THAT TIME ENOUGH RECIPROCITY WAS PROVIDED TO AVOID THE CREATION OF NARAB, BUT IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT FOLLOW-UP LEGISLATION IS NECESSARY. |
| 05:08:34 | SO MY BILL ADDRESSES MARKET ENTRY PROCEDURES ONLY, AND IT WOULD NOT IMPACT THE DAILY REGULATION OF INSURANCE. |
| 05:08:45 | INSURANCE AGENTS WOULD STILL BE SUBJECT TO CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS OF EACH OF THE STATES. |
| 05:08:53 | THIS LEGISLATION PASSED IN THE 110TH CONGRESS BY A VOICE VOTE, BUT THIS VERSION HAD SOME IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS. |
| 05:09:02 | AND AMONG THESE IMPROVEMENTS, SECTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO ENSURE THAT STATE REGULATORS ARE NOTIFIED WHEN A PRODUCER BECOMES A NARAB MEMBER. |
| 05:09:15 | BECOMES AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE IN NEW STATES OR A MEMBERSHIP IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED. |
| 05:09:23 | ALSO, THIS VERSION MAKES REVISIONS CONCERNING NARAB'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO CLARIFY CERTAIN POSITIONS -- PROVISIONS. |
| 05:09:33 | NAMELY, THE PRESIDENT WOULD FORMALLY MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS AND REFERENCES TO PRIVATE SECTOR TRADE ASSOCIATIONS ARE ELIMINATED. |
| 05:09:43 | AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUE, CONGRESSMAN NEUGEBAUER, FOR HIS WORK ON THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 05:09:51 | HE'S DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB. |
| 05:09:53 | I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM. |
| 05:09:56 | AND I URGE ITS PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE, ONCE AGAIN. |
| 05:09:59 | THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:10:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:10:04 | MR. NEUGEBAUER FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:10:05 | MR. NEUGEBAUER: WELL, THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:10:07 | SPEAKER. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 05:10:10 | R. 2554 AND ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 05:10:13 | SCOTT, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 05:10:16 | WE INTRODUCED THIS LEGISLATION ALMOST A YEAR AGO WITH A STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. |
| 05:10:20 | MR. SCOTT HAS WORKED WITH THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP TO HELP GET THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR TODAY, AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE HIS EFFORTS. |
| 05:10:27 | THIS BILL SETS UP A PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSURANCE AGENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM THAT WILL HELP INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS DO WORK ACROSS STATE LINES EFFICIENTLY. |
| 05:10:39 | IT HELPS CONSUMERS BY GIVING THEM MORE CHOICES. |
| 05:10:44 | AT ITS CORE, THIS IS REALLY A SMALL BUSINESS BILL. |
| 05:10:47 | MOST INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS ARE INDEPENDENT SMALL BUSINESSES. |
| 05:10:50 | THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES, AND THEY -- SO WHEN THEY HAVE TO FILE PAPERWORK FOR MULTIPLE STATES IN ORDER TO DO BUSINESS ACROSS STATE LINES, THAT ONLY ADDS MORE COSTS FOR THEIR COMPLIANCE. |
| 05:11:02 | UNDER THIS BILL THEY CAN REGISTER WITH A NEW NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED AGENTS AND BROKERS, NARAB, THAT WILL SERVE AS A PORTAL FOR THEM TO BE LICENSED MORE EASILY IN OTHER STATES. |
| 05:11:14 | IN TODAY'S ECONOMY, THIS BILL MAKES SENSE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. |
| 05:11:18 | IF A CUSTOMER MOVES TO ANOTHER STATE BUT WANTS TO KEEP HIS INSURANCE AGENT THAT HAS WORKED FOR HIM FOR YEARS, THIS BILL WILL STREAMLINE THE PROCESS FOR THAT AGENT TO BE LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE. |
| 05:11:29 | IF THEY WANT THEM TO HELP FOR POLICIES FOR ELDERLY PARENT THAT THEY ARE CARING FOR THAT LIVES IN ANOTHER STATE, THIS BILL ALSO MAKES THAT FEASIBLE. |
| 05:11:38 | H. |
| 05:11:39 | R. 2554 PROVIDES A WAY TO STREAMLINE INSURANCE AGENT LICENSING ACROSS STATE LINES WITHOUT CREATING A NEW GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY. |
| 05:11:46 | WITH NO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS, WITH CONSISTENT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AND WITHOUT NEW MANDATES ON STATES. |
| 05:11:54 | THIS BILL EMPOWERS INSURANCE AGENTS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS WITHOUT MAKING THE GOVERNMENT BUREAU MORE EXPENSIVE. |
| 05:12:02 | THE OPTION WAS FIRST INCLUDED IN THE 1999 GRAHAM-LEACH BYERLY ACT. |
| 05:12:10 | CONGRESS REALIZED IN 2008 WHEN THE HOUSE PASSED THIS LEGISLATION BY A VOICE VOTE -- WHILE THE SENATE DID NOT TAKE UP THIS BILL LAST TIME, MY HOPE IS THAT A BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE WILL MOVE THIS MUCH-NEEDED BILL FORWARD. |
| 05:12:22 | WE HAVE A LOT OF -- WE HAD A LOT OF DEBATE AND DISCUSSION IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE FOR INSURANCE REGULATION. |
| 05:12:28 | THERE ARE A LOT OF PERSPECTIVES ON THAT ISSUE. |
| 05:12:31 | THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THIS BILL, HOWEVER, IS THAT THIS IS ONE -- ONE INSURANCE REFORM THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. |
| 05:12:36 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. |
| 05:12:39 | IT'S A GOOD -- IT'S GOOD FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. |
| 05:12:42 | IT'S GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY AGENTS AND IT'S GOOD FOR THE CONSUMERS THEY SERVE. |
| 05:12:46 | I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. |
| 05:12:47 | SCOTT FOR HIS COOPERATION IN THIS BIPARTISAN BILL, AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H. |
| 05:12:53 | R. 2554. |
| 05:12:54 | AND WITH THAT I RESERVE. |
| 05:12:56 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:12:59 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:13:00 | MR. SCOTT: IN CLOSING -- WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS, BUT IN CLOSING, MR. |
| 05:13:04 | SPEAKER, LET ME AGAIN THANK MY COLLEAGUE, CONGRESSMAN NEUGEBAUER, FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED WORK ON THIS. |
| 05:13:10 | IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE. |
| 05:13:12 | AGAIN, AS HE ARTICULATED ELOQUENTLY A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE TWO THINGS THAT THIS BILL REALLY DOES, IT HELPS THE AMERICAN CONSUMERS, IT INCREASES COMPETITION IN THE MARKETPLACE. |
| 05:13:24 | AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE NEED AS WE DEAL WITH THE VERY TOPICAL ISSUE OF INSURANCE, AND IT PROVIDES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THE AMERICAN CONSUMER WITH CHOICE. |
| 05:13:35 | SO COMPETITION AND CHOICE ARE CERTAINLY THE GREAT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 05:13:41 | MIGHT ADD THAT OUR ACT HAS GARNERED SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. |
| 05:13:46 | WE HAVE BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS. |
| 05:13:50 | 48 OF US ARE SPONSORS TO THIS BILL. |
| 05:13:55 | AND 27 OF US BELONG TO OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WHERE WE'VE DONE WORK ON IT. |
| 05:14:02 | AND THIS BILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF NIAC, AS I SAID EARLIER, AND IT SHOWS THAT STATE INSURANCE REGULATORS THEMSELVES BELIEVE THAT THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION IS NEEDED REFORM. |
| 05:14:13 | IN ADDITION, THE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS OF AMERICA SUPPORTS THIS BILL. |
| 05:14:18 | THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS SUPPORTS THE BILL. |
| 05:14:23 | THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES, THE PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, THE COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES ALL ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL. |
| 05:14:40 | AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEM AND TO BRING THIS BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE AND I CERTAINLY ASK FOR A FAVORABLE SUPPORT. |
| 05:14:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: DO YOU WISH TO RESERVE YOUR TIME OR YIELD BACK? |
| 05:14:56 | MR. |
| 05:14:57 | SCOTT: I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:15:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:15:06 | MR. NEUGEBAUER: I YIELD BACK MY TIME AS WELL. |
| 05:15:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H. |
| 05:15:12 | R. 2554 AS AMENDED? |
| 05:15:14 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 05:15:16 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 05:15:17 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. |
| 05:16:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 05:16:14 | >> MR. |
| 05:16:15 | SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 239. |
| 05:16:19 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION. |
| 05:16:22 | THE CLERK: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 239, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EYES OF EMANCIPATION HALL IN THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER FOR A CEREMONY TO PRESENT THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS. |
| 05:16:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. |
| 05:16:41 | DAVIS AND THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES PER SIDE. |
| 05:16:45 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 05:16:49 | MRS. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:16:50 | SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS IN THE RECORD ON THIS CONCURRENT RESOLUTION. |
| 05:16:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 05:16:59 | MRS. DAVIS: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:17:03 | MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 239. |
| 05:17:07 | AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY PERSONNEL AND CO-CHAIR OF THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS TASK FORCED ON WOMEN IN THE MILITARY AND VETERANS, I'M PRIVILEGED TO RECOGNIZE THEIR SERVICE. |
| 05:17:19 | WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE ICON OF ROSIE THE RIVETER WORKING IN FACTORIES IN WORLD WAR II. |
| 05:17:25 | HER MOTTO WAS, WE CAN DO IT. |
| 05:17:29 | WELL, THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS DID IT TOO. |
| 05:17:34 | ALMOST 70 YEARS AGO, THEY BECAME PIONEERS FOR WOMEN'S EQUALITY IN THE ARMED SERVICES. |
| 05:17:40 | AS CIVILIAN PILOTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE U. |
| 05:17:44 | S. ARMY AIR FORCES FLYING NONCOMBAT MISSIONS FROM 1942 TO 1944, THEY BRAVELY STEPPED INTO SERVICE WHILE THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS WERE STONET COMBAT. |
| 05:17:57 | THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS ARE REFERRED TO AS THE WASPS, W-A-S-P. |
| 05:18:05 | UNLIKE MANY ACRONYMS USED IN THE MILITARY, THIS IS AN APT NAME. |
| 05:18:10 | FOR LIKE WASPS, THEIR WORK DEMANDED A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF FEISTINESS AND STRENGTH, UNDERLINED BY LOYAL TO TO THEIR FELL HE WASPS AND THEIR COUNTRY. |
| 05:18:23 | THEY FLEW EVERY TYPE OF MILITARY AIRCRAFT IN EVERY KIND OF MISSION EXCEPT COMBAT. |
| 05:18:29 | THEY FERRIED AIRCRAFT FROM FACTORIES TO MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, TOWED AERIAL TARGETS, TRANSPORTED CARGO AND SERBED IN TRAINING EXERCISES. |
| 05:18:42 | 38 OF THE ROUGHLY 1,100 WOMEN LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE WAR. |
| 05:18:46 | THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 300 SURVIVING WASPS. |
| 05:18:51 | I AM ASTOUNDED BY THEIR TENACITY AND THEIR BRAVERY. |
| 05:18:56 | AND YET, DESPITE THAT DEDICATION, THESE WOMEN HAVE ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES IN BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SERVICE. |
| 05:19:06 | THE WASP CORPS ONLY RECEIVED FULL MILITARY STATUS FOR THEIR SERVICE IN 1977. |
| 05:19:15 | AFTER HAVING THEIR RECORDS KEPT SECRET AND CLASSIFIED ARKIVEL FILES FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS. |
| 05:19:24 | ARCHIVAL FILES FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS. |
| 05:19:26 | NEXT WEEK ON MARCH 10, WE'LL HONOR THEIR LEGACY AS THE FIRST FEMALE AVIATORS IN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY WITH THE AWARD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. |
| 05:19:38 | THIS IS A -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR CONGRESS CAN GIVE AND IT IS BOTH WELL DESERVED AND IT IS CERTAINLY LONG OVERDUE. |
| 05:19:48 | I WAS PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A CO-LEAD WITH ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN ON THE BILL AWARDING THEM THIS HONOR. |
| 05:19:57 | IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION. |
| 05:20:00 | LAST YEAR, THE UNION TRIBUNE IN SAN DIEGO HIGHLIGHTED SEVERAL OF THESE WOMEN FROM MY DISTRICT, SOME OF WHOM WILL BE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY NEXT WEEK. |
| 05:20:10 | I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING THEM AND I HOPE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES CAN COME AND MEET THE WASPS FROM THEIR DISTRICTS. |
| 05:20:19 | TO QUOTE VIVIAN EDDIE, ONE OF THE INTREPID WOMEN FROM MY DISTRICT, THEIR DESIRE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY WAS, QUOTE, NOT SO MUCH TO PROVE ANYTHING TO ANYBODY BUT JUST TO FLY. |
| 05:20:34 | UNQUOTE. |
| 05:20:35 | THIS CEREMONY WILL BE AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF OUR INDEBTEDNESS TO THEIR FEARLESS, SELFLESS SERVICE. |
| 05:20:43 | THIS GROUP OF UNSUNG HEROINES DEMONSTRATES THE COURAGE OF WOMEN IN THE PAST, THE INTEGRITY WITH WHICH WOMEN CONTINUE TO SERVE TODAY AND THE ENTHUSIASM OF YOUNG WOMEN WHO DREAM OF SERVING THIS GREAT NATION IN THE FUTURE. |
| 05:20:59 | I HOPE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN THANK THE WASPS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY OFFERING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 05:21:07 | MR. |
| 05:21:08 | SPEAKER, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:21:12 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, AND AT THIS TIME THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI, MR. |
| 05:21:22 | HARPER WILL CONTROL HIS 20 MINUTES. |
| 05:21:23 | MR. |
| 05:21:24 | HARPER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:21:27 | TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION WHICH WILL AUTHORIZE THE USE OF EMANCIPATION HALL IN THE CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER FOR AN EVENT RECOGNIZING THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS AS RECIPIENTS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. |
| 05:21:42 | THE WASP PROGRAM, AS IT WAS KNOWN, WAS THE FIRST INTRODUCTION OF FEMALE PILOTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED SERVICES. |
| 05:21:48 | DURING WORLD WAR II, THEY FLEW NONCOMBAT MISSIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. |
| 05:21:53 | WASP PILOTS NUMBERED IN THE THOUSANDS IN WORLD WAR II AND EACH WOMAN WHO SERVED IN THIS CAPACITY FREED UP ONE OF OUR MALE COUNTERPARTIES FOR COMBAT SERVICES AND OTHER DUTIES. |
| 05:22:05 | JUST AS MANY WOMEN PERFORMED OPERATIONAL ROLES ON DOMESTIC U. |
| 05:22:09 | S. BASES THESE WOMEN PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN HELPING TO MOBILIZE SERVICEMEN FOR DEPLOYMENT IN THE EUROPEAN AND -- IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER. |
| 05:22:24 | I HOPE MY COLLEAGUE WILLS JOIN ME IN THANKS THESE WOMEN FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND IN SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 05:22:31 | THANK YOU AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:22:34 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:22:37 | MRS. DAVIS: I'M PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 05:22:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:22:51 | MR. |
| 05:22:52 | KLEIN: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD. |
| 05:22:54 | I WOULD LIKE TO STAND IN RECOGNITION OF THESE WOMEN WHO SPROVIDED SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ROYAL. |
| 05:23:01 | I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DEBBIE HOYHOUS WHO WILL BE HONORING HER MOTHER, BETTY NYGARD WHO DIED WITHOUT VETERANS' BENEFITS EVEN THOUGH SHE RISKED HER LIFE FOR THE COUNTRY. |
| 05:23:24 | I'M GLAD THAT CONGRESS WILL BE HONORING HER AND OTHER WOMEN. |
| 05:23:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:23:34 | MR. |
| 05:23:35 | HARPER: I YIELD AS MUCH TIME AS SHE MAY CONSUME TO THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA, MS. |
| 05:23:41 | ROS-LEHTINEN. |
| 05:23:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:23:45 | MS. |
| 05:23:46 | ROS-LEHTINEN: AS THE HOUSE AUTHOR OF THE LEGISLATION AWARDING THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE WOMEN'S AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS, WASPS, I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF TODAY'S RESOLUTION. |
| 05:23:58 | I'D LIKE TO THANK MY WONDERFUL FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA, MY COLLEAGUE, MY COLLABORATOR, CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN DAVIS OF CALIFORNIA, FOR HER DEDICATED WORK IN SUPPORT OF THE WASPS AND TODAY'S BILL AUTHORIZES THE USE OF EMANCIPATION HALL, A HISTORIC PLACE, FOR A HISTORIC GROUP OF LADIES, FOR AN EVENT THAT WILL HONOR THE MOST UNIQUE SISTERHOOD OF WOMEN PIONEERS. |
| 05:24:25 | NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, MR. |
| 05:24:28 | SPEAKER, THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS WILL PRESENT THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS, WASPS. |
| 05:24:38 | THIS AWARD SERVES AS A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR TREMENDOUS APPRECIATION OF THE REMARKABLE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE MADE BY THESE WOMEN DURING THE PERILOUS TIMES OF WORLD WAR II. |
| 05:24:52 | THE WASPS WERE THE FIRST WOMEN IN HISTORY TO FLY AMERICA'S MILITARY AIRCRAFT BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1942 TO 1944, THESE COURAGEOUS WOMEN VOLUNTEERED TO FLY NONCOMBAT MISSIONS SO THAT EVERY AVAILABLE MALE PILOT COULD BE DEPLOYED IN COMBAT. |
| 05:25:14 | MORE THAN 25,000 WOMEN APPLIED FOR THE PROGRAM, BUT ONLY 1,830 QUALIFIED WOMEN PILOTS WERE ACCEPTED. |
| 05:25:24 | UNLIKE THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS, WOMEN APPLICANTS WERE REQUIRED TO BE QUALIFIED PILOTS BEFORE THEY COULD APPLY FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCE MILITARY FLIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM. |
| 05:25:38 | THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT WAS CALLED. |
| 05:25:41 | IT SOUNDS ODD TO SAY. |
| 05:25:43 | BUT THOUGH 1,102 WOMEN EARNED THEIR WINGS AND WENT ON TO FLY OVER 60 MILLION MILES FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCES, EQUAL TO SOME 2,500 TIMES AROUND THE GLOBE, AND THEY NEVER GOT THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVED. |
| 05:26:02 | THEIR PERFORMANCE WAS EQUAL IN EVERY WAY TO THAT OF MALE PILOTS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DIRECT COMBAT MISSIONS, THE WASPS FLEW THE SAME AIRCRAFT WITH THE SAME MISSIONS AS MALE PILOTS. |
| 05:26:15 | WOMEN PILOTS WERE USED TO -- WERE USED TO TOW TARGET FOR MALE PILOTS USING LIVE AMMUNITION. |
| 05:26:23 | FOR SEARCH LIGHT MISSIONS, FOR CHEMICAL MISSIONS, ENGINEERING TEST FLYING AND COUNTLESS OTHER EXERCISES. |
| 05:26:30 | IN 1944, THE WASPS WERE DISBANDED, THEIR SERVICE RECORDS SEALED AND CLASSIFIED. |
| 05:26:39 | BY THE TIME THE WAR ENDED, 38 WOMEN PILOTS HAD LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE FLYING FOR OUR COUNTRY. |
| 05:26:46 | ALTHOUGH THEY TOOK THE MILITARY OATH AND WERE PROMISED MILITARY STATUS, THE WASPS WERE NEVER RECOGNIZED AS TRUE MILITARY PERSONNEL. |
| 05:26:57 | THESE 38 WOMEN WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR II WERE DENIED DEATH BENEFITS, INCLUDING A PROPER MILITARY FUNERAL. |
| 05:27:08 | NOT EVEN AN AMERICAN FLAG COVERED THEIR COFFIN. |
| 05:27:12 | AND THEIR SURVIVOR, THEY NEVER RECEIVED A SINGLE DIME. |
| 05:27:17 | AS A FORMER WASP, MARY ALICE PUTNAM NOTED IN A RECENT LETTER, FELLOW WASPS WOULD CIRCULATE A COLLECTION HAT TO MAKE SURE THAT A FALLEN SISTER PILOT RECEIVED A PROPER BURIAL. |
| 05:27:32 | IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1977, MORE THAN 30 YEARS AFTER THE WASPS HAD SERVED, WHEN ANOTHER WOMAN PIONEER, CONGRESSWOMAN LINDSAY BOGGS, INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO GRANT THE WASPS VETERAN STATUS. |
| 05:27:49 | NOW MORE THAN 30 YEARS FROM THAT IMPORTANT OCCASION, THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL PRESENT THE WASPS WITH THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE, INDEED, THEY HAVE EARNED. |
| 05:28:03 | THE WASPS ARE TRUE PIONEERS WHOSE EXAMPLES PAVE THE WAY FOR THE ARMED FORCES TO FINALLY LIFT THE BAN ON WOMEN ATTENDING MILITARY FLIGHT TRAINING IN THE 1970'S. |
| 05:28:17 | TODAY, WOMEN IN THE MILITARY FLY EVERY TYPE OF AIRCRAFT FROM F-15'S TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE. |
| 05:28:25 | MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, LINDSAY NELSON A MARINE CORPS PILOT IS PART OF THIS LASTING LEGACY OF THE WASPS. |
| 05:28:34 | LINDSAY IS A GRADUATE OAF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADMY. |
| 05:28:38 | SHE SERVED COMBAT TOURS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, WHERE SHE FLEW THE F-18 FIGHTER JET. |
| 05:28:44 | I'M SO PROUD OF LINDSAY AND OF ALL OUR SERVICEWOMEN, PAST AND PRESENT, WHO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE YOUNG WOMEN TO ACHIEVE WHAT WAS HERETOFORE UNIMAGINABLE. |
| 05:28:58 | OF THE 1,102 WASPS, LESS THAN 300 ARE STILL ALIVE TODAY AND THEY ARE RESIDING IN ALMOST EVERY STATE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL UNION. |
| 05:29:10 | I HAVE HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF MEETING WASPS FROM MY CONGRESSIONAL AREA OF SOUTH FLORIDA. |
| 05:29:17 | LAST AUGUST, MR. |
| 05:29:18 | SPEAKER, I PRESIDE -- PRESENTED FRANCIS ROHR SARGET AND HELEN WYATT SNAP WITH FRAMED, SIGNED COPIES OF THE WASP CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL LEGISLATION. |
| 05:29:33 | I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW DELIGHTED I AM THAT FRANCIS, RUTH, AND HELEN WILL BE TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK ALONG WITH MORE THAN 170 OF THEIR FELLOW WASPS. |
| 05:29:49 | JOINING ME IN PAYING HOMAGE TO THESE TRAIL BLAZERS AND TRUE PATRIOTS WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT QUESTION AND WITH NO EXPECTATION OF RECOGNITION OR PRAISE, I HOPE THAT ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN US NEXT WEEK AND WITH THAT, MR. |
| 05:30:05 | SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES IN JOINING ME AND MY GOOD FRIEND FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. |
| 05:30:12 | DAVIS, IN VOTING YES ON THIS IMPORTANT RECOGNITION, WE'VE TAKEN A LONG TIME TO RECOGNIZE THESE BRAVE PIONEERS BUT THAT DATE HAS FINALLY COME, THANKS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS. |
| 05:30:24 | I THANK MY GOOD FRIEND FOR THE TIME, I YIELD BACK. |
| 05:30:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 05:30:33 | THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. |
| 05:30:34 | DAVIS, IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:30:35 | MS. |
| 05:30:36 | DAVIS: I'LL RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:30:37 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: OK. |
| 05:30:38 | THE GENTLELADY RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 05:30:41 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:30:43 | >> MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:30:48 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:30:52 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. |
| 05:30:54 | DAVIS, IS RECOGNIZED. MS. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:30:55 | SPEAKER. I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS BUT I CERTAINLY WANTED TO SAY AND I APPRECIATE THE WULFF WORDS OF MY COLLEAGUES -- WOLF WORDS OF MY COLLEAGUE, MS. |
| 05:31:03 | ROS-LEHTINEN, THAT WE ARE FINALLY HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THEM IN A WAY THAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE A LONG TIME AGO. |
| 05:31:12 | BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE RECOGNIZING THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS WITH A CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL OF HONOR. |
| 05:31:19 | I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT OUR COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN US ON MARCH 10 IN EMANCIPATION HALL FOR A VERY SPECIAL DAY, I KNOW, TO SEE AND HEAR FROM THESE WOMEN WHO WERE FAR MORE THAN TRAIL BLAZERS, THEY SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND THEY DID IT COURAGEOUSLY AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THEM AND WANT TO LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH WE CARE ABOUT THAT SERVICE. |
| 05:31:42 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:31:45 | SPEAKER. |
| 05:31:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELD BACK? |
| 05:31:52 | SHE YIELDS BACK. |
| 05:31:54 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:31:55 | THE GENTLEMAN HAS YIELDED BACK HIS TIME. |
| 05:31:58 | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE CONFERENCE RESOLUTION 239. |
| 05:32:08 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 05:32:11 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 05:32:12 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 05:32:44 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RISE? |
| 05:32:48 | >> MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO H. |
| 05:32:52 | CON.RES. 236. |
| 05:32:53 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION. |
| 05:32:57 | THE CLERK: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PERMITTING THE USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR CEREMONY OF THE PARTS OF COMMEMORATION OF VICTIMS OF REMEMBRANCE OF VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST. |
| 05:33:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. |
| 05:33:11 | KLEIN, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI, MR. |
| 05:33:13 | HARPER, WILL EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 05:33:14 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 05:33:16 | MR. KLEIN: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:33:17 | SPEAKER. AND I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTENDS THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE RESOLUTION YOU UNDERSTAND CONSIDERATION. |
| 05:33:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 05:33:30 | MR. KLEIN: MR. |
| 05:33:31 | SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:33:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:33:34 | MR. KLEIN: MR. |
| 05:33:35 | SPEAKER, I RISE TO SUPPORT H. |
| 05:33:37 | CON.RES. 236, A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA TO BE USED ON APRIL 15 FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE HOLOCAUST. |
| 05:33:49 | THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLOCAUST IS A POIGNANT REMINDER OF THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE NAZIS AND THE HARROWING EXPERIENCES OF THE SURVIVORS. |
| 05:33:59 | THIS YEAR WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE HERE -- HEROISM OF THOSE WHO LIBERATED THE NAZI DEATH CAMPS. |
| 05:34:05 | THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR'S CEREMONY, STORIES OF FREEDOM, WHAT YOU DO MATTERS, HALLOWS THE EXPERIENCE OF SOLDIERS WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM. |
| 05:34:18 | THE STORIES OF THESE SOLDIERS ARE INSPIRING. |
| 05:34:22 | THESE SOLDIERS CONFRONTED EVIL AND PHYSICALLY SAW DESPAIR IN THE EYES OF EVERY SURVIVOR THEY ENCOUNTERED. |
| 05:34:30 | AND THESE SOLDIERS GAVE THE SURVIVORS HOPE. |
| 05:34:33 | THE ACTIONS OF THESE LIBERATERS CHANGED THE LIVES OF THE SURVIVORS AND THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY. |
| 05:34:40 | LAST YEAR ON VETERANS DAY I PARTICIPATED IN A CEREMONY THAT HONORED AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS, INCLUDING BERNARD -- DR. |
| 05:34:49 | BERNARD MECHICK WHO HELPED LIBERATE A SUBCAMP WHILE SERVING IN THE EIGHTH ARMORED TANK DIVISION. |
| 05:34:58 | HE WILL BE JOINING ME IN WASHINGTON IN APRIL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE. |
| 05:35:06 | WHAT THE DOCTOR DID, WHAT ALL OF THE ALLIED LIBERATERS DID MATTERED BACK THEN AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US MUST LEARN FROM THEIR LESSONS. |
| 05:35:15 | WHAT WE DO MATTERS AND THAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT THE CEREMONY WILL INSPIRE. |
| 05:35:21 | WHAT YOU DO MATTERS. |
| 05:35:22 | THIS IS BOTH OUR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. |
| 05:35:26 | NEVER AGAIN CAN WE ALLOW A HOLOCAUST TO OCCUR ON OUR WATCH. |
| 05:35:32 | ALL MY LIFE I PERSONALLY HAVE FELT MOVED TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF NEVER AGAIN. |
| 05:35:39 | IN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WHERE I SERVED I PASSED LEGISLATION TO MANDATE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IN OUR FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SO THAT STUDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND BACKGROUNDS COULD LEARN THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST. |
| 05:35:52 | HERE IN CONGRESS IN MY CAPACITY AS CO-CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL TASK FORCE AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM I WORK WITH MY CO-CHAIRMAN, CONGRESSMAN MIKE PENCE OF INDIANA, TO ORGANIZE AN ANNUAL VISIT TO THE U. |
| 05:36:04 | S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THEIR FAMILIES. |
