parliamentary style -- if the senate was more parliamentary style, you get a handful of people here and there host: we will have to leave it there. the house is about to come in. if you have a few quick comments. guest: what we have today is the republican party in particular that increasingly v.a. is like a parliamentary party, -- that increasingly be paved like a parliamentary party. which means they are remarkably united. at one of the perversities of the u.s. senate is that a united minority can bring the votes to a standstill, which is what the republicans do time after time.

host: the republicans are about to come in on this treaty and the senate says they need 67 votes for that. guest: right, and that is another way that in very important respects we are at the mercy of minorities. to go back to one of your earlier questioners, we do depend ultimately on their integrity as against the assembly a blind partisan loyalty. we host: will have to leave it there. thank you for talking to our viewers. we are expecting a cloture vote to end debate and then they will go to a final vote. they need nine republicans to get to a two-thirds majority. scott brown has said that he will vote for it. judd gregg, mr. crocker from tennessee, johnny haitham -- john a. isaacson.

we have just heard that senator alexander will vote for this. that brings them to eight. you can watch the vote on, c- span2. house representatives are about to come in and will take of that continuing resolution to fund the government. we are expecting their votes today. thanks for watching. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] . . the speaker: the house will be in order. the prayer will be offered by the guest chaplain, monsignor steven rosetti, catholic university of america, washington, d.c. the chaplain: good and gracious god, as we enter upon this

joyous season, we are also aware of so much hurt and pain, conflict and violence around the world. and even in our own land. we know that as long as we live in the world, such signs of our fallen humanity will always be with us. we do not pray they will all magically disappear, however in this season of grace, we pray that you might be with us in an especially poignant way. may each of us come to know you more deeply, you who are at peace. may each of us feel and treasure our common human bond with all our sisters and brothers. may we truly know peace on this earth and may we offer good will to all. we make this prayer in your holy name. amen. the speaker: the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings, and announces to the chamber her approval thereof.

pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from south carolina, congressman wilson. mr. wilson: everyone, including our guests in the gallery, please join in. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the speaker: the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from new york rise? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker: without objection. mr. tonko: madam speaker, i wanted to take a moment to -- >> some may look at the recent election and say we were off track. while shows showing up to vote may have chenoweth-haged from 2008 to 2010, i and so many of my colleagues stayed trued to

the people who elected us to change this country. we did that from health care to financial reform to the repeal of don't-ask, don't-tell, i do not apologize for our accomplishments i embrace them. i have worked on capitol hill nearly 12 years starting at a junior staffer for a senator and becoming an elected member of this house. despite the cynicism of this congress, i have been privileged to work alongside staff and members dedicated to the public good. i thank them and i will forever be grateful that a shy public school student from modest means from syracuse new york could come here as a member of this great congress in this great country. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from south carolina rise? mr. wilson: i ask permission to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentleman from south carolina is recognized. mr. wilson: madam speaker, today i would like to extend my sincere appreciation to a dedicated staffer in the office of the second congressional district of south carolina.

pepper pennington will be leaving the office to become chief of staff for congressman elect daniel webster of florida's eighth congressional district. pepper has done a wonderful job serving the people of south carolina's second district since november, 2009. as communications director, she has been the main contact between the office and members of the media. pepper has been dedicated, hardworking, and a valuable asset to the people of south carolina. pepper began her career on capitol hill in the office of congressman tom feeney of florida and served as communications director for congressman paul broun of georgia. . pepper is the daughter of cass and cindy pennington. she is a graduate of the university of florida and she is a die-hard gator fan. pepper is engaged to marry. she is a credit to the people of south carolina and florida. i wish her godspeed. while i'm sad to see her leave i'm more proud to see her achieve such success.

she'll be truly missed in the office and i wish her all the best in the new position. in conclusion, god bless our troops, we will never forget september 11 and the global war on terrorism. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from connecticut rise? without objection, so ordered. the gentleman from connecticut is recognized. >> on april 6, 2008, something happened that has not happened since. mr. courtney: the uconn women's basketball team lost a game. that was almost 1,000 days ago and since that day the uconn women huskies have been on a streak that may not end for a long time. uconn's victory this past sunday was their 88th consecutive win, tying the division i 1 set in 1974. uconn has wracked up two national titles for a total of seven. since the streak began uconn coach gino arrest yema -- auriemma has been selected to coach the olympic team.

since the streak began, uconn has maintained its 100% graduation rate for players demonstrating athletic achievement and academic excellence are not mutually excluesive. tonight the huskies play florida state for a a chance to pass ucla's record. good luck to them. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? >> unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mcclintock: on american 2 -- on november 2 the american people spoke loudly. instead of bowing to the public will the left has went on a spending spree with a majority that's already been turned out of office. first they exacted another $136 billion in spending as the

price to prevent a devastating tax increase on new year's day. they tried unsuccessfully to cram through a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill packed with more than 6,000 earmarks. they are now pressing to continue spending at a rate that exceeds even that of 2010. you could say they are partying like irresponsible teenagers, but even irresponsible teenagers have enough sense to stop trashing the house after the parents have phoned to say they are on their way home. madam speaker, the parents are going to be here in 15 days and i have news for you, the party's over. go home. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania rise? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. altmire: madam speaker, i rise to congratulate national guards m.e.p. across america on the passage of the post9/11

veterans educational assistance improvements act which the president will sign into law later this week. legislation that i introduced in the house last year to allow national guardsmen to use their title 32 service which includes homeland security, troop support, an disaster relief to qualify for post-9/11 g.i. bill benefits is included in the bill we sent to the president last week. under this bill, 130,000 national guardsmen who have helped protect our citizens here at home will now be able to qualify for the g.i. bill's many education benefits. the heroes in america's national guard including the 20,000 soldiers and airmen in the pennsylvania national guard provide invaluable service to our country during times of crisis and thanks to this bill they, too, will benefit from the landmark legislation signed into law in 2008. i stand today to thank america's national guard for their service and let them know our work is not done in

honoring their commitment to our safety and security. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will receive a message. the messenger: madam speaker, a message from the senate. the secretary: ma'am speaker. the speaker pro tempore: madam secretary. the clerk: i have been directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has passed with an amendment h.r. 81, cited as the conservation act of 2010. in which the concurrence of the house is requested. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina rise? ms. foxx: permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, madam speaker. the american people sent a crystal clear message to washington in november that they are tired of this town's job-killing spending spree, but it appears our colleagues in the current majority didn't get the message. as a result, the government funding bill we are going to debate this week continues the record-setting rate of spending passed by the democrat majority

last year. this includes the higher spending for programs that have been bowl by unnecessary and ineffective stimulus dollars. republicans have pledged real spending cuts to get our nation back to responsible budget and help create jobs. in fact, we have proposed to cut spending to prebailout and prestimulus 2008 levels which would save taxpayers $100 billion a year. madam speaker, let's listen to the american people and get federal spending under control. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from arkansas rise? >> to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentleman from arkansas is recognized. mr. boozman: thank you, madam speaker. i rise today in gratitude of the generous contributions to arkansas and its citizens by jim davis. service was an integral part of jim's life. serving in the u.s. army in the

western pacific and korea. he continued his passion for his community throughout his life as a gracious contributor who served on several boards and commissions and actively volunteered and devoted his time to create a better life in arkansas. jim served as the chairman of the leadership council and the arkansas chapter of national federation of independent business. former governor mike huckabee appointed him to the arkansas state health board, the beverage control board, and arkansas state police commission. he was currently serving as a member of the arkansas commission for veterans' affairs and he was a proud shriner and mason. after a long, fulfilling life jim passed away on december 18 and he will certainly be missed. however his legacy will live for generations to come because of his again rossity. i ask my colleagues to keep jim's family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. with that i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for

what purpose does the gentleman from hawaii rise? >> unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered, the gentleman from hawaii is recognized. >> i rise to address this house which will likely be by last formal address to the floor. it's been a privilege representing the people of hawaii and testimony to the greatness of our nation that a child of immigrants from china and thailand can call himself the maker of laws in the united states. i want to first thank the voters of had i hi for giving me this opportunity to serve them and thank all the volunteers who worked so hard to get me and most of all i want to thank my family for giving me everything i have. i believe that limited government is better in establishing prosperity. i be a vibrant two-party prosperity is better at preserving history. and i believe in open responsive public officials to better ensuring an accountable government than an old boy network. i believe the voters always

have the final say. while i may be disappointed in my results and recognize that my views are in the minority in my congressional district, yielding to the final word of the voters is something that i always will respect. may god bless this house and god bless the united states of america. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. . speaker, house of representatives the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives, madam, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2-h of rule 2 of the rules of the u.s. house of representatives the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on december 17, 2010, at 8:40 p.m. that the senate passed house joint resolution 105. with best wishes i am. signed sincerely, lorraine c. miller, clerk of the house.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives, madam. pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2-h of rule 2 of the rules of the u.s. house of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on december 18, 2010, at 3:54 p.m. that the senate concur in house amendment to senate amendment to h.r. 2965. with best wishes i am. signed sincerely, lorraine c. miller, clerk of the house. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. madam, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2-h of rule 2 of the rules of the u.s. house of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on december 20, 2010, at 9:49 a.m. that the senate passed senate 118, that the senate passed with

amendments h.r. 4915, that the senate without amendment h.r. 6510, that the senate passed without amendment h.r. 6473, that the senate passed without amendment h.r. 6533, that the senate passed without amendment house concurrent resolution 335. with best wishes i am. signed sincerely, lorraine c. miller, clerk of the house. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. madam, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2-h of rule 2 of the rules of the u.s. house of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on december 20, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. that the senate passed with amendment h.r. 2751. with best wishes i am. signed sincerely, lorraine c. miller, clerk of the house.

the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 4 of rule 1, the following joint resolution was signed by the speaker on friday, december 17, 2010. the clerk: house joint resolution 105. 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. recorded votes on postponed questions will be taken later. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from guam seek recognition? ms. bordallo: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 81. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill.

the clerk: h.r. 81, an act to amend the high seas driftnet fishing moratorium protection act and the magnuson-stevens fishery conservation and management act to improve the conservation of sharks. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from guam, ms. bordallo, and the gentleman from washington, mr. hastings, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from guam. ms. bordallo: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. bordallo: madam speaker, i rise today in strong support of h.r. 81, the shark conservation act of 2009. this bill, which i first introduced more than three years ago, reconfirms the original intent of congress to prevent

shark finning by prohibiting the removal of fins at sea and the possession, transferring or landing of fins which are not naturally attached to the corresponding carcass. this critical conservation measure, an enforcement mechanism, will help end the wasteful and abusive practice of shark finning and make us a world leader in shark conservation. yesterday, the senate amended my bill to clarify that certain fish docks in new england are considered to be managed under an international agreement for purposes of the magnuson-stevens fishery conservation act. the bill was also amended to make technical corrections to two international fishery implementation acts to allow proper participation by stakeholders on the respected advisory body.

