ms. jackson lee of texas. the chair: the gentlewoman from texas, ms. jackson lee, and a member opposed will each control five minutes. the chair recognizes the yom from texas. ms. jackson lee: thank you, mr. chairman. i'd like to think our colleagues are in their offices communicating with their constituents and doing much of the work we do, writing probably other great ledge slave -- legislative niche tiffs and they are paying attention to this debate and they keep hearing the words small businesses and they want to know why would any of us have a disagreement about small businesses when we have, i think, we have a consensus that small businesses are in fact the back bone of america. they are the job creators of america. i recall many of us have initiatives, i have an initiative of visitting small businesses and just a couple of weeks ago, i donned the clothing of a medical practice, i went to a beauty school an tried to do a little bit of hair design. went to an energy company. went ton a small export-import company and i stood out as a safety officer

ms. jackson lee of texas. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 479, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. jackson lee, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. chairman. what america wants and what i believe is important to the institution that we have such great respect for is for members to work together. there are a number of amendments that were allowed by the rules committee and i thank them. and the idea should be that these amendments improve a bill. it is obvious that i disagree with this bill because i think it will literally shut down government. if you cannot pass simple bills that have been passed out of the house of representatives and now to the other body and they have not yet passed, we finished one year of the 112th congress, how do you think we can manage what is called major rulemaking, 80 different rules would have to be approved by the president, the house and the senate? literally the american people would be held hostage. so this amendment is a cooperative amendmen

ms. jackson lee of texas. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 477, the gentlelady from texas, miss jackson, and a member opposed -- ms. jackson lee, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlelady from texas. ms. jackson lee: i thank the chairman very much. i wish today was spent really dealing with job creation rather than diminishing the social safety net for the american people. something that we fought long and hard for. but let me give you some good news. the unemployment has dropped to eight point, approximately 9% i believe, or a little less. it means the country's economy is going in the right direction. and the time that we are spending on the floor on these bills are job killers. we'd much rather have spent our time passing the american jobs act, putting money and investment in infrastructure, rehiring firefighters, teachers, and law enforcement officers. and certainly we don't need to jeopardize this little baby's future with the opportunity for making su

ms. jackson lee, for five minutes. without objection. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, just a few minutes ago i heard one of my colleagues on another matter dealing with children raise the question, who lobbies for our children? frankly i don't want to live in a country that doesn't hold our children as the freshes resources that they are. to be coddled and nurtured, given the opportunities of life, irrespective of their ethnic background, religious background, economic background, where they live in this country. i think the greatest testimony of a country's moral values of how they protect and respect their children, just an hour or two ago, mr. sandusky in a pennsylvania courtroom decided not to listen to numbers of his accusers in this sordid scandal of child sexual abuse. that is his legal privilege, and as someone who adheres to the constitution of due process and the right to a trial by one's peers, i'm not here to karl with the legal system -- quarrel with a legal system that allows an accused, in this instance a proposed defendant, to defend themselves

ms. jackson lee on which further proceedings were postponed and the yeas prevailed by a voice vote. the clerk: amendment number 5 printed in house report 112-296 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a two-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 chair: the yeas are 172 and the nays are 250. the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 6 printed in part a of house report 112-296 by the gentleman from jea, mr. johnson, on which further proceedings were postponed and the nays prevailed by a voice vote. the clerk: amendment number 6 printed in part a of house report 112-296 offered by

ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, we are here basically because the joker has taken control of the congress. everyone knows that this is a procedural calamity that will not work. the house bill was dead on arrival in the other body because it raised the premium of medicare on seniors. let me tell you what we are doing today. the washington republicans are taking a high risk gamble. this is gambling. this is throwing the dice. a senator said it is important that we extend the short term to get to the long term on payroll tax. richard lugar said we must do what is best for the american people. my voice might be a little raspy, but i am watching the trees and the lights in people's homes as we go through the house you can see those lights brightly shining. then you get closer to that tree and you see them beginning to pop and burn as the christmas tree burns. and then those who have lights in their homes, candles, you see them burning to the very end. it is extinguished. they are putting the american people in d