| 05:36:08 | THIS IS A UNIQUE FORM OF HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WHERE THE MUSEUM SERVES AS A TEACHING TOOL TO EDUCATE U. |
| 05:36:15 | S. REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE MUSEUM BEFORE ABOUT HOW THE HOLOCAUST IS RELEVANT TO THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS. |
| 05:36:24 | I'M GRATEFUL TO SPEAKER PELOSI FOR APPOINTING ME TO SERVE ON THE U. |
| 05:36:29 | S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COMMISSION WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND OTHER CITIZENS AROUND THE UNITED STATES. |
| 05:36:34 | AND I HOPE TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IN THIS NEW ROLE. |
| 05:36:39 | I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN BRADY AND RANKING MEMBER LUNGREN FOR MOVING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR TODAY. |
| 05:36:46 | AS A SPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION AND A MEMBER OF THE U. |
| 05:36:51 | S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE OTHER SPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION, CONGRESSWOMAN GIFFORDS OF CALIFORNIA, CONGRESSMAN LATOURETTE OF OHIO, CONGRESSMAN CANTOR OF VIRGINIA AND OF COURSE CONGRESSMAN WAXMAN WHO WORKED CLOSELY WITH ME ON THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 05:37:08 | I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY ON APRIL 15 IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA SO THAT WE MAY MOURN THOSE WHO PERISHED AND RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR FREEDOM IN THE WORLD. |
| 05:37:25 | MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:37:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA YIELDS -- EXCUSE ME, RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:37:31 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI. |
| 05:37:32 | MR. HARPER: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:37:33 | SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:37:36 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:37:37 | MR. |
| 05:37:38 | HARPER: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. |
| 05:37:43 | UNDER CONGRESS' DIRECTION, THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM HAS ORGANIZED AND ANNUALLY LED THE NATIONAL DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA. |
| 05:37:53 | THE THEME CHOSEN BY THE MUSEUM THIS YEAR IS STORIES OF FREEDOM, WHAT YOU DO MATTERS. |
| 05:38:00 | AND WHAT WE DO DOES MATTER, MR. |
| 05:38:02 | SPEAKER. ON OCCASIONS LIKE THIS, THERE AREN'T APPROPRIATE ENOUGH WORDS TO SHARE ON BEHALF OF THE MILLIONS OF VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST YET WE HERE TODAY AND THOSE ON THE ROTUNDA NEXT MONTH WILL ONCE AGAIN COMMEMORATE THE LINE OFS TAKEN AND THE LIVES THAT SUFFERED DUE TO THE UNSPEAKABLE BRUTALITY AND EVIL OF THAT IT DARK MOMENT IN HISTORY. |
| 05:38:23 | MR. SPEAKER, THIS YEAR IS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THE NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS. |
| 05:38:30 | 65 YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE DOORS WERE OPENED AND THE INHUMANE WAS LAID BEAR FOR ALL EYES. |
| 05:38:37 | JUST AS THE THEME THIS YEAR IS, WHAT DO YOU MATTERS, SO IT MATTERED WHAT OTHERS DID THEN. |
| 05:38:43 | WE THINK OF THOSE LIKE OSCAR SCHINDLER, DEET RICK BOND WHO HAVER AND SO MANY OTHERS WHO DID THEIR PART IN THIS EFFORT. |
| 05:38:51 | HEROIC EFFORTS WHICH FOREVER MATTERED TO THE LIVES THEY SAVED AND THE TRUTH THEY PURSUED, SOME TO THEIR OWN DEATH. |
| 05:38:59 | MR. SPEAKER, WE, TOO, MUST DO OUR PART IN THIS BODY AND UPHOLD THE IDEALS OF WHICH OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED. |
| 05:39:07 | THIS CEREMONY DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE REMINDS US WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE RULE OF LAW AND THE COMMITMENT TOERED ODD LIBERTY UPON WHICH IT -- COMMITMENT TO ORDERED LIBERTY UPON WHICH IT RESTS. |
| 05:39:19 | THIS CEREMONY IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF ONE EVENT OR ONE TRAGEDY. |
| 05:39:23 | WE REMEMBER THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF MANKIND'S HISTORY AND USE IT AS A REMINDER THAT HUMAN LIFE IS PRECIOUS AND THAT WE MUST NEVER ALLOW A TRAVESTY LIKE THIS TO EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. |
| 05:39:35 | THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION AND THIS COMMEMORATION WE REMEMBER THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS, THE WARSAW GHETTO UPRISING, THE METHODICAL DEVOURING AND DESTRUCTION OF A WHOLE CONTINENT, THE LABOR CONCENTRATION AND DEATH CAMPS AT AUSCHWITZ AND OTHERS. |
| 05:39:55 | . MAY OUR ACTIONS AND MAY OUR REMEMBRANCE HONOR THE COURAGE AND BRAVERY SHOWN BY THE MILLIONS MURDERED ONLY SEVEN DECADES AGO. |
| 05:40:05 | MR. |
| 05:40:06 | SPEAKER, JUST AS OUR 34TH PRESIDENT, GENERAL EISENHOWER, MADE SURE THAT THINGS HE HAD SEEN WERE NOT QUICKLY FORGOTTEN, MAY THIS YEAR'S CEREMONY IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA BE A SOLEMN AND FITTING REMINDER OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST. |
| 05:40:19 | I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT THIS BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION AND ENCOURAGE THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES. |
| 05:40:25 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:40:27 | SPEAKER, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:40:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:40:33 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 05:40:34 | MR. KLEIN: WE HAVE NO MORE SPEAKERS, MR. |
| 05:40:35 | SPEAKER -- WE HAVE NO MORE SPEAKERS, MR. |
| 05:40:36 | SPEAKER. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:40:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RESERVES. |
| 05:40:40 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI. |
| 05:40:41 | MR. HARPER: MR. |
| 05:40:42 | SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:40:43 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:40:45 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 05:40:46 | MR. |
| 05:40:47 | KLEIN: MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. |
| 05:40:48 | HARPER OF MISSISSIPPI FOR HIS VERY SUPPORTIVE WORDS AND HIS HEARTFELT SUPPORT OF THIS IMPORTANT BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEING AT THE EVENT WITH YOU IN THE ROTUNDA. |
| 05:40:58 | MR. SPEAKER, AGAIN, I JUST THANK THE SUPPORT OF THIS CHAMBER, LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY OF, AGAIN, SUPPORTING THIS VERY IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE ROTUNDA. |
| 05:41:07 | THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:41:09 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:41:12 | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 236. |
| 05:41:17 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 05:41:18 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 05:41:19 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 05:41:42 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 05:41:47 | JOHNSON JONSE MR. |
| 05:41:48 | SPEAKER, I MOVE -- MR. |
| 05:41:49 | JOHNSON: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO PASS THE BILL S. |
| 05:41:52 | 2968. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. |
| 05:41:55 | THE CLERK: SENATE 2968, AN ACT TO MAKE CERTAIN TECHNICAL AND PERFORMING AMENDMENTS TO THE LANHAM ACT. |
| 05:42:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. |
| 05:42:11 | JOHNSON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. |
| 05:42:14 | COBLE, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 05:42:15 | THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 05:42:18 | MR. |
| 05:42:19 | JOHNSON: AND THANK YOU, MR. |
| 05:42:20 | SPEAKER, AND I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION. |
| 05:42:32 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 05:42:34 | MR. JOHNSON: AND I YIELD TO MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:42:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:42:40 | MR. JOHNSON: MR. |
| 05:42:41 | SPEAKER, TODAY WE SEEK TO CORRECT A TECHNICAL AND UNINTENTIONAL MISTAKE IN THE TRADEMARK LAWS THAT COULD RESULT IN INADVERTENT ABANDONMENT FOR TRADEMARK OWNERS WHO REGISTERED UNDER OUR INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE MARKS WHICH IS CALLED -- TRADEMARKS WHICH IS CALLED THE MADRID PROTOCOL. |
| 05:43:03 | AT THE EXPLORATION OF THEIR TRADEMARK TERM, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AFFIDAVITS TO THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE STAYEDING THAT -- STATING THAT THEY HAVE CONTINUOUSLY MET THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF USE IN COMMERCE OR ALTERNATIVE -- ALTERNATIVELY EXCUSABLE NONUSE. |
| 05:43:25 | SUCH AFFIDAVITS ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN CURRENT TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS AND TO CLEAR THE REGISTER OF INACTIVE TRADEMARKS. |
| 05:43:35 | HOWEVER, DUE TO A TECHNICAL MISTAKE IN THE LANHAM ACT OUR TRADEMARK LAWS UNINTENTIONALLY PREVENT TRADEMARK OWNERS WHO FILED THESE AFFIDAVITS FOR REGISTERING EXTENSIONS UNDER THE MADRID PROTOCOL. |
| 05:44:03 | . COMPLIANCE WITH REGULAR LATIONS SHOULD NOT REDUCE THE RIGHTS OF TRADEMARK OWNERS. |
| 05:44:07 | TODAY, WE WILL HARMONIZE OUR LAWS WITH THE MADRID PROT COAL SO THIS PARTICULAR INJUSTICE NO LONGER OCCURS. |
| 05:44:19 | ADDITIONALLY, THIS LEGISLATION GIVES THE DIRECTOR OF THE U. |
| 05:44:24 | S. P. |
| 05:44:25 | T.O. DISCRETION TO ALLOW APPLICANTS TO CORRECT HARMLESS ERRORS THAT OTHER WISE WOULD BE -- WOULD HAVE SEVERE AND UNREASONABLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RAMIFICATIONS. |
| 05:44:40 | THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION AND THE AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ASSOCIATION, BOTH SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 05:44:50 | IN THEIR LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL, THE AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW ASSOCIATION STATED THAT THIS BILL IS, QUOTE, A HIGHLY DESIRABLE AMENDMENT TO THE TRADEMARK ACT, END QUOTE. |
| 05:45:04 | AND REFERS TO THIS LEGISLATION AS A, QUOTE, CURE, END QUOTE, FOR SPECIFIC INCONSISTENCIES FOR TRADEMARK OWNERS. |
| 05:45:16 | HOWEVER, THE BILL IS NOT PERFECT. |
| 05:45:19 | IT INCLUDES A STUDY PROVISION INCLUDING TRADEMARK LAWSUIT ALLEGED ABUSE AND SMALL BUSINESSES. |
| 05:45:27 | WHILE WE DON'T WANT TO DELAY THE NECESSARY RELIEF TO TRADEMARK OWNER -- TO THE TRADEMARK OWNER THAT THIS BILL WILL PROVIDE BY IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 2968, THE RANKING MEMBER AND I ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH SENATOR LEAHY TO REFINE THE TEXT OF THIS STUDY PROVISION AT OUR SOONEST OPPORTUNITY. |
| 05:45:57 | IT IS TIME TO FINALLY GIVE OUR TRADEMARK OWNERS WHO REGISTER UNDER THE MADRID PROTOCOL THE RIGHTS THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD ORIGINALLY. |
| 05:46:07 | THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ACCOMPLISHES JUST THAT AND THE I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:46:18 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:46:21 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA. |
| 05:46:22 | MR. COBLE: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF S. |
| 05:46:26 | 2968 AND RECOGNIZE MYSELF FOR SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:46:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:46:32 | MR. COBLE: THIS LEGISLATION MAKES TECHNICAL AND IMPORTANT PROVISIONS AMENDMENTS TO THE MADRID IMPLEMENTATION ACT WHICH CONGRESS PASS ND 2002. |
| 05:46:41 | THE ACT IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE PAST 15 YEARS. |
| 05:46:47 | BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, THE UNITED STATES IS A SIGNATORY TO THE MADRID PROTOCOL. |
| 05:46:53 | INTERNATIONAL TREATY THAT ALLOWED THE TRADEMARK OWNER TO SEEK REGISTRATION IN ANY OF THE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE JOINED THE PROTOCOL. |
| 05:47:01 | THIS MEANS AN AMERICAN TRADEMARK OWNER PAYS THE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, A NOMINAL FEE TO EXPEDITE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK OVERSEAS. |
| 05:47:13 | THIS PROCESS MAKES IT EASIER AND LESS EXPENSIVE FOR U. |
| 05:47:16 | S. TRADEMARK OWNERS TO ACQUIRE PROTECTION FOR THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN OTHER COUNTRIES. |
| 05:47:22 | THE 2002 ACT THAT IMPLEMENTS THE PROTOCOL HAS FUNCTIONED WELL THROUGH THE YEARS, BUT MUST BE UPDATED. |
| 05:47:29 | THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO BRING PROVISIONS FOR MAINTAINING EXTENSIONS OF PROTECTION UNDER MADRID IN CONFORMITY WITH PROVISIONS FOR MAINTAINING REGISTRATIONS. |
| 05:47:41 | MAINTENANCE FILINGS WITH THE P. |
| 05:47:42 | T.O. BY THE TRADEMARK OWNER ARE NECESSARY TO PERPETRATE PROTECTION OF THE TRADEMARK. |
| 05:47:50 | THIS BILL ALSO AUTHORIZES THE P. |
| 05:47:53 | T.O. DIRECTOR TO PERMIT APPLICANTS TO CORRECT GOOD FAITH AND HARMLESS ERRORS. |
| 05:47:58 | FINALLY, MR. |
| 05:47:59 | SPEAKER, THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES A STUDY PROVISION THAT WAS INSERTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE OTHER BODY. |
| 05:48:14 | IT DREGGETS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT COORDINATOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO EVALUATE AND REPORT ON TREATMENT OF SMALLER BUSINESSES INVOLVED IN TRADEMARK LITIGATION. |
| 05:48:20 | ALONG WITH CHAIRMAN CONYERS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTINGUISHED THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, THE TEXT COULD BE CLARIFIED FURTHER. |
| 05:48:30 | SENATOR LEAHY HAS AGREED TO WORK WITH US ON MAKING THE NECESSARY MINOR REVISIONS TO IMPROVE THE LANGUAGE. |
| 05:48:37 | WE INTEND TO MOVE THIS LANGUAGE AT A LATER DATE ON A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. |
| 05:48:42 | WE JUST DON'T WANT TO DELAY FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF S. |
| 05:48:46 | 2968 BY REQUIRING THE OTHER BODY TO PASS THE BILL FOR A SECOND TIME. |
| 05:48:52 | IN CLOSING, I URGE THE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT S. |
| 05:48:56 | 2968 AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:49:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:49:03 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA. |
| 05:49:04 | MR. JOHNSON: MR. |
| 05:49:05 | SPEAKER. I YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AS WELL. |
| 05:49:08 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:49:11 | THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS SENATE BILL 2968. |
| 05:49:15 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 05:49:17 | . THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 05:49:18 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 05:49:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION? |
| 05:50:01 | >> I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 05:50:07 | RES. 1117. |
| 05:50:08 | I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND GEE TO THE HOUSE RESOLUTION 1117. |
| 05:50:14 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION. |
| 05:50:17 | THE CLERK: HOUSE RESOLUTION 1117, RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRAT LATING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY. |
| 05:50:29 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. |
| 05:50:33 | WOOLSEY AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MR. |
| 05:50:35 | ROWE EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. |
| 05:50:38 | MS. |
| 05:50:39 | WOOLSEY: MR. |
| 05:50:40 | SPEAKER, I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND AND INSERT EX TRAIN INDIANAOUS MATERIAL INTO THE RECORD. |
| 05:50:50 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: NO OBJECTION. |
| 05:50:54 | MS. WOOLSEY: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:50:57 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:50:59 | MS. |
| 05:51:00 | WOOLSEY: I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H. |
| 05:51:02 | RES. 1117 OFFERED BY CONGRESSWOMAN LOFGREN, A BILL THAT CELEBRATES CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, C. |
| 05:51:11 | S.U., FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. |
| 05:51:16 | IN 1960, CALIFORNIA DEVELOPED ITS MASSIVE PLAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. |
| 05:51:21 | SINCE THAT TIME, THIS PLAN HAS PROVIDED ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION TO THE STATE'S DIVERSE STUDENTS. |
| 05:51:29 | IN THAT SAME YEAR, MR. |
| 05:51:31 | SPEAKER, WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE DONAHUE ACT, STATE COLLEGES WERE BROUGHT TOYING TO FORM THE C. |
| 05:51:41 | S.U. SYSTEM. |
| 05:51:42 | SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS GROWN INTO AN EXEMPLARY HIGHER STATE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. |
| 05:51:50 | THE C. |
| 05:51:52 | S.U. BOASTS 23 CAMPUSES, SEVEN OFF-CAMPUS CENTERS AND 433,000 STUDENTS. |
| 05:52:00 | IN ADDITION, THE SYSTEM MAINTAINS 4400 STAFF OFFERING MASTERS, BACHELORS'S DEGREES IN 357 AREAS MAKING IT THE LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 05:52:19 | EACH CAMPUS IN THE C. |
| 05:52:22 | S.U. SYSTEM PROVIDES ITS YOU NEEK EXPERIENCE AND A DIVERSE SET OF STUDENTS. |
| 05:52:29 | C.S.U. ATTRACTS THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST STUDENTS. |
| 05:52:31 | THE GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA PRODUCES. |
| 05:52:34 | THESE STUDENTS ARE NOT ONLY LEADERS INSIDE THE CLASSROOM BUT THEY ALSO LEAD IN SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. |
| 05:52:42 | ANNUALLY, C. |
| 05:52:44 | S.U. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OVER 32 MILLION HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, PROVIDING AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OVER 634 MILLION TO A MULTITUDE OF CALIFORNIA NEIGHBORHOODS. |
| 05:52:59 | UNDER THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP OF DR. |
| 05:53:01 | CHARLES REED AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM REMAINS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ACCESS TO ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF FINANCIAL NEEDS. |
| 05:53:13 | I APPLAUD THIS -- I APPLAUD THIS CONTINUED COMMITMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THIS TIME OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL. |
| 05:53:22 | MANY REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS C. |
| 05:53:26 | S.U. SYSTEM ARE VISITIC WITH US TODAY, INCLUDING CHARLES REED AND ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF SNOWMANA STATE UNIVERSITY IN MY -- SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY IN MY DISTRICT. |
| 05:53:45 | WE OWE THEM THANKS AND GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT. |
| 05:53:49 | ONCE AGAIN, I EXPRESS MY SUPPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. |
| 05:53:55 | AND I THANK REPRESENTATIVE LOFGREN FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD. |
| 05:54:00 | WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:54:03 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES. |
| 05:54:06 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 05:54:07 | MR. |
| 05:54:08 | ROE: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:54:11 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:54:14 | MR. ROE: I RISE TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY. |
| 05:54:24 | THE WEEKLY NORMAL SCHOOL, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY BECAME THE FIRST INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN 1862. |
| 05:54:33 | THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1960 AS THE CALIFORNIA STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM. |
| 05:54:39 | TODAY, THE SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF 23 CAMPUSES WITH ALMOST 433,000 STUDENTS AND 44,000 FACULTY AND STAFF. |
| 05:54:50 | IT STRETCHES FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TO SAN DIEGO. |
| 05:54:54 | IT IS A NATION'S LARGEST AND ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS. |
| 05:54:59 | CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OFFERS MORE THAN 1,800 DEGREE PROGRAMS FROM 357 DIFFERENT SUBJECTS. |
| 05:55:08 | C. |
| 05:55:09 | S.U. DRAWS ITS STUDENTS FROM THE TWO 2/3 OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND GRADUATES 91,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY. |
| 05:55:17 | THE SYSTEM PREPARES APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE TEACHERS IN THE STATE AND 40% OF THE ENGINEERING GRADUATES AND MORE GRADUATES IN BUSINESS, AGRICULTURE, COMMUNICATIONS, HEALTH EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THAN ANY OTHER COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN CALIFORNIA. |
| 05:55:33 | CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM UNDOUBTEDLY MAKES AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE NATION. |
| 05:55:42 | CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY ALSO MAKES SIGNIFICANT OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INFORM AND PROMOTE COLLEGE ATTENDANCE TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, MINORITY POPULATIONS AND VETERANS. |
| 05:55:52 | C. |
| 05:55:53 | S.U. SYSTEM'S OUTREACH TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ALSO PROVIDES A PATHWAY TO STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO PURSUE AN EDUCATION. |
| 05:56:03 | I'M PLEASED TO CONGRATULATE C. |
| 05:56:06 | S.U. ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY. |
| 05:56:08 | I EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. |
| 05:56:13 | ALL THE ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FACK UTILITY AND STAFF AT THE 23 CAMPUSES AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 05:56:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 05:56:28 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 05:56:30 | MS. WOOLSEY: I'M DELIGHTED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, CONGRESSWOMAN LOFGREN, THE SPONSOR OF H. |
| 05:56:37 | RES. |
| 05:56:38 | 1117 FOR AS MUCH TIME AS SHE MAY CONSUME. |
| 05:56:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 05:56:44 | MS. LOFGREN: I THANK MS. |
| 05:56:45 | WOOLSEY, A GREAT SUPPORTER OF THIS RESOLUTION AND OF EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA. |
| 05:56:50 | MR. |
| 05:56:51 | SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY AS THE PROUD SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ON 50 YEARS OF PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY ACCESSIBLE RG AND AFFORDABLE EDUCATION AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE, REPRESENTATIVE HERGER, FOR INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION WITH YOU. |
| 05:57:11 | THE C.S.U. SYSTEM IS THE NATION'S LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. |
| 05:57:16 | IT INCLUDES 23 CAMPUSES AND SEVEN OFF-CAMPUS CENTERS WITH 44,000 FACULTY AND STAFF AND 430,000 STUDENTS. |
| 05:57:29 | IT WAS CREATED IN 1961 UNDER THE MASTER PLAN, BUT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY PRECEDED IT. |
| 05:57:37 | SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY IS THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN THE SYSTEM. |
| 05:57:42 | IT'S IN MY DISTRICT AND IT'S IN MY NEIGHBORHOODMENT. |
| 05:57:47 | FOUNDED IN 1857 IN THE BASEMENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL IN THE BAY AREA. |
| 05:57:55 | THAT FIRST CLASS HAD FOUR GRADUATES, ALL WOMEN AND SAN JOSE STATE HAS OBVIOUSLY GROWN SINCE THAT TIME. |
| 05:58:02 | IT IS BASED IN THE HEART OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS SILICON VALLEY AND SAN JOSE STATE IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF ENGINEERS IN SILICON VALLEY. |
| 05:58:12 | THE UNIVERSITY SITS ON 154 ACRES IN DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE AND HAS 30,000 DIVERSE STUDENTS AND IT IS RANKED AS A TOP 50 MASTER'S LEVEL PUBLIC INSTITUTION IN THE WEST. |
| 05:58:28 | SAN JOSE'S POPULATION LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER CAMPUSES IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT IT SERVES. |
| 05:58:34 | MANY OF ITS STUDENTS ARE FROM IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND OR GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE. |
| 05:58:42 | SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY IS ALSO REDEFINING WHAT A TRADITIONAL STUDENT IS AS OVER A QUARTER OF THE GRADUATES ARE OVER THE AGE OF 24. |
| 05:58:52 | SURROUNDED BY SILICON VALLEY, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR CLASSROOM KNOWLEDGE WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AT MY OF THE FIRMS AND AGENCIES IN THE VALLEY THROUGH INTERNSHIPS, SUMMER PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS. |
| 05:59:07 | NOW, ALL OF THE C. |
| 05:59:10 | S.U., INCLUDING SAN JOSE STATE PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN PREPARING A STUDENT FOR CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMY. |
| 05:59:16 | WITH 91,000 ANNUAL GRADUATES, THE C. |
| 05:59:18 | S.U. IS THE STATE'S GREATEST PRODUCERS OF BACHELOR'S DEGREES. |
| 05:59:25 | THESE STUDENTS HELP DRIVE CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMY. |
| 05:59:28 | FOR EVERY $1 THE STATE INVESTS IN THE C. |
| 05:59:32 | S.U. SYSTEM, THE STATE RETURNS $4. |
| 05:59:36 | 41. C. |
| 05:59:37 | S.U. SUSTAINS MORE THAN 200,000 JOBS IN THE STATE AND C. |
| 05:59:44 | S.U.-RELATED EXPENDITURES CREATE $13. |
| 05:59:45 | 6 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. |
| 05:59:49 | OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY, C. |
| 05:59:51 | S.U. REACHES OUT TO CALIFORNIA'S GROWING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. |
| 05:59:56 | C. |
| 05:59:57 | S.U. PROVIDES MORE THAN HALF OF ALL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES GRANTED TO CALIFORNIA'S LATINO, AFRICAN AMERICANS AND NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS. |
| 06:00:06 | IN FACT, THE CHANCELLOR, CHARLES REED IS HERE WITH US TODAY AND TOLD US AT OUR DELEGATION MEETING TODAY ABOUT THE OUTREACH EFFORTS INTO AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCHES ON SUNDAY TO TELL FAMILIES, 100,000 FAMILIES IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT C. |
| 06:00:26 | S.U. PRESENTS TO THOSE FAMILIES AND MINORITY ENROLLMENTS, GRADUATION ARE UP AMONG LATINOS, AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES, FAMILIES WHO DIDN'T SEE A WAY FOR THEIR KIDS TO MOVE FORWARD. |
| 06:00:42 | WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CUTBACKS, BUT THE CALIFORNIA DELEGATION AND PRESIDENT OBAMA HAVE WORKED TO IMPROVE AND PRESERVES AFFORDABILITY. |
| 06:00:52 | 190,000 C. |
| 06:00:53 | S.U. STUDENTS WILL PAY NO FEE INCREASES DUE TO INCREASES IN THE FEDERAL GRANTS AND C. |
| 06:01:00 | S.U. FEE WAIVERS. |
| 06:01:01 | THE RECOVERY ACT HAS PROVIDED MILLIONS OF NEEDED DOLLARS TO C. |
| 06:01:06 | S.U. AND HAS PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL $81 MILLION FOR 120,000 C. |
| 06:01:13 | S.U. NEEDIEST STUDENTS THROUGH THE PELL GRANT PROGRAM. |
| 06:01:15 | IT ALSO PROVIDED $76. |
| 06:01:18 | MILLION TO RESTORE CLASSROOMS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CUT SO STUDENTS CAN GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS. |
| 06:01:25 | MR. SPEAKER, I GAVE THE COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT SAN JOSE STATE LAST YEAR. |
| 06:01:31 | AS I LOOKED OUT, I SAW THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND SOME NOT SO YOUNG WHO HAD A DREAM, WHOSE FAMILY NEVER THOUGHT THAT THEIR KIDS WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO GET AN EDUCATION AND FIGHT OFF A PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. |
| 06:01:46 | BECAUSE OF THE C. |
| 06:01:47 | S.U. SYSTEM, THEY ARE REALLY PART OF OUR FUTURE. |
| 06:01:51 | I'M REALLY THRILLED TODAY TO BE PART OF HONORING C. |
| 06:01:55 | S.U. AND ALSO NOTING THAT THE ENTIRE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC DELEGATION HAS CO-SPONSORED THIS RESOLUTION. |
| 06:02:04 | I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. |
| 06:02:08 | AND I URGE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION AND YIELD BACK. |
| 06:02:14 | . THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE. |
| 06:02:17 | >> THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:02:18 | SPEAKER. |
| 06:02:19 | JUST ONE COMMENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IN AMERICA THAT ARE NOT RIGHT AND WE DEAL WITH IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. |
| 06:02:26 | ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS RIGHT IS THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN AMERICA AND I WILL TELL THAT YOU WITHOUT A SYSTEM LIKE CALIFORNIA'S HAD, I WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE TODAY. |
| 06:02:34 | I WAS GIVEN MY OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED AND I KNOW SO MANY STUDENTS IN CALIFORNIA THAT DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF COST TO ATTEND A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY, GET A GREAT EDUCATION IN THAT SYSTEM AND NOT ONLY IS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA BETTER, AMERICA IS BETTER BECAUSE OF THIS. |
| 06:02:52 | AND I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS AND I AGAIN CONGRATULATE THE C. |
| 06:02:56 | S.U. SYSTEM AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 06:03:00 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. |
| 06:03:02 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 06:03:03 | MS. LOFGREN: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:03:04 | SPEAKER -- MS. |
| 06:03:05 | WOOLSEY: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:03:06 | SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE FOR HIS REMARKS AND IF ARE YOU EDUCATED IN CALIFORNIA, LOOK AT WHO YOU ARE. |