amendments were also made to clarify that the secretary of commerce can issue regulations to allow for the replacement of corroding vessels in the non pollak ground fish fishery. in addition, the senate inserted language to exempt one particular fishery from the new requirement to land sharks with their fins naturally attached. while i am not supportive of this particular exemption, i do think it is important to note that this fishery represents less than 1% of all the shark fishing in the united states and that the restrictions on shark finning currently in the law will still apply to them. putting an end to shark finning is imperative to the conservation of these important and iconic species. and with that i ask members on both sides to support its passage. madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from guam reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. hastings: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hastings: thank you, madam speaker. this legislation takes h.r. 81, the shark conservation act of 2010, which passed this house in march of last year, and adds several other fisheries provisions, all of which i support. my colleague has adequately explained and described what is in this small fisheries package, and i do not object to this legislation. action by this house will clear these measures for the president and with that i ask my friend from guam if she has any speakers because i'm prepared to yield back if she's prepared to finish. ms. bordallo: madam speaker, i have no additional requests for time and would inquire of the minority. mr. hastings: i will yield back my time and urge adoption. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington yields back. the gentlewoman from guam is recognized. ms. bordallo: madam speaker, in closing, i urge all members to support this bill. and in our last business before the house for the natural

resources committee this year, i would like to thank the gentleman from washington for his cooperation in this bill and for all of the opportunities that we have had to work together. this congress, moreover, i wish him good luck as the new chairman of the committee next year and looking forward to work with him in the next capacity. with that, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from guam yields back her remaining time. all time for debate having expired, the question is will the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 81. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the senate amendment is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the senate amendment to h.r. 5809. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: snar -- h.r. 5809, an act to amend the controlled substances act to provide for take-back disposal of controlled substances in certain instances, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. waxman, and the gentleman from texas, mr. burgess, will each control 20 minutes. and the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. waxman: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the record. -- in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. waxman: madam speaker, i

yield to myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. waxman: i urge my colleagues to vote in favor of h.r. 5809, an act to re-authorize the diesel emission reduction act, or dera. since enactment in 2005, dera has provided significant public health benefits, improved our national energy security and helped create jobs. today's bill will authorize the continuation of this successful program for 2012 through 2016. it also slightly modifies the program to improve its effectiveness and administration. diesel engines are the workhorses of the economy. they are used to take students to school, to build roads and buildings and to transport goods on the roads, rails and waterways. diesel engines have long had a reputation for being dirty, but that reputation is changing. new diesel engines and vehicles must meet tough standards set by

the environmental protection agency. however, there are millions of older diesel engines now in use that have very high emissions causing a number of public health and environmental problems, including premature death. these engines have long useful lives, up to 25 years. so absent incentives to clean them up, we will be suffering from their pollution for a long time. dera is designed to used voluntary partnership approaches to reduce pollutions from these engines and vehicles. dera authorizes e.p.a. and the states to use loans and grants to help clean up existing dirty diesel engines and vehicles. today's bill would also permit e.p.a. to run rebate programs for clean diesel technology. all 50 states and d.c. have established dera programs. today's bill would allow puerto

rico, the virgin islands, american samoa and the northern mariana islands to do the same. dera projects have included retrofitting school buses to reduce children's exposure to harmful air pollution, repowering locomotives used at sea ports to reduce emissions in the surrounding neighborhoods and reduce high-emitting construction equipment. clean diesel funding has also been used to help small and medium-sized trucking companies afford clean technologies. i was pleased to see e.p.a.'s recent actions stating a preference for programs for truckers that couple fuel conservation technology with emission reduction technologies, including anti-idling technologies, other programs that only have fuel conservation provisions. this approach is consistent with the dera program, as amended, by

this bill. dera is delivering benefits. for every $1 spent on clean diesel products generates up to $13 of public health benefits. dera helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil, from projects funded in just the first year of the program, e.p.a. estimates that the country will save more than 3.2 gallons of fuel annually. this means that truckers and other diesel operators will spend $8 million less on fuel and reduce their co-2 emissions by 35,600 tons per year. dera also helps create jobs in the u.s. for every $500 million spent on diesel retrofit technology, dera saves or creates an average almost 10,000 jobs. it also has facilitated the development of emerging cleaner technologies.

given these benefits, it is not surprising that on november 9 a coalition of 538 companies and organizations representing manufacturing and business interests, environmental and health-based organizations, faith and labor groups and state and local agencies wrote to house members to urge re-authorization of the diesel emission reduction act, dera. this re-authorization of dera has strong bipartisan support, which has been a hallmark during its enactment and annually during the appropriations process. despite the significant benefits from dera, today's bill sets the authorization level for 2012 through 2016 at half the level of that for 2007 through 2011. the authorizing level is being reduced so that it is more in line with the levels that are normally appropriated for this program. it is not an indication that this congress believes that the

need for the program has decreased, nor is it an indication that appropriated levels should be decreased. the diesel emission reduction act has been a successful program that has widespread support and has produced significant benefits. i hope you will join me today in voting to re-authorize it, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: i thank the speaker for the recognition. i also rise to speak on the diesel emissions reduction act of 2010. you know, madam speaker, it's somewhat ironic that here we are almost poetic, like a line from a robert frost poem, on the shortest evening of the year, here we stand in the darkened woods to roads diverged in front of us. this congress should be over. this congress should have been over a month ago but here we still are continuing to pass legislation that will affect

americans into the next decade. we ask, why are we doing this at this time? now, the bill before us is not necessarily bad policy. in fact, it was part of the energy policy act of 2005. i voted in favor of that bill in 2005, and this re-authorizes a segment of it to deal with diesel emissions reductions. it is a good program. the chairman is right. the amount of appropriations that are being authorized has been reduced from what was originally prescribed under the energy policy act of 2005 and all in all that is a good thing. . this has been a successful program and its need going forward is less than what it was in 2005. and the chairman is also quite correct, diesel engines have a long life. they are a marvel of engineering. i have businesses in my district, floyd mcneily in my district in fort worth, runs a diesel rebushing be --

refurbishing plant puts new life into them and because of constraints can't sell them in this country but is able to sell them to countries in central and south america. they continue to perform good works both in trucks and boats and other mechanical applications. because of the long life of diesel engines, this program is indeed a reasonable one because it does reduce the diesel emissions from those engines that have been in use and provided gainful employment for a long period of time. i am pleased the authorization was reduced. i am pleased that section 3 of this legislation before us authorizes a general accounting office study as to whether or not the law or authorization is necessary even going forward into the next period of authorization. it's important to make certain that this legislation stays on the right track. of course as with many things in washington, this legislation is supported by a broad coalition of environmental, science based public health

industry and state and local government groups. all of which stand to benefit from this legislation. the american people indeed stand to benefit from this legislation because of the reduced amount of particulate admissions in older diesel engines. it still negates the fact we shouldn't even be here in the first place. this congress should have died a merciful death after being repudiated by the american people in the last election. and yet here we are late into december continuing to enact policies that are going to effect american lives well into this decade and probably decades beyond. the american people spoke loudly with one voice and with extreme clarity on november 2 of this year. they said congress, stop. you have done enough damage. go home and let us send new people to do the job. the new people are waiting in the wings. 80 freshmen on my side ready to take the reins of power and here we are at the 11th hour continuing to push policy across the floor whether it be good or bad policy at this

point is not the point. the point is this congress should have long ago gone home and wrapped up its business. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. waxman: madam speaker, we are paid until the end of the year. we are here to do our job. the american people said work things out in a bipartisan basis. that's what we have done with this legislation. i'm pleased to yield five minutes to my good friend from southern california, ms. richardson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california is recognized for five minutes. ms. richardson: madam speaker, i rise today in support of senate amendment to h.r. 5809, the senate version of the diesel emissions reduction act of 2010. as author of h.r. 6482, the house companion to the senate bill, 3973, i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. i would argue that this legislation wasn't just brought up in the lame duck. in fact, i have staff members here who worked a great deal of

time with the energy and commerce committee to bring forward this very thoughtful legislation. what this legislation will do is create jobs, save lives, and significantly improve the nation's air quality system. i wish to thank chairman rothman and chairman markey and their staff for their support in everything that they have done to make it possible to bring this bill to the floor. it's important. people's health is important even today in a lame duck session. i also appreciate the efforts of senator voinovich and senator carper in shepherding this bill to the senate. this legislation re-authorizes and extends dera for an additional five years and includes several important modifications to expand the program and increase eligibility. dera has proven to be successful. this is why we are bringing this bill forward today in reducing diesel emissions by upgrading and modernizing older diesel engines and equipment.

you might ask, why is this important to me in my particular district and in california and in the nation? well, i'll tell you why. our district is home to the two busiest container ports in the united states. the port of los angeles and the port of long beach. on average 35,000 trucks commute to and from the ports daily and by the year 2030, this number is expected to triple. those living along freight corridors in my district are already suffering from asthma and cancer rates far above the national average. air quality improvement and reductions in emissions are vital to the quality of life and health for those who live along the goods movement corridors. the immediate and long-term benefits of passing dera 2010 act are substantial both in my district and in the nation. additionally, the diesel emissions reduction act of 2010 provides economic incentives that all of our state and local

governments need right now with their private fleets that contract with state and local governments to decrease emissions, still while maintaining and expanding their levels of service. since dera was funded back in 2007, more than 3,000 projects nationwide have been fit interested this very -- benefit interested this very program. the e.p.a. has estimated the program averages more than $13 in savings, yes, savings, in health and economic benefits for every $1 in funding that this re-authorization even further emphasizes a cost-effective program. moreover, projections estimate that nearly 2,000 lives will be saved by 2017 in direct relation to dera's impact on air quality. this legislation has been endorsed by leading environmental health and transportation organizations who have argued that dera is an effective program that protects and creates american jobs. i ask unanimous consent to

include in the record a letter supporting this legislation signed by over 500 leading environmental health and transportation organizations and companies. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. richardson: members in both chambers and both sides of the aisle have embraced this legislation. i urge my colleagues to support it again today. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i would only point out, and certainly i have no objection to working. in fact in my prior life as a physician i worked many christmas, many new year's, fourth of julys, mother's day, and veterans day. here we are at the 11th hour probably on the next to the last day before this congress dies a merciful death and here we are passing legislation that in fact we have not had a hearing in our committee. we have not had a markup on this legislation in our committee. several of us in the room right

now are members on the energy and commerce committee. i argued passionately during our committee hearings and markups it is probably the committee with the most expertise in the whole united states congress and yet we didn't have a hearing to ask the simple question, ok, we pass this legislation, part of the energy policy act in august of 2005 when it was signed into law by then president bush, how have we done? how has it worked out? has it performed as requested? i can't argue the fact that this wasn't a good proposal. i voted forle it in 2005. i suspect it is a good proposal. wouldn't it have been great to have a hearing, markup? instead we bring this toil to the floor at the 11th hour right before this congress is to adjourn thankfully for the last time and members are expected to vote on it up or down. it is a travesty to do things in this way and i hope things will change for the better in the next congress. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from california

is recognized. mr. waxman: madam speaker, i inquire whether the gentleman has additional speakers. if not we are prepared to yield back our time. mr. burgess: the gentleman knows i can talk on this until our time has expired. in the interest of comity and spirit of the season, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas yields back. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. waxman: notwithstanding the fact he yielded back his time i want to now use the remainder of mine, but i won't even though i could. in the comity, interest of comity, and good will, i won't complain. i won't go on. i will simply yield back my time and urge members to support this worthwhile piece of legislation which is now being hopefully passed for the second time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back his time. all time for debate having expired, the question is, will the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendments to h.r. 5809.