ms. jackson lee: please do. mr. levin: i quote, this is linda in seattle, washington, i'm a person, a hardworking american person at that, and i will be forced to live on the streets if e.u.c. is not extended. it terrifies me and if it happens, the struggle i will face to once again be a productive member of this society in these times by myself is not one that i'm likely to win. there are thousands of stories just like mine that won't be told here. we are people. we have faces. and lives and dreams. just like everyone who still has a job. i am telling you, we will be on the streets without this extension. and only some of us will ever make it back from that. ms. jackson lee: i -- first we read about a mother and her child that has to move back in to their family's residence, or parents' residence, these are now senior citizens, then you tell me about someone who is actually going to be homeless, then we hear about a person that is degreed, has the ability to contribute to the engine of this economy and science, and

ms. jackson lee, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. ms. jackson lee: i ask unanimous consent to address the house. the speaker pro tempore: permission granted. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. speaker. happy holiday to america and let me reinforce that we live in a great country and that's evidenced by the members of congress to come to this democratic body and the other body to speak about the values of this nation and the importance of our democracy and our responsibility to address the concerns of all americans. it is good for us to have an opportunity for dialogue and to be able to listen to each other. i know that i'll be joined shortly by the whip of this congress, mr. hoyer, so let me just quickly say i've always thought -- i remember serving in this congress when president bush was the president, and i always made the point that once we are elected, even as we come from constituency, even as we come out of tough political battles, it really is the oath that we take that ensures that we represent all of america, whether we h

ms. jackson lee: i want to put two more numbers on the record as you did. if we don't, you made a very valid point that here we are at the last minute, you would think that we would be sensitive enough to know that families are gathering, families want to have a holiday for the children, they're trying to be the santa that they know the children believe in, they're trying to make preparations, families are trying to find ways to be with loved ones, maybe gasoline that they may need to drive a car. if we don't do this unemployment insurance, we are poised, unlike if we did it and we get bang for our buck, to lose 200,000 jobs. compound that with not extending the payroll tax cut and we lose 400,000 jobs. that is almost 600,000 jobs and i finish my saying, the tragedy of your point about china, and i want to make it very clear that we love all people, we wish the best for the people of china, it is the policies, the currencies, but not only do we have this to, in the backdrop, we have to fix our own house so that we're not billing a bridge in california that

ms. jackson lee, for five minutes. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, madam speaker. i rise today to join some of the calls of my colleagues but to indicate that i thought this very special day, december 15, 2011, a few hours ago in iraq secretary leon panetta performed the casing of the colors ceremony which is to acknowledge the colors, the red, white and blue, that our brave men and women fought under in iraq. we have soldiers still fighting around the world, and i was just speaking to my constituency and we know that one brave soldier even lost his life from north carolina in the waning hours of the ending of this war. and so at the beginning of december in houston i called for the yellow ribbon campaign and for america to wrap herself in yellow ribbons, both in respect of our returning soldiers, to acknowledge a job well done and to welcome them home to an unsilent america. i would like to thank speaker boehner, leader pelosi, whip hoyer and majority leader cantor for joining and indicating that they would support the wearing of yellow ribbons by our members toda

ms. jackson lee is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. speaker. and i almost don't know where to start but let me first of all indicate my privilege to be yielded the hour as the represent thoif minority leader , and also to be be privileged to discuss some of the issues of the congressional black caucus that have been a leader along with our chairman emanuel cleaver and our officers and those of us who have worked on these issues on the question of jobs for america. i almost don't know where to start but first of all let me say happy holiday to my colleagues and in this season of giving and joy, i acknowledge how special a time it is for families to come together. i would care to, if you will, try to get equipment working, which is -- a little difficult. i need the two posters, please. but i do want to start on some of the comments of my friend and colleague from texas and i'm delighted to have him act knowledge that we cannot condemn one faith as it relates to the harm that terrorists desire to do ag

ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for one and a half minutes. ms. jackson lee: i thank the ranking member and i thank he members of this committee. this is a tough decision, but in the midst of welcoming home many of our troops, i believe it is important to look at aspects of this legislation that has been corrected and aspects that have been enhanced. let me thank the members of the committee for the enhancement of the small business technology and the efforts on research and development, let me thank them for the response to sexual assault and harassment policies that have been improved as well as the improvement of the military pay for our military families and soldiers and the enhanced resources that have been put in helping our soldiers return to the workplace. but i am concerned and as i review this, let me specifically yield to the gentleman, the ranking member, and ask the question on detention which i think so many are concerned. it is my understanding that along with present law, that this has been vetted, the language of detention and the

ms. jackson lee here. i would invite her to the table if she is planning to testify. >> ok. well, please proceed. and your remarks will appear in the record and we welcome your summary. >> ranking member slaughter for allowing me to speak today on h.r. 3630. in my amendment to this legislation. i oppose this misguided bill, and am shocked that the republicans would tie the extension of the payroll tax cut, a tax cut that is desperately needed by our nation's struggling middle class to big oil interests. and i also object to the misnomer in the title of this bill. it should be instead of the middle class tax relief and job creation act, it should be the middle class reduction act. >> h.r. 3630. is still called db with mandate that the president accelerate the approval of the keystone x.l. puppy line. this pipeline will increase pollution in areas that are already suffering devastating outcomes from dirty air. the state department has submitted two failed environmental statements that haven't included the pollution that will come with this pipeline. >> please -- >> thank you f

ms. sheila jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for two minutes. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, we are doing what the american people have asked us to do. i thank the gentleman for -- from new york for championing the cause of the american people and i thank our whip, mr. hoyer, for understanding that we need an up or down vote on the senate compromise and a motion for this conference that will not occur, to do what is right for the american people. i've already said that the holiday season for so many has just gone up in smoke. the lights on the christmas tree have just burst and the tree is burning. the candles throughout the house are now down and smolering. and people are bemourning the condition that this washington republicans have put them in. mothers, single mothers, families without are now begging for a lifeline and the gigantic ship, the cruise ship, is cruising on by and allowing them to drown in the dusty and dark waters of this land. i don't understand where there is no mercy, where there is no understanding. my good friend from michigan wi

ms. lee, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas for two minutes. jackson scrax jackson i thank the gentleman and the speaker and -- ms. jackson lee: i thank the gentleman and the speaker and the chairman for their kindness and recognition for two minutes today. coming in from houston, i had the privilege of being with reservists that visited one of my hospitals that serves military families and of course the soldiers and veterans. they serve them on the issue of post traumatic stress disorder. i say that because it was a feeling of warmth and family. first acknowledging, as i wear this yellow ribbon, of those who have come home and those who have done their duty. i believe that the acknowledgment of sir winston churchill is an appropriate action for this congress but really on behalf of the american people. and i read quickly this quote in brief of his words. sure i am this day now we are the masters of our fate, that the task which has been set us is not above our strength. although this was in the context of world war ii, i plead with my colleagues who a

ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas for two minutes. ms. jackson lee: i thank the gentleman from massachusetts. i don't think anyone disagrees my good friend who discussed the keystone pipeline this that we want to create jobs. there's nothing that has been said that will suggest that the appropriate time of review that that project would not go forward. but what we're talking about today is the crisis in the american public dealing with two major issues. continuing a tax relief and tax cut for working and middle-class americans, number one. and number two, to keep six million americans from rolling into the street and falling on their own spear for lack of unemployment insurance being extended. disallowing them to pay their mortgage, disallowing them to pay their rent and in essence saying to them there is no light at the end. it is also about republicans and their commitment to the american people. and their pledge to america, the g.o.p. leadership indicated in september that they would end the practice of packaging unpopular bills with mu

ms. jackson lee here. i would invite her to the table if she is planning to testify. >> [inaudible] >> okay. please proceed and without objection, your prepared remarks, mr. johnson, will be in the record and we welcome your summary. >> [inaudible] and ranking member for allowing me to speak today on h.r. 3630. my amendment to this legislation on the oppose this misguided bill and jim shocked that the republicans would tie the extension of the payroll tax cut that is desperately needed by the nation's struggling middle class to the big oil interest, and i also object to the misnomer in the title of this bill should be instead of the middle class tax relief and job creation act, it should be the middle class reduction act. h.r. 3630, the so-called middle class tax relief and job creation act, would mandate that the president exarate the approval of the keystone xl pipeline. this pipeline will increase pollution and low-income and minority communities that are already suffering devastating health outcomes fr