| 06:03:15 | THANK YOU. |
| 06:03:16 | MR. SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED IT TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE, MS. |
| 06:03:25 | CHU, FOR TWO MINUTES. |
| 06:03:28 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 06:03:30 | MS. CHU: MR. |
| 06:03:31 | SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO HONOR CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY. |
| 06:03:36 | THE C.S.U. SYSTEM IS A MODEL FOR STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. |
| 06:03:40 | WITH 23 CAMPUSES, 430,000 STUDENTS AND 44,000 FACULTY AND STAFF, IT IS THE LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN THE NATION. |
| 06:03:52 | IN FACT, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-LOS ANGELES IS LOCATED RIGHT IN MY DISTRICT AND HAS BEEN EDUCATING STUDENTS FOR OVER 50 YEARS. |
| 06:04:01 | I ONCE TAUGHT THERE AND I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE AND DIVERSE CAL STATE UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE IF NOT THE NATION. |
| 06:04:11 | SINCE MOST CAL STATE-L. |
| 06:04:13 | A. STUDENTS COME FROM FAMILIES WITH INCOMES UNDER $50,000, THIS UNIVERSITY PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR EVERY STUDENT TO ATTAIN THEIR DREAM OF A COLLEGE ED EDUCATION. |
| 06:04:24 | MANY OF THESE STUDENTS -- EDUCATION. |
| 06:04:26 | MANY OF THESE STUDENTS GO ON TO SUCCESSFUL CAREERS IN HIGH-DEMAND FIELDS SUCH AS NURSING, I. |
| 06:04:31 | T. AND THE LIFE SCIENCES AND HELP MAKE UP THE BACKBONE OF THE WORK FORCE IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. |
| 06:04:38 | I COMMEND CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-LOS ANGELES AND THE ENTIRE C. |
| 06:04:43 | S.U. SYSTEM FOR SERVING CALIFORNIA SO WELL FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY. |
| 06:04:48 | THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK. |
| 06:04:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK. |
| 06:04:54 | THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 06:04:55 | MS. |
| 06:04:56 | WOOLSEY: MR. SPEAKER, WITH THAT I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H. |
| 06:05:01 | RES. 1117 WHICH CELEBRATES THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AND TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE LOFGREN FOR INTRODUCING THIS VERY MEANINGFUL PIECE OF LEGISLATION. |
| 06:05:16 | AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 06:05:20 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. |
| 06:05:23 | THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1117. |
| 06:05:30 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 06:05:31 | IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. |
| 06:05:56 | THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES. |
| 06:06:05 | WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 06:06:07 | MS. |
| 06:06:08 | ROS-LEHTINEN: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:06:09 | SPEAKER. AND I RISE TONIGHT TO CONGRATULATE HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVES BASE 482ND FIGHTER WING FOR RECEIVING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RESERVE FAMILY READINESS AWARD. |
| 06:06:22 | THROUGH THE VIGILANCE OF THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM EVERY DAY AMERICANS CAN LIVE WITH A GREATER PIECE OF MIND. |
| 06:06:29 | THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES IS DEPENDENT ON THEM AND IT IS HEART WARMING TO KNOW THAT OUR MILITARY FAMILIES ARE GIVEN THE EXTRA SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED. |
| 06:06:41 | THE STRONG LEADERSHIP OF WING COMMANDER BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM B. |
| 06:06:45 | BINGER HAS MADE THIS DISTINCTION POSSIBLE. |
| 06:06:48 | HE SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION FOR SUCH A REMARKABLE UNIT AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL. |
| 06:06:55 | AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 482ND FIGHTER WING OF THE HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE FOR THIS WELL-DESERVED HONOR. |
| 06:07:05 | CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. |
| 06:07:07 | AND I YIELD BACK, MR. |
| 06:07:10 | CHAIRMAN. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 06:07:15 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN RISE? |
| 06:07:19 | >> MR. |
| 06:07:20 | SPEAKER, I RISE TO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND EXTEND. |
| 06:07:25 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. |
| 06:07:29 | MR. THOMPSON: MR. |
| 06:07:30 | SPEAKER, IT IS WITH A HESKY HEART THAT I RISE TODAY AND SPEAK OF THE DEATH OF PENNSYLVANIA STATE TROOPER PAUL G. |
| 06:07:35 | RICHIE. |
| 06:07:36 | ON JANUARY 13, RICHIE RESPONDED TO A DOMESTIC DISPUTE CALL. |
| 06:07:39 | HE VOLUNTEERED BECAUSE HE HAD TAKEN A CALL AT THAT RESIDENCE JUST PAST OUTSIDE OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE PAST. |
| 06:07:48 | THIS TIME HE WAS SHOT IN THE NECK AS HE STEPPED OUT OF HIS CAR AND NEVER HAD THE TIME TO REACT. |
| 06:07:54 | AND THE RESIDENT KILLED HIS WIFE AND THEN HIMSELF. |
| 06:07:59 | HE WAS NATIVE OF A TOWNSHIP AND FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL. |
| 06:08:02 | HE GRADUATED FROM EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN CRIMINALOLOGY AND THEN FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE ACADEMY. |
| 06:08:08 | HE WAS MARRIED TO CARRY CORNEL FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND LEFT TWO CHILDREN AGED 9 AND 6. |
| 06:08:16 | HE WAS ACT IN HIS CHURCH AND SCOUTING WITH HIS SON. |
| 06:08:19 | HE'S ALSO SUCH VIVED BY HIS PARENTS. |
| 06:08:23 | RIVEN -- RICHIE LIVED UP TO THE CALL OF HONOR AT THE POLICE ACADEMY WHICH STATES, I MUST SERVE HONORABLY, FAITHFULLY AND IF NOT NEED -- AND IF NEED BE LAY MY LIFE DOWN LIKE OTHERS BEFORE ME. |
| 06:08:33 | MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. |
| 06:08:36 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 06:08:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? |
| 06:08:41 | MS. |
| 06:08:42 | WOOLSEY: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONCEPT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND EXTENDS MY REMARKS. |
| 06:08:46 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 06:08:49 | MS. WOOLSEY: MR. |
| 06:08:50 | SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY AND TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEEDS OF MOTHERS AROUND THE WORLD. |
| 06:08:55 | EVERY MINUTE SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD A WOMAN DIES IN PREGNANCY OR CHILD BIRTH. |
| 06:09:00 | MOST OF THESE DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE WITH TARGETED COST-EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS AND INCREASED ACCESS TO MATERNAL HEALTH CARE. |
| 06:09:10 | I APPLAUD PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NEWLY ANNOUNCED GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE AND ITS FOCUS ON MATERNAL HEALTH ISSUES. |
| 06:09:17 | THESE PROGRAMS WILL MAKE SUSTAINABLE CHANGES IN THE DAILY LIVES OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. |
| 06:09:23 | NOW I CALL ON MY COLLEAGUES TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND FULLY FUND THE INITIATIVE AND THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE MEETING THE DIRE NEEDS OF WOMEN IN NEED WORLDWIDE. |
| 06:09:34 | WE OWE THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD NO LESS. |
| 06:09:36 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 06:09:42 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ARE THERE ANY FURTHER ONE-MINUTE REQUESTS? |
| 06:09:46 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA RISE? |
| 06:09:49 | >> MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT TODAY FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS AND ANY SPECIAL ORDERS HERETOFORE ENTERED INTO, THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS MAY BE PERMITTED TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE, REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE THEREIN EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL. |
| 06:10:05 | MR. POE, MARCH 10 FOR FIVE MINUTES, MR. |
| 06:10:08 | JONES, MARCH 10 FOR FIVE MINUTES, MR. |
| 06:10:09 | MORAN, MARCH 9 AND 10 FOR FIVE MINUTES, MR. |
| 06:10:12 | THOMPSON TODAY FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 06:10:17 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: NO OX. |
| 06:10:18 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE? |
| 06:10:20 | MS. WOOLSEY: MR. |
| 06:10:21 | SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT TODAY FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS AND ANY SPECIAL ORDERS HERETOFORE ENTERED INTO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS MAY BE PERMITTED TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR FIVE MINUTES, TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE THEREIN EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS. |
| 06:10:35 | MS. |
| 06:10:36 | BERKLEY, NEVADA, MR. |
| 06:10:37 | DEFAZIO, OREGON, MS. |
| 06:10:39 | KAPTUR, OHIO. |
| 06:10:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 06:10:46 | UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 6, 2009, AND UNDER A PREVIOUS ORDER OF THE HOUSE THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES EACH. |
| 06:10:56 | MS. |
| 06:10:58 | BERKLEY. |
| 06:10:59 | MR. POE FROM TEXAS. |
| 06:11:01 | MR. JONES: MR. |
| 06:11:02 | SPEAKER, I ASK THAT I MIGHT SPEAK IN HIS TIME. |
| 06:11:04 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: NO OBJECTION. |
| 06:11:06 | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 06:11:08 | MR. JONES: MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. |
| 06:11:10 | I HAVE INTRODUCED H. |
| 06:11:13 | R. 4639 AND IT'S KNOWN AS THE CORPORAL DUSTIN LEE MEMORIAL ACT. |
| 06:11:18 | THIS TO AMEND TITLE 10 UNITED STATES CODE TO AUTHORIZE THE ADOPTION OF A MILITARY WORKING DOG BY THE FAMILY OF A DECEASED OR SERIOUSLY WOUNDED MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO WAS A HANDLER OF THE DOG. |
| 06:11:32 | MR. SPEAKER, THREE YEARS AGO I GOT INVOLVED WITH A FAMILY FROM MISSISSIPPI, IT WAS SOMEWHAT BY ACCIDENT, REALLY, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT RACHEL AND MR. |
| 06:11:44 | LEE, THE HUSBAND, HAD LOST A SON NAMED DUSTIN LEE AND THAT DUSTIN WAS KILLED FOR THIS COUNTRY IN IRAQ AND THE DOG HE WAS -- HE WAS A DOG HANDLER AND THE DOG WAS WOUNDED AS WELL. |
| 06:12:00 | THE MARINE CORPS TOOK THE DOG NAMED LEX TO THE FUNERAL IN MISSISSIPPI OF DUSTIN LEE, THE MARINE WHO WERE KISS -- WHO WAS KILLED, AT AT THAT TIME THE DADDY, INJURY HOME LEE, AND THE MAMA, RACHEL LEE, THEY WANTED TO HAVE THE DOG STAY WITH THEM. |
| 06:12:19 | WELL, IT WASN'T POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS SAID THAT THE DOG WHICH WAS OWNED BY THE AIR FORCE, LEASED TO THE MARINE CORPS, HAD TO BE RETIRED. |
| 06:12:28 | SO WHEN THE FAMILY -- THE MOTHER AND DAD ASKED FOR THE DOG THAT THEIR SON LOVED SO MUCH, THE MARINE CORPS SAID, WE NEED TWO MORE YEARS OF SERVICE BY THE DOG LEX. |
| 06:12:43 | AND WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT, I CALLED THE FAMILY IN MISSISSIPPI AND MY HEART WENT OUT TO THE FAMILY AND I ASKED THE FAMILY WHAT WE COULD DO TO HELP AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS, MR. |
| 06:12:54 | SPEAKER, I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO MIKE REGULAR IN A WHO IS EVERYBODY -- REGNA WHO IS SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN. |
| 06:13:02 | HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HAPPENING, I JUST MADE A PHONE CALL. |
| 06:13:05 | THE DOG WAS RETIRED, LEX WAS RETIRED TWO YEARS AGO THIS DECEMBER, AT A CEREMONY DOWN IN GEORGIA AND THE FAMILY NOW HAS THE DOG. |
| 06:13:14 | IN FACT, MS. |
| 06:13:15 | LEE IS GOING TO BRING LEX AND COME TO WALTER REID ON THE 12TH OF APRIL -- WALTER REED ON THE 12TH OF APRIL. |
| 06:13:22 | SHE WANTS TO TAKE THE DOG TO VISIT THE TROOPS AT WALTER REED WHICH I THINK IS MAGNANIMOUS OF THE MOM AND DAD. |
| 06:13:28 | THEY WANT TO LET THE SOLDIERS KNOW THAT -- AND THE MARINES THERE, TOO, WHAT HAPPENED WITH THEIR SON, DUSTIN, AND SAY THANK YOU BUT ALSO TAKE LEX, THAT LEX CAN SAY THANK YOU TO THE SOLDIERS AND MARINES AT WALTER REED. |
| 06:13:43 | MR. SPEAKER, I'M GOING TO YIELD BACK MY TIME IN JUST A SECOND. |
| 06:13:46 | I'M GOING TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE TO PLEASE JOIN US ON H. |
| 06:13:52 | R. 4639, THIS AGAIN IS TO HONOR THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE GIVEN A CHILD WHO HAPPENED TO BE A DOG HANDLER, THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THAT DOG ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DOG IS CLEARED AND IT SHOULD BE A WOUNDED SOLDIER, MARINE, AIRMAN OR SEAMAN, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY. |
| 06:14:10 | SO THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH, MR. |
| 06:14:14 | SPEAKER, OF LEX LOOKING AT THE HEADSTONE OF THE GRAVE OF DUSTIN LEE AND DUSTIN IS THERE ON HIS KNEES WITH HIS HANDSES AROUND THE HEAD OF THE DOG WHICH WAS LEX AND THIS IS VERY SPECIAL AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO BRING IT TO THE FLOOR AND ASK MY FRIENDS AGAIN TO JOIN ME IN THIS LEGISLATION, H. |
| 06:14:35 | R. 4639, AND, MR. |
| 06:14:37 | SPEAKER, AS I ALWAYS DO ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, I WANT TO ASK GOD TO PLEASE BLESS OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, I WANT TO ASK GOD TO PLEASE BLESS OF FAMILIES OF OF -- OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, I WANT TO ASK GOD IN HIS LOVING ARMS TO HOLD THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE GIVE AN CHILD DYING FOR FREEDOM IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ. |
| 06:14:53 | MR. |
| 06:14:54 | SPEAKER, I WANT TO ASK GOD TO PLEASE BLESS THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT WE WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD FOR HIS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY AND I WANT TO ASK GOD TO GIVE WISDOM, STRENGTH AND CURNING TO THE PRESIDENT, MR. |
| 06:15:05 | OBAMA, THAT HE IS WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD FOR GOD'S PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY. |
| 06:15:10 | AND THREE TIMES I ASK GOD, PLEASE, GOD, PLEASE, GOD, PLEASE, GOD, CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA. |
| 06:15:16 | AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 06:15:23 | . THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MS. |
| 06:15:25 | WOOLSEY FROM CALIFORNIA. |
| 06:15:28 | MR. |
| 06:15:30 | MORAN FROM KANSAS. |
| 06:15:33 | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 06:15:35 | MR. MORAN: I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE THE HARVEST MARKET FOR ITS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND CITIZENS OF GRAINFIELD, KANSAS. |
| 06:15:43 | THE HARVEST MARKET REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT MAKES A SMALL TOWN BUSINESS WORK. |
| 06:15:48 | COMMUNITY SUPPORT, DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AND DESIRE TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE LIVING IN AND AROUND GREENFIELD, KANSAS. |
| 06:15:58 | DURING MY TRAVELS THROUGHOUT MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, THE COMMUNITY GROCERY STORE HAS PROVEN ITSELF TO BE THE CULTURAL CENTER OF RURAL KANSAS. |
| 06:16:08 | I HEAR FROM QUENTS FOLLOWING A CONVERSATION THEY HEARD AT THE GROCERY STORE. |
| 06:16:15 | IT PROVIDES THE PATRONS WITH CURRENT ACTIVITIES. |
| 06:16:21 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAN EASILY BE SEEN WHETHER A COMMUNITY DOES OR DOESN'T HAVE A GROCERY STORE. |
| 06:16:28 | I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES MAY FIND IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S AN ISSUE. |
| 06:16:35 | THE VIOLATE OF RURAL KANSAS DEPENDS ON FRESH AND AVAILABLE FOOD. |
| 06:16:40 | WHEN WE LOSE OUR GROCERY STORE, WE BEGIN TO LOSE OUR TOWN. |
| 06:16:44 | GREENFIELD IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE. |
| 06:16:47 | IN THIS TINY COMMUNITY OF 300 PEOPLE, HARVEST MARKET PROVIDES EVERYTHING FROM A CUP OF COFFEE SUCH AS FOOD TO MAKE THE EVENING'S DINNER. |
| 06:17:00 | DON AND NICOLE OWN AND OPERATE THE HARVEST MARKET AND THEY SUPPLY A WIDE VARIETY OF AFFORDABLE PRODUCE WITH MEATS AND DAIRY PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE LOCAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE MORE ENJOYABLE. |
| 06:17:15 | WITH PEOPLE IN RURAL KANSAS WILLING TO TRAVEL TO OTHER COMMUNITIES, MAINTAINING THAT COMPETITIVE EDGE IS VITAL TO BOTH THE STORE AND TO THE COMMUNITY. |
| 06:17:23 | THE COUPLE HAS MADE EFFORTS TO MAKE THE STORE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND INSTALLED MORE EFFICIENT COOLERS AND MAKING PLANS FOR FREEZER AND REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS. |
| 06:17:33 | THESE CHANGES REFLECT THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF MAINTAINING A THRIVING BUSINESS IN THIS SMALL TOWN. |
| 06:17:39 | STORE EFFICIENCY WILL CUT DOWN ON COSTS ALLOWING THEM TO PUT EXTRA MONEY BACK INTO THE STORE. |
| 06:17:45 | THIS MEANS ADDITIONAL CHOICES FOR THEIR SHOPPERS. |
| 06:17:47 | HARVEST MARKET IS A SOCIALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO GREENFIELD AT WELL. |
| 06:17:52 | THE STORE SERVES AS A COMMUNITY CENTER FOR PEOPLE TO VISIT WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS. |
| 06:17:57 | RESIDENTS DISCUSS LOCAL NEWS AND RUN INTO OLD FRIENDS. |
| 06:18:00 | THEY ALSO PARTICIPATE AND HELP SPONSOR COMMUNITY EVENTS AS THEIR WAY OF GIVING BACK TO THE PEOPLE. |
| 06:18:06 | JUST A FEW OF THEIR CIVIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ORGANIZING AND SPONSORING, CREWS, SHOES AND BAR BE CUES AND THE HARVEST PIE FESTIVAL ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND. |
| 06:18:17 | WHILE THEY WORK HARD TO MAINTAIN THE SUCCESS OF THE STORE, THEIR FELLOW RESIDENTS HAVE HELPED AROUND THE STORE. |
| 06:18:25 | DAN SAYS HE IS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE LOCALS AND HOW MUCH THEY HAVE SUPPORTED HIM. |
| 06:18:31 | CUSTOMERS ARE WILLING TO HELP BY RETREATING ITEMS FROM THE BACK. |
| 06:18:37 | ONE RESIDENT COMMENTED, IT'S NOT JUST MY STORE, IT'S EVERYBODY'S STORE AND THEY'RE ALL PROUD OF IT, TOO. |
| 06:18:44 | EVEN DAN'S MOTHER IN LAW MAKES THE POINT TO HELP STOCK SHELVES. |
| 06:18:49 | THE WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH THIS COUPLE TO HELP ONE ANOTHER SUCCEED IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE MANY VALUES THAT AMERICA LIVES BY AND THEY CAN BE PROUD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS JUST AS I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT THESE KINDS OF PEOPLE. |
| 06:19:04 | CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR EFFORTS AT HARVEST MARKET AND THE SERVICES THEY BRING. |
| 06:19:10 | AND THANKS FOR THE CITIZENS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE HARVEST MARKET. |
| 06:19:16 | I YIELD BACK. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MR. |
| 06:19:24 | DEFAZIO. |
| 06:19:25 | MR. HARPER: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS. |
| 06:19:31 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION. |
| 06:19:32 | MR. |
| 06:19:33 | HARPER: MR. SPEAKER, AS YOU MAY KNOW AND MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, MY WIFE AND ARE BLESSED WITH A 20-YEAR-OLD SON AND A WONDERFUL 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. |
| 06:19:43 | EARLY IN LIVINGSTON'S LIFE, WE NOTICED HE WASN'T REACHING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. |
| 06:19:50 | HE WAS SLOW TO WALK, SLOW TO TALK AND AT TIMES, HE WOULD SLAP HIS HANDS, ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND CHEW ON A TERRY CLOTH DOLL THAT HE HAD. |
| 06:20:05 | DOCTORS CONTINUALLY INFORMED SYDNEY AND ME THAT HE WAS DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED AND WOULD GROW OUT OF IT. |
| 06:20:12 | WE WERE TOLD NOT TO BE CONCERNED. |
| 06:20:15 | WHEN LIVINGSTON WAS NEARLY 19 MONTHS OLD AND WE WERE THREE MONTHS PREGNANT WITH MAGGIE, OUR DOCTOR INFORMED US THAT SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG. |
| 06:20:24 | AT THAT TIME, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, BUT ASSURED US THAT HE WOULD BEGIN SEARCHING FOR WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS. |
| 06:20:32 | OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, ALL EYES WAS CONSUMED WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND SPEECH THERAPY AND VISITS TO THE DOCTOR, TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT WE HAD ALONG WITH OTHER DIAGNOSE GNOSTIC TESTS. |
| 06:20:48 | LIVINGSTON WAS MISDIAGNOSED WITH MILD CEREBRAL PALSY AND SAID TO BE A NEAR MISS ON AUTISM. |
| 06:20:54 | MY STRONG AND LOVING WIFE DEALT WITH THESE ISSUES ON A DAILY BASIS AND DEALT WITH THE BRUNT OF THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITY WITH LIVINGSTON. |
| 06:21:05 | AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS OF FRAGILE X SYNDROME. |
| 06:21:13 | MOST FAMILIES HAVE SHARED SIMILAR STORIES OF DELAYED DIAGNOSIS. |
| 06:21:18 | THIS IS WHY I SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE FRAGILE X CLINICAL AND RESEARCH CONSORTIUM. |
| 06:21:25 | FRAGILE X ASSOCIATED DISORDERS ARE GENETIC, RESULTING IN DEVELOPMENTAL AND LANGUAGE DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT A PERSON'S LIFE. |
| 06:21:34 | IT IS LINKED TO A MUTATION ON THE X CHROMOSOME AND THE MOST COMMON FORM OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND IS LINKED TO REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS IN THE WOMEN. |
| 06:21:52 | TODAY, OVER 100,000 AMERICANS FER LIVE WITH FRAGILE X AND AMERICANS ARE AT RISK WITH DEVELOPING A FRAGILE X DISORDER. |
| 06:22:08 | 130 WOMEN ARE CARRIERS OF FRAGILE X MUTATION. |
| 06:22:13 | TODAY, OVER 140R FRAGILE X ADVOCATES VISITED CAPITOL HILL TODAY DISCUSSING TREATMENT, RAISING AWARENESS OF THIS DISORDER AND SHARING THEIR PERSONAL STORIES. |
| 06:22:29 | AS ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF THIS FRAGILE X CAUCUS, I'M COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH THIS DISORDER. |
| 06:22:40 | LAST YEAR, OUR CAUCUS, UNITED WITH THE NATIONAL FRAGILE X FOUNDATION REACHED MANY OF OUR TARGETED OBJECTIVES. |
| 06:22:49 | WORKING WITH SENATOR COCHRAN OF MISSISSIPPI AND OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WE SECURED FUNDING FOR NATIONAL POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM WHICH WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE 2008 HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ACT, THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOT FUNDED. |
| 06:23:05 | THIS PROGRAM WILL GIVE HOPE TO FAMILIES AND WILL ALLOW YOUNG ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TO PERHAPS ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY AND EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO COLLEGE. |
| 06:23:16 | THE FRAGILE X CAUCUS SUPPORTED FUNDING FOR THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES FOR FRAGILE X SYNDROME, OBTAINING $1. |
| 06:23:27 | 9 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL QUEER. |
| 06:23:31 | WE HAVE SUPPORTIVE EFFORTS AT N. |
| 06:23:34 | I.H. FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR RESEARCH PLAN. |
| 06:23:38 | AND WE SUCCEEDED IN ADDING FRAGILE X TO THE LIST OF DISORDERS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S PEER REVIEW MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM. |
| 06:23:49 | THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPANTH ON THE FRAGILE X -- IMPACT ON THE FRAGILE X COMMUNITY. |
| 06:23:58 | THIS YEAR, THE FRAGILE X CAUCUS WILL WORK WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO PUSH RESEARCH AND WILL URGE CONGRESS TO CONTINUE FUNDING TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH THAT SHOWS SIGNIFICANT PROMISE OF A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF THIS DISORDER. |
| 06:24:19 | WE WILL REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE FRAGILE X ASSOCIATED DISORDERS AND THIS ELIGIBLE RESEARCH TOPIC FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 AND WE'LL ADVOCATE FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO GROW THE FRAGILE X PUBLIC INITIATIVE AND CLINICAL RESEARCH CONSORTIUM IN ORDER TO EXPAND TO UNDERSERVED REGIONS. |
| 06:24:45 | I COMMEND THE RESEARCH BEING CONDUCTED IN DRUG THERAPY AND HOPE IT WILL LEAD TO SUCCESSES. |
| 06:24:51 | WE MUST FOCUS ON EFFORTS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF THESE FAMILIES THAT ARE BLESSED WITH A FRAGILE X CHILD. |
| 06:24:58 | AS THE ONLY MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO HAS A FRAGILE X CHILD, I SHARE IT WITH MANY FAMILIES. |
| 06:25:09 | THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE AND DAILY BLESSINGS. |
| 06:25:13 | WE THANK GOD TO OUR SON AND TO THE INDIVIDUALS SO WE WILL WORK TIRELESSLY TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THIS DISORDER. |
| 06:25:26 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MS. |
| 06:25:28 | KAPTUR. |
| 06:25:29 | MS. |
| 06:25:30 | ROS-LEHTINEN FROM FLORIDA. |
| 06:25:32 | THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 06:25:34 | MS. |
| 06:25:35 | ROS-LEHTINEN: I RISE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI MADE BY DR. |
| 06:25:43 | BART GREEN AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI'S GLOBAL INSTITUTE, PROJECT MEDYSHARE AND MILLER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. |
| 06:25:54 | WHEN HAITI WAS DEVASTATED BY THE EARTHQUAKE ON JANUARY 12, DR. |
| 06:26:01 | GREEN OF THE PROJECT MEDISHARE FOR HAITI AND DOCTORS AND NURSES PLEADLY SPRUNG INTO ACTION, ARRIVING THE VERY NEXT DAY, THEY WERE THE FIRST MEDICAL TEAM IN HAITI FOLLOWING THIS CATASTROPHIC EARTHQUAKE. |
| 06:26:17 | AND WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS AT THE REQUEST OF HAITIAN PRESIDENT PREVAL, PROJECT MEDISHARE SET UP A FIELD HOSPITAL ON THE GROUNDS OF THE PORT-AU-PRINCE AIRPORT. |
| 06:26:33 | THIS CRITICAL CARE HOSPITAL IS REPORTEDLY THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST FUNCTIONING URGENT CARE HOSPITAL AND IT IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE U. |
| 06:26:42 | S. MILITARY IN HAITI, PROVIDING IMPORTANT TRIAGE SERVICES. |
| 06:26:49 | UNDER DR. |
| 06:26:50 | GREEN'S LEADERSHIP, PROJECT MEDISHARE HAS DEPLOYED OVER 500 MEDICAL, AND LOGISTICAL PERSONNEL TO STAFF THE HOSPITAL AND THEY HAVE RAISED HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS -- EFFECTIVELY TREATED HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS ON A DAILY BASIS. |
| 06:27:11 | MORE THAN 2,000 EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS HAVE RECEIVED CARE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HOSPITAL. |
| 06:27:17 | IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT MEDISHARE U. |
| 06:27:22 | N. GLOBAL HOSPITAL HAS SERVED AS AN IMPORTANT CLEARINGHOUSE AND STAGING POINT FOR MEDICAL EVALUATIONS FOR OTHER HOSPITALS THAT ARE OPERATING IN THE PORT-AU-PRINCE AREA, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE, MR. |
| 06:27:35 | SPEAKER. |
| 06:27:37 | BECAUSE PROJECT MEDISHARE HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK IN HAITI, FOR OVER 15 YEARS, THEY WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY GROW THEIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS ACROSS ALL OF HAITI. |
| 06:27:49 | THEY WERE ABLE TO EXPAND THEIR LONG-STANDING PROGRAMS AND IN THE CENTRAL PLATEAU TO CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD LEFT THE CAPITAL CITY TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES ELSEWHERE. |
| 06:28:03 | SIMILARLY, BECAUSE THE U. |
| 06:28:06 | N. GLOBAL INSTITUTE HAS BEEN WORKING IN HAITI FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS NOW, IT IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF HAITI, THE U. |
| 06:28:14 | S. MILITARY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP ORGANIZE MEDICAL TEAMS ON THE GROUND AND IMPLEMENT FIELD HOSPITAL PLANS AROUND THE CAPITAL CITY. |
| 06:28:25 | NOTABLY, PROJECT MEDISHARE IS MAKING AN EFFORT TO INTEGRATE WITH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND OTHER DOCTORS AND NURSES IN AN EFFORT TO BETTER TRAIN EACH OTHER. |
| 06:28:39 | AS DR. GREEN HIMSELF EXPLAINED, AND I QUOTE, WE'RE BEGINNING TO TRAIN OUR COLLEAGUES SO WHEN WE HAND OFF THESE HOSPITALS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEY'LL BE THERE FOREVER. |
| 06:28:50 | WE AREN'T REBUILDING HAITI THE WAY IT IS, WE ARE REBUILDING A DIFFERENT HAITI, END QUOTE. |
| 06:28:58 | DR. |
| 06:28:59 | GREEN HAS ALSO SAID THEY PLAN TO LEAD WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN HAITI EVERY PIECE OF THE TRANSPORTED EQUIPMENT USED FOR THEIR RELIEF EFFORTS. |
| 06:29:09 | THIS WILL HELP TO TRANSITION THE IMMEDIATE RELIEF ASSISTANCE THEY HAVE PROVIDED INTO A REAL, LONG-LASTING AND SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAITI. |
| 06:29:19 | I WAS SO PROUD TO HELP COORDINATE DR. |
| 06:29:22 | GREEN'S EFFORTS WITH OUR U. |
| 06:29:24 | S. MILITARY PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND AND IN MY DISTRICT AT THE U. |
| 06:29:29 | S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. I APPLAUD THE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE RELIEF EFFORTS HEADED BY DR. |
| 06:29:35 | GREEN BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, BY THE GLOBAL INSTITUTE'S PROJECT MEDISHARE AND U. |
| 06:29:43 | N. MILLER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. |
| 06:29:45 | THE WORK OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THESE IS THE KEY TO THE BROADER U. |
| 06:29:50 | S. RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS IN HAITI. |
| 06:29:53 | AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY DR. |
| 06:29:58 | GREEN AND HIS PARTNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, ESPECIALLY U. |