so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the senate amendments are agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition? mr. inslee: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6540. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 6540, a bill to require the secretary of defense in awarding a contract for the kc-x aerial refueling aircraft program to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from washington, mr. inslee, and the gentleman from kansas, mr. moran, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the

gentleman from washington. mr. inslee: thank you, madam speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentleman is recognized. mr. inslee: madam speaker, we have another great bipartisan success today. at the closing day of our congress. i want to thank representatives larson, blunt, tiahrt, moran, and mcdermott in bringing this bipartisan bill to the floor. this bill is the defense level playing field act which will incorporate in stand alone legislation -- stand-alone legislation an amendment we adopted with huge bipartisan support previously by a vote of 410-8 the defense authorization bill. this bill is very important to bringing a level of fairness and competitiveness from a job creation perspective to the tanker contract which is now one of the largest procurement contracts in american history.

a $35 billion contract providing for 400 aerial refueling planes which will replace the eisenhower-era tankers which is so critical to our nation's skelton and backbone of our -- skeleton and backbone of our nation's defense. i note the basic thrust of this bill is to make sure in our procurement process that we have fairness, fairness both to the law and fairness to the american workers who are so successful in one of the bidders we hope to be successful was the boeing 767 platform which will be fully capable of continuing the tradition of american provision of the very whack bone of our american fleet -- backbone of our american fleet in providing our tankers. i want to make four points about what this bill will do. basically what this bill will do is to require the defense

department to take into consideration any unfair competitive advantage of any of the bidders in this contract. what basically this bill will do is require the pentagon will take into consideration any unfair competitive advantage enjoyed by either of the bidder, boeing or the airbus on organization yum. that is de -- consortium. that is defined as cost of development of production and manufacturing they are not fully born by the offeror of any such contract. what gave rise to this amendment was the fact that we have found that there are over $5 billion of illegal unfair competitive advantage that have within enjoyed by one of the contractors, the airbus conorganization yum. i want to make -- consortium. i want to make a few points. we need a fair competition. we love competition. we are happy to compete as

americans. we need to do it on a level playing field. this bill is very fair because it says that any unaire competitive advantage of either -- unfair competitive advantage of either of the bidors needs to be taken into consideration in this bill. we love competition but it needs to be fair. second, this bill is fair to both sides. boeing and airbus. america and europe, because it requires an unfair competitive advantage from either bidder to be taken into consideration. . and it is w.t.o. compliant. we are careful to draft a bill with that in mind. third, this is an enormous contract, and there have been enormous unfair competitive advantages bestowed on one of the bidders, frankly, airbus here. the $5 billion of illegal subsidies that we have found come out to somewhere between $

27 to $5 million an airplane. this is something we need to take into consideration. fourth, the job importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. it's estimated that 62,000 jobs could hang in the balance if we allow these illegal subsidies not to be remedied in this procurement contract. american workers have built the best airplanes. they're ready to do it and we are not going to allow tens of thousands of jobs lost based on illegal subsidizeation by our friends in europe. we look forward to giving the senate every opportunity to act on this. with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves. the gentleman from kansas is recognized. >> madam speaker, thank you. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. moran: i rise in support of

the legislation introduced by the gentleman from washington and appreciate his explanation of what this legislation does. i'm here to urge my colleagues both in the house and senate to support this legislation to level the playing field in the air force tanker competition. this is an unending story presumably. it has gone on for a long time. but at this stage in the process we need to make certain that there is fairness. we need fairness for our workers, fairness for american companies and fairness for the american taxpayer. earlier this year the world trade organization found that european governments are guilty in providing $6 billion in illegal subsidies to airbus to develop aircraft. these subsidies can put our american workers at a disadvantage in the world marketplace. tens of thousands of u.s. aerospace jobs have already been lost overseas.

department of defense, we risk $35 billion tanker competition with these subsidies. in wichita, kansas, alone where the finishing center for the new boeing tanker will take place, the tanker contract could mean 7,500 jobs. common sense today tells us that when we are so desperate for employment in the united states we need to make certain that the competition we are engaged in is based upon fairness. but even with the www.decision, the department of defense has ig -- but even with the w.t.o. decision, the department of defense has ignored the facts. the pentagon must not be working against millions of americans who are looking for work, nor should our own government ask american taxpayers to foot the bill for a european economic stimulus. the devil level playing field act tells the -- the defense level playing field act says

that the tanker bidding process must be conducted fairly. its intent is to have the d.o.d. to take into account the amount and no bidder, whether it's foreign or domestic, has unfair competitive advantage. american aerospace workers are ready to support our men and women in uniform with the best tanker and they must be given the fair opportunity to do so. please join me in standing up for the american worker and for the u.s. taxpayer by voting favorably for the defense level playing field -- i'm sorry, the defense level playing field act. and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. inslee: i yield two minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from connecticut, mr. courtney. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from connecticut is recognized for two minutes. mr. courtney: thank you, mr. speaker. i want to congratulate mr. inslee on his leadership on this measure. in a few short weeks, according

to the latest news from the pentagon, this contract, this tanker contract is expected to be awarded. again, i don't think anyone can understate the impact over decades which that final outcome will have on the u.s. economy, particularly our aerospace and industrial base. as has been mentioned by prior speakers, the first traunch of contracts will be about $35 billion. in total it's estimated to be about $100 billion in manufacturing. given the state of the tankers, the repair work is probably another $100 billion if you look at over the lifetime of this plane's existence. so for the american industrial base, the decision which the pentagon is on the verge of announcing, will again have an impact decades hence, and it is extremely important for the american taxpayer that they be given total assurance that the decision is going to be made fairly with the best interest of our country at heart.

and if you would step back and look at other weapons procurement programs, whether it's nuclear, submarines, the joint strike fighter, the notion that those contracts, those weapons platforms would be awarded to foreign manufacturers who receive subsidies from their government, it would be just laughable. but for some reason in this instance the department of defense has just turned a blind eye to the obvious unfairness which this bid process has produced. so, again, with this very simple measure -- what this very simple measure seeks to do is put a big warning flag up to the pension to say when this decision is made for the sake of american taxpayers, subsidies that are found illegal will be taken into account in the final decision. i urge strong support for this measure, and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves. the gentleman from kansas is recognized. mr. moran: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized.

mr. inslee: i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from connecticut, ms. delauro. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from connecticut is recognized for two minutes. ms. delauro: madam speaker, i thank the gentleman from washington, and i rise in support of this bipartisan legislation that will protect american jobs and ensure competitiveness fairness in the contract bid for the next aerial refueling tanker. in may the house voting 410-8 on a similar amendment to the defense authorization bill to require the pentagon to take into account the illegal subsidies that have distorted this competition from day one. the choice for the next generation tanker contract is clear. we can give the contract to an american company, boeing, and support an estimated 55,000-plus good, high-skilled jobs across this country. or we can give the contract to a european company, airbus. thus, creating tens of thousands of jobs in europe. with unemployment where it is

today, this should be a no-brainer. in fact, since the last time this issue was brought to the floor, the w.t.o. made a final ruling in the trade case brought by our government against the european union. it had billions of dollars in subsidies that has been used by airbus to develop aircraft it has built. more than $5 billion of these subsidies made it possible for the airbus to launch the a-330. it is offering for the tanker. we need to make sure there is an air, open and transparent tanker program. our workers can compete against anyone in the world when there is a level playing field. i urge my colleagues to support this legislation, ensuring the pentagon takes into account these illegal airbus subsidies. we need to provide the best tanker for the air force and must not send these critical defense manufacturing jobs

overseas. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves. the gentleman from kansas is recognized. mr. moran: madam speaker, once again, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. inslee: i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from texas, ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for two minutes. ms. jackson lee: i thank the distinguished gentleman and i join my colleagues by admitting that competition is good, and i rise in support of competition. but i also recognize that as a member of the manufacturing caucus that americans are ready and clamoring to build. they want to produce and create, and as they do that with their sophisticated technology, they create jobs. and so i believe it is unfair that when there is a competition that our companies are in fact in our own country at the pentagon are competing against those companies that are

subsidized. so i rise in support of this legislation, h.r. 6540, that does not in any way hamper the ability of the pentagon to do its work. but it indicates that we can build the kk aerial refueling aircraft program by a company that we have, in this instance, boeing, whom i'm very familiar with, having worked extensive with in the nasa human exploration program. let us build again. let us manufacture again and, yes, we will create jobs but we will create and reinforce the genius of our young people who are being trained and those scientists who have created the topnotch technology. to be on the front lines, men and women who are in the united states military, need the best equipment to be able to create jobs and build manufacturing back in this country. we need to have the competitiveness and an even playing field. no subsidies. boeing can do it. we need to have the pentagon

recognize that america is back in the saddle again. we're building quality proconducts, and we need to be able to build the kc-x aerial refueling aircraft, and i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves. the gentleman from kansas is recognized. mr. moran: continue to reserve, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. inslee: madam speaker, i want to put in a good word for my comrade, todd tiahrt. he's not here at the moment. he has had a great career, as did mr. larsen. i have a couple of comments. i come from a boeing family. my uncles and cousins have worked with boeing from the 707 to 737, 747. now they hope to work on the 767 tanker product. so this is a hometown team issue for me. but it is an international issue as to whether or not we are going to have rules when we compete with our friends across the pond. and we are happy to compete no matter what team we're on. this simply insists that america

will follow the rules in a fair competition, and it is the right thing to do. so in that regard, madam speaker, i'll note that sometimes the congress reserves the best in its legislation and the best in its speakers pro tempore for the last. i think this is the best in both ways. madam speaker, i have no further requests for time and i'm prepared to close after my colleague has yielded back his time and i continue to reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves. the gentleman from kansas is recognized. mr. moran: madam speaker, thank you very much. i appreciate very much the comment that has been made today on the house floor. economically there is no more important issue in the state of kansas than the success or at least the opportunity to have success in this contract bidding process. it has been a long time that we have been waiting, and i hope the gentleman who spoke earlier that indicated that we are on the verge of a decision is