ms. jackson lee for five minutes. >> mr. chairman and the ranking members commit thank you for your courtesy. before he left houston, i initiated with our community of soldiers a yellow ribbing campaign to welcome home returning troops out because i know from iraq at the end of december. think it is evidence not of one member's actions, but really that america loves her military. so is my chairpersons would allow me because i haskell questions, i do want to put a comment from former secretary cases says our all volunteer force has the strength of our national diversity and is composed of teachers who are first and foremost soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines sworn to uphold our national values. i'd like to change the direction of the discussion and talk about americans. american soldiers who happened to be as many different faiths. i indicated to my chairman, mr. king, that i am here to be a problem solver. those who lost their lives for my neighbors and friends in fort hood, texas. i went to the memorial service and i can

ms. jackson lee: i thank the speaker. i rise today in commemoration, mr. speaker, of world aids day, and i thank our minority leader for her eloquent recounting of how far we have come. in our best days we can look to my dear friend, magic johnson, who has been a living example of the improvements and the courage of those who are living with the h.i.v. infection. but we recognize that the 15 million people medically recommended for anti-retroviral medication worldwide, only half of these have access to drug treatment. in the united states nearly one in five people with h.i.v. or 240,000 people don't even know that they are infected. and communities of color and young gay and bisexual men have the severe burden of aids in the united states. magic johnson on one hand, a friend who is dying, will not have a way out. i will be tested for the h.i.v. virus and i encourage others to do so. i congratulate my constituents, the harris county hospital district, and the thomas street clinic, for their 12th annual world aids day. thank you, mr. president, for recognizi

ms. jackson lee: thank you. let me thank the chairman very much. and i want to applaud mr. gohmert and the ranking member and my colleague from missouri and echo the comments of mr. conyers on his father, but also the stellar work that he is doing as a member of the delegation. we can always count on missouri to test the constitution and to ask the united states to do what is right. so i am rising to support this compact and frankly i want to really embrace it because it is maybe one aspect of legislation, madam speaker, that we are actually bipartisan and supporting it without hesitation. i frankly believe that the federal government should not overreach as it relates to compacts that have been between states, but i do think that regulation is key and crucial to give states extra leverage. so let me congratulate mr. clay and i look forward to supporting this legislation. i will add as well that i imagine the compact, when i think of bonds i think the of opportunities for building -- i think of fuents for building, uses resources to restore and by the very nature of that, m

ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, in the calamity of news reports proliferating across america regarding the epidemic proportion of child sexual abuse, i introduce zero tolerance for child sexual abuse, h.r. 3650, i can my colleagues to join me for a national statement of jab horing and standing against the abecause of our children. for a much more happier topic, i thank our leader for her comments on our returning troops and i look forward to introtusing h.res. a resolution thanking and congratulating our returning troops and as well having a day or two days which our members will join me in wearing a yellow ribbon and as well commemorating the return of our wonderful troops and thanking their families from wherever they have come for this holiday season, what greater gift than the men and women who have served on the frontlines to honor us by their presence here on the holiday season. our message should be no silent state, no silent neighborhoods, no silent community in reference to honoring them as they co

jackson. >> can you name some of those woman? >> absolutely. yolande carraway is here today, ms. moore. there is regina thomas. there is leew/push. but if you look at lexus herman, if you look at a composite of the who's who in black politics the women who come to washington d.c. primarily have come from reverend jackson. >> okay, thank you very much for that. dr. peterson, you are newly installed as the director of africana studies at lehigh university. we cannot pretend that today, while the talk about the rainbow and the sunshine that there was a dark cloud over reverend jackson. there is seemingly a misconception, or maybe it's not and you can tell us that he has been ostracized on the political climate of today. can you address that issue or the possibility of how that could have happen? >> sure. i would just say that this is also, i want to thank you for inviting me and thank you for having me here. this is an extraordinary moment to be here to honor you on this day to be a part of the proceedings here today. you know, reverend sharpton did a great job of sort of explicating a front row, up close view of reverend jac