| 06:30:06 | N. PRESIDENT DONNA SHALAILA. |
| 06:30:09 | MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO THEIR SELFLESS DEDICATION TO THIS CAUSE. |
| 06:30:14 | THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:30:15 | SPEAKER, CONGRATULATIONS U. |
| 06:30:18 | N. AND CONGRATULATIONS DR. |
| 06:30:20 | BART GREEN. |
| 06:30:24 | . THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MR. |
| 06:30:26 | PAULSON. |
| 06:30:27 | THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES. |
| 06:30:31 | MR. |
| 06:30:32 | PAULSEN: WELL, MR. |
| 06:30:33 | SPEAKER, THE AMOUNT OF SACRIFICE GIVEN TO THIS NATION BY THOSE SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES IS TRULY INSPIRING. |
| 06:30:40 | AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM ARE A REMARKABLE SYMBOL FOR OUR COUNTRY AND WE ARE TRULY PROUD OF THEIR DEDICATION. |
| 06:30:47 | THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD'S 34TH INFANTRY DIVISION KNOWN AS THE RED BULLS HAVE SERVED OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY WITH HONOR AND ARE TRULY THE BEST OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER. |
| 06:30:56 | THEIR DEDICATION TO ENSURE FREEDOM HAS BEEN A MOMENTOUS TASK AND THEY CONTINUE TO SUCCEED WITH UTMOST BRAVERY. |
| 06:31:04 | THIS RESPONSIBILITY IS NO SMALL TASK. |
| 06:31:07 | INDEED ENSURING DEMOCRACY IN A FRAGILE STATE IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES COURAGE AND TRUST. |
| 06:31:12 | NOW MOST RECENTLY MORE THAN 1,000 MEMBERS OF THE RED BULLS WERE DEPLOYED TO BASRA, IRAQ, WHERE THEY TOOK COMMAND OF 14,000 TROOPS IN NINE OF 18 OF IRAQ'S PROVINCES. |
| 06:31:23 | AFTER SERVING LONG HOURS AND GIVING UP DAYS AND YEARS OF THEIR LIVES THE RED SBRULLS FINALLY RETURNED HOME TO MINNESOTA -- BULLS HAVE FINALLY RETURNED HOME TO MINNESOTA AND IT WAS AN OCCASION. |
| 06:31:37 | THESE HEROES TOOK PART IN THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARDS' RETURN TO THE YELLOW RIBBON RE-INTERROGATION PROGRAM WHICH HELPS SOLDIERS EASE BACK INTO EVERY DAY LIFE AND TO GIVE THANKS FOR THEIR EXTENDED SERVICE, IN JANUARY, 2010, -- 2010, THE POST -- 2007, THE P. |
| 06:31:59 | D. -- PDMRA WAS IMPLEMENTED TO OFFER EXTRA PAY TO THOSE WHO SERVED EXTENDED TIME OVERSEAS DURING DEPLOYMENTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. |
| 06:32:08 | BUT DESPITE THIS PROMISE MORE THAN 23,000 TROOPS DID NOT RECEIVE THE BENEFITS THEY WERE PROMISED DUE TO THE BUREAUCRACY AND THE RED TAPE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. |
| 06:32:18 | TROOPS THAT WERE OWED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, THEY DIDN'T SEE A DIME. |
| 06:32:24 | THIS WAS ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE. |
| 06:32:25 | THIS WAS THE TYPE OF DELAY, WHATEVER THE SUCCESS, WAS CERTAINLY OUTRAGEOUS. |
| 06:32:29 | AND THOUGH THIS WAS NOT A NEW ISSUE, I WAS PROUD TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS I ARRIVINGED IN CONGRESS AND IN FACT THE EFFORT WAS LED BY THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD REPRESENTATIVES JOHN KLINE AND TIM WALZ FROM MINNESOTA ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION AND REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE BRALEY FROM IOWA WHOSE TIRELESS WORK ON THIS ISSUE SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED. |
| 06:32:50 | MR. SPEAKER, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR VETERANS ISSUES, PARTISAN PAL TICKS ARE NOT AN OPTION. |
| 06:32:55 | WE ALL SHARE A COMMON GOAL IN CONGRESS TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THOSE THAT SERVE OUR NATION GET THE RESPECT AND THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY DESERVE. |
| 06:33:05 | WHILE WE AUTHORED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED AN IMMEDIATE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE, A MAJOR HURTLE WE FACED WAS THAT MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DID NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM EVER EXISTED. |
| 06:33:15 | DESPITE THE FACT THAT 19 STATES HAD 500 OR MORE CONSTITUENTS WHO HAD NOT RECEIVED MONEY MANY MEMBERS WERE UNFORTUNATELY AWARE WHICH WAS A MAJOR HURDLE IN PASSING THIS LEGISLATION. |
| 06:33:29 | SO WE MADE IT OUR MISSION PERSONALY TO EDUCATE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WE TRIED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUE. |
| 06:33:35 | WE ALSO SENT NUMEROUS LETTERS TO THE DEFENSE PROPORTION AUTHORIZATION COMMITTEES SO WE COULD BEGIN TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IN CONGRESS. |
| 06:33:43 | WHILE THOUSANDS IN THE MEANTIME CONTINUED TO WAIT FOR THE D. |
| 06:33:48 | O.D. TO ACT. AND IN THE HOUSE WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING LANGUAGE IN THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL AND WE GOT MONEY ALLOCATED IN THE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL AND THEN UNFORTUNATELY THE SENATE AUTHORIZATION BILL HAD LANGUAGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEIR APPROPRIATIONS BILL DID NOT INCLUDE THE FUNDING. |
| 06:34:03 | SO SADLY AFTER ALL OF OUR EFFORTS THE FINAL DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT THE PRESIDENT SIGNED INTO LAW DID NOT CONTAIN THE FUNDING THAT WAS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE FIX TO THIS PROBLEM FOR OUR TROOPS. |
| 06:34:14 | BUT WE KEPT ON FIGHTING. |
| 06:34:16 | WE DID NOT GIVE UP AND THE ISSUE WAS RAISED IN A QUESTION BY REPRESENTATIVE KLINE TO THE DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES DURING A HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING RECENTLY AND IT WAS JUST SHORTLY AFTER THAT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE YOU A KNOW -- ANNOUNCED IT WAS CHANGING ITS POLICY AND THAT THEY WOULD END THESE BURDENSOME REGULATIONS IN ORDER FOR THE SOLDIERS TO GET THE MONEY THAT THEY WERE PROMISED A LONG TIME AGO. |
| 06:34:37 | SO I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT NOW THE FIRST CHECKS HAVE BEEN MAILED OUT TO OUR DESERVING TROOPS. |
| 06:34:43 | THE RED BULLS WITHOUT A DOUBT DESERVE EVERY DOLLAR THEY WILL BE RECEIVING AFTER THIS THREE-YEAR WAIT. |
| 06:34:48 | I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THEM AGAIN FOR THEIR SERVICE AND PLEDGE TO THEM THAT WE WILL FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT A SIMILAR SITUATION NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. |
| 06:35:00 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 06:35:02 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MR. |
| 06:35:04 | PAULSEN. EXCUSE ME, MR. |
| 06:35:05 | THOMPSON FROM PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 06:35:06 | MR. THOMPSON: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:35:08 | SPEAKER, SOME SAY THAT AMERICA'S SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO HERE IN WASHINGTON. |
| 06:35:12 | I COULDN'T DISAGREE MORE. |
| 06:35:13 | AMERICA'S SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF OUR CITIZENS AND TONIGHT I WANTED TO SHARE -- I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT AND RECOGNIZE THREE SUCH INDIVIDUALS FROM CLINTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 06:35:25 | MR. SPEAKER, THE FIRST OF THESE IS DONALD MALOTTE. |
| 06:35:30 | FROM FEBRUARY 12 -- FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2010, DONALD G. |
| 06:35:36 | MALOTTE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITIES OF CLINTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 06:35:43 | HE TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE WHILE WORKING TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC SCENE OF A TWO-VEHICLE CRASH. |
| 06:35:51 | A LONG-TIME PUBLIC SERVANT IN CLINTON COUNTY, HE RECENTLY SERVED AS CAPTAIN OF THE WOOL RICH FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION. |
| 06:36:02 | HE BEGAN HIS PUBLIC SERVICE AT THE AGE OF 16 AND SERVED HIS COMMUNITIES FOR 46 YEARS. |
| 06:36:08 | HIS INVOLVEMENT ORIGINATED AS HOME COMMUNITY AD HE'S BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE DUNCETON AND WOOL RICH FIRE DEPARTMENTS. |
| 06:36:17 | HE'S ALSO EVOLVED IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL MA SONIC LODGE. |
| 06:36:22 | CAPTAIN MALOTTE'S LIFE EMBODIES THAT OF A TRUE AMERICAN HERO. |
| 06:36:26 | HE LIVED AND SERVED WITH MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF BOTH HIS NEIGHBORS AND COMPLETE STRANGERS. |
| 06:36:32 | HE SACRIFICED PERSONALLY, MISSING FAMILY TIME MEALS AND FULL NIGHTS OF REST WHEN CALLED UPON TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED. |
| 06:36:38 | AND WHILE WE MOURN THE LOSS OF THIS AMERICAN HERO, WE CELEBRATE HIS LIFETIME RECORD OF SERVICE AND HIS PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC SERVICE. |
| 06:36:46 | THE FAMILIES OF ALL FIRE AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL SHARE IN THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES OF THEIR LOVED ONES. |
| 06:36:52 | TO THE FAMILY, PLEASE KNOW THAT I'M KEEPING YOU IN MY PRAYERS DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. |
| 06:37:00 | THE SECOND INDIVIDUAL, MR. |
| 06:37:01 | SPEAKER, I RISE TO HONOR TODAY IS JERRY WHO SPENT 20 YEARS RAISING FUNDS TO ADVANCE THE CAUSES OF A UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA. |
| 06:37:09 | HE PLANS TO RETIRE WITH A BALANCE SHEET OF MORE THAN $40 MILLION IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER INCOME THAT HAS COME TO THE UNIVERSITY DURING HIS TENURE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION. |
| 06:37:21 | JERRY REPRESENTED THE UNIVERSITY ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION AND PAST CHAIR OF THE CLINTON COUNTY ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP. |
| 06:37:31 | LAST MONTH HE RECEIVED A LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION OVER THE COURSE OF HIS 42-YEAR CAREER. |
| 06:37:37 | I ALSO KNOW HIM AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WHERE HE SERVED WITH HONOR. |
| 06:37:46 | PRIOR TO JOINING ROCK HAVEN HE HAD FUNDRAISING RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHARLESTON. |
| 06:37:54 | JERRY RECENTLY SURPASSED THE $10 MILLION MARK FUNDRAISING GOAL IN LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY'S CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BY HELPING TO RAISE $11. |
| 06:38:01 | 6 MILLION. |
| 06:38:02 | WE THANK JERRY FOR HIS DEDICATION AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO LOCK HAVEN AND WISH HIM WELL IN HIS RETIREMENT. |
| 06:38:11 | AND FINALLY MR. SPEAKER I RECOGNIZE THIS EVENING LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT KEITH MILLER. |
| 06:38:15 | KEITH HAS HAD AN OUTSTANDING -- HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COLLEGE. |
| 06:38:20 | ENROLLMENT HAS GROWN UNDER HIS TENURE AS HAS THE HONORS PROGRAM. |
| 06:38:24 | LOCK HAVEN HAS ACHIEVED ALL STEINWAY'S STATUS AND NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANTS SINCE HE ARRIVED IN 2004. |
| 06:38:33 | HE'S A WARM INDIVIDUAL WHOSE DEDICATION TO THE SCHOOL WAS ALWAYS IN EVIDENCE. |
| 06:38:37 | ET NEVER STOPPED PROMOTING AND BELIEVING THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY. |
| 06:38:41 | I'M PLEASED FOR DR. |
| 06:38:43 | MILLER THAT HE'S GOING TO ASSUME THE REIGNS OF VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY. |
| 06:38:48 | THEIR GAIN IS OUR LOSS. |
| 06:38:49 | BEFORE LOCK HAVEN HE WAS PROVOICE AND VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH, DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AT NIAGARA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK AND ASSOCIATE DEAN OF A SCHOOL BUSINESS IN HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT. |
| 06:39:03 | HE OWNS A BACHELOR'S, MASTER'S AND PH. |
| 06:39:06 | D. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA BUT HE HAS ALSO WORKED IN SALES FOR PROCTER AND GAMBLE -- GAMBLE. |
| 06:39:13 | I CAN CONTINUE TO DESCRIBE HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MANY ATTRIBUTES BUT SUFFICE TO SAY THAT LOCK HAVEN AND LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY WILL MISS DR. |
| 06:39:23 | MILLER AS WILL I. |
| 06:39:25 | I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 06:39:27 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: MR. |
| 06:39:29 | BURTON FROM INDIANA. |
| 06:39:30 | UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 6, 2009, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI, MR. |
| 06:39:33 | AKIN, IS RECOGNIZED FOR 60 MINUTES AS THE DESIGNEE OF THE MINORITY LEADER. |
| 06:39:59 | MR. |
| 06:40:00 | AKIN: THANK YOU, MR. |
| 06:40:02 | SPEAKER. |
| 06:40:03 | IT'S A PLEASURE BEING ABLE TO JOIN YOU, MY COLLEAGUES AND THOSE GATHERED IN VARIOUS PLACES AROUND THE BUILDINGS HERE NEAR THE CAPITOL. |
| 06:40:12 | I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY HAVING SERVED IN GOVERNMENT AS A LEGISLATOR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS TO SERVE BOTH IN THE MAJORITY, IN THE MINORITY, BUT ALSO IN THE WILDERNESS. |
| 06:40:26 | THIS LAST YEAR AND A HALF HAS BEEN DIFFERENT. |
| 06:40:29 | I'VE SERVED IN THE WILDERNESS. |
| 06:40:34 | BECAUSE WE HAVE ACTUALLY COME UP TO THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS WITH A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT PROMISES TO BE SO THREATENING AND SO DESTRUCTIVE TO OUR COUNTRY THAT SHOULD WE DECIDE TO SWALLOW THIS POISON PILL AND PASS THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION AMERICA WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. |
| 06:40:57 | I HAVE SEEN IN THE MAJORITY AND IN THE MINORITY PIECES OF LEGISLATION WHICH ARE HARMFUL THAT MAY BE POOR SOLUTIONS TO SOME PARTICULAR PROBLEM OR SOLUTIONS TO A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST OR EXCUSES JUST TO HAVE MORE TAXES AND MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL. |
| 06:41:14 | BUT WE HAVE NEVER QUITE SEEN A THREAT LIKE THE THREAT THAT CONFRONTS AMERICA TODAY AND WE, YOU AND I, MY FRIENDS, WHO LOVE THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE, ARE LOOKING OFF THE EDGE. |
| 06:41:27 | I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER STOOD ON THE EDGE OF THE RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON AND LOOKED THOUSANDS OF FEET DOWNWARD OR IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN ON THE VERY TOP OF SOME HIGH SKYSCRAPER AND SOME BRIDGE AND JUST LOOKED OFF INTO EMPTY SPACE, BUT THAT IS WHERE WE STAND TONIGHT. |
| 06:41:46 | THAT IS WHERE WE STAND THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK IN AMERICA. |
| 06:41:51 | WE ARE STANDING LOOKING INTO THE ABYSS, INTO A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH IS QUITE POSSIBLY GOING TO BE PASSED AND IF IT IS PASSED IT WILL LEAVE OUR NATION VERY, VERY WEAK, MUCH WEAKER AND UNLIKE ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN BEFORE. |
| 06:42:12 | IT THREATENS TO DO TWO MAJOR THINGS. |
| 06:42:16 | TO DESTROY THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA AND TO DESTROY THE FISCAL INTEGRITY OF OUR VERY COUNTRY. |
| 06:42:24 | I AM TALKING OF COURSE ABOUT AN OLD TOPIC, A TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN DEBATED NOW FOR MORE THAN HALF A YEAR HERE IN CONGRESS. |
| 06:42:34 | IT IS BE A -- IT HAS ABSORBED THE ATTENTION OF THE NATION AND IT'S AN INTERESTING TOPIC BECAUSE THE MORE THAT IT'S BEEN AROUND IT SEEMS THAT THE MORE THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF IT AND THE MORE THEY SEE OF IT THE MORE THEY DON'T LIKE IT. |
| 06:42:49 | IN FACT, AS YOU START TO TAKE THE COVERS OFF THE LEGISLATION ON HEALTH CARE IT BECOMES A VERY UGLY PICTURE AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS WISE. |
| 06:42:59 | IN FACT, THE STATISTICAL INFORMATION SUGGESTS THAT AT LEAST 20% MORE AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT WE'D BE BETTER NOT PASSING THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND A GREAT MAJORITY THINK WE SHOULD JUST SCRAP IT AND START OVER AGAIN BY SYSTEMICALLY DEFINING A PROBLEM AND FIXING IT INSTEAD OF HAVING THE GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER ALL OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 06:43:22 | NOW, THE PROCESS, THE WAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE WORKS HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN SO BORING THAT NONE OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC PAID ATTENTION TO IT. |
| 06:43:32 | BUT THAT HAS CHANGED SINCE WE'VE BEEN IN THE DAYS OF LOOKING INTO THE ABYSS. |
| 06:43:36 | THE ABYSS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF HEALTH CARE AND THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR ECONOMY. |
| 06:43:41 | AND THE PEOPLE ARE BECOMING CONSCIOUS OF HOW IT IS THAT BILLS ARE PASSED, HOW THEY BECOME LAW. |
| 06:43:47 | WHAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THIS HEALTH CARE BILL PASSED WOULD BE A PROCESS THAT PEOPLE CALL RECONCILIATION AND WHAT THAT MEANS ESSENTIALLY IS THAT THE BILL WOULD END RUN OR BYPASS A SAFETY PROCESS IN THE U. |
| 06:44:07 | S. SENATE. |
| 06:44:08 | THE U.S. SENATE HAS A VERY CONSERVATIVE WAY OF OPERATING AND THAT IS THAT YOU CAN HAVE A BILL THAT YOU HAVE 51 SENATORS THAT WOULD VOTE FOR IT, SO IT WOULD PASS IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT, BUT THEY PUT THIS EXTRA CAVEAT, THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE 60 SENATORS AGREE TO BRING IT UP FOR A VOTE. |
| 06:44:25 | SO IN A SENSE EVERYTHING IN THE SENATE REQUIRES A 60% APPROVAL BEFORE IT GOES TO A FINAL VOTE. |
| 06:44:37 | THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO THAT, AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE NECESSITY OF DEALING WITH THE BUDGET AND SPENDING AND TAXING AND SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, ON CERTAIN FINANCIAL KINDS OF TRANSACTIONS, BECAUSE OF THE FACT WE CAN'T AFFORD A GRIDWELCOME WE ALLOW A 50-VOTE MAJORITY TO BE ABLE TO MOVE SOMETHING ALONG, THAT'S RECONCILIATION. |
| 06:44:59 | BUT IT IS NOT A PROCESS THAT IS TYPICALLY USED FOR A COMPLETELY NEW BILL ON A GREAT -- A VERY BROAD SUBJECT, WHICH IS NOT SPECIFICALLY A FINANCIAL KIND OF THING. |
| 06:45:13 | WE HAVE THIS QUOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, ON THIS SUBJECT OF RECONCILIATION, HE SAYS, NOW, RECONCILIATION IS THEREFORE THE WRONG PLACE FOR POLICY CHANGES. |
| 06:45:25 | NOW, WAIT A MINUTE, NOW, THIS IS THE PRESIDENT SAYING RECONCILIATION IS THEREFORE THE WRONG PLACE FOR POLICY CHANGES. |
| 06:45:32 | ISN'T THE HEALTH CARE BILL A POLICY CHANGE? |
| 06:45:35 | I GUESS IT IS. |
| 06:45:36 | IT'S A WHALE OF A BIG POLICY CHANGE. |
| 06:45:40 | IN SHORT, THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS APPEARS TO HAVE LOST ITS PROPER MEANING. |
| 06:45:46 | A VEHICLE DESIGNED FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN HIJACKED TO FACILITATE RECKLESS DEFICITS AND UNSUSTAINABLE DEBT. |
| 06:45:58 | WELL, I WISH THE PRESIDENT WOULD PAY ATTENTION TO HIS OWN WORDS. |
| 06:46:03 | THIS IS WHAT HE SAID. |
| 06:46:05 | RECONCILIATION IS NOT A PLACE FOR POLICY CHANGES AND YET THE HEALTH CARE BILL IS A MASSIVE POLICY CHANGE. |
| 06:46:12 | IT WILL TAKE OVER ABOUT 1/6 OF THE U. |
| 06:46:17 | S. ECONOMY. THE GOVERNMENT WILL STEP IN AND EFFECTIVELY RUN 1/6 OF THE U. |
| 06:46:22 | S. ECONOMY WITH ALL KINDS OF RULES AND REGULATIONS AND BUREAUCRACIES. |
| 06:46:27 | I GUESS THAT'S A POLICY CHANGE, MR. |
| 06:46:29 | PRESIDENT. |
| 06:46:30 | IN SHORT, THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS APPEARS TO HAVE LOST ITS PROPER MEANING. |
| 06:46:36 | INDEED, IT DOES. |
| 06:46:37 | A VEHICLE DESIGNED FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. |
| 06:46:42 | THAT'S WHAT THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT AND IN FACT, IT'S GOING TO BE HIJACKED, IT'S BEEN HIJACKED TO FACILITATE, WHAT? |
| 06:46:54 | TO FACILITATE JAMMING DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC A BILL THAT AMERICA CLEARLY DOES NOT WANT US TO DO. |
| 06:47:01 | THEY WANT TO TAKE THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS AS A MECHANISM TO JUMP WITH ALL OF AMERICA INTO THE ABYSS. |
| 06:47:11 | SO I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT AFTER THE VOTES, PARTICULARLY THE VOTE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WHERE THE DEMOCRATS DO NOT HAVE 60 VOTES IN THE SENATE THEY DON'T HAVE ONE REPUBLICAN THAT WOULD SUPPORT THIS BILL, NOT ONE, FOR PEOPLE WHO SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT IS A HUGE WARNING SIGN. |
| 06:47:31 | WHEN YOU SEE A TOTAL PARTY LINE VOTE ON SOMETHING, IT SAYS, THAT MEANS THERE'S SOME PROBLEMS. |
| 06:47:38 | USUALLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, IF IT'S BEEN DONE PROPERLY A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE FOR INPUT, PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO IMPROVE AND SAY, THIS PART SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE RADICAL, LET'S GO BACK THIS WAY. |
| 06:47:51 | USUALLY WHAT YOU HAVE IS MORE OF A MIX OF PEOPLE. |
| 06:47:54 | WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING BEING JAMMED IN A PROCESS THAT'S NOT DESIGNED THAT IS RECONCILIATION, FOR THIS MASSIVE POLICY CHANGE, AND YOU SEE NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTING FOR IT, THAT SHOULD BE A WARNING SIGN FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE AND IT'S MISUSE OF RECONCILIATION. |
| 06:48:16 | SO WHILE THE PUBLIC IS SAYING IN POLL AFTER POLL, SURVEY AFTER SURVEY, PHONE CALL AFTER PHONE CALL FROM OUR DISTRICTS, STOP THIS TRAIN, DO NOT JUMP INTO THE ABYSS, DO NOT ALLOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER 1/6 OF THE ECONOMY, YET WHAT DO WE SEE? |
| 06:48:36 | WE SEE A TREMENDOUS DETERMINATION TO JAM THIS BILL THROUGH WHETHER THE PROCEDURE FITS OR NOT, BUT IT IS MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU. |
| 06:48:48 | THIS IS A VERY HIGH-HANDED APPROACH AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT, NEVER DOES, AND NEVER BILL PRODUCE A GOOD CONSENSUS IN AMERICA. |
| 06:48:57 | IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL DIVIDE AMERICA, CREATE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TENSION AND PRESSURE, END UP WITH LOUSY HEALTH CARE AND A FEDERAL BUDGET THAT IS EVEN MORE OUT OF CONTROL. |
| 06:49:08 | NOW IF YOU TAKE A LOOK DOWN HERE, WE HAVE ANOTHER QUOTE FROM THE SPOKER OF THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI, IT SAYS THIS WILL TAKE COURAGE. |
| 06:49:17 | THIS WILL TAKE COURAGE. |
| 06:49:19 | IN OTHER WORDS, FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO VOTE FOR THIS BILL, IT WILL TAKE COURAGE. |
| 06:49:24 | WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? |
| 06:49:26 | IT WILL TAKE COURAGE. |
| 06:49:27 | IF IT TAKES COURAGE IT MEANS SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE MAD. |
| 06:49:32 | SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO LIKE IT. |
| 06:49:34 | SO YOU HAVE TO BE COURAGEOUS AND STAND UP TO SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T WANT YOU TO VOTE FOR THIS BILL. |
| 06:49:40 | WHO DO YOU THINK THE SOMEBODY IS? |
| 06:49:42 | IS IT THE REPUBLICANS, THE REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE IT, BUT WE HAVE 80 VOTES LESS THAN THE DEMOCRATS SO WE CAN'T SAY MUCH OF ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN EXPLAIN WHIGE WE DON'T LIKE IT. |
| 06:49:54 | BUT OUR HOPES DON'T -- OUR VOTES DON'T MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. |
| 06:50:00 | NANCY PELOSI HAS A LOT OF EX-PARAVOTES. |
| 06:50:02 | SHE COULD HAVE 20 OR 30 PEOPLE VOTE NO AND STILL PASS THIS BILL. |
| 06:50:06 | WHY DOES IT TAKE COURAGE? |
| 06:50:08 | BECAUSE SOMEBODY COULDN'T WANT IT. |
| 06:50:10 | SOMEBODY VERY MUCH DOESN'T WANT IT. |
| 06:50:12 | AND THEY'LL BE MAD IF IT'S JAMMED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHO IS THE SOMEBODY GOING TO BE? |
| 06:50:17 | YOU GOT IT, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. |
| 06:50:19 | PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS BILL. |
| 06:50:21 | IF YOU VOTE FOR IT, THE POINT SHE'S TAKING IS, YOU'RE RISKING YOUR SEAT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE MAD. |
| 06:50:27 | IT'S INTERESTING, WHEN THE LEADER IS SAYING IT'S GOING TO TAKE COURAGE, THAT SAYS SOMEBODY DOESN'T LIKE IT. |
| 06:50:36 | NOW, ARE THERE SOME REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE BILL? |
| 06:50:39 | FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A ROUGH FLOW CHART TRYING TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER 1/6 OF THE U. |
| 06:50:51 | S. ECONOMY. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS BEING DONE BY PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS WHICH WILL BE REPLACED WITH GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND THEY'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPLACE IT ALL. |
| 06:51:02 | SO NO WONDER IT TAKES ALMOST 3,000 PAGES OF BILL TO TRY TO PUT SOME SORT OF SCHEME TOGETHER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE RUNNING THE HEALTH CARE BUSINESS. |
| 06:51:12 | NOW, ON THE SURFACE OF THE WHOLE SITUATION WITH THIS BILL THIS IS NOT AN EASY SELL. |
| 06:51:19 | AS YOU KNOW THIS BILL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN HALF A YEAR, I GUESS IT'S 3/4 OF THE YEAR. |
| 06:51:25 | PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT VERY WELL. |
| 06:51:26 | THE PRESIDENT THINKS IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BILL BUT THE MORE THAT PEOPLE SEE IT, THELESS THEY LIKE IT. |
| 06:51:32 | THEY THINK IT'S AN UGLY BILL. |
| 06:51:33 | LET'S THINK ABOUT THE LOGIC OF THIS, STAND WAY BACK AWAY FROM THE DETAILS OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 06:51:38 | WE HAVE GOT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, BOTH OF THOSE HAVE TO DO WITH MEDICINE. |
| 06:51:43 | THEY'RE BOTH VERY LARGE FEDERAL ENTITLEMENTS. |
| 06:51:46 | MEDICARE, MEDICAID. |
| 06:51:48 | IN FACT, THE GREAT CHALLENGE TO THE AMERICAN BUDGET ARE THREE ENTITLEMENTS. |
| 06:51:54 | PEOPLE SAY EARMARKS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. |
| 06:51:57 | EARMARKS IS 1%. |
| 06:51:58 | THEY'RE NOT THE THING THAT'S REALLY A THREAT TO THE BUDGET. |
| 06:52:01 | THE THING THAT'S THE THREAT TO THE BUDGET ARE THREE ENTITLEMENTS, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID. |
| 06:52:06 | TWO OF THOSE HAVE TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE. |
| 06:52:09 | MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. AND WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID? |
| 06:52:13 | WELL, THEY'RE FINANCIALLY BROKEN. |
| 06:52:17 | IF THEY CONTINUE AS THEY ARE RIGHT NOW WITHOUT CHANGING THOSE LAWS, THEY WILL BANKRUPT OUR COUNTRY. |
| 06:52:22 | SO WE'VE GOT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BANKRUPTING OUR COUNTRY AND SO WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO SELL THE AMERICAN PUBLIC? |
| 06:52:32 | OH, HEY, WE'VE GOT THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, THEY'RE BANKRUPTING OUR COUNTRY, LET'S TAKE OTHER ALL OF HEALTH CARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT. |
| 06:52:42 | THERE'S SOMETHING INTUITIVELY COUNTERINTUITIVE ABOUT THAT, ISN'T THERE? |
| 06:52:46 | WHY WOULD YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER SOMETHING IT'S ALREADY MESSING UP AND THAT IS NOT WORKING FINANCIALLY. |
| 06:52:52 | THAT IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BANKRUPTING OUR COUNTRY. |
| 06:52:55 | IF YOU CAN'T DO IT IN A SMALLER AREA OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, WHY DO YOU WANT TO EXPAND IT TO EVERYBODY? |
| 06:53:01 | THIS IS KIND OF A HARD SELL FOR THE PRESIDENT AND THAT'S WHY IT'S TAKING A LOT OF COURAGE AND WHY THIS BILL IS NOT MOVING ANY TOO FAST AND WHY THE PUBLIC DOESN'T LIKE IT. |
| 06:53:11 | BUT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHER REASONS. |
| 06:53:14 | YOU CAN SEE THE COMPLEXITY HERE ANDS AUDIOCASSETTE -- AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WHEN YOU START LOOKING THAT THE EDITAILS, YOU FIND IT'S FULL OF A LOT OF LITTLE DETAILS. |
| 06:53:23 | ONE OF THE THINGS YOU FIND, AND I THINK ONE OF THE LITTLE DEVILS THAT IS PERHAPS MOST KNOCK TOSHES A LOT OF AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE THE SPECIAL DEALS YOU SEE, WHEN OFF PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF COURAGE, YOU HAVE TO PUT SOME SUGAR IN IT TO MAKE PEOPLE VOTE FOR IT. |
| 06:53:41 | AND THE SUGAR, OF COURSE, COMES IN THE SPECIAL DEALS. |
| 06:53:46 | SO WHAT YOU FIND IN THE LEGISLATION TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE BECAUSE THE IDEA ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND OPENNESS, WE HAVE NOT SEEN. |
| 06:53:53 | SO WE DON'T ACTUALLY SEE EXACTLY WHAT THIS BILL IN ITSELF FINAL FORM WETCH JUST SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE HOUSE WHAT WE SAW IT WAS LIKE IN THE SENATE BUT WE FIND IT HAS SOME OF THESE SPECIAL LITTLE THINGS THAT IS THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE OUT 500 -- GOING TO TAKE OUT $500 BILLION OUT OF MEDICARE. |
| 06:54:13 | IS IT TAKING $500 BILLION OUT OF MEDICARE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY? |
| 06:54:21 | NO. IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE OF -- TAKE MONEY OUT OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AT ALL. |
| 06:54:28 | IT WON'T BE COMING OUT IN FLORIDA BUT IN THE OTHER STATES THEY DO TAKE IT OUT. |
| 06:54:33 | THAT WAS A SPECIAL DEAL FOR SOMEBODY IN FLORIDA. |
| 06:54:36 | THEN WE'VE GOT SPECIAL DEALS, I BELIEVE IT WAS CALLED LOUISIANA PURCHASE TWO, FOR LOUISIANA. |
| 06:54:44 | SPECIAL DEAL FOR MASSACHUSETTS, MEDICARE GETS SPECIAL REIMBURSEMENTS THERE. |
| 06:54:48 | GOING TO BUILD A HOSPITAL IN NEW JERSEY, BUT NOT IN OTHER PLACES. |
| 06:54:51 | SO YOU HAVE SPECIAL DEALS. |
| 06:54:52 | THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE THIS IS LOOK UGLY TO THE VOTERS. |
| 06:54:56 | BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT TREATING EVERY STATE THE SAME. |