accurate. this would be a great development, not only for the people of our state, but for the people of our country if we learn that there are jobs to be created and a manufacturing base tobe further developed in the united states. i very much appreciate -- to be further developed in the united states. i very much appreciate the gentleman from washington's indication that this bill is about a level playing field. it's not about awarding the contract. it's about giving a fairness to the bidding process, and i hope that we have the opportunity that the senate will also pass this legislation, again, on the verge of a decision to once again remind the department of defense of their responsibility to the will not only of congress for a level playing field but to the rightness of this cause, for the sense of fairness, for the right of justice and for building the opportunity of job creation in this country, not only today but tomorrow as well. and with that, madam speaker, i'd like to yield such time as

the gentleman may consume to the gentleman from florida. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. >> i thank the gentleman for yielding. i apologize to the house for being out of breath but apparently this bill was brought up on the floor without anybody's knowledge at the very last minute. i don't know if it's been discussed, but i sit on the armed services committee, and i'd like to ask my friend from kansas, if i may, madam speaker, has the professional staff on the armed services committee at all given their thoughts on the implication of this bill? mr. moran: i can -- mr. miller: the answer is no. the answer is no because it hasn't gone through regular order. this bill is not going through regular order. it's amazing to me that we're bringing something forward

today, as you have been saying already, that has great implications to the national security of this country. the armed services committee, the requisite subcommittees have not had an opportunity to talk about this particular piece of legislation. we heard that this may come up last week. it didn't come up last week. unfortunately some of the members who are very involved in this contracting issue had no idea this was coming to the floor today. i speak on their behalf and ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks because -- the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. miller: some of those very members are on airplanes, on airplanes flying to washington trying to come up here to be able to debate this particular piece of legislation. . again it's business as usual for this house in the waning days of the 111th congress that we would bring pieces of legislation forward that

impacts members all across this country yet not give them the opportunity to come to the floor in a timely fashion and express their views. i would urge my colleagues to vote against this particular piece of legislation. i yield back to mr. moran of kansas. mr. moran: i thank the gentleman for his comments. i would point out to the house that an amendment to the defense authorization bill of a similar nature passed the house of representatives by a vote of 408-10. i reserve the balance of my time. although i would let the gentleman from washington know that i have no other speakers and am prepared to close. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas reserves. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. inslee: thank you. i just wanted to address mr. miller's concern. wanted to advise him that we have been in discussions for the last several days with the current minority staff on the committee and we have all been well advised about our intention to bring this in one way or another either by u.c.

or suspension to the floor. we appreciated their cooperation in doing that. i also would advise mr. miller this is exactly the same language that we did vote, including the gentleman from florida, voted for in its previous incarnation in the defense authorization bail. i hope i can say it's a fairly noncontroversial issue in the house and we hope that when the light of public interest is shown in the senate they will act on this as well on we half -- behalf of america. with that, madam speaker, i tun to reserve. unless the gentleman has no further speakers? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves. the gentleman from kansas is recognized. mr. moran: madam speaker, i thank the gentleman from washington for his comments today. look forward to this bill's passion ang -- passage. i encourage my colleagues to vote for it and i, too, would like to recognize the work of my colleague from kansas, mr. tiahrt, in his efforts on this topic over a long period of time. and appreciate his leadership

on behalf of the people of kansas on this and many other issues. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas yields back. the gentleman from washington is recognized. mr. inslee: i yield back the balance of my time. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington yields back. all time for debate having expired, the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6540. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider -- for what purpose does the gentleman from florida rise? mr. miller: i ask for a roll call vote. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman ask for the yeas and nays? mr. miller: i ask for the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are

ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 , further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? mr. miller: i move the house suspend the rules and agree to h.r. 6547. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 6547, a bill to amend the elementary and secondary education act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. miller, and the gentlewoman from illinois, mrs. biggert, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. miller: madam speaker, i request five legislative days during which members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on h.r. 6547 into the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. miller: i yield myself such

time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. miller: madam speaker, i rise today on behalf of all children in our country. i rise for all parents who send their children to school with the understanding that their children will be safe. last week the committee on education and labor released a disturbing and outrageous report from the government accounting office highlighting cases where convicted sexual offenders were working in schools. in 11th 15 cases sexual offenders who were hired or retained by schools had previously targeted children. in six of those cases the sex offenders use their job to target and abuse more children and this is unacceptable. this report is frightening insight into what happens when rules aren't followed or aren't in place. it showed that in many cases comprehensive background checks could have easily prevented these crimes from occurring. it also showed that some school districts knowingly passed on a potential predator to another school district allowing the offender to resign instead of reporting him or her.

it's outrageous that the sexual or violent predator of children can be passed from school to school. the general accounting office found that school systems either did not have complete information or perhaps worse chose to ignore the or make it worse by providing positive recommendations about an employee knowing that they had abused children in their care. in many cases, the current system of ensuring our student's safety is broken. in huge gaps -- it has huge gaps allowing children to be vulnerable to sexual predators. madam speaker, this congress can do more to protect our children. the protecting students from sexual and violent predators act will help keep children safe in school by requiring states to take commonsense steps. first schools will be required to comprehensive conduct -- be required to comprehensively conduct background checks for any employees using state

criminal and child abuse registries in the f.b.i.'s fingerprint data base. second, schools will be prohibited from hiring or retaining anyone who has been conflicted of certain violent crimes including crimes against children and child pornographer. this bill will prevent more children from being put in unsafe environments because the adults responsible for their well-being failed to do their job. a 2004 department of education report estimated that millions of students are subjected to sexual misconduct by school employees at some time between kindergarten and the 12th grade. coupleled -- coupled with the findings of last year's gee go report concludes this is critical. parents have the right to believe their children are safe in schools and children have an obligation to -- schools have an obligation to fulfill that promise. this bill is only part of the solution. but it's an important step forward.

the g.a.o. account sent shock waves through households across the country. we owe it to parents and honorable school officials who follow the rules to pass this legislation. we also owe to them to send a strong message that people who abuse children or do not do their jobs to keep children safe will face serious consequences. i hope that the next congress will be able to take even more competitive approach to protect children in our schools and i urge all my colleagues to support this legislation. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from illinois is recognized. mrs. biggert: thank you, madam speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. mrs. biggert: i rise today to support h.r. 6547, a bill to require background checks for all public school employees. h.r. 6547 is designed to ensure states using federal taxpayer resources to fund education are taking necessary steps to ensure individuals with a history of criminal behavior are not able to slip through

the cracks and be placed in positions of trust within our schools. the bill requires states to have policies in place to conduct a check of the state criminal registry, state-based registry of child abuse and neglect, the national crime information center, and f.b.i. fingerprint check and a search of the national sex offender registry on all public school employees to receive federal funds under the elementary and secondary education act. the state-based checks must also be run for all states where an employee or prospective employee had previously resided. every member of this chamber wants to protect students from harm and there's no excuse for schools to do everything they can to protect the safety of children in their care. congress has already acted on this issue by ensuring schools have access to national background checks in the safe school act which was signed into law as part of the adam

walsh child protection and safety act of 2006. this was a bill that was worked on in a bipartisan manner and passed by voice vote in both chambers. unfortunately the majority has chosen a different approach with the bill before us today instead of holding hearings or scheduling a markup, to thoroughly discuss and vet this issue, they are rushing the bill to the floor for quick consideration at the end of congress. this is not the best way to craft thoughtful legislation, but despite our concerns about legislative process, however, we are all agreed that our students must be protected from sexual predators. in their schools and therefore i urge my colleagues to support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from illinois reserves. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. miller: i have no further requests for time. if the gentlewoman has no requests. mrs. biggert: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from illinois yields back her time. the gentleman from california

is recognized. mr. miller: i would quickly say i want to thank the gentlewoman from illinois for her cooperation on this. i know this isn't the best process, but it's the end of the session having the general accounting office report land on our desk on our watch, i felt it's important that we pass this legislation today to clearly send a very strong message to school districts across the country that they have to meet the responsibility to keep our children safe during the school hours. with that i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields whack his remaining time. all time for debate having expired. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6547. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. mr. miller: i ask for the yeas and nays.

the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 , further proceedings on this question will be postponed. the chair lays before the house the following enrolled bill. the clerk: senate 3874, an act to amnd the safe drinking water act to reduce lead in drinking water. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts seek recognition? mr. lynch: good afternoon, madam speaker. i move the house suspend the rules and pass the bill senate 118. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 118, an act

to amend section 202 of the housing act of 1959 to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for the elderly and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. lynch, and the gentlewoman from west virginia, mrs. capito, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. lynch: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. lynch: thank you, madam speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. lynch: thank you. madam speaker, i rise in strong support of section 202, support of housing for the elderly act of 2010. i'd like to start by thanking chairman frank and senator herb cole for their efforts on this bill and their dedication to america's seniors.

this brings h.u.d.'s section 202 program, part of our nation's safety net for the low-income elderly for nearly 50 years into the 21st century. supporting housing of the type funded by section 202 is an effective and cost efficient program for low-income elderly. section 202 grants combine high quality affordable housing with service coordinators who connect tenants with health, income support, and other community-based services this. produces positive outcomes for the life of elderly tenants. section 202's housing plus services model extends how long seniors can live independently. this is cost-effective as well given the alternatives of nursing home care cuppled with frequent hospitalizations -- coupled with frequent hospitalizations. h.u.d. needs to streamline administration of this program to reflect a new financing reality. the section 202 program was originally designed to be a

one-stop-shop for nonprofits to cover their entire project costs that is capital, operating and supportive services. however due to funding constraints, h.u.d.'s 202 grants no longer do so, especially in high cost areas like my home state of massachusetts. this requires nonprofit sponsors to access other sources of financing such as low-income housing tax credits. the bill before us today addresses these concerns while taking into account h.u.d.'s legitimate interest in maintaining oversight of its substantial investment and section 202 projects. . it requires h.u.d. to take advantage of agencies better positioning to process mixed financed applications. it also enables nonprofit sponsors to share more fully in the proceeds of refinance, refinancing opportunities that are now available in the private sector that some older 202 projects have so that those

sponsors can make needed improvements to existing projects and develop desperately needed additional senior housing. for all these reasons i urge my colleagues to vote yes on senate 118, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts reserves. the gentlewoman from west virginia is recognized. mrs. capito: thank you, madam speaker. ties i rise in senate 118, section 202 supportive housing for the elderly act of 2007. as my colleague has said, the bill reforms the section 202 elderly housing program making it more efficient and better to meet the housing needs of our elderly. s. 118 is similar to h.r. 2390 that passed the house in the 110th congress that passed by a voice vote. affordable housing with supportive services is a key component for seniors who want to stay in their own home and age in place. the section 202 elderly program for the elderly is a h.u.d. program that provides housing exclusively for low-income

elderly households. the section 202 program has been an important tool by providing capital advanced grants to nonprofit housing sponsors to build new, elderly housing facilities and project rental assistant contracts to subsidize very low-income elderly citizens of these facilities. many nonprofit sponsors are faith-based organizations with a mission -- an exclusive mission to serve the elderly. as a condition of receiving a capital advance, which does not have to be repaid, a nonprofit sponsor must make housing available for a period no less than 40 years. as a result of these efforts, the section 202 program currently supplies 320,000 units of housing for our very low-income elderly citizens. i'm very pleased to see that the language that i worked on in the 110th congress remains in the bill. my provision would help resolve a problem that nonmetro states like my home state of west virginia had experience when attempting to qualify for funds through the section 202 program.