| 06:54:58 | YOU'RE MAKING SOME STATES PAY MORE AND OIR ONES DON'T. |
| 06:55:02 | YOU'RE MAKING SOME SPECIAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR VARIOUS PEOPLE. |
| 06:55:08 | YOU FIND THERE'S ADJUSTMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK IN A LABOR UNION BUT SOMEBODY WHO WORKS THE SAME KIND OF JOB IN A COMPANY THAT'S NOT IN A UNION DOESN'T GET THE SAME BREAK AS IF YOU ARE IN A UNION. |
| 06:55:21 | THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL DEALS PEOPLE IN GENESEE THAT, THEY SAY THAT ISN'T FAIR, ISN'T RIGHT, THAT'S NOT GOOD LEGISLATION. |
| 06:55:27 | THAT'S SPECIAL DEALS. |
| 06:55:28 | WE DON'T LIKE SPECIAL DEALS. |
| 06:55:30 | THEY DON'T TREAT PEOPLE EQUALLY BEFORE THE LAW. |
| 06:55:35 | NOW THE -- WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS CHART, WHAT IT SUGGESTS IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE, NOT ONLY IS IT GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE IF YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM AND YOU FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS SOMEWHERE, YOU MAY NEVER GET OVER TO GETTING ANY HEALTH CARE AT ALL. |
| 06:55:55 | IT'S GOT SO MUCH RED TAPE AND BUREAUCRACY. |
| 06:56:00 | SO THE WHOLE IDEA OF THIS KIND OF SYSTEM WORKING WELL AND PROVIDING GOOD QUALITY SERVICE IS A LITTLE BIT HARD TO UNDERSTAND. |
| 06:56:10 | WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE FAILINGS OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IN TERMS OF THE PROJECTED WAY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY INTO BANKRUPTCY, DO YOU REALLY WANT TO EXPAND ALL OF HEALTH CARE INTO THESE CATEGORIES? |
| 06:56:22 | THERE'S A FISCAL SANITY KIND OF COMPONENT. |
| 06:56:32 | ONE OF THE WAYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BILL AND TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS AND TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AS TO WHY THIS BILL IS UNPOPULAR AS PEOPLE STUDY IT AND SEE MORE AND MORE OF IT, THESE ARE SOME COMPARISONS ON WHAT THE HEALTH CARE PROPOSAL DOES. |
| 06:56:49 | THIS IS THE OLD DEMOCRAT BILLS, THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S NEW ONLINE BILL, AND THIS WOULD BE THE REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE OR ALTERNATIVES. |
| 06:57:00 | SO WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT BILLS IN COMPARISON HERE. |
| 06:57:04 | A COMPARISON BASED ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CRITERION. |
| 06:57:07 | I THINK IT'S MAYBE HELPFUL TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE. |
| 06:57:11 | FIRST OF ALL, IT SAYS HERE THAT IT IMPOSES HALF A TRILLION IN MEDICARE CUTS. |
| 06:57:16 | WE TALKED ABOUT THAT JUST A MINUTE AGO. |
| 06:57:18 | THIS BILL IS GOING TO CUT MEDICARE. |
| 06:57:22 | YOU HEARD THE DEMOCRATS SAYING THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR MEDICARE AWAY. |
| 06:57:28 | THAT DIDN'T TURN OUT TO BE TRUE, WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT BUT THIS BILL DOES THIS BILL IS GOING TO CUT $500 BILLION OUT OF MEDICARE AND THE ANSWER TO THIS, OF COURSE, IS YES, THE OLD DEMOCRAT BILL DID THAT. |
| 06:57:39 | THAT'S THE YES. |
| 06:57:40 | AND THE PRESIDENT CEASE -- THE PRESIDENT'S NEW BILL IS GOING TO DO THE SAME THING. |
| 06:57:46 | IT'S GOING TO IMPOSE HALF A TRILLION IN MEDICARE CUTS. |
| 06:57:49 | THE REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE DOES NOT. |
| 06:57:52 | SO THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE. |
| 06:57:56 | IF MEDICARE IS HAVING TROUBLE FINANCIALLY IF DOCTORS ARE IN THE BEING REIMBURSED VERY MUCH IN MEDICARE SO THEY'RE STARTING TO NOT ACCEPT NEW PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT BEING REIMBURSED ENOUGH TO MAKE IT WORTH THEIR WHILE TO TAKE PATIENTS, IF THAT'S A PROBLEM IN MEDICARE, WHY ARE WE GOING TO PULL HALF A TRILLION OUT OF IT? |
| 06:58:18 | SO THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS YOU COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THESE BILLS. |
| 06:58:23 | THERE'S A DIFFERENCE, THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT PROPOSING THAT BUT BOTH THE PRESIDENT'S NEW ONLINE BILL AND THE DEMOCRAT BILL DOES THAT. |
| 06:58:30 | IT ALSO ENACTS JOB-KILLING TAX HIKES AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS COSTING HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. |
| 06:58:37 | THIS BILL, IN ORDER TO PAY FOR IT, ITS A $1 TRILLION BILL, A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE, THIS BILL IS GOING TO COST MORE THAN $1 TRILLION, HOW DO YOU PAY FOR IT? |
| 06:58:47 | GUESS WHAT, TAX INCREASES. |
| 06:58:49 | AND CUTS TO MEDICARE. |
| 06:58:50 | SO THE TAX INCREASES HERE ARE GOING TO COME FROM WHERE? |
| 06:58:54 | A LOT OF THEM COME FROM SMALL BUSINESSES. |
| 06:58:58 | WHEN YOU TAX SMALL BUSINESSS A WHOLE LOT FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HIRE AS MANY EMPLOYEES, SO THIS BILL THEN HAS THE EFFECT OF CAUSING UNEMPLOYMENT. |
| 06:59:11 | SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IN OUR PARTICULAR CLIMATE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT NEAR 10% IN AMERICA AND NOT A LOT OF SENSE OF HOPE THAT THAT EMPLOYMENT IS GOING TO TURN AROUND IN A HURRY BECAUSE OF VERY BADLY SHAPED POLICIES BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY POLICIES WHICH HAMMER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, TO HAVE THIS BILL WHICH IS GOING TO TAX HEAVILY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND PUT TREMENDOUS NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON THEM COSTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING FROM AN UNEMPLOYMENT POINT OF VIEW THAT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA. |
| 06:59:48 | AND THIS IS GOING TO BE DONE BY THE OLD DEMOCRATIC BILL, THE PRESIDENT'S NEW PROPOSAL, THE REPUBLICAN TERVE, IT DOESN'T SURPRISE YOU, WERE NOT ENTHUSED ABOUT TAX INCREASES AND WE DON'T KNOW THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO BE DEALING WITH SOME OF OUR PROBLEMS IN MEDICINE. |
| 07:00:03 | I'M JOINED BY A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, CONGRESSMAN BISHOP, AND I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE HIS PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. |
| 07:00:12 | I'VE JUST BEEN SAYING THAT -- AND I DON'T THINK THAT I'M OVERDRAMATIZING THIS, THAT TO A DEGREE IT'S MY SENSE THAT AMERICA'S STANDING ON THE EDGE OF AN ABYSS LIKE LOOKING OVER THE GRAND CANYON OR SOMETHING AND THAT IF WE STEP OFF THE EDGE , MISUSE THIS RECONCILIATION PROCESS, WE'RE GOING TO DAMAGE OUR COUNTRY IN A WAY UNLIKE ANYTHING THAT WE'VE SEEN BEFORE. |
| 07:00:37 | PLEASE JOIN ME, THOUGH. |
| 07:00:38 | MR. BISHOP: I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO JOIN THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI HERE AND I APPRECIATE HIS EFFORTS SO FAR IN EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCES IN THESE PARTICULAR BILLS AND I WANT TO ECHO THAT I AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE ARE IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION. |
| 07:00:52 | THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD TELL US THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE COULD DO RIGHT NOW IS PASS SOMETHING. |
| 07:00:58 | A LOT OF BAD PIECES OF LEGISLATION AND POLICY CHANGES HAVE HAPPENED WHEN WE SIMPLY PASS SOMETHING THAT WAS THERE. |
| 07:01:06 | OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE SHOULD BE TO PASS THE RIGHT TYPE OF REFORM, NOT JUST SOMETHING. |
| 07:01:13 | AND UNTIL WE GET THE RIGHT TYPE OF REFORM WE SHOULD NEVER ACTUALLY QUIT LOOKING TO FORM A WAY THAT IS BEST IN PROVIDING OPTIONS AND CHOICES TO AMERICAN PEOPLE. |
| 07:01:23 | I'M ASSUMING AS YOU STARTED, YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE FOUR PROPOSED ALLEGED PROPOSALS THAT WERE ADDED TODAY. |
| 07:01:30 | WHEN I FIRST SAW THAT I THOUGHT SOMEBODY WAS PULLING MY LEG, IT WAS A JOKE. |
| 07:01:35 | I FIND IT LUDICROUS AND SOMEWHAT INSULTING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE ACTUALLY THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT IF YOU TAKE A $1 TRILLION PROGRAM WHICH TRANSFERS POWER FROM AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BUREAUCRATS IN WASHINGTON THAT BY ADDING MORE SPENDING FOR A FEW STUDIES AND A FEW SMALL LITTLE TWEAKS HERE AND THERE THAT THAT'S ACTUALLY BETTER AND IT'S GOING TO BUY PEOPLE SUPPORT -- AND THAT THAT'S ACTUALLY BETTER AND IT'S GOING TO BUY PEOPLE'S SUPPORT. |
| 07:02:11 | WEEK OF SPOKEN TOO LONG ABOUT IT, WEEK OF BEEN -- WE'VE SPOKEN TOO LONG ABOUT IT, WE'VE GIVEN SPEECH AFTER SPEECH. |
| 07:02:18 | WHAT WE SHOULD DO NOW IS LISTEN TO THE REASONS AMERICANS HAVE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CORE PROGRAM THAT IS BEFORE US. |
| 07:02:24 | AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING UP THERE, AS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE CORE PROBLEMS IN THIS PARTICULAR BILL THAT A FEW LITTLE ADD-ONS THAT COST A LITTLE MORE MONEY ARE NOT GOING TO SELL THIS CORE PROBLEM ISSUE. |
| 07:02:39 | IF I COULD SAY JUST ONE MORE THING -- MR. |
| 07:02:41 | AKIN: IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, YOU CAN CHROME PLATE A PIG BUT IT STILL IS A PIG WHEN YOU'RE DONE. |
| 07:02:47 | BUT GO AHEAD. |
| 07:02:48 | MR. |
| 07:02:49 | BISHOP: WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO THINK OF A LOT OF METAPHORS HERE AND I DON'T THINK A LOT OF THEM WORK VERY WELL. |
| 07:02:54 | I REMEMBER ONE TIME WHEN MY OLDEST KID WAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 AND HE HAD BEEN GIVEN A CANDY BAR AND WAS SUPPOSED TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM AND DIDN'T WANT TO GO UP AND JOIN THE OTHER KIDS IN THE PROGRAM. |
| 07:03:04 | SO I TOOK HIS CANDY BAR AWAY AND I SAID, IF YOU GO UP THERE AND PERFORM I'LL GIVE YOU A CANDY BAR. |
| 07:03:09 | AND OF COURSE HE WAS DUMB ENOUGH TO ACCEPT THAT AND HE WADDLED UP THERE AND THE PROGRAM AND I GAVE HIM HIS CANDY BAR BACK. |
| 07:03:17 | I HOPE PEOPLE DON'T THINK THAT JUST GIVING A CANDY BAR BACK IS GOING TO BUY THE PROGRAM. |
| 07:03:23 | THE PROGRAM IS STILL FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED. |
| 07:03:27 | A REPORTER JUST ASKED ME, DON'T YOU THINK THESE BIMS SHOULD HAVE AN UP-DOWN VOTE? |
| 07:03:33 | EVERYTHING HERE IN THE HOUSE IS AN UP-DOWN VOTE. |
| 07:03:35 | BUT THERE ARE BILLS INTRODUCEDED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHADEGG, REPRESENTATIVE PRICE WHO HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH ABOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND REFORMING OUR SYSTEM BASED ON GIVING THE POWER TO PEOPLE SO PEOPLE CAN MAKE CHOICES AND REPRESENTATIVE AKIN, I THINK THEY DESERVE AN UP,-DOWN VOTE ON THIS BODY AS WELL. |
| 07:03:53 | INSTEAD THEY HAVE BEEN PROHIBITTED FROM EVENING BEING DISCUSSED IN COMMITTEE OR ON THE FLOOR. |
| 07:03:58 | MR. AKIN: IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT'S HAPPENING, YOU HAVE OTHER APPROACHES TO SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN HEALTH CARE, NOT TRYING TO HAVE THE GOVERNMENT TAKE IT ALL OVER BUT TO FIX VARIOUS COMPONENT PARTS AND WE HAVE A RULES COMMITTEE THAT, FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU HAVE -- YOU WANT TO OFFER SUGGESTIONS, THEY PROHIBIT YOU FROM OFFERING THAT AS AN AMENDMENT TO GET AN UP OR DOWN VOTE ON IT. |
| 07:04:19 | IS THAT CORRECT? |
| 07:04:21 | MR. BISHOP: I WOULD SIMPLY SUGGEST THAT TO THE LEADERS OF THIS CONGRESS AND OUR PRESIDENT, INSTEAD OF SAYING IF YOU HAVE IDEAS GIVE THEM TO ME AND I'LL MAKE A CHOICE ON WHETHER THEY'RE GOOD OR NOT -- MR. |
| 07:04:31 | AKIN: THAT'S THE WAY THE PROCESSES WORK. |
| 07:04:32 | GO AHEAD, RIGHT. |
| 07:04:34 | MR. BISHOP: PUT THE IDEAS ON THE FLOOR AND LET ALL OF THOSE IDEAS BE FULLY DEBATED IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, GIVE AN UP-DOWN VOTE ON EVERY IDEA THAT'S OUT THERE AND JUST PERHAPS WE WILL FIND THAT THERE IS A NEEDED REFORM TO OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT ACTUALLY MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, DOES NOT COST THEM OUT OF EXISTENCE, DOES NOT CUT JOBS, DOES NOT MOVE POWER AWAY FROM PEOPLE BACK HERE TO WASHINGTON AND ALLOWS PEOPLE AND THEIR DOCTORS TO CHART THEIR OWN FUTURE. |
| 07:05:01 | I HAVE SAID A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I TALKED TO YOU ON THE FLOOR HERE ON THIS ISSUE, THE STATE OF UTAH HAS LAUNCHED LAST YEAR A REFORM -- I'M SORRY, A REFORM OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BASED ON UTAH'S UNIQUE DEMOGRAPHICS. |
| 07:05:17 | WE HAVE THE YOUNGEST STATE IN THE NATION, OUR MEDIAN AGE IS YOUNGER. |
| 07:05:22 | WE ALSO HAVE A LOT, PROBABLY MORE, SMALL BUSINESSES THAT DON'T PROVIDE INSURANCE THAN MOST STATES. |
| 07:05:26 | WE NEED SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR NEED AND WE HAVE LAUNCHED IT, A PROGRAM THAT IS WELL DESIGNED WITH FUNDAMENTALS, STILL NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED, STILL NEEDS TO BE WORKED ON BUT IT'S BASED ON OUR NEEDS AND OUR DEMOGRAPHICS AND IF EITHER THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE BILL, THESE ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL PROGRAMS WERE TO PASS IN ANY FORM, IT TOTALLY DESTROYED WHAT THE STATE IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. |
| 07:05:48 | WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH THE BRILLIANCE HERE. |
| 07:05:50 | WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO CARE ABOUT PEOPLE. |
| 07:05:53 | WE SHOULD BE PARTNERING WITH STATES TO COME UP WITH NEW AND CREATIVE IDEAS TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL AREAS AND WE FLAT-OUT ARE NOT ALLOWING THAT TO TAKE PLACE. |
| 07:06:03 | MR. |
| 07:06:04 | AKIN: WE'RE BASICALLY MUZZLING A LOT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE PROCESS. |
| 07:06:08 | THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT ANALOGIES AS YOU SAID. |
| 07:06:11 | YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR SON WITH A CANDY BAR. |
| 07:06:13 | ANOTHER ONE WAS THE IDEA OF A KITCHEN THAT NEEDS -- THAT HAS A BROKEN SINK AND WHEN YOU HIRE THE PLUMBER TO FIX THE BROKEN SINK YOU DON'T REMODEL THE ENTIRE KITCHEN. |
| 07:06:26 | AND OF COURSE THAT'S THE MODEL THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN USING, THE CONCEPT THAT, HA, THE SINK IS BROKEN, THEREFORE WE CAN REMODEL THE WHOLE KITCHEN. |
| 07:06:35 | THEY HAD THE IDEA OF REMODELING THE KITCHEN, THEY'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO THAT FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THE BROKEN SINK IS NOW THE EXCUSE TO REMODEL THE WHOLE KITCHEN. |
| 07:06:44 | BUT THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS I THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WOULD WORK BETTER IF WE WERE TO SAY, LET'S DEFINE A SPECIFIC PROBLEM IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, INSTEAD OF HAVING THE GOVERNMENT TAKE IT ALL OVER, LET'S TRY TO SOLVE THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM. |
| 07:07:04 | I GUESS THE -- IT DEPENDS HOW YOU EXPLAIN IT OR SAY IF IT. |
| 07:07:08 | IF I WERE TO SAY, GENTLEMEN, WOULD YOU LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO BUY YOU A HOUSE, YOU MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO SAY, WELL, THAT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD. |
| 07:07:16 | BUT IF I WERE TO SAY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN GOVERNMENT HOUSING, YOU MIGHT THINK, I'M NOT SO SURE I WANT THAT. |
| 07:07:25 | AND THE LITTLE BIT THAT MAYBE IS AN ANALOGY TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE. |
| 07:07:28 | THE IDEA IS TO SAY, HEY, DON'T YOU WANT FREE HEALTH CARE, BUT THE OTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT IT IS, DO YOU REALLY WANT THE GOVERNMENT MAKING HEALTH CARE DECISIONS OR WOULD YOU RATHER PREFER THAT YOUR DOCTOR MAKES THOSE DECISIONS? |
| 07:07:43 | SO DEPENDS HOW YOU SAY IT. |
| 07:07:45 | BUT THAT'S -- THE AMERICAN PUBLIC'S GOTTEN WISE TO THIS AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE A 20% AT LEAST MORE NUMBER OF AMERICANS THAT DON'T WANT THIS PROGRAM. |
| 07:07:53 | MR. |
| 07:07:54 | BISHOP: I THINK THE GENTLEMAN HAS ALSO BROUGHT THE OTHER CHART DOWN HERE WHICH YOU PROBABLY USED EARLIER WHICH IS HOW THIS SYSTEM WOULD BE STRUCTURED. |
| 07:08:01 | NOW, I HATE TO SAY THAT BUT WHEN THE FIRST BILL WAS PRESENTED BY OUR GOOD FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE, THAT WAS THE STRUCTURE. |
| 07:08:10 | I HATE TO SAY THIS, OVER ALL THE TIMES WE'VE DISCUSSED ABOUT IT, THAT TYPICAL WASHINGTON APPROACH OF CONVOLUTED, COMPLEX PATTERNS, PEOPLE MAKING DECISIONS, THAT HASN'T CHANGED AT ALL. |
| 07:08:24 | AS WEEK OF COME THROUGH, SUPPOSEDLY COME UP WITH THIS NEW IDEA THAT HAS TWEAKS FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THERE'S BEEN NO COMPROMISE ON THE BASIC PROBLEM WHICH IS, THAT STRUCTURE -- WHICH IS THAT STRUCTURE. |
| 07:08:36 | MR. AKIN: I KIND OF LIKE THIS CHART BECAUSE I THINK THAT SOME ENTREPRENEUR COULD MAKE MONEY WITH THIS CHART BECAUSE IF YOU WERE TO JUST SHRINK IT DOWN A LITTLE SMALLER, ADD SOME ADDITIONAL LINES, YOU COULD START OVER HERE AND THESE ARE THE CONSUMERS, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE OVER THERE AND YOU COULD SELL IT TO RESTAURANTS AS A PLACEMAT AND GIVE THEM A CRAYON AND CUSTOMERS COULD TRY AND DRAW AND SEE IF THEY COULD GET THROUGH THE MAZE TO GET OVER TO THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL AND -- BECAUSE THAT'S A LITTLE BIT HOW THIS LOOKS. |
| 07:09:08 | MAYBE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SILLY THING TO SAY, BUT, GENTLEMEN, YOU'RE IN THE BUSINESS IN YOUR OFFICE, AMONG OTHER PARTS OF THE WORK THAT WE DO AS CONGRESSMEN, WE GET PHONE CAUSE FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS. |
| 07:09:19 | AND OUR CONSTITUENTS WANT US TO HELP THEM SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT THEY'RE HAVING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 07:09:25 | I'M THINKING ABOUT, IF THIS SYSTEM GETS PUT IN, I'M GOING TO HAVE I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THOUSAND PEOPLE EVERY DAY IN MY PHONE SAYING, I NEED THIS KIND OF MEDICAL CARE AND I CAN'T GET THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THEY'RE GOING TO ASK ME TO HELP THEM DO IT. |
| 07:09:39 | AND I'M GOING TO SAY, FAT CHANCE. |
| 07:09:41 | THIS IS A MESS. |
| 07:09:44 | MR. BISHOP: I THINK YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED THEIR OPINION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS TYPE OF A PROGRAM, A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL WASHINGTON-BASED PROGRAM. |
| 07:09:56 | I'VE ALSO HAD SOME OTHER PEOPLE CALLING ME, A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH GRAVE CONCERNS AND A GREAT DEAL OF ANGER OVER EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON, BUT SOME WHO HAVE SIMPLY SAID, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST SIT DOWN AND COMPROMISE? |
| 07:10:07 | WHY CAN'T YOU WORK THINGS OUT? |
| 07:10:09 | I THINK I JOIN WITH YOU IN SAYING THAT I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN TO WORK WITH ANYBODY WHO WILL WORK WITH ME. |
| 07:10:14 | THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO WORK TOGETHER. |
| 07:10:18 | WHICH IS WHY I WAS SAYING EARLIER, LET THOSE OTHER IDEAS, THE OTHER BILLS, HAVE AN UP-DOWN VOTE AS WELL. |
| 07:10:23 | BRING THEM TO THE FLOOR AND ALLOW A TRUE DEBATE ON ALL IDEAS. |
| 07:10:28 | DON'T SIPHON THE IDEAS DOWN TO WHAT IS ALLOWABLE BY THE LEADERS OF CONGRESS AND ALLOW US ACTUALLY TO WORK TOGETHER, OR, AS I THINK YOU INTIMATED, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME THINGS WHICH ARE THINK BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS DO AGREE ON CERTAIN PROVISIONS. |
| 07:10:44 | LET THEM STAND BY THEMSELVES AND SEE WHAT WE CAN ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH. |
| 07:10:47 | WITHOUT TAKING THE IDEA IN WHICH WE BASICALLY ALL AGREE AND THEN ADDING 10 OR 15 BAD IDEAS IN WHICH WE FUNDAMENTALLY DISAGREE TO IT AND SAY, OK, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. |
| 07:10:58 | MR. AKIN: WELL, YOU KNOW, I HATE TO ADMIT HOW MANY YEARS I'VE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, AND AS I STARTED BY SAYING, I'M CERTAIN THE -- I'VE SERVED IN THE MAJORITY, THE MINORITY AND NOW IN THE WILDERNESS BUT MOST OF THE LEGISLATION I'VE SEEN THAT WORKS PRETTY WELL SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE SOLD ON IT. |
| 07:11:19 | THERE IS A PROCESS OF A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER, DEFINING A PROBLEM, WORKING ON A SOLUTION, THE BILLS FREQUENTLY WHEN THEY START ARE PRETTY ROUGH, PRETTY HARD TO UNDERSTAND, A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS IN THEM, BUT AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO WORK ON IT, ROLL THEIR SLEEVES UP AND HAVE INPUT TO IT, THE BILLS GET REFINED. |
| 07:11:42 | IN THE BUSINESS WORLD IF YOU WANT TO MESS SOMETHING UP YOU SEND IT TO A COMMITTEE BUT IN THE POLITICAL WORLD, WHEN COMMITTEES WORK ON LEGISLATION IT TENDS TO REFINE THE PRODUCT. |
| 07:11:50 | AND AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME WHAT HAPPENS IS, IF CERTAIN IDEAS THAT SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN'T TOLERATE AND YOU TEND TO TROW THE RADICAL STUFF OUT, WHAT YOU CAN AGREE TO COMES TOGETHER AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS AND PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAPPENS ACROSS PARTY LINES, YOU DON'T HAVE MAJOR FUNDAMENTAL REFORM, BUT YOU CHANGE AND YOU FIX THINGS IN WAYS THAT SOLVES PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS. |
| 07:12:14 | WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR AROUND, WE HAD 80 LESS SEATS THAN THE DEMOCRATS SO THEY THOUGHT, WE DON'T NEED THE REPUBLICANS. |
| 07:12:21 | THE DICKENS WITH THE REPUBLICANS. |
| 07:12:23 | WEEK OF GOT SUCH A MAJORITY WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT AND AS THEY MARCHED OFF TO TOTALLY CHANGE ALL OF HEALTH CARE, NOW THEY'VE GOTTEN KIND OF IN A JAM. |
| 07:12:34 | BECAUSE THEY'RE REALIZING THE PUBLIC IS NOT AGREEING WITH IT AND THEY DON'T HAVE ONE REPUBLICAN VOTE. |
| 07:12:39 | THAT'S VERY, VERY UNUSUAL POLITICALLY. |
| 07:12:43 | THAT THERE'S NOT AT LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN THAT WOULD VOTE FOR A BILL. |
| 07:12:46 | THAT SAYS THAT THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A PARTISAN KIND OF APPROACH AND THAT'S WHY THERE'S CAUSE TO SCRAP IT. |
| 07:12:52 | IT'S NOT THAT -- CALLS TO SCRAP IT. |
| 07:12:54 | IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO GROUND ZERO ON HEALTH CARE BUT THEY'RE SAYING THIS APPROACH RIGHT HERE IS TOO MUCH. |
| 07:13:01 | MR. BISHOP: AND I WOULD NOT -- I'D BE VERY HESITANT TO DESCRIBE ANY MOTIVES ON WHY THINGS HAPPENED THE WAY THEY DID BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS HISTORICALLY WHEN MAJOR CHANGES OF POLICY HAVE TAKEN PLACE, EVEN WHEN THEY WERE HOTLY DEBATED, EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN CLOTURE WAS APPROACHED OVER IN THE SENATE, THE FINAL PRODUCT HAD A LOT OF MAJORITY AND MINORITY VOTES COMING TOGETHER. |
| 07:13:26 | IT WAS NOT THIS DEADVICIVE OF AN ISSUE THAT WAS TRYING TO BE PUSHED THROUGH IN A VERY PARTISAN AND DIVISIVE WAY AND I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. |
| 07:13:34 | WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING IS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAT STILL HAVE TO BE OUT THERE AND WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR US IS TO DO THE SYSTEM AND DO THE REFORM THE RIGHT WAY THE FIRST TIME. |
| 07:13:46 | IT'S VERY DIFFICULT ONCE SOMETHING IS ESTABLISHED TO GO BACK AND FIX IT. |
| 07:13:52 | TO DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND ERR NOT DOING THAT HERE. |
| 07:14:00 | MR. AKIN: IT AFFECTS SO MANY PEOPLE, IT'S SO EXPENSIVE AND WHAT YOU CREATE CAN NEVER BE TAKEN BACK, IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL WE GET THIS THING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. |
| 07:14:10 | WE WOULD BE FAR BETTER OFF, I GUESS IT'S LIKE CHOOSING A WIFE, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE THE FIRST TIME, IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE THAT WAY. |
| 07:14:18 | THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. |
| 07:14:21 | IF THERE'S BOUT, -- IF THERE'S DOUBT, IF THERE'S QUESTIONS, IT'S PROBABLY BETTER TO SLOW UP AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE DOING. |
| 07:14:29 | THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT THE BILL THAT'S BEING PROPOSED HERE THAT ARE JUST COMPLETELY ANATHEMA TO MANY, MANY AMERICANS. |
| 07:14:38 | I THINK IF YOU HAVE TO SAY, WELL, WHAT WOULD SOME OF THOSE THINGS BE? |
| 07:14:41 | I MENTIONED THE SPECIAL DEALS. |
| 07:14:43 | PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THAT. |
| 07:14:44 | BUT IF YOU GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN HEALTH CARE, IT'S THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU WHEN YOU'RE SICK AND YOUR DOCTOR. |
| 07:14:52 | WE CALL IT THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. |
| 07:14:55 | I THINK THAT'S FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT GOOD HEALTH CARE HAS TO START WITH AND THAT IS YOU'VE GOT QUALIFIED, PROFESSIONAL DOCTORS WHO WORK WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS ILL, THE FAMILY AND THE DOCTOR COME TOGETHER AND THEY PUT TOGETHER A SOLUTION AS TO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT THE DOCTORS CAN DO TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR HEALTH. |
| 07:15:16 | ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GETS PEOPLE VERYUP SET AND WITH GOOD REASON IS WHEN SOMEBODY BUTTS IN TO THAT DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. |
| 07:15:27 | AND ONE OF THE EXAMPLES THAT WE HAVE SEEN TOO FREQUENTLY IS THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED INSURANCE COMPANIES SOMETIMES TO JUMP INTO THAT DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP AND THEY SAY, OH, WE'RE NOT JUMPING INTO THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. |
| 07:15:43 | IT'S JUST THAT WE'RE DECIDING WHAT WE WILL FUND AND WHAT WE WON'T FUND. |
| 07:15:49 | SO THE DOCTOR SAYS, YOU NEED TO DO X, Y, Z, THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT. |
| 07:15:57 | WE DON'T LIKE IT WHEN SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL STARTS TO SUPERINTEND OVER OUR HEALTH CARE AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL ON IT. |
| 07:16:06 | WHAT'S EVEN WORSE IS THAT WHEN THE DOCTOR MAKES A MEDICAL MISTAKE, HE'S GOING TO GET SUED, BUT WHEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT AND YOU UP AND DIE AND YOUR RELATIVE SAYS, THE INSURANCE COMPANY JUST COST A LIFE, WELL THEN IT TURNS OUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MEDICAL LIABILITY. |
| 07:16:23 | THAT'S NOT A GOOD SITUATION. |
| 07:16:25 | BUT IT'S NOT THE WORST SITUATION. |
| 07:16:28 | SOMETHING WORSE COULD HAPPEN. |
| 07:16:31 | IT'S THIS. |
| 07:16:32 | THIS IS WHAT'S WORSE. |
| 07:16:34 | INSTEAD OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH, IF YOU WANT TO, IF YOU HAVE TO, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY, THIS IS GOING TO PUT A GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRAT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR. |
| 07:16:44 | THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE REPUBLICAN WHO LIKES THAT IDEA. |
| 07:16:49 | WE DON'T THINK WE WANT GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS GET TWEENG YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR. |
| 07:16:53 | HOW IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN? |
| 07:16:55 | BECAUSE THE BUREAUCRATS HAVE GOT THEIR CALCULATORS AND AS THEY CALL CUE RATE, THEY SAY, HOW OLD ARE YOU? |
| 07:17:02 | WHAT ARE THE STATISTICAL CHANCES OF THIS, OH, YOU DON'T GET THIS CARE. |
| 07:17:07 | THE BUREAUCRATS SAY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO GET THAT HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:17:13 | THE DOCTOR SAYS, BUT IN THIS CASE THIS PARTICULAR TREATMENT IS NECESSARY. |
| 07:17:16 | THE BUREAUCRAT SAYS, NO, YOU CAN'T GET IT. |
| 07:17:18 | THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM HEALTH CARE DEATH RATES ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN THEY ARE IN AMERICA BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE BUREAUCRATS SAY, NO, YOU DIDN'T GET ANY CAR CARE. |
| 07:17:35 | -- ANY CARE. |
| 07:17:36 | MR. BISHOP: IF THE GENTLEMAN WILL YIELD? |
| 07:17:38 | MR. |
| 07:17:40 | AKIN: I WILL. |
| 07:17:41 | MR. |
| 07:17:42 | BISHOP: I THINK IT'S WELL TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT NOT EVERYONE WILL GET WHAT THEY WANT IN THIS PROGRAM. |
| 07:17:46 | I WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN TODAY THAT THE PRESIDENT IN HIS REMARKS SAID IF YOU LIKE YOUR PLAN YOU KEEP KEEP YOUR PLAN IF YOU LIKE YOUR DOCTOR, KEEP YOUR DOCTOR. |
| 07:17:55 | IF THAT SOUNDS FAMILIAR, IT WAS A STIPPLE -- A STAPLE IN THE RHETORIC LAST YEAR. |
| 07:18:07 | BUT MEDIA HAVE DEBUNKED THAT CLAIM. |
| 07:18:15 | THE WHITE HOUSE SAID, WE'RE NOT TAKING THAT LINE LITERALLY AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS REMOVED. |
| 07:18:20 | IT'S COMING BACK NOW BUT IT'S STILL NOT ACCURATE. |
| 07:18:23 | THE PROBLEM IS, IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HAVE, YOU MAY NOT END UP KEEPING WHAT YOU LIKE YUSM MAY END UP BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO, WHICH IS THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME YOU TRY TO TRANSFER POWER FROM INDIVIDUALS BACK TO WASHINGTON TO TELL US WHAT IS BEST FOR US. |
| 07:18:38 | WE SOMETIMES MAY NOT AGREE. |
| 07:18:39 | AND THAT IS THE SAD PART. |
| 07:18:41 | THAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM THAT A FEW TWEAKS AROUND THE EDGES CAN'T SOLVE. |
| 07:18:46 | BUT THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. |
| 07:18:48 | I THINK THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI HIT THE NAIL ON THED THE WHEN -- ON THE HEAD WHEN HE SAID THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES WHICH IS WHY THIS PROGRAM SHOULD NOT BE FORCED THROUGH BUT YOU SHOULD BACK UP AND START AGAIN WITH SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT PREMISE OF WASHINGTON BEING EMPOWERED TO TELL US HOW WE WILL LIVE OUR LIVES. |
| 07:19:08 | THERE ARE THOUSANDS -- THERE ARE 8,000 STATE LEGISLATORS OUT THERE. |
| 07:19:12 | ALL OF THEM ARE BRIGHT. |
| 07:19:13 | ALL OF THEM CAN COME UP WITH PROGRAMS FOR THEIR STATE. |
| 07:19:17 | ALLOW THE STATES TO BE THE LABORATORY OF DEMOCRACY THAT LOUIS BRAN DICE USED TO TALK -- LOUIS BRAN DISE USED TO TALK BT -- BRAN DEIST USED TO TALK ABOUT. |
| 07:19:30 | THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR US TO FORCE THROUGH -- SO WE CAN SAY WE DID SOMETHING. |
| 07:19:35 | I YIELD BACK. |
| 07:19:36 | MR. |
| 07:19:37 | AKIN: I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE. |
| 07:19:38 | I THINK THAT IS A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION. |
| 07:19:41 | WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT COMPROMISE, I PICTURE PEOPLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF CONGRESS SAYING, WHY CAN'T THOSE PEOPLE JUST GET TOGETHER, SOLVE A PROBLEM, BURY THEIR PARTISAN HATCHETS, AND JUST SERVE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. |
| 07:19:54 | AND PART OF THE REASON WHY YOU DON'T SEE THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON WHAT TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE AND ONE OF THE VERY, VERY BIG ONES IS THAT QUESTION, IS IT GOING TO BE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR, OR IS IT GOING TO BE YOU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SOME DOCTOR THAT THEY CHOOSE. |
| 07:20:14 | THAT'S A VERY, VERY BIG DIFFERENCE IN OPINIONS ON HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:20:19 | THIS SYSTEM FORCES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR AND IT'S WHY IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SUPPORT AMONG OTHER REASONS FROM REPUBLICANS. |
| 07:20:29 | AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO TALK ABOUT. |
| 07:20:33 | WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE BEING TOO EXPENSIVE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY INCREASES THE COST OF HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN ATTORNEYS, PARTICULARLY TRIAL ATTORNEYS, WHO ARE GOING TO SUE DOCTORS FOR HAVING DONE THE WRONG THING. |
| 07:20:47 | NOW IT'S TIME, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DOCTORS DO THE WRONG THING, THERE ARE TIME WHENCE DOCTORS, WHEN THEY DO THE WRONG THINGS, NEED TO FIX IT AND NEED TO PAY FOR SOME OF THE DAMAGES THEIR ACTIONS CAUSE. |
| 07:21:00 | BUT THIS IS MORE THAN THAT. THESE ARE PUNITIVE LAWSUITS WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLAR CLAIMS AND WHAT DOES THAT DO? |
| 07:21:05 | IT ADDS A TREMENDOUS COST TO THE COST OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:21:09 | SO ONE OF THE IDEAS IF YOU WANT TO REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTH CARE, IS THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE WHAT'S CALLED TORT REFORM. |
| 07:21:18 | WE WERE PROMISED IN BALTIMORE BY THE PRESIDENT THAT CERTAINLY HE BELIEVED IN TORT REFORM. |
| 07:21:22 | AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION THAT WE'VE GOT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU FIND IS THAT THEE SUPPOSED TORT REFORM IN THIS BILL, THE OLD DEMOCRAT BILL, AND I BELIEVE THE NEW PRESIDENT'S BILL, I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS IS IN THERE, IS THE FACT THAT THE STATES THAT HAVE ENACTED TORT REFORM, SUCH AS MY OWN STATE OF MISSOURI, THE STATES THAT HAVE ENACTED TORT REFORM, THEY CANNOT KEEP THAT TORT REFORM IN PLACE WHEN THIS MEDICAL BILL GOES IN. |
| 07:21:52 | IT GETS RID OF TORT REFORM INSTEAD OF MAKING TORT REFORM. |
| 07:21:56 | NOW I SAID THAT THAT COSTS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE TORT REFORM OR TORT REFORM IS A GOOD IDEA TO REDUCE COST OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:22:05 | IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI, IT'S DROPPED THE COST OF HEALTH CARE SIGNIFICANTLY. |
| 07:22:09 | I'M TALKING IN EXCESS OF 10 OR SO PERCENT STATES THAT HAVE DECENT TORT REFORM. |
| 07:22:16 | IT REDUCES THE COST OF MEDICINE SYSTEM OF THAT'S A REFORM THAT REPUBLICANS WANTED TO DO AND IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE BILL WHICH IS THE TORT REFORM. |
| 07:22:26 | I DO YIELD. |
| 07:22:28 | MR. |
| 07:22:29 | BISHOP: IF I COULD MAYBE ADD TO THAT. |
| 07:22:30 | I THINK YOU'VE HIT ON ONE OF THE THINGS, I THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL, IF WE'RE GOING TO REFORM THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE TWO PROBLEMS, ONE IS PEOPLE BEING COVERED BY INSURANCE, BUT THE SECOND ONE IS THE OVERALL COST TO THE SYSTEM. |
| 07:22:44 | IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS BOTH OF THOSE PROBLEM, YOU HAVEN'T DONE A GOOD HEALTH REFORM. |
| 07:22:49 | MR. |
| 07:22:50 | AKIN: THE COST OF THE SYSTEM AND WHAT'S THE OTHER? |
| 07:22:54 | MR. BISHOP: COVERAGE OF INDIVIDUALS. |
| 07:22:56 | BEING COVERED AND HAVING THE COST OVERALL. |
| 07:22:57 | EVEN IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE, IT'S STILL VERY EXPENSIVE AND THE COST KEEPS GOING UP. |
| 07:23:03 | A KEY ELEMENT A CRUCIAL ELEMENT THAT EVERYONE WITHIN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WILL TELL YOU IS IF WE DON'T DO COST REFORM DEALING WITH TORT ISSUES, IF WE DON'T DO THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF LITIGATION THAT FORCES DOCTORS TO DO MORE AND MORE PROCEDURES JUST SO THEY ARE COVERED JUST IN CASE SOMEONE DECIDES TO SUE THEM. |
| 07:23:23 | WE WILL NEVER ACTUALLY GET A HANDLE ON THE COST OF HEALTH CARE THAT KEEPS GOING UP. |
| 07:23:28 | ONCE AGAIN, THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID IN PAST SPEECHES HE'S WILLING TO LOOK AT THAT. |
| 07:23:33 | BUT IN ONE OF THE FOUR PROPOSALS HE ADDED AS A SWEETENER TO THIS DEAL, IT WAS NOT TO HAVE MALPRACTICE RESOLUTION BUT SIMPLY TO STUDY ALTERNATIVE MALPRACTICE RESOLUTIONS. |
| 07:23:46 | THAT AIN'T IT. |
| 07:23:48 | A STUDY OF WHAT -- WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR A LONG TIME. |
| 07:23:51 | WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. |
| 07:23:54 | SEEMS -- MR. |
| 07:23:55 | AKIN: IT SEEMS THE STUDY HAS ALREADY OCCUR. |
| 07:23:57 | VARIOUS STATES HAVE DONE IT, TRIED IT, IT SAVED A LOT OF MONEY, WHAT MORE DO WE NEED TO STUDY? |
| 07:24:05 | MR. BISHOP: SO ADDING THAT AS SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM DOESN'T IMPROVE THE SYSTEM AT ALL, IT'S NOTHING. |
| 07:24:11 | WE NEED TOIMPLEMENT THOSE. |
| 07:24:13 | EVEN MY HOME STATE, THE LEGISLATURE IS ONCE AGAIN ADDRESS ON THE STATE ISSUE THAT CONCEPT OF TORT REFORM AND LITIGATION LIMITATION. |
| 07:24:22 | IT'S ESSENTIAL. WE NEED TO DO THAT. |
| 07:24:23 | THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES IN WHICH I THINK BOTH PARTIES CAN EASILY COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A RESOLUTION IF WE WERE ALLOWED TO DISCUSS REAL LITIGATION REFORM. |
| 07:24:33 | BUT ONCE AGAIN, THAT'S NOT ON THE TABLE. |
| 07:24:35 | THAT'S NOT DISCUSSABLE ON THE FLOOR. |
| 07:24:39 | IF STUSSABLE IS A WORD. |
| 07:24:40 | WHICH IT -- IF DISCUSSABLE IS A WORD. |
| 07:24:44 | WHICH IT PROBABLY ISN'T. |
| 07:24:47 | MR. AKIN: IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH, PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND. |
| 07:24:52 | YOU'RE A DOCTOR, GOT SOMEBODY WHO'S ILL, YOU'RE PRETTY SURE THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM BUT IT COULD BE FIVE OTHER THING, SO I'LL RUN THESE OTHER TESTS, SOME VERY EXPENSIVE TESTS, JUST IN CASE, NO MATTER WHAT, SO IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, IF ANYBODY GETS ME A COURTROOM I CAN SAY, I DID EVERYTHING ANYBODY COULD DO AND MORE BESIDES. |
| 07:25:15 | THEY'RE DOING IT STRICTLY TO COVER THEIR TAILS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SUED AND HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AGAINST THEM AND RUN THEIR COST OF INSURANCE UP. |
| 07:25:26 | IF THEIR INSURANCE GOES UP AND UP AND UP, GUESS HOW THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT INSURANCE? |
| 07:25:33 | BY CHARGING PATIENTS MORE MONEY. |
| 07:25:35 | THAT'S HOW TORT REFORM CAN SAVE IN VARIOUS STATES. |
| 07:25:37 | WE DON'T HAVE TO STUDY IT. |
| 07:25:39 | IT SAVED A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY IN A GREAT NUMBER OF STATES. |
| 07:25:42 | THOSE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE, I THINK, IMPORTANT. |
| 07:25:47 | I TALK ABOUT RECONCILIATION, THE MISUSE OF THAT PROCESS. |
| 07:25:49 | I HAD A GOOD QUOTATION HERE FROM A PROMINENT SENATOR, A PROMINENT SENATOR WAS LOOKING AT RECONCILIATION. |
| 07:25:56 | THAT'S THE PROCESS THE DEMOCRATS ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING AND THIS PROMINENT SENATOR, YOU'VE GOT IT, IT'S THE PRESIDENT, HE SAYS RECONCILIATION IS THEREFORE THE WRONG PLACE FOR POLICY CHANGES. |
| 07:26:07 | I THINK THE GOVERNMENT TAKING OVER A SIXTH OF THE U. |
| 07:26:12 | S. ECONOMY WOULD PROBABLY QUALIFY AS A POLICY CHANGE. |
| 07:26:14 | HE SAYS, IN SHORT, THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS APPEARS TO HAVE LOST ITS PROPER MEANING, A VEHICLE DESIGNED FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, THIS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE DEFICIT REDUCTION OR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, IT SEEMS LIKE A POLICY CHANGE. |
| 07:26:32 | WE HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR RECONCILIATION, YET GUESS WHAT, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT MASSACHUSETTS HAS EVEN VOTED ON THIS, WE'RE GOING TO JAM THIS BILL THROUGH, WHETHER YOU WANT IT OR NOT, USING THIS PROCESS, THE MISUSE OF THIS PROCESS CALLED RECONCILIATION, WHICH MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE, BUT IT IS BY HOOK AND BY CROOK AND NOT BY A LEGITIMATE METHOD. |
| 07:27:00 | HERE'S THE BENEFITS TRIAL ATTORNEYS BY FAILING TO ENACT MEANINGFUL LAWSUIT REFORM. |
| 07:27:07 | THAT'S TORT REFORM. |
| 07:27:08 | THE OLD DEMOCRAT BILL DOES NOT PUT IT IN, THE NEW ONE DOES NOT, THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE, YEAH, WE SHOULD HAVE TORT REFORM. |
| 07:27:16 | HERE'S ANOTHER ONE. |
| 07:27:17 | PROTECTS BACK ROOM DEALS WITH WASHINGTON SPECIAL INTERESTS. |
| 07:27:20 | THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF SPECIAL DEALS IN THESE PARTICULAR BILLS. |
| 07:27:25 | I THINK THE ONE THAT I FIND MOST OFFENSIVE WAS AN AGREEMENT MADE WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT SAID IF AN INSURANCE COMPANY MAKES A DECISION THAT OVERRIDES THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP THAT IS, THEY SAY, YEAH WE RECOGNIZE THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP, WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO PAY FOR IT. |
| 07:27:46 | IF THEY DO THAT AND SOMETHING GOES WRONG, THE INSURANCE COMPANY CANNOT BE SUED SYSTEM OF THE DOCTOR GETS SUED FOR EVERYTHING BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT'S NOT A MEDICAL AUTHORITY MAKES A DECISION, THE DECISION TURNS OUT TO BE BAD, THE DOCTOR SAYS YOUR WIFE SHOULD GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT WE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO COVER IT, SHE DOESN'T REALLY NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND SHE GETS REALLY, REALLY SICK BECAUSE SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL, GUESS WHAT HAPPENS? |
| 07:28:12 | THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER. |
| 07:28:15 | SO THIS IS -- THAT'S ONE OF THE BACK ROOM DEALS THAT'S PARTICULARLY UPSETTING. |
| 07:28:20 | THE OTHER ONE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS PUT THE GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS IN CHARGE OF PERSONAL HEALTH CARE DECISIONS. |
| 07:28:27 | THE DEMOCRATS' BILLS ARE DOING THAT. |
| 07:28:29 | THAT'S WHY REPUBLICANS -- THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF HEY, CAN'T YOU BE OPEN MINDED? |
| 07:28:35 | NO, I CAN'T BE OPEN MINDED. |
| 07:28:37 | I DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVED IN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS WITH MY BODY AND THE REPUBLICAN PROPOSALS DON'T DO THAT. |
| 07:28:42 | WE'RE JOINED, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE WANTS TO JOIN US YET OR NOT, BUT A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE FROM TEXAS, HE'S NOT QUILET READY, WILL YOU TALK TO US IN A FEW MINUTES? |
| 07:28:53 | OOH, YOU'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER HOUR, GOOD FOR YOU, THAT'S GOOD. |
| 07:28:58 | THEN HERE'S ONE, THIS IS BREAKS PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PLEDGE TO NOT RAZE TAXES ON THOSE WHO MAKELESS THAN $250,000. |
| 07:29:06 | I RECALL IN THE CAMPAIGN, HE SAID I'M NOT GOING TO TAX ANYBODY WHO MAKES LESS THAN $250,000 AND I THOUGHT, MAN, AM I GLAD ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I DON'T MAKE $250,000, I AM GOING TO SKATE FREE FOR FOUR YEARS NO TAXES, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL. |
| 07:29:31 | . IF YOU FLIPPED THE LIGHT SWITCH, YOU WERE GOING TO GET TAXED AND THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH $250,000. |
| 07:29:39 | THIS BILL IS GOING TO TAX A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING LESS THAN $250,000. |
| 07:29:44 | AND THE OLD DEMOCRAT BILL, THE NEW BILL, YES, IT IS TAXING PEOPLE UNDER $250,000. |
| 07:29:51 | IT MANDATES YOU HAVE TO BUY A GOVERNMENT PRODUCT, WHICH IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THE REPUBLICAN BILL DOESN'T DO THAT. |
| 07:30:00 | MR. BISHOP: IF I COULD ADD ONE ELEMENT TO THAT $250,000. |
| 07:30:05 | IF $250,000 WAS A SALARIED EMPLOYEE, THAT'S PRETTY GOOD MONEY. |
| 07:30:10 | THE ONLY PROBLEM IS IN ALL OF THESE EQUATIONS, IT APPLIES TO THE BUSINESS WORLD AS WELL, IN WHICH EVERY SMALL BUSINESSMAN IS GROSSING $250,000. |
| 07:30:22 | UTAH HAS MORE SMALL BUSINESSES ON AVERAGE THAN MOST STATES DO. |
| 07:30:25 | AND IN MY DISTRICT, ALMOST 98% OF THOSE ACCORDING TO THE I. |
| 07:30:30 | R.S. WILL HAVE A BOTTOM LINE THAT IS $250,000. |
| 07:30:33 | THE TAXES THAT ARE IMPOSED ARE ALSO IMPOSED TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. |
| 07:30:38 | ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE STATE OF UTAH, WHEN THEY LOOKED TO REFORM IN THE STATE, TRIED TO COME UP WITH A POLICY THAT WOULD GIVE A CONSISTENT NUMBER TO SMALL BUSINESS SO THEY KNEW HOW TO PLAN FOR WHAT THE HEALTH CARE COSTS WOULD BE. |
| 07:30:52 | AND THEN COME UP WITH A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION LEVEL THEY COULD GIVE THEIR EMPLOYEES, WHO COULD GO TO THE EXCHANGE AND FITS INTO WHAT THEY NEED. |
| 07:31:02 | THAT CONSISTENCY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. |
| 07:31:05 | IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR SMALL BUSINESS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW THE ESCALATING, ALMOST ROLLER-COASTER COST WILL BE TO THEM. |
| 07:31:14 | THEY CAN'T PLAN. |
| 07:31:16 | SO THEY BASICALLY DON'T DO IT AT ALL. |
| 07:31:19 | IF WE ADD A TAX TO THEM AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME, THAT MEANS WE ARE MAKING IT EVEN HARDER FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO RECOVER TO PROVIDE JOBS, TO GROW OUR COMMUNITY AND GET PEOPLE WORKING AGAIN. |
| 07:31:31 | THAT'S WHY WHEN WE SAY THIS THING HURTS JOB PERFORMANCE, THAT'S WHY IT HURTS JOB PERFORMANCE. |
| 07:31:37 | IT CAN BE DEVASTATING TO JOBS. |
| 07:31:40 | MR. AKIN: I APPRECIATE YOUR HIGHLIGHTING THIS QUESTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT, BECAUSE I THINK A WHOLE LOT OF AMERICA CONS WOULD THINK WE WERE MORE EFFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR CONGRESS IF WE WERE DEALING WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A 10-PLUS PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OUT THERE. |
| 07:31:58 | AND THAT NUMBER IS PROBABLY CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE OF THE FACT IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A JOB IN A YEAR, YOU ARE NO LONGER PART OF THE STATISTIC. |
| 07:32:06 | AS PEOPLE MORE AND MORE GET DISCOURAGED, THEY FALL OFF THE NUMBERS AND WE STILL HAVE A 10% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. |
| 07:32:13 | I THINK A LOT OF THE PUBLIC WOULD SAY, HEY, WHY DON'T YOU GUYS PAY ATTENTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT. |
| 07:32:20 | HERE'S A WAY. |
| 07:32:21 | WE'VE GOT A BILL HERE, THAT ON THE FACE OF IT, ECONOMISTS HAVE SAID IT'S GOING TO COST FIVE MILLION JOBS. |
| 07:32:30 | WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD THIS PROPOSAL COST FIVE MILLION JOBS? |
| 07:32:34 | YOU JUST HIT IT. |
| 07:32:35 | BUT DO IT AGAIN, GENTLEMAN. |
| 07:32:39 | YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, THIS IS GOING TO INCREASE UNEMPLOYMENT IN AMERICA. |
| 07:32:43 | IS THAT WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS? |
| 07:32:45 | MORE UNEMPLOYMENT? |
| 07:32:47 | I DON'T THINK SO. |
| 07:32:48 | PLEASE, RUN THROUGH AGAIN. |
| 07:32:49 | YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESSMAN AND THIS BILL PASSES, AND WHAT DOES THAT PLEEN? |
| 07:32:54 | MR. |
| 07:32:55 | BISHOP: THAT MEANS THAT -- MEAN? |
| 07:32:59 | MR. |
| 07:33:00 | BISHOP: THAT MEANS EXTENDED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR PLAN. |
| 07:33:04 | AND ANYONE MAKING OVER $2250,000 WILL BE TAXED, THEY WILL BE TAXED. |
| 07:33:11 | IF THAT WAS A SALARIED EMPLOYEE, THAT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD. |
| 07:33:14 | BUT THAT COVERS ALMOST ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE WHO ARE SMALL IN THIS COUNTRY AND LARGE AS WELL. |
| 07:33:20 | AND ONCE AGAIN, IT GOES TO THE POINT WE TRIED TO MAKE A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, SHADEGG BILL, PRICE BILL, OTHER REPUBLICAN BILLS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE DATED, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE PROVISIONS. |
| 07:33:32 | SO THAT NEGATIVE ANTI-JOB ASPECT THAT IS DEFINITELY PART OF THIS BILL IF IT'S PUSHED THROUGH DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE THERE IF YOU SIMPLY ALLOWED THE OTHER IDEAS TO BE DEBATED, DISCUSSED OPENLY HERE ON THE FLOOR. |
| 07:33:46 | MR. AKIN: WE DON'T HAVE TO CREATE UNEMPLOYMENT AND DEAL WITH HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:33:52 | IT'S JUST THAT THIS APPROACH IS GOING TO CREATE UNEMPLOYMENT. |
| 07:33:56 | LET'S LOOK AT HOW THAT WORKS. |
| 07:33:58 | THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT UNEMPLOYMENT IS GOING TO BE DRIVEN. |
| 07:34:02 | THE FIRST IS, YOU'RE GOING TO TAX THE GUY THAT OWNS THE BUSINESS. |
| 07:34:07 | WHEN YOU TAX SOMEONE, IT MEANS HE HAS TO GIVE MONEY TO WASHINGTON, D. |
| 07:34:11 | C. AND THAT MEANS HE CAN'T TAKE THAT SAME MONEY AND PUT IT BACK IN HIS BUSINESS TO ADD A WING, TO BUY A NEW MACHINE TOOL, TO CREATE A NEW PROCESS, TO CREATE MORE JOBS, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF TAKING THE MONEY TO BUILD THE SMALL BUSINESS, YOU'RE TAKING IT TO GIVE IT TO THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN HEALTH CARE. |
| 07:34:28 | SO WHEN YOU TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THE OWNER OF A SMALL BUSINESS, YOU'RE HE GOING TO KILL THE JOB CREATION PROCESS. |
| 07:34:35 | WHAT ELSE DOES IT DO? |
| 07:34:37 | IT CREATES A LOT OF RED TAPE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS. |
| 07:34:41 | AND WHEN YOU CREATE RED TAPE THAT MAKES IT SO IT'S HARDER FOR THEM TO BE EFFICIENT AND COMPETITIVE. |
| 07:34:48 | THAT TENDS TO HURT JOB CREATION. |
| 07:34:49 | YOU ALSO, BECAUSE THIS BILL HAS BEEN SITTING AROUND AND BEEN HANGING, SCARING EVERYBODY TO DEATH FOR THREE-QUARTERS OF A YEAR, IT CREATES A SENSE OF TENSION AND RESTLESSNESS, SO THE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE SAYING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN SIX MONTHS. |
| 07:35:07 | I DON'T DARE TAKE A RISK BECAUSE I SEE THREATS ON THE HORIZON TO THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF MY COMPANY. |
| 07:35:15 | MR. BISHOP: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI HAS THOSE POINTS ON YOUR CHART WHICH RE-EMPHASIZES THE POINTS YOU WERE MAKING. |
| 07:35:22 | MR. |
| 07:35:23 | AKIN: FORCES INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE GOVERNMENT-APPROVED HEALTH INSURANCE. |
| 07:35:26 | THE OLD DEMOCRAT PLAN FORCED YOU, IT FORCES EVERYBODY IN AMERICA TO BUY SOMETHING. |
| 07:35:32 | AND THE PRESIDENT'S NEW VERSION FORCES YOU TO BUY SOMETHING. |
| 07:35:37 | THE REPUBLICANS' DOES NOT FORCE YOU TO. |
| 07:35:41 | AMERICANS DON'T LIKE TO BE TOLD TO BUY SOMETHING. |
| 07:35:44 | IT'S NOT CONSTITUTIONAL. |
| 07:35:47 | WHEN CAN THE GOVERNMENT TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY A GUN OR YOU HAVE TO BUY A WATERMELON OR SOMETHING? |
| 07:35:55 | THAT'S NOT CONSTITUTIONAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL YOU YOU HAVE TO BUY SOMETHING, AND YET, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. |
| 07:36:01 | MR. BISHOP: IF AT TIMES WE HAVE TALKED IN THE PAST ABOUT THIS CONCEPT OF CONSTITUTIONALITY IN TWO WAYS, ONE THAT ON IT VIOLATES THE CONCEPT OF FEDERALISM, BUT THE SECOND ONE DEALS WITH THE COMMERCE CLAUSE AND THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION BEFORE. |
| 07:36:16 | THAT EVEN IN COURT CASES, AND MAYBE SOMEONE WILL CORRECT ME HERE, IN COURT CASES THERE ARE TWO PRINCIPLES ON WHETHER THE COMMERCE CLAUSE IS JUSTIFY BLY USED, DOES IT HAVE AN IMPACT ON INTERSTATE COMMERCE? |
| 07:36:33 | AND EVERYONE ADMITS THIS WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT. |
| 07:36:35 | THE SECOND IS, IS THERE A WILLING PARTICIPANT IN THIS PROGRAM? |
| 07:36:40 | THIS IS WHY THIS IS DIFFERENT, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU ARE THREATENING TO FINE PEOPLE, THROW THEM IN JAIL FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING, FOR DOING NOTHING. |
| 07:36:50 | I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY NEGATIVES I PUT IN THAT SENTENCE, BUT FOR SOMEONE LIVING THEIR LIFE WHO DOES NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE, THEY WILL BE FINED FOR DOING THAT. |
| 07:37:00 | GOVERNMENT'S NEVER DONE THAT. |
| 07:37:01 | AND THAT IS WHAT I THINK EXASCERBATES AND EXPANDS THE COMMERCE CLAUSE BEYOND RECOGNITION AND BEYOND FAIRNESS TO INDIVIDUALS AT THE SAME TIME. |
| 07:37:11 | MR. AKIN: I THINK WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK TONIGHT AT WHAT I STARTED OUT BY SAYING THAT WE ARE STANDING AS AMERICANS ON THE EDGE OF AN ABYSS. |
| 07:37:22 | I RECALL STANDING ON THE RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON AND SEEING 1,000 FEET OF OPEN SPACE IN FRONT OF ME. |
| 07:37:30 | AND IN A SENSE, THAT'S WHERE WE STAND TODAY WITH AMERICA PERHAPS POLITICALLY POISED TO PUSH FORWARD USING A MISUSE OF A PROCESS TO FORCE THIS GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE DOWN THE THROATS OF MANY, MANY AMERICANS WHO DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS TAKE PLACE. |
| 07:37:53 | AND THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY. |
| 07:37:57 | I CAN RECALL HISTORICALLY THERE'S BEEN OTHER VERY SERIOUS MOMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. |
| 07:38:04 | THE PILGRIMS STANDING ON THE FROZEN SHORE OF PRELIMINARY OUTH WITH THE DREAM OF -- PLYMOUTH. |
| 07:38:16 | THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED WASHINGTON ON HIS KNEES PRAYING FOR HIS ARMY. |
| 07:38:21 | AND EVEN OLD SKEPTIC BEN FRANKLY -- FRANKLIN ASKING FOR PRAYER EACH DAY. |
| 07:38:30 | IN ALL OF THESE CASES, AMERICANS DISCOVERED THAT IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED, THEY TURNED TO GOD FOR HIS HELP AND HIS GUIDANCE. |
| 07:38:39 | I BELIEVE AS WE STAND ON THE ABYSS TONIGHT, THAT THOSE AMERICANS WHO WILL WANT TO TURN TO GOD FOR ANSWERS, THAT THIS IS A TIME TO BE DOING THAT, TO ASK FOR HIS HELP SO WE DON'T MAKE THIS FATAL STEP PUSHING OUR NATION INTO SOCIALIZED MEDICINE, CREATING A PRECEDENT FOR OUR CITIZENS TO BE CONTINUOUSLY HANDCUFFED TO GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE IN A SYSTEM IN WHICH NO POLITICIAN THAT IS FREELY ELECTED COULD REVERSE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, YOU TAKE MY HEALTH CARE AWAY, I WON'T ELECT YOU. |
| 07:39:19 | THAT HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. |
| 07:39:21 | IT COMPLETELY CHANGES THE NATURE OF THE FREEDOM AND THE NATURE OF THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA IF WE FALL OFF THIS ABYSS AND IT'S TIME FOR PRAYERS. |
| 07:39:32 | GOD BLESS YOU ALL. |
| 07:39:35 | THANK YOU. |
| 07:39:37 | AND GOOD NIGHT. |
| 07:39:38 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. |
| 07:39:41 | FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RISE? |
| 07:39:43 | MR. GOHMERT: PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE HOUR. |
| 07:39:53 | MR. |
| 07:39:54 | GOHMERT: IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ON THE FLOOR ANY TIME WHEN YOU KNOW THE HISTORY OF THIS PLACE AND WHAT ALL HAS GONE ON BEFORE US AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY FRIEND FROM MISSOURI, MY FRIEND FROM UTAH POINTING OUT SUCH IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE THAT'S ONGOING. |
| 07:40:15 | IT'S CRITICAL. |
| 07:40:16 | WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LIVES OF AMERICANS. |
| 07:40:20 | THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED LIGHTLY OR DONE TOO QUICKLY. |
| 07:40:28 | IT IS INCREDIBLY IRONIC TO REALIZE, HERE WE ARE NOW INTO MARCH OF 2010 AND BEGINNING BACK OVER A YEAR AGO, WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE. |
| 07:40:41 | WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR REPUBLICANS TO HAVE ANY INPUT. |
| 07:40:45 | WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM AMERICANS. |
| 07:40:48 | THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT, WE WERE TOLD, TO DELAY. |
| 07:40:52 | WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE THIS DONE BY MAY. |
| 07:40:57 | WELL, EVEN THOUGH THE DEMOCRATS HAVE PLENTY OF VOTES TO MORE THAN PASS THIS BILL, THEY DIDN'T GET IT DONE BY MAY. |
| 07:41:05 | THEY COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT ANY VOTES FROM REPUBLICANS, YET IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS THEMSELVES THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO PASS THIS BILL. |
| 07:41:16 | AND THE REASON IS, THERE WERE DEMOCRATS WHO WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WAS IN THIS BILL, JUST AS MANY OF THEM ARE STILL VERY CONCERNED THAT WHAT'S IN THE BILL IS NOT APPROPRIATE AND NOT GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS OR THEIR STATES. |
| 07:41:34 | SO, HERE WE ARE THAT WE NEED TO GET THIS DONE BY JULY 4 AND WE HEARD WE NEED TO GET IT DONE BY THE AUGUST RECESS. |
| 07:41:44 | AND WE NEED TO GET IT DONE BY HALLOWEEN. |
| 07:41:50 | WE NEED TO GET IT DONE BY THANKSGIVING. |
| 07:41:52 | EACH TIME, IT WAS GIVEN A REASON THAT THERE WASN'T TIME TO INCORPORATE ANY REPUBLICAN IDEAS. |
| 07:42:01 | THE TROUBLE IS, THESE WERE NOT REPUBLICAN IDEAS. |
| 07:42:03 | THESE ARE IDEAS THAT COME FROM SOME OF THE SMARTEST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY, THAT COME FROM DOCTORS, THAT COME FROM ECONOMISTS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED THROUGH THESE ISSUES. |
| 07:42:18 | AND YET, STILL, THE EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ASK AMERICA -- NOT ASK, BUT DEMAND AMERICA, STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE AND SAY AH, WHILE WE CRAM THIS DOWN YOUR THROAT. |
| 07:42:32 | IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT EVEN MORE CLOSELY AND THERE IS A TECHNIQUE THAT'S BEEN KNOWN IN THE DEBATE WORLD AS CREATING A STRAW DOG. |
| 07:42:44 | YOU CREATE THE STRAW DOG AND SAY, THAT'S WHAT YOUR OPPONENT BELIEVES AND IS TRYING TO DO. |
| 07:42:50 | YOU GET RIGHTOUSLY INDIGNANT AND YOU BEAT UP THE STRAW DOG, SHOWING HOW YOU TORE YOUR OPPONENT UP BECAUSE YOUR OPPONENT HAD THIS RIDICULOUS IDEA. |
| 07:43:02 | THE PROBLEM WAS IN THAT DEBATE DEVICE, IT'S SIMPLY NOT ACCURATE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT THE OPPONENT WAS SAYING. |
| 07:43:10 | IN THIS CASE, I DON'T SEE US AS HAVING OPPONENTS. |
| 07:43:13 | WE ARE OUT HERE TRYING TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR AMERICA. |
| 07:43:17 | AND YET, MOST OF AMERICA, THROUGH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO BE HEARD. |
| 07:43:26 | THAT INCLUDES MANY REPRESENTED BY DEMOCRATS. |
| 07:43:28 | BUT WE'RE JOINED BY MY FRIEND FROM UTAH AND WOULD BE GLAD TO YIELD SUCH TIME AS MR. |
| 07:43:34 | BISHOP MIGHT USE. |
| 07:43:36 | MR. BISHOP: I APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS NOT ONLY FOR HIS INSIGHTS, BUT YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT THAT I THINK THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI AND I DID NOT HAVE IN THIS AND THAT IS A LEGAL BACKGROUND. |
| 07:43:49 | I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING UP THE FACT THAT THERE IS BIPARTISANSHIP IN THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS FOR THIS PARTICULAR BILL. |
| 07:43:56 | I ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES WE PRESENT ARGUMENTS AND I NEED TO HAVE A SPECIFIC LEGAL EXPERT EXPLAINING THEM TO ME. |
| 07:44:05 | SO WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAT APPARENTLY IN HIS SPEECH TODAY, THE PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN SAID IF YOU LIKE YOUR PLAN, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PLAN. |
| 07:44:13 | IF YOU LIKE YOUR DOCTOR, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR DOCTOR, BUT IF YOU ARE IN AN INSURANCE COMPANY RIGHT NOW AND YOU'RE HAPPY WITH THAT, IT WILL NOT CHANGE. |