it is important to recognize, of course, that the need for housing for the very low-income elderly extends to nonmetro areas. the very low-income elderly of rural west virginia deserve the same resources that are available to the elderly, obviously, living in larger cities. participants and developers of the section 202 housing program maintain that the current regulation and h.u.d. administration of the program can be time consuming and bureaucratic. s. 118 will improve section 202 elled leer program by streamlining and preserving the properties and by increasing participation by not for profit developers, private lenders, investors and state and local funding agencies. mr. speaker -- madam speaker, the need for affordable rental housing in america has an effect on renters of all ages, especially our seniors, and this bill will help ease some of the affordability problems for our senior population. i join my colleague and i urge my other colleagues to support this bill, and i reserve the

balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia reserves. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. lynch: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to yield three minutes to the gentlelady from texas, ms. jackson lee, for three minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for three minutes. ms. jackson lee: i want to thank my good friend from massachusetts for his leadership and his co-manager on the floor for her insightfulness on this legislation and as well to senator kohl. i rise in support of s. 118. madam speaker, it is because so many of us have these very questions being raised in our districts, particularly with populations of seniors increasing. my district happens to have one of the highest percentages of senior constituents and all of them seem to be looking for housing. i support the underlying legislation or the underlying initiative, section 202 housing.

i have a number of those units in my congressional district. one of the points i wanted to highlight is the fact that many of these facilities are falling in disrepair. even though there are some new facilities, and by my rising to the floor of the house, i'd like to encourage my constituents and all those who are listening how important it is to institute section 202 proposals or projects. they're enormously important, and i think it's important that the provision that encourages theualityization of -- the utilization of state and local agencies is important. one of the most important pieces of this legislation is for the nonprofits to engage or share more in the refinancing of these projects. one in my district, for example, is one that has a very vibrant population and res. dents who -- and residents who are there.

most would like to see that property repaired. and use the resources to continue the upkeep. in many of the instances the owners or nonprofits will say that the return on the property is not enough to keep it at its highest level. although we appreciate these properties, we appreciate the idea of these seniors having a place to live, i think that this particular legislation will reinforce section 202 and add to the 220,000 units already there. our senior population is growing. many of them have resources but many do not, and i think the 202 project under h.u.d. is an important concept to provide more housing for our seniors. they deserve after working and contributing to this great country the opportunity to live a very good quality of life. so with that i ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and i thank the gentleman for yielding and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts reserves. the gentlewoman from west virginia is recognized. mrs. capito: thank you, madam

speaker. i'd like to yield such time as she may consume to a housing advocate from illinois, a wonderful member of the committee and the upcoming chair of the new subcommittee, mrs. biggert from illinois. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from illinois is recognized. mrs. biggert: thank you. and i thank the gentlelady for yielding and, madam speaker, i rise today as the republican co-sponsor of the house version of this legislation, h.r. 2930, which was first introduced during the 110th congress, and i urge my colleagues to support today's bill, senate 118, the section 202 supportive housing for the elderly act. i'd also like to thank chairman frank and ranking members bachus and capito. and i'd like to thank our senator counterpart, senator kohl. the section 202 program is the only federal housing program that directs housing assistance to low-income seniors. it's already been stressed but it can't be stressed enough.

it has not been reformed in over a decade and a half. the reform offered in today's bill will help increase the number of units available to our seniors, a population that is increasing greatly in numbers as the baby boomer generation retires. in short, the bill will allow a variety of funding sources to be pooled together with section 202 funding to fund housing for seniors. by increasing program efficiencies, the bill will make it easier for section 202 projects to be refinanced and rehabilitated. it will also make it easier for owners to convert propts into those that provide both housing and services for the low-income seniors. again, i'd like to thank my colleagues for their work on this legislation, and i'd also like especially to thank my constituent, mike frico, the vice president of base lake, which is located in my district, who testified in support of section 202 reform legislation

in september of 2007. in december of 2007 by voice vote, the house passed the h.r. 2930 which is similar to the bill under consideration today. so i would urge my colleagues to support the bill and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia reserves. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. lynch: thank you, madam speaker. i have no further speakers on this side on this issue, but i do want to take an opportunity to thank mrs. biggert, the gentlelady from illinois, and mrs. capito, the gentlelady from west virginia, for their great work on this bill. i have -- i'm sure we all have a number of section 202 developments in our district. i have plenty, and they serve our low-income seniors extremely well and really as a program that really does improve the quality of life for a lot of our seniors. so i thank the gentleladies for their cooperation and i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman is recognized. mrs. capito: thank you, madam speaker. i have no further speakers. i'm prepared to yield back my time. i encourage my colleagues to support the bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia yields back her remaining time. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. lynch: madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. all time for debate having expired, the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate 118. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from connecticut rise? >> madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill s. 1481. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 1482, an act to require u.s. customs and border protection to administer polygraph examinations to all applicants for law enforcement positions with u.s. customs and border protection, to require u.s. customs and border protection to complete all periodic background -- the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from connecticut, mr. murphy, and the gentlewoman from west virginia, mrs. capito, will each control 20 minutes. the clerk: s. 1481, a bill to

amend section 811 of the cranston-gonzalez national affordable housing act to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from connecticut, mr. murphy, and the gentlewoman from west virginia, mrs. capito, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from connecticut. mr. murphy: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. murphy: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. murphy: this is a re-authorization and improvement on the 811 housing program. passing this program today would send the legislation to the president's desk. i think this is the third time we've had this bill over the house in the past four years and it would pave the way to provide thousands of more affordable housing units each year across this country to low-income persons with physical and mental disabilities. and importantly, the bill before us today costs the same amount as the existing 811 program. just makes some very important efficiencies to expand the use of these important dollars.

that's why i want to first just thank all the people who have brought this bill before us today. senators menendez as well as the ranking member of the full committee in the senate, senator dodd, in the house to the chairman of the full committee, representative frank and to representatives capito and biggert for their tireless advocacy on the issue of supportive housing. as well as to the really hundreds of staff, both on the inside of this building and those advocates who have worked on this issue for a number of years. and lastly, to the melville family. this bill is titled the frank melville supportive housing investment act. frank melville, who unfortunately passed away a couple years ago, including his wife, created the melville charitable trust. and that trust today is one of the primary funders of supporting housing advocacy in the east and also around the

nation. i think this legislation, should it find its way into passage, would be a fitting testament to frank melville's legacy. madam speaker, the 811 program is the prime program for the supportive housing around the country. the department of housing and urban development, there is 1.3 million individual, nonelderly disabled. people with physical disabilities or sometimes very severe mental illness, who are living in substandard housing. supportive housing is a cost-effective means to provide those individuals with an ability to thrive independently. they are housing units, sometimes built together, sometimes done on a scattered site basis that are partners with a modicum of support services. sometimes transportation help that allows them to live independently. the right thing to do for them but it's the right thing to do for the government. it saves us billions of dollars because often, especially with respect to the individuals who

have severe mental illness, the alternative is for those people to live in institutional settings, whether it be in hospitals or jails. for those with physical disabilities, it often is very, very difficult life to live in nonsupportive housing units. the problem is we're not building enough of these units. over the last few years we built less than 1,000 with 811 dollars. it's sometimes taking up to six years from the point of application to the point of completion when you are dealing with an 811 project. this bill, would triple the number of housing units we can build through the 811 program across the country. it does this by providing better accountability and cost efficiencyy to the program by transferring 811 vouchers to the larger section 8 program. and it supports leverage to leverage section 8 dollars with low-income tax credits, private dollars and state partnerships. that's what this is all about,

taking our federal dollars and trying to lerching them with other sources of funding -- leveraging them with other sources. private dollars is really the future of supportive housing development. . it allows state and state housing agencies to do much of the bureaucratic paperwork that sometimes bogs down these applications. years ago, madam speaker, when this country and states across the nation made the decision to close down our institutions that housed individuals with mental and physical disabilities, we made a promise to them. we told them we would find them new housing out in the communities. better opportunities for those individuals to live on their own. we haven't lived up to that promise over the years. in connecticut those of us who have worked on this issue for years, we often wear a badge when we are working on this issue in the state capital that says keep the promise. this legislation i believe, thanks to the great work of my republican colleagues and senators who worked so hard on it, is a step towards doing

just that. again i'd like to thank all the people who have made this perspective final passage possible. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from connecticut reserves. the gentlewoman from west virginia is recognized. mrs. capito: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to thank my colleague from connecticut for his dedication to this particular very important piece of legislation. i would particularly like to thank mrs. biggert from illinois for her passion and her advocacy on behalf of disabled americans and their housing needs. i rise in support of s. 1481, the frank melville supportive housing investment act of 2010. there are nearly four million nonelderly disabled adults in the united states in need of housing assistance of the the section 811 program is the only federal program that allows persons with disabilities to live independently in the community by increasing the supply of affordable rental housing with the availability of supportive services. s. 1481 closely resembles h.r. 1675 that passed the house by

over 375 votes last year. the bill before us today restructures the section 811 program in a way that provides for a continued creation of supportive housing and provides mental assistance that would make housing affordable for very low-income people with disabilities. this bill will improve the section 811 disabled housing program by streamlining and simply filing development of h.u.d.'s section 811 properties and makes changes to the program to encourage integration and mixed use development such as low-income housing tax credits and home program funds. i would additionally like to thank the very dedicated and hardy group of advocates from my state of west virginia who traveled here last year to talk about this extremely important issue and the difficulties that they find every day not only securing housing but finding more housing for their associates who may suffer disabilities and are unable to find safe, affordable housing.

so i want to thank them for their passion and also for their strength that they exhibit every day in dealing with their particular disabilities. i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. i would like to reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia reserves. the gentleman from connecticut is recognized. mr. murphy: at this time, i would be pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the chairman of the full committee and primary proponent of this legislation and the legislation that previously passed respective to the 202 program, representative barney frank. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts virginia tech. mr. frank: madam speaker, -- from massachusetts is recognized. mr. frank: madam speaker, i'm glad we are bringing it up because it helps to dispel a couple of unduly negative views about us. we have just seen a great example of bipartisan cooperation. yes, things have gotten very partisan. some things should be partisan. more have become that way than should be. but the public has an excessive view of the extent to which

partisanship dominates because when we have cooperation between the parties and agreement, it's not news. while we have some differences, the gentlewoman from west virginia, as the ranking member of the housing subcommittee, and the gentlewoman from california, ms. waters, as the chair, did a lot of constructive work together. wrought forward a number of pieces of legislation, not all survived the last-minute rush. i am hopeful under the leadership of the the gentlewoman from illinois, those areas where we had some agreement, there are some that he remain we'll be able to move them. it does show that people believe that there's more partisanship or that there are no examples of cooperation between the parties as there are in this case. there is another interview that politics is a hard and nasty business and people are vindictive. the gentleman from connecticut abandoned our committee. left for greener committee pastures. that did not prevent us from enthusiastically helping him to pass this bill. he deserves a great deal of

credit for it. it is an idea i believe came to him from constituents. it's another good thing to know there were people in his district interested in this. he brought it forward. and worked very hard and made the necessary adjustments as you always do in the process. so this speaks very well of the gentleman from connecticut and the process that people in the country who have some good ideas can bring them to us and they can be shaped. this is done. finally, i'm very pleased that this will lead to, i hope, more construction of rental units. a common problem that we have had for many years in our housing area was to overstress homeownership for people who needed government assistance. and under perform with regard to building rental units. no one thinks of it all, but this is a step forward towards the construction of rental units in a way that will increase the stock of housing and we remember when we talk about providing homes for

people who need assistance, ownership and having a home are not the same word. homeownership is a part of home in general. rental housing is also an important part. and i thank the gentleman from connecticut, the gentlewoman from west virginia, and others for letting us take that step forward today. i yield back to the gentleman from connecticut. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from connecticut reserves. the gentlewoman from west virginia is recognized. mrs. capito: i would like to yield such time as she may consume to a wonderful advocate for supporting housing and housing in general, the gentlewoman from illinois, judy biggert. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from illinois. mrs. biggert: i thank the gentlewoman for yielding and, madam speaker, today i rise as a republican co-sponsor of the house version of this legislation and i urge my colleagues to support the bill. i'd like to thank my colleague, congressman murphy of connecticut, for all his hard work and ranking member capito

for -- of west virginia, for all that she has done on this bill. i also our senator counterpart, senator menendez of new jersey and senator mike johanns of nebraska for their hard work on this legislation. section 811 is the only federal housing program that serves nop elderly, low-income people with disabilities. it is the only federal program that funds housing and vouchers for people with disabilities who seek to live as independent members of the community. unfortunately the program hasn't been reformed for over 15 years and due to inefficiencies has not served as many people who are disabled as it could. that's why for the past four years congressman murphy and i have worked to reform this section 811 program. the house passed our bill, h.r. 5772 by voice vote in september, 2008, and in july, 2009, the house passed h.r. 1675, with overwhelming

bipartisan support. by a recorded vote of 376-51. the bill under consideration today closely mirrors both house passed bills. s. 1481 is critical to the goal of increasing the number of affordable units for people with disabilities by better aligning this section 811 program with other federal, state, and local funding resources, it allows nonprofit sponsors to more easily leverage additional financing, thereby maximizing federal dollars and streamlines additional financing, thereby maximizing federal dollars. it streamlines the application process and prevents nonprofit and 230r-profit entities to partner on section 11 projects. the bill also limits appropriations to the federal fiscal year 2010 level and does not create any new federal programs.

le i'd like to once again thank my colleague from connecticut, congressman murphy, and thank chairman frank and ranking member baucus, chairwoman waters, and ranking member capito and their staffs for helping with this legislation. i cannot forget to thank one of my constituents from continually park, illinois, tony, the executive director of arca, illinois, who testified in 2008 before our committee about the needs for these reforms. on a similar note i'd also like to thank the wonderful people in illinois that work for trinity services and cornerstone services as well as all those volunteers, parents, and other members of the community who have reached out to express their support of this legislation. madam speaker, this is a commonsense bill that modernizes an important federal housing program that hasn't been updated. i would urge my colleagues to

support it. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia reserves. the gentleman from connecticut is recognized. mr. murphy: we have no remaining speakers at this time. we'll reserve and prepared to close. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia is recognized. mrs. capito: i have no remaining speakers. i'm prepared to yield back the time. i would urge my colleagues to vote in support of this very important bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from west virginia yields back her remaining time. the gentleman from connecticut is recognized. mr. murphy: i would like to thank again, representative frank for his again rossity despite my leaving the committee. and representative biggert for her advocacy on this issue offer the years. for people that are born with physical and mental disabilities, what i think we strive to do as a society is give them a chance at independent life. give them a chance to succeed like everyone else. there is nothing more fundamental to that success than a roof over your head, a place to live. and a place that has some appropriate supports wreck --

recognizing the challenges you face this. bill where we can potentially triple the number of supportive housing units we build across the country without spending additional dime is both a compassionate response to those people and responsible way to run this program. with that i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from connecticut yields back his remaining time. all time for debate having expired, the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass senate 1481. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.

for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition? ms. jackson lee: i move that the house suspend the rules and pass s. 3243. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the will. the clerk: senate 3243, an act to require u.s. customs and border protection to administer polygraph examinations to all applicants for law enforcement positions with u.s. customs and border protection, to require u.s. customs and border protection to initiate all periodic background reinvestigations of certain law enforcement personnel, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. jackson lee, and the gentlewoman from michigan, mrs. miller, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas. ms. jackson lee: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. jackson lee: madam speaker, i rise in support of s. 3243, the anti-border corruption act of 2010. and yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. jackson lee: madam speaker, we all have a stake in ensuring that the agency in charge of securing our borders is strong and effective. accordingly, i believe that corruption anywhere in the ranks of customs and border protection must be dealt with swiftly and effectively. now, having gone to our borders both northern and southern border, i am well aware there is a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and professionalism that goes on among our c.d.p. personnel. s. 3243 will foster greater integrity throughout the c.d.p. by requiring polygraph tests for all law enforcement applications and directing c.d.p. leadership to conduct periodic reinvestigations on

current personnel to root out any corruption. very important in light of the extreme conditions particularly on the southern border. and the fight that we have against drug cartels and violence. the men and women of customs and border protection, c.d.p., serve on the frontline in extreme heat, terrible cold, and other difficult circumstances to protect the nation against homeland security and crmal threats and we are enormously grateful to them. i am proud of the strides that congress has made over the years to bolster the efforts of these fine men and women by among other things doubling the size of the border patrol from about 10,000 agents in f.y. 2002 to more than 20,000 f.y. 2009. i'm very pleased having served on that committee since its origin and having served under chairman thompson that was one of our number one priorities. in fact legislation that i introduced became ultimately part of a senate bill that helped increase the number of

border patrol agents at the border. southern border in particular. traditional smuggling routes and networks have been disruptive because of our federal efforts to secure the border. . but in response, smugglers and other criminals are seeking out other ways to conduct their illegal activities. they have resulted to weakening c.b.p. from its ranks. while the majority of c.b.p. employees are not corrupt and are putting their lives on the line every day, to keep america secure, there are some who are undermining their efforts. let me remind my colleagues, the majority of c.b.p. employees are not corrupt, and we thank them for their sacrifice. however, enactment of this bill will strengthen personnel integrity and result in greater hiring efficiency and protect those who are doing their jobs every single day. according to c.b.p., approximately 15% of applicants receive a polygraph examination

last year. about 60% were found unsuitable for service. c.b.p. found that less than 1% of applicants cleared by polygraph testing failed the required background investigation. it shows that this process will work. in contrast, roughly 22% of applicants who do not undergo this testing fail their background investigation. maintaining work force integrity is a continuous process that does not end with pre-employment screening. with the aggressive growth in c.b.p., the agency has struggled to keep up with this periodic reinvestigations of certain personnel. s. 3243 would require c.b.p. to initiate reinvestigation within six months of enactment and report to congress on its progress all toward the idea of ensuring the integrity of law enforcement at a very crucial time in america's history. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of s. 3243 because this legislation

will help bolster c.b.p.'s ability to ensure integrity throughout the ranks of this critical homeland security agency. and frankly, i believe the men and women who are doing their job every day will welcome this kind of process in order to be able to stand alongside of those men and women just like them. madam speaker, i urge support, but i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas reserves. the gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. mrs. miller: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman. mrs. miller: madam speaker, i rise to speak about s. 3243 which will require customs and border protection, the c.b.p., for requiring polygraph testing for law enforcement positions before being hired and to initiate reinvestigations periodically for all of its law enforcement personnel. i seriously commend the border patrol agents and the customs and border protection officers of the work they do every day.

these men and women stand on the front lines. they face deadly criminals. and agents like brian terry, who lost his life last week and is an agent from michigan, who i believe is being laid out in a funeral parlor in the city of detroit this week, laid down their lives to protect our border and our nation. and, of course, the challenges faced by c.b.p. along the northern border are being met. the important work being done by our border patrol and c.b.p. personnel has made them a target of these drug cartels and other criminal organizations who want to recruit them to help smuggle drugs and money across our borders. corruption amongst border agents is not a new problem, but as enforcement has grown, so have the number of corruption cases. since 2003, 129 c.b.p. officers have been arrested on corruption charges. last year alone, there were 576

allegations of corruption. c.b.p.'s internal affairs office has stated that less than 15% of applicants receive a polygraph test despite agency policy that requires that all applicants are supposed to take this test. c.b.p. procedure also requires periodic background reinvestigations for employees to occur at least every five years. however, madam speaker, there is currently a backlog of over 10,000 cases which could increase to 19,000 by the end of this fiscal year. this bill will make it mandatory for all c.b.p. applicants to be prescreened with a polygraph examination and will require c.b.p. to clear the backlog of reinvestigations within six months. this bill will go a long, long way to preventing people like margarita crispin. she was hired in 2003 at which time she had already been recruited by the juarez cartel.

almost immediately, after completing her training, she began helping drug traffickers smuggle narcotics into the u.s. and by the time she was arrested in 2007, she had allowed more than 2,200 pounds of marijuana to cross into our border. ms. crispin was not unique among c.b.p. officers. in recent years we have seen the villareal brothers who helped people cross the borders. perhaps most disturbing, however, was the case of michael gilliant, who was a 16-year veteran of c.b.p. who was arrested on corruption charges in 2007. mr. gilliand became involved with a woman who belonged to a smuggling organization and before long began taking bribes to help smuggle people and narcotics into the united states. madam speaker, this illustrates how important it is that c.b.p. not only give polygraph exams to

new applicants but also to clear their backlog and reinvestigate their employees every few years. our efforts to secure the borders since 9/11 have made it more difficult for criminal organizations to smuggle people and nair cotics into our country, -- narcotics into our country but it has made them more desperate. it's to make sure that the work being done by our border patrol agents is not tarnished by a few criminals before they have an opportunity to do harm. with passage of this legislation, we can close this loophole and ensure that only the most trustworthy agents are employed by c.b.p. madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: madam speaker, i have no more speakers. if the gentlewoman from michigan has no more speakers, then i'm prepared to close after the gentlewoman's time has expired closes. -- after the gentlewoman closes. mrs. miller: madam speaker, i have no more speakers. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from michigan yields back her remaining time. the gentlewoman from texas is recognized.