| 07:44:22 | AND MAYBE I COULD ASK YOU NOW AS AN ATTORNEY, SOMEONE WHO READS THIS STUFF FOR A LIVING AND TRIES TO UNDERSTAND THE GOBLY-GOOK, IS THAT ACCURATE? |
| 07:44:35 | IS IT THE FACT THAT IF YOU LIKE YOUR PLAN, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAY ON YOUR PLAN? |
| 07:44:42 | AND INSURERS WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THAT COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE IF EITHER THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE VERSION WERE TO PASS? |
| 07:44:55 | . MR. |
| 07:44:56 | GOHMERT: THE ANSWER IS, YES, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PLAN IF YOU LIKE IT FOR MAYBE A YEAR, THEN YOU LOSE IT. |
| 07:45:02 | MAYBE TWO, IF YOU'RE LUCKY. |
| 07:45:06 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH HAS QUOTED EXACTLY, I HAVE THE TEXT OF THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH HERE IF YOU LIKE YOUR PLAN, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PLAN. |
| 07:45:14 | IF YOU LIKE YOUR DOCTOR, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR DOCTOR. |
| 07:45:18 | THE THING IS, NOBODY -- NOBODY, NOT EVEN MY DEAR FRIENDS ON THE FLOOR WITH ME, NOBODY CAN PROMISE YOU THAT IF YOU LIKE YOUR DOCTOR YOU GET TO KEEP YOUR DOCTOR AND I'LL GIVE YOU ONE GOOD REASON WHY. |
| 07:45:36 | I TALKED TO NUMEROUS DOCTORS THAT ARE MY AGE AND OLDER WHO HAVE TOLD ME, MANY OF THEM, THAT, I HAVE NOT ACCUMULATED WHAT I'D HOPED TO BY THIS TIME BUT THEY ARE VERY SINCERE AND THEY SAY, BUT IT HAS GOTTEN SO FRUSTRATING, DEALING WITH THE GOVERNMENT OVER MEDICARE AND MEDICAID AND EVEN DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES, THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH. |
| 07:46:01 | AND THEY, I'VE BEEN TOLD, I'M SURE MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN TOO, THAT IF THIS BILL PASSES, THEY'RE WALKING AWAY FROM THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. |
| 07:46:12 | THEY'RE WALKING AWAY. |
| 07:46:13 | IT WILL NOT BE WORTH IT. |
| 07:46:15 | I'VE HEARD THAT FROM SO MANY PEOPLE. |
| 07:46:18 | SO FOR SOMEBODY TO SAY, IF WE PASS THIS BILL, AND I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS IF ANY DEMOCRAT OR ANY REPUBLICAN WERE TO SAY IF WE PASS THIS BILL AND YOU LIKE YOUR DOCTOR, YOU CAN KEEP HIM, IT'S WRONG. |
| 07:46:33 | YOU CAN'T MAKE THAT PROMISE BECAUSE MANY OF THE DOCTORS YOU LIKE THE BEST HAVE ALREADY SAID, WE'RE WALKING AWAY. |
| 07:46:41 | MR. BISHOP: I HAVE A FOLLOWUP QUESTION TO THAT. |
| 07:46:43 | IN THE LAW THAT'S PROPOSED TO BE PASSED, EITHER THE HOUSE OR SENATE VERSION, DOES IT ALLOW ME TO MAINTAIN MY INSURANCE IN THE PRESENT FORM IF I WANT TO MAINTAIN THAT INSURANCE IN THE PRESENT FORM? |
| 07:46:55 | MR. |
| 07:46:56 | GOHMERT: ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING ON THE SAME COMMITTEE WITH THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS, HE MAY NOT BE A LAWYER BUT HE HAS INCREDIBLE INSIGHT AND DISCERNMENT AND SHOOT RIGHT TO THE CRUX OF AN ISSUE AND SO WHEN WE DO THAT, AS THE GENTLEMAN HAS ASKED, AND WE LOOK AT PAGE 91 OF THE HOUSE BILL AND I'VE ASKED OTHERS, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THE 11-PAGE SUMMARY THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED AND THEN LOOK AT THE 19-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY THAT THE WHITE HOUSE GAVE TO US, BOTH THE SUMMARY, THE 11-PAGE SUMMARY AND THE WHITE HOUSE 19-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY AND SEE IF YOU CAN TELL IF ONE SINGLE LETTER OF THE LAW UNDER SECTION 202 OF THE HOUSE BILL IS CHANGED. |
| 07:47:51 | I'VE BEEN TOLD BY ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE LOOKED AT IT THAT IT DOES NOT APPEAR THE PRESIDENT IS PROPOSING ANY CHANGE TO PAGE 91 OF THE HOUSE BILL AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK FOR THE ANSWER, DO YOU KEEP YOUR INSURANCE, YOU LOOK TO THE LANGUAGE AND THE LANGUAGE IS THIS, SECTION 202, PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE. |
| 07:48:15 | A, GRANDFATHERED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DEFINE. |
| 07:48:19 | GRANDFATHERED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE MEANS INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT IS OFFERED AND IN FORCE AND AFFECT BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF Y-1, IF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET. |
| 07:48:30 | AND WHILE WE'RE -- Y-1 IS JUST THE DAY THAT THE NEW BILL STARTS. |
| 07:48:36 | NUMBER ONE, LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT. |
| 07:48:39 | IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR INSURANCE, YOU LIKE IT, NUMBER ONE, AND I QUOTE, THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUER OFFERING SUCH COVERAGE DOES NOT ENROLL ANY INDIVIDUAL IN SUCH COVERAGE IF THE FIRST EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE IS ON OR AFTER THE FIRST DATE OF Y-1. |
| 07:49:01 | SO IF YOU ADD A SINGLE ADDITIONAL INSURED TO THE POLICY THAT YOU HAVE, YOU'RE ON A COMPANY POLICY, OR IF YOU'RE LIKE A COUPLE OF GUYS THAT TOLD ME RECENTLY, THEIR UNIONS NEGOTIATED A FANTASTIC HEALTH CARE PLAN THEY LOVE IT, THEY'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY GET TO KEEP THEIR PLAN AND UNFORTUNATELY, I ASKED, DOES ANYBODY EVER GET ADDED TO YOUR HEALTH CARE POLICY? |
| 07:49:27 | YEAH, PEOPLE RETIRE ALL THE TIME. |
| 07:49:29 | AND THEY GET IN THERE AND WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GREAT POLICY. |
| 07:49:33 | I HAD TO EXPLAIN, BAD NEWS. |
| 07:49:36 | AS SOON AS THEY ADD ONE MORE PERSON ON YOUR HEALTH CARE POLICY, YOU LOSE YOUR POLICY. |
| 07:49:42 | AND THEN THAT THROWS YOU OVER UNDER THE FEDERAL INSURANCE EXCHANGE PROGRAM THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLS. |
| 07:49:51 | THERE WILL BE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT WILL BE ALLOWED INITIALLY UNTIL THEY GO BROKE, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO OFFER POLICIES BUT THEY ARE MANDATED EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE IN THOSE POLICIES. |
| 07:50:05 | BUT HERE'S THE REAL KICKER. |
| 07:50:06 | THE SECOND LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN TERMS OR CONDITIONS. |
| 07:50:11 | SO THE SECOND CONDITION ABOUT KEEPING YOUR POLICY IS THIS, AND I QUOTE. |
| 07:50:15 | THE ISSUER DOES NOT CHANGE ANY OF ITS TERMS OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BENEFITS AND COST SHARING. |
| 07:50:27 | NOW, THAT'S WHY I REPLIED TO THE GENTLEMAN EARLIER, THE ANSWER IS, YOU MIGHT GET TO KEEP YOUR INSURANCE POLICY FOR A YEAR, TWO YEARS IF YOU'RE LUCKY. |
| 07:50:39 | BUT THERE IS NO WAY YOU'LL HAVE AN INSURANCE POLICY GO MORE THAN A COUPLE OF YEARS WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE SOME CHANGES IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. |
| 07:50:49 | FOR ONE THING WE KNOW THAT HEALTH CARE, MEDICINE, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE CHANGES ALL THE TIME. |
| 07:50:56 | WE FIND OUT SOME TYPES OF PROCEDURES ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN WE KNEW SO A POLICY SAYS WE'LL NEVER NO LONGER COVER THAT THE BENEFITS DO NOT OUTWEIGH THE RISKS THAT ARE INVOLVED. |
| 07:51:08 | ANOTHER THING IS, YOU HAVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW, SOMETIMES LESS EXPENSIVE WAYS TO TREAT SOMETHING, WELL OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT THOSE INCLUDED IN YOUR COVERAGE. |
| 07:51:21 | THAT WOULD BE ADDED. |
| 07:51:22 | IT CHANGES A TERM OR CONDITION. |
| 07:51:23 | WITHIN ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS, EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY THAT LIKED THEIR POLICY JUST AS THE PRESIDENT PROMISED GETS TO KEEP IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AND THEN THEY LOST IT. |
| 07:51:37 | SO WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS YOU GET TO KEEP IT THAT IS ACCURATE, HE JUST DIDN'T TELL YOU, YOU WON'T KEEP IT VERY LONG. |
| 07:51:46 | I'M GLAD TO YIELD TO MY FRIEND FROM MISSOURI, MR. |
| 07:51:49 | AKIN. |
| 07:51:50 | MR. AKIN: I APPRECIATE YOUR DISCIPLINE AND HAVING WORKED THROUGH SPECIFICALLY AND EXACTLY WHAT THE BILL SAYS BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO SAY, THAT THIS BILL ISN'T GOING TO COST A DIME BECAUSE SOMEBODY COULD SAY, IT ISN'T GOING TO COST A DIME, THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO COST $1 TRILLION INSTEAD. |
| 07:52:08 | YOU'RE CLARIFYING THE IMPORTANCE OF WORDS HERE. |
| 07:52:10 | LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION. |
| 07:52:11 | IS IT TRUE THAT THE POLICY DEFINES WHAT INSURANCE HAS TO COVER? |
| 07:52:18 | AND THEREFORE DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS, THIS, AND THIS IN YOUR POLICY AND THEREFORE FORCE THE PLCY -- POLICY TO BE CHANGED EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE IT. |
| 07:52:33 | MR. |
| 07:52:34 | GOHMERT: THE GENTLEMAN ASKS A GOOD QUESTION AND I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. |
| 07:52:37 | THAT AFFORDS GREAT INSIGHT. |
| 07:52:38 | YOU LOOK OVER AT PAGE 167 OF THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND AS BEST I CAN TELL, EVEN THOUGH ALL WE HAVE IS THE 11-PAGE SUMMARY AND THE 19-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY, THE BEST -- MR. |
| 07:52:55 | AKIN: THE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY IS LONGER THAN THE SUMMARY OF THE BILL? |
| 07:53:00 | MR. GOHMERT SPST THAT'S CORRECT. |
| 07:53:02 | MR. |
| 07:53:03 | AKIN: SO IF WE HAD THE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY, WOULD THAT BE 3,000 PAGES? |
| 07:53:09 | MR. GOHMERT: ABSOLUTELY. |
| 07:53:10 | THAT WOULD HAVE MORE INFORMATION AND WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL. |
| 07:53:13 | BUT THE BEST WE CAN TELL, SINCE THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T PROPOSE A SPECIFIC BILL, VERY ELUSIVE IN WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, PAGE 167 COULDN'T A-- DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED, THAT SAYS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SPECIFY, THE FEDERAL COMMISSIONER ON THIS BILL SHALL SPECIFY THE BENEFITS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE UNDER THE EXCHANGE PARTICIPATING HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN. |
| 07:53:38 | NOW THAT MEANS EVERY PLAN THAT HAS HAD A TERM OR CONDITION CHANGE OR HAS ADDED AN ADGSAL INSURED, THOSE HAVE BEEN -- AN ADDITIONAL INSURED, THOSE HAVE BEEN LOST AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS, EVERYBODY IS UNDER THIS. |
| 07:53:54 | THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL, ONE OF ABOUT 3,000 OR SO SHALLS IN THE BILL, SPEGSFI IT TO BE MADE AVAILABLE. |
| 07:54:03 | THEN IT GOES ON TO SAY, THE ENTITY OFFERS ONE BASE -- HAS ONE BASIC PLAN FOR SUCH SERVICE. |
| 07:54:13 | THE COMMISSIONER IS GOING TO REQUIRE THAT EVERYBODY PROVIDE EXACTLY THE SAME PLAN. |
| 07:54:23 | MR. |
| 07:54:25 | BISHOP: THIS IS A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL. |
| 07:54:28 | MR. |
| 07:54:29 | GOHMERT SPST IT'S A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH. |
| 07:54:33 | MR. AKIN: THEN IF YOU CHANGE THOSE POLICIES, YOU'RE NOT HAVING THE SAME POLICIES YOU WERE PROMISED YOU COULD KEEP? |
| 07:54:41 | MR. GOHMERT SPST THE GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT. |
| 07:54:43 | IF YOU GO ON FURTHER, NOW YOU CAN -- YOU HAVE -- EVERYBODY THAT'S OFFERING INSURANCE IN AN AREA HAS TO OFFER THE SAME EXACT BASIC PLAN. |
| 07:54:51 | IT'S A BASIC PLAN. |
| 07:54:55 | AND THEN IF A -- AN INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDES THAT ONE BASIC PLAN, THEY MAY BE ALLOWED TO OFFER, IT SAYS MAY OFFER, ONE ENHANCED PLAN. |
| 07:55:07 | BUT AGAIN THE COMMISSIONERS -- COMMISSIONER SPECIFIED EXACTLY WHAT THAT PLAN IS. |
| 07:55:12 | IF YOUR -- IF YOU OFFER AN ENHANCED PLAN, YOU MAY ALSO HAVE ONE PREMIUM PLAN FOR SUCH -- BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THERE WILL BE MANY AREAS IN THE COUNTRY, ONCE EVERYBODY LOSES THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE INSURANCE WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS, EVERYBODY GOES UNDER THIS PLAN, THE COMMISSIONER TELLS EVERYBODY WHAT HAS TO BE IN THEIR PLAN. |
| 07:55:37 | EVERYBODY. |
| 07:55:38 | YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. |
| 07:55:39 | YOU HAVE TO GO WITH WHAT THEY SAY. |
| 07:55:43 | AND SO THE OTHER THING IS, THAT ONCE AN INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDES THAT, THEY'VE GOT NO FLEXIBILITY. |
| 07:55:56 | THERE'S DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE WOULD BE A PUBLIC OPTION OR A PUBLIC -- PUBLICLY FINANCED INSURANCE COMPANY TO COMPETE. |
| 07:56:04 | WE KNOW HOW THAT WORK WE SAW IT WITH FLOOD INSURANCE, WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMES IN AND PROVIDES THAT ALTERNATIVE THAT COMPETITION, YOU RUN THE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATES IN THE RED, RUNS THE PRIVATE BUSINESSES OUT, AND THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES AS OUR FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM HAS, CONTINUE TO RUN DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO RED INK. |
| 07:56:31 | MR. AKIN: YOU'VE GOT ONE CHOICE, A LITTLE LIKE HENRY FORD'S AUTOMOBILE, YOU CAN GET ANY COLOR YOU WANT AS LONG AS IT'S BLACK. |
| 07:56:38 | IN THIS CASE YOU CAN GET ANY HEALTH INSURANCE YOU WANT, AS LONG AS IT'S THE GOVERNMENT POLICY MR. |
| 07:56:43 | GOHMERT: THE GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT. |
| 07:56:45 | ONE OF THE GREAT IRONIES IN THIS, WE HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE, I KNOW THEY'RE VERY SINCERE WHEN THEY BELIEVE WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS THEY WANT TO HELP WHAT THEY CALL THE LITTLE GUY IN AMERICA. |
| 07:56:58 | SO I'M SURE THEY HAVEN'T READ THIS BILL AS THOROUGHLY AS I HAVE. |
| 07:57:04 | BUT IF THEY WILL TROUBLE THEMSELVES TO DO SO, THEY WILL SEE THAT UNDER THE BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE THAT WE JUST HAD TO RUSH THROUGH, IF YOU MAKE JUST ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE SO THAT -- AS DETERMINED IN THE BILL -- SO YOU DON'T GET FREE HEALTH INSURANCE, BUT YOU DON'T MAKE ENOUGH TO BUY THE POLICY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANDATES, YOU PAY AN EXTRA PERCENTAGE, I BELIEVE IT'S 2%, ON YOUR INCOME TAX. |
| 07:57:39 | THIS IS -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOW-MIDDLE CLASS. |
| 07:57:42 | SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WORKING TWO AND THREE JOBS TO KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE AND WHAT IS THE MAJORITY GOING TO DO TO THEM? |
| 07:57:49 | WHY IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD AS GOOD A PLAN AS WE ORDER YOU TO GET, WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE YOUR INSURANCE -- YOUR INCOME TAX. |
| 07:58:00 | YOU CAN'T AFFORD INSURANCE AND YET YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE INCOME TAX? |
| 07:58:05 | I JUST KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE POOR, THOSE WHO ARE -- THE WORKING POOR, DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO STRUGGLE TO GET BY, YET THEY'RE GOING TO HAMMER THOSE VERY PEOPLE. |
| 07:58:19 | IT'S JUST LUDICROUS. |
| 07:58:21 | MR. |
| 07:58:22 | KAY IN-- MR. |
| 07:58:24 | AKIN: WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A MANDATE. |
| 07:58:25 | THIS IS A MANDATE THAT SAYS YOU'VE GOT TO BUY THE GOVERNMENT PRODUCT. |
| 07:58:32 | MR. GOHMERT: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. |
| 07:58:35 | THE PRESIDENT HAS MENTIONED, STATES REQUIRE YOU TO BUY CAR INSURANCE. |
| 07:58:39 | THE FACT IS, YOU BUY INSURANCE FOR THE PRIVILEGE AS THE LAW IS DETERMINED TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. |
| 07:58:46 | YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO LIVE. |
| 07:58:49 | TO JUST LIVE IN AMERICA. |
| 07:58:52 | IF THIS BILL PASSES, YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY INSURANCE JUST TO LIVE IN AMERICA OR YOU WILL BE FINED, YOU WILL BE HAMMERED WITH EXTRA AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY. |
| 07:59:02 | LET ME FINISH ONE OTHER THING ABOUT THAT INSURANCE. |
| 07:59:05 | THERE IS NO STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT REQUIRES ANYONE TO INSURE THEIR CAR FOR DAMAGES TO THEIR OWN CAR OR DAMAGES PHYSICALLY TO THEMSELVES. |
| 07:59:26 | . THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS FOR DAMAGE YOU DO TO SOMEONE ELSE. |
| 07:59:32 | THIS WILL BE BREAKING NEW GROUND, NEVER DONE IN HISTORY, NEVER ENVISIONED BY THE CONSTITUTION, NOT ANYWHERE IN THE ENUMERATED POWERS. |
| 07:59:41 | YOU HAVE TO BUY INSURANCE ON YOURSELF JUST TO LIVE. |
| 07:59:45 | I YIELD TO MY FRIEND. |
| 07:59:46 | MR. |
| 07:59:47 | AKIN: YOU GOT TO THE POINT THAT I WAS GOING TO ASK. |
| 07:59:50 | YOU WERE NOT ONLY AN ATTORNEY, BUT ALSO SERVED AS A JUDGE AS WELL AS A CONGRESSMAN WE HAVE COME TO RESPECT, SO WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK IS, IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT THEY HAVE TO BUY INSURANCE THIS WAY? |
| 08:00:10 | AND WHAT I'M THINKING I'M HEARING YOU SAY, THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL LOOK AT, BUT IF YOU USE THE BASIS OF THE CONSTITUTION, THIS WOULD BE MARGIN NEAL AND MAYBE NOT CONSTITUTIONAL, IS THAT WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING? |
| 08:00:30 | >> MR. |
| 08:00:31 | GOHMERT: IF THE CREAM COURT TAKES A FAIR AND LITERAL LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION, THEY WILL KNOW THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ENUMERATED POWER RESERVED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. |
| 08:00:42 | THEREFORE UNDER THE 10TH AMENDMENT, IT'S RESERVED TO THE STATES AND THE PEOPLE. |
| 08:00:47 | AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT ONE OTHER THING. |
| 08:00:51 | IN THIS ARTICLE THAT WAS ALREADY OUT, CAME OUT SO QUICKLY AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH TODAY. |
| 08:00:57 | IT'S FROM CNN AND CAN BE FOUND AT CNN'S WEBSITE. |
| 08:01:03 | BUT THEY POINT OUT THAT THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSING FOUR DIFFERENT THINGS. |
| 08:01:09 | FIRST OF ALL, COMBATING WASTE, FRAUD AND AND ABUSE AND I'LL COME BACK TO THAT. |
| 08:01:16 | BUT THIS ARTICLE SAYS, QUOTE, OBAMA IS ALSO CONSIDERING A REPUBLICAN-SUPPORTED IDEA TO APPROPRIATE $50 MILLION TO HELP STATES FIND ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTIONS TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DISPUTE, INCLUDING HEALTH COSTS. |
| 08:01:32 | WELL, WHEN THIS INFORMATION CAME OUT TODAY AFTER THE PRESIDENT OR DURING THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH, I WAS IN A MEETING WITH ABOUT 50 OTHER REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE THIS STATEMENT SAYING THIS WAS A REPUBLICAN IDEA AND HE SAID, WE'RE EMBRACING THIS REPUBLICAN IDEA. |
| 08:01:55 | I WANT TO KNOW WHICH ONE OF MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS PROPOSED SUCH A RICK CLUGS PROGRAM SUCH AS THAT. |
| 08:02:04 | NO ONE KNEW OF ANY REPUBLICANS THAT PROPOSED THAT. |
| 08:02:12 | I'M SURE THERE IS A REPUBLICAN SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, MAYBE SOMEONE WHO DEEMS THEMSELVES HALF SOCIALIST, HALF REPUBLICAN, I CAN'T FIND ANYONE IN CONGRESS WHO HAS PROPOSED THIS BILL, BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED TO GIVE THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES $50 MILLION, $50 BILLION OR ONE RED DIME TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO HELP STATES FIND ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTIONS FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DISPUTE. |
| 08:02:45 | THAT'S ALREADY IN THE HOUSE BILL. |
| 08:02:48 | AND WHAT IT PROVIDES IS A FUND FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO BRIBE STATES, THAT'S MY WORD. |
| 08:02:59 | MY STATE THAT HAS A CAP ON ATTORNEYS' FEES OR CAP ON MEDICAL -- NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES, THE SECRETARY IS AUTHORIZED TO PAY WHATEVER SUMS IS NECESSARY IN HER OPINION, BASICALLY TO REWARD A STATE THAT GETS RID OF ANY CAPS LIKE THAT. |
| 08:03:19 | MR. AKIN: THAT'S THE PUNITIVE DAMAGES, RIGHT? |
| 08:03:21 | MR. |
| 08:03:22 | GOHMERT: IT'S ACTUALLY PAIN AND SUFFERING AS NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES. |
| 08:03:27 | SO ATTORNEYS' FEES AND THINGS LIKE PAIN AND SUFFERING, WHICH IS HARD TO PUT A FIGURE ON. |
| 08:03:33 | MR. |
| 08:03:35 | AKIN: WE HAVE NOT GOT TORT REFORM BUT REVERSE TORT REFORM. |
| 08:03:40 | STATES REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTH CARE ACCORDINGLY ARE NOW GOING TO BE TOLD THEY WILL HAVE TO REVERSE THAT LEGISLATION? |
| 08:03:49 | IS THIS THE REVERSE? |
| 08:03:51 | MR. |
| 08:03:52 | GOHMERT: THE GENTLEMAN IS ACCURATE, IT IS THE REVERSE. |
| 08:03:56 | BUT THE STATES AREN'T GOING TO BE TOLD YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF YOUR CAPS. |
| 08:04:00 | WE HAVE SEEN IN TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA, MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES COME PLUMMETING DOWN. |
| 08:04:06 | MR. |
| 08:04:07 | AKIN: MISSOURI HAS ENACTED THE SAME THING. |
| 08:04:09 | IT'S DROPPED THE COST OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:04:13 | MR. GOHMERT: I'M SURE THE GENTLEMAN THEN WOULD AGREE, THERE'S NO NEED FOR FURTHER STUDY OR TO TRY TO LOOK FOR WAYS TOVILLE ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTIONS TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DISPUTE. |
| 08:04:26 | WE'VE SEEN WHAT WORKS, AND YET, IT'S NOT GOING TO FORCE STATES TO GET RID OF THEIR CAPS ON PAIN AND SUFFERING OR ATTORNEYS' FEES. |
| 08:04:34 | IT MERELY WILL ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO GENEROUSLY REWARD ANY STATE THAT WILL GET RID OF THEIR CAPS ON DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. |
| 08:04:45 | AND LET ME ALSO MENTION THIS. |
| 08:04:50 | THAT IS ONLY ONE OF THE PROPOSALS. |
| 08:04:54 | ANOTHER IS THAT HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE PLANS ARE WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN THIS SUPPOSEDLY CUT-DOWN BILL. |
| 08:05:07 | THE HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE PLAN IS THE CANCEL TALL STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS THE -- SKELETAL STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:05:20 | THE SNAKE IS STILL IN THERE. |
| 08:05:23 | IT WILL HAVE TO GO A LITTLE FURTHER TO BITE YOU. |
| 08:05:26 | SO THIS IS NOT A GOOD PROPOSAL, NOT A FAIR PROPOSAL. |
| 08:05:31 | AND ONE OTHER THING IN THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH THAT I THOUGHT WAS VERY UNFAIR. |
| 08:05:36 | HE SAID ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, THERE ARE THOSE, AND THIS INCLUDES MOST REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS. |
| 08:05:44 | YOU KNOW, I PREFER TO SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND NOT HAVE SOMEBODY THAT PROFOUNDLY DISAGREES WITH ME TELL ME WHAT I BELIEVE. |
| 08:05:55 | BUT ACCORDING TO THIS, THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH, THAT INCLUDES MOST REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS WHO BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS TO LOOSEN REGULATIONS ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. |
| 08:06:07 | THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI AND I HAVE BEEN ON THIS FLOOR MANY TIMES AND IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS PARTICULARLY I HAVE BEEN HERE. |
| 08:06:15 | I KNOW THE GENTLEMAN HAS BEEN HERE LONGER THAN I HAVE, BUT REPEATEDLY, REPEATEDLY, I KNOW WE HAVE ALL SAID, I DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN ME AND MY DOCTOR, AND I WANT THE INSURANCE COMPANY RESTRICTED SO THEY'RE NOT BETWEEN ME AND MY DOCTOR. |
| 08:06:32 | I DON'T WANT THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO RUN AMUCK AND RUN WILD. |
| 08:06:37 | I WANT US TO GET BACK TO A DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. |
| 08:06:41 | AND SO, WHEN SOMEBODY SPEAKS FOR US AND THE NEXT PARAGRAPH, THE PRESIDENT SAYS, I DON'T BELIEVE, AS OPPOSED TO THE CRAZY REPUBLICANS HE MENTIONED IN THE PARAGRAPH BEFORE, I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD GIVE INSURANCE COMPANY BUREAUCRATS MORE CONTROL OVER HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA. |
| 08:07:02 | WE HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR YEARS. |
| 08:07:04 | WE AGREE. |
| 08:07:05 | WE DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT OR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER OUR HEALTH THAN WE DO. |
| 08:07:11 | ISN'T IT TIME TO PUT THE PATIENTS BACK IN CHARGE? |
| 08:07:14 | MR. AKIN: DIDN'T YOU START BY SAYING THAT THERE WAS THIS LINE OF REASONING WHERE YOU CREATE A STRAW HORSE, IS THAT CORRECT? |
| 08:07:22 | MR. |
| 08:07:23 | GOHMERT: I CALL IT A STRAW DOG, STRAW HORSE. |
| 08:07:27 | I HAVE HEARD THAT AS WELL. |
| 08:07:30 | MR. |
| 08:07:31 | AKIN: YOU SAY YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE HEARD THIS AND THEN BEAT IT UP. |
| 08:07:34 | I HAVE BEEN A REPUBLICAN -- THIS IS MY 10TH YEAR, I HAVE NEVER HEARD REPUBLICANS SAY WE WANT TO REDUCE OR RELAX WHAT HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE DOING. |
| 08:07:46 | WE HAVE BEEN RAILING ON THE FACT THAT WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GET SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT A MEDICAL PERSON, BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND A PATIENT. |
| 08:07:55 | WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DEFEND THAT POINT. |
| 08:07:57 | AND CERTAINLY, WE WOULDN'T DO WHAT THIS BILL DOES, WHICH ALLOWS AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND A PATIENT, MAKE A MEDICAL DECISION IN PRACTICE AND THEN NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT DECISION. |
| 08:08:11 | I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PRESIDENT COMES UP WITH THIS IDEA OR WHO IT IS THAT WRITES THE SPEECHES FOR HIM, BUT IT JUST ISN'T REALLY TRUE. |
| 08:08:20 | MR. GOHMERT: WELL, I WOULD DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE. |
| 08:08:25 | I KNOW MY FRIEND, MR. |
| 08:08:27 | AKIN, WAS THERE WHEN WE UNVEILED THAT DECLARATION HERE IN THE CAPITOL. |
| 08:08:34 | I THINK WE GOT 100 OR MORE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON TO THAT. |
| 08:08:41 | THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE GONE ONLINE AND LOOKED FOR DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE AND FOUND WEB SITES WHERE THEY COULD SIGN ON SO PEOPLE COULD KEEP BUILDING THE PRESSURE. |
| 08:08:54 | AND SO, THE TRUTH IS, I'M VERY GRATIFIED BY SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT THE PRESIDENT MADE HERE, BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN, HE IS EMBRACING MANY OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN THIS DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE FOR SOME TIME. |
| 08:09:09 | AND THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THESE 10 POINTS THAT WE ASKED PEOPLE TO PLEDGE WHO SIGNED THIS IS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S ALREADY SAID THAT HE SUPPORTS THESE THINGS. |
| 08:09:23 | AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO RUN THROUGH THESE 10 AGAIN. |
| 08:09:27 | NUMBER ONE, PROTECT THE VITAL DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. |
| 08:09:35 | WE HAVE SIGNED A PLEDGE TO THAT EFFECT. |
| 08:09:37 | THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. |
| 08:09:38 | SO WE'RE GRATIFIED TO SEE HIM INCLUDE IN HIS SPEECH TODAY, BUT WE'VE BEEN THERE. |
| 08:09:43 | WE WERE HOPING WE WOULD GET HIM TO SIGN IT BEFORE NOW TO JOIN WITH US TO SHOW WE ARE OF ONE ACCORD. |
| 08:09:51 | MR. |
| 08:09:52 | AKIN: THE PROBLEM IS ONE THING WITH LIP SERVICE TO SAY THAT YOU LIKE THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP, IT'S ANOTHER THING TO TRY TO SUBSTITUTE A BUREAUCRAT IN BETWEEN THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN OBJECTING TO ALL ALONG. |
| 08:10:10 | MR. GOHMERT: I HEARD THE BRILLIANT GENTLEMAN FRANK LUNTZ. |
| 08:10:21 | 15 PEOPLE HAD VOTED FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, 15 HAD VOTED FOR JOHN MCCAIN. |
| 08:10:27 | AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR SOME OF THE OBSERVATIONS. |
| 08:10:29 | I LOVED WHAT ONE GENTLEMAN SAID. |
| 08:10:33 | DIDN'T SOUND LIKE A LAWYER BUT A GOOD COMMONSENSE PERSON. |
| 08:10:38 | HE SAID, I JUST KNOW THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LINE TO GET SOME SERVICE AND SEEN A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE COME RUNNING OUT AND SAY, LET ME OPEN UP ANOTHER WINDOW. |
| 08:10:53 | THIS LINE IS TOO LONG. |
| 08:10:55 | HE SAID, WE'VE SEEN THAT IN PRIVATE BUSINESSES, BECAUSE IF YOU MAKE SOMEONE WAIT IN LONG TOO LONG, THEY'LL GET TO THE NEXT BUSINESS AND NOT STAY IN YOUR BUSINESS. |
| 08:11:06 | AND HIS POINT WAS, HE DID NOT WANT THOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD COME AROUND AND NOT OPEN THE EXTRA WINDOW WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:11:16 | IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL POINT. MR. |
| 08:11:17 | AKIN: IT RAISES AS MUCH AS YOU AND I HAVE ALWAYS RAILED AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES MAKING HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, THAT'S NOT QUITE SO BAD, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE INSURANCE COMPANY, YOU COULD CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT INSURANCE COMPANY. |
| 08:11:33 | YOU MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR JOB TO DO IT, BUT YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. |
| 08:11:37 | IT'S NOT EASY TO CHANGE THE U. |
| 08:11:40 | S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. MR. |
| 08:11:41 | GOHMERT: WE SURE KNOW ABOUT THAT, DON'T WE? |
| 08:11:43 | NUMBER TWO ON THE LIST OF PLEDGES IS REJECT ANY ADDITION TO THE CRUSHING NATIONAL DEBT HEAPED UPON ALL CANS. |
| 08:11:52 | AND I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN IN THE SUM -- ALL AMERICANS. |
| 08:11:56 | AND I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN IN THE SUMMIT ALL THE GLOWING THINGS HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT C. |
| 08:12:05 | B.O. THE C. |
| 08:12:06 | B.O. SCORING IS THIS. |
| 08:12:08 | AND I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE PAID GREAT TRIBUTE TO IT. |
| 08:12:12 | BUT I STILL REMEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT HAPPY WITH C. |
| 08:12:17 | B.O. AND CALLED THE DIRECTOR OFF THE WHITE HOUSE AND HAD A LITTLE WOODSHEDDING GO ON. |
| 08:12:25 | WE DIDN'T SEE THAT ON C-SPAN. |
| 08:12:27 | MR. |
| 08:12:30 | AKIN: A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TUNED IN FOR THAT. |
| 08:12:33 | MR. |
| 08:12:34 | GOHMERT: HAVE TUNED IN FOR THAT. |
| 08:12:35 | MR. GOHMERT: IF IT WAS ON C-SPAN, THE CONTENT OF THE CONVERSATION MAY HAVE BEEN A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT. |
| 08:12:39 | BUT WE DO KNOW WHAT HAS OCCURRED IN THIS CONGRESS SINCE LAST YEAR. |
| 08:12:46 | NOW, IT BUGS ME TO NO END TO CONTINUE TO HEAR AS I DID, AND I HEARD A FRIEND FROM ACROSS THE AISLE SAY IN JUST A RIDICULOUS MISREPRESENTATION THAT THE REPUBLICANS -- AGAIN, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS AND DON'T WANT ANY CHANGES. |
| 08:13:08 | THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. |
| 08:13:10 | IN OUR REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE, THE MORE CONSERVATIVE OF THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, IT'S GERMLY THE WAY IT'S TOUTED, THERE ARE REPUBLICANS THAT ARE CONSERVATIVE NOT PART OF THE R. |
| 08:13:24 | S.C., BUT WE HAVE JUST A SUMMARY OF 70 BILLS TO HELP REFORM HEALTH CARE, NOT TO GIVE MORE CONTROL TO INSURANCE COMPANIES, NOT TO GIVE MORE CONTROL TO GOVERNMENT, BUT TO HELP REFORM HEALTH CARE SO IT'S PATIENT-CONTROLLED AND IT'S AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, ALL OF THESE THINGS. |
| 08:13:47 | AND THESE ARE REAL BILLS. |
| 08:13:49 | THEY'VE GOT NUMBERS ON THEM. |
| 08:13:51 | AND LET ME JUST SHARE WITH YOU -- I HAD ADDRESSED PROBABLY BACK IN NOVEMBER, THE FACT THAT I HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET MY HEALTH CARE BILL SCORED SINCE AUGUST. |
| 08:14:08 | NOW, I REALIZE WHO'S IN THE MAJORITY, AND WITH THAT COMES LOTS OF PRIVILEGE. |
| 08:14:13 | WE SURE KNOW ABOUT THAT. |
| 08:14:14 | HARD TO GET A MEETING ROOM THE KIND WE USED TO BE ABLE TO GET AND THE KIND WE USED TO PROVIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE, JUST TO HAVE A MEETING, BUT WE DO WITH WHAT THEY ALLOW US TO HAVE. |
| 08:14:26 | BUT THE GREAT THING ABOUT THAT IS, WE CAN MEET OUTSIDE. |
| 08:14:30 | THAT DOESN'T STOP US FROM DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO. |
| 08:14:33 | BUT WHEN IT COMES TO C. |
| 08:14:35 | B.O., I APPRECIATED GETTING A CALL FROM THE DIRECTOR OF C. |
| 08:14:40 | B.O. AND I APPRECIATED ALL THE GLOWING THINGS THAT WAS SAID ABOUT THE WONDERFUL BIPARTISAN GENTLEMAN HE IS, BUT THE TROUBLE IS, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN PRODUCED SINCE THAT WOODSHEDDING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. |
| 08:14:55 | I REALLY DO BELIEVE HE WANTS TO BE FAIR. |
| 08:15:01 | AND I REALLY BELIEVE HE THINKS HE IS FAIR. |
| 08:15:04 | BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE BILLS, THERE HAVE BEEN 50 BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO BE SCORED BY THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP -- I'M SORRY, 50 BILLS HAVE BEEN FORMALLY SCORED THAT ARE DEMOCRAT-REQUESTED SCORED FOR THEIR BILLS. |
| 08:15:30 | YOU KNOW -- I WOULD LIKE TO GET 1/10 THE BILLS SCORED THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE. |
| 08:15:39 | I HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE AUGUST. |
| 08:15:41 | I MADE THE REQUEST IN WRITING OF C. |
| 08:15:44 | B.O. BACK IN AUGUST. |
| 08:15:48 | THEN EVENTUALLY I'M TOLD, WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE THE HIGHEST RANKING REPUBLICAN ON THE COMMITTEE OF JURISDICTION REQUESTING IT. |
| 08:15:57 | SO I TALKED TO JOE BARTON. |
| 08:16:00 | OUR HIGHEST RANKING MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, WHERE CHAIRMAN WAXMAN RAMMED THIS THING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE. |
| 08:16:12 | . HE SENT A LETTER REQUESTING THAT C. |
| 08:16:16 | B.O. SCORE MY BILL. |
| 08:16:18 | WE WAIT A WHILE, OK HAVE YOU GOT IT IN THE WORKS, SIT COMING? |
| 08:16:23 | AND THEN WE'RE TOLD YOU DON'T HAVE A REQUEST FROM THE HIGHEST-RANKING REPUBLICAN ON THE TAX COMMITTEE, I ASKED DAVE CAMP, WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE, HE SAYS ABSOLUTELY HE SHOOTS A LETTER TO C. |
| 08:16:35 | B.O., SAYS SCORE GOHMERT'S BIG. |
| 08:16:37 | THAT WAS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. |
| 08:16:39 | SINCE THEN -- GOHMERT'S BILL. |
| 08:16:41 | THAT WAS BACK IN SEPTEMBER. |
| 08:16:43 | SINCE THEN, SPUR OF THE MOMENT, COULD BE A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR OR SPEAKER OR CHAIRMAN WAXMAN OR SOMEBODY DOWN HERE, MAN, THEY REQUEST ONE THEY WON'T EVEN HAVE A FULL BILL AND UNTIL JUST LAST WEEK, WHEN THEY WERE GIVEN AN 11-PAGE SUMMARY AND THE 19-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY, THANK GOD C. |
| 08:17:03 | B.O. FINALLY DID THE APPROPRIATE THING AND SAID, WE CAN'T SCORE A SUMMARY AND A SUMMARY OF A SUMMARY. |
| 08:17:10 | WE'VE GOT NOTHING TO WORK WITH ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU A SCORE. |
| 08:17:13 | THANK GOODNESS THEY FINALLY WERE ABLE TO COME OUT AND SAY THAT BECAUSE THEY'VE SCORED SOME STUFF THAT WASN'T APPROPRIATE TO BE SCORED. |
| 08:17:22 | MR. AKIN: BUT THEY WOULDN'T SCORE YOUR BILL. |
| 08:17:24 | MR. GOHMERT: THEY STILL HAVEN'T SCORED BYMY BILL. |
| 08:17:27 | I WOULD POINT OUT ALSO IT'S NOT JUST IN HEALTH CARE THAT C. |
| 08:17:31 | B.O. HAS SCORED 50 DEMOCRATIC BILLS AND SIX REPUBLICAN BILLS WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE MINE, DESPITE THE EFFORTS AND REQUESTS FROM THE HIGHEST-RANKING REPUBLICANS. |
| 08:17:43 | FROM THE LEGISLATION THAT'S FORMALLY BEEN SCORED BY C. |
| 08:17:47 | B.O. IN THE 111TH CONGRESS, THERE HAVE BEEN A TOTAL OF 530 BILLS SCORED, 442 OF THOSE WERE DEMOCRATIC BILLS AND 88 WERE REPUBLICAN BILLS. |
| 08:18:00 | SO I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE DIRECTOR OF C. |
| 08:18:04 | B.O., MR. |
| 08:18:05 | ELMENDORF, I KNOW HE SOUNDS VERY SINCERE, THAT HE IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO BE FAIR AND OBJECTIVE, BUT WHEN YOU AS THE C. |
| 08:18:14 | B.O. DIRECTOR KNOWING THAT YOU REALLY PROBABLY WOULD RATHER NOT BE WOOD SHEDED AGAIN AT THE WHITE HOUSE, AND KNOWING THAT IF YOU DO NOT ALLOW ANY OF THESE WONDERFUL REPUBLICAN IDEAS TO BE SCORED, YOU CAN PROFOUNDLY CHANGE THE DISCUSSION ON HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA. |
| 08:18:35 | YOU CAN PREVENT SOME OF THE BEST IDEAS IN AMERICA ON HEALTH CARE THAT DIDN'T JUST COME FROM THE PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES WERE ON THE BILLS. |
| 08:18:46 | THE IDEAS IN MY HEALTH CARE BILL CAME FROM BRILLIANT PEOPLE AROUND THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE DEALT WITH THE ISSUE. |
| 08:18:51 | I APPRECIATE NEWT GINGRICH SENDING FRIENDS OF HIS OVER, SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST MINDS IN AMERICA ON THE ISSUE OF HEALTH CARE TO HELP COME UP WITH WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST PROPOSAL, BEST WAY TO DO THINGS, I APPRECIATE HIS HELP AND THOSE HE SENT OVER. |
| 08:19:08 | NOW YOU GET A SCORE AND SEE WHAT YOU GOT. |
| 08:19:12 | AND I APPRECIATE IT. |
| 08:19:13 | I CAN'T GET A SCORE BECAUSE THE SO-CALLED FAIR AND OBJECTIVE C. |
| 08:19:20 | B.O. WANT TO SCORE 50 DEMOCRATIC BILLS, SIX REPUBLICAN BILLS AND ONE OF THOSE WILL NOT BE MINE. |
| 08:19:26 | IT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. |
| 08:19:27 | NOW I REALIZE, AND I'VE WAITED A LONG TIME TO GET LOUD AND VOCAL ABOUT THE IGNORING THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD FROM C. |
| 08:19:38 | B.O. BECAUSE I KNOW BY MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT THE LACK OF OBJECTIVENESS IN THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN BILLS SCORED BY C. |
| 08:19:47 | B.O., THAT I AM INVITING C. |
| 08:19:49 | B.O. TO COME IN AND THERE ARE SO MANY VARIABLES IN ANY BILL, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, WHERE THEY CAN TAKE A PRESUMPTION AND THAT PRESUMPTION THAT CAN JUST RUN THE COST RIGHT THROUGH THE ROOF OR IT CAN RUN IT RIGHT DOWN THROUGH THE FLOOR. |
| 08:20:05 | THAT IS ALL DEPENDENT UPON THE PRESUMPTIONS THEY MAKE. |
| 08:20:08 | SO I REALIZE BY COMING FORWARD, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT IF ONE DAY A RATHERING ANLY RY AND UPSET C. |
| 08:20:17 | B.O. FINALLY GETS AROUND TO SCORING MY BILL, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO FIX MY WAGON, I UNDERSTAND THAT. |
| 08:20:27 | IT MAY NOT BE WHAT THEY SHOULD BE TO GIVE THE BILL A PROPER SCORING TO MY WAY OF THINKING BUT I JUST FELT LIKE WE HAD TO SAY SOMETHING TO POINT OUT THAT THE EMPEROR DOESN'T HAVE THE BHUFLE SET OF CLOTHES THAT EVERYBODY IS GOING AROUND SAYING HE HAS. |
| 08:20:42 | THERE IS A LACK OF OBJECTIVITY THERE, CERTAINLY IN THE BILLS THAT ARE BEING SCORING. |
| 08:20:49 | MR. AKIN: THAT MAKES IT AWKWARD BECAUSE LET'S SAY THAT SOME OF THESE BILLS WERE SCORED. |
| 08:20:54 | I THINK YOU KNOW THIS VERY WELL, SOME OF THESE BILLS WOULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY. |
| 08:21:00 | MR. GOHMERT: OF COURSE THEY WOULD. |
| 08:21:03 | MR. AKIN: SOMEBODY IS GOING TO ASK, WE HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT WANTS TO SPEND $1 TRILLION AT THE COST OF $5 MILLION IN JOBS TO PASS A GOVERNMENT TAKE -- A GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE AND THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE A PLAN THAT'S GOING TO CUT THE COST OF HEALTH CARE, DOESN'T HAVE TAX INCREASES IN IT, WHY DON'T WE TAKE THE LESS EXPENSIVE PLAN? |
| 08:21:22 | SOMEBODY IS GOING TO ASK THAT QUESTION. |
| 08:21:24 | IT'S AN AWFUL LOT EASIER IF THE REPUBLICAN BILLS HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO BE SCORED. |
| 08:21:29 | THE INTERESTING THING IS, THERE WAS A GUY THAT IS SCORING THE PRESIDENT'S BILL THAT'S NOT C. |
| 08:21:35 | B.O. AND HE'S A DEMOCRAT. |
| 08:21:36 | I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD OF HIM BUT HE'S THE DEMOCRAT OF TENNESSEE, THE GOVERNOR. |
| 08:21:40 | AND WHY WOULD HE SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS' HEALTH CARE BILL, THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE BILL? |
| 08:21:47 | THE REASON HE WOULD IS BECAUSE GUESS WHAT? |
| 08:21:51 | TENNESSEE IS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:21:55 | THAT TRILLION-DOLLAR -- TRILLION-DOLLAR PRICE TAG THAT C. |
| 08:22:00 | B.O. HOOKED ON THIS BILL IS NOT ALL THE COST BECAUSE SOME OF IT IS HIDDEN. |
| 08:22:05 | GUESS WHO IS GOING TO PICK UP SOME OF THE PIECES OF THAT? |
| 08:22:08 | IT'S GOING TO BE THE VARIOUS STATES AND THE VARIOUS STATES LIKE TENNESSEE WHO HAVE TRIED THIS GOVERNMENT-RUN SCHEME OF HEALTH CARE, KNOWS IT'S A DISASTER, IT WRECKED HEALTH CARE IN TENNESSEE AND IN MASSACHUSETTS, IT RAN THE COST OF HEALTH CARE WAY UP SO THAT DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR WHO ALSO COULD BE TAKE TONT WOODSHED SAYS, NO, THIS IS A BAD IDEA. |
| 08:22:29 | THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND STATES HAVE BALANCED BUDGETS, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS THING? |
| 08:22:36 | THERE'S SOMEBODY WHO IS SCORING A BILL. |
| 08:22:39 | IT'S NOT C. |
| 08:22:40 | B.O. IT'S A DEMOCRAT. |
| 08:22:41 | HE'S SAYING, NO, IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE. |
| 08:22:46 | MR. |
| 08:22:47 | GOHMERT: I APPRECIATE THAT OBSERVATION FROM MYMY FRIEND FROM MISSOURI. |
| 08:22:49 | I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH THE DECLARATIONS, THE PLEDGES THAT HE AND I BOTH MADE. |
| 08:22:57 | NUMBER THREE IS IMPROVE RATHER THAN DIMINISH THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT AMERICANS ENJOY. |
| 08:23:05 | NOW, WE HAVE HEARD SO MANY HORROR STORIES, TERRIBLE SITUATIONS WHERE SOMEONE DID NOT GET PROPER HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:23:15 | AND NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT HAPPEN. |
| 08:23:17 | BUT DESPITE THE PROBLEMS MOST OF US HERE THAT I KNOW CONTEND WE GOT THE BEST HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. |
| 08:23:28 | IT'S RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA. |
| 08:23:29 | AND WE SAW A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF HEARING SOME FRIENDS SAY, WE NEED TO HAVE A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LIKE CANADA, WE NEED TO HAVE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LIKE ENGLAND, WELL, YOU START HEARING STORIES LIKE THE SECRETARY THERE IN TYLER WHO TOLD ME, SHE EMIGRATE -- SHE IMMIGRATED FROM ENGLAND. |
| 08:23:54 | HER MOTHER HAD CANCER, IT WAS FOUND WHILE SHE WAS IN ENGLAND AND WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT SCENARIO, YOU'RE PUT ON A LIST. |
| 08:23:59 | YOU'RE PUT ON A LIST TO GET MAMMOGRAM, YOU'RE PUT ON A LIST TO HAVE SURGERY A BIOPSY, YOU'RE PUT ON A LIST TO GET RADIATION OR TIKI MOE, WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING -- OR TO GET CHEMO, WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING TO GET. |
| 08:24:14 | SHE SAID MY MOTHER TIED FROM CANCER BECAUSE -- NOT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT CURABLE, BUT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN ENGLAND. |
| 08:24:21 | SHE SAID, I WAS FOUND TO HAVE CANCER, I DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT ON SOME LIST TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. |
| 08:24:28 | SHE SAID, I KNOW I'M ALIVE BECAUSE I MOVED TO AMERICA AND DIDN'T STAY IN ENGLAND. |
| 08:24:35 | WHICH BRINGS ME TO AN ARTICLE IN FEBRUARY, THIS WAS FROM "THE NATIONAL POST," NEWFOUNDLAND PREMIER DANNY WILLIAMS WILL UNDERGO HEART SURGERY LATER THIS WEEK IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 08:24:53 | MR. |
| 08:24:54 | WILLIAMS, 59, HAS SAID NOTHING OF HIS HEALTH IN THE MEDIA. |
| 08:24:58 | THE PREMIER'S PRESS SECRETARY CONFIRMED THE REPORT MONDAY EVENING. |
| 08:25:03 | DEPUTY PREMIER KATHY DONDERDEL CONFIRMED THE TREATMENT AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TUESDAY BUT WOULD NOT TELL THE LOCATION OF THE OPERATION OR HOW IT WOULD BE PAID FOR. |
| 08:25:16 | SHE'LL BE ACTIVE PREMIER WHILE HE'S AWAY, EXPECTED TO BE FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. |
| 08:25:20 | FOR MANY, HIS NEED FOR HEART SURGERY COMES AS A SURPRISE, ESPECIAL IN -- ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HE'S AN AVID HOCKEY PLAYER AND HAS SHOWN NO SIGNS OF LATE. |
| 08:25:35 | HE MET WITH PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER AND SEEMED HEALTHY AND IN GOOD SPIRITS. |
| 08:25:40 | A DECISION TO LEAVE CANADA FOR THE SURGERY, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S AVAILABLE HERE, RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PREMIER'S CONFIDENCE IN NEWFOUNDLAND'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. |
| 08:25:50 | SO YOU'VE GOT A PREMIER FROM CANADA -- HIS HEALTH CARE IS IMPORTANT TO HIM. |
| 08:25:58 | HE WANTS TO KEEP BEING THE PREMIER. |
| 08:26:02 | AND SO HE'S COMING TO THE UNITED STATES OR ALREADY HAS, I UNDERSTAND HE'S ALREADY HAD THE SURGERY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. |
| 08:26:10 | WE HAVE THE BEST HEALTH CARE THAT HAS EVER BEEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD IN TIME OR IN GEOGRAPHY. |
| 08:26:21 | MR. AKIN: YOU'RE MAKING A POINT HERE MY FRIEND THAT I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW YOU'D LEFT OFF THE PREACHING AND WENT ON TO MEDDLING BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CANCER, I'M A CANCER SURVIVOR MYSELF. |
| 08:26:32 | IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT CANCER SURVIVE -- SURVIVAL RATES IN ENGLAND, THEY TEND TO BE ABOUT 20% WORSE THAN THEY ARE IN AMERICA. |
| 08:26:43 | WHY IS THAT? |
| 08:26:44 | YOU'VE EXPLAINED IT VERY ACCURATELY, THAT IS CANCER IS PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE THAT WHEN YOU DIAGNOSE IT, YOU WANT TO GET TO IT QUICKLY BEFORE IT SPREADS OR GETS TOO BAD. |
| 08:26:55 | THE IDEA OF PUTTING SOMEONE ON A LONG WAITING LIST IS DEADLY WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH CANCER SYSTEM OF IF YOU'VE GOT CANCER, YOU HAVE A MUCH, MUCH HIGHER PERCENT OF DYING FROM THAT IF YOU'RE IN CANADA OR PARTICULARLY IN ENGLAND AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WAITING LIST. |
| 08:27:10 | YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENTS HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SENSITIVITY TO THEM. |
| 08:27:15 | INSTEAD OF TELLING YOU THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DENY YOUR HEALTH CARE, THEY JUST SAY, NO, YOU'VE GOT TO GET IN LINE. |
| 08:27:21 | BY THE TIME YOU GET TO -- I MEAN, YOU CAN GET A FREE -- YOU CAN GET A FREE WHAT IS IT, CESAREAN SECTION, YOU HAVE TO WAIT 12 MONTHS. |
| 08:27:34 | WELL, BUT, I NEEDED IT IN NINE. |
| 08:27:37 | WELL, NOW, THAT'S A PROBLEM, ISN'T IT? |
| 08:27:40 | SO WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A SENSITIVE SUBJECT TO ME BECAUSE I HAD CANCER IN THIS COUNTRY, WHEN THEY DISCOVERED IT, I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO TAKE CARE OF IT RIGHT AWAY SO DID THE DRRKS SO DID THE HOSPITAL AND I HAD IT ON SPRING BREAK, HAD AN OPERATION TO TRY TO GET RID OF THE CANCER, BACK I GUESS IT WAS NINE YEARS AGO, OUR VERY FIRST SPRING BREAK DOWN HERE. |
| 08:28:03 | IN AMERICA WHEN YOU GET CANCER OR SOMETHING THE DOCTOR SAYS, IT'S TIME TO MOVE, LET'S GO. |
| 08:28:08 | THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SUCH BETTER SURVIVAL RATES, THAT'S WHY THE, YOU KNOW, THE GUY FROM CANADA WANTS TO COME HERE TO GET HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:28:19 | MR. GOHMERT: AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT. |
| 08:28:21 | TO SAY NO ONE WILL BE DENIED CARE OR COVERAGE IS ACCURATE TO A POINT. |
| 08:28:29 | BUT THE FACT IS, THEY'RE TOLD IN CANADA AND ENGLAND, GEE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DENY YOU TREATMENT OR CARE, WE JUST HAVE TO PUT YOU ON THIS LIST. |
| 08:28:43 | AND THE GENTLEMAN BRINGS UP AN IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT HOW MUCH GREATER THE SURVIVALABILITY RATES ARE IN THE UNITED STATES -- SURVIVABILITY RATES ARE IN THE UNITED STATES FROM DISEASES LIKE CANCER BUT SOME WANT TO TRY TO COMPARE APPLES AND ONIONS AND SAY THEY BOTH TASTE AND SMELL ALIKE WHEN THEY'RE NOT AT ALL THE SAME AND THE FACT IS, WHEN YOU HEAR SOME PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IN THIS COUNTRY, ENGLAND, CANADA, YOU KNOW, THESE OTHER COUNTRY, THEY APPARENTLY HAVE MUCH BETTER HEALTH CARE, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE, BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE A LONGER AVERAGE LIFE SPAN. |
| 08:29:23 | WELL, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY FAIR TO PUT THAT ON THE HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:29:29 | BECAUSE IT'S SAD BUT TRUE WHEN YOU MAKE THOSE COMPARISONS, WE HAVE A MUCH HIGHER MURDER RATE IN AMERICA THAN THEY DO IN ENGLAND OR CANADA. |
| 08:29:47 | . ANOTHER INVOLVES WHAT WAS EXPLAINED BY A HEALTH CARE EXPERT THAT MOST COUNTRIES DO NOT INCLUDE PREMATURE BABIES, THE DEATH OF PREMATURE BABIES IN THEIR NUMBERS. |
| 08:30:01 | BUT WE SURE DO HERE, BECAUSE EVERY LITTLE BABY BORN COUNTS, PREMATURE OR OTHERWISE. |
| 08:30:08 | UNLESS IT'S ONE OF THOSE HORRIBLE TRAGEDIES WHERE SOMEBODY ABORTS A BABY AND REALIZES THEY ARE ALIVE AND TAKES ACTION TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE KILLED OR ALLOWED TO DIE ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT PROPER CARE. |
| 08:30:23 | BUT NUMBER FOUR ON THE PLEDGES OF THE DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE, NEGOTIATE PUBLICLY, TRANSPARENTLY, WITH GENUINE ACCOUNTABILITY WITH OVERSIGHT AND BE FREE FROM POLITICAL FAVORITISM. |
| 08:30:39 | WE SAW AN EFFORT LAST THURSDAY AT THE SUMMIT TO LOOK LIKE THERE WAS GOING TO BE PUBLICLY TRANSPARENTLY NEGOTIATED HEALTH CARE BILL, BUT THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED BEFOREHAND, HERE'S THE BILL WE'RE GOING WITH AND THE SUMMARY WE'RE GOING TO DO AND THE SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY, IT HAD ALL BEEN NEGOTIATED BEHIND CLOSE DOORS. |
| 08:31:08 | AARP REPRESENTATIVE SAID WE WORKED THIS OUT IN SECRET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. |
| 08:31:13 | NOW WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN REPUBLICANS IN AND PUT WINDOW DRESSING ON IT. |
| 08:31:20 | I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE CERTIFIED AS MEDIATORS ARE BEEN CERTIFIED THROUGH THE PROCESS. |
| 08:31:27 | TEAS PRETTY EXTENSIVE TO BECOME AN ARBITRATOR, AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATOR, BUT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THOSE PROCESSES, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHAT HAPPENED LAST THURSDAY WAS NOT A NEGOTIATION OR MEDIATION. |
| 08:31:45 | IT WAS STRUCTURED TO LOOK LIKE PERHAPS IT WAS WITH THE PRESIDENT BEING THE OBJECTIVE AND ALL-CARING MEDIATOR IN THE MIDDLE. |
| 08:31:56 | BUT THE TROUBLE IS, THE MEDIATOR KEPT CUTTING OFF ONE SIDE WHEN THEY SAID SOMETHING THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO THERE. |
| 08:32:06 | I TELL YOU THE MOST GRATIFYING COMMENT TO ME THAT TOUCHED ME DEEPLY, AND I WAS SO PROUD OF THE PRESIDENT. |
| 08:32:14 | IT MEANT A LOT TO ME, WHEN JOHN MCCAIN WAS SPEAKING AND THE PRESIDENT POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD FINALLY REALIZED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2008, THAT WE'RE NOT CAMPAIGNING ANYMORE. |
| 08:32:28 | THAT MEANT A LOT TO ME THAT THE PRESIDENT FINALLY REALIZED IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO QUIT CAMPAIGNING AND WORK ON THE BILLS RATHER THAN ON A CAMPAIGN. |
| 08:32:38 | AFTER THAT, I READ THIS WEEKEND THAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS ALREADY PREPARING THE NEXT CAMPAIGN FOR 2012, SO APPARENTLY, MAYBE IT LASTED A DAY OR TWO THEY WEREN'T CAMPAIGNING. |
| 08:32:51 | NUMBER FIVE, TREAT PRIVATE CITIZENS AT LEAST AS WELL AS AMERICA PUBLIC OFFICIALS. |
| 08:32:59 | AMERICANS WEREN'T FOOLED AND THERE ARE FOUR VOLUMES OF THE HOUSE BILL. |
| 08:33:03 | AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TO PULL OUT THE OTHER, BUT IN THERE, TO ADDRESS AMERICA'S CONCERN THAT ARE CONGRESS WAS BEING TREATED MORE SPECIALLY THAN RANK AND FILE CITIZENS, THEY HAD A LINE IN THERE THAT SAID UNDER THE FEDERAL INSURANCE EXCHANGE PROGRAM THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MAY BE COVERED UNDER THAT IF THEY WANTED TO BE. |
| 08:33:29 | MOST PEOPLE, NO MATTER HOW LOW YOU READ WHAT IS IN THE BILL, THEY PICK UP ON THAT PESKY LITTLE WORD, MAY. |
| 08:33:43 | MR. |
| 08:33:44 | AKIN: IT SHALL. ONE LITTLE MAY SITTING IN THERE AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC PICKS UP ON THAT AND SAYS WELL, MAYBE YOU'RE NOT SURE THAT THIS BILL IS SUCH A GOOD THING AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S GOOD FOR YOU GUYS. |
| 08:33:57 | I THINK YOU HAVE REALLY BEEN PRETTY HUMBLE IN TALKING ABOUT THAT DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE IT AND YOU ARE LAYING OUT THE BASIC PRINCIPLES. |
| 08:34:09 | I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK THIS LAST WEEKEND TO A BIG CROWD IN ST. |
| 08:34:14 | LOUIS. |
| 08:34:15 | AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, I MENTIONED THE FACT THAT IF REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE MISTAKES, IT SEEMED TO ME WE MADE JUST ONE MISTAKE AND WE MAKE IT OVER AND OVER, AND THAT IS WHEN WE DON'T STICK TO BASIC PRINCIPLES WHAT WE BELIEVED IN. |
| 08:34:32 | AND WHAT YOU TOOK TIME TO DO, GENTLEMAN AND I WANT PEOPLE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE GUY WHO WROTE THIS DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE, YOU ARE LAYING OUT THESE BASIC PRINCIPLES. |
| 08:34:45 | YOU TALKED ABOUT TRANSPARENCY. |
| 08:34:46 | THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PROMISED. |
| 08:34:49 | YOU TALKED ABOUT IF IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR US, IT OUGHT TO BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR US IN CONGRESS. |
| 08:34:57 | YOU ARE LAYING OUT THE BASIC PRINCIPLES IN THIS HEALTH CARE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. |
| 08:35:05 | AND I WAS IN THE MEETINGS WHEN WE WERE WRITING IT, TOO. |
| 08:35:08 | OTHER PEOPLE CAN WRITE IT AND SIGN THEIR NAME ON THE BOTTOM, TOO, IS THAT CORRECT? |
| 08:35:13 | MR. |
| 08:35:14 | GOHMERT: THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. |
| 08:35:16 | AND WE JUST HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT. |
| 08:35:18 | LET ME FINISH THE 10 HERE. |
| 08:35:21 | NUMBER SIX, PROTECT TAXPAYERS FROM FUNDING OF ABORTION OR ABORTION COVERAGE. |
| 08:35:27 | AND ONE MIGHT WONDER, IS THE PRESIDENT REALLY ON BOARD ON THAT? |
| 08:35:31 | HE HAS SAID IT MORE THAN ONCE. |
| 08:35:33 | HE SAID IT STANDING RIGHT THERE AT THAT PODIUM BEHIND THE GENTLEMAN FROM MOST, THAT THERE WAS NO ABORTIONS THAT WILL BE FUNDED BY FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS. |
| 08:35:45 | WELL, THIS IS JUST GETTING HIM TO AGREE, IF HE WOULD, TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE REAL CASE. |
| 08:35:51 | NUMBER SEVEN, REJECT ALL NEW MANDATES ON PATIENTS, EMPLOYERS, INDIVIDUALS OR STATES. |
| 08:35:58 | NOW, IN THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH, HE SAID, WE WANT TO LOOSEN THE CONTROLS ON INSURANCE. |
| 08:36:04 | NO. WE WANT TO LOOSEN THE CONTROLS ON PATIENTS. |
| 08:36:07 | THAT WHAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO LOOSEN. |
| 08:36:10 | PATIENTS NEED MORE CONTROL, NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND NOT THE GOVERNMENT. |
| 08:36:15 | AND THEN EIGHT, PROPER HIBT EXPANSION OF TAX -- PROHIBIT EXPANSION OF TAXPAYER -- ONE OF THE THINGS IN MYVILLE, IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET A VISA TO COME INTO THIS COUNTRY AND SOME COUNTRIES REQUIRE IT, THEN YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT YOU WILL HAVE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE COVERAGE WHILE YOU ARE IN THIS COUNTRY OR ELSE YOU DON'T GET A VISA. |
| 08:36:41 | AND IF IT EXPIRES, THEN YOU GOT TO GO. |
| 08:36:45 | IT PROVIDES THAT SINCE THERE ARE PROBABLY ONE AND A HALF BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT WOULD LOVE TO COME HERE TO THE UNITED STATES AND THAT WOULD DESTROY THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE WE CAN'T HANDLE THAT MANY IMMIGRANTS, EVEN TEMPORARILY, WE CAN'T LET PEOPLE BANKRUPT THIS COUNTRY. |
| 08:37:06 | IT SAYS, IF YOU'RE HERE ILLEGALLY IN THIS COUNTRY AND YOU PRESENT IN HEALTH CARE. |
| 08:37:11 | WE BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING THE LAW, WE BELIEVE WE FOLLOW THE LAW, WE WILL PROVIDE YOU HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, EVEN IF YOU ARE ILLEGALLY HERE THAT ONE TIME. |
| 08:37:20 | AND WHEN YOU'RE WELL ENOUGH TO TRAVEL, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DEPORTED. |
| 08:37:26 | AND IF YOU'RE EVER FOUND BACK IN THIS COUNTRY AGAIN AFTER YOU WERE HERE ILLEGAL AND GOT FREE HEALTH CARE, IT'S A PRISON SENTENCE. |
| 08:37:35 | WE CAN'T LET PEOPLE BANKRUPT THIS COUNTRY OR THOSE OTHER BILLION AND A HALF WHO WANT TO COME HERE AT SOME POINT. |
| 08:37:46 | NUMBER NINE, EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. |
| 08:37:52 | , 10, MARKETPLACE OPPORTUNITY, CHOICE AND OPPORTUNITY. |
| 08:37:55 | WE BEGIN OUR PRACTICE EVERY DAY WITH PRAYER AND IT GOES BACK TO 1787, I BELIEVE IT WAS JUNE 28 THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THAT HAD GONE ON FOR OVER FIVE WEEKS AND ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING. |
| 08:38:12 | AND SOME PEOPLE SAID, BEN FRANKLIN WAS A DEIST AND HE SAID THE LONGER I LIVE, THE MORE CONVINCING PROOF I SEE OF THIS TRUTH. |
| 08:38:25 | GOD GOVERNANCE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN. |
| 08:38:28 | IF A SPELL CANNOT FALL TO THE GOUND, WITHOUT HIS NOSE, IS IT PROBABLE THAT AN EMPIRE CAN RISE WITHOUT HIS AIDE. |
| 08:38:35 | HE WENT ON, WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED IN THE SAY CREDIT WRITING THAT THEY LABOR IN VAIN. |
| 08:38:45 | HE SAID, I BELIEVE WITHOUT HIS CONCURRING AID, WE SHALL SUCCEED IN THIS BUILDING NO BETTER THAN THE BUILDERS OF BABEL. |
| 08:38:57 | HE SAID I MOVE WE BEGIN EVERY DAY WITH PRAYER IN THIS ROOM. |
| 08:39:01 | AND FROM THAT DAY, JUNE 28, 1787 TO THIS DAY TODAY THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO WRAP UP, WE BEGIN WITH PRAYER. |
| 08:39:10 | SO AMERICA WORKS WHEN PEOPLE LET THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES HEAR FROM THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THEIR MIND. |
| 08:39:16 | IT WORKS WHEN WE DO WHAT BEN FRANKLIN SUGGESTED. |
| 08:39:22 | AND WITH THAT, MR. |
| 08:39:24 | SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK. |
| 08:39:30 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: DOES THE GENTLEMAN HAVE A MOTION? |
| 08:39:34 | MR. GOHMERT: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT WE DO NOW HEREBY ADJOURN. |
| 08:39:40 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO ADJOURN. |
| 08:39:43 | THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. |
| 08:39:44 | THOSE OPPOSED, NO. |
| 08:39:45 | THE AYES HAVE IT. |
| 08:39:47 | THE MOTION IS AGREED TO. |
| 08:39:48 | ACCORDINGLY, THE HOUSE STANDS >> INTEL LITTLE LESS THAN AN HOUR, |
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