ms. jackson lee: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman. ms. jackson lee: i want to offer my deepest sympathy for the fallen customs and border protection agent who lost his life in the line of duty, in the line of battle, if will you, and to express this country's gratefulness, again, for his service. and so in tribute to those who we recognize every day, put their lives on the front line, we want to ensure that we have the kind of force of men and women that will uphold the highest standards of integrity that even under pressure in this very hostile climate of drug cartels, human trafficking and smuggling and massiveness of criminal activity and intent to do harm to the united states that we provide the atmosphere for these men and women to do their job. madam speaker, as you have heard, the enactment of s. 3243 will faster greater integrity

throughout c.b.p. passage of s. 3243 by the house of representatives today will allow this important measure to be presented to the president for his signature. in recognition of the sacrifice of all of these men and women at our borders. i encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting s. 3243, and as we do this, look forward to comprehensively addressing this immigration concern in this nation and really move this nation forward in a nonpartisan and bipartisan manner. with that, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas yields back her remaining time. all time for debate has expired. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate 3243. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. ms. jackson lee: madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative -- the gentlewoman from texas. ms. jackson lee: madam speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not

present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 4348. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 4748, an act to amend the office of national drug control policy re-authorization act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from virginia, mr. scott, and the gentleman from texas, mr. smith, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia. mr. scott: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and

extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. scott: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia. mr. scott: madam speaker, h.r. 4748 amends the office of drug control policy re-authorization act of 2006 to require the director of the national drug control policy to submit to congress a northern border counternarcotics strategy. the united states' northern border with canada is the longest open border in the world spanning 12 states and over 4,000 miles. the house initially passed this bill five months ago recognizing the increased amount of drug trafficking and related criminal activity occurring near the canadian border including on indian reservations in that area. to combat this, h.r. 4748 requires the creation of a northern border counternarcotics strategy, similar to what has been placed for our southwest border for several years.

this will promote more effective consultation and coordination between federal law enforcement agencies so that we can bring new force to our efforts to curb the flow of illegal drugs across the northern border and the crime it brings in its wake. in addition, h.r. 4748 gives indian tribes with reservations on or near the canadian border a consulting role in implementing the strategy on their reservation. this bill is the result of efforts by our colleague, the gentleman from new york, mr. owens, whose district spans 250 miles of the border on land along the st. lawrence river and on lake erie. the homeland security chairman, the gentleman from mississippi, mr. thompson, helped to shape the bill and bring it to the floor last summer. the senate has returned the bill with modest refinements. i ask my colleagues to support this revised version so we can send it to the president. i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from virginia reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. smith: madam speaker i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman. mr. smith: madam speaker, h.r. 4748, the northern border counternarcotics strategy act, requires the director of the office of national drug control policy, ondcp, to develop a counternarcotics strategy for the u.s.-canadian border. the house passed this legislation this past july. the senate sent it back to the house for final consideration. significant attention has been paid with drug smuggling with the u.s. border with mexico. the border -- according to the 2010 national drug assessment, asian drug traffic organizations produce the drug ecstasy. america's northern border are is remote, heavily wooded and

sparsely populated, ideal for smugglers seeking to move their product into the u.s. undetected. in 2006 congress directed the ondcp to develop a counternarcotics strategy with the border with mexico. this mirrors the strategy for our northern border. while we continue to assess drug trafficking across our southern border we must not lose sight with the ease of which our northern border can be exploited by dangerous drug smugglers. i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from virginia is recognized. mr. scott: has the gentleman yielded back all his time? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yielded back. mr. scott: i yield to the gentleman from new york, who has worked very hard on this bill, the gentleman from new york, mr. owens, for the balance of the time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman. mr. owens: thank you. madam speaker, i want to thank chairman conyers and chairman

thompson for their leadership and bringing h.r. 4748 to the floor with the senate amendment. our northern border with canada spans over 4,000 miles, the longest open border in the world. i am intimately familiar with the unique status of our shared border. my congressional district in upstate new york includes 13 ports of entry and border crossings and nearly 2,000 jobs depend on a stable trading relationship with our northern neighbor. we currently lack a unified approach to stopping the flow of drugs across the northern border. as the southern border has witnessed the spread of violence that has accompanied the increased drug trade, we must be proactive and vigilant in ensuring that our northern border remains safe and open for business. . organized criminallements are increasingly exploiting the northern border. according to the 2010 national drug threat assessment, the amount of ecstasy seized at or between northern border ports of entry increased 594% from

2004 to 2009. in 2009 there were 1,100 drug related arrests in new york's north contry. just last week the franklin county board of narcotics task force caught a man believed to be headed downstate with 119 pounds of marijuana. the narcotics task force consisting of law enforcement officials from the federal, state, and local level stand to been fit greatly from this legislation. they will have the added advantage of increased cooperation and information sharing with their counterparts across the northern border. by enacting this important legislation into law, the federal agency that is responsible for stopping illegal drugs from entering the u.s. will be for the first time mandated by congress to create a comprehensive strategy to stop the flow of drugs across the northern border. by coordinating the efforts of federal, state, and local officials responsible for the safety of our communities, the

northern border counternarcotics strategy act will help ensure that law enforcement has the tools and information they need to keep the drug trade out of the northern border communities. this legislation also recognizes the important balance between allowing the flow of legitimate trade and travel across the border with canada and stopping the flow of illegal narcotics. this strategy will reflect the unique nature of the small communities that dot the northern border and recognize the need for continued cooperation and coordination with our counterparts in canadian law enforcement. this legislation will openly make the communities safer, attracting new business, and providing the lorment assurances of protection they need to grow and prosper. upstate new york has been fitted for decades from a robust business relationship with our canadian neighbors and any illegal activity that takes place over our borders threatens that relationship. the northern border counternarcotics strategy act starts the process of developing new approach to

combating the international drug trade along our shared border with canada. it is a vital component to the vick development and safety of our communities along that border. i ask my colleagues for their support and i reserve the balance of my time. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. all time for debate having expired the question is, will the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 4748. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative thirds, the rules are suspended, the senate amendment is agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.

for what purpose does the gentlewoman from the district of columbia seek recognition? ms. norton: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and concur in senate amendment to h.r. 1746, the predisaster hazard mitigation act of 2010. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the tile of the -- title of the bill. the clerk: an act a mend the robert t. staff -- staff disaster relief and assistance act to re-authorize the program of the federal emergency management agency. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from the north carolina, ms. norton, and the gentleman from florida, mr. diaz-balart, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the district of columbia. ms. norton: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material in the record on senate amendment

to h.r. 1746. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. norton: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman. ms. norton: i rise today to support h.r. 1746 as amended, a bill to re-authorize the previous disaster mitigation program. this program authorization expires with the current continuing resolution. the previous act to mitigation program is authorized in section 203 of the disaster relief and emergency assistance act and first authorized by this committee in the disaster mitigation act of 2000. my subcommittee held a hearing in which we received testimony on empirical evidence that show that this predisaster mitigation program manages to get a substantial reform on this investment with some estimations as high as four to

one return to the national government. examples of mitigation activities highlighted at the hearing include the seismic strengthening of buildings and fraps requiring repepively flooded-repetitively flooded homes. and the buildings of safe rooms and houses and other buildings to protect from high winds. the subcommittee came to the:clution that predisaster mitigation is effective in accomplishing the goal of reducing the risk of future damage, hardship, and loss from all hazards, including loss of life. h.r. 1746 would re-authorize the program for three years, make the minimum 575,000 or 1% of the total funds appropriated to carry out this section for the fiscal year and codify the competitive aspects of the program.

senate changes to the bill include an expolice -- explicit ban on earmarks along with reducing authorization levels of 250 million annually to 180 million for the fiscal year 2011 and 200 million for fiscal year 2012 and 2013. this legislation has been endorsed by the national association of counties, international association of emergency managers, association of state flood plain managers, the national emergency management association, the national association of flood and storm water management agencies, and the american public works association. in addition, the federal emergency management agency has requested an authorization of this premitigation program. this program is consistently shown to provide an excellent return on investment. i ask members of the house to support the bill that protects both lives and property. madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from the district of columbia reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman. mr. diaz-balart: thank you. this bill re-authorizes the predisaster mitigation program for the next three years. as the gentlewoman from washington, d.c., has stated. i'm pleased to be a co-sponsor of this legislation along with chairman oberstar, ranking member mica, chairwoman norton who is the committee that i'm the ranking member of. the predisaster mitigation program was created by the disaster mitigation act of 2000. as a pilot program to study the effects and effectiveness of mitigation of those grants given to communities before a disaster may strike. prior to the creation of the predisaster mitigation program, hazard mitigation primarily occurred after a disaster. through fema's hazard mitt gration grant program. we know that every disaster costs us a lot of money. and obviously more money and

many times human life. it damages homes, businesses, and infrastructure and again potentially loss of life. mitigation measures have been shown, madam speaker, to really to be very effective in mitigating the damage that occurs during a storm and frankly also in saving lives which is we would all agree more important. in fact, the investments we make in mitigation actually saves taxpayer dollars. i think that merits -- that deserves being repeated. it actually saves the taxpayer money. both the c.b.o., congressional budget office, and the national institute of building science have determined that for every dollar invested in mitigation, $3 are saved in actual future losses. in addition, h.r. 1746 as amended includes a prohibition, clear prohibition on earmarks. now, the bottom line is mitigation works. it's been proven to work. it saves lives.

it limits future damages. and reduces federal disaster costs. in other words, it saves the taxpayer money. and the predisaster mitigation program is an effective program that advances these goals that i just mentioned. i support the passage of this legislation and i urge my colleagues to do the same. madam speaker, i would at this time since i don't believe there are further speakers, i do want to just mention two things. first, i want to once again thank chairwoman norton. she has been -- it has been a privilege and honor and pleasure to be her ranking member. she has really, really on issues of mitigation, disaster she has been a great champion. shy represents washington, d.c., except for that big snowstorm it's not an area you would hope no hurricanes, earthquakes, but she has been a huge champion. she's visited areas. she's gone down to south florida and visited the hurricane center. had hearings down there.

so she's been a great champion. but i would just tell you on a personal note she has been wonderful to work with. as i said it last time i didn't know we were going to be on the floor together again, madam speaker, as i said last time i would no longer be on the t&i committee. i will now go to the appropriations committee. i would be remiss if i didn't mention, though, what a privilege it has been to work with my chairwoman. and also with one of the true gentlemen in this process, one of the people that i have grown to respect and admire, and that is the chairman of the full committee, mr. oberstar. a person who has served this country with dignity, with honor, with great integrity. and has been exceedingly fair. i can tell you there have been a couple -- not a couple, many occasions i have gone to him because i have seen things i didn't like that most of them were driven by just passions and i would go to him and say mr. chairman, this is what's going on. and changely, you could see it in his face. he just did not tolerate anything that he believed was not fair in his committee.

again a public servant, one who served his country, has shown all of us whether we agree with them or disagree with him. i have had multiple disagreements with him. what public service is about. i want to make sure i put that in the record. with that, at this time i don't know if the chairwoman has any speakers -- i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida yields back his remaining time. the gentlewoman from the district of columbia is recognized. ms. norton: first, i want to thank the gentleman from florida for his kind and general words are typical of the way he's operated in the committee. always in the most collegial fashion. when he talks about the district of columbia not experiencing what, more example, his own district does in florida, i can only say we empathize with you in florida and all over the country, we are all americans. every time that we sat together in hearings, we were of course

cognizant of the fact we were dealing with issues that affected the entire country. it has been a great pleasure to work with the ranking member. we work together on each and every bill. i cannot think of a single bill in which we found a disagreement where we had something that we wanted to change. we discussed it. staff discussed it. i know mr. oberstar would very much appreciate your remarks as well. he's a one of a kind chairman who has been here as a staff member with enormous influence then he became a chairman. with outside influence as well. i understand that my good friend, mr. diaz-balart, thinks he has found sunnier shores on another committee, but i want him to know that i don't think he will ever have a better relationship with another member on this side of the aisle than the relationship he and i have formed and it has

come to be a friendship. i say to him until we meet again, mr. diaz-balart, i want to simply emphasize in closing the little bit of money for which there is a great return for three years, the federal government spent a token amount, $500 million, but according to the c.b.o. the reduction and future losses associated with that small $500 million was $1.6 billion in present value. no wonder this bill passed the other body. madam speaker, i urge my colleagues to approve this bill as well. and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from the district

of columbia yields back her remaining time. all time for debate having exsired, the question is, will the how -- expired, the question is, will the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 1746. so many as are in favor say aye. so many as are in favor say aye. -- those opposed, no. 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the senate amendment is agreed to, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house the following enrolled bill. the clerk: h.r. 6510, an act to direct the administer of general services to convey a parcel of real property in houston, texas, to the military museum of texas and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts rise? >> madam speaker, i send to the desk a privileged report for the committee on rules for filing under the rule. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: report to accompany house resolution 1781, resolution providing for consideration of the senate amendment to the bill h.r. 5116, to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the united states, and for other purposes, providing for consideration of the senate amendment to the bill h.r. 2751, to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide

incentives to registered owners of high fueling automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles. and providing for consideration of the senate amendment to the bill h.r. 2142, to require quarterly performance assessments of government programs for purposes of assessing agency performance and improvement, and to establish agency performance improvement officers and the improvement council. the speaker pro tempore: referred to the house calendar and ordered printed. for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts rise? mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, by the direction of the committee on rules, i call up house resolution 1771 and ask for its immediate consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 255, house resolution 1771. resolved, that the requirement of clause 6-a 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 december 24, 2010. section 2, it shall be in order at any time through the legislative day of december 24, 2010, for the speaker to entertain motions that the house suspend the rules. the speaker or her designee shall consult with the minority leader or his designee on any designation for any matter pursuant to this section. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized for one hour. mr. mcgovern: thank you, madam speaker. for the purposes of the debate only i yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. sessions. all time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. i yield myself such time as i may consume. i also ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, house resolution 1771 waives the requirement of clause 6-a of rule 13, requiring the 2/3 vote to consider a rule on the same

day it is reported from the rules committee. this will allow for the same-day consideration of any resolution reported through the legislative day of december 24, 2010. the resolution allowses the speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of december 24, 2010. the speaker or her designee shall consult with the minority leader or his designee of any matter for consideration pursuant to this section. with that, madam speaker, i'd reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. sessions: good morning, madam speaker. welcome at this week of christmas. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. sessions: i want to thank the gentleman from massachusetts, my friend, mr. mcgovern, the vice chairman of the rules committee, for bringing this martial law rule to the floor of the house of

representatives today. madam speaker, the 111th congress is in its final days or so, the body hopes. the rule before us today provides for an expedited same-day consideration of all legislation brought forward until christmas eve and extends suspension authority for that same period. this martial law rule consists of the ability of the democrats to bring four more days of expedited consideration on top of the 11 days my colleagues gave themselves on the 8th of december. this congress has seen a record number of restrictive rules over the past two years. in fact, we have not debated one open rule in this congress. and i don't believe that closing debate, limiting amendments and shutting down democrats and republicans out of their thoughtful solutions on the

house floor is what we were promised by speaker pelosi. speaker pelosi openly told the american people that she would run the most open, honest and ethical congress. madam speaker, i would say to you that as we started so are we ending in chaos. it seems like every time i come to the house floor i point out that my democrat colleagues are using an unprecedented restrictive and closed process. this is not what the american people wanted, and i believe the american people truly do want their member of congress to be able to come to washington, d.c., to fully participate in the process. unfortunately we find ourself here again today with members simply sitting back in their offices wondering and waiting what is next, what are we even

debating, what are we doing rather than being actively involved in this democratic process. madam speaker, that's why people came to congress. this congress has managed to rack up a record $1.4 trillion deficit in 2009, more than three times the size of the deficit in 2008. and it hit $1.3 trillion deficit this year. we have seen unemployment at or above 9.5% across this country for over 18 consecutive months and a national debt that has now ballooned to $13.4 trillion. and yet we see no end to the spending which is evident by the rule that we are here discussing today. no discipline. no feedback from members.

members of this body coming faithfully to do their job not even knowing what is happening and what is next. purely speculation. no sharing of information. no plan that can be executed based upon the members of this body understanding what we're doing, where we're going and what is next. madam speaker, if there was ever a time when the american people know what the plan is and the members of congress know what the man is it would be now. it would be now for us not only to know how to have fiscal restraint but also a majority who offered leadership, leadership on a budget process, leadership on a transparency

process, leadership on the ability for members of congress to come and effectively represent their district and perhaps more importantly, not just a budget that was never produced, how about an appropriations bill that was properly done. every single business that i know of, state and local government, families, schools, everybody has a budget. even nonprofits who try and work in the best interest of a smaller group of people recognize you got to have a plan. that's an exception to this federal government. it's an exception by this congress and that is not leadership. as the chairman of the budget committee once said, if you can't budget you cannot govern. i think he's right. that's exactly the truth of what chairman john spratt said. and if the shoe fits, we're wearing it right now.

unfortunately, we've come to expect this behavior from this majority, but once again there is always tomorrow. republicans have made a pledge to america. we intend to keep it. i'm happy to report that very soon on or about january 5, 2011, there will be a significant course correction in this house of representatives. members will be expected to and allowed to read legislation before they cast their votes, take part in the activities of not only their committees but also come to the rules committee with their ideas, to take part in the process that they want to do. i think open rules will make a triumphant return to the house floor and elected representatives, members of congress will have a chance to fully contribute in this legislative process. it does not make me happy when i recognize that there is no

member, freshman member of this body, who has not for the last two years seen this body work the way it was designed. legislative process that would be open, legislative process that would be ethical and a legislative process that would be transparent for people. so here we are once again, the week before christmas, i can handle that. i'm here ready to work, but like the rest of my colleagues, waiting for a small number of people to let us in on the plan. i urge my colleagues to vote no on this rule. we have to return to a process which is prepared for the future and prepared for members to fully participate. i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas yields back. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, i regret that the gentleman from texas will not support this rule so that we can move our legislative business forward.

but i'm not surprised because quite frankly his party, the republican party, has had one goal since president obama game president of the united states and that is to obstruct and delay everything and that's what they tried to do. the gentleman talks about democracy. well, i think the american people are scratching their head as they see what's happening over in the senate. we're a minority, not a majority, a majority determines the -- a minority determines the agenda. that's not a democracy that most people believe what our government is about. i also say to the gentleman that we look forward to the next legislative year, and we look forward to the gentleman and his party becoming the leaders of this house. sitting on the rules committee, both majority and minority, i don't recall an instance when

his party was ever in power voted for a closed rule but we'll see what happens. i also say, madam speaker, that one of the things i think that the american people are now beginning to realize is that the republicans are not at all serious about fiscal discipline. you know, i remind everybody that when bill clinton was president we had record job creation and we had historical fiscal restraint. we actually eliminated the deficit and started paying down the debt. when george bush and the republicans then took over, what ended up happening is they took this record surplus and turned it into historic debt. and how did they do it? well, they did it through a number of things, unpaid wars is one of them. the other is medicare prescription drug bill that by the way nobody here had a chance to read that was voted on in the middle of the night. they kept the vote open three hours so that people's arms could be twisted. but it caused twice as much as

anybody thought it was going to cost. not paid for. but the thing that really broke the bank was their unprecedented tax cuts and giveaways to the wealthiest individuals in this country. not paid for. not paid for. and sadly, madam speaker, the republicans in the senate held unemployment compensation, benefits to the millions of people in this country who are unemployed through no fault of their own, held that hostage so they can get their tax cuts for the rich. and those tax cuts for the rich, by the way, madam speaker, are not paid for. not a single offset to pay for those tax cuts for the rich. donald trump gets another tax cut. unpaid for. guess what? that debt gets piled on the backs of my kids, you know, and the kids of every american in this country. it is just not right. i think what the american people are beginning to realize is what their real goal is is to go

after domestic spending in an unprecedented way. social security, medicare, you know, programs that benefit the most vulnerable in our country. they will launch an unprecedented war against the poor in this country. and we are going to see early on what their real agenda is. i bet, madam speaker, that as polls reveal, it's not what the american people have in mind. . i regret the republicans want to continue to do the same old, same old which is delay, obstruct, and put off and put off. i think we need to pass this rule and i would urge a yet vote on the previous question on the rule. i yield back the balance of my time. i move the previous question on the rule. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts yields back. without objection, the previous question is ordered. the question is on adoption of the resolution. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it.

>> i ask for the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. those favoring a vote by the yeas and nays will rise. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 , this 15-minute vote on house resolution 1771 will be followed by a five-minute vote on suspend the rules with regard to h.r. 6540. this is a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. the unfinished business is the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from washington, mr. inslee, to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6540.